Ferries, Fredalos and Flying Boots: How Harsh Should We Treat Sportsmen?

It goes without saying that England sports fans are used to disappointment. Year after year we endure frustrated expectations and, more often than not, outright embarrassment. The latest such episode was the failure of the England rugby team in the World Cup.

England were dumped out by a fairly average French side after much of the damage was done in the first half when 'Les Blues' savaged our defence. Throughout the tournament, England had struggled to string any kind of form together so it was little surprise when we collapsed to our inevitable defeat. Perhaps naturally, therefore, the headlines were dominated by off the field antics.

Our campaign in New Zealand was more akin to a club rugby tour than a professional, determined attempt to win a major international sporting event. The players were frequently spotted getting wasted in local bars in between matches. Mike Tindall, the England captain and member of the royal family, was photographed appearing to cheat on his new wife in the early hours of one morning. Surely the most notorious incident, however, came after our collapse against France when centre Manu Tuilagi was reported to have jumped off a ferry in Aukland harbour.

England coach Martin Johnson attempted to defend these antics by claiming to treat the players as 'adults'. In his view, professional sportsmen should be given the freedom to enjoy themselves on tour and to take responsibility for their own performance. If this includes binge drinking, fooling around in bars, and midnight swimming, then so be it.

Fabio Capello attracted a great deal of criticism (from me included) for the way he conducted his disciplinarian, military approach to the England football team's campaign during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. On one hand, it surely cannot be helpful to induce a state of fear into players before they take the field. Nerves stifle creativity and inhibit any kind of relaxation on the pitch. On the other hand, there is something to be said for treating a professional expedition as just that, rather than as a glorified piss-up where players are free to do as they please.

Of course, the ideal situation would be one where the players themselves recognise the importance of representing their country. An excellent example of this can be found in the current England cricket team, where coach Andy Flower and captain Andrew Strauss have created an atmosphere of constant professionalism and high standards. This is a far cry from England teams of old, which would include frequent day trips to vineyards (David Gower) and moonlit pedalo voyages (Andrew Flintoff). Today's England side recognise the importance of fitness, quality, and conducting themselves properly off the field. It is no coincidence that under Flower and Strauss they have become the world's number one side.