Queen's University Belfast - Physical talent has class link

The popular perception that talented footballers are more likely to come from disadvantaged areas is being challenged by a new study. Despite famous examples such as Wayne Rooney and George Best, researchers at Queen's University Belfast found that innate talent was less common among children from poor backgrounds. They found that children from poor backgrounds performed worse at physical tasks that tested their co-ordination and balance than those from more prosperous areas. Martin McPhillips, from the School of Psychology, said it was a myth that working-class children were more co-ordinated. "It's that they are hungrier to succeed," he said.