‘Amid all the rightful disgust heaped on Rio Ferdinand by Manchester United fans over his reluctance to sign a new contract worth £90,000 a week comes a story to gladden the heart. This week at Leeds, the club Ferdinand couldn't wait to get away from to up his salary, the biggest crowd of the season, 38,000, turned up for Lucas Radebe's testimonial to thank him for 11 years service.
‘They love him so much in Leeds…because he's honest, decent and loyal. Qualities summed up by giving the £500,000 he'll receive from the match to charities, and this parting shot at many of his fellow professionals.
‘"Football was a better game 10 years ago. Players were honest enough to go out there and give their all - break a leg, if that's what it took to help your team. Now it's a question of how much money you could lose."
‘I'm not sure Ferdinand will say the same after his testimonial. But then I'm also not sure if he'll have one, as the telephone box is yet to be built that's small enough to house the audience.’