Dec11200911:23 a.m.
Feeling sorry for a millionaire?
Should you feel for a sportsperson who is forced to retire due to injury, especially when they are expected to receive a nice pay off of several million?
Most of us would jump at the opportunity to retire right now if we had the finances to do so, so it a curious that we should feel some sadness for England striker Dean Ashton who has been forced out of the game at just 26. Effectively, it's like he's just won the Lottery and given up his job!
Ashton failed to fully recover after breaking his left ankle while training with England in August 2006 and he's bowed to medical advice and retired from the game. He might also be about to bring a suit against Shaun Wright-Phillips or his employers at the time (either Chelsea or the FA could be held accountable) for the tackle that effectively finished him off. So that's more money for you then Deano!
The fact is, Ashton has done more than any of us could have wished to do - he's played in the Premiership for a number of years, represented his country at the highest level, and likely got plenty of cash stashed away so that he'll probably never have to work again.
The people I feel sorry for are those who never get the chance to do any of that - the ones who had the talent, but injury finished them off before they even got started. Or what about the rest of us who never had the talent at all? Ashton can go away, count his pennies, and look on what was a great career sadly cut short... and then open a pub.
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Comments (4)
Shaun 'Can't say I agree with you on that one. He's spent his entire adult life training to do the job he enjoys and now he's been forced out of it by an appalling injury caused by someone else. Regardless of his financial circumstances he's still been forced out of the job he loves ten years (or maybe more) before he would otherwise have had to quit.' added 11th Dec 2009
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adamdphillips 'What a crass and ignorant piece. Dean Ashton was one of the good guy's. A product of the Crewe youth system, he moved onto Norwich City andf then to West Ham. He also represented his country. If you listen to his fellow professionals they only have praise for this man. God know's how he must be feeling today, to see everything he has ever wanted vanish comes with no price tag. I hope the support network is around for him to transit back into the real world. Granted some top flight footballers are shamefull but please let's not forget most are honourable professionals and them getting the fair share of a burgeoning business is only just.' added 11th Dec 2009
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jamieB 'I think this is a bit slanted and tainted by your general hatred of anything not LFC. As above, Dean Ashton is once of the good guys - he's worked at it and stayed fit long enough to get one cap despite the injury. Like those who maybe had to retire early and didn't hit Ashton's height in terms of career or wages, he spent a lot of time trying to get back and I bet the money or the wages never came into his mind. If you've tasted any level as a pro you just want it never to stop and I'm sure he didn't think or believe this day would come. I think it's easier if you don't make it as a kid because at 26-30 what chances can you get to stay in football? I hope he becomes a coach and stays in the game... Again as above, there are A1+ twats in all walks of life including football but to imply Ashton is one of these or to imply that he'll be thinking about the cash is a bit piss poor. It's a really sad day and you should be thinking that this leaves us with Cole and Heskey in the plan and a decent pro is not a pro anymore. I can see where you are coming though about foot ballers from because I have seen the Steven Gerrard video in the bar and it did set a very bad example despite him getting off...' added 11th Dec 2009
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Johnf 'This one has stirred some feelings Simon. I have worked in football for 15 years and have seen so many players disappear either because they just haven't quite cut it, injury or obviously the inevitable, age. and the one thing all footballers have in common generally is that they are ill prepared for life after football. Few of them stay in the game in some form and I think many of them, even those comfortably well off, find it difficult to "retire" at such a young age.' added 12th Dec 2009
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