B
becs
Guest
Been to a talk today with Monty and Dick Malone. Just some points I picked up and have been musing.
1) Since the 60’s, Sunderland have never built on success. We’ve had promotions or cup runs, then sold off our best players, failed to replace them, fallen and started again. We need a CEO and back room staff who are committed to achieving and then building further on successes to break this cycle.
2) In the olden days players were paid a basic wage with extra for appearances and performances. The basic wage was enough to get by on but the extras paid for the luxuries. That made players hungry to work and perform as they made more money. These days the basic wage of some players is way more than they need to live on so there is no wage incentive to work hard.
3) Players used to have to work around the club as well as being footballers. When the Northumbria Centre was opened, they’d do their training, then get the rollers out and roll the pitches. Another day they all worked together and laid a footpath. They did DIY jobs around Roker Park painting barriers and stuff. All of that built team spirit and encouraged working together as well as building pride among them for the ground. They’d socialise together and built good friendships. The camaraderie like this doesn’t seem to happen these days which affects team spirit.
4) Boys were not allowed to sign for a club until they were around aged 14. Until then, they played social football in school teams, local leagues etc. Once they signed, they were given jobs and had to work hard for things like new boots and kit. These days academies take on 5-6 year olds and kit them out with everything they need. They don’t have to work hard to achieve things. They miss out on the social football as they are not allowed to play for the school and local leagues. By the time they get to around 15, the big clubs come in and cherry pick the best for their youth set ups. This is why it’s so hard to get decent players coming through academies for clubs such as Sunderland.
Anyway just thought it was interesting the way the culture has changed in the game and thought it offered some insights into the problems that we currently have at the club.
Can you imagine giving someone like Borini a tin of paint and telling him to get cracking? It just wouldn't happen.
1) Since the 60’s, Sunderland have never built on success. We’ve had promotions or cup runs, then sold off our best players, failed to replace them, fallen and started again. We need a CEO and back room staff who are committed to achieving and then building further on successes to break this cycle.
2) In the olden days players were paid a basic wage with extra for appearances and performances. The basic wage was enough to get by on but the extras paid for the luxuries. That made players hungry to work and perform as they made more money. These days the basic wage of some players is way more than they need to live on so there is no wage incentive to work hard.
3) Players used to have to work around the club as well as being footballers. When the Northumbria Centre was opened, they’d do their training, then get the rollers out and roll the pitches. Another day they all worked together and laid a footpath. They did DIY jobs around Roker Park painting barriers and stuff. All of that built team spirit and encouraged working together as well as building pride among them for the ground. They’d socialise together and built good friendships. The camaraderie like this doesn’t seem to happen these days which affects team spirit.
4) Boys were not allowed to sign for a club until they were around aged 14. Until then, they played social football in school teams, local leagues etc. Once they signed, they were given jobs and had to work hard for things like new boots and kit. These days academies take on 5-6 year olds and kit them out with everything they need. They don’t have to work hard to achieve things. They miss out on the social football as they are not allowed to play for the school and local leagues. By the time they get to around 15, the big clubs come in and cherry pick the best for their youth set ups. This is why it’s so hard to get decent players coming through academies for clubs such as Sunderland.
Anyway just thought it was interesting the way the culture has changed in the game and thought it offered some insights into the problems that we currently have at the club.
Can you imagine giving someone like Borini a tin of paint and telling him to get cracking? It just wouldn't happen.
