"I never said player got paid purely for playing 90 minutes, but to be quite honest I have given up trying to understand you."

Errmm... so what did this comment mean then?

"I personally think 90 minutes work is more than enough for the rather derisory wages that these athletes are paid."

Or this one?

"Oh come on - an average football match lasts for 90 minutes, but an average player DOES NOT run for 90 minutes."

Perhaps you've given up trying to understand yourself - you appear to want to try to deny that you made those remarks.

"I think you just saw an opportunity to have another childish snipe" is the classic response of someone who realises that he's been hoist with his own petard.

"Can anyone explain to me why I should put aside some sympathy for the footballers?"

Not me. Football used to be all about the team and the fans. Now it's all about the prima donna players, and their lives off the pitch. As I said earlier,some players are paid ridiculous amounts of money.

Comparing one occupation with another isn't always a valid way of looking at things - entertainers (for that's really what footballers are) will always be paid more than soldiers serving in Afghanistan, or people who work in the emergency services. That, as they say, is life.

BT

"What would be nice would be if there were NO football over the Xmas/New year period, which for those of us who can't stand it would be a great relief from the constant 'news' of it on radio and TV."

Although I have been known to support a football team over the years I take your point - a rest from it occasionally wouldn't be a bad thing. I'm one of those people who can't understand why anyone finds F1 racing even slightly interesting, so I know how you feel.

I am not interested in F1 motor racing either. But like football it keeps people watching. Christmas without football would be like Christmas without Santa Claus to footie fans. I used to love the atmosphere at the games when I used to go. If I could get to a match without all the trouble of transport and parking and the high cost of admission I would still go. Add to that the cramped confines of the seating and the bad behaviour of some spectators of course may make me decide differently. So I am now happy to remain at home and watch my beloved Everton on the TV. Fingers are now crossed that they can do as well in the second half of the season as they have done in the first. The top of the Premiership could benefit from having a different team than the so called big four. It would be nice to see Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea firmly rooted to the bottom four places. Wishful thinking I now because they have their fingers controlling the purse strings. "Come on you Blues"!