BBC documentary on gay footballers

NDGAARONDI

Looking at the winners of the CL I can't see a team really known for strength/power outright. The closest was Chelsea.

What about the team that won last week..? Massively physically dependent team are Inter.

I don't think there's a lack of good Asian football players, especially in areas like Leicester and near where I live where there are more Asian people. If you look at the Leicester City reserves and youth team there are several Asian players.
I reckon it must be a cultural thing, maybe Asian people are more career and familial minded and thus don't want to chance their future on something quite so short and unstable as professional football?

As for gay players, I imagine it's difficult enough without the cases of Fashanu and Roberts(?), that Welsh rugby player, putting them off coming out because of the massive abuse they got.

Reply 64

tropical-twist3

white_haired_wizard

Oh yeah I get what you mean but I don't think that's the point...I mean there's so much interest in their private lives that you'd think you would find out anyway unless they actively keep it secret. I think the point is it's a shame/not right/not fair that they feel they have to keep it secret rather than choosing to.

Reply 65

NDGAARONDI

Not all clubs have arsenals funds and training set up do they though?

Reply 66

lm_wfc

Not all clubs have arsenals funds and training set up do they though?

They could if they were as astute as Arsene Wenger and behind the scenes at Arsenal, they haven't always had it easy.

Reply 67

theamazingconquistadore

They could if they were as astute as Arsene Wenger and behind the scenes at Arsenal, they haven't always had it easy.

Why is everyone talking about the top 4 clubs? theres 92 league clubs, they dont repeesent everyone.

a) Even with a manger as astute as wenger, clubs anywhere below the uefa cup places still wouldnt have it as easy due to reputation for siging players. And cheap transfer mean f all if you're paying high wages. Clubs like arsenal also have it easy with the youth system, they can just pick up teenagers lower clubs have invested years in and pay them a few thousand in compensation.

b) Strength is important.

Reply 68

lm_wfc

I agree with you 100% about strength by the way, it's why the teams Mourinho built have done so well, because they were probably the most physically powerful combined with technically sound. Re; Chelsea, Inter (in my previous post).

Having said that, I'm not sure what your point in point a) is about :ninja:

Reply 69

gingerrama

aeonflux

What people exactly? I for one certainly don't. And as I already said, broadcasting what goes on in their bedrooms is an entirely different thing; but are you seriously suggesting that any gay footballers are hiding their sexuality 100% through choice rather than because they even slightly feel that they have to because of the homophobic attitudes that persist within the game?

Reply 70

lm_wfc

Not all clubs have arsenals funds and training set up do they though?

Harry Redknapp's Bournemouth were a joy to watch. It can be done.

Reply 71

NDGAARONDI

Harry Redknapp's Bournemouth were a joy to watch. It can be done.

was that a joke?

Reply 72

lm_wfc

was that a joke?

The point stands that you don't need massive funds to play good football. Look at Blackpool fora recent example.

Reply 73

theamazingconquistadore

The point stands that you don't need massive funds to play good football. Look at Blackpool fora recent example.

Exactly my point. My football side at Commonwealth Hall, when I was at Goldsmiths, played some right sexy football at times. :sexface:

A fair few goals from chips and backheels by me if I don't say so myself. :cool:

One-two touch passing was quite common too. :wink:

Reply 74

theamazingconquistadore

The point stands that you don't need massive funds to play good football. Look at Blackpool fora recent example.

I didnt say you did.

I'm saying IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND BELOW, STRENGTH IS IMPORTANT.

one more time for everyone:
IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND BELOW, STRENGTH IS IMPORTANT

Reply 75

izaldo

NDGAARONDI

I've always felt that physical prowess was overrated and overstated in its importance in the English league, despite supporting the most powerful side in Europe, arguably. You won't compete with a team of major softies but not everyone needs to be made out of steel otherwise the likes of Modric and Arshavin would have moved on by now etc.

At the top level, yeah, that's very true. These players weren't scouted in the English system though and I think that is key - look at the amount of pint sized superstars plying their trade in Spain, which I believe is a direct consequence of their talent based youth policy.

Look at the lower leagues, loads of players that are stocky, 6"1 ish. They are the sort of lads that make the grade. (Good, English...)

Reply 76

izaldo

That's true. Well, it's about time the lower leagues changed. It's the only way I think that more English players are going to ply their trade abroad. That's why I don't want to start football coaching in England, instead I'd go to Italy. :sexface:

Reply 77

aeonflux

gingerrama

The OP and the general suggestions made throughout the thread imply that there must be something wrong in football because there aren't loads of publicly gay footballers.

I'm not saying that there isn't a proportion of football fans who are homophobic, thats undeniable, just as theres a proportion of the general populations that is homophobic. I'm just arguing that not having openly gay footballers is not evidence of a problem in the game, more likely its just evidence that most footballers have the good sense to keep what goes on in their bedroom separate from what goes on on the pitch, which is surely the way it should be.

Reply 78

izaldo

NDGAARONDI

Word.

If I (was good enough to be a pro and) couldn't play for Liverpool I'd be offski to mediterrania, no two ways about it.

I'd like to play for Bologna.

Sadly, GEL's don't tend to appreciate the EU freedom of movement until they are 55ish...

Reply 79