Stick your criticism up your......

EAT MY GOAL
By Chris Kirwan
December 10 2002

Everton and Wayne Snr have leapt to the defence of Wayne Rooney after some people had nothing better to do but complain about his behaviour when collecting the Young Sports Personality of the year award.

Apparently there have been complaints that Wayne looked scruffy, chewed gum and failed to say thanks when collecting the award. What's wrong with these people? Once again it seems that people hate to see others excelling. I suppose that Wayne is having to learn yet another lesson at a young age; that there are critical, negative bastards out there who revel in seeing the great fall a lot more that they do in seeing them rise.

Wayne Snr responded by stating,

"We are so proud of Wayne. He's only a young lad and people need to remember that. It's what he does on the pitch that matters and not if he's chewing gum - I don't care what anybody says. We are happy for him. Wayne really deserved the award."

Whereas Ian Ross provided the Everton defence, stating,

"The whole thing has been blown out of all proportion."

"People forget Wayne was only 17 last month and was understandably nervous attending such a prestigious event. It is not easy when you are being watched by millions on live TV, especially when you are such a shy person as Wayne.

"He has been criticised for his appearance but he was wearing a suit and tie which is more than can be said for others who attended the event - including Sir Steve Redgrave and Sam Torrance. Wayne certainly did not intend to cause any offence to anyone."

While Wayne will hopefully ignore the complaining few (who probably like rowing, and would rather that Steve Redgrave won everything, including the Young Sports Personailty award), he will be chuffed at the latest words of praise he has recieved courtesy of Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne. Gazza has said, "I would go and play for the first team at Newcastle and then I'd go back and play with the lads in the park and I've heard Wayne is doing something similar.

"You should never lose track of your friends, good friends stick by you through thick and thin."

"He is a fantastic player and as long as he keeps his head right he will go on to be a great, an unbelievable player."

I hope that bunch who are knocking the lad realise that they have been made to look irrational by none other than Paul Gascoigne.