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.

Martin Laursen puts Aston Villa 1-0 up against Ajax in the UEFA Cup

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.

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.

Villa hero Paul McGrath

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.

 
Brian Clough

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.

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now