League pays the penalty for greed
The late Scottish football manager Bill Shankly famously once said: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don’t like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.”
He was not far wrong, as I know very well from witnessing my hubby Steve’s devotion to the game.
Chelsea runs through Steve’s veins. Whenever I ask him who comes first, Chelsea or me, he always hesitates before giving me the right answer.
He is a season ticket-holding devout fan who has followed his beloved club since the age of four. And this week, at news of the new Super League, I saw the true strength of his allegiance to the beautiful game.
He was among millions of dedicated and passionate fans who voiced their disgust and anger at the greed and selfishness of the club owners who thought they could rip out the soul of British football and sell it to line their pockets.
Steve was among those glued to sports channels and constant WhatsApp updates from their mates. The subject dominated every headline. Even PM Boris Johnson got involved. It drove me crazy. I’ve never seen such a fuss. In
my head, I was like, “For
Passion of fans sees off plans crying out loud, it’s only football, how serious can it be?”
But, trying to be the understanding wife, I decided to ask Steve what exactly he was getting his knickers in a twist about. He got out a piece of paper and started drawing.
I was subjected to a lengthy explanation – the details of which most people know by now. He told me how it was all about money and how no team in the league could be relegated.
I asked him why the fans were against it. He looked at me, totally exasperated.
He rolled his eyes, and yelled: “Because it corrupts the game. The whole point of football is because it’s a competition. That’s the thrill.
“The Premiership is great because nothing is guaranteed – you can have teams like Brighton at the bottom of the league give Chelsea a run for their money. You can have teams like Leicester win the league. It’s all up for grabs, which is the whole enjoyment.”
He told me how, as a teenager, football gave him the opportunity to break away from his mother’s apron strings. He would get on a train from Epping in the 70s to go to watch his team.
He would be with his “tribe”. He said it was his “second family” and still is. He added: “It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, when you sit in that stand, you are all equal.
“I’m not going to let foreign owners rip the heart out of football. This league will see our game Americanised, where fans are second to money. I’m not having it.”
His passion was replicated all over the country and, before it had even begun, the Super League was shown the red card.
These rich owners must be made to realise that if you commit a foul, you’ll be sent off…
I didn’t know actress Helen McCrory, but I was deeply saddened to hear she had died of cancer. She was only 52 and left behind actor husband Damian Lewis and their two teenage children.
Damian revealed how she had said repeatedly to their children: “Don’t be sad because even though I’m about to snuff it, I’ve lived the life I wanted to.”
I am truly heartbroken that someone so brave and talented has been taken away so soon. My deepest sympathy to all her family.