CBC-Sports

Young Ipswich goalkeeper wise beyond his years

August 26, 2009 04:08 PM | Posted by   Jason de Vos  

Is being a professional footballer the best job in the world? Ask anyone who has ever had the privilege of earning an income playing the game they love that very question, and they will probably answer, "Absolutely!"

Consider the positives: relatively short working hours, tremendous compensation packages, full health benefits, and public recognition - the list goes on and on.

Every job has its downsides, and being a footballer is no different. A strict schedule that is set in stone and intense pressure and scrutiny from fans and media alike - not to mention the obvious risk of physical injury - are all issues that footballers have to accept.

Having said all that, no player in their right mind would turn their back on the chance to play the game for money, would they? No sane person would walk away from fame and fortune to lead a "normal" life, right?

You might be surprised.

One of my former teammates at Ipswich Town, 22-year-old goalkeeper Shane Supple, this week announced that he was walking away from football, having "fallen out of love with the game."

Just about every football fan reading this will be saying something along the lines of, "What an idiot! I'd give my right arm to be paid to play footie! What on earth is he thinking?"

While my first reaction to the news was very similar, at the same time I am also not surprised.

Shane has always been an ‘old head on young shoulders.' He is very mature for his age, and he is also quite intelligent. At Ipswich, his opinion was always sought when the older players were looking for some feedback from the younger members of the squad.

He is someone who has always been held in high regard, not just within the club but also back in his homeland, Ireland. In fact, he has often been mentioned as the long-term successor to Shay Given as Ireland's number one goalkeeper.

Yet this week he admitted that football "is not what I thought it would be" and that "deep down my heart is not in the game any more and I'm not going to go into work every day trying to convince myself that it is, so it's the right time for me to walk away."

Most footballers learn the art of saying something while saying nothing when addressing the media. Meaningless sound bites about "picking ourselves up" and "sticking together" to turn things around are regurgitated on a weekly basis throughout the season.

The scene in the baseball movie "Bull Durham", where the talented youngster ‘Nuke' LaLoosh (Tim Robbins) is talking to a reporter after finally making into the big leagues is a fair reflection of most interviews these days. "Y'know, I'm just happy to be here and hope I can help the ball club. I just want to give it my best shot and good Lord willing, things'll work out... gotta play 'em one day at a time, Y'know..."

We hear and read clichés like that all the time, but I think it is refreshing to read comments from Shane Supple that are honest and from the heart. It isn't often that we see someone express their thoughts with so much openness and integrity, despite the obvious backlash that will occur.

We live in an age of badge-kissing players and false loyalty, and it isn't often that we see a professional turn his back on money and fame to be true to his own beliefs.

Good for you, Shane, and good luck pursuing your dreams.

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