Seaman Overboard

‘THE England squad for friendlies against South Africa and Serbia-Montenegro and the Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia has been named.

The (pony)tale is over

And the first notable point is that David Seaman’s name is not on the list.

The Telegraph leads with the news that Seaman’s international career – ‘one of the greatest goalkeepers to pull on gloves for England’ – is at an end.

Add to that the news that Arsenal, Seaman’s club, will not be offering him a playing contract next season, consigning the Yorkshireman to a coaching job.

‘Sooner or later it had to happen,’ said Seaman in conversation with England coach Sven Goran Eriksson.

At the other end of the field is Wayne Rooney, the 17-year-old wonder kid.

It should be an honour for him to play, and an honour for Everton, his club side, to watch their brightest hope wear the three lions. But it’s turning into a row.

The Times says that David Moyes, the Everton manager, has argued, and is still arguing, that Rooney should not make the trip to South Africa in nine days time.

The result of this attempted interception has been to propel the one who must be protected into the limelight.

Another Englishman who is the centre of attention is Tim Henman, the man on whom tennis fans still pin their hopes of British success at Wimbledon.

The Independent shows Tim winning only his third match of the year (from nine played), beating American Jan-Michael Gambill in the second round of the Masters Series in Hamburg.

‘I am starting to be a bit more aggressive with my serving and I feel 100 per cent with the shoulder,’ says Timmy. ‘There are no problems physically.’

If the rest of the Wimbledon hopefuls can pick up an injury or two, Tim should be in with genuine shout of victory. Just a thought.

‘

Posted: 13th, May 2003 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink