BAD CAPTAINS, BULLYING AND BONKING A MARRIED TEACHER

CAPTAINS

THE most successful side I played in had the most unappreciated captain.

He was everything players detest – selfish, and occasionally weak when we needed him most. Once, our club did not want to negotiate our bonuses.

We’d exhausted all our bargaining power and we had one option left – to boycott the team photo.

From a sponsorship point of view, this is a huge deal.

On the morning of the photoshoot we refused to change into the new kit.

The chief executive pleaded with us, but we stood firm – except one.

Outside on the pitch, alone, stood our captain in full kit and ready to go.

He’d sold us down the river and he was never forgiven. From that moment he was shunned by the squad. Anything he tried to organise fell on deaf ears and any time he needed a favour he didn’t get it.

The ideal captain can scream at his teammates, disagree with the manager and still maintain a flawless relationship with each and every one, thanks to the respect in which he is held.

My friend who played for United under Roy Keane once told me: “When I was a young pro, I was having a really tough time with my contract. Keane went in to see Ferguson with me and sorted everything out for no other reason than he was captain of the club.”zzztzv