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I suffered just like Bentley, reveals scarred Barnes
Last updated at 00:29am on 12th September 2007
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The boos that rang out at Wembley last Saturday had a familiar ring to them. David Bentley is just the latest in a long line of players to suffer at the hands of England's unforgiving supporters.
They barracked Bentley's every touch after he came on as an 83rd-minute substitute for man-of-the-match Shaun Wright-Phillips against Israel.
Target for critics in the crowd: David Bentley at Wembley on Saturday
Bentley had pulled out of England's Under-21 squad in the summer citing 'fatigue'. But there was little to justify the criticism levelled at Phil Neville.
Seven years ago, the midfielder ended England's Euro 2000 hopes when he brought down Romania midfielder Viorel Moldovan inside the penalty area in the final minutes of their Group A game in Charleroi.
The memories of that 3-2 defeat under Kevin Keegan, it appears, live long.
John Barnes knows all about it after carrying the weight of expectation in each and every one of the 79 caps he earned for his country, but he is not surprised by the supporters' reactions.
Barnes was brutalised by England's supporters and he still carries the scars from an era when he was singled out for special criticism.
The former Liverpool midfielder said: 'As much as we say we appreciate that supporters pay their money, if I was a supporter I would be asking, “What am I gaining by doing this?” or “Am I helping the team?”.
'They have the right to voice their opinion, but what satisfaction do they get out of it? I want my team to win, but is this the right way to help them do it?'
'People have their favourites and although I don't see any reason why Phil Neville gets criticised, it always happens.
'It doesn't help the team and it doesn't create a favourable atmosphere, but it happens. In respect of Bentley, it is a black and white situation.'
Barnes claims he was victimised after the media questioned his commitment to the team because he was born in Jamaica and he is still haunted by the jeers that accompanied his every touch during the 6-0 victory over San Marino at Wembley in 1993.
England had only secured a two-goal margin against the tiny principality by half-time and that was all the ammunition that supporters inside the old stadium needed to begin another tirade against Barnes.
He added: 'It was at its worst when we played San Marino. The fans were beginning to get frustrated and they just started taking it out on me, but there was nothing new in that.
'I didn't want to crawl under a stone or anything like that. I would just deal with it as well as I could and that meant playing well. There is no standard way of dealing with these situations, but I certainly sympathise with anyone who gets abused.
'With me, the press highlighted that I was not born in England and I think that was used as a stick to beat me with. Apparently, because I was born in Jamaica I wasn't as committed as the rest of the players. It used to amaze me but that's football and people are entitled to their opinions.'
Although McClaren claimed that the Wembley crowd was partly responsible for the team's victory over Israel last Saturday, he also admitted that the cat-calls which stream down from the stands are part of British culture.
The England coach said: 'It's disappointing and I don't want to hear any player get booed. 'As individuals, they have to deal with it and the best way is to look at Frank Lampard and his performances on the pitch. It is part of our culture and part of our sport.'
Until attitudes change, it will continue to be that way.
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Last updated at 00:29am on 12th September 2007
Comments
The boos that rang out at Wembley last Saturday had a familiar ring to them. David Bentley is just the latest in a long line of players to suffer at the hands of England's unforgiving supporters.
They barracked Bentley's every touch after he came on as an 83rd-minute substitute for man-of-the-match Shaun Wright-Phillips against Israel.
Target for critics in the crowd: David Bentley at Wembley on Saturday
Bentley had pulled out of England's Under-21 squad in the summer citing 'fatigue'. But there was little to justify the criticism levelled at Phil Neville.
Seven years ago, the midfielder ended England's Euro 2000 hopes when he brought down Romania midfielder Viorel Moldovan inside the penalty area in the final minutes of their Group A game in Charleroi.
The memories of that 3-2 defeat under Kevin Keegan, it appears, live long.
John Barnes knows all about it after carrying the weight of expectation in each and every one of the 79 caps he earned for his country, but he is not surprised by the supporters' reactions.
Barnes was brutalised by England's supporters and he still carries the scars from an era when he was singled out for special criticism.
The former Liverpool midfielder said: 'As much as we say we appreciate that supporters pay their money, if I was a supporter I would be asking, “What am I gaining by doing this?” or “Am I helping the team?”.
'They have the right to voice their opinion, but what satisfaction do they get out of it? I want my team to win, but is this the right way to help them do it?'
'People have their favourites and although I don't see any reason why Phil Neville gets criticised, it always happens.
'It doesn't help the team and it doesn't create a favourable atmosphere, but it happens. In respect of Bentley, it is a black and white situation.'
Barnes claims he was victimised after the media questioned his commitment to the team because he was born in Jamaica and he is still haunted by the jeers that accompanied his every touch during the 6-0 victory over San Marino at Wembley in 1993.
England had only secured a two-goal margin against the tiny principality by half-time and that was all the ammunition that supporters inside the old stadium needed to begin another tirade against Barnes.
He added: 'It was at its worst when we played San Marino. The fans were beginning to get frustrated and they just started taking it out on me, but there was nothing new in that.
'I didn't want to crawl under a stone or anything like that. I would just deal with it as well as I could and that meant playing well. There is no standard way of dealing with these situations, but I certainly sympathise with anyone who gets abused.
'With me, the press highlighted that I was not born in England and I think that was used as a stick to beat me with. Apparently, because I was born in Jamaica I wasn't as committed as the rest of the players. It used to amaze me but that's football and people are entitled to their opinions.'
Although McClaren claimed that the Wembley crowd was partly responsible for the team's victory over Israel last Saturday, he also admitted that the cat-calls which stream down from the stands are part of British culture.
The England coach said: 'It's disappointing and I don't want to hear any player get booed. 'As individuals, they have to deal with it and the best way is to look at Frank Lampard and his performances on the pitch. It is part of our culture and part of our sport.'
Until attitudes change, it will continue to be that way.
Share this article:What is this?