Gary Neville once revealed that when he was younger he basically dropped all his friends from school so that he could concentrate on his Manchester United career.
“If you aren’t the most talented player in the world, you have to sprint to keep up,” said Nev in 2006. “You have to make sacrifices. When I left school at 16, I made the conscious decision that I would cut myself off from all of my mates. It sounds brutal, and it was selfish, but I knew that they would be doing all sorts of teenage things that I couldn’t get involved with, even if that was just having a few drinks. I’ll always remember my dad telling me: ‘You’ve got two years to give it a real go. Never look back and wish you’d done more.’”
Rio Ferdinand has today reflected on what makes a successful footballer, claiming that the drinking culture is getting in the way of some careers and they’d be better off having an attitude like the Neville brothers.
“Looking back, the Nevilles, people used to laugh at them, saying they were ‘so professional’ and this and that,” said Rio. “But they were good professionals at a young age. Look at the length of their careers now.”
Ferdinand also used his Manchester United team mate, Michael Owen, as an example.
“Look at someone like Michael Owen,” he continued. “I’ve always used him as an example because we came through at the same time, went to the 1998 World Cup, and we had two different outlooks on life. I was a social butterfly. He was a real professional who had a good structure around him and knew exactly what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go. It took me longer for me to get where I am than it took him.”
Rio, who was behind the infamous Christmas party which saw women shipped in and Jonny Evans slapped with a rape accusation, insists that footballers should be able to enjoy a drink sometimes, but it’s all about choosing the right time.
“Nowadays you have a game Saturday, then Tuesday, then Saturday, then Tuesday,” he explained. “There’s no room in the game to go out on the lash and get smashed like you used to. That was part of the culture when I was growing up as a kid. Nowadays, you can’t afford to do that. You’re playing against teams that are physically in tip-top condition. If you’re going out there and are not in the same physical condition, you can’t do yourself or your team justice. If you’ve got a free week, there’s no problem going out, enjoying yourself and letting your hair down. You don’t have to live like a monk. But you’ve got to pick and choose your right times. It’s about managing yourself right.”
Man Utd News 24/7
good advice from someone who seems to have learnt from his mistakes…
Great post and great advice for young players…..
Wisdom comes with maturity))) Great post Scott.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qvqeKVeqM4&feature=player_embedded
that’s ridiculous)) i wonder what Rio makes of it))
Lol, Rio must return the favour at the Old Trafford game.
Seriously Sky, is this the best you can come up with?
There’s nothing wrong with shipping women in for a party! I’d do it! Ha.
Firstly, good to back in civilization.
Secondly, I’ve always held the Nevilles in highest of regards, with Gary being one of my idols, especially.
But now off topic, everyone of us can see that a destructive midfielder would be of great help for this team, especially a versatile one. So, WHY THE HELL WE NEVER GIVE CORRY EVANS A REAL CHANCE ?!?!?! I’ve watched Corry with the reserves and I have watched him play for Northern Ireland and he is actually a great young footballer. We can really use him, we obviously need him, so why the fack he was sent to facking Carlisle ?!?!?! I really don’t think that he would gain anything from playing for a month in the shitty League One, when we could’ve used him insted of John O’Shea, who I personally admire but mostly as a defender, as a DM is a lot of games, both starting or a sub coming in to protect the lead. Please answer me, am I right to question and address this ?!?!?!
VIVA MANCHESTER UNITED !!!!!!
Really hope to see The Evans playing in the starting line-up together in 2 or 3 years.
I quite like the subjects he’s been talking about these days
The young lads should listen to Rio, he’s as qualified as anyone to speak on these matters.
I think that you can’t change the natural process interms of human dev’t. ok the advices are good but you can’t jump from age 17/18 to 30+ without passing those demanding years in between you have to pass through it to get the wisdom of 30+. it is up to you to manage it, yes you make a lot of mistaks but you also learn a lot.
Neville brothers. United through and through. Gary went totally mental when we scored against Shitteh and Scousers what a sight to behold
If only a certain Rooney was as commited as G & P Neville!
Off topic : http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/11/17/2217977/the-glazers-could-be-gearing-up-to-sell-manchester-united
I would love that to happen . rather sooner than later !!!
LUHG
Rio will be quoted along these lines a lot more in my view, we might as well get used to it. I think he might be working on a legacy in some way. He is probably well advised to do so. He is england captain. He also has health issues and could well play his last game at any stage. But make no mistake, this man has bitten from the forbidden fruit and bloody well liked the flesh. When Rio speaks on the topic of abstinence he will not get many believers. If he is recommending moderation, then it is clear he only came to the these views of late. He clearly speaks from the voice of experience, but everyone can see that the life of Gary Neville was not the life he would have ever chosen for himself. His has not been the straightest path. The press will take a long time to shut up about the Leeds days, the missed drugs test, the infamous parties. So go on Rio, have your bully pulpit. I doubt you would be making these statements if you were 10 years younger.
FletchTHEMAN – Bully pulpit? Interesting turn of phrase, I think Rio’s speaking from experience and in the process, trying to get through to some of these lads. He’s made mistakes in the past, he’s admitted that, but at least now, he’s trying to make amends. Maybe he could have a word in Andy Carols ear, that’s one lad that most certainly needs it.
Willierednut, Right you are mate.
But it is a timeless truth that you can be given all the information, receive the wisest of council, have the best of teachers, yet still not get it. Wayne, Nani, Anderson, Johnny Evans, all get this perspective at UNITED. Still doesn’t stop them from going out and sewing some proverbial oats.
I am not young enough to know everything. (Oscar Wilde) A man who also knew how to sew oats!
@RedMancundonian ; Corry Evans is held in great regard at the club. corry,matty,eikrem,cleverly,drinkwater,norwood are competing to get intothe first team.The loan spells are to help them grow and when they are ready they will thier chance.Right now Cleverly is the one in front and most likely to make it,Corry is a close second,Eikrem will get the chance maybe in the Carling cup before them,if we progress he stays otherwise he goes on loan too.The others are doing ok but nothing to shout about.Only time will tell.
Rio seems to be maturing, and has got the message that his off feild activities are a burden,so he is aware at least. Last season when it was clear Fergie was upset with rio,vidic,carrick ; rio said he was ready for the weekend game and when Fergiewas asked in the friday conference he replied ,something like ” is that so”, dont think rio played. This season rio just said he trust the manager to play him when he see it fit. Like I said in earlier posts, Fergie will decide on a lot of carreers this season. He sorted out Vidic, so that one player done, now for rio,wes,carrick and some others.
Neville brothers,honest ,loyal,hardworking players. RESPECT.
What A lot of fucking shite fae Rio, utter hoss shit.Maks you wanny puke, we he is holier than thou sermon on the fucking mount.
Am as jaked as a twat right now and I couldna gee what he says a flying fuck.
Glad to see you are off the park big man, save that glass back mate.
Rio i can think of someone you could maybe have in a word in his shell like mate, and share your wisdom of experience.
Sometimes the best helping hand, you can give is a good firm push! lol
A bit of wisdom from his age, would no harm but help the youngsters ! There are certain type of friends who good to be around having fun and who aren’t when you’re on about serious matter!! Hard to ditch those ain’t do any good for you and your life at young age! Be smart at choosing friends very crucial!
One – third of the season gone, how well have we done so far?
http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/manchester-united%e2%80%99s-corner-the-quarterly-report-card/