Every football team these days has a group of ex-players, some in their 40's, an occasional one in his 50's, who play football against similar sides for charity and exercise. The Heart of Midlothian team in the past went by the name 'Old Hearts,' whereas tday they are called 'Hearts Legends' even though some never player for the club. The word 'Legend' is put about with all the authority of a Goverment cabinet minister these days, and with all the honesty that implies, however, when we talk about Diego Maradona as a Legend we mean it.
Beginning his international career with humbling Scotland as an 18 year old he went on to say "Scotland loves me, England hates me," and this was true, as the ''Hand of God' enabled all Scots, as well as Welsh and Irish, enjoy him putting one over on the imperialists.
His height was low, making some think him wee and easy to push around, instead it gave him a low centre of gravity which he used, combined with natural and well developed, strength to barge his way past the most experienced of defenders.
His talent was not just scoring with the 'Hand of God' he revealed his talent by running through the English defence not long afterwards and leaving them well grounded. He won World Cups, and many other trophies, especilaly in italy when the best payers in the world, and some of the dirtiest, plied their trade.
It is not well known but while in Argentina bringing one or two Agentines to his club the then Sheffield United manager (name forgotten) wished to bring a 16 year old also. United's Board refused as there was a lot of youth talent in Sheffield they said, why bring one from the other side of the world. Diego Maradona thus lost out his big chance at Sheffield.
Getting mixed up with gangsters in Naples and then with drugs ruined his career and life. He played out his career but his public image and his mind was warped by drugs and emotional turmoil, a sad end to a man of such stature in the game. Not all 'legends' end this way, some carve out good lives, I always thought that his move to Napoli rather than Milan ended his good side. Rather sad he dies in this manner, a much missed genuine 'legend.'
I see people are getting angry that they canny get together at Christmas. One man, famous for his Great War historical work, was grumbling about Teir 3 and all that. I thought it strange that a man who writes about war cannot cope with a lock down. Those who lived through near 5 years of the Great war and seven of the second may wonder what the fuss is all about. Certainly in those days people grumbled at loss of freedoms, though most understood why, but today there is a great many who feel they have the right to do what they want irrespective of the situation. I fear these will gather at Christmas in unthinking groups endangering themselves and granny. I expect the NHS will soon know about them.
