TEXT Maniacs
MORE than three decades have passed since Paul Ince seared his name onto West Ham fans’ ‘most hated’ list.
His crime was to be photographed wearing a Manchester United shirt long before he had left Upton Park for Old Trafford in a £1m deal.
That was back in 1989. Ince claimed innocence, insisting his agent took the picture before the deal was completed so he wouldn’t have to return from a holiday to pose in a United shirt.
No one believed him and there are still lots of Hammers fans who can’t bring themselves to utter his name.
Last week Raheem Sterling did something similar when he posed with a Real Madrid shirt draped over one shoulder and a Manchester City one on the other on the front cover of one of Spain’s biggest selling sports papers.
But what Sterling did wasn’t an accident, like Ince (inset) claimed his was.
Sterling’s pose was stage-managed by his representatives and he even went a step further by adding some words to go with the images. How kind.
The 25-year-old made it clear that joining Real Madrid remains one of his dreams, as he has stated in the past, and said: “It’s one of those things, right now I’m at City and I’m really happy.
“But I say Real Madrid are a fantastic club, when you see the white shirt you know exactly what the club stands for, it’s massive. I have a contract with City now, and I have to respect this. But it’s a fantastic club.”
His choice of the word “respect” is interesting and ironic, considering it was used less than a week after
City were thrown out of the Champions League by
UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play rules – and less than a week before his side faced Madrid in the last16 of this season’s competition.
The interview took place under the noses of Etihad bosses at the Lowry Hotel, without their knowledge. Pep
TYSON FURY versus Anthony Joshua is the fight everyone wants to see – and it has to happen.
The respective promoters of Fury and Joshua, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, have promised to get the two giants into the ring for a world
Guardiola insists his players are ‘free to say what they think.’ But those players also need to think about what they say. It’s safe to say City were less than impressed, one senior figure describing the episode as “crass” and “ill-timed”. Not for Sterling, though.
For him the timing couldn’t have been better as City’s next challenge was in the Bernabeu on Wednesday. But unlike the reaction to what Ince did, Sterling’s love-in with Real barely caused a ripple, even on social media, where there was no outpouring of vitriol, images of burning effigies or a sense of betrayal.
Quite the opposite, with one City fan saying: “He will go to Real Madrid one day and we wish him well. Can’t expect heavyweight unification fight that would be one of the biggest sporting events in British history.
If it happens, it would take a brave man to back against Fury coming out on top to cement his place as one of the all-time greats.
That’s because the difference between the (right) players to always want to stay at City.” Another added: “I always figured he would want to go there eventually. He’s done so much we couldn’t complain.”
The remarkable reaction outlines Sterling’s elevated status in English football. He remains a footballing treasure due to his impact on the pitch and brave fight against racism off it.
But the reaction also questions how much City supporters – and neutrals – actually care about the English champions, not least because when Sterling made it clear he was leaving Liverpool for Manchester in 2015 he became a pariah on Merseyside and still is.
Sterling is being as subtle as a brick because if you give Real encouragement, the La Liga giants will turn into a dog with a bone.
But he’s also playing a clever game – one that will end with him winning. two men is that Fury isn’t afraid to lose and he isn’t afraid of his own image.
He is also a master of getting inside an opponent’s head – and Joshua will be vulnerable to the consequences that would come if he was beaten for the second time in his career.
Fair play to Fury. He’s had his share of criticism in this column for some of the dubious things he’s said and done in his life – but it’s impossible not to respect his achievements in the ring.
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Village idiot – cfc come up against a good team in champions lge and crumble hahaha champions champions champions may have been a 30 year wait but cfc waited 50 years at 1 time to win the league again please explain why ??????
Anfield rd
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I can’t believe that Jordan Henderson is being touted as player of the year, worst player ever to pull on an England shirt.
TonyB
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Once again Blues are robbed of 3 points by a referee, who disallowed a perfectly good goal. Nobody on Sky could see anything wrong after repeated views! Refs or VAR? Take your pick, both rubbish! ZULU BLUES.
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John coleman remarks about rotherham utd long ball team sore looser over 1000 aways keeps your team going u clown coleman. Maltby miller jimbo
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Citys win at real madrid as 2b the best performance eva by a english team! Now 4 villa at wembley their goin 2 geta bigger beatin than wilder! Mcfc bluecoats
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JC, LUFC What a complete sausage head you are! How would a Leeds fan know anything about european trips? You are never in a european competition. So SHHH because you are making your look an idiot!
Green Army
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As a pensioner, watching championship football on tv. There’s not a lot to choose between the teams. My only complaint is the standard of refereeing. Another example in the Millwall v B’ham game. There was nothing wrong with B’hams goal, which was a great finish!
NEUTRAL.
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CFC1 – So i was at a funeral for a CFC fan ive known 30 years Friday C V. And a memorial drink for another CFC herbert Saturday T C. See loads ive known years no problems with me. Most who i know at CFC dont come on here want 24/7 sites. But loads write all sorts on the net every day proer p taking all things spurs. cheers.
Tony park lane lol
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Great to see Ramos see red against city. I aint no city fan but that clown has been getting away with cheating for years now. El Matador
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Re txt from annie field. mentioned forest had won 2 european cups. can she let their fans know as they never mention it on here LOL.
bob.b.
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Steve evans is a total disgrace his foul antics on sat were awfull young kids were in tears behind him the fa should kick him out shocking.
Big imp
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Taa lfc is said to be world class defender, he makes too many mistakes to be world class ok he’s a great defender but world class no way, im not slagging the guy just stating the facts. Avay-toi
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Been loving the premier league darts, though we could do with Fallon back.
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What a shame blonde russian beauty maria sharapova is retirin from tennis! she looks better than my lass jennifer even in the dark! Michael, whitley bay
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