United's Ginger Ninja Bows Out

I recently read the following extract:

“Anyone who approached his tasks with anything approaching dedication was viewed with suspicion. If you publicly avowed such dedication you were the object of ridicule. If you didn’t drink vast quantities you were almost certainly gay. It has never been the English way to publicly show dedication. Also you must be self-effacing about your efforts and especially any success you achieve thereby.” *

For some unknown reasons, the names of two Manchester born sportsmen sprang to mind – the partially retired Ricky Hatton, and the just retired Paul Scholes.

Questioning either’s success would be doing them a disservice. So what about how they approached their disciplines? For Hatton, there was no doubt he would be mentally prepared for his next bout, but his physicality could sway to an extraordinary proportion when he was out of the boxing ring.

He was the typical Englishman who backed up his statements of leading a ‘normal’ life by drinking plenty of Guinness and eating takeaways. This was unfortunately the reason he was dramatically upstaged by Floyd Mayweather jnr. and Manny Pacquiao in his last two fights.

Scholes in contrast, was by all accounts, the consummate professional. Playing in the same club and national side as David Beckham for many a year, it was not that difficult for a small ginger haired lad to be outshone. So the simple fact was he did not compete on that particular front. He shunned the limelight and got on with his job the best of his ability. And what ability.

An eye for goal, he possessed. Whether it was from two yards or thirty-two, he had it in his locker. An appreciation of Scholes’ talents can only be measured though by when he isn’t in Manchester United red or England’s white.

His range of passing and intelligence got better with age, and due to retiring from international football earlier than most would have envisaged, coupled with his lifestyle he will be sorely missed by those in and around Old Trafford who must wonder where the next loyal midfield maestro to play for 19 seasons will come from.

One thing is for sure though, despite Hatton’s blue nose, he will respect the longevity shown by a true professional and competitor.

*extract from p.99 of 'Beware of the Dog' by Brian Moore