» Latest Sport: Off the pitch
Adam Virgo kicks off his monthly sports column
I am looking forward to next year’s football World Cup in South Africa more than anybody, and finally I agree that we have a realistic opportunity of winning and being classed as one of the favourites.
With any team, I believe that it all starts from the manager, and that is Fabio Capello. He has brought a discipline back into the team which has been missing for a long time. Gone are the days where the papers and the press picked the team and certain players felt they were guaranteed a place regardless of form.
I believe that all of that has changed now. If you’re not fit or playing well (whoever you may be) you’re not automatically warranted a seat on
the plane, let alone the team. Take Carlton Cole of West Ham; an honest player playing week in, week out and scoring goals is keeping out one of England’s best strikers, Michael Owen: a proven goal scorer for club and country (his record is probably better than any striker playing in England’s squad at the moment).
“I laugh when I hear people saying that footballers are overpaid for what they do. We never ask for the price on our heads”
With all of this taken into account and providing the majority of the squad are fit – and of course, our big game players are playing well – England will have a better opportunity than anybody next year to go on and win the World Cup.
In my profession and many other sports professions, money is becoming more and more of a major talking point. I laugh when I hear people saying that footballers are overpaid for what they do. We, as players, never ask for the price on our heads, it is set by the high rollers in the business. Who in their right mind would turn down some of the offers they are prepared to make? We are humans and need to provide for ourselves and our families, and we are in a career that doesn’t provide substantial longevity.
So, where do you draw the line? Should Lewis Hamilton be paid more
to drive for McLaren and risk his life every race? Or, should Tiger Woods rightfully be known as the first sporting billionaire, for swinging a golf club? People in the world of sport give up so much of their lives to dedicate themselves to being the best at what they do.
I leave you with this thought. The Indian Premier League money in cricket is massive and it changes people’s lives forever. If I were a well known cricketer and I was offered half a million pounds for potentially working six weeks or alternatively I was asked to rest, because of an Ashes Series coming up, I know what my answer would be. What would you do?
I’m looking forward to being back here in a month’s time but in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you with your own views on my topics.
Adam Virgo is Captain of Brighton and Hove Albion FC and his foundation raises funds for three charities. Adam is also HEART UK’s Sussex Ambassador for Team Red Laces.
