My wee lad has been playing/training at his football academy for the last two days when he came back asking the usual questions. "who is the fastest between sess and frazer?" "who is the best between Zidanne/Messy/Maradonna/Best/Pele?". Then came the big one "what would you say if I got picked for Newcastle?" well then, that took me by surprise. My answer "son when you grow up and if you are lucky enough/good enough to be choosen by a professional football team then I would be happy with any of them, as long as it's not Glasgow Rangers!". Back tracking I then told him that Derry City did Jame McClean no harm did it as well?. What would you lads say if posed with the same dilema????
Well that is a dilemma pal and whilst i aint a father yet i would probably be happy enough with it as long as if push came to shove he promised to do a chopra.
Tell him to takethe chance at any club he has the opportunity to go to. If he has the chance to go to Sunderland all well and good but if they dont come then take the chance offerred.
I´d drown him for the very thought..... No seriously, if any child of mine was talented enough to pay at that level, i would back him 100%, personally.
I´d drown him for the very thought..... No seriously, if any child of mine was talented enough to pay at that level, i would back him 100%, personally.
To be honest if a son of mine was good enough to be a professional footballer I'd be well chuffed even if it was for the mags, besides if he was any good he wouldn't be there that long anyway.
To be honest lads he's only 7 and as you can see by the youtube link on my profile he's a decent enough player. I only got him into it to build his confindence as he lacked it and as I got more involved I ended up coaching his team. Whilst coaching I must admit it was the most enjoyable experience, just watching these lads expressing themselves on a pitch for the love of the game without pressure (although some parents could be demanding of their little jonney). I was a decent enough player in my youth but was what you could call a good all round sports man who played in every team/sport only to have it ended with a knee injury when I was 15 so I know how things can turn out. I also have had family members and friends who IMO were more talented than alot of the players you see in premier league go over not to make it. It's a fickle game with alot of luck involved when selection is involved and to be honest I would rather my wee lad choose to become a doctor/pilot!!! but what father wouldn't dream of their son running out in the famous red and white???
Mate, if i had a young un play for the lads, i would cry every time he ran on the pitch, i´d actually burst with pride.
I know what you mean lad, the one thing that sticks in my mind is when young Leadbetter scored against Arsenal (I think) and ran over to apart of the pitch where aparrently his fathers ashes where thrown. Now that to me was emotional!
Was a wonderful moment that, one that a lot of us will always remember, he was a good lad Leadbetter, he was only about 10% short of being good enough. Moments like that are what it´s all about, passion , emotion, we don´t see it enough mate, like you say, young lads playing for fun, nowt better.
About six years ago, I had a pub, not too far from Syd James. one of my customers grandson, had a chance to be trained by SAFC, but his father refused, although the grandad offered to do all the commuting with his grandson, the father said he would never let a son of his have anything to do with SUNDERLAND..................................What a prick, and he WAS. Far as I know the kid has not been taken up by anyone. Nice to have your kids best interests at heart.
Absolutely Bill, We both have our fair share of that kind, frankly pathetic. Fortunately, we both have far more good uns.
Let's not forget, Chris Waddle & Steve Harper were boyhood Sunderland fans. Chrissie never played against Sunderland, ever. If Newcastle wanted my lad & he wanted to go I'd support him to the hilt & would be proud that a club of that size wanted him, at least they try & bring youth through. Rangers have always been my second team but if he went anywhere to play in Scotland I would tell him, " go make a name for yourself up there son & when you get noticed, get the **** back down here where the big money is."
You were doing well there mate till you mentioned Rangarse! TBH my best man and best friend supports the unwashed but hopefully one day they will get rid of their veil sectarianism as will Celtic I hope.
Derry as you know mate I done tours over your way, never took sides once though. We once picked a guy up in Short Strand, suspected UDA lad. The Cprl we had on that patrol was a bit of a ****. We took him for a ride & dropped him off in the Murph. When he realised where he was he actually pissed himself with fear. Not proud of it but I know the score marra. TBF to the Old Firm, I think they are trying their best to eradicate sectarianism but 300 years of hatred aint gonna be wiped out overnight mate.
Easy answer & not a PC Bullshit one. Be proud as, who couldn't? My lad's got a chance it seems at a sport I never played, don't particularly enjoy but I still spend hours taking him places for it & helping him practice. He talks of going overseas to play which if he made it I'd be so F***** proud I'd tell the world. He's playing footie as well to a couple of years ahead of his age but it's up to him what he does with it. In my heart I'd like to see him play footie but it's his life & not mine. I suppose what I'm saying is enjoy the ride as it might not last as I found out at 16 when my knees went.
You couldn't upset me Billy lad! I was lucky as a youngster as my parents wouldn't let us wear the colours of the old firm (Celtic) in my area, then of course my grandad sorted me out as to which team I would follow SAFC. You know as well as I do over here the colours of the old firm teams are a label as to what religion you are something which is a sad fact. I was also lucky to grow up with friends from both sections of the divide something I think we are getting to as a country (slowly mind) but hopefully we are moving in the right direction as the old guard (so to speak) are slowly but surely softening their stances and doing things which would of been unheard of 20yrs ago.
In order I'd say Fraizer, Messi and get out you ungrateful turn coat. Seriuously though if it was my boy I'd be proud as hell whoever he played for and, would drop him a mickey finn before his team played us.
Couldn't have been easy mate..it was kinda mixed up for a long time.... But if the lad has half a chance of making it...grab it.
