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Diary of a Pro Footballer: Ex-Spurs Star Reveals The Truth Behind The Transfer Window
Being a footballer isn't all about Baby Bentleys, lucrative boot deals and sexy WAGS - discover the ugly truth about the beautiful game as revealed by a player who's seen both sides.
The ugly game
Diary of a Pro Footballer: Former Arsenal And Tottenham player Rohan Ricketts On The Truth Behind The Transfer Window
Being a footballer isn’t all about Baby Bentleys, lucrative boot deals and sexy WAGS. Former Arsenal and Tottenham midfielder Rohan Ricketts reveals the highs and lows of the transfer season from a player’s perspective.
For most of the public, 31st August is just the marking of the end of the month. But in the life of a professional football player this time marks a whole different reality, filled with both suspense and hope.
With the summer transfer window about to close, I know there will be many players sitting at home wondering if they will be sold against their wishes or will they be forced to stay at a club. The worst part about the whole process is that its out of your control. In some ways you can say you are a slave to industry.
I can tell you personally, the closing of the transfer window may be entertaining to the fans who watch on, but its a time where players and their families are not guaranteed stability. Questions arise such as, will we have to send the kids to a new school AGAIN?! Do we have to sell our house AGAIN?! Daddy, why do we keep moving?!
Just imagine going into training this week not knowing if the manager is trying to flog you behind your back. But when you get home after training you turn on Sky Sports News to see some random broadcaster who you have never met, telling the world where your future may lie in the coming weeks. Total madness!! But hey, they said its the best job in the world, so you just keep your chin high and keep rolling.
I remember one time in particular, I was playing for Spurs at the time. Glenn Hoddle had just been sacked, which ended my regular role in the side. He had rang me up to let me know that David Pleat, who was caretaker manager at the time, will make it a very hostile environment, as he was not very fond of me. For reasons that we never really knew. As time passed I began to see what Glenn had warned me about. I had gone from a regular in the side, England U21 call up and a phone call from Sven Goran Eriksson to congratulate me on my progress, to someone who was not on the bench all based on what????
You turn on Sky Sports News to see some random broadcaster who you have never met, telling the world where your future may lie in the coming weeks.
Many said it was because he had spent a £1 million on Jonathan Blondel and he wanted to justify his signing. While Paul Kemsley signed me for nothing and I was JUSTIFYING my worth. It was a real frustrating period. It got even worse when Pleaty, suggested that I was not going to get games under him, so I should go out on loan.
I said to myself, OK let me speak to my agent Eric Walters (who is the most genuine agent I have met and I have met a ton ). Eric then sourced a club who wanted me on loan, which was Reading at the time. It was 1pm on transfer deadline day and I was happy that I had an opportunity to go and get some games under my belt. Little did I know, Pleaty had other ideas, contradicting what he had originally suggested. He had told me to call him if we found a club, so I gave him a call and you would not believe what this man said to me. He asked me why was I calling him, so I told him about the Reading interest. He then says, ” you ain’t going anywhere and how did you get my number ?”, like he was the damn Queen or something. I said, David you told me to find a club and now I’ve found one. He then says again, that I ain’t going nowhere and proceeds to hang up the phone. Cheek!!
That was a moment which really made me aware that the football business was as ruthless, if not more, than the dealings that happen on street corners everyday. It made me more thick skinned for other situations which were now inevitably visible. That’s just the very tip of the iceberg.
You can also find yourself used by the kind of ruthless agents who have now flooded football. I have seen agents love me and coveted my signature to guys who have not picked up the phone when you need REAL help finding a club. Anyone can move David Beckham or a Jermain Defoe, but its going to take a real grafter to find a deal for someone who’s CV is quiet bare but yet still he has potential. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good agents (decent human beings) out there. They know who they are. But for the majority, they are just out to get a buck at whatever the cost. Not giving a flying toss about morals or value of others.
That was a moment which really made me aware that the football business was as ruthless, if not more, than the dealings that happen on street corners everyday.
I have been privileged enough to travel and play in different parts of the world. Some real unfamiliar parts, like Moldova where I am now. Throughout my journey I have seen many players who have had their careers dictated by the actions of a agent. Some result in a positive outcome and negative for others. I believe that for an agent/player relationship to be of any substance, the agent must have an emotional attachment to you or your goals. If he does not he will not go to war for you or should I say with you.
All the above are just a small insight into some of the emotions and scenarios which happen during the transfer window. It’s not as smooth sailing as some may think. Throughout all of these unsettling scenarios which can arise, MONEY or the prospects of attaining money, becomes the psychological cushion. The finances acquired can allow the player to create a lifestyle which can momentarily provide a escape from all the noise. I hope this has given you a deeper sense of understanding of the game, let me rephrase that, the ‘business’ called football. As I have been saying for a while now… there is not much football in football anymore.
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COMMENTS
Great Stuff. The Inside on inside soccer. Great Stuff Rohan.
Never liked David Pleat...
Well Said! football will never be the same because of the politics in it!
Should have stayed at arsenal Rohan!
Truly fascinating stuff Rohan - good on you for offering this frank insight from the inside. Keep it coming...
Great column Rohan! Toronto misses you!!
Excellent insight into transfer deadline day and the ruthless world of football. Best wishes to Rohan for the future.
Whilst it must be unsettling I find it a little difficult to sympathise with someone who is earning upward of £1000 a day. Stop bleating and realise how lucky you are.
This was written with integrity, when money and politics compromise your vision...it's easy to relate to to this article. Quite insightful.
Good stuff Rohan , keep them coming great piece .. met you outside colchesters ground when spurs played them in a frendly and you came across well then good luck for your future .. BTW BBC linked this on 606 transfer day so hopefully you will get a few more hits
STOP crying for heaven's sake Mr Nobody! you are so out of touch and clearly sound bitter....Rohan Ricketts who?
Really good article that this is a real insight into the Sport. David Pleat sounds like a knob. Erm, where's Moldolva....? ;)
Very good read Rohan, apart from the use of 'Pleaty' in written form...verbally is bad enough. Anyway, I always thought you were a good youth player at Arsenal, and was even happy to see you getting games at our rivals. Best of luck in Moldova. God only knows how a guy with your talent cannot find a club in England
Yep, David Pleat is a complete tool (now ruining Nottm Forest as part of their 'acquisition committee'
always good to read an article by a footballer who can string a few sentences together - excellent piece
Why isnt this guy writing for skysports or bbc, better yet he should be playing for a big club with his talent, I've seen it first hand, but like Rohan said, football isnt football anymore, what a shame. Rohan amazing article, look forward to reading more from you!
I would love to have a contract that guarantees me four years pay if I am rubbish at my job after a honeymoon period or get injured. Even better is that some get their contract paid up as they no longer are wanted to then walk into another club on d similar deal! Yes the disruption is not good for families but a 20 year career if you play well is then able to set you up for life, then I would work in any world league! Enjoy the career & no worries of every day life I say! Certainly never 'slavery' a word you should never use lightly!
Great little read, Rohan. I always wondered what happened to your Spurs career, as i remembered that strong spell you had and i was excited for your future. Always a huge shame when management changes the fortunes of someone talented. I'm pleased to hear you've continued to make a career for yourself in various places around the world. All the best for the future.
Good stuff Rohan, most of the stuff you said I never knew that so many bad things happen to players. David Pleat hated him alot
A really interesting article. Rohan, you should talk to Gavin Strachan about his career as a blogger and football journalist. I do, however, think there's a difference between the super elite and the rest of the footballing world, in that the super elite can usually dictate where they go, even on deadline day (with some exceptions - e.g. van der Vaart), but it is interesting to see what it's like for 95% of footballers.
mack what are you talking about....whats his wage got to do with the info he is giving out....small minded fool.....the fact that he is stating this whilst hes still a professional shows how genuine the whole thing is. stupid people,,,,,great column rohan. love it
Ro, your columns are incredibly genuine and that's why I adore them. Keep them coming! :D
How sad that one man can change your career and your families destination in a heart beat without any due diligence or professional valuation of the talent you can bring to the table (field, pitch) etc. All the best to you, your post was insightful. It's a shame too 'Agents' are not regulated. I guess If you choose the career of Pro Footballer you sink or swim with current. D.Pleat comes across as not very professional in his approach & management style.
my heart bleeds
Another great Write up!! football is an ugly business, from the big club right down to the lower leagues. Actions of a signle manager or agent can make or break a player depending on how strong that player is. it does not matter if you make £1000 a day or £1 a day the feelings of a human being are still the same to the way they are treated by their employers.
This reminded me of a David Pleat story that Bill Borrows and I encountered whilst working for Goal. Sheff Weds had just signed Mark Pembridge and we went over to the training ground to interview him. He didn't show up and we had to re-arrange and he again blew us out on the second visit. Pleat happened to spot us and asked Bill what was going on. Bill explained that we'd been blown out twice by Pembridge and so Pleat invited Bill into his office. He then proceeded to give Bill a full interview as if he, David Pleat, was Mark Pembridge! Even to the extent that, when Bill asked how he thought he was getting on for his new manager, he answered that he was doing fine and he thought that the new manager was pleased with his progress...mental. I later photographed Pleat and my instincts were that he was a dark character.
It's 1.45 Sunday afternoon. In an hour I'll be going into work. By the end of this week I'll have 70 hours in. I truly feel blessed and privileged to do what I do for a living. I urge anyone reading this who is in a similar position to me, next time you're working a double or a month or more straight, without a day off and you haven't spent anytime with your own kids since God knows when, spare a thought for the pro footballers of this world.
Hey Rohan. I'm a sports therapist at League 1 side Colchester Utd, and we're looking for players for the new season atm. Get in contact!
In general Rohan, I like your columns. But some of this stuff is just feckin pathetic. If you're really so hard done by try swapping it for cleaning hospital toilets or working in a care home for a bit. Get a grip lad.
Great insight into the murkier side of deadline day, one that Football Manager will never provide. I think that a few of you posters either didn't read the whole article, came in with pre-conceptions that cloud your judgment or have a problem with your comprehension. Rohan said he's privileged to have been a footballer. The entire purpose of the article was to let you know what often goes on so stop feeling sorry for yourselves.
I knew some footballers from my country India and they told me about the agent business. But never knew it was this bad, that too at the highest level.
Yeah you all have it soo tough, how would any of you cunts survive in the real world?
I was at a train station a couple of years ago and they had a big poster listing about 200 names of people who had been busted for not having a valid ticket. Being a bit bored i perused the named and shamed to see the name Rohan Ricketts on there. This has got to be you right?
Great article Rohan. To all those who have bitched about this article (you know who you are) the irony is that you're actually the ones who sound bitter and twisted. This guy has talent and wants to better himself. Can you say the same? Rohan has articulately presented the 'ugly' (the inverted commas are for the haters) side of football, a side that is rarely talked about. Thanks Rohan.
There is not much football in football these days Amen
Slave to industry? Really? Completely deluded! I'm amazed so many people are slapping him on the back for this self centred whine. So, your definition of "ruthless" is a manager who refuses you a transfer then hangs up the phone? What's the weather like on your planet? Pathetic!
11 para should read "...for someone who’s CV is quite bare but yet still he has potential." Not quiet. Blondel played twice for Spurs. 500k a game. Ouch.
I've just clicked onto Rohan's article and his very astute comment that it's not a game, but a business called football. This week, Chelsea, Blackburn and Aston Villa are playing in something called the Asia Cup, and in a month's time Villas-Boas, Kean and McLeish may just be blaming an indifferent start to the league on players' 'tiredness'. I hope that an equally astute reporter throws the need to travel halfway around the globe merely in order to cement a 'global brand' (of Sky, of Barclays, of the EPL, of the clubs themselves) back in those managers' faces and tell them to wind their necks in.
Really impressed with both the quality and honesty of your writing. I've read two of your articles and agree with previous comments in that they deserve a much wider audience. Very brave of you to be open about the nasty behaviour of your old manager, cos i imagine that he is the sort to at least threaten you will leagal action for liable (or is it slander?)... Final thought, keep up the good work, keep writing cos you're good at it, and tell us much much more about the real issues in football from aplayers perspective. good luck rohan! COYS
A great appraisal of the reality of professional football - should be read by any young aspiring pro as an insight into the likely future for them.
Have heard in the Grapevine that Rohan is a very difficult person to work with and there's no way I believe that Glenn Hoddle said that 'that David Pleat, who was caretaker manager at the time, will make it a very hostile environment, as he was not very fond of him. That is not the kind of thing Hoddle would reveal to a player and especially not to have it printed in an article on the web.
JohnnyL, It is your choice to do the job you do. These are young and impressionable kids who are manipulated by the elders who see them as nothing but assets. They don't choose their pay and conditions.
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