Time to get Less Personal

Just like Richard Keys doesn't seem to remember a time before the Premier League, there are an increasing number of fans who don't remember a time BBB - or as I like to call it 'Before Brand Beckham'.

A time that seems so long ago in todays world where footballers are England's rock stars. BBB was a time when the most important thing was what they did on the pitch, not who they did in a nightclub's toilets. A time when as far as I was concerned; every footballers child was called Jack, John, Jane or Jill. A time when I cared about a footballers marriage and subsequent divorce as much as I cared about.... well, golf.

Oh BBB, it was a simpler time for us fans. A purer time and dare I say it, a better time. When playing the game was all that mattered and the colour of footwear was only something us girls worried about.

Now this isn't a personal slight on Beckham or his lifestyle but for my generation he was the player who changed everything. He became a celebrity for his looks and personality as equally for his skills. I know the late George Best was a playboy in his day but; 1) I'm far to young to remember that and 2) Best was one of a few while Beckham is one of too many. He set the trend and others followed. The indepth knowlede we have of our sports stars now is a big contrast to what we had BBB.

Following the introduction of twitter we know even more, more than we need to about the players of our national sport. While I do follow most of the players on twitter, I must admit at times it alters my preconceived view of that person. Not necessarily for the better.

I mean, does anyone really care what Rio Ferdinand had for dinner or which are his favourite TV shows? Not really. But at the same point, I do like to see Kevin Davies and Cesc Fabregas thanking the fans for their support.

But the more we learn about them as people, the less they are football players in my eyes. With our growing knowledge of their day-to-day habits the less special they become. They are no longer men lucky enough to achieve every young boys childhood dream. They become just like you and me.

Call me a stroppy cow all you like but I don't want them to be just like you and me. I want them to be special. I want, in fact I need them to be secretive and mysterious. Because at the end of the day, all this bloody sharing is just spoiling things for me.

Is it spoiling things for you?