That is the way the vocational professions have been shafted for years, but can't it work in reverse as with footballers?

Clubs! "Maximum pay is only ten grand a week lads."

18 year olds: "Stuff that like...I wouldn't get outta bed for that like..."



The only thing necessary to create a 'footballing genius' is repeated and positive press coverage, it's a self fulfilling whatsit. Once the media build a person up - hey presto the masses believe the hype. Build it and they will come.

Just had time to watch your Geoff Thompson youtube link, Old Nail.

Uncomfortably true, that one. I know it applies to myself to a large degree - I took the easy & safe route in my mid-20s working in a job that was easy but unfulfilling, wanting to escape - not just the job, but the Island I lived on. But not having the courage to do either.

It's all 'very well' for Geoff to say that people should overcome this, however, but everyone is different, and - quite simply - not everyone can do this.

Anyways, time for one of your tales, methinks...

Yes...and no. As with all things, economics partly explains things very well, but doesn't show the whole picture: soldiers don't sign up just because the pay is good enough. There are plenty psychological factors: young men's self-image; the emasculation of not having a job or perceived prospects at home; peer pressure; the need to belong, and the lack of "belonging" that they experience in their everyday lives; the notion of patriotism; the fact that quite a lot of young men are up for a fight, to name but a few.
In fact, I'd bet that most soldiers would sign up for no pay at all if the right psychological reasons were appealed to by the recruiters... or politicians.

I respect Geoff. He has overcome the old 'vice and violence' cycle that so many of us got locked into, and he has turned his life around into a tremendous positive. He's a 'Bouncer' turned writer now, and it's very encouraging to know that such a thing is possible.

Quite the philosopher he is too. I think what he's saying there only really makes sense to folks that may have lost their way a little, because by keeping moving he means that you will perhaps eventually find the right path again. Many are happy to remain in their comfort zones, and that's not a criticism of their choice of course but an observation of how as you say, we are all different.

I'm not inclined to tell any more tales, perhaps folks need a rest from them. All I do know is that I am what I am, and if it wasn't for guys like Geoff Thompson and Peter Consterdine I probably wouldn't even be here now to irritate folk. Rather than tell a story, how about I let this short film tell it for me?

I mentioned that unfortunately I spent some time in prison, and when I say that to people they often immediately think 'Robber' or some other such thing, so much for non judgemental thinking huh? My crime was an 'honest' crime if ever there could be such a thing. What I mean by that is that I didn't steal anything, rob anyone, embezzle funds nor fiddle expenses. What I did was purely in reaction to other events.

Watch this short film. For anyone here that has ever worked the doors then it will make you smile in recognition. For the others, then this is the most realistic depiction of that whole scene I have ever known. The banter, the comedy, the leg pulling and the cameraderie are exactly as it is for real. (content warming swearing!)

This was my life for many years, and as this film was made after I was sent down, I don't know if it's a case of art imitating life, or life imitating art. It stars Ray Winstone, I like him, and It was written by - none other than Geoff Thompson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWoIgeoNh0&feature=player_embedded#!

Two from the 'Seemed like a good idea at the time' dept.

well if the dragons dont go for it ill send you a £10er for 50% of the prof its

This made me smile. As an antidote to the often serious posts I've done recently just listen to this guy, I've no idea who he is but all the bars he sings about are real - hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2AERufbdC0

By the way, we don't all have that camp accent in Bolton.

you kind of know whats coming........but it still makes you laugh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV0QRuekRSY

Yes, it's brilliantly done. It's from a movie called Never Back Down.

This is in a similar vein. Very funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5LhY2lSlHk You can even see the guy in white's mates laughing at him up on the balcony!

hardly impartial commentary on that one was it. There's just got to be humour in all situations.