AJ’s CELEBRATION - SOLVED

GOD bless the Daily Star.
Not only do they keep the nation’s 18 to 25-year-olds abreast of the world’s gilt-edged news, now they have even solved a genuine footballing mystery.
And who’d have guessed....it actually casts Premier League players in a good light.

In November, I blogged about the enigmatic hand gesture AJ had started making when he scored (http://gwladtidings.merseyblogs.co.uk/2007/11/weird_celebrations.html).
I even had a sly dig at how the self-conscious ‘A’ gesture was not in keeping with Johnson’s unflashy, decent-bloke persona, and puzzled at why it was adopted by a host of other Prem stars.
Well, now who feels like an arlarse?
The Star report that the ‘A’ gesture (most recently flashed by Titus Bramble after his screamer against Liverpool last night in the 1-1 home draw. That’s 1-1. Liverpool 1, Wigan 1. At Anfield. 1-1) is to promote a scheme to get children away from role models who glamorise crime, drugs and guns.
It is meant to promote the A-Star scheme, co-founded by AJ himself and Wigan defender Fitz Hall, aimed at getting kids into employment through sport.
The footballers who have become involved, including another blue Leighton Baines, have done so without fee and from a real sense of community spirit.
The scheme’s website says, ‘A-Star members are fiercely committed to working with young people and making a difference in their lives.
‘It has been said many times before but this is not pretentious rhetoric. The difference here is that the footballers have not been forced in anyway to contribute their time to be a part of this.
‘This project comes from the heart of the footballers themselves.
‘The distinguishing character or sentiment of A-Star is to influence young people to be the best they can be and to realise that they themselves are stars.
'Whether that star is a community leader, spokesperson, manager, footballer, singer/musician whatever sphere or walk of life the young person may come from the mantra of A-Star is that we believe that every child is a star.
‘A-Star is a global project put together by a group of privileged Individuals who believe they can make a difference please . Join us on the journey.’
I particularly like the bit in bold.
Anyway, good on AJ and Baines for getting involved and let’s hope the scheme can help kids in places like Walton and Norris Green, where we know too well the lack of good role models.
http://astar-global.com/A-Star_About_us_page.htm

NB - Yeah, so I came across all snotty about the Daily Star at the top there - but they launched the career of Southport's finest Bluenose Sophie Howard. And I'll always be grateful for that.

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