Stefan Payne

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

This is a strange example to give. I've not read Rio's book/whatever you've got this from, but I thought Rio was a Londoner, so how is it any sort of sacrifice to travel around London to get to training for a top tier London club?

Off the top of my head; Alan Shearer moved away from Newcastle to join Southampton at the other end of the country as a teen.  David Beckham went to Man United from London too, surely there are many other better examples of sacrifice than Rio's?.  

George Best?

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

This is a strange example to give. I've not read Rio's book/whatever you've got this from, but I thought Rio was a Londoner, so how is it any sort of sacrifice to travel around London to get to training for a top tier London club?

Off the top of my head; Alan Shearer moved away from Newcastle to join Southampton at the other end of the country as a teen.  David Beckham went to Man United from London too, surely there are many other better examples of sacrifice than Rio's?.  

Its not strange though .Its just I was born and raised in London and knew youth team players from London who had the opportunity at professional football academy's in the city  but squandered them and got released due to lack of discipline so I can relate to Rio Ferdinand's story.

The book that I read was  Rio Ferdidand # 2 sides .My autobiography (2016).

True what your saying about  Alan  Shearer and David Beckham etc but everyone is different and some have more pitfalls than others to contend. Patrice Evra overcame a fair bit  for one of the top of head amongst others from a newspaper article I remember reading about. Helped by good people along the way. There are others as well who are high profile who overcome a lot as well to make it.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jan/22/newsstory.sport
https://www.planetfootball.com.....ssional-footballers/

Quoted from Rick12

Its not strange though .Its just I was born and raised in London and knew youth team players from London who had the opportunity at professional football academy's in the city  but squandered them and got released due to lack of discipline so I can relate to Rio Ferdinand's story.

The book that I read was  Rio Ferdidand # 2 sides .My autobiography (2016).

True what your saying about  Alan  Shearer and David Beckham etc but everyone is different and some have more pitfalls than others to contend. Patrice Evra overcame a fair bit  for one of the top of head amongst others from a newspaper article I remember reading about. Helped by good people along the way. There are others as well who are high profile who overcome a lot as well to make it.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jan/22/newsstory.sport
https://www.planetfootball.com.....ssional-footballers/

fair point.  This discussion reminded me of the Tom Bolawinra; Moses Odubajo story, their mum passed away and they were orphaned in their early teens.

Quoted from Harry Haddock

Looks like Stefan Payne will be back at BP next season. Signed for Chesterfield  

Ask Morais to man mark him.  

Quoted from Rick12

Its not strange though .Its just I was born and raised in London and knew youth team players from London who had the opportunity at professional football academy's in the city  but squandered them and got released due to lack of discipline so I can relate to Rio Ferdinand's story.

The book that I read was  Rio Ferdidand # 2 sides .My autobiography (2016).

True what your saying about  Alan  Shearer and David Beckham etc but everyone is different and some have more pitfalls than others to contend. Patrice Evra overcame a fair bit  for one of the top of head amongst others from a newspaper article I remember reading about. Helped by good people along the way. There are others as well who are high profile who overcome a lot as well to make it.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jan/22/newsstory.sport
https://www.planetfootball.com.....ssional-footballers/

I played Sunday League with a young kid who was offered terms at Crewe (I lived close to Warrington at the time) and he told me he couldn't be bothered to get the train to Crewe which was around 20  mins away. I nearly offered to drive him there myself!

I wonder if he regrets it now.

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

I played Sunday League with a young kid who was offered terms at Crewe (I lived close to Warrington at the time) and he told me he couldn't be bothered to get the train to Crewe which was around 20  mins away. I nearly offered to drive him there myself!

I wonder if he regrets it now.

I would of have loved to have been a professional footballer as Iam sure most on here would. Best I got was playing for my primary school team and B team at high school. Tennis was more my naturally better sport though.

What I love about football is the way it brings people together probably more than any other sport .

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

I played Sunday League with a young kid who was offered terms at Crewe (I lived close to Warrington at the time) and he told me he couldn't be bothered to get the train to Crewe which was around 20  mins away. I nearly offered to drive him there myself!

I wonder if he regrets it now.

Possibly a lucky escape

Quoted from Rick12

True Knut's but as a youngster he was travelling to training 3 times a week to West Ham over a 3 hour round trip on public transport on his own over a fair few years whilst some of his friends couldn't be bothered and took the easy route eg females  and party's. He sacrificed a lot in them early years for the love of the game which is something I deeply admire.

Shrewd by Rio. The females* and parties are so much better when you're a pro (I imagine).


*excrement on it!

Quoted from Abdul19

Shrewd by Rio. The females* and parties are so much better when you're a pro (I imagine).


*excrement on it!

I do like him as a football pundit now though. I find him quite funny,direct and passionate . What he achieved  in the professional realms was quality though. One of the best defenders in the world in his prime.

Quoted from Abdul19

Possibly a lucky escape

That was my first thought now we know what was going on with the youth development at Crewe