WEDNESDAY October 20, 2010 - remember the date. It was the day that football took out a shotgun, pointed it at its feet and pulled the trigger.

On the day when Chancellor George Osborne signalled the start of radical spending cuts to plunge the United Kingdom into the pits of gloom, the so-called beautiful game showed its true colours.

Axe Wednesday really was a black Wednesday.

FIFA suspended two delegates amid accusations they were willing to sell their votes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, sweet, and then the Wayne Rooney saga dragged on.

Rooney says his motive for wanting to leave Manchester United is not down to money. He says it is down to ambition, or lack of ambition, when it comes to signings.

Yeah, and the moon is made of cream cheese.

Even if you believe the words penned by Rooney’s team, it smacks of the bizarre. Manchester United have made Rooney what he is today. They have stood up for Rooney when he has stepped out of line and stood by him when things have gone wrong.

Okay, there is no loyalty in the game, never has been, but Rooney accusing United of not signing the right people is a step too far.

You can’t guarantee success no matter who you buy or how much you pay. Look into your history on that one Wayne.

Their rivals from across the city have spent like a lottery winner - but have they any real world class stars?

Rooney is believed to be hacked off that United missed out on the likes of Mesut Ozil, who snubbed the Premier League in favour of Real Madrid.

But will these people ever come into British football when they are going to have to pay 50 or 60 per cent tax on their earnings?

When Rooney had his meeting with United and decided he was off there were still 17 days left in the transfer window - so unless he had a crystal ball he would not know what was going to happen.

So enjoy the rest of your career Wayne - and sleep easily with the knowledge that you have let down all of your fans...on the day they really didn’t need any more bad news.