Most people know my views on Joey Barton. He's an idiotic footballer who should be behind bars for varying stupidity, from fighting in clubs to sticking cigarettes in youth footballers faces. He's a talented player who without his past (despite saying he's "changed," HA) would probably be part of the England squad by now. Recently he called in to a football phone in show with Ian Wright to discuss QPR's draw with Blackburn, when the subject of playing for England came up.
"I mean, my massive issue with England, or Team England as it's now known, is it is now an elitist, southern-based team.
"I mean, it's neat to have Wembley, you know, but why should England specifically play there? How can you be passionate about England if you live in Newcastle and you've got to travel over 200 miles, or if you live in Carlisle. I mean, they've become an elitist, southern-based club, and for me I think your average Englishman really doesn't care about England any more."
For all the garbage he spouts on Twitter and through the national press, for once i think he's spot on here. For the build up to the World Cup in 2006 when Wembley was under development, England played all over the country and gave many fans the chance to see them without travelling the length of the country. Why do England feel the need to have Wembley? The Spanish use Camp Nou and the Bernabeu, 2 of the finest stadiums in the world. Why couldn't England settle for the likes of Old Trafford, the Emirates or Old Wembley? Financially the FA have doomed English football for the future, with a debt that will keep rising as the interest on the loan is more than they can afford to pay off.
But back to Joey Barton, do be people care about England as much as they used to? I never have the same excitement when a big tournament is coming up, so i guess i agree with him saying "Team England" are nothing more than an elitist southern based team.
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