TREVOR SINCLAIR: Premier League clubs signing average foreigners is damaging for the next generation of English footballers

PUBLISHED: 01:30 EST, 21 August 2013 | UPDATED: 02:29 EST, 21 August 2013

English winger Trevor Sinclair played for QPR, West Ham and Manchester City, among others, during his club playing career and represented the English national team. Sinclair, who was capped twelve times by The Three Lions, was an essential part of the England 2002 World Cup team. Since retiring in 2008, he has presented football in Dubai and taken up coaching. Before you read his column, watch his video below...

 

The Footballers' Football Column with Trevor Sinclair

It was a great honour to be in the England team at the 2002 World Cup. You look at the squad leading up to the World Cup and there was no chance that I was going to play on the right wing – Becks was playing out of his skin at the time so the only position really available was on the left-hand side.

I had spoken to Harry Redknapp, my manager at West Ham at the time and he felt I had a good chance of making the England team on the left wing.

So, he played me on the left all season for West Ham. I had a good year, we finished in the top 10 and I scored a decent amount of goals for a winger at the time. I was enjoying my football, I was injury free and I was in a great place as a footballer.

Golden chance: Trevor Sinclair played for England with the likes of David Beckham and Michael Owen

Suits you:Trevor Sinclair, David James, David Beckham, Michael Owen and Sven Goran Eriksson pose with designer Giorgio Armani in 2003 - the height of the 'Golden Generation' years

Why didn’t England’s Golden Generation win a World Cup? I can give you one name – Ryan Giggs. He would possibly have changed things. He was (and still is) a frightening player and he is the most decorated player in British football. It is amazing, really, because I feel I had a decent career.

I played professional football from the age of sixteen to thirty-five, and although I didn’t win any team honours, I gave a decent amount to football.

And then you see Giggs, who has won everything in the game, given everything to football and then still he gives more and gives more at the age of 40.

If he’d have chosen to play for England, as he played for England schoolboys, I think England possibly would have won the World Cup in 2002 or 2006 or both times. I don't blame him for playing for Wales, as that is what he felt was right.

I think Harry Redknapp may have been my choice for England manager when the position became available last year. With Harry, he is one of those people and managers who will speak on your level and always get you up for a game.

When things are going well for you, you couldn’t have a better manager in the world. He puts his arm around you and says ‘You’re killing them out there, they can’t handle you’ and he makes you feel as though you are the best player in the world. And vice-versa, when things aren’t going so well, he gives you a good dressing-down.

The only thing with Harry, for me, is because he is one of the older managers, I think it would be good if he had a few younger coaches around him with different ideas and slightly different opinions to the old school in not only coaching but also in terms of ways to play. I think if he did that, he would have been the perfect candidate for the England job at the time.

The number of overseas players is absolutely the reason why there are less English players coming through. The FA, the Premier League, the clubs – they all have something to answer for.

It could have been so different: Ryan Giggs played for England at schoolboy level but Wales at international

Making the difference: Had Ryan Giggs opted to play for England and not Wales, Sinclair says the Three Lions could have won the World Cup in 2002 and 2006

One, for bringing over average foreign players. Two, for bringing over young overseas players at the age of twelve or thirteen, which is illegal.

They say they don’t, but they do – they relocate the families and once they are in England, they can play for the club. It discourages players that are English, and there are so many of our kids going by the wayside.

It is a big country and we should be producing more players. There is a lot wrong with the set-up and it needs to be addressed. But with the finances and powerful bodies involved, it’s going to be hard. 

I worry about the lack of black managers in English football. If you look at the number of black or mixed race coaches and managers throughout the leagues, there aren’t enough when you compare it against the percentage of the players who are black, or mixed race or not white.

Teammates: Sinclair and Paolo Di Canio played together at West Ham - and the former England winger says the Italian should say sorry for his fascist salutes

Di canio

It doesn't tally up. Something is there and it’s a can of worms talking about racism but if you ask me, ‘Do you think it is still prevalent?' I would say ‘Yes, it definitely is.’

Did I encounter racism as a player? You’re joking, aren’t you? As a mixed race kid in the 1970s in Manchester, I had it all. I had bananas thrown at me on the pitch, the monkey chants, the lot.

But for me, I used it as a fuel for extra motivation and hunger to prove to these people how good I am. I used it as a positive to improve myself and I would lend that same advice to any young black players today encountering the same issue.

There has been a lot said about Paulo Di Canio and fascism since he took over at Sunderland. I was his team-mate at West Ham and the things about fascism didn’t really surface when he was playing.

Exciting times: Sinclair believes West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium will help the club

He did have a tattoo on his arm of the Italian flag being dropped into a blazing fire so you know he had issues with his homeland. I didn’t realise it went so deep. I’ve commented on Paulo doing the Nazi signs and I am pretty disgusted about it – I feel he should apologise for it even if he was unaware how deeply it would affect a lot of people.

If I walked into a dressing room now, knowing what he has said and done, then it would grate me and I would want to have a chat with him so that I knew he wasn’t racist. I must say that I got on very well with him. He was a fantastic professional and an amazing talent.

West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium will be fascinating. Look at Man City, they were in the second division not long before being handed the Commonwealth Stadium and look where they are now – one of the biggest clubs in the country and they have won the league and the FA Cup.

I think West Ham will need an investor if they want to make it work there – but short-term it is a great opportunity to move into an amazing stadium. Leaving Upton Park will be emotional because there are so many memories and so many outstanding players to have graced that field – World Cup winners like Bobby Moore but it is moving to the future now as a club, a business and a brand. It could a fantastic catalyst for the club.

One of a kind: Sinclair enjoyed playing for Harry Redkapp at West Ham and he should have managed England

Moving on: Sinclair was disappointed when West Ham sold players like Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard

I love West Ham, I got on with everyone there. East London is one of my favourite places in terms of the people and places to live - real salt of the earth people there.

As a footballer, you are always going to get some stick from fans. I got stick at QPR when I put in a transfer request – I felt the club was going in the opposite direction to me in terms of our ambitions.

At West Ham, the same. When I saw Harry Redknapp, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand leave, I thought ‘What are they doing, I still want to achieve something in this game, I love this club and they are selling these great players?'

The club were bringing in sub-standard players so what were they expecting me to do? Just sit there and go along with it because somebody wants to make a few quid?

I was honest with the fans and I think they respect you for that. I stayed at West Ham initially. They wouldn’t let me go and I signed a new contract to take the edge off my ambitions a bit.

Low point: Sinclair was relegated with West Ham in 2003

I should never have signed that and I ended up leaving when we were relegated but I didn’t want a relegation on my CV.

I already had that with QPR, where the club were selling too many good players, like Les Ferdinand and Darren Peacock, and it was too much with a small squad. You can’t do it on a shoestring in the Premier League. I’ve always had a bit of grief and banter with fans, but you get on with it and it’s part of the game.

QPR have gone from a shoe-string to blowing a shed-load of money. I watched a lot of QPR last season and the players didn’t look bothered. There were too many that looked like they weren’t bothered about the club or about football.

All they wanted to do was pick up their wages and live this glamorous celebrity lifestyle.

Doing his bit: Jamie Mackie was one of the QPR players who showed some heart, according to Sinclair

Society and the celebrity culture has crept into football and it’s like a disease – it’s not getting any better and it’s one of my biggest dislikes about the game at the moment – these players who aren’t really interested in football.

A lot of players play for the wrong reasons and you won’t see them having twenty year careers. I may not have been the most talented player but I prided myself on working for the team at the very least. To see how some of those QPR players applied themselves last season was really disappointing. It wasn’t all of them, Jamie Mackie put himself about and Ryan Nelsen was superb before he left in January.

Once in a lifetime: Sinclair scores a stunning overhead kick against Barnsley for QPR in 1997

I scored THAT wonder goal for QPR seventeen years ago now. It was better than Rooney’s overhead kick against City – Rooney’s came off his shin! If he did that in training, they’d all be shouting ‘Shinners!’

VIDEO: Watch Trevor Sinclair's bicycle kick for QPR against Barnsley in 1997

But listen, Rooney’s was a massive occasion – mine was a 3rd Round FA Cup game against Barnsley at Loftus Road in front of 18,000 people. Rooney’s was the top-of-the-table clash between the noisy neighbours and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. Which game would I rather have scored the goal in? The derby, of course. But which is the best goal? Hand on heart, I think mine is the better finish.

Shinner! Sinclair says Wayne Rooney overhead kick against City came off his shin

The Manchester United team of the nineties was the best I faced. You were lucky if you were beaten by two or three. For West Ham, I played in a 7-1 defeat and a 6-0 defeat against United at Old Trafford.

Glenn Roeder substituted me towards the end of the game and tried to make me a scapegoat and I was a bit disappointed with that. He questioned my commitment to the club and the team and I resented that because I always gave my all. It may have looked like we were chasing shadows but we were trying and United were just this force we couldn’t compete with.

City slicker: Sinclair celebrates after opening the scoring in a 3-1 win over Manchester United

They had the class of 1992 with superstars, and that 1999 treble-winning team is the best I’ve played against. The Arsenal Invincibles were very good but they didn’t quite do it in Europe.

Without Sir Alex Ferguson, I think United could be there for the taking. It is not that David Moyes is a bad manager, it is simply because it is such a big change at a massive club.

Fergie was such an influential character at the club and he won’t be at the changing ground or in the dressing room now. I think every other club will see it as a chance. Chelsea look strong with Mourinho back, City have added quality, and they will be looking to get at United.

New life: Sinclair now does some coaching work in Dubai

I’ve been coaching for the last two or three years in Dubai. I have just agreed a deal out there with Go Pro, it’s not working with professional players, but with young talented lads coming through.

I was involved with some great coaches myself from a young age. Willy Donachie was coaching me at Oldham, then I worked with Dave Sexton at Lilleshaw. He was a fantastic man, sorely missed, and I learned a lot from Dave.

He was a gentleman and a great coach. He gave himself to the players, it would be a Wednesday night in the Midlands, no cameras like there are today, and it would be pouring down and he would be there in his wet-coat teaching 14-year-olds from around the country how to do a sliding tackle.

That is the kind of enthusiasm and love for the game Dave had. There are so many good coaches that I’ve worked for, and I feel there is a lot I have taken on that I can pass on to kids. I don’t like the phrase ‘give a bit back’ because coaching is paid but I would say that I have a ‘lot to give’ to kids if I am handed the opportunity. 

Comments (44)

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David177, Cilfrew, United Kingdom, 6 months ago

Trevor Sinclair is probably right,when Ryan Giggs was in his prime with the top Italian clubs desperate to sign him England were also desperate for a class left winger.He would have probably been the clincher in the days when England had a realistic chance of winning a World Cup.As he went to school in England he captained England schoolboys.However as he was born in Wales with a Welsh mother and a Welsh father that was never going to happen.He was the United idol in his prime and this was certainly a stand out abroad all over the World.Fergie wouldn't hesitate to drop him or bench him when off form but as he has made 943 appearances and won more honours than anyone in English PL history he didnt do too bad most of the time!

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johnc, golden triangle, United Kingdom, 6 months ago

RYAN GIGGS IS WELSH,HE WAS NEVER ELIGIBLE TO PLAY FOR THE ENGLISH NATIONAL TEAM,HE PLAYED FOR THE ENGLISH SCHOOLBOY TEAM BECAUSE HE WENT TO SCHOOL IN SWINTON WHICH IS IN SALFORD,ENGLAND. GIGGS WAS NEVER ELIGIBLE TO PLAY FOR ENGLAND

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robbie g, dunbar, United Kingdom, 6 months ago

As far as the England set up goes it will always be second class set against club success and International achievement, foreign players will always be the flavor of the month until F.I.F.A. set down stringent guidelines as to how many foreign imports can be registered, and there will be snowballs in hell before they open that particular can of worms. Everyone knew the consequences of freezing out home grown talent, but it did not stop 90% of the clubs sticking two fingers up to the end game, the supporters are all for it as well as it gives their clubs kudos.

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mediastarguest, MADRID, 6 months ago

I´m starring in a movie with Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz.

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Jim_Belfast, Belfast, 6 months ago

Coming from Northern Ireland I would like to see England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland replaced by one UK team. Realistically, our collective chances would be increased with an integrated team that includes the likes of Bale. The larger the pool of players to choose from, the further we will go. It will never happen though because people would rather bicker over tiny differences than line up against our common foes. - Jim_Belfast , Belfast, 21/8/2013 12:13 ---------------- A Great Britain team rather than a UK one would be better. And have the Irish football team as the island of Ireland (like they do with the rugby). - JamesRobbo, New York, United States, 21/8/2013 17:56 Unfortunately James the Republic chose to break away from our league in 1947, plus their flag and anthem are offensive to many up here due to the many acts of terrorism committed in their name.

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Reds are finished, London, United Kingdom, 6 months ago

HahahaI

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The Voice of Reason, England, United Kingdom, 6 months ago

Wish people would stop referring to "English" PL. Its for English AND Welsh teams...check the PL website if you don't believe me... "Rule B.2. The League¿s first team competition shall consist of teams of those association football clubs playing in England and Wales not exceeding 20 in number which are from time to time members of the League." - Ten true summers , Rhyl, United Kingdom, 22/8/2013 02:33---------------I think you will find it IS the English Premier League. If it was the Welsh as well then ALL other Welsh clubs would be in it not just a few. Every other country in the world has its own league with teams exclusively from its own country. Why are England not allowed that privilege?

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Ten true summers, Rhyl, United Kingdom, 6 months ago

Wish people would stop referring to "English" PL. Its for English AND Welsh teams...check the PL website if you don't believe me... "Rule B.2. The League¿s first team competition shall consist of teams of those association football clubs playing in England and Wales not exceeding 20 in number which are from time to time members of the League."

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EGG, Toftir, Faroe Islands, 6 months ago

first I would like to say that race should have nothing to do with football, but since he brought up the lack of black managers in the league I would like to point out that there are currently only four native english managers in the premier league. Also english national players are a minority but native english are an even a greater minority considering they are the majority of the population. Black players are over represented for their population, therefore the lack of black managers. If you decrease the amount of players then it won't seem like black managers are lacking. Welsh teams also take part in the English league and currently there are only 3 welsh managers in the football league. I think black and mixed race people make up 5% of the population but 25% of the players. If you introduce the rooney rule for black managers , you should also introduce it for ethnic english players.

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JamesRobbo, New York, United States, 6 months ago

Coming from Northern Ireland I would like to see England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland replaced by one UK team. Realistically, our collective chances would be increased with an integrated team that includes the likes of Bale. The larger the pool of players to choose from, the further we will go. It will never happen though because people would rather bicker over tiny differences than line up against our common foes. - Jim_Belfast , Belfast, 21/8/2013 12:13 ---------------- A Great Britain team rather than a UK one would be better. And have the Irish football team as the island of Ireland (like they do with the rugby).

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