The Ultimate Opportunity to Make Your Dad Proud

By Matt Scott 
Paul Ince, the newly appointed Notts County manager, has recently signed his son, Tom, on loan from Liverpool. 

The young midfielder can now join an exclusive list of players, who have experienced the pleasure, or quite possibly the pain, of working for their father.

There are some famous names from way back in the past, but the current generation will be more familiar with the likes of Harry and Jamie Redknapp. They are the modern face of footballing fathers and sons. Jamie was given his professional debut at Bournemouth in 1989, who were then managed by Harry, before going on to be signed by Liverpool, a year and a half later.

Fast forward a few years and Harry had hit the managerial big time, with stints in charge of South Coast rivals, Portsmouth and Southampton. Jamie, was given the daunting task of facing these sides, managed by his dad, during his time at both Liverpool and Tottenham. The pair were days apart from being reunited again at Southampton during their struggle to stay in The Championship, but Harry had resigned in order to return to Portsmouth.

There have been rumours that Harry has asked Jamie to come in and help with coaching at his current club, Tottenham, ironically an ex-club of Jamie’s. Jamie is rather hesitant to enter the world of management, given the reputation his father has managed created for himself. He is enjoying his work as a pundit for the time being.

Manchester City starlet, Vladimir Weiss, who is currently on loan at Rangers, has also experienced playing under his dad’s management. His father, who has the same name, is in charge of the Slovakian national side. Vladimir Snr, who has been in charge of Slovakia since 2008, granted his son the honour of his first international cap in 2009. Because of this, Vladimir Snr was accused of favouritism as Vladimir Jnr had not broken through at Manchester City and barley had any real match experience under his belt. The only real professional experience he boasted were 8 Slovakian-U21 games.

During a loan spell at Bolton in 2010, Vladimir Jnr was still unable to force his way into the starting line up on a permanent basis, making only 13 appearances. Despite this, his father still called him up to the Slovakian squad for the World Cup in South Africa. People began to see what Vladimir Snr saw in his son, he impressed in the three appearances he made for the national side during the World Cup, as Slovakia made history and qualified for the last 16 after beating Italy.

The player dubbed, Mr Chelsea, Frank Lampard, has played under his dad during the start of his career. However, his dad, also Frank, was only the assistant manager at West Ham. Luckily for Frank Jnr, his dad wasn’t the only member of family in a position of power at West Ham.

The manager at the time when he was coming through the ranks was Harry Redknapp, who was his uncle. Harry gave Frank Jnr his big break and allowed him to establish himself as a key member of the London side.

Leeds United defender, Alex Bruce, is another player who was given his professional debut by his father. Steve, who was managing Birmingham City at the time, signed his son on a free transfer in January 2005.

Alex was unable to force his way into the first team. He ended up being sent out on loan to three different clubs, Oldham, Sheffield Wednesday and Tranmere, during 2005. In total, Alex only made six appearances for Birmingham and the combination of relegation to the Championship and accusations of nepotism led to the pair deciding it would be best if they parted ways.

Finally, a son who has not been scared to go on and become a manager, despite his dad being one of, if not the most, well known and successful managers in history. Darren Ferguson, is yet another player to be given his professional debut by his dad. Two years after his debut, Darren, was able to adequately fill the void left by Bryan Robson’s absence through injury, during the 1992-93 season.

Having made 15 appearances that season, he also qualified to receive a League winners medal after Manchester United claimed the title. He was very much a squad player throughout his time at United and after four years with the club, he was transferred to Wolves, in search of first team action. Immediately after hanging up his boots Darren decided to go into management.

His managerial career got off to a fairytale start, two back-to-back promotions in three seasons at Peterborough. Darren’s managerial career then began to stall, as his club were unable to cope with the demands of Championship football. Darren resigned in November 2009, leaving his former club bottom of the table. Now manager of Preston, Darren is using his relationship with his father to his advantage by signing some of Manchester United’s bright young talents on loan.

If there wasn’t already enough pressure on players to produce a certain level of performance for their club, then the added fear of disappointing your dad can’t help matters. Some players could be cursing their luck for having to play under their dad, having to take orders from him at home and at work, but most of the examples listed here have been given a big break by their dad, the chance to impress that has gone on to kick-start their career. It remains to be seen what impact Tom can make at MK Dons under the watchful eye of his father.

Savage Justification?

By Matt Scott 
The on-going debate, which surrounds footballers and their huge pay packets has managed to find its way back into the media spotlight after one of the UK’s most outspoken players, Robbie Savage, had his say on the matter.

The 36-year-old Welshman said, ‘We get hammered a lot, so I’m on there (twitter) giving a footballer’s viewpoint. The most common complaint is footballers earn too much. Nonsense. I defy anyone who gets offered it to say no, no matter what job you do.

"We’re lucky to earn good money and we work hard for it. It is not our fault that we were good enough to play football and get handsomely paid for it.

"I do work hard for it. The rewards are there if you do, so don’t tell me I haven’t worked hard for it. I would say every player I have played with has earned his money. Why is it always footballers who get criticised for the money they earn?

"A top darts player can earn £1m a year. A cricketer £1m for two months, a golfer £7.4m for one tournament, a rubbish boxer £3m for one fight, a sprinter £400,000 for an appearance, a tennis player £800,000 for one week. But it’s always footballers who get criticised."

The Derby County midfielder’s rant was a response to criticism from some supporters, who were venting their frustration over the news that John O’Shea had put pen to paper on a £80,000 a week contract extension at Manchester United.

Savage’s comments suggest he feels strongly that the revenue he generates for his club as well as the public scrutiny he has to face, more than entitle him and his fellow professionals to the rewards they receive.

It is often forgotten that the majority of sporting professionals have very short career spans, which can be ended in an instant if an injury occurs. It also has to be said that some bankers and online entrepreneurs earn similar amounts without working half as hard or entertaining the public.

Robbie Savage in calmer mood - Image Credit Flickr User Matlock-Photo

FOOTBALL: Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema caught up in sex scandal

French internationals Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema have been caught up in a sex scandal and have been placed under judicial investigation on suspicion of soliciting sex with an under-age prostitute.

Police had been investigating a prostitution ring and the players were among those detained. If convicted both players could receive the maximum penalty of three years imprisonment.  Until the case goes to trial Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema have been released from custody pending further investigation.

"One has to ask whether he is not being made to pay for France's World Cup failure,"  exhorted Ribery's lawyer, Sophie Bottai in an attempt to gain the player some sympathy votes even though saying this is likely to infuriate the French public, already fed up to the back teeth with a team (and so its players) which represented their nation so dimally in South Africa.

In an interview with Paris Match the girl in question, who is called Zahia Dehar and is now aged 18 said, "I was Ribery's birthday present."

"Franck approached me in a Paris club. He booked me and flew me to Munich to celebrate his 26th birthday.

"He made reservations at a luxury hotel in Munich. We had sex and he paid me. I was a lovely little present, wasn't I?" Miss Dehar had pleaded with French coach Raymond Domenech not to drop the winger from France's World Cup squad, saying he had been unaware of her age.