Should footballers be allowed a drink

[nottsblue]

Much as I despise Shrek, he is the footballer I hate the most, I think he has been very harshly treated by the media. He had a day off, stayed in the team hotel and had a few drinks with fans. Big fucking deal.

Footballers in the past sank ale like it was going out of fashion. And this included players at the top of their game. Bobby Moore, widely regarded as Englands best ever centre half loved a pint. Best and Summerbee were renowned drinkers. Souness and the whole dippers side and the Forest teams of that era were legendary drinkers yet won every prize going near enough. In fact it would've been more unusual not to drink.

I know football has changed both in the intensity and speed of the game on the pitch and the awareness of physical conditioning off it, but really. Can a footballer now not enjoy a blow out every now and then? They are young lads most of them, why should they not enjoy their success?

I'm not advocating going on all day benders two or three times a week because ultimately that will eventually hinder a players performance. But even then its up to the manager to decide whether an individual is fit to play. We wouldn't have had Gasgoigne for example nowadays. He is a player who took it too far, yet for the large part of his career he did well and the drink didn't affect his performance.

As I say, for once I feel Shrek has been beaten with a shitty stick and IMO there is no justification for it

[Spurge]

To be honest I've not delved too deeply into this story but in response to the post i would say that in addition to the advancement in physical conditioning etc that you refer to in bobby moore's, best and sumerbee and more recently sounesses era I would also add the wages effect which is off the scale by comparison.

I think it comes down to what the instruction from the FA or management team ( or the club at club level) regarding how a player conducts themself at the end of the day. As long as the player behaves within these parameters then fine. Equally if I was paid £300k a week by my club and was told not to drink or only to drink certain amounts on certain days also when on international duty i'd have no problem adhering to it.

I suspect being as high profile as Rooney is the vultures from the press will be looking for any opportunity to throw some mud. The FA could clear this up very quickly by confirming if he has broken any regulations or not - maybe they have, as mentioned I've not really followed it.

[patrickblue]

Much as I despise Shrek, he is the footballer I hate the most, I think he has been very harshly treated by the media. He had a day off, stayed in the team hotel and had a few drinks with fans. Big fucking deal.

Footballers in the past sank ale like it was going out of fashion. And this included players at the top of their game. Bobby Moore, widely regarded as Englands best ever centre half loved a pint. Best and Summerbee were renowned drinkers. Souness and the whole dippers side and the Forest teams of that era were legendary drinkers yet won every prize going near enough. In fact it would've been more unusual not to drink.

I know football has changed both in the intensity and speed of the game on the pitch and the awareness of physical conditioning off it, but really. Can a footballer now not enjoy a blow out every now and then? They are young lads most of them, why should they not enjoy their success?

I'm not advocating going on all day benders two or three times a week because ultimately that will eventually hinder a players performance. But even then its up to the manager to decide whether an individual is fit to play. We wouldn't have had Gasgoigne for example nowadays. He is a player who took it too far, yet for the large part of his career he did well and the drink didn't affect his performance.

As I say, for once I feel Shrek has been beaten with a shitty stick and IMO there is no justification for it

I agree 100% with the sentiment, but as it's Shrek there should be some more beating.

[Tokyo Blue]

I agree with you Spurge. It depends what the manager of his team has told him to do.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

This might not be a popular opinion but I also believe form should have something to do with it. It's not an official rule, but I think on this kind of salary and position, if you're being looked at as the odd man out in club and country games you should have enough professional pride to resist a bender.

He's been shit for years so no he doesn't deserve a bender while he's claiming a wage faf over what he's delivering.

[Beefymcfc]

England captain.

[South Stand Balti]

I have no problem with them having a beer as long as it's not during the game. There has been a huge over reaction in my humble opinion.

[Nigels Tackle]

this whole episode reflects how fucked up society has become
the cunts at the wedding were happy to have the granny shagger join them but then ran off to the press to make a quick buck by selling the pics. disfuckingusting.

[zuricity]

this whole episode reflects how fucked up society has become
the cunts at the wedding were happy to have the granny shagger join them but then ran off to the press to make a quick buck by selling the pics. disfuckingusting.

Some one has to pay for the booze why not Wooney ?

[nottsblue]

I agree with you Spurge. It depends what the manager of his team has told him to do.

But should the manager ban players from drinking? You are quite correct in saying players should do what the boss asks. But should what a player does on his time be the managers business if he is still performing on the field?

[nottsblue]

England captain.

Bobby Moore.
Bryan Robson.
Phil Thompson(?)

All liked their pop

[Nigels Tackle]

England captain.

Bobby Moore.
Bryan Robson.
Phil Thompson(?)

All liked their pop

i went to nottingham uni in the late 90s
steve stone, chris bart-williams etc... were regulars at the midweek student nights in the more 'upmarket' (by nottingham standards) places

[Tokyo Blue]

England captain.

Bobby Moore.
Bryan Robson.
Phil Thompson(?)

All liked their pop

bryan robson liked the pop enough to flop his knob out at Birch Services and wave it at passers by.

Basically united players (and the club itself) think they can do whatever the fuck they want and there will be no comeback, mainly because there never has been.

But should the manager ban players from drinking? You are quite correct in saying players should do what the boss asks. But should what a player does on his time be the managers business if he is still performing on the field?

That is for the manager to judge every case on its merits, as far as I am concerned.

I heard a story from a Chelsea fan once. When Vialli (I think it was but it might have been DiMatteo) became manager, he got the players together and told them to get drunk and do stupid shit at each other's houses. That way no-one would find out and nothing would ever hit the papers.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Mmmmm, Shrek relaxing and letting his hair down.

I find that a confusing thought

[zuricity]

Mmmmm, Shrek relaxing and letting his hair down.

I find that a confusing thought

I didn't want to comment , but looking at some of the pictures on t' net. He did look totally wasted ( which is probably why he starts from the bench these days).

[Feed The Goat]

Much as I despise Shrek, he is the footballer I hate the most, I think he has been very harshly treated by the media. He had a day off, stayed in the team hotel and had a few drinks with fans. Big fucking deal.

Footballers in the past sank ale like it was going out of fashion. And this included players at the top of their game. Bobby Moore, widely regarded as Englands best ever centre half loved a pint. Best and Summerbee were renowned drinkers. Souness and the whole dippers side and the Forest teams of that era were legendary drinkers yet won every prize going near enough. In fact it would've been more unusual not to drink.

I know football has changed both in the intensity and speed of the game on the pitch and the awareness of physical conditioning off it, but really. Can a footballer now not enjoy a blow out every now and then? They are young lads most of them, why should they not enjoy their success?

I'm not advocating going on all day benders two or three times a week because ultimately that will eventually hinder a players performance. But even then its up to the manager to decide whether an individual is fit to play. We wouldn't have had Gasgoigne for example nowadays. He is a player who took it too far, yet for the large part of his career he did well and the drink didn't affect his performance.

As I say, for once I feel Shrek has been beaten with a shitty stick and IMO there is no justification for it

Imagine how good Gazza would've been if he wasn't pissed

[mr_nool]

Much as I despise Shrek, he is the footballer I hate the most, I think he has been very harshly treated by the media. He had a day off, stayed in the team hotel and had a few drinks with fans. Big fucking deal.

Footballers in the past sank ale like it was going out of fashion. And this included players at the top of their game. Bobby Moore, widely regarded as Englands best ever centre half loved a pint. Best and Summerbee were renowned drinkers. Souness and the whole dippers side and the Forest teams of that era were legendary drinkers yet won every prize going near enough. In fact it would've been more unusual not to drink.

I know football has changed both in the intensity and speed of the game on the pitch and the awareness of physical conditioning off it, but really. Can a footballer now not enjoy a blow out every now and then? They are young lads most of them, why should they not enjoy their success?

I'm not advocating going on all day benders two or three times a week because ultimately that will eventually hinder a players performance. But even then its up to the manager to decide whether an individual is fit to play. We wouldn't have had Gasgoigne for example nowadays. He is a player who took it too far, yet for the large part of his career he did well and the drink didn't affect his performance.

As I say, for once I feel Shrek has been beaten with a shitty stick and IMO there is no justification for it

Imagine how good Gazza would've been if he wasn't pissed

Agree with that. He was always half a stone / a stone overweight. That's easily a yard or two extra is a sprint or a kilometre or two running in a game.

[john@staustell]

The horrible twat was out of order and bang to rights.

Fairly sickening the long line of ex-pros queuing up to defend him in the media

[Spurge]

The horrible twat was out of order and bang to rights.

Fairly sickening the long line of ex-pros queuing up to defend him in the media

Article on bbc sport says FA ban players from nights out whilst on international duty. If that's the case then he's fucked up and needs to be addressed quickly by the FA .

[Mikhail Chigorin]

The horrible twat was out of order and bang to rights.

Fairly sickening the long line of ex-pros queuing up to defend him in the media

Article on bbc sport says FA ban players from nights out whilst on international duty. If that's the case then he's fucked up and needs to be addressed quickly by the FA .

Hanging, drawing and quartering might be considered appropriate.