As John Terry creates more headlines for himself, celebrating in exaggerated fashion with his captain’s armband after Chelsea’s second own goal in the FA Cup against Stoke (sorry…? Deflections only go down as “own goals” when United score?), you have to wonder where he gets this attitude from.
Why does he think it’s OK to have an affair with the mother of his best friend’s child, cheat on his own wife and mother of his two kids, then offer no public apology? Why does he think it’s OK to make a scene over his demotion as England captain by celebrating the fact his club are happy to let him screw over a man who shared the dressing room with him at Stamford Bridge for six years? Why does he sit back and show no distaste for the disgraceful fans who booed Bridge every time he went near the ball a few weeks ago?
This arrogance and self-loving seeps through the make up at Chelsea, dripping through to the other players and in to the fans. Terry, who was always a “captain, leader and legend” to them has become like a god since news of the affair broke. This is no Beckham post-World Cup 98 or Ronaldo-post World Cup 06 moment, whereby our fans supported two players who had been this country’s scapegoats for yet another year of failure. They are worshipping a man who has shown himself to have no respect for his mates, for his wife, for his children and for his country.
Ahead of David Beckham’s return tonight, Matt Dickinson has written an article in The Independent which explains why our players and our club is different to theirs:
One of his greatest legacies at Old Trafford [is] something as impressive as filling the trophy cabinet throughout more than two decades.
It is Ferguson’s achievement in turning United into not merely a football club, but an educational establishment; in producing not just better footballers, but better people. And Beckham, despite being cast out, is more than happy to add his glowing testimony.
Speak to Beckham about his formative years at United and he will talk, as will any of those who have come through the youth ranks, about the lessons repeatedly drummed into them: humility, respect for elders, desire, determination, loyalty, good manners. Ferguson demands them from the club’s young players even if, in the frenzy of competition, he is not always able to live up to those values himself.
This all came to mind the other day when a fascinating observation was offered by a senior England official: he could differentiate clearly between the players of Chelsea and United. One group had a swagger around the camp, a confidence that sometimes seeped into cockiness. Those from the North West, he said, were more humble and respectful.
It is the difference between Ferguson’s United and Chelsea, where managers have been chopped and changed, sometimes almost at the whim of the squad, and respect for authority eroded. The players have power because many of them were lured for huge contracts and money is what binds them to the club. If contracts are not improved, they make threats.
At United, no one doubts who is the boss. No one questions who will win the arguments. They know that there is only so far they can push their luck, their behaviour or their demands for better pay.
But it is about more than shouting; it is about nurturing young players so that they have the character to thrive when they make it into the first team. It is a system born of stability and longevity, something attempted only at those few clubs where they plan beyond next week.
They do that at United, where Ferguson still involves himself in developing the youth, telling young aspirants that it is not success that should make them proud, but hard work.
Ferguson cannot give players hunger; that must come from within. But he can find the right characters and help to shape them. He did that with Beckham and might have continued doing so had the player not fallen for a Spice Girl and the glamorous lifestyle that came with her.
Man Utd News 24/7
Great article Scott.
@ MIG. Completely agree, this blog is great because of articles like this… Good work Scott!! Keep supporting ROM lads, noticed numbers are up Scott!!
Viva john terry
Let them celebrate their hero Terry
What a bunch of morons are the Chelsea supporters and management
Im glad they have handed the title to us on a plate despite us not having our first choice defence all season apart from the Wolves match
Chelsea….no class
Fantastic Read Scott.
He is just one determined Scot, a pure winner.A pretty shrewd cookie also, but everybody from Govan know’s how to handle themselves.
Along with Sir Matt he is a Icon of this Club, legend is an inept tag.
Jealousy reigns elsewhere throughout the EPL when they talk about SAF.
The most succesfull Manager ever.
great article matt dickinson and great add-ons scott.
That’s a fantastic article. I would say it’s a general problem in sports today. There is a lack of education and manners among athletes. Look at Tiger Woods. He had to read his apology that was probably fed to him by his manager. At least Terry didn’t fake any apology. He was honest about the fact that he shows no remorse.
havent read truer words. United are superior to Chelsea on every fucking level there is
Good article.Fergie himself said that players nowdays are more cockier,arrogant and egoistic as compared to the players who were there when Fergie just started out.
That was a great article indeed. Spot on!
This is what makes me love United even more.. Look at Fletcher when he was given an atrocious straight red for a non existent tackle in the Semifinal, he took the decision in his stride and walked off, compare that to Chelsea players in the semifinal vs Barca. Agreed, the decisions did go against them but they were a “utter disgrace”, what with Ballack spitting in the mouth of the ref, and Drogba using the camera to scream obscenities, and the mother of all was Terry defending the actions of Drogba. Wonder Ferguson or Keane or Giggs or Neville would have ever condoned such actions from a United player? No way in hell..
“I just wish we still had Cristiano here as well.” – Sir alex Ferguson
United > Rentboys
Interesting to know what is Scott’s mood when he writes this kind of stuff.
We all know what our club is all about. Maybe not all of us. Maybe the purpose of the article is to let people know.
Good morning all. Day late on posting here but better late than never.
What I found to be most disturbing about the wankers celebration in grabbing his armband was the disrespect that he paid Capello in doing so. He was properly stripped of his armband but had to throw it in Capello’s, and his England teammates faces. Was he letting them know that the people running Stamford Bridge know better in allowing him to remain captain of this crap team???!!!
How self-centered is that?
karan_dravs85
Don’t forget Roy leading Stam / Butt / Beckham in an attack against Andy D’urso. We did have some bad manners over the years, so I wouldn’t pretend we’re a saintly bunch.
Having said that, I agree with the sentiment that Fergie has instilled a level of respect into the team and by all accounts they’re a good bunch of lads. Another example is the cabin crew story from last year: http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/man_utd/9156/man-utd-stars-were-incredibly-polite-unlike-tottenhams-players.html
This ‘education’ is exactly the reason I would like a manager like O’Neill to take over from Fergie. People can argue all day over the pros and cons of Mourinho, but I think we need someone who understands Utd thoroughly.
Didn’t the same writer also say that Man City would suffer the same problems as Chelsea if they don’t crack down on the players now?
United are the world’s best at reinventing themselves – when Chelsea came into money and threatened to dominate the club reinvented itself through young players and came back to win EPL 3 times-in-a-row! Same thing will happen if City start to muster a challenge.
I can’t understand why the other big clubs don’t follow United’s lead – it’s such a simple and honest model and wonderfully effective?
Chelsea are just a team with NO CLASS. They (fans, Chelsea players & coaches) implied with their behaviour it is ok for their captain to screw an ex-team mate’s girlfriend. There is no morality with them. Their captain celebrates scoring a goal by pointing at his captain’s armband, a clear ‘get-stuck’ gesture at Fabio Capello for taking away his England armband.
John ‘screw-yer-matey’s-girl’ Terry should be bannnnned from South Africa.
the shit’s going to hit the fan when the new ufea rules come in.these guys who buy clubs and fill it with rent boys and run up massive debts won’t be allowed.i think the rules take effect 2012 if they were in place right now,chelsea.man city and liverpool would not be able to enter the champions league should be a interesting couple of years
John Terry is a cunt Scott.
Hope that answers all your questions.
Thats what cunts do.
Dogs bark.Cows Moo.Pigs grunt.
Cunts fuck over their mates.
John Terry is a cunt.
One of the greatest articles i’ve ever read. Brilliant Scott.
Whats Patrice Evra up to though?
one of the best articles you’ve posted in some time scott!!!!
John terry………prick
great one!
Ermm… I think many of our readers here did not read properly, this article is written by Matt Dickinson, and Scott is quoting from it, give that guy the credit instead please, at least we know out there, not everyone is an ABU
TERRY did nothing wrong.It was the “EX” girlfriend of Wayne Bridge we’re talking about.
Harman – It was the mother of his best mate’s kid, not just some ex girlfriend. If your best mate was fucking the mother of your kid after you broke up, I’m sure you wouldn’t be arguing they had done nothing wrong, deluded rent boy.