Where Have the Footballing Heroes Gone?

With the advent of 'super-injunctions' and the internet it seems almost impossible to find a real footballing hero nowadays.

I don't think we are without them but I fear for the image of the game if all the media concentrates on is the negative behaviours of footballer in England.

But when is poor behaviour sp poor as to mean you cannot play for England?

Are we so devoid of character and values that short of being a murderer you can still pull on the Three Lions?

The first picture is of Manchester United legend Duncan Edwards who is often described as the best footballer the world has ever produced.

But he was, according to all those who knew him,  modest and unassuming young man.

Sir Bobby Charlton has even said that if he could have been any other person he wold have picked Duncan Edwards.

Let's look at a few of the people deserving of the accolade of great sporting hero. 

Sir Bobby Charlton

Sir Bobby Charlton

Forever linked with Manchester United Sir Bobby , now 72 won every major hounour at the club and added a World cup winners medal with England in 1966.

He still holds the scoring records for United and England.

His Soccer Schools we're years ahead of others and have proved the inspiration for David Beckham to follow decades later.

Bet Trautman

Bert Trautman

Although not born in England this German POW is considered as close to being a Mancunian as anyone can be.

If a man can overcome the stigma of being ex-Hitler Youth and German Paratrooper and have people in Manchester in tears at his retirement he must have something special about him.

Possibly the most famous injury in football he played after suffering a broken neck in the FA Cup final and playing on he was a giant of a man loved by all who know him.

Sir Tom Finney

Sir Tom Finney

Although not rewarded with medals or trophies Sir Tom Finney is widely regarded as Mr Preston.

A career built around a World War and for whom the words dignity and loyalty were perfectly formed Sir Tom was uncommonly king and generous both on and off the field.

'Sir' Bobby Moore

Getty Images/Getty Images

22 May 1971: Peter Cormack of Scotland (left) and Bobby Moore (right) of England both challenge for the ball during the match at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. England won the match 3-1. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

Pele has always maintained that 'Sir' Bobby Moore is the greatest defender ever.

He is widely recognised as the greatest captain England has ever had.

His tackle against Brazil is often voted the worlds best.

He is one of only a handful of players held in the highest regard as a man and a performer of the footballing arts across all clubs and nations.

Sir Stanley Matthews

Don Morley/Getty Images

1 Feb 1965: Stanley Matthews of Stoke City on his 50th birthday in Stoke, England. \ Mandatory Credit: Don Morley/Allsport

Stoke and Blackpool consider him their own.

100,000 people lined the streets of Stoke as his funeral cortege passed by and that was decades after his career ended.

He has an FA Cup final 'named after him' which is an honour never repeated.

A gentleman who never got booked in over 700 appearances he had longevity on his side as the oldest England player and oldest league player - both records unlikely to be bettered.

A vegetarian teetotaller his impact on the game can possibly be summed up by what Pele said of him -

"The man who taught us the way football should be played"