Diary of a frustrated footballer: We are one team and Jordan Henderson is our captain

PREMIER LEAGUE players are used to competing against each other for our clubs. But in a bid to help out during the coronavirus crisis, we are all on the same team. The title of #PlayersTogether for the NHS contribution fund unveiled on Wednesday could not be more fitting — and the collaboration between rival players […]

PREMIER LEAGUE players are used to competing against each other for our clubs.

But in a bid to help out during the coronavirus crisis, we are all on the same team.

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The title of #PlayersTogether for the NHS contribution fund unveiled on Wednesday could not be more fitting — and the collaboration between rival players has been fantastic.

I cannot take any credit for setting up the scheme — but one man certainly can.

Jordan Henderson, along with his fellow Liverpool top pro James Milner, came up with the idea which has allowed all of us in the Premier League to play our part.

Reds skipper Henderson called each of us captains individually last week to explain his donation plan and everyone quickly got on board.

He  led our Zoom conference calls, has been active on the group chat and got his point across superbly.

It has given those of us who have not played alongside him a great insight into his leadership skills.

You often find footballers are very different off the pitch than they are on it, due to that competitive instinct when you cross the white line.

When Troy Deeney has something to say, he must be heard. He’s been great across this and stood firm on his beliefs.

Jordan has always been an aggressive player on the pitch and has led by example, which is why he is captain of one of the world’s biggest clubs and on course to win everything.

He had the impossible task of taking the armband from Steven Gerrard — but has become an inspirational and complete midfielder.

He’s effectively been the captain of this group of players involved in the initiative.

But others, such as Harry Kane, Harry Maguire, Mark Noble and Troy Deeney, have also contributed significantly during the process. They are strong characters, who carry a lot of power and experience with them.

When Troy has something to say, he must be heard. He’s been great across this and stood firm on his beliefs.

Everyone has had their say and was listened to, thanks in part to the mute button — which helped silence the background noise of having so many people on the calls!

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Despite us all having memories of individual battles against each other, there was no time for any banter or jokes.

The chats were pretty serious on how we move  forward — and in the last week things have progressed quickly.

It certainly was not about football, with rivalries or positions in the table put on hold.

And any internal conversations with clubs regarding wage cuts or deferrals were completely  separate to these discussions.

It was really all about getting the announcement out there and using the power we wield as Premier League footballers to help as much as we can.

Players dialled in from all over the country, foreign lads from abroad, and it was good to get everyone’s perspective.

Playing in the biggest league in the world means we are in the spotlight and an easy target. We have done the right thing not to react and the message we’ve put out seems to have been received really well.

I asked Asmir Begovic for advice as he has just returned from Italy, where he is on loan from Bournemouth at AC Milan.

He gave me an insight into what players are doing out there, which seems to be as much as they can, and they are very passionate about using their force for good.

That is what we want to do over here too and provide help to everyone who needs it right now — whether that  be the NHS, charities, hospices and everyone else on the frontlines.

It is the only message we have been trying to get across. It was not a knee-jerk reaction to anything that Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

Obviously, we were surprised and disappointed to hear how we were addressed as a collective.

But it wasn’t like ‘He said that, so we better go and do something’. That was not the case at all. We were in talks before he had his say.

The sense I have got from friends and family not involved in the game was that it was a harsh assessment of players.

Playing in the biggest league in the world means we are in the spotlight no matter what and an easy target.  You have to take those comments on the chin.

We have done the right thing not to react  and the message we’ve put out seems to have been received really well.

I relayed all the information back to the Bournemouth lads and told  those with social media accounts to post the statement on Wednesday night.

People need that money now, with the pandemic not easing up.

But hopefully we can help the right ones as soon as possible, thanks to this initiative Jordan  instigated — and with everyone working together.