Defoe: COYI it’s time to forgive

It’s not normal to hate somebody for ten years or more,  particularly when we don’t know the person concerned and who may not have been sufficiently mature to take charge of his own actions.

Who hasn’t made a massive error of judgement at 22 years old on a career which is just starting?  Jermain Defoe’s decision to slap in a transfer request so soon after relegation all those years ago was utterly awful and he admits it.

Thankfully Jermain  is at the centre of all the right headlines again after returning to the England fold and walking onto the pitch with the tiny fatally ill youngster and the lad he describes as his best mate – five year old Bradley Lowery.

As the strength of his possible return to West Ham grows by the day it’s worth revisiting his words of 2013 where he explains what happened back then

He said: “It was a massive mistake. I didn’t really want to do it.

“We’re talking about leaving the club I was in love with at the time because I came through the youth system with my friends, the fans loved me there. They were brilliant – every game they sang my name.

“The person who represented me at the time said, ‘You need to hand in a transfer request and get in early because all the lads are going to leave.’

“To this day I can imagine West Ham fans look at me and think, “Who does he think he is? How can you do that? You’re a Judas”. And it’s quite sad really because I can honestly say I still love that club.’

The new Defoe 12 years on – the razor sharp striking ability as he scored on his international return and the emotional bond with young Bradley shows this man as a class individual.

Let’s forgive and perhaps show the same sort of attitude as he is showing to that stricken youngster.

COYI