Source: Liverpool_Echo
Dave Prentice: Liverpool FC's Fernando Torres leads a new trend of modern football dads
IT must have been an unseasonably cold March on the football fields and cricket pitches of this country. Either that or there was an unexp- ectedly early hint of spring in the air and sap was rising.[LNB]Because everywhere you look our top footballers and cricketers are racing to be at the bedsides of their betrothed right now.[LNB]Fernando Torres dashed from Monday's match against Aston Villa to witness the birth of little Leo.[LNB]Jimmy Anderson landed back in Britain last night to be with his expectant wife Daniella - just a week ahead of the Third Ashes Test - and Paul Collingwood and Graeme Swann have now been given dispensation to follow him and miss the warm up games for the World Cup.[LNB] The situation is 'not ideal' said team director Andy Flower.[LNB]A couple of Anfield old boys I spoke to on Monday night were even more unforgiving. One wanted to know why the birth of Fernando's second child had not been induced.[LNB]At least they weren't demanding that Torres stay behind to play in the match, which was the norm until fairly recently in sporting circles.[LNB]Even now some dads choose what they perceive to be their footballing duty ahead of their family duty.[LNB]Petr Cech stayed behind to play in a Carling Cup semi-final in England while wife Martina gave birth in Prague.[LNB]At least he was playing.
