James Shield's Sheffield United Column: Uplifting stories and opportunities emerge from the shadow of coronavirus

Many of them are to do with football and we’ve tried to tell some of them in The Star: The fan from Russia who has fallen in love with Sheffield United, how one of his compatriots is shouting-up the city and the efforts of Delroy Hall, Bramall Lane’s chaplain, to bring a human face to the sport. We also published a piece, towards the end of last month, about the power of the game to bring people together and why it means so much to so many people. All of them, I hope, have gone a little way towards raising spirits as the region continues its fight against coronavirus.

Of course, as is always the case, there have been some less uplifting tales too. And most of them, predictably, revolve around money as owners and chief executives who used to throw cheques around like confetti now order those who earn little more than a minimum wage to help cover the cost of their reckless extravagance. Furloughing, until the hypocrisy of the situation became impossible to stomach, had essentially become a euphemism for arrogance and greed. Well, when the taxpayer was being expected to underwrite the cost through the job retention scheme. (There might come a time when this becomes necessary. But if that time is now, for established Premier League clubs with multi-million pound turnovers, then those in charge should feel compelled to immediately tender their resignations because they clearly aren’t qualified to manage big budgets).

Ever since it was hijacked by smooth taking suits and snakeoil salespeople in the early Nineties, football’s unhealthy relationship with pounds, shillings and pence has become impossible to hide. It has never been a perfect marriage, as events in 1905, when allegations of bribery resulted in several notable figures being banned or suspended, reminds us. But now, some folk no longer seem ashamed to conveniently forget their morals if a few quid are involved. Mike Ashley, the Lord of the Manor at Newcastle, is rightly castigated for the dubious work practices employed by managers in some of his warehouses. Yet concerns about the human rights record of the country whose sovereign wealth fund are reportedly involved in a deal to purchase The Magpies from Ashley are conveniently brushed aside. At this point, I feel it’s important to note that a distinction must be drawn between the actions of a state and its individual citizens or subjects, who can not be held accountable, or even asked to explain, the actions of their respective countries’ governments; be those right, wrong or somewhere in between.

As the nation begins planning how measures designed to limit the virus’ spread can eventually be relaxed, football chiefs are also right to start considering how their fixture schedules can be completed. They must also use events of the past few weeks to ensure coaches, players and backroom staff are rewarded by the quality and intelligence of their work, rather than given a head start because they are employed by people with very deep pockets.

This is the best opportunity to introduce things like salary caps, spending limits and fairer ways of working. To promote and encourage the pursuit of excellence on the pitch rather than clever accounting off it. There will never be a better moment for those who truly believe football should concern itself with sport, communities and those who live within them, not big business, to strike. We’ll live to regret it if we don’t seize the opportunity.

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Stay safe and take care. Thank you, James.