Shove your sky high wages, I'd rather have been a poor pro in the 70s

By Brian Reade

Published 06:05 24/10/09

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I've asked many footballers from the 60s, 70s and 80s if they resent the unbelievable sums of money "earned" by today's players, many of whom are not fit to lace their old Stylo Matchmakers.

And almost to a man they give the same answer. As much as they envy their wealth, and would love to have had a fraction of it, they wouldn't swap the era they played in with the current one.

Mainly because they had a fabulous time off the pitch, where they were treated like normal young men, allowed to enjoy the best days of their lives in the same way as their mates. But with more cash in their pockets.

Can today's stars ever say that? Four Spurs players have been hammered this week for being photographed in a nightclub after last Saturdays' victory over Portsmouth. Were they drunk or brawling? No. Was it the night before a game? No. Seven nights before the next one. Where they caught womanising? No. They were all with partners.

Their crime then? Two of them were seen dancing. Is that a crime? Well, as the Daily Mail noticed, Peter Crouch was bopping away in a "sweat-stained shirt."  Consequently they've had their professionalism questioned, the manager has read the riot act and they've had to come out with an apology and promise never again to enter a nightclub during the season.

All because today's players are expected to live like monks due to everyone owning a mobile phone with a camera facility.

It may be unfair, or it may be part of the pact they seal with the devil when they take their mind-blowing wages.

Either way, I'm with the old fellas. Keep your mansions and your off-shore bank accounts. Given the choice I'd have played back then.

And literally had the time of my life.