The Culture Club: how overseas players adapt to life in the UK
By 5 live Sport producer Patrick Nathanson: From Oman to Barbados, Honduras to Senegal, an exotic assortment of diverse nationalities ply their trade on Premier League pitches up and down the country.
But just how easy is it for a foreign player to settle in the UK? What are the main cultural challenges and how much support is given to players to help overcome them?
On 鈥楾he Culture Club鈥 we wanted to get the personal experiences of players who've been through the adjustment process - some with great success, others less so - managers who've gambled with foreign signings and the people behind the scenes who help players from different cultures adapt off the pitch so they deliver on it.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez - who swapped the paella of Spain for the pies of Wigan back in 1995 and has stayed ever since - enthused about the unique atmosphere of a multifaith and multicultural dressing room, while we heard Paolo Di Canio鈥檚 typically colourful assessment of how his touchline theatrics have been lost in translation here in England.
Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio and Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez
As for Leeds legend , he loved the city, the people, the football. And while his stomach was more than up for midfield battles with the likes of Roy Keane and Dennis Wise, it couldn鈥檛 handle Yorkshire Pudding and Tetley Bitter.
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And of course, who could forget the words of former Barnsley striker , who had a slightly different issue with Yorkshire: "I'm finding it difficult to find a girlfriend in Barnsley, or indeed settle into a decent way of life,鈥 he lamented during his spell at Oakwell. "The local girls are far uglier than the ones back in Belgrade or Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, where I come from.
"Our women are much prettier. Besides, they don't drink as much beer as the Barnsley girls which is something I don't like at all,鈥 he continued. "England is a strange country and I found it hard to adapt to living here. To be honest I expected more of Barnsley as a town and a club."
Perhaps a right of reply and the last word should go to local student Michelle Dodson, who commented at the time: 鈥淗e wants to look in the mirror before talking about us. He's no oil painting. Barnsley women are the best looking in the country."
But I guess that鈥檚 a whole different program altogether.
Patrick Nathanson is a sports producer for 5 live.
Comment number 1.
At 26th Jan 2012, dog sports Jersey wrote:does that mean we (the pretty girl) drink beer? You bet!
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Comment number 2.
At 26th Jan 2012, carrie wrote:I'm more interested in how British players adapt to other countries where I would bet you anything the vast majority do not learn the first words of the local language. Gone are the days of Lineker and Keegan who made the effort. At least here most players make an effort.
Sadly this article slips in to stereotypes of drink and women.
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Comment number 3.
At 26th Jan 2012, Jackstumps wrote:There must be an opportunity for me to have a pop at Robbie Savage in here .... just can't think of one at the moment!
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Comment number 4.
At 26th Jan 2012, carrie wrote:It's the right place because this blog is about culture.
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