Ultimate pro - and gent - Martin Laursen, the new old McGrath, deserves a fond Villa farewell
Four years ago, I traipsed tiredly off the training pitch at Belvoir Drive, Leicester City's training ground.
After asking to go pre-season training, I spoke with Micky Adams, then the manager, about his relationships with his colleagues.
'I can't afford to have too many close ones,' he said, 'it's war when we are out there.'
Even after a decade on the periphery, the stark nature of the comment surprised me.
leap of faith: Martin Laursen puts Aston Villa 1-0 up against Ajax in the UEFA Cup
Of course, we all share this romanticised notion of the game.
But the fact is, at the sharp end, it's brutal.
Results, results and results alone earn cash. Winning football matches leads to increased television revenue, more spectators, greater commercial income, bigger transfer budgets, better players and so on.
More from Neil Moxley for the Daily Mail...
- The transition was painful, but Lambert finally has Villa bursting with energy... will they keep progressing or stagnate? 22/11/13
- THE MIDLANDER: I just don't get the transfer policies of Villa and West Brom... and I can only see Birmingham's painful decline continuing 12/09/13
- THE MIDLANDER: Red-hot Villa striker Agbonlahor's England snub makes absolutely no sense to me 30/08/13
- THE MIDLANDER: Support Coventry or turn your back, but don't start a civil war 14/08/13
- THE MIDLANDER: The Ricoh Arena is not a white elephant insists landlord... confused? You will be 18/07/13
- EXCLUSIVE: Coventry chief Fisher is as dismayed as anyone with Ricoh fiasco after securing ground-share with Northampton 12/07/13
- Benteke can kick and scream all he wants but Villa WON'T sell him for a penny below £25m... Lerner won't let them 11/07/13
- The Midlander: Unpopular owners, a stadium dispute and disgruntled fans, so what now for Coventry City? 19/06/13
- Wolves calm rising waves of anger as 'faultless' Jackett moves into the Molineux hot seat 06/06/13
- VIEW FULL ARCHIVE
Losing football means the opposite.
A lot has been spoken about the lack of morality in the game.
With such high stakes - what does anyone expect?
Take a look at the news pages. Why should football be up on a pedestal?
Those are the harsh parameters in which those employed in the game exist.
But every now and again something happens to restore your faith. That just reminds you there is room for the good one or two.
I'm talking about Martin Laursen and his criminally-early retirement from football.
Three years ago, the Dane was in conversation with manager Martin O'Neill after his first 45 minutes back in action, deep in the bowls of NEC Nijmegen's main stand.
Villa's boss wore a big smile on his face afterwards, probably because he'd been told that the centre-half had come through with flying colours.
Just to put this in some kind of context, Laursen had spent 12 months in Bologna trying to recover from a knee injury that had threatened his career.
Oh ah, McGrath: Villa hero Paul
That's a long time. A lot of work.
Since that day in Holland, Laursen has, with O'Neill's understanding, been the outstanding performer in Villa colours.
Gareth Barry has been consistently excellent, but even he has been overshadowed by the manner in which the centre-half has taken to the job in hand.
O'Neill deserves a pat on the back too. His reasoning was that if Laursen was mature enough to regain his fitness after a year on the sidelines then he probably understands the requirements of his own body.
And I defy anyone to suggest that Laursen - apart from his swansong against the Baggies when he didn't look totally at ease - was not fit for purpose.
But what the punters do not see is the man.
Laursen, who was an ambassador for the Acorns' children's charity, Laursen who would stop and speak to the press, whatever the circumstance.
It takes a lot to impress hacks. We see players come and go. We see managers come and go.
But after Laursen conducted an emotional press conference to announce he was leaving the game, one member of the pack thanked him for his co-operation over the years.
Villa's boss came in a few minutes later to deliver his own tribute. Likening him to Paul McGrath.
Now, Macca was some player. That is praise of the highest order.
Villa's fans will be able to give Laursen a proper send-off of their own Sunday afternoon - although the defender will not play, having officially retired. And even in a sporting world that has no place for romanticism, it will be a truly sorry spectacle.
Now, I don't know whether Laursen was on a par with McGrath as a player. But, as a man, he was a credit to himself, his club and his country.
Villa Park will be a far sorrier place for his absence.
Old Big 'Ead: Brian Clough
It is to my eternal regret that I never had the chance to work with the late Brian Clough.
His best days were well behind him when I began as a cub reporter, but his achievements remain of such magnitude that they will be forever discussed.
I've sat and listened to Martin O'Neill, Trevor Francis, John McGovern, Peter Shilton and a lot of my more experienced colleagues over the years, trying to find an answer to the question: 'What was he really like?'
I've also read most of the books, both the authorised autobiography, the unauthorised biography and others since.
But if you really want a flavour of the man, there is, finally, a literary work tocover all bases.
150 BC - Cloughie - The Inside Stories is written by a reporter who knew him, Dave Armitage, containing little gems of stories from players, coaches and others who worked for and alongside him.
Dave also had the good grace to contact the Clough family before going to print.
As such, it is strongly recommended. Click here to buy it.
- Iker Casillas breaks down in tears in emotional farewell
- Conor McGregor looking wild and ready at fierce UFC weigh-in
- Gareth Bale reports back to Real Madrid for training
- Louis van Gaal confirms Matteo Darmian arrival at Man United
- Memphis Depay: It's a dream come true to play for Man United
- 7 year old Miah Davis dazzles on the pads with Floyd's Uncle...
- Steve McClaren leads Newcastle squad in pre-season training
- Liverpool fans rejoice... Daniel Sturridge back kicking a...
- Heartwarming moment baby sees parents clearly for first time
- Solar cycle: The sun's 11-year heartbeat explained
- Shocking new footage of ISIS massacre in Tikrit
- Appalachian Bear Rescue save black bear cub
- Morgan Schneiderlin has medical with Manchester United as...
- UFC 189: Conor McGregor stops Chad Mendes late in second...
- Bastian Schweinsteiger on way to England to finalise £15m...
- Raheem Sterling on his way to Manchester City after...
- Iker Casillas breaks down in tears as Spanish legend bids...
- Wimbledon final RESULTS 2015: Roger Federer vs Novak...
- Chelsea to make £22m move for Barcelona star Pedro, while...
- Transfer news LATEST: Manchester United, Liverpool,...
- Conor McGregor parties the night away after stopping Chad...
- Manchester United new boys Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian...
- Manchester United begin discussions with Benfica over...
- Novak Djokovic crowned Wimbledon 2015 champion with victory...