http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ex-premier-league-star-swaps-10k-a-week-3871719? Wouldn't go as far as saying "what a waste of talent".... But... What a waste of a "lucky break" !!
I met him at the start of his career with us at a talk in at one of the stadiums sports bars, and told him that he had the potential to be a legend at Sunderland. I still stand by what I thought then, so it is very sad to see that he hasn't fulfilled that potential.
He's doing what he can to provide for his family & I'm certainly not gonna give him grief. He's overcome some of his problems & is getting on with his life. Good on the lad.
It's sad to see but can you see Mig in that position when his football career ends? Nope, He finished his studies. I makes you wonder, after their 4 hours training in the morning what do these men do? He should have prepared for this, I know most footy players aren't the brightest, with that in mind I think clubs should employ some kind of career guidance support system to help them, especially the average players and young lads who aren't going to earn enough in their short careers to sustain them and provide them a comfortable pension. We see it time and time again. The PFA have a lot to answer to as this is their incentive, their responsibility to force change.
Trouble is Brian, a lot of them come from working class backgrounds were they had very little when they were kids. That's not a slur at their parents or owt who probably tried their best as most parents would. But,,,,,,suddenly, some of these young lads find themslves on thousands of pounds a week & loads of time on their hands. I certainly don't class Kyle in the same bracket as Bestie or Gazza but more in the way of blowing what he had. His ability was limited but in my eyes he tried his best, that's all you can ask. In my opinion, the Mirror's report is a piss take. So he's earning £800 a fortnight, so what? Most I ever earned was £420 a week & I was very happy & comfortable on that. I commend Kevin Kyle & I think he deserves some credibility for what he's doing.
They need educating and looking after. That's a disgrace. Didn't realise he was such a heavy gambler. Loved him while here but I'm inclined to say he's a ****ing idiot for squandering what should have been a good life for his children.
I can totally understand players with gambling addictions, loads of free capital, spare time, and boredom. I've gone close myself many times in those circumstances, not 7k a week levels, but when I don't have a day job, I sit and I'm on Bet365 all day, not for money but for a bit of excitement. I liked Kyle I'll always remember the lad as someone would put his head in anywhere to try and score, wasn't the most cultured or talented, but was every inch a player who played for the shirt. Credit to him for accepting it and pressing on for his family, and I wish him all the best.
It's not bad, it's just a shame he didn't have something better to fall back on. If he were guided better through his academy day maybe he could have had a degree or something. Take Young Ryan Noble, had it all going for him, he probably thought he was going to make it. Now he's clubless and on trial at Crawley Town. He didn't leave us till he was in his twenties. He's in a position where football is no longer a realistic career. For his sake I hope he's given himself an education through his years at our academy, but I think the club should be taking a more hands on approach in getting them to seek alternatives or even providing them with an education. The club is announcing partnerships left right in centre, bout time they announced one with Sunderland Uni and took more of a responsibility in making sure our academy graduates have plenty of affordable options aided by the club and local educational groups. You're right. These kids can become disillusioned with having excess cash, shouldn't the club be playing it's part in helping to keep their feet on the ground? After all, when developing players it's not just about skills, it's about installing the right character and work ethic too. I think all clubs have a greater responsibility than they're accepting.
I don't believe he needs 'credit' for doing this, it's the minimum requirement for a father and a husband, sorry. I admire the guy for being humble enough, not being a dick about it and getting on with his life, but he's doing what is expected of a man with responsibilities. I wouldn't commend any of you lot just for putting food on your tables for your family to eat, it's a mutual respect that men have for each other that goes without saying, this guy's fall from grace makes him no different.
Remember him getting a couple (might have been a hat-trick) in a come-from-behind away win at Gillingham many moons ago. Good lad, if not the greatest footballer, so good luck to him.
No, I don't think I will shut the **** up Bill. I'm happy to judge a bloke who's thrown away that kind of opportunity to better his family for cheap (Not so much) thrills. Any man who spends 7 grand a week gambling instead of putting money aside for his family before getting to the point where he needs to clean toilets is an idiot. Under no circumstance is that acceptable. Your family come first as I'm sure you know. They need educating and looking after. This shouldn't have happened and it's a ****ing disgrace. What do the likes of the PFA actually do aside from make a noise in the press in high profile cases.
Gotta agree with Billy. You don't know the lads circumstances, he wouldn't of been very old when he was on that wage and obviously got into something he couldn't get out of. I don't think it's fair for you to blast him, he probably knows he's done wrong. Not like he's making a deal out of cleaning toilets, it's just the paper has picked up on it. It would be easy for the lad not to work and sulk about the money he's lost.
I don't know his circumstances but if they were that grim he shouldn't have had children. Either he wasn't ready for them or he started gambling after having them. It's irresponsible at past, idiotic at worst. He's got a family and no one but himself to blame. So I don't see that it would be easy. As I said previously though. The PFA needs to be guiding these lads better. They're often not all that bright and leave education early, they need help dealing with the money, the fame, the boredom and the pressure. They're not getting it at the moment. How is there not some sort of pension scheme that Kyle was paying into? It's utter madness.
Disco I agree with you mate, probably about 90% but you need to acknowledge that gamblers are very often doing it behind the backs of their families, in too deep, trying to win back losses, the circumstances are never ending and it is a killer of an addiction. It's irresponsible, of course but until you've been inside the head of somebody with these 'demons' (not saying you haven't had your own issues, I don't know you) it's not as cut and dry as just saying it's irresponsible full stop. You're completely right though, the governing body needs to make sure these players are being offered guidance on paving their own and their family/children's future. The guy certainly deserves no credit for cleaning bogs, ships or elsewhere, the other lads on that ship won't get any credit.
