GreasyChipBeattie
Well-Known Member
As we know, our academy has produced some real talent over the years and is the envy of many clubs up and down the country. Though sometimes it's easy to take the club's hard work and financial investment for granted it's easier, it seems, to judge the players coming through.
"Play the young 'uns. Give them a try" is often suggested by some of the faithful.
"He's crap, he'll never make it" is the swift response of some when they do get their chance.
A delicate balancing job, no doubt, for those in charge of their development.
Will George Long (and others) go on to play at the highest level as the likes of Jags and the Kyles?
I really hope so, but until then, I'm just enjoying seeing his undoubted potential unfold.
It would be great though, until such times, if a few of us could consider the real side of trying to make the progression from academy prospect to professional footballer.
Not just for George, but for all the others hoping to make a career out of football.
Yes, I know the rewards are high and that we pay good money to be 'entertained' but spare a thought for the human side of these young, dedicated people.
I know of the endless hours (at the request of a young George Long) of his dad kicking and throwing a ball to him so he could develop enough to follow his dream.
The expense of miles upon miles of travelling, years upon years of encouraging and supportive parents, never giving up on him. An ordinary kid from an ordinary family hoping to make it in a far from ordinary world.
Maybe, before suggesting the likes of George consider a career in flower arranging, or feeling the need to vent frustration in a tirade of hurtful put-downs, we could show a little more trust that, given the right amount or opportunity and continued development, he (and others) will become at some point, the international-class player we want as soon as they leave the 'production line'
Saying things like 'I didn't think he'd make it and glad to say I was wrong' can never make up for the abuse that is thrown in the first place.
I think George Long has done himself, his parents and his club proud.
I'm not a family member, if fact I've only known his parents a comparatively short time, but I feel privileged to have witnessed his progression both as a footballer and as a fine young man.
After reading one of my favourite poems the other day, I couldn't help thinking how well 'our George' fits the profile.
Well done George. Keep up the good work.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
"Play the young 'uns. Give them a try" is often suggested by some of the faithful.
"He's crap, he'll never make it" is the swift response of some when they do get their chance.
A delicate balancing job, no doubt, for those in charge of their development.
Will George Long (and others) go on to play at the highest level as the likes of Jags and the Kyles?
I really hope so, but until then, I'm just enjoying seeing his undoubted potential unfold.
It would be great though, until such times, if a few of us could consider the real side of trying to make the progression from academy prospect to professional footballer.
Not just for George, but for all the others hoping to make a career out of football.
Yes, I know the rewards are high and that we pay good money to be 'entertained' but spare a thought for the human side of these young, dedicated people.
I know of the endless hours (at the request of a young George Long) of his dad kicking and throwing a ball to him so he could develop enough to follow his dream.
The expense of miles upon miles of travelling, years upon years of encouraging and supportive parents, never giving up on him. An ordinary kid from an ordinary family hoping to make it in a far from ordinary world.
Maybe, before suggesting the likes of George consider a career in flower arranging, or feeling the need to vent frustration in a tirade of hurtful put-downs, we could show a little more trust that, given the right amount or opportunity and continued development, he (and others) will become at some point, the international-class player we want as soon as they leave the 'production line'
Saying things like 'I didn't think he'd make it and glad to say I was wrong' can never make up for the abuse that is thrown in the first place.
I think George Long has done himself, his parents and his club proud.
I'm not a family member, if fact I've only known his parents a comparatively short time, but I feel privileged to have witnessed his progression both as a footballer and as a fine young man.
After reading one of my favourite poems the other day, I couldn't help thinking how well 'our George' fits the profile.
Well done George. Keep up the good work.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
