By Mark Urso-Cale This week saw the start of The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival and this year included its first ever sports event. The Oxford Union hosted guests, and best friends, Gareth Southgate and Andy Woodman. Now, most of you will know Gareth as the guy who missed the penalty against Germany in Euro '96. Those of you more familiar with football in general, will recognise him as one of the Premier Leagues' most consistent defenders. Most people outside of Oxford United and the Third Division however, will probably not recognise Andy Woodman. And, I, admittedly, was one of them. How did it come about then, that a mellow, quiet and articulate England central defender wrote a book with an outgoing, loud, fun-loving lower league goalkeeper? They proceed to tell us throughout the book, and the evening, of how they came together when they were apprentices at Crystal Palace and events that have shaped their paths to date. The two gentleman's lives, personalities, careers and most probably futures, couldn't possibly be any more at different ends of the scale. Their story is one of survival, not only of the professional life of a footballer, but one of a friendship as well. They tell us that theirs is based on the same as anyone else's. Trust. Without that, what have you got? With Andy spending his developing years as the substitute goalkeeper at Palace as an understudy to Nigel Martyn, Gareth was playing regular football and generating interest from larger clubs. Gareth signed for Aston Villa for £2.5m, whilst Andy was given a free transfer and ended up at Exeter. That was of course only after he had written to all 92 League clubs to see if they needed a goalkeeper, from which he got 92 replies all saying, 'Thank you. We'll put you file'. The two kept in touch and whilst Gareth was having his kit washed and food made for him at Villa, Andy was washing his own and having to fend for himself, away from family and friends. In their own words they have tried to explain that the impression of a professional footballer's lifestyle isn't as glamorous as it appears and have given an honest opinion on the game and how they see it. Reality is a long way from the lifestyle of Beckham, and is more the worry of new contracts, managers, players and injuries. People who have read the book will tell you that the friendship element is very strong and this couldn't have been more evident seeing them. Both looking very relaxed, their opposite personalities complimenting each others style and ease in which the conversation flows. They are still both at different ends of the professional scale, but both agree that what's meant to be, is what's meant to be and although Gareth may earn in a week what Andy may earn in a year, a friendship such as theirs is so uncommon in football nowadays, because of the gulf between leagues, it should be one that lasts forever.
For more information visit the Oxford Literary Festival Website. Back to reviews >>> | 
