The Boy with the thorn in his side
John Coyne raattles on about the media treatment of Wayne Rooney

8 October 2004

What is it with these Fleet Street Whoppers. I pride myself on not usually taking the bait offered to me by the vast numbers of people who like to have a pop at Everton and especially Wayne Rooney.  Christ, we've all got kopite mates who try it on every day and usually, I just laugh it off, but today I've become extremely irate at certain members of certain tabloids.

Now call me paranoid, but does anyone else get the impression that these fools pick on Wayne Rooney because he is working class and plays for us?  Do you think he would get this treatment if he played for Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or even those media darlings that play in black and white from the North East? 

Now forgive me if I'm wrong, but does anyone else believe that Rio Ferdinand forgot to take his drugs test?  I'm saying nothing, partly due to the fact that I don't want a libel case against me, but a drugs test is not something you would dismiss lightly, moving house or not.   We all know that we are not allowed to mention the scandal surrounding the rape allegations, so I'll mention another case in which young England stars have been a little naughty.

Remember Dyer, Cort & Co being sent home from a Newcastle tour a couple of years back for not attending an honourary lunch in aid of long-time benefactor Sir John Hall?  Could you imagine the delight of the middle class journalists if that had been Rooney?  Or the delight if it had been Rooney who liked to gamble so much money a la Michael Owen — you know, the perfect role model for kids...

What I'm basically saying is Wayne Rooney may have a bit of a temper when he's on the pitch, but is that as bad as what I've mentioned above?  Besides, his temperament off the pitch is unquestioned, despite the fact that people have tried to put him under immense pressure, hoping that he would crumble, and they'd say 'I told you so'...

I'm sure we will hear more tales of why Rooney shouldn't play against Turkey, as he'd be letting down the 'whole country' if his temper got the better of him.  I'm sure a lot of Evertonians would agree, that whilst it's great to see one of our own playing for England, we'd much rather have him fit for the Southampton game than running the risk of an injury playing for that muppet Ericsson.

Anyhow, I don't know why all you England fans are getting so worked up about this game, as apparently England can't win without everyone's favourite Welshman.  I for one hope England play Heskey and Beattie up front as, apart from Only Fools & Horses, there's no other comedy to look forward to on Saturday!

John Coyne

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