Blackburn Rovers blog: Fans are falling out of love with the players

3:10pm Thursday 10th November 2011 in Andy Cryer's Blackburn Rovers blog Photograph of the Author By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

IT is one of modern day football’s biggest ironies. With the English top flight never more globally popular, the public have fallen out of love with the stars of the show.

Jimmy Adamson’s death on Tuesday morning only goes to show how it used to be.

The outpouring of grief and tributes that followed left no one in any doubt the Burnley LEGEND held a special place in people’s hearts and always will do.

The same could be the said for the likes of Bryan Douglas, Jimmy McIlroy, Tony Parkes and the late Ronnie Clayton. These are true East Lancashire footballing legends. Players the public adored and looked up to.

Where have all the legends gone? At a time when the game is faster, stronger and more exciting than ever before, you can’t help but feel none of today’s ‘heroes’ will be ever looked upon with such fondness as their contemporaries were.

Yes, there are an abundance of world class footballers who light up stadiums up and down the country with flashes of brilliance.

These players are still idolised by millions but are they really loved by their supporters? I would argue not.

Don’t get me wrong, football still has its share of good guys, probably just as many as ever.

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It is not the make-up of the individual that has changed, it is the game itself.

Footballers have always earned a decent enough wage but ever since the advent of Sky TV and the Premier League the game has entered a different planet, leaving us mere mortals in its wake.

It is very hard to truly identify with someone earning £30,000 a week - much more in many cases - living in a big mansion with a choice of cars.

In the ‘good old days’ the players used to mix with their public.

They would have a pint with their supporters, they would go where you and me go on a Saturday night and they would expect to see their contracts out at the club they came to.

Loyalty was a given for the majority back then, nowadays it is almost a redundant word as players are tempted by incredible pay days and egged on by their agents.

It is not their fault. Who wouldn’t be tempted by the sums of money on offer and who wouldn’t swap places with these players at the snap of the fingers? It is football’s fault.

Of course the term legend is still used by kids who want to be the next Wayne Rooney or David Silva.

But these players aren’t legends. They are merely great players.

Legends are the players who went above and beyond for their club.

Players who stayed loyal through the good and bad times and who never lost touch with the footballing public.

To be a real legend, supporters have to be able to identify with them and that is why the likes of Adamson may never be seen in the game again.

Comments (13)

3:39pm Thu 10 Nov 11

Justjes says...

End of the day players are employed be the club, its just a job that pays a ton of money.
they haven't got the bals to stand up with the fans they are just happy to take our dosh.

no wonder we are getting pised with then
End of the day players are employed be the club, its just a job that pays a ton of money. they haven't got the bals to stand up with the fans they are just happy to take our dosh. no wonder we are getting pised with then Justjes

3:46pm Thu 10 Nov 11

RobbyRover says...

I'd say it's proportional Andy. Yes they were all legends, but was every player they played with? We've had our fair share over the past few years - Hendry, Tugay, Flitcroft, for me Friedel will always be a special player.

The past will always be looked at with a (red) rose tint. Who knows, maybe we'll look at this team one day and say "what a legend Robinson was" or "They don't make them like Jason Lowe anymore"
I'd say it's proportional Andy. Yes they were all legends, but was every player they played with? We've had our fair share over the past few years - Hendry, Tugay, Flitcroft, for me Friedel will always be a special player. The past will always be looked at with a (red) rose tint. Who knows, maybe we'll look at this team one day and say "what a legend Robinson was" or "They don't make them like Jason Lowe anymore" RobbyRover

4:06pm Thu 10 Nov 11

davemal says...

Gary Neville of Manchaster Unitd said niot long ago that the feeling to play for Englang was not there, what chance of playing at club level is there? most are only here for the money. When the bubble bursts, and itr will, where will the foreign players go? abroad where they came from, and probably laughing all the way.
Gary Neville of Manchaster Unitd said niot long ago that the feeling to play for Englang was not there, what chance of playing at club level is there? most are only here for the money. When the bubble bursts, and itr will, where will the foreign players go? abroad where they came from, and probably laughing all the way. davemal

4:48pm Thu 10 Nov 11

ragodley1987 says...

To be a legend you have to be a role model on and off the pitch. Hendry, Tugay and Friedel mentioned above all fit the bill. Not sure about Flitcroft as he had a few antics, but I'll remember him fondly for his loyalty to the club and work ethic nonetheless.

I was talking to someone about Lionel Messi earlier and how he keeps his head down and lives to play football. His ability is on another planet and is a model professional and I think out of all the superstars there have been in recent years, provided he continues as he is, people will be comparing him to Pele and possibly will be considered the greatest.
To be a legend you have to be a role model on and off the pitch. Hendry, Tugay and Friedel mentioned above all fit the bill. Not sure about Flitcroft as he had a few antics, but I'll remember him fondly for his loyalty to the club and work ethic nonetheless. I was talking to someone about Lionel Messi earlier and how he keeps his head down and lives to play football. His ability is on another planet and is a model professional and I think out of all the superstars there have been in recent years, provided he continues as he is, people will be comparing him to Pele and possibly will be considered the greatest. ragodley1987

4:55pm Thu 10 Nov 11

makaveli96 says...

The same could be said of Reporters!

In the good old days you could have a pint with them in the Adelphi. Now there more into wine bars and golf clubs!
The same could be said of Reporters! In the good old days you could have a pint with them in the Adelphi. Now there more into wine bars and golf clubs! makaveli96

5:09pm Thu 10 Nov 11

Baileyblue says...

A wage cap should of been introduced years ago but it's to late now when will rovers be able to compete with the big boys wages never so our best players just leave that's the way it is
A wage cap should of been introduced years ago but it's to late now when will rovers be able to compete with the big boys wages never so our best players just leave that's the way it is Baileyblue

6:39pm Thu 10 Nov 11

Shane says...

You have to also put wages into perspective. It's not every professional footballer that receives these large salaries. The top people in any sport or in business receive large remuneration. Go and look at a Bury players salary? I agree with the comment about Messi here is someone with real talent who just gets on with his job and there are other true professionals out there in the PL.
.
It's the likes of Tevez which get them a a bad name
You have to also put wages into perspective. It's not every professional footballer that receives these large salaries. The top people in any sport or in business receive large remuneration. Go and look at a Bury players salary? I agree with the comment about Messi here is someone with real talent who just gets on with his job and there are other true professionals out there in the PL. . It's the likes of Tevez which get them a a bad name Shane

6:39pm Thu 10 Nov 11

Shane says...

You have to also put wages into perspective. It's not every professional footballer that receives these large salaries. The top people in any sport or in business receive large remuneration. Go and look at a Bury players salary? I agree with the comment about Messi here is someone with real talent who just gets on with his job and there are other true professionals out there in the PL.
.
It's the likes of Tevez which get them a a bad name
You have to also put wages into perspective. It's not every professional footballer that receives these large salaries. The top people in any sport or in business receive large remuneration. Go and look at a Bury players salary? I agree with the comment about Messi here is someone with real talent who just gets on with his job and there are other true professionals out there in the PL. . It's the likes of Tevez which get them a a bad name Shane

6:39pm Thu 10 Nov 11

Shane says...

You have to also put wages into perspective. It's not every professional footballer that receives these large salaries. The top people in any sport or in business receive large remuneration. Go and look at a Bury players salary? I agree with the comment about Messi here is someone with real talent who just gets on with his job and there are other true professionals out there in the PL.
.
It's the likes of Tevez which get them a a bad name
You have to also put wages into perspective. It's not every professional footballer that receives these large salaries. The top people in any sport or in business receive large remuneration. Go and look at a Bury players salary? I agree with the comment about Messi here is someone with real talent who just gets on with his job and there are other true professionals out there in the PL. . It's the likes of Tevez which get them a a bad name Shane

7:43pm Thu 10 Nov 11

Reggie11 says...

I'd happily swap my salary for one of the Bury players,2 or 3 grand a week i would guess. All professional players are far better payed than most men in the street, and many semi-pros are too.
I'd happily swap my salary for one of the Bury players,2 or 3 grand a week i would guess. All professional players are far better payed than most men in the street, and many semi-pros are too. Reggie11

9:05pm Thu 10 Nov 11

riversidefan says...

Excellent article. Rovers were blessed with some amazing players during the Walker era but the players that stand out, to me at least, as being Rovers legends in my time are Simon Garner and Tony Parkes. However, they would agree they weren't among the greatest players of their generation unlike Clayton, McIlroy, Douglas, Finney and other Lancashire greats.
Excellent article. Rovers were blessed with some amazing players during the Walker era but the players that stand out, to me at least, as being Rovers legends in my time are Simon Garner and Tony Parkes. However, they would agree they weren't among the greatest players of their generation unlike Clayton, McIlroy, Douglas, Finney and other Lancashire greats. riversidefan

7:34am Sat 12 Nov 11

Ianwhittam says...

Absolute rubbish... Why don't you have the guts to do a poll on keans abilities. It would be more topical, and may prove to the fan base that the LET has actually got some teeth
Absolute rubbish... Why don't you have the guts to do a poll on keans abilities. It would be more topical, and may prove to the fan base that the LET has actually got some teeth Ianwhittam

2:34pm Sat 12 Nov 11

rishtonred says...

Things are just different now. and will never be the same. I used to go home from the Mecca on a Sunday night, last bus, with John Bailey and Paul Bradshaw, who were staying in digs at Wilpshire.

Even when Kenny came, you could be in Tesco, talking to Henning Berg, or one of the other players, and TP always had time for fans..

but now.... can't get past the security for these super stars

BUT, for guys my age, we have the best memories ever....

like you say...

clayton, douglas, etc, then noel(RIP), tony field, TP, Roger Jones, Kev Hurd, Simon barker, the colossus Faz, with Keeley, the bloody useless, couldn't score on the line, but a hero... Beamo...amazing.. Simon, Speedie, and of course, BIG AL.

Legends that you could worship.

But now....

steam and p-i-s-s spring to mind...

but thats the other difference, neither would the players..
Things are just different now. and will never be the same. I used to go home from the Mecca on a Sunday night, last bus, with John Bailey and Paul Bradshaw, who were staying in digs at Wilpshire. Even when Kenny came, you could be in Tesco, talking to Henning Berg, or one of the other players, and TP always had time for fans.. but now.... can't get past the security for these super stars BUT, for guys my age, we have the best memories ever.... like you say... clayton, douglas, etc, then noel(RIP), tony field, TP, Roger Jones, Kev Hurd, Simon barker, the colossus Faz, with Keeley, the bloody useless, couldn't score on the line, but a hero... Beamo...amazing.. Simon, Speedie, and of course, BIG AL. Legends that you could worship. But now.... steam and p-i-s-s spring to mind... but thats the other difference, neither would the players.. rishtonred

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