2011 has been the year of scandals throughout football, especially in England, that has changed the meaning of "The Beautiful Game". Football now seems to get more publicity off the field than it does on it, but is that because the football has got worse in England? Far from it.
This past year footballers have done all their talking on the field. Footballers that have come under tremendous criticism, managers as well, have all tried to concentrate on the positives of football. In England the press seem very eager to portray a negative view on the footballer of today, and some stories that do come out are very controversial, but are they really stories FOOTBALL FANS want to hear? Not a chance in hell. Football fans are only interested in whatever happens on Saturday at 3 o'clock, or whenever else football is on. The news they are only interested in is if their team won, drew or lost, or if there were any upsets throughout the leagues. And this year has seen plenty of them
The big results that shocked the country this year get their time in the papers, but if you asked a person on the street what do you remember hearing about more: The Ryan Giggs super-injunction or the 6-1 thrashing Manchester City gave their Manchester counter-parts? Nine out of ten people would say the super-injunction. This year, including the 6-1 Manchester derby, has seen some amazing football results and moments up and down the country that has shocked the nations fans. Arsenal 4-0 up against Newcastle and then a miraculous come-back saw it end 4-4; THAT over-head kick by Rooney; Huddersfield's record breaking 43 match unbeaten run... and many many more that I'm sure will be saved at the back of your memories for years to come.
Another big part of the Premier League this past year has been the sheer skill of some of the players up and down the league. Manchester City are now a team you just love to watch, the intricate footwork of magic man David Silva, the strikers instinct of Sergio Aguero and last but not least the man that keeps on giving, literally, Mario Balotelli. A man that can produce a piece of brilliance one minute, and not put on a bib the next has put a smile on every football fans face this year and we look forward to many more of it.
So the press can publish their stories of scandals about footballers off the field, football fans are not interested in them. They know what they want, and the footballers know exactly how to give the fans what they want and this year they have surpassed all expectations. We have one more week left of this year that could add to what has actually been a great year in English football, despite European disappointments. But with the attention off of European football in 2011 has made the Premier League a joy to watch with all teams putting on a spectacular for their fans every time they turn up.
Football is never played on a white sheet of paper, it is played on lush green fields and this year footballers have ripped up the turf and provided football fans with a fantastic and memorable year. Bring on the next one
