A striking world of difference

FORMER England captain Richard Greenwood joined the chorus of criticism this week when the current crop of internationals went on strike.

No surprise there, you might say -- most former England captains, and anyone else who had anything to do with the 'old days' of the amateur game, said the same.

But Greenwood found himself in a unique position. He is one of the old guard, hugely protective of the way things used to be -- but his son Will is one of the current squad, one of the rebels protesting about pay.

But the situation, however awkward, didn't stop the charismatic former Blackburn and Preston Grasshoppers star speaking out.

"I didn't agree with the players doing it," says Greenwood, who lives in Hurst Green.

"I don't think any England player should have to go on strike to get what they want but that only proves I am very old.

"But I am not a blazered buffoon and I support my son who explained it to me and said it is the only thing they could do to make themselves heard.

"There was much much more to it than meets the eye. It has been a year coming and the RFU have been very poor in getting it sorted."

Players from the 'good old days' were quick to criticise what they saw as the money-motivated antics of the England squad. In the amateur years, of course, money wasn't an issue, but the game wasn't exactly perfect because of it.

"It was chaotic, pathetic and fantastically fun," recalls Greenwood.

"It was chaotic because the administration was badly organised.

"It was pathetic because the technique was light years away from what it is now.

"And it was fun because we couldn't give a monkey's.

"The internationals were terrific and at local level it was even more chaotic, more useless and even more fun. It was very unstructured, very ad hoc.

"They were rather more serious in South Africa and New Zealand. They didn't leave it to chance there.

"We frowned upon their way of doing things but then scratched our heads when we got absolutely thrashed."

Greenwood won four caps before he was made captain for the South Africa test in 1969.

He decided that, after years of defeat, it was time for change.

"When South Africa had a test they would have a fortnight's training before it," he explained.

"But our rules said we weren't to meet up more than 48 hours before a game.

"But we were all fed up of getting stuffed. So we decided to get together in Coventry on the Sunday before the game, at our own expense, to train together.

"This was thought dreadful and was deeply frowned upon. "We were beaten by South Africa but we did the same for the next match against France the week after.

"But I never got under starters orders for that one because I injured my eyes when my glasses broke playing squash.

"They played superbly and beat France but I got a phone call a few days later saying my services would no longer be required.

"You can draw your own conclusions about whether that was disciplinary or not, but I never played for England again."

Former players from any sport say things 'were never like that in my day' but in rugby union, which has only recently turned professional, it is closer to the truth than most.

"It is like when Robert Trent Jones was watching Jack Nicklaus play golf," said Greenwood.

"He said: 'This man plays a game with which I am not familiar'.

"Will plays a game which is unrecognisable to the one I played.

"If I was to play today I would be considered a dwarf. I am six foot and was 14 stone then, giving away at least three inches and three and half stones on today's back row forwards.

"And don't forget I was a war baby. My mum used to slice the Mars Bar so thin you could see through it and we were on powdered milk and all sorts.

"It's a wonder we ever survived at all! Greenwood played for Blackburn for one season -- 'the best year of my life' -- in 1978/79. They set a club record for the number of wins in a season, despite bizarre pre-match preparations.

"We always enjoyed a Bristol Cream before we played, a wonderful aperitif on which to play on!"

Amateur or professional, leading your county invokes the same emotions, says Greenwood.

"It is a supreme honour and that is the same for any generation," says the father-of-three. "It is one of my most treasured achievements. There is nothing like pulling on that white jersey and hearing the national anthem knowing your mum and dad are in tears in the stands, which I did when Will made his England debut."

Greenwood, who eventually hung up boots in 1985, is extremely proud of Will and his two other children, Emma and Tom.

"Emma is a global marketing manager at City Bank and Tom has just graduated from Cambridge," he says proudly.

When asked if the younger son has followed in his own and Will's footsteps, he says: "No, he's a big gangly goalscoring centre forward. He plays every sport you care to mention; a bit of a time-waster really." Greenwood was due to be at Twickenham this afternoon for England's Test against Argentina, in both a professional and parental capacity.

His corporate hospitality company has sold a number of packages for the game and 25-year-old Will is part of the England squad.

The strike action won't affect the way the team play, says Greenwood: "Despite the fact that they have been on strike this week every single one of the players would play for England for nothing, because playing for your country is the top accolade and that is what motivates players."