Billy Sharp teaches prima-donnas a lesson
It’s not often you get a lump in your throat over football these days, unless of course you happen to see your credit card statement after buying tickets for a family of three to go and see Bolton vs Wigan in the Carling Cup. Understandable really, with so many highly-paid players failing to deliver on the pitch and imploding/exploding (Nile Ranger/Mario Balotelli) off it, it is easy to see why Joe Public feels at best apathetic, at worst completely emotionally disconnected from the players they once worshipped. If it’s not faux badge-kissing, it’s drink driving, adultery, posing with replica firearms (sorry Nile), accusations of racism and crucially in the context of this article….refusing to play (warm up/whatever).
Carols Tevez is a very fortunate man. He should realise this. Tevez is paid more in one month than I’m paid in 20 years, than some people earn in 40 years, than some hard-working Manchester City fans earn in their whole working lives. So his decision to refuse to pull a few sprints/lunges/groin stretches and pull on the sky blue of Manchester City in a high-profile Champions League match would pang of arrogance, selfishness and downright ungrateful behaviour purely in normal context. However, if you look at the last seven days in the life of Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp, then the whole Tevez affair can and should be placed into a very different perspective.
On Saturday, Sharp’s newborn son Luie Jacob tragically died just hours into his life. The emotional turmoil and heartache of the death of your child is unbearable at any time, however the loss of such a young life must be particularly hard to take. Yet, rather than curl up in a ball and take time out from football, which he would have been completely entitled to do given the circumstances, Sharp called his manager Dean Saunders and asked to play against Middlesbrough in last night’s Championship clash at the Keepmoat Stadium. Saunders said that, “Billy rang me on Monday night and asked to play. He wanted to score a goal for his son and his family and I couldn’t refuse.”
Showing super-human strength, Sharp lined up for Donny, determined to honour the memory of his son. And, following two-minutes applause, Sharp achieved his wish, with a stunning volley which flew into the back of the net in the 13th minute – a fitting tribute which was mirrored as Sharp lifted his shirt to show the words ‘That’s for you son’ underneath.
Of course, football was of secondary importance last night. What happened on the field was of less significance than the intent and attitude displayed by a man at his lowest ebb. Did he shy away from his profession, or did he step up to the plate and produce a performance to honour his late son and his family? There wouldn’t be a member of staff at Doncaster Rovers FC who would have expected Sharp to play that game, however, whilst it was a match against Boro, rather than Bayern Munich, such is the professionalism, commitment to his team mates, family and the sport, Sharp rolled up his sleeves, chased every ball and ran himself into the ground for his club.
So, Mr Tevez, when you’re complaining about being fined £800,000 for refusing to do your job on the biggest stage in European football, don’t try and wriggle out of it on a technicality, instead, take a look across to South Yorkshire where a consumate professional footballer, earning a wage which wouldn’t cover your goal bonus, put his heartache aside for 90 minutes in memory of his son. At a time when football continues to dominate the headlines for all the wrong reasons, credit to Billy Sharp for restoring some pride and passion into our game.
In the meantime, Nile Ranger hasn’t been arrested in the last 48 hours, is anyone else concerned?
This article originally appeared on AREYOUPIMP - a blog by MSS member Ste Dunne
