We can all learn from the KP captaincy episode

I have written in the past about the English trait of the tall poppy syndrome and chopping down our greatest talents having built them up in to super stars and it appears to have happened again with the England Cricket team in the last week.

Now I am not suggesting for one minute that Kevin Pietersen is an easy character to deal with but the majority of the media have delighted in taking a told you so approach to appointing the breath taking but volatile batsmen as England captain.

Pietersen was as direct as a captain as he was as a player and that doesn’t appear to have sat particularly well with the ECB, who have now turned to the calmer and more understated Strauss.

Pietersen is not the first, it has certain shades of the Botham era about it, and he certainly won’t be the last in any of the English sports. My immediate thoughts turn to the legendary Martin Johnson, who selects his England squad for the Six Nations this week.

How long will the hero of English Rugby be given to turn around the fortunes of the National Team? And who will be the first in the media to say I told you so, he has never even coached before?

Our road to Twickenham starts this Saturday at Meadow Lane, kick off 2pm, with a 4th round fixture against Blaydon from National Division Two. Tickets prices have been reduced to thank the supporters for all their efforts during a tough time for the club and are priced at £10 adults, £5 concession and £1 children.