Read Online Rio Ferdinand--Five Star--The Biography by Wensley Clarkson - Free Book Online
Authors: Wensley Clarkson
Ads: Link
I don’t really like it. It doesn’t do anything for me.’ Many of Heskey’s U-21 teammates, including Rio, were surprised by the vast publicity surrounding what seemed like a harmless incident. But older, wiser heads warned the youngsters to heed the warning signs and be careful to avoid such problems.
Meanwhile Harry Redknapp continued holding together the Hammers despite some precarious moments in the Premiership. His experience, as an adept football manager, racehorse owner and enthusiastic punter, had long since taught him the difficult art of pragmatism. ‘I suppose the bookies wouldn’t fancy us to go down this time. But something tells me it’s going to be even harder this coming season.’
With that in mind, Redknapp wasted no time during the close season of 1997 in strengthening his squad with two more foreign imports plus a number of other domestic players. He explained his spending spree in typical Redknapp style. ‘Everyone is having a go – we’re all spending our money from the TV deal. We finished above Chelsea last season and look at them. They splashed out a fortune. We’re all having to spend up and it’s going to be really tough.’
Once again Redknapp made a point of also mentioning his up-and-coming youngsters like Rio and in the process had a swipe at the footballing authorities. ‘PFA chief Gordon Taylor has criticised us for signing all the foreign players and is worried about the young players coming through, but I’ll have a bet with him now that players like Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard will make it. The youngplayers will still come through if they’re good enough.’
But for the moment the real focus of attention remained on the Hammers’ European hopes for the following season’s UEFA Cup competition. Redknapp insisted that team spirit was at an all-time high. ‘For the first time since I’ve been here, there’s not a player at the club I would rather see the back of. When I started with Billy Bonds there were half a dozen who were a disgrace. Bill wanted them out, I wanted them out, but it takes time. Now everyone here wants to play for the club. The Premier League is the place to be. It’s a very exciting time.’
Rio knew only too well that if he was to become a serious contender for a place in England’s World Cup squad the following year, he needed to come to terms with the fact that only two people in his life really mattered – Harry Redknapp and Glenn Hoddle.
Rio’s former West Ham teammate Alvin Martin crossed paths with the youngster just before Martin quit Upton Park in 1997. He said then: ‘Rio’s good enough to go to France ’98 and he’s the sort who would respond to the challenge of playing against the best. I think he has learned in the past few months that even the smallest indiscretion will be magnified because of the position he is in. He has learned that very quickly. I know him well enough to say that he is a cracking lad. You get a feel for people, don’t you? There’s something about him that is basically nice.’
During the summer break of 1997 England coach Glenn Hoddle made enquiries about Rio’s availability, only to discover he was suffering from an injured foot. And Rio himself went out of his way to dismiss suggestions he might be in the running for a place at the 1998 World Cup Finals in France. ‘It all sounds a bit far-fetched,’ he said atthe time. ‘It’s nice to hear people say that kind of thing about yourself. But if you sit and drool over that, you could become obsessed. I don’t let it get to me.’
But, behind the scenes, Rio’s international stardom was already being plotted. His grandparents’ nationalities meant he could have played for either Ireland or France, but he’d already made the crucial decision by turning out for the English U-21s. He later explained: ‘I was born here, I’m from south London and my mum’s English. Simple as that.’
Everyone was full of praise for Rio and West Ham
Meanwhile Harry Redknapp continued holding together the Hammers despite some precarious moments in the Premiership. His experience, as an adept football manager, racehorse owner and enthusiastic punter, had long since taught him the difficult art of pragmatism. ‘I suppose the bookies wouldn’t fancy us to go down this time. But something tells me it’s going to be even harder this coming season.’
With that in mind, Redknapp wasted no time during the close season of 1997 in strengthening his squad with two more foreign imports plus a number of other domestic players. He explained his spending spree in typical Redknapp style. ‘Everyone is having a go – we’re all spending our money from the TV deal. We finished above Chelsea last season and look at them. They splashed out a fortune. We’re all having to spend up and it’s going to be really tough.’
Once again Redknapp made a point of also mentioning his up-and-coming youngsters like Rio and in the process had a swipe at the footballing authorities. ‘PFA chief Gordon Taylor has criticised us for signing all the foreign players and is worried about the young players coming through, but I’ll have a bet with him now that players like Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard will make it. The youngplayers will still come through if they’re good enough.’
But for the moment the real focus of attention remained on the Hammers’ European hopes for the following season’s UEFA Cup competition. Redknapp insisted that team spirit was at an all-time high. ‘For the first time since I’ve been here, there’s not a player at the club I would rather see the back of. When I started with Billy Bonds there were half a dozen who were a disgrace. Bill wanted them out, I wanted them out, but it takes time. Now everyone here wants to play for the club. The Premier League is the place to be. It’s a very exciting time.’
Rio knew only too well that if he was to become a serious contender for a place in England’s World Cup squad the following year, he needed to come to terms with the fact that only two people in his life really mattered – Harry Redknapp and Glenn Hoddle.
Rio’s former West Ham teammate Alvin Martin crossed paths with the youngster just before Martin quit Upton Park in 1997. He said then: ‘Rio’s good enough to go to France ’98 and he’s the sort who would respond to the challenge of playing against the best. I think he has learned in the past few months that even the smallest indiscretion will be magnified because of the position he is in. He has learned that very quickly. I know him well enough to say that he is a cracking lad. You get a feel for people, don’t you? There’s something about him that is basically nice.’
During the summer break of 1997 England coach Glenn Hoddle made enquiries about Rio’s availability, only to discover he was suffering from an injured foot. And Rio himself went out of his way to dismiss suggestions he might be in the running for a place at the 1998 World Cup Finals in France. ‘It all sounds a bit far-fetched,’ he said atthe time. ‘It’s nice to hear people say that kind of thing about yourself. But if you sit and drool over that, you could become obsessed. I don’t let it get to me.’
But, behind the scenes, Rio’s international stardom was already being plotted. His grandparents’ nationalities meant he could have played for either Ireland or France, but he’d already made the crucial decision by turning out for the English U-21s. He later explained: ‘I was born here, I’m from south London and my mum’s English. Simple as that.’
Everyone was full of praise for Rio and West Ham
Similar Books
