1.) 07 Sep 2021
07 Sep 2021 09:13:34
Great stuff as always. Loved your simple statement of the PSG Chairman's opportunistic browbeating of the whole Super League idea. seems like he's sending a message to UEFA more than anything in the year Qatar Investments want to win the UCL before the World Cup in Qatar. The notion that Ceferin and PSG saved football is hilarious.

I'd love your take on how fragile a career choice football is, especially in light of the revelations of young Samed YeÅŸil now working in an air filter company. I have said before on here that a viable route to first-team football is a poor approach if it is not married with skills-building for young players and proper career advice. Most young players are ill-prepared for the real world and the onus should be on the clubs that sign them to ensure they have wide access to alternative training.
Thanks for taking time to write these synopses.

{Ed001's Note - most clubs do provide a lot of help and the PFA is there as well, it is the players that fail to listen as they are young and headstrong. Usually not that bright either.}

2.) 07 Sep 2021
07 Sep 2021 09:58:49
I think today's modern football superstars don't help either, flashing the wealth on social media etc. I went to school with a very talented footballer who got as high as League 1 playing regularly. He did OK for himself but was by no means 'rich'. He's now 33 and not playing. It's a very short career.

3.) 07 Sep 2021
07 Sep 2021 10:14:42
I've spoken to several young players as part of an academic study (you are right they are headstrong) many have been very bright indeed but they all felt that there wasn't enough in place to let them consider careers outside football. I have to hold my hands up and say they all play at lower level teams but it's still relevant. On the PFA, I don't know what they really do at all. Thanks for the reply as always mate.

{Ed001's Note - the lower level teams are the ones that should really do the most. I only really know what is done at the top academy level, but that is a huge oversight what you are telling me. As for the PFA, if players speak to their PFA rep they can get help with courses and earning qualifications to start a new career.}

4.) 07 Sep 2021
07 Sep 2021 13:18:22
Somebody like Duncan Watmore should be a role-model to hopeful footballers with regard to obtaining qualifications outside football. He graduated from a good university with a first-class degree in economics and will have plenty of options available upon retirement as a result. While the avenue he took was one perhaps not available to everyone - he was privately educated, for instance - getting a first-class degree requires a lot of dedication and hard work, especially in a subject like economics. To do that whilst maintaining a high-level football career is something that should be applauded and held up to young footballers.

5.) 07 Sep 2021
07 Sep 2021 13:48:58
I grew up across the road from someone who played in the famous 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest.
An immensely talented young player who suffered a nasty injury that left him floating around the lower divisions.
Also a smashing bloke who hasn't forgotten where he came from.