How many gifted kids did Newcastle miss because of Peter Beardsley?
Peter Beardsley has been properly
and all too belatedly punished for his
misdemeanours. But what of Newcastle
United, his club?
A seven-month suspension for abusing
black players will presumably mean a
total future absence from the game, but
Newcastle themselves cut an abysmally
poor, even self-destructive, profile in this
horrid affair.
Beardsley’s offences go back at least
16 years, during which time he escaped
any sanction, let alone dismissal, by the
club. But in his bigoted behaviour he
against the club for its gross inactivity.
Newcastle were clearly their own
saboteurs, losing who knows how
many young players who could have
contributed to their success. Perverse
is hardly a strong enough adjective to
characterise their passive behaviour.
How could they stand by and do
nothing when who knows how many
promising black youngsters were being
demoralised and frustrated?
As long ago as 2002 the club had
ample opportunity to deal with the
scandal. The parents of no fewer than
seven youngsters at the club raised their
concerns about the way Beardsley was
treating their progeny. Yet, astonishingly,
the club supported Beardsley.
None so blind as those who cannot
see...ensured that many a promising young
footballer was demoralised and lost to
the club.
“We regret the outcome,” stated
the FA panel which passed judgment on
Beardsley. But why? There could surely
be no other outcome than to find him
guilty of deplorable behaviour over many
long years. Ross Gardner, a one-time
captain of the England under-17 team,
says his own career was sabotaged
by Beardsley’s bigotry. How many others
fell by the wayside as its result?
There is plainly a moral chargeTHE VOICE OF FOOTBALL
Brian
GLANVILLE
Newcastle were clearly their own saboteurs, losing
who knows how many young players who could
have contributed to their success
Guilty...Beardsley