David James Encourages you to Recycle

Portsmouth keeper David James has taken his fair share of criticism in these parts lately thanks to his bold and beautiful and scary and horrific new look. It is only right that we take a moment to applaud Mr. Calamity today and to point out that exposure to massive amounts of hair products does not always lead to the loss of valuable brain cells. James shows that in addition to being a barber’s dream, he is the thinking man’s keeper.

In a piece he wrote for the Guardian, James tackles the unlikely subject of the environment and the steps the football world can take to be better stewards of this tiny little planet of ours. He points to the efforts Manchester City is making to reduce carbon omissions.

And City need to be put up as the example for others to follow. When their turbine is fully operational next year it will supply enough energy to power the stadium and thousands of nearby homes. They also source local produce for their kitchens to keep the carbon count low and have tried to improve the recycling of drinks bottles from the training ground – something we have to do at Portsmouth, where we get through about 60 bottles per training session.

The City model is particularly important when it comes to new stadiums. They’re springing up all over the country – even Portsmouth might eventually get one. So why not stipulate eco-friendly controls from the outset? You wouldn’t fit a wind turbine near Luton Town, for instance – you’d be lucky to fit in a shrub between the ground and the next house – but there’s no excuse not to incorporate City-like measures in out-of-town sites.

There are plenty of examples of athletes whose writing makes you cringe and want to poke out your eyes, which is why it is so refreshing when you do come across a footballer who has a brain and knows how to use it, even if it is covered by that scary hair.

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Category: English Premier League, World Football