GROWING up, becoming a professional footballer is the stuff of dreams for most young lads.
Countless hours are spent battering a ball back and forth off the side of the neighbours’ house, honing the skills that would eventually lead you to the big time. Keepy-ups, catching the ball on the back of your neck, practising Ardiles flicks until your ma called you in as day turned to dusk, it would all be worth it. When the next big talent scout spotted you out on the village green (he said he was a talent scout anyway…), the dream would become reality.
As time rumbles on, doubts begin to creep in. Hardly getting a kick of the ball in a Down & Connor Division 6Z (reserve) match does not bode well for a future career at Manchester United. Oh look, there’s Michael Owen scoring for England at the World Cup. He’s only 17, and you’re 15. The clock is ticking. Maybe you should have spent a few more hours with just the ball and a wall, turned down that can of Hooch.
As people change, dreams change. They evolve to suit where you are in life. And as guys like Ruel Fox, Matt Jansen and Chris Whyte ambled on to the hallowed turf at the Dwight Yorke Stadium on the beautiful Caribbean island of Tobago, it hit me like a dose of Yorkie’s Sex Panther cologne – forget being a footballer, being a former footballer is what it’s really all about.
“Lying just south of the hurricane belt, the only storm force blowing in was the competitive edge of a group of stars who never lose the will to win,” said Sky’s Gary Newbon as a host of former greats disembarked from a plane looking like a group of men returning from a stag party that started in 1997.
The heady aroma of Malibu, sweat and 20 Regal filled the air as the six-a-side competition got under way. There were eight teams in two groups of four, 15 minute matches and rolling subs (may as well make yourself useful if you’re just sitting there after all).
Inspired by renowned goal machines Bjorn Tore Kvarme and Marvin Andrews, who finished overall top scorer with six, Liverpool were crowned Tobago Cup champions. The 20-strong crowd, and Patrick from Eastenders, went wild, albeit with a hint of ambivalence mixed with sunstroke.
Reds captain Stephan Henchoz sounded like he needed an oxygen mask rather than a microphone thrust in his face afterwards, where a coming together between Stan Collymore and Marcus ‘let’s get it on’ Gayle was the main talking point.
“I understand there is a bit of history between Stan and Marcus Gayle, probably going back to their serious playing days,” offered Newbon.
Serious playing days Gary? Get your facts right. Tobago, in the sun, topping up the beer belly – this is the stuff real dreams are made of.
