Football: That was the weekend that was: Home truth but no word to the Wise, please

Jon Culley
Sunday 28 February 1999 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

EVERYONE KNOWS the touchy one in the Chelsea dressing-room: intelligent, well-read and sometimes upset by the sneering innuendos of mucky-mouthed away fans every week.

No, you guessed wrong. It's not Graeme le Saux, the man remembered at Blackburn for cuffing David Batty over an inappropriate remark (and who seems to be in trouble again for his short fuse).

The one who is really sensitive about the secrets of his off-field life is skipper Dennis Wise, who was so disturbed, apparently, to receive a fan letter at his home address that he asked the club to take steps to ensure this invasion of his privacy is not repeated.

Hence the warning to fans in Saturday's programme: "Dennis believes his home life is private. If a supporter sees him going into his house and identifies where he lives that does not give him the right to write to him at home."

Granted, the letter-writer chose to remain anonymous and his words were not entirely complimentary, but the criticisms he levelled at the not- normally-shy star were reasonable and constructive.

"You are a very able footballer and your career has seen great success," the letter read. "Do you not think, however, that you might be remembered as being mouthy, incredibly rash and the captain who missed 40-plus games through suspension?!

"Can you justify your wages when you can't take the field week after week?" the author asked, before signing off with, "Please win the League. A Season Ticket Holder."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in