McRooney returns to Motherwell

If he wanted to get back to his best he should have gone to a decent Championship club instead of us or Sunderland. He was only ever going to be a sub for either.

If I'd had seen him at 9 or 10 in a playground, I've no doubt he'd have been one of those kids skinning all hands and looking great

(nb: ahem - NOT that I make a habit of peering through fences at playgrounds).

He obviously showed enough at some stage to get a pro contract but I'm interested in what happened to him (and what happens to those like him) AFTER that.

He had skill and ability, there's no doubt about it, so what exactly happened?

Was he too quiet?

Was he intimidated by others?

Doesn't like being told what to do?

Could he simply not be arsed?

Was he easily bored?

My mate's lad is 13/14 and has been training (since he was about 9) with various prem teams including City, Everton and Liverpool (plus Blackburn and Preston).

He's a decent little player but far too early to say if he's anything special.

Anyway, when I speak to the lad, he's kind of dead-eyed and unimpressed with the whole thing.

Not as excited as I would have imagined he'd be (or as I imagine I might be in his position).

My mate (who is a blue) told me "They treat them like shite".

When I asked him to elaborate he said "You can tell the clubs aren't arsed about them, they're all treated like meat and the aim is get one or two through and then fuck the rest off".

He said the kids, though young, pick up on this - they know they are a commodity and know they are in a horrible cut-throat world.

For the few that make it, I'm sure the money/glamour/big fat watches etc is all great, but by that stage, you would still know that that you're not signing a contract because anyone LIKES you.

I think we tend to forget that though many of these lads come from similar backgrounds, they're all different people.

With McFadden I wonder did he think "Once, I've signed my contract - fuck 'em".

Or "If he thinks screaming at me is doing any good he can fuck right off"

Or "I'm not good enough, my confidence is gone"

Did he have M.E or...something.

Because of my own curiousity (noseyness) I'd love to have a chat with him.

Come to think of it, I'd be able to ask the old George Best question but with no irony - "where did it all go wrong?"

I remember a lad named Bowyer who had a fine career playing for Man City and other top clubs. He was not particularly skillful but he was certainly dedicated. The same can be said of Carragher and Phil Neville – neither really gifted but very professional.

I have never admired the George Bests and Gazzas of the football world because they let their team mates and fans down. Best gave Busby lots of trouble away from the pitch and wasted his career. Gazza is just a clown. I have a lot more time for the genuine pros who are usually unsung because they don't give the media the news they want.

Very interesting insight there.

One of my mates was picked up very young and recieved the opposite treatment - though that could be because he was one of the 'one or two' that they were fairly confident would make it.

I think application has a lot to do with it. Faddy is gifted...but did he really want it? Did he put the hours in? If my mate hadn't made it in football he would have made it at cricket. If he hasn't made it at cricket he'd have made it at darts. And if he hadn't made it there he'd have made it academically. A very determined lad and an England international - he worked for it and deserves it.

Rather like those who think Olympic gold medals are there for the taking if you look the part and turn up for training every day they look good at first but few have the mental strength to push their bodies to the extremes elite athletes have to to win. It has to be THE most important think in your life and that is hard if you are a young man in a glamorous position such as playing for a Premier League team. Get involved with girls and don't they always demand that bit more of your time – time you used to devote to your profession?

I also noticed many used their footballing talent as an excuse to soft pedal their academic studies. In other words they chose a soft option. When they get to 17-19 they are of a character likely to do that again on the football field.

I was in the same year (and school - S.F.X) as Sammy Lee and he was the epitome of this.

He was incredibly small compared to most lads his age and was certainly not considered the best 'footballer' in our year.

However watching him, it was obvious that as well as being incredibly hard working and determined, he understood the idea of 'the team'.

The idea that if you do YOUR bit, to the VERY best of your ability, and everyone around you does the same, there is a good chance success will follow.

In the Liverpool side he played in, he would simply buzz around, win the ball and give it to those around him who could distribute it better (eg: Sourpuss, Terry Pisses On Nurses, etc).

This attitude got him a couple of European cups, a few titles and a few England caps.

By the way, the lad considered the best player WAS a Blue and WAS dedicated, however when offered terms at 16 and chose 6th form and university (this was 1975 - so a different ball game regarding money...or lack of it)

He did play on though at a good amateur level.

I would regularly read of his goal-scoring feats in the Huyton reporter and think 'if only'.

Oh right....OK.....erm...so what about George Best Optimum or...WHAT?

I honestly don't know how to respond.

Although I'm not sure why you ask.

Hard to be too critical. Wasn't quite good enough for us. He's not the first and won't be the last. Scottish football might be a lower level than the Premier League but it's still a pro career that most of us would have dreamt of. Good luck to him.