Marus Rushford - AIBU?

[Pr1mr0se]

it's admirable that he feels he can raise the topic of school meals and poverty and the campaign seems to be growing wings with the food alliance HOWEVER AIBU to think that given that he is an extremely wealthy footballer with many footballer contacts in similar positions that they should be putting their money where their mouth is, so to speak too?

@tearinyourhand

From what I have been told it actually costs you alot of money to he an academy player up to age 11 as you are covering your I en expenses.

I know damn all about the development of academy footballers but even if this was correct (although I'm perfectly happy to believe more knowledgeable posters who say this was not the case for Marcus Rashford anyway) I find this a very puzzling attitude. Poor people are always being told that it's all about the attitude, they need to pull themselves up by the bootstraps etc. So if his family had, knowing that his best chance in life was to make it as a footballer, sacrificed everything they could in order to buy him kit and transport him to training and games, that would be a bad thing? If middle class parents make sacrifices for their kids, that's called being supportive.

Like I said I've got nothing against Marcus in particular, he just happens to be the topic of the thread. In his case every penny his parents spent on playing and watching football was a good investment / gamble. But there for every Rashford who makes the grade there's hundred or thousads wasting their money.

England footballers give all their international match fees to charity.

What's unreasonable is footballers having to make politicians aware of poverty

@Wwydiywm

What's unreasonable is footballers having to make politicians aware of poverty

Yes absolutely. It's worsening every year, it is just grim. Holding the whole country back.

I know damn all about the development of academy footballers but even if this was correct (although I'm perfectly happy to believe more knowledgeable posters who say this was not the case for Marcus Rashford anyway) I find this a very puzzling attitude. Poor people are always being told that it's all about the attitude, they need to pull themselves up by the bootstraps etc. So if his family had, knowing that his best chance in life was to make it as a footballer, sacrificed everything they could in order to buy him kit and transport him to training and games, that would be a bad thing? If middle class parents make sacrifices for their kids, that's called being supportive.

This

I was in boarding school from age 8, my sister age 7. Middle class parents so they are making sacrifices for my future. Marcus was in the development squad full time from age 10 but that is framed as her being a poor parent. Her sacrificing for him to pursue football is feckless spending and irresponsible-what about if he doesn't make it???

Poor people aren't allowed to have choices, dreams or aspirations. They must know their place. Fuck off!!!

Given the classist education system, I would do the exact same in her shoes. I'd take the odds with football- a degree is definitely not a measure of intelligence just a sign that you could not only play the game but you could also afford to do so.

I think he is an absolute hero. He's done more for hungry children in this country than the government that's for sure. How can you criticise a 23 year old man taking this on?
Ridiculous.

@JamieLeeCurtains

It's Marcus. Rashford. Marcus Rashford.

You've got a lot of opinions about a man whose name you can't even get right.

This.

The OP has had her arse handed to her and it's so deliciously awkward

I have no love for any Man Utd player when it comes to football, because I'm tribal childish and daft (in other words, your typical football fan.)

However, Rashford has done a fantastic job with his campaigning and got great results. Good on him.

He grew up skint himself, he knew what he was talking about, and used his position to bring about change.

The lad's a gem. I'm glad he spoke out, he's done a lot of good.

Footballers often do charity work (as they should once they're in this privileged position), a lot of them just don't scream about it. You don't know what Rashford has done to help behind the scenes.

YABU, and as others have said, you might want to spell his name right considering you're so intent on slating the lad for actually doing something positive.

YABU, massively
How do you know he hasn't put his money where is mouth is?
Also it is not the responsibility of a young footballer to ensure children in this country do not go hungry, this is the responsibility of the elected government
This post makes me so angry, he has done so much good for families in this country and people still try to knock him down

I think it’s great that a young person with talent and wealth has used their position for good.

There are many wealthy young and old people in this country who have not done the same.

MitziK - you can fuck the fuck off with your crack on comment.

People are returning to schools, colleges, unis etc so it is not outrageous to be concerned for people still waiting for details on their results so they can move on, organize resits et.

In his case every penny his parents spent on playing and watching football was a good investment / gamble. But there for every Rashford who makes the grade there's hundred or thousads wasting their money.

How do you measure the 'waste of money'? There are other careers in the sport/fitness industry that might be open to 'failed' academy players, and being part of an academy can also develop confidence, self-discipline and a positive attitude which aren't just assets to footballers, as well as a good attitude to health and fitness which will stand them in good stead throughout life. You could also say a lot of (predominantly middle class) families 'waste their money' on dance/drama/music lessons for kids who don't grow up to be performers, but I think most of those parents would say they value the skills, creativity, discipline and knowledge gained from those activities. Is it only okay for middle class kids to do extra curricular stuff?

My issue is there are already schemes out there, trying to solve the issue and I'd prefer him to partner and support them and highlight their cause (like magic breakfast etc), rather than start afresh.

Also it is not those just on benefits who are struggling to fed their children and themselves, as the working poverty stats show.

My issue is there are already schemes out there, trying to solve the issue and I'd prefer him to partner and support them and highlight their cause (like magic breakfast etc), rather than start afresh.

He has, he is working with Fareshare.

My issue is there are already schemes out there, trying to solve the issue and I'd prefer him to partner and support them and highlight their cause (like magic breakfast etc), rather than start afresh. Then you will be delighted to know that this is precisely what he has been doing, for yeaes, with new partnerships taken on this year, during covd.

Maybe look him up before repeating the errors of the OP!

Also it is not those just on benefits who are struggling to fed their children and themselves, as the working poverty stats show. So... he isn't allowed to focus on the people he has knowledge of, having grown up in that cohort? No? He has to be everything to everyone??

How deep are your pockets? What are you doing to help?

The headlines never mentioned the charities, only the companies doing it.

Also it is not those just on benefits who are struggling to feed their children and themselves, as the working poverty stats show.
So... he isn't allowed to focus on the people he has knowledge of, having grown up in that cohort? No? He has to be everything to everyone??

Why not be everything ... why exclude, /focus so narrow. It is always those that missed out- the low income families but not on universal credit that miss out on help in all areas.

I/d campaign for free breakfast for all children in education, I feel this is more a leveller for children and easier and cheaper to cater for, than just free lunch meals up to yr2 and UC, as hungry children are waiting til lunchtime for food.

itispersonal. I take it you are writing to your MP, Starting a petition and whatever else you have to do to get help for all those people who you feel are being in your words, excluded?

I/d campaign for free breakfast for all children in education

Do it then, instead of telling everyone that this guy, who is doing shitloads already, should be doing more.

The headlines never mentioned the charities, only the companies doing it. This thread has mentioned a lot more! Google might be your friend. Yu ar repeating the error OP made.. moaning baed on no knowledge whatsoever!

Why not be everything ... why exclude, /focus so narrow.( Because that is what he knows, based on his life experience. It is what he wants to do

It is always those that missed out- the low income families but not on universal credit that miss out on help in all areas. I don't think you have understood what he is doing! It isn't linked to UC!

I/d campaign for free breakfast for all children in education, I feel this is more a leveller for children and easier and cheaper to cater for, than just free lunch meals up to yr2 and UC, as hungry children are waiting til lunchtime for food. Then do that! Nothing is stopping you and campaining, raising awareness can be done via social media, costs nothing but time!

Oh, talking about breakfast clubs... maybe you'd missed this too!

talksport.com/football/716337/marcus-rashford-raise-kids-meal-fund-man-utd/

Marcus Rashford has revealed he used to rely on breakfast clubs and free school meals – and he’s now helped raised £20million for a charity which provides free food to children.

How do you know I don't already??

I'm not knocking him, I think he has greatly highlighted a problem with child poverty for those on UC, and children got fed during the summer because of his influence and I hope the changes they are proposing happen.

I just think it is a much broader issue than just families on UC. Universal basic income, a living wage, affordable housing.

How do you know I don't already?? Because you'd have more of a clue if you did!

children got fed during the summer because of his influence and I hope the changes they are proposing happen. As FareShare have already said. They expected a £200,00 in donations from his work with them. The get over £2million. They have covered all they wanted to over covid/summer holdiays and will be able to fund a lot more in the future.

The government made an immediate change to their policy on FSM - ah! That's the UC connection - so that has already happened!

I just think it is a much broader issue than just families on UC. Universal basic income, a living wage, affordable housing Yes! But he is focussed on food. He is a footballer not a politician!

Out of interest, if you are doing something, what is it?

Then curious that is great, as I said I'm not knocking him.

So just because he is focusing on food, I can't talk about things which would prevent the food poverty! Ok noted.

Anyway back to saving the world, one meal/ person at a time, as I'm just me.

Rashford played an absolute blinder which resulted in a government u-turn and hungry children getting meals they would otherwise have gone without - how can anyone knock that!!
He didn’t have to put his energy and efforts into this, but he understood/empathised with the issue and did his best to bring about a change. He has used his platform in the most positive of ways and achieved what others couldn’t (to the benefit of so many).
He is STILL out there fighting for change - and yet you think he should have just handed over a fat cheque to soothe his social conscience instead?

Instead of people here criticising and judging, ask yourself why we have millions of children going hungry? why does a 23 yr old footballer have to highlight this?
Why are 19m voting in a party that has caused this and does nothing to alleviate it?
A party that allows its own ministers to funnel millions off shore, bung pals multi million for failed contracts; that’s your problem not a decent young man trying to feed kids! voting Tory to maintain your cosy life never looking beyond your own wee bubble.
I’m in Scotland and I’ll be honest I look at England and it is shameful the selfish intolerance and greed of so many people.(and on MN)