PUT FOOTBALL BACK IN ITS BOX.

Why is it that John Terry being 'stripped' of the captaincy of the England football team is considered of such importance that it is headline news ?

Being captain of a football team seems to have very little real significance these days, with every important decision being made by the manager and his assistants. Terry has previously 'lost' the captaincy for misdemeanours of some sort that I can no longer recall; whether or not he is a good captain, he has 'previous'.

It appears that being captain of the England football team carries a particular kudos and is a status to be protected both by the appointee and those who appointed him. Surely, it is the reputation of the game that needs protecting, not that of any specific player. Regardless, being captain of any national team is not quite the same as being Prime Minister; it is of very little consequence outside of the sport concerned.

I really couldn't care less who is captain of the England football team, cricket team, rugby team or marbles team; what I want to see is a team that has some ability and spirit, led by someone who truly believes in sporting principles and, preferably, has half a brain and is able to lead his or her side in a meaningful way.

Football has become a national obsession and all else has been pushed to one side. The world, in England, stops for football; every word of the England captain or manager is recorded, analyzed and repeated, ver batim, and ad nauseam. Indeed, it has become such an obsession that vast acres of the national media will be wasted on discussing the matter tomorrow.

Is it not time that we put sport back where it belongs, on the back rather than the front pages ? Sadly, our political masters seem to believe that sport is a great way to garner support and the forthcoming abomination of the Olympics is a prime example. Will the sane people ever be able to regain control of the asylum ?