FOOTBALLERS AND THE PRESS: THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF SAYING NOTHING

Footballers have never been portrayed as having the silver tongue when it comes to expressing themselves to the media. Indeed, perhaps it’s more akin to parseltongue as they mumble incoherently to the gathered press pack, who are often stereotypically seen themselves to be sneaky and slithering, looking for their next back-page victim of prey.

All in all, it serves to give a somewhat hostile, uneasy environment with a 20 something-year-old sounding infantilized having 'emms', 'ahhs' 'wells' and 'buts' permeating through their speech, when attempting describe how it feels to have secured a 2-0 victory against Threave Rovers. 

Sometimes footballers just don't know what to say

Do not get me wrong, I am not for one minute suggesting it is easy to speak to the press – far from it – but, I want to try to dispel the myth that footballers cannot string a sentence together, or indeed, that the press are out to get their next pound of flesh every time the two invariably meet before and after matches.

It is all about the issue of trust, more specifically, a lack of trust between the media, clubs and the players. I am not trying to pin the blame on any of the people involved; rather, I am attempting to explore how it has got to a point where football has tightly regulated rules and restricted media access to players, compared to other sports, which seem to enjoy a far more liberalised and amicable relationship between journalists and professional sportsmen and women.

Essentially, it is like the chicken and the egg argument:  What came first? Was it a newspaper's article which took what the player said completely out of context and sensationalised the story in order to sell papers, which in turn made players clam up in fear of the same thing happening to them?

Or was it the players themselves, who said nothing interesting to the press, being blandly neutral which led the newspaper to 'buff' or 'polish' up a quote to make the story sound more entertaining for its readers. Or, is it because of 'lazy' journalists, who seemingly ask the same routine or 'stupid' (see below) questions?

Perhaps the role of the club's PR officer might enlighten this debate. It is he or she who is assigned the task of handling the club's communications with the public via the media. The club need the publicity in the press to attract sponsorship and fans; the journalists need to fill the back pages. It is a simple enough concept, but within it lies a much deeper issue.

The role of the PR officer has brought fairness, protocol and organisation to the mutually-dependent relationship between the club and the press, but with it comes the restriction of freedom of expression and access to players. Below is a video of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson getting his press officer to ban a journalist.

The press officer realises when a player goes out to speak the media, they are representing, not only themselves, but the team they play for.  Therefore, whatever they say to the media can affect the club’s image in the eyes of the public and businesses that sponsor them.

No news is good news as they say and that is exactly what gets conveyed to the players – do not say anything to the media which could be construed as controversial or negative which could later have repercussions for the club. They are out to get us. Former Hibs player Scott Brown, follows exactly this procedure below.

But there-in lies the problem, the players end up saying nothing at all remotely newsworthy because they've been told not to say anything which might be construed as controversial. So the press go back to their newsrooms, listen to what they have on their dictaphones or read their shorthand notes and discover they have to conjure up a story from the very little newsworthy quotes they have. Then, after the story has been written and published, sometimes this leads to the clubs being upset at the article because it is not what the player or manager meant.

And, while it is fair to say it is the journalist's job to tease a story out of the player or manager, to get him to display the emotion or passion he has for the game into words, it is up to the player or manager being interviewed, because, they can say as little or as much as they want to the press. 

This is known as ABC in media communication training which stands for Answer, Bridge and Communicate. The player or manager interviewed vaguely answers the question, then they use a bridge phrase to get back to what they want to communicate. A skill commonly associated with politicians; it is now being used by players and managers.

Scottish sports journalist Graham Spiers in 2006 said:

“The clubs don’t trust the press. The clubs protect the information that comes out of them and therefore it’s more difficult for journalists.”

Yet, in other sports and in other countries, journalists seem to have much better access to players. For instance, in America, sports such as American football, soccer or hockey allow accredited sports reporters into locker rooms to interview coaches and players because they realise the commercial value it brings to the club – such as merchandising and ticket sales.

And the same is reflected in rugby in this country. When I went to the RBS Six Nations Scotland v France, players seemed a lot more comfortable in the media spotlight and could convey what they wanted to get across to the reporters articulately.

This is what football should be striving for, to have a culture where players can openly speak to the press without trepidation of what they say landing them in trouble or being taken out of context. When a player is being interviewed, it is their opportunity to be positive about the club they play for, the players they play with or say something a little bit different which makes the reader sit up and take notice. 

For instance, this article by David Winner on Wayne Rooney is brilliant. The England striker, normally depicted as being an unintelligent, gibbering fool, quashes that belief as he explains to Winner, how he visualises scoring in a match before playing, somewhat proving that there is more to him than his chunky exterior would suggest. But it also avoids the usual routine questions which would normally be asked.

Rooney: Visualises scoring before he does

It is this kind of enlightening journalism which sports fans want to read about, and can help improve relations between the clubs, players and the media. Good quality articles like this will go some way to restoring the breakdown in communication.

Falkirk keeper Michael McGovern extends stay

Waking up to the news that goalkeeper Michael McGovern had signed a new one year deal with the club would have been exactly what Falkirk fans would have wanted to hear.

Many of them feared, given the performances he has produced for the Bairns this season. admiring glances from interested bidders in the SPL would be enough to entice the shot stopper away from the Falkirk Stadium.

But the supporters can relax knowing they will be able to rely on his services for another year.

The fans anxiety for boss Steven Pressley to tie up the player's contract for another season was quite understandable as his contribution to the team's success could not be underestimated.

Not only did he manage 14 shut outs in 45 games, but his reliable nature and assured performances inspired confidence in the rest of the young and inexperienced side.

It is clear to see that McGovern is enjoying his football, and well he should. A call up to the Northern Ireland national set-up, finishing third in the league, a cup winners medal and a League Cup semi-final is a great return especially since he played for a side, who to begin with, were seen as one of the candidates to go down.

 And as a result of the success, the Falkirk keeper has attracted interest from a number of bigger clubs but he insists it was never his intention to decamp from the Falkirk Stadium.

“I said at the start I wouldn't leave Falkirk for any other club just because they were in a higher league, it needed to be the right move,” he said.

“I'm playing regularly, I love working for the manager, I love the set-up, I love the club and the fans have been really good to me.”

McGovern revealed after signing the contract: “I'm absolutely delighted, it was great to get the deal done quickly, I enjoyed my first season and now I'm looking forward to the start of the second.

"The manager has been different class with regards to myself and the way he has treated me. He was patient with the contract negotiations and most importantly he's a manager who has belief in my ability.”

In what is only McGovern's third full season as a first team goalkeeper, having made over 70 appearances with Ross County before arriving at Falkirk last summer, the 27 year old has had 46 cleansheets in this time.

Though for Falkirk, arguably none more satisfying than when, in the Ramsdens Cup final, he pulled off a tremendous save to deny Hamilton and ensure the cup would be heading back to the Falkirk Stadium.

The Bairns' No 1 admits the year has far exceeded his expectations.

“I couldn't have envisaged this season going any better,” he said.

“I came in just wanting to play regularly and I was pleased with my form but as a team its gone well beyond anyone's expectations.

McGovern pulls off another fantastic save

“At the start we didn't really know what we were going to get with the young players but they stepped up to the plate.

"We challenged well in the league, we had a wonderful League Cup run - put in a great performance against Celtic and won the Ramsdens cup, there's so many positives to take.

“It's been my most enjoyable season.”

 McGovern believes there is plenty of promising individuals currently at the Falkirk Stadium though he concedes he would be surprised if PFA First Division Player of the Year winner Farid El Alagui remains at the club for much longer.

“There's at least two or three of the younger boys who could play at the highest level, they certainly have the potential I know its easy to talk up young players and there's a tendency to do that but these players have good heads on their shoulders and they can go far.

 “I'd be shocked if Farid stayed, everyone is looking for a goalscorer, he's 26 and coming into his peak years, he has to do what's best to benefit the rest of his career.”

 McGovern, who was called up for his country in February, admits that while he remains in the Scottish First Division he might restrict his chances of playing for Northern Ireland. Michael O'Neill's men have a friendly against the Netherlands at the start of next month but the former Staggies man is adamant that is not a concern for him just now.

 “The fact that I play in the Scottish First Division, might hinder my chances of playing for Northern Ireland but that didn't really come into my thinking,”he added.

“Anything that happens with the national team is a bonus I'm just concentrating on working hard and developing at Falkirk, there's no hurry to step up a level.”

With rivals Dunfermline being relegated from the SPL and former Falkirk manager Jim Jefferies in charge of the Pars, there is an added incentive to the occasion next season and McGovern is relishing the challenge.

He added: “I've been told there was a big crowd and a great atmosphere the last time the two sides met in the League Cup and that's the sort of games you want to play in, I'm really looking forward to it.

“We're looking to build on what we've achieved this season, we drew a lot of plaudits for our performances and in a sense the air of surprise is gone now so we'll need to work a lot harder.”

Bridging the gap between homelessness and Scottish football

A Scottish Premier League star providing a Christmas lunch is just one of the ways Scottish football is giving back to the community. I spoke to three campaigners to see how the beautiful game is helping to turn round the lives of others in Scotland

As the cold and long winter months set in, thoughts turn to those less fortunate and Rangers footballer Steven Naismith has decided to help one of the most vulnerable groups in society by sponsoring a Christmas lunch for a Glasgow based homeless charity called “Loaves and Fishes”. Originally a soup kitchen feeding homeless people from the back of a van, the charity is now based in the warmth of the indoors at Renfield St Stephen’s Church Centre.

There is a buzz of excitement surrounding the place. A sense of hopefulness replaces the typical feeling of hopelessness among these people. The coldness and isolation endured from life on the streets of Glasgow is forgotten about – at least for a few hours this afternoon – instead a feeling of warmth and comfort fills up the room courtesy of Naismith and it is where I caught up with him that day.

The Rangers midfielder has been out of action this year 

 “A few friends had brought it [the charity] to my attention, a good number of months ago,” Naismith starts to explain.

“I was in the middle of the season. I had a lot on and I didn’t have a lot of time to do the research on Loaves and fishes and see the work they had done. But once I did, I was very keen to be involved and make a small contribution.”

Naismith injured his knee in a recent match against Aberdeen and will miss the rest of the season. Wearing a casual dark blue hoodie, blue jeans, and walking with a slight limp, the former Kilmarnock man was showing signs of being in a little discomfort, but the injury he suffered was put into perspective after he received a letter from a serviceman out in Afghanistan.

“When I got injured, the week after, I got a letter from somebody out in Afghanistan asking if I was ok and when I would be back playing. This was a lovely touch, seeing as I am just a footballer with an injury rather than fighting for my country.”

The striker admitted that it had opened his eyes to some of the incredible work people do and revealed that it gave him the motivation to help others.

“It’s guys like that; if we can find a small bit of time to help them I’m definitely willing to do it. Football can help raise the issue of homelessness,” he enthused.

“I hope to get the awareness out there that these kinds of charities need help and they need – if not volunteers then donations. There are people struggling and if others such as myself have got a small amount of time or can make a donation then, it will go a long way to help the charity.

“Hopefully in the next five or six months I will have time to be involved with not just one charity but a few.”

But the positivity football brings is not confined to generous handouts from football players. While it is important to help charities through donations, there are football programmes and projects up-and-running which allow the homeless, to help themselves. Inspired by Naismith’s words, I searched for other ways football can help improve peoples’ position and spoke to two other people who had witnessed the power, the ball has in reshaping peoples’ lives.

Football can be used a tool “to energise people and turn peoples’ lives around,” according to Zakia Moulaoui, the Schools and Fundraising manager for the Homeless World Cup.  Her voice is filled with an infectious enthusiasm as she tells me about what football can bring to the homeless.

“Seventy-four per cent of the people involved in the programmes change their lives dramatically. Whether it is getting a job, a house, coming off drugs, going into education or mending broken relationships, football has helped to solve all of these problems,” she says.

“It works because, football gives you a routine. It gives you something to look forward to and you have a commitment. It gets people off the streets, can give them a better future, more confidence and a healthier lifestyle.

“When you live on the streets and you don’t have anything to do, you lose track of what is important. You don’t get to socialise and you don’t meet anyone, but during the football session you have to play in a team, to play fair and you have to evolve with others, so those are the first steps.”

David Duke took those first steps many years ago, and is living proof that the football projects and programmes work. Growing up in Govan, a socially deprived area in Glasgow, David became homeless in 2003, after his father has passed away. At 23-years-old, he admits he didn’t cope with it the best.

“I ignored emotion rather than seeking help from family or friends. I cut myself off from everyone as if nothing had happened. I was starting to drink more, and it put a strain on my relationship so me and my girlfriend split up, I also got kicked out of my flat and in turn lost my job.

“I didn’t know what homelessness was or the stigma attached but being in that situation you soon become very damaging to yourself, your confidence goes and you become very isolated.”

One day, David noticed an advert in a shelter for football trials run by the Big Issue. After getting through the preliminary stages of the trials, he was selected for an 8-man squad to go to the Homeless World Cup in August 2004, in Gothenburg.

“I didn’t know where my life was going; I had no desire, just living-day-to-day,” he continued.

“But I went to the World Cup and met guys from Africa, Brazil and all these places and it was a real eye-opener. In Scotland, I was feeling sorry for myself, but really, the stuff that was going on in my life was nothing compared to the trauma and experiences of people in other countries.”

Scotland finished 4th in the tournament but perhaps the real success was that David had realised he could do something with his life. After registering with Active Glasgow to do volunteering and coaching, David soon got the opportunity to coach youngsters and since then has never looked back.

“The lifestyle change for me was when I suddenly became a role model to kids. I had 20 kids every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, who all looked up to me and wanted to be me. I had a whole new outlook; I wanted to look after myself, so that I could do the best for the kids.”

After being involved with various other coaching activities and leading Scotland to the Homeless World Cup in 2007, David now runs the Street Soccer Scotland charity which he set-up in 2009. The charity – through football – helps socially disadvantaged adults and young people across Scotland.

“It is used in a way to beat isolation, boost their confidence and self-esteem, provide a healthy option of socialising which is hard to get on the homeless scene,” David adds.

David for all his hard work and endeavour in helping disadvantaged youths and adults through football has received an Honorary Doctorate from Queen Margaret University last year.

The stereotypical view.  Football can help change this

David’s and Zakia’s experiences of the Homeless World Cup cannot be underestimated. In the UK homeless people are stereotypically portrayed to be lazy, drunk and begging on some street corner. Some suggest they are causes of their own downfall, but the tournament provides a platform to change this depressing outlook and to redefine and strengthen the image of homelessness.

Champions: Scotland added to their 2007 success in Paris last year

Zakia adds: “During the tournament it is amazing, people realise that these guys are full of energy, they really want to make it. Most of the spectators ask ‘are they really homeless?’ and you say ‘yes!’ and they don’t want to believe it. So it changes the opinion, and they will talk about it with their friends and spread the word. Then the next time you see a homeless guy on the street you think about him differently, or you will do something a bit better.”

Scotland's Homeless football manager Ally Dawson receives PFA special merit award

Ally Dawson has been awarded the PFA Special Merit Award for his work with the Scottish Homeless World Cup team and a homeless football charity.

The 54-year-old steered the homeless national team to their second World Cup triumph in Paris last October, repeating the 2007 success.

The former Rangers defender got involved in the homeless national set-up when it began in 2003 and after managing the team for the next couple of years, he handed the post over to former homeless World Cup player David Duke.

Last year, Dawson re-joined Duke, who is now the chief executive of Street Soccer, to continue his help with the charity and Dawson conceded he was humbled to receive the accolade.

Ally Dawson (left) receives award for services to homeless football

“It was a great honour but it was a surprise, we were up for it,” he said.

“It reflects greatly on the eight players who went over to Paris and the work our organisation Street Soccer Scotland does.”

Scotland manager Craig Levein may have a selection headache picking the right players for the up and coming qualifiers but Dawson reflected on an altogether different range of problems he faced when choosing his squad to travel to tournaments.

“Some of the guys who went had never been abroad. Initially it was a concern how they would react being there,” he said.

“They were also away from home comforts, however players who had been abroad before helped the new boys to settle in.

“The rest was left to me to pick up the pieces, to put them on the park, to play the games and then leave them again, it worked very well and professionally with David Duke.”

Dawson also insisted alcohol, which is frequently related to the issue of homelessness, was not given to players even after the tournament success.

“From the start of the tournament to the celebrations at the end there were only soft drinks,” he added.

“We had no alcohol and they enjoyed it. I think they remember it better as well.”

Dawson believes football tournaments such as the Homeless World Cup give homeless people a purpose and he says this is evident in the way they are attempting to rebuild their lives now.

“The eight guys we had, were focused they wanted to play and win,” he added.

“You see the difference at the end of the tournament but you also see the opportunity they're getting now such as volunteering and coaching.

“Football makes them socialise. They start mixing with people, young groups and old groups.

“They go through problems together.  It's that camaraderie and it initiates some things for them. That is an important thing – they then see that there is educational programmes on which can help them begin to turn their life around.

“We're starting one in two to three weeks’ time so that's the next part of their development.

“It's all football themed so it's something they should enjoy, something they can hope to use in the future as well “

Dawson will take charge of the homeless national team this year where they travel to Mexico to retain their defence of the trophy in October.