With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to plague the world, its effect on the footballing world and community continues to worsen. With footballer's refusing to cut their wage cuts and the financial situation of several clubs plunging them into a depth of uncertainty surrounding the future, it looks as if the coronavirus is showing the true colours of the community.
One man who has continuously evidenced his positive nature in football is former Manchester United legend Gary Neville. The ex-Valencia manager demonstrated his acts of fortune earlier on in the global pandemic by opening up the two hotels he owns within the Manchester area, free of charge, to the hard-working NHS and health care workers. This meant that Neville had freed up 176 beds for the worn out workers, whilst also closing the hotels to public to avoid the risk of spreading the virus. Whilst this could spell bad news for the staff of the hotels, Neville confirmed that none of his staff would be made redundant or asked to take unpaid leave.
Continuing on with this, the retired England international also publicly criticised League Two side Scunthorpe United's chairman Peter Swann who called for footballer's wages to be suspended until matches resume. Neville stated that what Swann had said was "bordering on disgusting" and continued to show his support for footballers, who had also come under criticism from UK health secretary Matt Hancock, by comparing their situation to those who work at his hotel. Whilst they may not be working right now, it was appalling to consider that they should not be paid for the foreseeable future for when it comes to their jobs. These footballers still have families to feed, mortgages to pay and more importantly, not endless bank accounts. Neville showed his disagreement by humanising the footballers that we chant songs about; once again showing his impressive attitude to the coronavirus pandemic.
Finally, and most recently, Neville took notice of the financial difficulties that the non-league clubs were facing, with most on the edge of dissolving and going under, which would leave fans without the club and in the same sinking boat of Bury FC. Looking at this as, not only a man who co-owns Salford City and has to pay those wages, not only a man who continues to pay the staff of his hotel workers who aren't currently working, but Neville still took it upon himself to make a generous donation to Brighouse Town, a small Yorkshire club who currently ply their trade in the BetVictor North West Premier Division and possess the 11th position. Since the cancellation of the league season, the Tangerines have struggled to cope, with the lack of gate receipts and financial backing required to survive dampening the clubs chances of playing again next season. To help prevent the worst possible outcome, Brighouse began a Just Giving page with the aim to raise £10k to help save their club, and within the first two days Neville had made a helpful donation to help aid the survival of the club. Along with former Huddersfield Town defender Rarmani Edmonds-Green, who donated £50, Neville donated £1k to Brighouse when he was not obliged or expected to, continuing to show his respectful and impressive gestures in these difficult times.
When asked why he did so, Neville replied: "Brighouse Town holds a special place in my heart even though the result did not go in our favour with Salford City suffering a 3-1 defeat on the day." He continued to confirm his bond with Brighouse as it was the last game he had watched Salford play with his dad.
Whilst the coronavirus situation does not appear to be improving, Gary Neville can be very proud of how he has conducted himself in these challenging times by putting others before himself and more importantly putting others before his money, something the likes of Swann has failed to do. It is fair to say that Neville is not just one of football's good guys, but one of the world's good guys.
コメント