The other Rooney
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney plays for arguably the biggest football club in the world and at a stadium that holds more than 76,000.
A shade over 23 miles down the road from , Rooney's younger brother, John, is carving out a career of his own at the rather more modest surrounds of , the home of League Two side Macclesfield Town.
The potential of the 18-year-old, who turns 19 on 17 December, has not gone unnoticed this season, with scouts flooding in great numbers to watch the youngster with the famous surname.
Rooney has impressed with his dedication and attitude
Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander recently told me that one definite bid has already been tabled for the player while he has received numerous enquiries from other clubs.
"People are looking at him every week," said Alexander. "We will do well to hang on to him in January and I would be surprised if my phone is not red hot."
One of the clubs keen to sign him is - and although it is unknown how much Macclesfield would get for Rooney, it would almost certainly be a handsome return on the calculated gamble they took back in March 2007.
. Toffees scout Frank Sharp recommended him to Town but it was immediately obvious that there would be a lot of work to do.
"John was in his last year at school," Town youth team manager John Askey told me. "He was slightly overweight to say the least."
Askey talked to Rooney's school, , and arranged for the 16-year-old to train with Macclesfield's youth team twice a week. By the summer Rooney had impressed enough to earn a two-year scholarship.
"As soon as you looked at him in training you could see that he loved the game - he was football daft," said Askey.
"He worked his socks off and his mum was a big help with his diet, making sure that he was eating the right things."
Askey and centre of excellence manager Mick Holgate monitored his body fat every month and constantly set him new targets. Rooney always showed good stamina but they devised drills to improve his speed over the crucial first 10 yards.
"We helped him get fit and so did his family but he wanted to do it, he has reaped the rewards since and all credit to John for that," said Askey.
Rooney's attitude and dedication ensured that after the first year of his scholarship he was offered a professional contract and .
But there was obviously more to Rooney than the application he had shown to achieve the required fitness. His ability had been obvious to Askey from the very beginning.
"John has got a fantastic touch, that and his passing ability is the best I have seen for someone of his age," said Askey.
"Then there is his awareness - in terms of his footballing brain he is streets ahead of a lot of other players."
Remind you of anyone?
Alexander took over as first-team manager in February 2008 and immediately noticed Rooney and Shaun Brisley, who has gone on to establish himself as a regular in Town's backline.
Within a month of his arrival, .
And the Macclesfield boss echoed Askey's description of Rooney's attributes.
He was fulsome in his praise of the work Rooney does to maintain his fitness, stating: "I have no qualms at all about how well he looks after himself in his private life and he is always first on the training pitch and last off regardless of the weather."
Alexander also pointed to Rooney's ability to spot a pass and described his best position as either just behind the strikers or as part of a three-man midfield.
Both Askey and Alexander pointed to a similarity between Wayne and John in terms of their on-field behaviour.
"He has a good temperament, very much like his brother - he gets mad and angry with everybody, including himself," is how Alexander put it.
Askey reckons: "He has that fiery will to win at all times and sometimes he gets frustrated with other players because he can see things that they don't."
Comparisons between the two brothers are to an extent unfair as Wayne is one of the most talented English players of his generation.
But Askey was candid enough to admit that even though Wayne is hardly renowned for his pace, he at least has a turn of speed that his younger brother does not possess.
Alexander pointed to physique as another difference. Wayne has amply demonstrated his ability to look after himself but, in contrast, John is slight in build.
Older brother Wayne is an international superstar
"When we have the sort of game that is away from home, played in atrocious conditions and against a team packed with big 'uns in the middle of midfield, it doesn't suit John," said Alexander, who has shown a willingness this season to protect Rooney.
The Macc boss describes Rooney as two-footed but wants him to work on his finishing, thus ensuring that he can capitalise on the positions that he has the ability to ghost into.
And as much as it cannot be easy when your older brother is a man on whom many of England's World Cup hopes rest, John must learn to manage his own expectations.
"He wants to succeed and there is no harm in that whatsoever but he has such high hopes for himself and I think he puts himself under a lot of pressure," said the Macc boss.
Askey reckons that Rooney, who at one point moved in with his older brother in Prestbury to cut down on travelling, has the type of qualities that will flourish when he plays at a higher level.
He also thinks that the Rooney surname is both a curse and a blessing - it helps to get John noticed but puts pressure on the youngster to deliver the goods.
Rooney Jr, who is apparently extremely uncomfortable in front of the media, has, in contrast to his brother, so far had a relatively low-key start to his career. He has made slightly more than 30 first-team appearances (including an FA Cup tie against Everton) and scored four goals.
Nonetheless his combination of talent and hard work seems certain to elevate Rooney to a higher level in January.
Askey expressed the hope that, although he may not go on to play Premier League football, John will fulfil his potential.
Whether or not that means he will ever move out of his brother's considerable shadow remains to be seen - but if everything I have heard about the younger Rooney is true, it will not be for the want of trying.
Hello, I'm Paul Fletcher and I mainly write about life in the Football League. I have a great enthusiasm for a whole range of sports and love to spread the word about the great game of rugby league. You can also follow me on .
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Comment number 1.
At 10th Dec 2009, ChocolateBoxKid wrote:Think Southampton would be a good move for him, a club on the up, with a sensible manager who has the ability to take talented youngsters (like Adam Lallana & Lloyd James) and turn that talent into the final product.
Moving to a Prem or Championship team maybe a step too far for Rooney at this stage. Too often we've seen players go nowhere in their career as you learn very little sat on the bench or in the reserves week in and week out.
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Comment number 2.
At 10th Dec 2009, Deep-heat wrote:Interesting blog. You've got to feel sorry for the lad though - think its safe to say that his career will always be seen in a different context to others that play at his level.
Credit to him for the hard work he has put in in terms of his fitness. Credit to Ma Rooney as well - she's produced a couple of sprogs who aren't scared of putting in a decent shift in order to succeed.
Much as Rooney Snr might sometimes not set the best example with his language etc. he's still someone who I would much rather my kids saw as a role model than any of the jessies that pull on a shirt for their Premier League side week in week out.
Afraid I can't comment too much on Rooney Jnr, as I've only seen his 'wonder goal' from earlier in the season and nothing more of him after that. Safe to say we'll probably hear a fair bit more about him whether he succeeds or not.
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Comment number 3.
At 10th Dec 2009, mickydint wrote:It can't be easy to follow in the footsteps of someone like Wayne Rooney. Unfortunatley being a Rooney carries this stigma and hopefully his love for the game will see him enjoy his abilities ratherr than envy Waynes. One of Wayne's traits that he will not want to have inherited is the inability to improve beyond the age of 21. That would mean he's only got 2 years left to find his highest level.
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Comment number 4.
At 10th Dec 2009, ChocolateBoxKid wrote:It might not be a fair comparison, but watching Theo Walcott struggling yet again playing for Arsenal last night, made me think that he hasn't improved at all since leaving Southampton. He is without doubt, a lot richer and higher profile, but as a footballer, he still makes the same mistakes that he made playing in Southampton's first team 3 years ago.
Makes me wonder if he would have developed as a better, stronger player if he had stayed at Southampton (although I admit, the turmoil the club went through, wouldn't have helped him).
I think Walcott was a case of teams wanting to buy him, more as an ego competition between Wenger and Mourinho at the time, than having a plan what to do with the lad. I hope something similar doesn't happen to John Rooney and it's a football decision he takes, even if that means staying at Macclesfield, where at least, he is almost guaranteed to be playing every week.
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Comment number 5.
At 10th Dec 2009, Andrew wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 6.
At 10th Dec 2009, mape_ventura wrote:I'd be happy for anyone to take John Rooney from us, the money from selling John Parkin has run out and it'll fund the new stadium announced today... and he's no better than anything else we have (hype is all in the name), only problem we've got is Bencherif (he's a far better player)maybe out for sometime and we need cover.
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Comment number 7.
At 10th Dec 2009, thecat wrote:#2 "One of Wayne's traits that he will not want to have inherited is the inability to improve beyond the age of 21."
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Do you actually watch football or just listen to fat cabbie on your way to work or wide-boy Jon in the pub on a Tuesday night? Ask any true red who watches him week in and week out and you may get a different answer. But why let the truth get in the way...
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Comment number 8.
At 10th Dec 2009, fivegoldstars wrote:Is he the Tesfaye to his brothers Titus?
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Comment number 9.
At 10th Dec 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:I agree that trying to follow in Wayne's footsteps won't be easy. In fact, I don't think John will reach anything like the levels his brother has - but that doesn't mean he cannot have a decent career.
Any Saints fans out there who reckon he sounds like the type of player you need?
And Macclesfield fans (or indeed anyone who has seen him play) - what do you make of him?
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Comment number 10.
At 10th Dec 2009, Saint Barty wrote:I would be happy to see him at St Marys, he is potentially a good impact option for us, as at the moment if we play connelly and Lambert from the start there is not another out and out striker to replace either of them. Rooney could be just the ticket, with his hard graft and natural ability. Youngsters are Prospering under Pardew, I think it can only be a winner for us.
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Comment number 11.
At 10th Dec 2009, Nathan Curtis wrote:Paul, like everyone else apart from the loyal Macclesfield fans, us Saints fans don't know a great deal about Rooney Jnr - he's not played many games in his short career. The rumours that were around a few weeks ago about us signing him in January seemed to come out of nowhere. Being a club with money, it is inevitable that we are going to get linked with up and coming players like him. It's difficult to tell whether he'd be a good signing for us. If his best position is just behind the front two or in a three man midfield, I am not sure he would be quite right for us at the moment. We have Adam Lallana who can do that job and he is streets ahead of most young players in the country at the moment. The lad is on fire and scoring goals from all over the park. Where we are really lacking in the short term is up-front, primarily because we need an out and out forward as cover for David Connolly who, whilst far too good for league 1, is not fit enough to play every game. If we did sign Rooney Jnr, it would be with one eye on the future I think.
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Comment number 12.
At 10th Dec 2009, tonydragon80 wrote:When he came on as a sub against Torquay in late September he looked lively, and played a significanty part in Macclesfield's come from behind victory. Didn't realise he was Wayne's brother on that day, but he certainly looked a useful player. Mind you, judging anybody on how they performed against Torquay this September reallyu isn't saying much I can assure you! Best of luck to him!
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Comment number 13.
At 10th Dec 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:John Terry and Paul Terry. Glenn Hoddle and Carl Hoddle. Bryan Robson and Gary Robson.
Any more spring to mind?
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Comment number 14.
At 10th Dec 2009, Causzino wrote:The Hunt Brothers.....Wright-Phillips Brothers
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Comment number 15.
At 10th Dec 2009, Liverpool Andy wrote:Darren Bent and Marcus Bent... Joke
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Comment number 16.
At 10th Dec 2009, Gradel97thMinute wrote:Joel Cantona had a trial with Peterborough United once didn't he?
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Comment number 17.
At 10th Dec 2009, yellowgreenred wrote:The Charltons, the De Souzas, the Ferdinands, the De Boers, the Koemans, the Berezutskys, the Caldwells to name a few
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Comment number 18.
At 10th Dec 2009, yellowgreenred wrote:.....the Wallaces
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Comment number 19.
At 10th Dec 2009, yellowgreenred wrote:...the Steins
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Comment number 20.
At 10th Dec 2009, yellowgreenred wrote:....the Laudrups
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Comment number 21.
At 10th Dec 2009, yellowgreenred wrote:....the Greenhoffs, the Dawsons
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Comment number 22.
At 10th Dec 2009, yellowgreenred wrote:...the Corts
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Comment number 23.
At 10th Dec 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:yellowgreenred - save the planet, bundle all your suggestions into one post.
I'm kind of looking for footballing brothers who operate at vastly different levels.
And perhaps some thoughts on John Rooney.
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Comment number 24.
At 10th Dec 2009, yellowgreenred wrote:...the Toure's, the Alonso's
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Comment number 25.
At 10th Dec 2009, Rearlz wrote:The Wallaces, Danny, Rodney and Ray all played for Southhampton against Sheff Wednesday in the 89 Season.
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Comment number 26.
At 10th Dec 2009, Andrew wrote:...the Neville's
...the Mitchell's
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Comment number 27.
At 10th Dec 2009, yellowgreenred wrote:OK Paul Fletcher, a fair point, in the theme you request how about Ryan Giggs and Rhodri Giggs? Or Michaek Carrick & Graham Carrick? To chuck a few more in along my theme, the Milito's, the Hoyte's and the Inzaghi's
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Comment number 28.
At 10th Dec 2009, Andrew wrote:Joleon Lescott (Man City) and older brother Aaron Lescott (Bristol Rovers)
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Comment number 29.
At 10th Dec 2009, Slem_1990 wrote:Well there's Xabi Alonso and Juan Ugarte. I know he was his cousin but... Speaking of which what ever happened to him cos he was prolific for Wrexham a few years back!
Then there's Luke Young and Neil Young who used to play for Bournemouth but has retired.
It must be pretty rubbish when your brother does so well and you're just mediocre. If I was a pro footballer i would be over the mon but it would really take the shine off it if I played for Barnet and my brother played for Arsenal....
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Comment number 30.
At 10th Dec 2009, jonnothecitizen wrote:good blog paul, as always. hadnt heard much about Rooney Jr before this season, he gets good on fm10 so best of luck too him.
#14 - Shaun and Bradley Wright-Phillips technically arent brothers, as both were adopted from seperate families.
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Comment number 31.
At 10th Dec 2009, Slem_1990 wrote:Oh and I forgot, there's Titus Bramble and Tesfaye Bramble who used to play for Stockport.
Then there's Paul Ifill and Phil Ifill.
Can't think of anymore
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Comment number 32.
At 10th Dec 2009, Slem_1990 wrote:One more... Steven Gerrard and Anthony Gerrard. Right I'm done!
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Comment number 33.
At 10th Dec 2009, jonnothecitizen wrote:the Blumers. Elano (ex City, now of Galatasaray I think) and his brother Thiago who I think turns out for a Brazilian team, would have to ask Mr Vickery to confirm but I know they are brothers
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Comment number 34.
At 10th Dec 2009, Roberto_Mexicano wrote:I was rather pleasantly surprised to read this article, and I think all credit has to be given to John Rooney for becomming a professional.
I saw him playing for Everton as an under-12 in their academy team. It was the same time as Wayne had just broken into the first team, and to be honest your first thought was "He's there because of his name".
As the article here describes, you could see he had a good touch, and he could strike a ball, but he was massively.........MASSIVELY, overweight. I have never seen a player at a professional club in that physical condition before or since, and you just looked at him and thought "He'll never be a footballer!"
The fact that he has obviously worked really hard and has made it as a pro I think says a lot about his character, and he's proven a lot of people wrong I think, whatever level he ends up playing at.
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Comment number 35.
At 10th Dec 2009, FoDrizzle wrote:The Gorams, of course. Confusingly both called Andy
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Comment number 36.
At 10th Dec 2009, Spaced Invader wrote:Van der Kerkhofs as well.
#30 - I think you'll find that most adopted brothers very much consider themselves to be true brothers!
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Comment number 37.
At 10th Dec 2009, bringmethehorizon wrote:Shrek 2?
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Comment number 38.
At 10th Dec 2009, yourblogsarerubbish wrote:Big John and Jaime McCombe, Antonio Valencia and Valencia Club de Fútbol, James and Thierry Henry.
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Comment number 39.
At 10th Dec 2009, Mike_Ireland wrote:Isn't there a concern that a switch to Southampton or a club at the other end of the country might not be the best of ideas bearing in mind that he's 'extremely uncomfortable' in front of the media, presumably quite shy and comes from what appears to be a very close knit family in the north west?
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Comment number 40.
At 10th Dec 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:yourblogsarerubbish - not heard from you for a while. Everything good? You seem to have a lost a bit of form - to the extent that perhaps you ought to be called mypostsarerubbish
Michael Leach - From what I've heard - it my all be a question of ambition. He is apparently desperate to succeed and a club like Saints might provide a good schooling.
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Comment number 41.
At 10th Dec 2009, rust wrote:Bradley and Shaun are brothers, they have the same mother and Shaun was adopted legally!!
And dont forget Joe and Ashley Cole, and there big bro Andy!! Fine footballing pedigree!!
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Comment number 42.
At 10th Dec 2009, PeruSaddler wrote:#32 They are in fact cousins.....
Ollie & Mick Kearns
The Clarke's
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Comment number 43.
At 10th Dec 2009, fivegoldstars wrote:@ 31. Slem_1990:
Oh and I forgot, there's Titus Bramble and Tesfaye Bramble who used to play for Stockport.
Sort of covered that on post number 8... :)
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Comment number 44.
At 10th Dec 2009, FergieWinsAgain wrote:Derek Ferguson / Barry Ferguson
Paul McStay / Wille McStay
Les Ferdinand / Rio Ferdinand / Anton Ferdinand (cousin)
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Comment number 45.
At 10th Dec 2009, U2281215 wrote:Roberto and Eddy Baggio.
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Comment number 46.
At 10th Dec 2009, mickydint wrote:Ian and Basil Rush.
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Comment number 47.
At 10th Dec 2009, celery_shtick wrote:Butch and Graham Wilkins perfectly illustrate the article. Graham played at the same level as Ray for a while (Chelsea in th 70's) - but it wasn't justified. They had a younger brother too who didn't quite make it.
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Comment number 48.
At 10th Dec 2009, The Realist wrote:He should join Swansea if he is as good as this report suggests, I don't any other Championship side will teach him how to pass like a Spaniard but that is now Swansea's mantra.
Mediocre talents are being trained into very good talents, and very good talents are being trained into exceptional talents there.
I wouldn't say Southampton is a good fit for this player as they are in massive financial difficulty.
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Comment number 49.
At 10th Dec 2009, jenthesaint1990 wrote:CardiffRThugs you obviously don't follow anybody but your own team? LOL
We were bought by a billionaire in the summer and are now the 5th richest club in the country.
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Comment number 50.
At 10th Dec 2009, WHUFC-1991 wrote:player to watch for a few years to come i think wont be in the shadows much longer
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Comment number 51.
At 10th Dec 2009, Perry wrote:I can also think of Christian Vieri and his brother Max Vieri, a lower-league player who turned out for Australia a few times solely based on his name. He was way out of his depth, even against some islander locals in some of the old Oceanian qualifying games.
Another one is the American brothers DaMarcus and Jamar Beasley. During their youth years at Chicago Fire, Jamar was always seen as the brighter prospect but it shows how important attitude is in the game.
And didn't David Beckham have a cousin called Michael get a trial at Ipswich Town or somewhere?
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Comment number 52.
At 10th Dec 2009, The Professor wrote:ChocolateBoxKid -
Feel you're a bit harsh with both Walcott and Arsenal there. His development's been impeded by three things:
1) Wenger protecting him in the aftermath of Sven selecting Theo for the World Cup
2) Walcott being selected at U21 level (as a striker) and senior level (as a winger) - hasn't helped him in a positional sense, or fitness-wise
3) Injuries at unfortunate moments.
Point 3 is the most key - there have been times when Walcott would've had a great run of games, only for his shoulder to go, or hamstring pull etc. Frustrating for us to watch, but it doesn't mean he should've stayed at Southampton (where, I'd argue, he would've been overplayed and overburdened). Don't forget that some players simply take longer to find their game - three months after he'd arrived at Highbury, most Arsenal fans would tell you Thierry Henry hadn't improved from that gangly, wasteful teenager at Monaco. We all know how that turned out...
On the blog, I'd like to point out I find it a little crazy that people are saying with certainty John Rooney won't make it in the premier league. He's 18, a lot can happen. Did anyone think Nicky Shorey would get an England cap? Didn't everyone reckon Jermaine Pennant was going to be a world superstar? Freddy Adu, anyone? Ian Wright? Football's filled with stories of players who've appeared to have it all only to let it slip away, and conversely those who take lemons and make lemonade. If he's playing regularly for a league side at 18, there's no reason he can't make it all the way to the top. Last month's prem league player of the month - Jimmy Bullard - didn't play a single league game until he was 23, when he started playing for Peterborough.
Oh, and why does everyone keep writing Rooney Jr. and Rooney Sr.? That relates to a father and son who have the same first name, or simply (slightly more tenuously) to a father and son - e.g. Cruyff Sr. - you know who I'm talking about. If you said Neville Sr., you'd be talking about the chuckle brother's father, Neville Neville. Both John and Wayne should only be referred to as Rooney Jr. (which would be confusing, as there's two of them). Calling Wayne 'Rooney Sr.' implies he's John's father, which is wrong - unless there's a BIG family secret in the Rooney household...
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Comment number 53.
At 10th Dec 2009, Mister Lovenkrands wrote:What about the LuaLua brothers? Kazenga and Lomana, or the Ameobis? Sam, Tomi and Shola ;)
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Comment number 54.
At 10th Dec 2009, Ron Walker wrote:Alexander and Alan Carr's Celebrity Frimpong
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Comment number 55.
At 10th Dec 2009, Ron Walker wrote:or rather Emmanuel
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Comment number 56.
At 10th Dec 2009, Roberto Del Rio wrote:Lionel and Dave Messi
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Comment number 57.
At 10th Dec 2009, Roberto Del Rio wrote:Chris and Diomansy Kamara
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Comment number 58.
At 10th Dec 2009, Ron Walker wrote:Ian and Des Walker
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Comment number 59.
At 10th Dec 2009, Mister Lovenkrands wrote:Peter & Tommy Lovenkrands.
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Comment number 60.
At 10th Dec 2009, Ron Walker wrote:Gilberto Silva and Long John Silver
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Comment number 61.
At 10th Dec 2009, Roberto Del Rio wrote:Walter and J'Lloyd Samuel
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Comment number 62.
At 10th Dec 2009, FormerArmchairFan - now going regularly to matches wrote:Darren and Paul Fletcher
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Comment number 63.
At 10th Dec 2009, Peter wrote:Based on what was seen at Rochdale recently, Chris Dagnall is twice the player that the younger Rooney is!
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Comment number 64.
At 10th Dec 2009, rod wrote:Barry Elliot and Paul Elliot (Chuckle Brothers)
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Comment number 65.
At 10th Dec 2009, VoiceofSeason wrote:Great blog again, both highlights the void between the Premiership and the other leagues, and yet displays how narrow the players' community can be. One pedantic note from me. Junior (Jr) is applied to a son with the same name as the father; if that son has another with the same name, he is known as III (the Third). So John is Rooney the Younger, not Rooney Jr. Unless... no.
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Comment number 66.
At 10th Dec 2009, andy_wxm wrote:The Sutton brothers are a good example. And I'm sure there are 4 or 5 Sodjes?
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Comment number 67.
At 10th Dec 2009, Damien lippiatt wrote:Excellent blog as always! But missing a link to a similar story with another set if brothers.
One played at a world cup for his country, whilst plying his trade in the premier league, whilst his brother struggled in the lower leagues.
Muzzy Izzet and Kemi Izzet!
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Comment number 68.
At 10th Dec 2009, Gareth wrote:Good point by The Professor #52 regarding people's assertions that John Rooney won't be good enough for the Premier League. I think football is the only sport where a player is judged as mediocre if they haven't reached their full potential by age 18.
In fact, the descriptions of John Rooney's play (plays best behind the strikers, not the fastest, great at picking passes, footballing mind always one step ahead of everyone else etc) reminds me of another player: someone who didn't appear in the top flight til age 21, and didn't get their first England cap until 27, yet went on to become a legend for club(s) and country in a professional career spanning 24 years.
Anyone guess who I'm thinking of?
(A clue, on the family topic - this player also has a son playing professionally, albeit in the lower leagues)
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Comment number 69.
At 10th Dec 2009, xraywolf wrote:Kenny Hibbitt (Wolves) and Terry Hibbitt (Newcastle Utd)
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Comment number 70.
At 11th Dec 2009, Ron Walker wrote:Thierry Henry (Barcelona) and Karl Henry (Wolves)
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Comment number 71.
At 11th Dec 2009, mickydint wrote:Vinnie and Kenwyn Jones
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Comment number 72.
At 11th Dec 2009, mickydint wrote:Paula and Kevin Ratcliffe
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Comment number 73.
At 11th Dec 2009, gary wrote:in terms of brothers at different levels how abou the kilbanes :)
Now unless you happen to know his older brother Farrel either locally or personally you'd never know
Kevin as we know has represented ireland at world cups, while his brother farrel is a central defender at southport (or at least was) I only know this becuase i used to work with farrell in a commercial window cleaning firm..
so one brother played at world cup the other washes windows... is there a larger gap in terms of footall status.
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Comment number 74.
At 11th Dec 2009, Ryan wrote:If you shaved his head he'd look more like Senderos's younger brother!
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Comment number 75.
At 11th Dec 2009, tomefccam wrote:How about the other, other Rooney. Graeme, the man who has provided many a witty headline for cheap tabloid press.
I played against Graeme a few times who represented an under 14 team aged just 11 and was still head and shoulders above everybody else in terms of ability.
Around croxteth many cosidered him a better player than Wayne despite being 2 years younger and he also went on to play for the Everton academy before deciding to concentrate on Boxing.
He is also different in build to Wayne, taller and not as prone to putting on unwanted beef.
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Comment number 76.
At 11th Dec 2009, silkman pete wrote:I've watched John Rooney for the last 18 months or so and he is quite clearly a major talent, with a fantastic attitude. On the pitch he is very industrious and lifts his team mates around him. His shots from 20-30 yards out are as good an asset as his footballing brain and passing ability. I would like to believe he will help keep Macc up this season, but realistically I have to admit we are more likely to use his transfer fee to buy new talent.
By the way, anyone who watches Macc will know there is only one 'Sir John' around here - all credit to Macc's greatest asset John Askey for nuturing little John through the ranks.
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Comment number 77.
At 11th Dec 2009, gregmk wrote:Riise brothers? John at Roma and Bjorn at Fulham. Although not as big a gap as initially thought.
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Comment number 78.
At 11th Dec 2009, tomefccam wrote:titus and testafay bramble
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Comment number 79.
At 11th Dec 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:silkamn pete (post 76) - thanks for posting. Interesting to hear that you have been impressed with John. I guess that from Macclesfield's point of view they need the money that his sale would generate and yet would be losing a player who the manager has admitted needs to be wrapped up in cotton wool on League two.
In terms of the use of Jnr - the people who have pointed out that this should refer to father and son are quite correct. However, with two Rooney brothers in this article I thought it would give a degree of clarity to the matter.
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Comment number 80.
At 11th Dec 2009, U2097702 wrote:Hope the lad hasn't been sporting a 'once a macc,always a macc' t-shirt under the strip on the field for his own sake.
And what is the situation for oaps in Macclesfield, and does his brother know?
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Comment number 81.
At 11th Dec 2009, BerbaDov wrote:The Sodje brothers...
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Comment number 82.
At 11th Dec 2009, U11846789 wrote:Arthur Bart Henderson-Smythe and his brother Judith Wilkinson-Luxury-Yacht Biggleswade.
Two of the finest players ever to don a pair of muffs.
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Comment number 83.
At 11th Dec 2009, tom connolly wrote:Another article that was a great read. Im pretty sure I read soemthing similar in the League Paper.
Im catching the Dagenham Bury game this week. Love the lower league as a fellow Prestonian.
Who do you think is the most under-rated player in League two?
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Comment number 84.
At 11th Dec 2009, devilsown wrote:Joel Cantona played at Stockport. "Whoo needs Cantona, when we've got Cantona"
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Comment number 85.
At 11th Dec 2009, Paul Fletcher wrote:tom connolly (post 84) - that is a good question - who do you think is the most under-rated player in League Two?
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Comment number 86.
At 12th Dec 2009, diamondronaldinho wrote:Let the Over Ratings Begin..........................
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Comment number 87.
At 12th Dec 2009, blingsting wrote:what about the allen's? clive always played at the higher level
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Comment number 88.
At 13th Dec 2009, jamie wrote:why does the sposed to be sir alex ferguson always have to moan about the injury time at old trafford just cos his team lose, no other manager cud get away with it like he does all the time, he thinks he is a law unto himself,he shud just grow up and stop throwing his toys out of the pram just cos utd get beat,he is a great manager but as a person he is someone that i wouldnt give the time of day to as he is a pig and thinks he has the god given right to win all the time jamie cfc pride of london
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Comment number 89.
At 14th Dec 2009, tomefccam wrote:how abiout Edgar gudjohnsen and his dad arnold. the former chelsea and barcelona man once replaced his dad in an internation al match as a substitute.
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Comment number 90.
At 14th Dec 2009, James wrote:Gary and his brother Wayne Lineker; everybody thought Wayne was more talented and would become the professional, but he got into women and drink while Gary plugged away at his game. Gary became an international player while Wayne ended up in prison. A story I tell to young players to keep practicing.
Has anybody mentioned the Fashanu brothers? Awooga.
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Comment number 91.
At 14th Dec 2009, Zimmer1 wrote:The gulf in the fortunes of footballing brothers couldn't have been better illustrated than with what occurred this weekend.
Little more than 24 hours before Ryan Giggs was picking up the trophy & adulation of millions as Sports Personality of the Year, his brother Rhodri & his team Salford City were at The Shay getting deservedly stuffed 6-1 by the mighty FC Halifax Town, in Unibond One North!
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Comment number 92.
At 14th Dec 2009, cloughtheking wrote:Roy and Robbie Keane?
And I think John Rooney has a long way to go before he is as good at diving as Wayne
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Comment number 93.
At 30th Dec 2009, Krudler wrote:What about the Van Rental brothers from Holland - Hertz and Avis?
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Comment number 94.
At 21st May 2010, jay842 wrote:Cheese & Onion?
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Comment number 95.
At 17th Sep 2010, Ajax wrote:Where are the Ajax from fans?
Where play now Klaas-Jan Huntelaar?
Last season He plays for AC Milan.
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Comment number 96.
At 15th Oct 2010, cocoschanel wrote:Amazing guys..I am the big fan..
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Comment number 97.
At 9th Nov 2010, lanny1988 wrote:These kind of post are always inspiring and I prefer to read quality content so I happy to find many good point here in the post, writing is simply great, thank you for the post!
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Comment number 98.
At 9th Nov 2010, lanny1988 wrote:Congrats for releasing such a nice post. This is nice post which I was awaiting for such an artice and I have gained some useful information from this site. I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles.
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Comment number 99.
At 9th Nov 2010, lanny1988 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 100.
At 1st Dec 2010, U14707460 wrote:so I happy to find many good point here in the post, writing is simply great, thank you for the post!
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