It is a school of thought that is as common as it is unfair.
The modern Premier League footballer, say the masses, is a character worthy of criticism and disdain.
A selfish, money-driven beast who lost touch with his public the moment he put pen to paper on a professional contract.
The reality, of course, is often very different. And to spend a Tuesday afternoon with Leon Osman at the Claire House Children’s Hospice is to see just how wrong ‘conventional wisdom’ can be.
The Bebington facility is set to benefit enormously from the Everton FC midfielder’s testimonial match this week.
Sunday’s game at Goodison Park against FC Porto will raise funds for both Claire House and the Make A Wish Foundation, two local causes that have always been close to Osman’s heart.
“They are charities I am well aware of and have been connected to during my life,” he says.
“So to be able to help them and give a little back is something I’m pleased about.”
Evertons Leon Osman visited Claire House on the Wirral. Claire House is a charity that will benefit from Leons testimonial match. Leon meets Jasmine Beedles (12) from St Helens.
Osman’s visit to Claire House this week, one of several he will make each year, is typically well-received.
The 33-year-old presents a bouquet of flowers to the receptionists, then spends two hours signing autographs and posing for photographs in between speaking to children, parents and carers, including one young girl, Jasmine, who is worried about how to tell the Evertonian her big secret.
She’s a Manchester United fan, but says we should blame her dad for that.
It is eye-opening stuff, the other side of the coin, and Osman, relaxed and engaged throughout, is a credit to both himself and his club as he is shown around.
Never let it be said that footballers don’t know how to give back.
“These visits mean so much to the kids,” one member of staff remarks. “They’ll be talking about this for weeks, trust me!”
For Osman, meanwhile, the build-up to Sunday is very much on.
The England international will be very much centre-stage at Goodison. The club hope the game, which will be treated very much as part of the Blues’ preparations for the new season, will be well-attended, but Osman admits that the butterflies have started already.
“I’m really looking forward to it, and people keep telling me to really enjoy the moment,” he says. “But I must admit I’m quite nervous about it too.
“Being centre stage, with everyone pointing at me, that makes me a bit nervous. I loved Hibbo’s (Tony Hibbert’s) testimonial, because I could just sit back and watch him, but this is mine, it’s different.”
Everton's Leon Osman visited Claire House on the Wirral. Claire House is a charity that will benefit from Leons testimonial match. Leon learns about hydrotherapy from Bex Lowe (Physiotherapist)
Hibbert’s testimonial, held at Goodison against AEK Athens two years ago, was famous for the celebrations (including an impromptu pitch invasion) which followed the defender’s first ever goal for the club.
So what price a repeat on Sunday?
“I’ve told him he’s on free kicks and penalties!” laughs Osman, who has played alongside Hibbert for more than 20 years.
“Hopefully he will get another goal and everyone will be happy!”
