WHEN it comes to watching the boys play during end-of-training-session matches at the Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain it is not an unusual sight to see the dads prowling the touchlines of the Batelco pitches offering the children and officials the occasional wisdom of their vast footballing knowledge.
I’m not sure the same can be said about the mums. One mother came along to find out what all the excitement was about and was quickly spotted deeply immersed in conversation with another parent discussing shopping, school fees, maids and dining out. In an unusually one-sided affair, the young goalie didn’t have to touch the ball throughout the second half. He ran up to his mum and asked her if she’d watched the game. “Of course I did, darling,” she replied, “you were brilliant.”
“Did you see my save then?” he asked. “Brilliant,” she said, “was it to your right?”
“Right mum,” he said. “In future you’re staying at home.
