Terry, Hoddle and the Nationwide line

Lending Strategy March 2010

Just weeks ago John Terry’s future as England soccer captain was in the balance as his affair with Vanessa Perroncel (pictured) dominated the tabloids.

But in contrast to February 1999 when Glen Hoddle’s position as England manager was in question, this time sponsor Nationwide dismissed the scandal as a private matter, adding that the society sponsors the team rather than individuals.

Hoddle’s demise - he was sacked - was not precipitated by an affair with a nubile bimbo but rather by remarks he made about the disabled in an interview with The Times. Known to have New Age views, he bizarrely suggested that disabled people were being made to pay for sins they had committed in former lives.

Mike Lazenby, now chief executive of Kent Reliance Building Society but then marketing manager at Nationwide and the man responsible for putting together the sponsorship deal, was among those who put the knife in.

Even when Hoddle apologised Lazenby continued to express disquiet about the star, saying he was remorseful but not necessarily repentant.

Recalling the situation, Lazenby tells Chatroom: “I remember the Daily Mirror asking me in an accusing fashion whether a soccer ball is stuffed or pumped. I did 32 interviews on the day Hoddle left and then drove home to Swindon listening to a debate on BBC Radio 5 Live about whether sponsors should get involved in the game.

“It was surreal drive-time listening - I was being criticised and applauded on the same programme.”

But how would Lazenby have reacted to the Terry scandal?

He says: “This is a matter between consenting adults. Expressing an opinion on such a situation that might hurt others is not right, especially when they can’t defend themselves.

“But with regard to the Hoddle situation, if I had to do it all over again I would handle it the same way.”