GARY NEVILLE IS a man of many talents. Obviously he was a footballer, and he has received much acclaim for his insight as a pundit. He also revelled in the role of shop-steward for his fellow pros and now, apparently, now he is a motivational speaker.
Less than a week after clearing the decks, English rugby’s interim head coach, Stuart Lancaster, appears to have spotted the considerable experience gaps in his squad for the forthcoming Six Nations. So, when the international squad convenes in Leeds next Monday, Neville will be on hand to pass on his worldly wisdom.
The former Manchester United captain, 36, will be one of a number of speakers from across the spectrum of English sport put forward to discuss elite performance.
“These people know all about what it means to represent their country, what it means to fight for their country,” Lancaster told the Daily Telegraph.
Neville will reportedly be joined by: retired serviceman, Simon Brown, England cricket managing director, Hugh Morris; Dave Brailsford, the performance director for British Cycling and also, rugby league internationals, Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield.
“We want to create a sense of what a privileged place it is to be in elite sport. Cycling and cricket have clearly done something well, haven’t they?” concluded Lancaster.
Neville has yet to confirm his involvement in the assembly, but the Daily Mail (whose sister publication, the Mail on Sunday print a weekly column by the pundit) report that he is indeed ‘likely’ to be one of those in attendance.
Good article
Excellent article. A must read for any young players.
Well done Gavin.
Great article
The standard of our underage football in the country is key, good players will flourish wherever they go. What is important is that they are well coached and developed as footballers. The emphasis should always be on playing the right way rather than winning. Not easy of course but this is what other countries have done, Belgium, Portugal. And if there are more options out there than England so much the better. What an experience for a young person to spend a year or two (if that’s what it works out as) on the continent.
John Delaney is gone
I love these articles
I used to never miss a Bohemians game in Dalymount in the 70’s before leaving Dublin. Each home game there were kids from a school invited to attend and it was announced before the game.
Very good read. More analysis like this please.
A very good article, but its not Irish football , it is Irish soccer