Monday 1st March 2010
Ashton United v Matlock Town

We arrived swiftly at 7.20pm to the Hurst Cross ground, courtesy of Tony’s ‘don’t-hang-around’ technique of driving the big Fiat (he’s very safe though!).

I had a pint of Hydes Bitter at £1.80 in the clubhouse, which is outside the ground. Now for you fans getting on in life, the clubroom is very similar to the Old Wheeltappers and Shunter’s Club which used to be shown (I think) on Friday nights, with Colin Crompton as compare, always sporting his huge cap as he introduced various acts of comedy and music (in the club style as they would call it now).

There was an £8 entrance fee into the ground, which looks to be a little “jaded” nowadays to say the least. Brighter floodlights would have livened up the atmosphere slightly but, to be honest, on a freezing cold Monday night, I don’t think anything would “up” the place really (I’ve never understood why Ashton play midweek games on a Monday night)

Oh and there’s an open-roofed toilet huddled away at one end of the ground as well, still fully functional. (Did you get the serial number? – Toilets and Public Conveniences Ed)

We kicked off playing “downhill” and started to dominate immediately. After 5 minutes Liam King had a shot from just outside the Ashton box which flew well wide of the far post. He also had an identical shot on 18th minutes as well, with this one getting closer to the post than the previous effort.

Ashton began to inch their way back into the game as the first half went on, but each team began to cancel each other out and it started to get very scrappy on the heavy pitch. So it was inevitable that the score remained 0-0 at the break.

Half-time feast arrived and I had chips, peas and gravy at £1.90…very nice! (Well reviewed Mr. Ronay – Gastronomy Ed)

The second half started a little brighter and on 50 minutes Ashton came very close with an overhead kick from a Mr. Moyo-Modise (signed that afternoon from Altrincham) that struck the outside of the post.

The game ebbed and flowed, with Ashton just about getting most of the play. I nipped for the teas only to find they’d sold out, but the bloke behind the counter started to swill something around in the huge aluminum teapot (I believe now, it was one of his socks!).

Well I’ve got to admit it was the worst cup of tea I’ve ever had! I can only say it tasted like a blend of Sadolin wood stain (dark teak coloured) and Barry Scott’s Cillit Bang! I actually spilt some and it bleached the concrete!

So anyway, not much happened until the 75th minute when Matlock’s Hannah broke through on a run only to be hacked down by defender Frost. There were shouts of “off” from the traveling faithfulls, but to be honest, I saw the fullback Caldecott was covering for him, so only a yellow was produced. Hannah took the kick 25 yards out and with a terrific low drive made Ashton pay; the ball scorching under ‘keeper Smith’s body for 1-0.

In the 82nd minute Ashton could have equalised but for Haran to scoop the ball off the line after Sollitt misjudged a through ball at the edge of the box….phewww! Was this the night we were going to win up here? (long ago, we once won at Hurst Cross).

Then, in the 88th minute, it was sealed, as King set off on a purposeful run before threading an inch perfect through ball between the defenders for Hannah to get his second of the night by curling a shot around the ‘keeper low into the corner of the net. Wow!

So we’d done the double over Ashton this season and moved up to 9th in the league.

Into the Fiat we climbed and drove merrily over the hills of Glossop and Hayfield where the full moon was smiling with us. In the distance the silhouette of Kinder Edge looked almost ghostly in the clear frosty evening sky. Goodnight all!
(Have you been reading Mills and Boon again, John? – Literary Ed)

Action pictures from the game, courtesy of Andy Duffin, Matlock Town’s official photographer.

Ashton United’s Hurst Cross ground.

Matlock’s leading scorer Ross Hannah.

Alfreton loanee Jordan Hall controls the ball.

We were in West London following our FA Cup Quest team Fulham, hoping to see them reach Wembley in a Cup semi-final.

But they couldn’t force their way past a dogged Tottenham side and the game ended 0-0.

In his post-match analysis Fulham gaffa Roy Hodgson felt his team had missed a great chance to progress.

“It was a home game for us and now the advantage passes over to them. I’m disappointed that we couldn’t get the goal although perhaps on balance a draw was the fair result“

Harry Redknapp meanwhile felt that Tottenham should be the happier of the two sides.

“To come here tonight and come away with a draw is a cracking result, and we can now look forward to the reply at our place.We’ve now got a big chance at home“

• Ground: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
• Telephone: 08 44 499 6789
• Current Capacity: 35,100

Traveling to Middlesbrough on a wet and dismal day in mid-November may not seem like a great way to spend your time. The pre-conceived views of the town – grotty-handed ex-oil workers, decaying industries dotted along the murky Tees, chavs in outdated sportswear – are all derogatory visions, but, unfortunately, they form most people’s perceptions of the town.

Actually, Middlesbrough is not a crumbling northern town that time forgot, as the misconception would suggest, but its once thriving and sadly bygone industrial heritage has left an unfavorable and indelible mark upon the minds of the general public.

Remnants of the area’s proud industrial history still loom over the town like aching relics of a glorious past (the Teesside docks that flank the Riverside Stadium; the unique Transporter Bridge made famous by a series of Auf Weidersehn, Pet), and although locals see them as defiant mementos as to their town’s industrial importance in British history, and try to dress them up as visitor attractions by playing the historical card, the first impressions to an outsider is that it’s a miserable, unattractive and unyielding place. Which is unfair.

But, unfortunately, if all you see is the grey concrete roads, old steelworks, open waste land and disused docks that ‘decorate’ the approach to the ground, you’re opinion is unlikely to alter, because it’s fair to say that The Riverside Stadium is not exactly rooted in the most picturesque of settings. Explore the town and you may see a different side to Middlesbrough, but for footy fans, they’re rarely interested in flipping over the coin for an architectural or cultural glimpse.

In fact, Middlesbrough’s industrial ghosts have become a burden for the town, and one it’s finding hard to wriggle free from.

From the town centre the walk to the stadium takes in such scenic delights as two dimly-lit underpasses and a maze of concrete which leads to the dockland area upon which the stadium is built.

The other route from the railway station (Bridge Street to Windward Way) escorts you via more derelict dockside. Again, it aint purdy.

But once you arrive within the stadium’s vicinity, normal service is resumed, as you’re met by the usual array of burger vans and merchandise outlets which adorn the surrounding areas of every football ground in the land.

Between the West Stand and the car park are the old Ayresome Park gates, erected in memory of Boro’s old stomping ground. They’re guarded on either side by two statues of Boro’ legends: George Hardwick and Wilf Mannion.

Now 15 years old, the stadium is similar in style to those at Derby and Southampton; not particularly pretty, but functional and capable of housing up to 30,000 supporters (although this capacity is seldom reached, even when Premier League football graces the pitch).

But even so, for a deceivingly small town, and an area where unemployment is high, Boro’ still manage to attract approximately 20,000 for most matches such is the love of football in the north-east and because the Tees vicinity is a big catchment area.

Boro’ fans are capable of generating a good atmosphere, but on my visit, they chose not to, even when Leroy Lita put them 1-0 up early on. Big on passion and desire, but shy on manifesting that passion into a din to make opposition teams fearful, which may explain Boro’s poor home form this season.

The visiting supporters are housed in the South Stand. A generous allocation of 4,500 seats is normally reserved for away supporters, making for a good atmosphere amongst them. The view from here is good, but the concourse is quite narrow. If the full allocation is met, it can become extremely crowded. 4,500 Nottingham Forest fans, for example, is a bit of a squeeze, and as most were ravenous, the Boro’ catering company got it spectacularly wrong…yes, they ran out of pies! This forced many to have a burger which, I’m afraid, was a soggy mash of sub-standard meat patty and plastic cheese. Usually you can expect balti pies, minced beef pies, rollover sausages, pizza, and chips and curry sauce.

You can have a flutter at Ladbookes, too, who have a kiosk in the concourse, and Sky Sports is streamed via the elevated televisions. These TVs also show the game, so while you’re queuing for your soggy burger, you need not miss an ounce of the action.

You can get a pint in here too, and they offer a ‘Pie and a Pint’ deal for approximately £4.

Booze and fodder

We’ve covered the in-ground catering above, but if you can’t wait until you’re at the ground the town centre has a few – but not overly abundant – places for your pre or post-match fodder. Before you hit the afore-mentioned underpass there’s a McDonalds and a Subway, while the nearest pub, Dr. Brown’s, is just a few yards from the McDonalds outlet.

In here there’s a friendly mix of home and away support and there’s a decent selection of beers to sample. Sky Sports is shown on the large screen TVs but no food is served here. For that, a sandwich bar is just outside. They specialise in trays of roast potatoes and gravy! An absolute delight.

Another friendly place is the Bridge Inn near the railway station. Although it’s mainly for home supporters and locals, and they can smell an away supporter a mile off, a true football fan will no doubt strike up a conversation with a Boro’ fan, swapping a tale or two over a pint of Real Ale.

Elsewhere the town centre offers myriad venues for your boozy fix as you’d expect, but the further into the town you go the longer the walk to the ground.

In all, Middlesbrough folk are friendly people; a trait synonymous with that part of the world, and you’ll be welcomed into most hostelries without any problems.

Getting there

From the south and west it couldn’t be simpler. The A1 is the main artery down the East side of the country so take that until you reach Junction 57 for the A66 turn-off (signposted Teesside) which will take you past Darlington’s ground. This road will lead you straight into Middlesbrough where signs for the Riverside are clearly visible.

Parking at the ground is a no-no unless you’re a pass holder, but as the area surrounding the crowd is largely disused dockside land and waste ground, there are a few private car parks which have been set up specifically for football traffic.

The route marked “away coaches” from the A66 passes many private car parks along the river, mostly priced at £4 per car. Expect lengthy queues when attempting to leave the parks after the game, though.

A little trick to avoid the chaos is to park at Thornaby railway station just a few miles west of Middlesbrough off the A66. Not many supporters do this, but if you don’t fancy the hassle of parking and the stress of escaping the gridlock after the match this is a viable option as trains are quite frequent.

By car from the north the A1 or A19 will lead you to the A66, while Redcar, Saltburn and The North Yorkshire Moors are to the East, and if you live in those places you’ll already know your way to Boro’.

The railway station at Middlesbrough is a 15-20 minute walk from the ground. There are two routes: heading north out of the station takes you to Bridge Street, where you should turn right and proceed down the street until you reach Windward Way, which will take you directly to the ground.

Alternatively, if you fancy the Dr. Brown’s and Maccy D’s route, turn left out of the station and head south onto Albert Road (under the A66 road bridge). Turn left onto Wilson Street and follow until you reach Cooperation Road, which Dr. Brown’s is situated on. From here, cross over the road heading towards McDonalds and the underpass; follow the path to the ground.

Find the ground here:

View Larger Map

Images

Boro v Scunthorpe: notice the lack of bums on seats behind the goal



The Top Gear boys were present at the Boro v Forest game last November

This prompts thisisfootball to ask, who have been the most injury-struck players in football?

1. Michael Owen

Michael Owen will miss the rest of this season.

Michael Owen has been plagued by hamstring injuries throughout his playing career.

Newcastle fans will be aggrieved that after they signed him for a club record £16 million, a few days later Owen suffered a thigh-injury. Then on 31 December 2005 he broke a metatarsal against Spurs.

Owen then also suffered cruciate ligament damage which kept him out of football for a year whilst playing for England in the world cup sparking a blazing row between Newcastle and the FA.

In July 2007 a thigh injury kept him from the start of the season and in September he was out again having treatment on a double hernia. November 2007 saw Owen again injured playing for England with another thigh strain.

In his four years with Newcastle he still made 71 appearances and scored 26 goals. But his repeated absences with injury coincided with Newcastle’s slump. In 2008-2009 Newcastle were relegated and Owen exercised his right to sign for another club and he was picked up by Manchester United.

Although very much a squad player at United, Owen has played 19 games this season with three goals, but the hamstring injury he suffered in the Carling Cup against Aston Villa has now ruled him out of the rest of United’s season and the World Cup.

Signature injury: Groin Strain/Hamstring
Most missed by : Newcastle United: Would Newcastle have slumped so badly with a fully fit Michael Owen scoring?
List of injuries

2: Jimmy Bullard

When Phil Brown brought Bullard to Hull City for a club record £5 million from Fulham, Tigers fans must have been ecstatic to get the highly-rated midfield player. Although some may have had reservations because he had already suffered a major injury problem at Fulham with cruciate knee ligament damage and they have been proved right.

Bullard suffered a knee injury in his debut against West Ham on the 28th January 2009. He made his return for the Tigers against Fulham on 19th October 2009. However against Aston Villa Bullard suffered yet another knee injury putting him out for six to eight weeks. During this time Hull have slumped into the bottom three and have undoubtedly missed Bullard’s energy and enthusiasm in midfield.

If he can come back this season he could be the difference between the Tigers getting staying up or not.

Signature injury: Knee injuries
Most missed by: Hull City, they need their record signing up and running.
List of injuries

Owen Hargreaves seeking treatment

Signature injury: Patella Tendonitis
Most missed by: Manchester United: United have plenty of strength in depth, but a fit Hargreaves would surely give Sir Alex a boost for the title run-in.
list of injuries

4: Darren Anderton:

Darren Anderton was missed by Spurs and England

During the 1995-1996, 1997-1998 and 2001-2002 seasons Anderton’s Spurs career was blighted by injuries.

However, his career ended on a happy note when he ended up at Bournemouth (sensibly, on a pay as your play basis) and on his last game scored in the 88th minute of his last game against Chester City.

Had Anderton not struggled so badly with injuries he could have formed a key part of the England set-up.

Signature injury: Achilles Paratendinopathy
Most missed by: England and Spurs, although Anderton was up against David Beckham he was capped by five different England managers so he must have been doing something right.
list of injuries

5: Kieron Dyer:
After making his name at Ipswich Town Dyer was sold to Newcastle in 1999 for £6 million. 2005-2006 saw him first suffer his hamstring injury which has blighted his career.

After 190 appearances and 23 goals and a cracking fight with Lee Bowyer in his six year career, Dyer found his way to West Ham United.

Ten days after making his Hammers debut Dyer was stretchered off after a tackle by Joe Jacobson of Bristol Rovers which broke his right leg taking him out of the rest of the 2007-2008 season.

In 2009 he has been repeatedly hit by hamstring problems, and the new owners of West Ham have expressed their dissatisfaction that Dyer has played only 18 games in three years.

Signature injury: Hamstring
Most missed by: West Ham: The new owners are understandably miffed at having a player like Dyer out on the sidelines.An expensive player to have in the treatment room for such a long time.
List of injuries

6:Jonathon Woodgate

Woodgate: Only 3 games so far this season

Woodgate eventually played for Madrid but after only nine appearances was shipped out on a year-long loan to Middlesbrough. Despite an excellent 2007-2008 season he suffered another injury and was replaced by David Wheater.

Harry Redknapp brought Woodgate to Spurs for £7 million, and he has made 49 appearances for the club, but his career has once again stalled this season.

Signature injury: Groin Strain / Gilmores Groin
Most missed by: Real Madrid: Made some big money moves, and the Madrid will be wondering why they spent so much money on him when he was carrying a long-term injury.
List of injuries

7: Ledley King

Ledley King: Used sparingly by Harry Redknapp

During the 2008/2009 season King has been used sparingly first by Juande Ramos and now by Harry Redknapp who are conscious that King’s problems may re-occur if he is overused.

Signature injury: Knee injuries.
Most missed by: Tottenham Hotspur: The Spurs defence looks a different proposition when King is fit and on top of his game.
List of injuries

8: Gary Neville:

Gary Neville: Increasingly injury-prone

The England full-back played in the Carling Cup Final against Aston Villa as a substitute, but now at 35 years of age and behind Wes Brown and Rafael in the pecking order if he suffers any more major injuries he must be wondering whether to call it a day.

Signature injury: Groin Strain
Most missed by: Manchester United, England: Perhaps harsh on Neville given that it is towards the end of his career, but Brown and Rafael are capable of filling in for him.
List of injuries

9: Arjen Robben:
Known as ‘the glass man’ by the Spanish Press, the talented Dutch Winger has suffered a number of injuries.

In 2004 he suffered a broken metatarsal in pre-season, then in a game against Blackburn he suffered a major injury after clashing with by Aaron Mokoena.

In 2007 Robben came back from international duty and suffered a further knee injury. Eventually Robben went to Real Madrid for £24 million. Despite impressing for Madrid they sold him on to Bayern Munich after they brought Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Robben suffered a further knee injury whilst playing for Bayern against Juventus in the Champions league this season but this only kept him out for four weeks.

Most missed by: Chelsea: A talent no doubt, but has been constantly injured for a number of clubs.
Signature injury: Knee injury.
List of injuries

10: Giles Barnes:

Giles Barnes: Can he re-start his career at West Bromwich Albion?

However, it turned out that during the game Barnes was playing with a broken foot. Barnes eventually returned to Rams action, but a knee injury meant that he was ruled out of the rest of the season in the Premier League and also the start of the subsequent season.

In 2008-2009 he was loaned out to Fulham, but failed to make an appearance for them and after returning to the Rams and suffering another major injury blow in pre-season the Rams released him from his contract.

Barnes is now with West Bromwich Albion on an 18-month contract, hoping to restart his playing career and he was named in this weeks squad to play against QPR having endured a massive 15 month lay off with his achilles tendon. Baggies fans will be hoping he can recover his early promise that he showed at Derby.

Signature injury: Achilles Tendon
Most missed by: Derby County: Would Barnes have made a difference to Derby in their dismal premiership season? probably not, but lets hope he can restart his career at WBA.

Chelsea will be looking for blood

Chelsea have lost their last two games and will be fired up to make it third time lucky. The defeat to Manchester City will have hit them hard and looking back, they don’t like getting beaten. When they lost to Aston Villa in October they beat Athletico Madrid 4-0 in the next game. When they lost to Everton last month, they tonked Cardiff 4-1. Back four goals or more at 13/8 from Betfair. Drogba to score first at 3/1 is also worth taking from Bet365.

Aston Villa will be licking their wounds from the Carling Cup final defeat last weekend. The trip to Wembley will give them more than enough motivation to see this campaign through to the end, so expect them to pull out all the stops against Reading. Reading have impressed so far, but I expect Villa to outclass them in midfield and pace. Take Villa to win both halves at 9/2 from Betfair.

Here’s this week’s accumulator and 10 x trebles:

Aston Villa to win

Chelsea to win

Newcastle to win

Charlton to win

Rochdale to win

Football fans from across the globe will be trying to ‘Capture the Cup’ at www.sonyericsson.com/extraman in a bid to become a 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Fan Photographer courtesy of Sony Ericsson, Official Mobile Handset of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

By using the Sony Ericsson Satio™ to capture a picture of the cup during a 20 second clip on www.sonyericsson.com/extraman one lucky winner plus a friend will jet off to South Africa to get closer to their footballing heroes than anyone else. The prize enables the winner to have the same status as the professional sports Photographers during the warm-up.

Sony Ericsson Satio™

For 25 minutes during pre-match preparations the nominated winner can check out the team selection, capture the training routine and ensure you are the first point for squad news. When the training is over you will join your lucky friend to watch the drama unfold.

This money-can’t-buy prize includes a Sony Ericsson Satio™, return flights to South Africa for two adults, 3 nights accommodation, all meals, transfers and two tickets to an allocated 2010 FIFA World Cup™ match.

Dave Hilton, Head of Marketing at Sony Ericsson says, “With anticipation building to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ we are delighted to be able to provide a lucky winner with the opportunity to attend as 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Fan Photographer. Having exclusive pitch side access to capture a pre-match warm-up is a once in a lifetime experience for any football fan. I wish everyone the best of luck with the competition.”

For more information, to enter, or to read the terms & conditions, visit www.sonyericsson.com/extraman

BUT HURRY!!! The competition closes on March 4!

Now for the contractual bit…

Sony Ericsson is uniquely placed to be a champion of football fans worldwide. Mobile communications is an integral part of the fan experience – whether watching in the stadium, at home or at a fan park, fans bring their handsets with them. Sony Ericsson will use its football partnership and expertise in mobile phone entertainment to energise and innovate the experience of consumers around the globe.

Sony Ericsson is the Official Mobile Handset of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, which arose through Sony Corporation, as the Digital Life Partner of FIFA. Sony Ericsson agreed to sub-license the category from Sony Corporation and the agreement includes all FIFA events until 2010 including the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. The Digital Life category includes mobile handsets as well as consumer electronics, professional and broadcast AV and other equipment, personal computers, movies, music and gaming.

Tevez put Chelsea to the sword

The Carling Cup Final was the centre piece of the weekend but we’re all about the Premier League in our Team of the Week feature. So Rooney may well have come off of the bench to snatch a victory for United at Wembley but he’s not eligible for our team.

Another big talking point was the grudge match at Stamford Bridge, where Team Terry took on Team Bridge. After Wayne Bridge had snubbed Terry’s outstretched hand in the pre-match line-up, the game manifested into a feisty affair, no doubt due to the bad feelings between the players who showed fierce support for their respective scolded team mates.

But it was City who came out of the war with the least bruises, having taken the battle of Stamford Bridge 4-2. Carlos Tevez, who picked up where he left off after his compassionate leave to Argentina, and another returning start Craig Bellamy put Chelsea to the sword. And for this, they lead our attack.

Just behind them is another battler: Kevin Davies. He may not have found the target – something Bolton have been struggling with over the last 7 games – but his all-action work ethic and dogged determination cements his place just behind the front two.

Work rate is also something that Lee Bowyer has in abundance, and his display against Wigan ensured his place in the midfield alongside Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, who both netted (Lampard twice).

In defense there’s no stopping Tottenham’s left-back Gareth Bale at the moment. Once again he showed his left-sided quality with another fine performance and is awarded the left-back spot in our TotW for the third weekend from five in February.

With him are John Mensah and Brede Hangneland who thwarted the strikers’ threat in the 0-0 shut-out between Sunderland and Fulham, while Javier Mascherano found himself in an unfamiliar role in Liverpool’s game against Blackburn. Forced to play right-back due to injuries to the Reds’ recognised full-backs, Mascherano put in an admirable shift and kept Rovers’ pacy winger David Hoilett quiet.

Should Nicky Shorey (pictured here on loan at Forest) get another chance?

In the wake of Wayne Bridge’s recent revelation that he’s quitting the England set-up over the whole John Terry-Vanessa Perroncel affair, and with genital-flaunting love-rat Ashley Cole seemingly sidelined for the World Cup which starts in June, the headache for Fabio Capello is who to play in the left-back role.

Cole would have been first choice, with Bridge perhaps his understudy now that he’s fit and playing regularly for Manchester City.

Cole’s off-field antics have garnered more column inches than his on-field misery, and the broken ankle that threatens to ruin his World Cup dream has almost gone unnoticed in the midst of damaging story upon damaging story about his private life with estranged wife Cheryl.

Bridge, on the other hand, although the victim of John Terry’s lascivious misdemeanors, has chosen to pull-out of the England fold while Terry is still around. Bridge cannot bring himself to line-up in the same team as a man who cheated on his own wife with the mother of his child, and described the predicament as untenable.

So, without either of his first choice left-backs, who is going to fill the void?

Scanning the squads of each Premier League team reveals a dearth of Englishmen whose primary job title is left-back. But, nevertheless, here are a few suggestions for Fabio to peruse.

Stephen Warnock

Despite being predominantly right-footed, Warnock has made the Villa left-back berth his own since the long-term injury to Wilfred Bouma, and has risen to prominence since his move from Blackburn.

He’s also benefited from Martin O’Neill’s apparent disregard for natural left-back Nicky Shorey who’s been loaned out to Fulham (more on him below).

Warnock has just one cap for England which he obtained during a game against Trinidad & Tobago in 2008, but Capello is aware that O’Neill has sculpted the player into a very competent left-sided player, and he may be the obvious choice for the job.

Nicky Shorey

Still only 29, Shorey seems to have been around for a long time, and is one of the few players to have played in all four professional divisions of the English football league system.

Currently on loan at Fulham, and keeping regular left-back Paul Konchesky out of the side since his return from injury, Shorey has put in some highly impressive displays for The Cottagers. It appears that Shorey isn’t part of O’Neill’s plans, and before his loan to West London Shorey was shipped out to Championship high-flyers Nottingham Forest, where he impressed so much that Roy Hodgson pipped Billy Davies to his loan signature.

With two caps to his name, and in fine fettle currently, Capello could do a lot worse than give the Romford-born natural left-footer a chance to increase his cap count.

Leighton Baines

As Everton’s form continues to gather pace (we won’t include their disastrous Europa League defeat at Sporting Lisbon last night) Baines continues to win the plaudits for his work-rate on the left side of Everton’s back four.

He’s untried at international level, and perhaps lacks a little pace, but he’s a contender. He’s also very useful from set pieces and from the penalty spot, which, of course, is always a bonus in knock-out tournaments.

Gareth Barry

We know what you’re thinking: he’s a midfielder and he’s right-footed. Correct, but Barry is nothing if not versatile. He’s adept with both feet, and started his career actually as a defender. He has vast experience in the left-back role from his fledgling Villa days, too.

But by playing him in a position which would now be considered ‘out of position’ you lose his composure in the middle of the park, or on the much-maligned England left flank.

He, like Baines above, also lacks pace, and may well become exposed by pacy wingers.

Paul Konchesky

Currently fighting to regain his place back in the Fulham side but finding his route blocked by Nicky Shorey, Konchesky is a hard-tackling, athletic bruiser of a left-back who takes no prisoners. His marauding runs up the left side also give an extra dimension to the role. He has good crossing ability and can hit a fierce shot.

Konchesky has been capped 2 times by his country, but they were between 2003 and 2005. He was also capped 15 times at U21 level.

Phil Jagielka

The Everton defender is commonly used as a centre back but can adapt to any role across the back four (as well as the holding midfield role).

Jagielka is just returning from a serious knee injury but will be vying for a spot in the Toffees back line to force is way into the England squad. He could be a useful utility player for Capello.

Kieran Gibbs

Arsenal’s highly-rated left-back is a long shot but has represented England at every level from the U18s. However, the young left-back (he’s just 20) had previously been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign following two operations to repair a broken metatarsal. He is expected to return before the season’s out, but this revival may come too late for England.

Nedum Onuoha

The versatile Manchester City defender has been representing England at Under 21 level since 2005, racking up 21 appearances and weighing in with 2 goals. But he’s never made the step up to the senior squad.

Usually utilised as a right-back or central defender, and considered Micah Richards’ deputy, his lack of first team opportunities at City this season could count against him.

Michael Turner

Sunderland paid Hull City £4 million for his services in August but he’s struggled with injuries since his time with the Black Cats.

Naturally a no-nonsense centre half, he can operate in each full-back role. His career took off since his move to Hull from Brentford, but he lacks experience at the highest level. Therefore, he remains very much a long shot.

Liam Ridgewell

Primarily a centre half but used this season on the left side of Birmingham’s settled defense, Ridgewell’s form has helped forge a very mean Brum back line this year. He’s a regular in the U21 fold, and might be a wild card for Capello.

Wayne Bridge has withdrawn himself from Fabio Capello's squad

That aside, it’s about time professional footballers started to live up to the ‘professional’ part of their job title and realise that playing for their country should be a duty and an honour, not something to be discarded when times are tough.

The whole Vanessa Perroncel drama for many people is starting to resemble the type of spat you would see in a Sunday League side, not something befitting the national team.

Whilst Fabio Capello might have thought he had put the whole WAGs circus behind the team by banning them from the World Cup something like this crops up.

The Italian has done a good job of managing the country and should have access to the best players for the tournament, regardless of what the players think of each other and England should be able to put out their best players, Capello must despair.

Players who take themselves out of the equation make themselves look petulant and fans think so as well.

According to the Daily Mail, An online survey of 1,000 football fans showed two-thirds believed Bridge should have put England before his personal life.

Capello shouldn’t be put in a position where he has to choose ‘Bridge’ or ‘Terry’ – both of them should put aside their personal differences and unite for the team. The England football side should be much bigger than any two footballers. The way both the players are acting now has damaged the team and if they can’t make up personally they should at least make up on a professional level.

At least Wayne Bridge has some kind of an excuse for his decision, England have been previously denied the services of Jamie Carragher, Luke Young and Paul Scholes who have all retired from international football because they wanted to extend their careers at club level and because they were no longer the automatic choices for the squad.

Luke Young, Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes all took themselves out of England contention

And it is those players more than Bridge that make my blood boil, they have taken themselves out of the international picture partly because they felt that they weren’t the first choices anymore. Young was displaced by Glen Johnson, Carragher by John Terry and Rio Ferdinand and Scholes by Gerrard and Lampard.

Scholes, Young and Carragher are still good players and they could still have plenty to contribute to the England cause.

I suppose if a player says they want to be withdrawn from selection there is little you can do to compel them to play for England, but for most people its baffling.

Why would you rule yourself out of international football and the chance to play in the greatest sporting tournament in the World?

They took the decision to take themselves out of the equation to extend their club playing careers.

I guess this shouldn’t be a surprise as one of the effects of the creation of the Premier League and the money coming in from SKY coverage has made the players fantastically wealthy and has made the national side little more than a sideshow for footballers as club football becomes more important.

Sadly, playing for England is not the honour it once was.

And because England managers have more or less stuck with the same squad of players, players have decided that if they aren’t included in the starting eleven anymore then it is not worth their while anymore,as if they are due some right to an automatic starting position.

In Scholes’ case for example, he might have thought he was ‘giving way’ to the younger duo Lampard and Gerrard, and Carragher thought he was surplus to requirements because of the form of Terry and Ferdinand, but ultimately that shouldn’t be their decision to make, it should be the managers based on form and tactics.

It shouldn’t be a question of age neither, until a player has retired completely from the game they should be available for national selection.

It is this attitude that disgusts me. At a tournament like the World Cup England should have every player in the country at their disposal – if they need them. Over the course of a tournament a squad will be needed, players will get injured and we should have the best replacements available to the national manager.

However, certain players think that they are above all this and they treat the national team like it’s a Sunday League side. Next they will be saying they can’t play for England because they have got a massive hangover, or they are off for a game of golf.

Say what you like about David Beckham, but I think he is a shining example for all England players and a role model for youngsters.

We need a squad of players as committed as Beckham.

Out of anyone in the current England squad Beckham has out of all them earned his right to sit back, he’s made his money and played 115 times for his country, but still he made the loan move to AC Milan to be considered for the World Cup squad.

For that alone, I feel he more than deserves to make the squad for South Africa. We need a squad full of players with David Beckhams attitude who would play for England until they get told otherwise or retire completely. If players really feel it is their right to give up their England place, I’d rather they say so from the off and not be included at all.

Clarke Carlisle: Appearing on Countdown

Although Carlisle might still blot his copybook and revert to type as he is said “to be keen” to meet Countdowns resident polymath and beauty Rachel Riley….

So, with every red-top tabloid dragging the image of footballers through the mud, and footballers doing their best to provide them with material, in the interest of balance we delve into the world of the ‘brainy footballer’ (and we are not including Graeme Le Saux, on the basis that he reads the Guardian.)

We aim to prove that the words “intelligent footballer” isn’t necessarily an oxymoron, and that when you dig into footballing history there are footballers with backgrounds as diverse as Literature, Medicine, Cinema and engineering. (although i’m still looking for a footballer with a degree in physics….)

These are the footballers we’d want on our eggheads team….

1 Socrates

Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira. With over 60 caps for Brazil, Socrates is perhaps the brainiest and best footballer on this list. Socrates is a doctor of medicine and a doctor of philosophy and in the 80s was also an activist for the democracy movement against the dictatorship in Brazil.

He was Captain of Brazil in the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain where they were eliminated in a classic game against Italy with Paolo Rossi on red hot form. In 2004 Socrates proved his enduring love for football when he became player coach of North East Counties league side Garforth Town, all be it only for a month.

Oh and he scored some absolute screamers.

Brain Score: 10/10 Footballer score: 10/10 (20)

Two doctorates, political activist and one of the best Brazilian footballers of all time – the clear winner.

Arsene Wenger: Multi-lingual, two degrees and a top manager

Brain Score: 9/10 Footballer score: 9/10 (18)

Perhaps not the best record as a footballer having only played for Strasbourg, but having a masters degree, speaking six languages and being the best Arsenal manager of all time he easily lives up to the title of ‘the professor’.

Eric Cantona: From the theatre of dreams..to theatre..

The Manchester United Legend might be more remembered in this country for his infamous kung fu kick on Matthew Simons, and he raised a smile or two with his famous quote

“When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.”

Despite the cod-philosophy it is clear that Cantona is an extremely intelligent man, and he will undoubtedly be glad to be mentioned in the same article as Camus.

On his early retirement Cantona has gone into the acting professions appearing in “Elizabeth” alongside Kate Blanchett and the recent Ken Loach film “Looking for Eric”. He has also recently appeared in theatre in the play “Face au Paradis” and whilst it is unusual for footballers to be half-decent actors it looks like Eric has got the chops.

Brain score: 8/10 Footballer score: 9/10 (17)

Cantona transformed Manchester United into the force they are today and helped to make Leeds league champions. Very few footballers make the transition to cinema well, let alone the theatre.

Frank Lampard: High IQ

The England midfielder also has 12 GCSEs including an A in Latin.

Brain Score: 7/10 Footballer Score: 9/10 (16)

No doubting Lampard’s footballing abilities, but are IQ test a real test of intelligence? doubtful. If he wins the World Cup I’ll rewrite this article and push his score to 10

Martin O'Neill has a keen interest in Criminology

Brain score: 7/10 Footballer score: 8/10 (15)

Left University before completing his degree to go to Forest, but what would most young men do? still O’Neill is shaping up to be one of the best managers around and do qualifications really equal intelligence?

6 Iain Dowie:
Before playing for Luton Town Ian Dowie completed a masters degree in Engineering and worked for British Aerospace. Although fanbanta.com famously ripped him a new one on Youtube, you don’t get a masters degree for nothing.

Brain score: 7/10 Footballer score: 7/10 (14)

You don’t see many footballers with a scientific background, so Dowie wins brownie points for that alone, somewhat of a journeyman footballer and manager.

Slaven Bilic: Legal eagle

Brain score: 7/10 Footballer score: 7/10 (14)

Like O’Neill, Bilic is proving to be a decent football manager although he blotted his reputation by failing to qualify for this years world cup. Unforgivable for a footballing nation like Croatia. Anyone that has completed a law degree has to be respected, especially if they did contract law!

8. Steve Heighway
Known as ‘Little Bamber’ by his teammates in reference to the then presenter of University challenge Bamber Gascgoine, the former Liverpool winger studied at the University of Warwick and completed an economics degree, before becoming an integral part of the famous Liverpool side of the 1970s under Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.

Brain score: 7/10 Footballer score: 8/10 (14)

At at time when the footballers image was represented by playboys like George Best, Frank Worthington and Charlie George – Steve Heighway was a rare breed, any member of the Bill Shankly Liverpool side can’t have been too bad at footy either.

9. Kevin O’Flanagan
A graduate from University College Dublin, Not only was Kevin O’Flanagan a notable physician and sports administrator he also played Gaelic Football and Rugby Union as well as football. His football career took in Bohemians and after the second world war he had two years with Arsenal. On retirement he went back to medicine and became a notable sports administrator and a member of the IOC between 1976 and 1994.

Brain score: 8/10 Footballer score: 6/10 (14)

Like Socrates one of the few footballer to practice medicine, and combined his football with another of other sports but his football career was spread thinly with only two seasons at Arsenal

Albert Camus: A brief football career as a goalkeeper

Despite having to retire from the game at 17 due to a bout of tubercolosis, Camus had a Corinthian attitude towards the game embracing the lessons of competitive team sport and putting it into his philosophy, famously quoted as saying

“All I know most surely about morality and obligations, I owe to football”

An author, philospher and journalist Camus was the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957.

Brain Score: 10/10 Footballer Score: 1/10 (11)

Without a doubt the most intellectual footballer on our list, but the briefest career actually playing.

What do you think of our list have me missed anyone off? who do you think was the ‘brainiest’ footballer of all time?