Back in the 70's and even early eighties, I remember footballers acting like real people. You'd bump into them on the street, some even on public transport - and quite often they would say hello and chat to fans and locals. In the late 70's I met Peter Withe at a bus stop, a modern footballer probably doesn't know where his nearest bus stop is.
The flood of money into the game changed a lot, and with it the vast majority of footballers heads vanished up their own arses. Footballers have disappeared from everyday life, only seen behind tinted windows, electric gates and posturing in VIP areas of nightclubs.
Social media has changed that, a handful of players are using Twitter very well and are using it to connect with fans - albeit on their own terms. But its not all about Rio Ferdinand or Robbie Savage. Take this example from Newcastle United right back Danny Simpson, he will have made this girl's week - and with one tweet he's put a spring in her step and sold a nufc season ticket to boot!
