Playing against some great players:
Barry Hales
Luís Boa Morte
Sean Davis
Louis Saha
What is Football Turning Into?
As a former footballer who played at the highest levels in Wales, the Conference in England, and even won a league title in the Cyprus Sunday league, I now find myself coaching the Medway District U15 side. With outfield and goalkeeper coaching qualifications, I have a front-row seat to the evolution of football. Yet, I can't help but feel like a grumpy old man shaking my fist at the modern game that often feels like it’s lost its way!
The Game We Knew and Loved
Football used to be filled with passion, grit, and heart. It was a contact sport where solid tackles were celebrated, and rivalries were formed based on mutual respect and fierce competition. I think back to those exhilarating moments when a perfectly timed tackle brought the crowd to their feet. Nowadays, I watch players diving like they've seen a ghost at the slightest contact, and I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the game I once loved.
VAR or Not to VAR?
And don’t even get me started on VAR! It was meant to bring clarity, but instead often leaves us all scratching our heads in disbelief. Watching a game with VAR these days feels more like a tragicomedy than a sport. I remember a time when a player's ability to influence a match came from sheer determination and talent—this is now often overshadowed by theatrics and dramatics that seemingly belong in a soap opera.
Changes in Tactics: Are We Overthinking It?
As for tactics, it feels like every match has become an overcomplicated game of chess! I reminisce about the good old days when formations were simple and players played with instinct and creativity. 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-1-2-1-2—it can get so complicated you’d think we were preparing for a military operation rather than a football match!
Youth Football: A Different Game?
Coaching the U15 team truly highlights the disconnect between the game we cherish and what’s showcased on TV. I can't shake the worry that the essence of football, the joy of playing for the love of the game, has been diluted. Will the young players I coach still know the exhilaration of an honest game, built on respect and hard work when they’re chasing professional contracts?
A Journey Through the Years
Thinking back on my football journey from 1985 to 2007 invokes a bittersweet sense of nostalgia. Playing for teams like Middlesbrough, Newton Aycliffe, Pembroke Boro, Haverfordwest, Westbury, Trowbridge, Bath City, Wroxham Town, Norwich United, Akrotiri, the RAF, and the Combined Services brings back warm memories filled with camaraderie and competition. There were seasons when I felt like a footballing nomad, bouncing from club to club, often playing for two teams at once. Each moment I spent on the pitch solidified my love for the game.
The Goalkeeper's Perspective: It’s Easier Than You Think!
Let’s talk about my time as a goalkeeper. Some think it's the toughest gig, but honestly, it can be straightforward. It’s about angles and communication—skills anyone can learn! When you’re facing down a striker, making that crucial save can feel exhilarating. I often remind my players, "The first five yards are in your head." If only everyone could read the game as well as they read the latest football gossip! Watching matches is an opportunity to build football intelligence, and in my day, we did it by feeling the game and responding instinctively.
Midfield Magic: My True Love
While being in goal was enjoyable, my heart belonged in midfield. I loved being in the thick of the action, influencing every play, and occasionally pretending to be the star (with my mom cheering from the stands!). Scoring goals as a forward in Cyprus, and becoming the top goal scorer for four out of five seasons, was one of my cherished achievements. I thrived every time I stepped onto the pitch, especially during stretches of playing 23 games in 21 days—who needs a social life when you have football?
Winning with Integrity: An Eye-Opening Experience
Yet, today’s game often seems to emphasize winning over integrity. As a coach, I instil in my players the values of fair play, respect, and sportsmanship. However, there was a moment that deeply affected my perspective on the current state of football. During a match, one of the opposing team’s academy players dramatically feigned injury after a challenge that, from my viewpoint, was nothing more than a routine tackle.
As I stood watching, the player rolled around on the ground, tears streaming down his face, despite not having been touched. It was a surreal sight. Our player, standing just a few feet away, started to doubt himself, asking whether he'd made a foul. This made me question the culture that surrounds youth football today. Rather than teaching the value of resilience and bouncing back from challenges, we seem to be rewarding theatrics and deception.
In that moment, I realized how far we’ve strayed from the days when players would get up, shake hands after a challenge, and carry on. Instead of fostering a sense of camaraderie, we are faced with players looking for sympathy and attempting to manipulate the game. It reminded me that the essence of football—liberty, honesty, and love for the match—is in danger of being overshadowed by the desire to win at all costs.
My Journey Through the Years
Thinking back on my football journey from 1985 to 2007 brings both laughter and frustration. I played for various teams: Middlesbrough, Newton Aycliffe, Pembroke Boro, Haverfordwest, Westbury, Trowbridge, Bath City, Wroxham Town, Norwich United, Akrotiri, the RAF, and the Combined Services. Most seasons, I felt like a footballing nomad, bouncing from club to club, often even playing for two teams at once—talk about multitasking!
Comments