A year in the life

I must be honest and say that this is one of the few times of the year I’m glad I’m not a professional footballer anymore.

You wouldn’t believe how bad the language in the McGrath household was when I had to go off to training on Christmas morning! Especially when we were playing away from home the next day, and had to travel down south afterwards. I’m from an era when men were supposed to be men, but I was always the worst when it came to moaning about the weather. Never mind gloves and Deep Heat, if they’d let me I’d have gone on the pitch wearing a scarf and mittens. Apart from the fact you’d freeze your wotsits off, I hated the way that the mud and icy surface turned games into a lottery. The common wisdom is that "it’s the same for both sides" – but, really, it favours the less technically skilled team.

The bit I did like was when the players, management and back-room staff and their families would all get together for a Christmas knees-up. Football is big business, sure, but even at a massive club like Manchester United there’s a genuine sense of looking after your own. A prime example of that is the way they have myself, Norman Whiteside, Stuart Pearson, David Sadlier and Wilf McGuinness doing corporate work at Old Trafford on match days.

The question I’ve been asked most this year – apart from "What the hell’s up with Fabien Barthez?" – is "Who do you think’s going to take over from Alex?" I’ve no more insight into that than anyone else, but the person I’d like is old Sven. I was part of the Rest of the World team he put together for a game in Canada, and even though it was a friendly, I was very impressed with the way he dealt with players and gave them their instructions. There’s a matter-of-factness about him that immediately puts you at your ease. The other people who are ideally suited to the job are David O’Leary and Martin O’Neill. They’d both take a bit of luring away, though, which is why I think United will end up going abroad.

Talking of managers, my ‘Gaffer of the Year’ Award goes to Sam Allardyce. The way he’s taken an average bunch of players and fashioned them into a team that’s capable of beating anyone in the Premiership – Man U included – is fantastic. Everyone thought Bolton were going to be cannon fodder this season, but if they carry on the way they have been, I wouldn’t bet against them bagging a UEFA Cup place.

Where Irish players are concerned, the best youngster has to be Damien Duff and the best old ‘un, Roy Keane who, as I’ve said before, is the main reason we’ve made it to the World Cup. Ireland beating Iran 2-0 at Lansdowne was a great night, but shading it as my game of the year was the 1-0 against Holland. I arrived expecting, at best, a draw and almost did myself a mischief when Jason found the back of the net.

TV-wise, the most exciting 90 minutes I saw was the eight-goal thriller between West Ham and Charlton. Being 4-4 there were obviously more defensive errors than Alan Hanson would’ve liked, but who cares when you have two sides running around like maniacs and giving it their all?

Internationally, I’ve continued to be amazed by the things that Rivaldo, Zidanne and Figo can do with the ball. It’s early days still, but they may end up being eclipsed in Japan and Korea next year by the new Argentine lad they have at Barcelona, Javier Saviola. I’ve only seen bits and pieces of him on TV, but, well, England watch out!

My Footballing Hero of the Year, funnily enough, is Rio Ferdinand. He was a bit talked up at West Ham, but since moving to Leeds he’s not only justified the hype but moved beyond it. There’ve been more than a few occasions this season when I’ve gone, "Damn, why wasn’t his mum or dad from Mayo?"

My villain is one of his teammates, Alan Smith. David O’Leary must be driven bonkers by the fact that he’s so talented yet so undisciplined. The way he mouths off at every decision and takes chunks out of people really annoys me. There’s no way Sven Goran Erikson’s going to take him to the World Cup while he’s that petulant.

Work-wise, I’ve really enjoyed doing the personal appearances that Pat Egan has organised for me here, and the different bits of punditry. I’m still not sure how good I am at it – I did a Barnsley game for BBC Radio Five recently and didn’t recognise anyone apart from Mike Sheron! I was going “Great pass from the Barnsley lad to the other Barnsley lad.” By the end of the game, I could understand why Jack Charlton called me “James” for the first couple of years.

One of my biggest disappointments is that, try as I might, my golfing handicap is stuck at 28. Forget World Cup qualifiers in Belfast – the most nervous I’ve ever been was playing at the ex-United players’ tournament in Manchester. I was so jittery teeing off that I almost started crying! At least it ended up in front of me, which isn’t always the case.

I had to have my knee washed out a few weeks ago, so I’m not sure when I’ll be able to go five-

a-siding again. What I do know is that, either working or on holiday, I’m going to be at the World Cup finals next summer. With the draw we got, I think we’ve a real chance of progressing to the second-stages and, well, who knows after that?

Another of my regrets this year is that I wasn’t able to get to Slane for the U2 gig. Despite being a huge fan of theirs, my favourite albums were actually Ibiza Chill Volumes 1 or 2. I’m a bit old to be jumping around in clubs, but when I’m at home on my own I’m not a bad little mover!

On that rather embarrassing note, I’d like to wish all hotpress readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Sporting Year!