Football: Adams has opportunity to prove his maturity: Arsenal defender puts his past indiscretions behind him as he prepares for his first game as England's captain at Wembley

WHEN it comes to condemning one of football's most regular contributions to Yob Culture, England might have found a more appropriate standard-bearer yesterday. Tony Adams, convicted drunk driver and occasional subject for the news pages of the tabloids, is not everyone's idea of a role model.

In David Platt's absence, however, he is the England captain for tomorrow's international against Romania and it was in that role that he appealed for an end to the booing of the national anthems of England's opponents. The practice is now so common it has become an unwelcome Wembley tradition.

The Football Association, mindful of the worldwide scrutiny that the 1996 European Championship in England will bring, wants to stamp it out. The booing is an unfortunate blot on a sport which is steadily discarding its violent and grubby image of the mid-eighties.

Not that the game will ever be squeaky clean. Quite apart from the doubtful financial practices indulged in by men old enough to know better, the volatile combination of fame, wealth and immaturity that envelops its younger heroes will always lead to lapses of judgement. Some have involved Adams, most notably his nine- month jail sentence four years ago (with five months suspended, he served four weeks) for drinking and driving.

At one time that would have made inconceivable his appointment as England captain. Adams admitted as much after England's training session at Bisham yesterday, but added: 'Terry (Venables) is his own man.'

In appointing Adams, Venables has followed the example of the FA when he was made England coach. While Venables has not been found guilty of - or even charged with - any wrongdoing, there was a cloud over him which is unlikely to be fully dispelled until the dispute with Alan Sugar is settled.

As has been shown in other sports, standards have changed and Venables has reflected that by judging Adams - as the FA judged Venables - primarily on his footballing qualifications.

On that basis Adams, 28 yesterday, is an excellent choice. He is a fine leader of men who has captained Arsenal for seven years, lifting six trophies in that time. He has shown the strength of character to come back from his indiscretions and from being dropped by England for 18 months.

Adams may not be a carpet-slippers-and-pipe man after a match, but he stressed that he dedicates the 48 hours before a game to sensible preparation.

But, given his chequered past, should he be captain of England? It is unrealistic to suggest, as Adams does, that 'my private life should not have any bearing on what I do as a footballer'. Like it or not, thousands of impressionable youngsters look up to him and tomorrow he will be English football's figurehead.

However, an alternative argument would suggest that if a man is genuinely seeking to improve himself he should not be constrained by his past. Indeed, Adams could be all the more potent a role model because of his background.

'Perhaps this will give hope to other people who have had problems,' he said. 'It shows that if you knuckle down things can come good, that there is a second chance in life.

'It is no good getting older if you don't get any wiser. I have learned a lot. I have had experiences I don't particularly like to remember and which have been an eye-opener. When you have problems there are two ways to react. You can go under or go out and get stronger.'

Venables will be hoping his confidence in Adams' maturity is not proved mis-placed. Already his latest squad has been brushed with scandal, Dennis Wise making the front page of The Sun yesterday over an alleged incident outside Venables's Kensington club.

Wise reported injured with a calf strain yesterday, but like Robert Lee, who has had a thigh injury, is expected to be fit for selection.

(Photographs omitted)