IT was interesting to note the disapproval aimed at the England cricket team following their magnificent victory over Australia in the Ashes series (which must have been the best sporting contest of all time), regarding their somewhat exuberant celebrations.

It was observed that this sort of behaviour will encourage youngsters to act accordingly.

What of football I wondered, considering the regular acts of thuggery and yobbish behaviour that appear to take place weekly both on and off the field?

It would seem that a bunch of drunken cricketers are far better behaved than sober footballers.

Football always seems to get away with it and the results can be seen with watching youngsters mimicking the aggressive antics of their heroes.

Largely thanks to an ineffective governing body, the FA, English football is becoming a joke in my opinion. Their so-called disciplinary sanctions are laughable.

Football has reached the position where the top three teams are the only ones who have any chance of winning anything, the rest of the Premiership might as well not bother, particularly the lower end. As for the lower divisions well, it is an admirable act of faith that they continue playing at all.

As for the players, some of them are dedicated and genuine sportsmen. However, a portion of them appear to be overpaid, whining prima donnas who are just not worth the money.

I include Wayne Rooney in this group who may be very good with a ball but is useless as a team player: what use is he when banned or getting himself sent off? Sacking would be the normal penalty. Alas, none of them have the courage.

As for the cricket, magnificent to see the participants enjoying themselves and savouring every moment of the occasion and thanks to sheer determination and team spirit win back the Ashes for England.

Charlie Stone,

Millfield Road,

York.

Updated: 09:06 Saturday, September 24, 2005