OL’ Supermac – alias Malcolm Macdonald – was and still is a legend on Tyneside. He once described the culture of the Geordie faithful as thus: “They live for their beer, their football and their women. And in that order!”
So is it any wonder that a good Geordie lad like Andy Carroll is the subject of much scrutiny over his alleged lifestyle since his £35 million transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool?
England manager Fabio Capello has publicly criticised the player’s drinking habits and the gossip factory on Merseyside is in meltdown with tittle-tattle about Carroll burning the candle at both ends.
I am no defender of Carroll but – and it is a very big BUT – why is he alone being singled out?
Let’s get real. Most footballers now and down the years have over-indulged when it comes to alcohol abuse. Oh yes. Make no mistake about it. Sadly, it is in the very DNA of the British footballer – old and new. And it will NEVER change.
It is only publicised significantly now because football has evolved to become theatre, fashion and Hollywood all rolled into one. It is celebrity status gone beserk. Where extravagant excess is the norm and moderation is for wimps. And it will only get worse because these kids have so much money to burn.
Two of the greatest talents in my lifetime have been George Best and Paul Gascoigne – and both were flawed diamonds. It goes with the territory – classic working-class lads who didn’t know what to do with themselves outside of the vociferous roar of the Saturday afternoon crowd.
And without sufficient intelligence to decide not to succumb to the bright lights and champagne lifestyle. And to the demons they inevitably lead to. That is the real tragedy.
As Bestie once remarked: “I spent a lot of money on birds, booze and fast cars – the rest I just squandered!” If you didn’t laugh it would make you cry.
I’ve known Paul Merson, the former Arsenal star and now Sky TV pundit, since he was 16. In my lofty capacity as team-manager of the Virginia Water (Surrey) Under-8s, which included my son Ben, I once got Paul to dish out the end of season medals.
Paul was fantastic with the kids – and then he proceeded to down 24 pints of lager top.
I’ll never forget the look on the faces of my fellow mums and dads – chiefly because he was as sober as a judge at the end of it.
Carroll is an undeniable talent. He has a future on no limiting horizons if he learns from the mistakes of others.
But Liverpool fan Wayne, an engineer at DEC on the Granby, is not happy. He says: “Of course he needs to be sorted out. But Capello should have kept his mouth shut and left it to Kenny Dalglish. It should have been kept in-house. And so what happened? It led to the Stoke fans ridiculing him last Saturday and he wasn’t even playing. That could destroy his career.”
I like the comment from Richard, a baker at the Dorset Cake Company.
He is a devoted Terras’ fan and goes to every game. He said: “With the way things are going at Weymouth I think it might be a good idea if the manager gave the players a pint at half-time. It might get them going.”
Are you reading this Brendon King?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here