For those who enter pro football in the UK at 16, 50% will be gone from pro game in 2 years and 75% will be out of the pro game at 21.
Keep that in mind the next time we hear of the next young hopeful signing at a premier league club at academy or U21 level.
that is why every now and then you go and play 5 a side here, and there is a player who appears equally as good as almost anyone you have ever seen play in NZ, and he works as a mechanic or as a plasterer, only playing a bit of this kind of stuff with his mates once a week.
the worst part of the article is this part:
| There are about 130 former professional footballers currently in prison. |
| Most are under 25 and sentenced for drugs offences. |
| Notable footballers who have been jailed include former Everton striker Michael Branch (drugs offences), former Watford and Birmingham striker Marlon King (dangerous driving) and former West Brom defender Ronnie Wallwork (receiving stolen goods). |
I know that Marlon King is in prison at the moment for driving offences, but more of more significance was the prison sentence he received a few years ago when he grouped a random women in a nightclub, and when she rejected his advances he punched her in the face, breaking her nose. Absolute cunt of a person.
Would be interesting to see if there is a difference (and by how much) for local lads that have turned pro compared to overseas players brought in.