Maybe it is just because I come from a certain era, but I am still a romantic and believe in loyalty to clubs, but my patience us being tested by a number of players who are becoming mercenaries. Unfortunately, loyalty from players seems to be somewhat of a dying art. I suppose you could ask the question, what is loyalty? According to the dictionary definition, it is 'a strong feeling of support or allegiance'.
One club players in a way are heroes, the players who understand what it means to play for their club, the fans club, our club. Matt Le Tissier is the one who always stands out for me, a truly superb player who was just happy playing football for the club he loves. Maybe one or two of the bigger clubs knew he was, lets say not the most energetic, but his desire to stay with his club made it pointless for anyone trying to bid for him.
Gary Neville at Man Utd, and our own Tony Hibbert are also recent one club men, who to be honest, have almost been like the fan who was lucky enough to play football. Does being at one club make you loyal? Well, yes of course, but I don't think it is just about being at one club, it is more about buying into the ethos of the club, and more importantly showing the fans you care. Whilst writing this article, two of the players who spring to mind are, Tim Cahill, he gave Everton 8 years of quality service, he knew what it meant to pull as the royal blue shirt of Everton, so much so, when he left this summer, he left with thanks and praise from fans all over (and not just Everton, but those who appreciate football generally), and he is safe in the knowledge he can come back to Goodison anyday, and be welcomed! Ian Wright,of days gone past, is another, starting his career at Palace, he moved onto Arsenal and bought into the club. Ian went on to play for several other clubs at the end of his career, but he knows, and the fans know, he will always be known to be a Gooner.
So, why is it that players are becoming less and less loyal? Is it just about money, well I guess for some of them it is, but I truly think what hasn't helped is the good old Bosman ruling, which has given the players greater freedom of contracts! In the 'old days', players would have signed their contract and got on with it, then in the last few months of their deal, everything would be sorted, and if they couldn't sort it out, then they were sold on at the end of their deal. Now, clubs have to start renegotiate 18 months to 2 years before the contracts run out, as they are frightened players will hang on a leave on a free knowing they can get a bigger pay day elsewhere. The last year of a contract can just seem to be a extended farcial game of poker, and bluffing!
Chelsea probably started the ball rolling with Abramovich, and now they are counting the cost with Cashley Cole making initial demands which the club do not like. Man City then took it took the next level, as have PSG, and are paying ludicrous transfer fees and paying extortionate wages - all which play into the hands of the mercenaries who are not interested in loyalty, or the clubs, but instead join the club purely for their wage. People will argue they want silverware, and to a point they do, but if they don't get silverware within a short time, they will just move on!
Zenit St Petersburg have taken it to the next level once again (how many more levels are there?!?!). This week they forked out £64m for Hulk and Alex Witsel, who left Portuguese clubs Porto and Benfica respectively! I don't mean to be funny, but Zenit?? Afterall, Porto and Benfica are big named clubs in Europe. At least Man City and PSG have a name you recognise. Yes, Zenit as a name may have started to appear in the last few years, but this is the sideways move of all moves for these two players!! Football is not important to them, simple as!
It is a double edge sword, yes, the money they earn is outrageous, and sometimes disgusting (when held in relation to other normal everyday jobs), but if someone is stupid enough to pay them that money, then so be it (None of us would realistically argue if it were offered to us). I guess what I am saying is that it frustrates me that some players show more desire, and loyalty to them wage packets, then they do to the club they play for.
So, whilst all this goes on, and I get frustrated or annoyed with players who show no desire to embed themselves into a club, we are rescued by one man who has shown loyalty in the biggest way possible! He might be 37 yrs old, but Hermann 'The Herminator' Hreidarsson has gone back to Portsmouth on trial to prove his fitness, and if he earns a contract, he has even offered to play for free!! It's not stupidity or desperation to earn a contract, Hermann just knows what the club means to the fans, and he has bought into the passion and desire of the club and it's fans (even in these desperate times!). I hope his loyalty to the club is rewarded.
Thank you Hermann for proving that some footballers do care!!
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