Niall gives young stars £1m lesson

Tonight, Quinn will provide the perfect example to the new generation by donating the proceeds from his testimonial against the Republic of Ireland to charity.

But the 35-year-old is using what may be his final game in a Sunderland shirt to highlight the dangers facing today's youngsters for whom fame and fortune arrive with almost their first kick as professionals.

"The biggest change centres on the money and we all know what they say money is at the root of," said the Republic's record goalscorer, who has seen football's landscape transformed in the 18 years since he arrived at Highbury.

"Today it is all about how much money a player can earn, how much they can spend, how they can get into the sort of lifestyle that sees the England team attend a Gucci and Sushi party before they depart for the World Cup finals.

"That is so far removed from the professional game I entered as a teenager. Back then you were made if your photograph and an interview appeared in Shoot magazine. Now all some players seem to want is to get into Hello! magazine.

"There used to be pressure on kids to make it as a first-team player, now that doesn't seem to be enough for them any more. The pressure now is to get that designer label lifestyle and to hold on to it.

"I know there is more to life than football and more to football than a glamorous footballer's life."

All the proceeds from tonight's game will be donated to children's hospitals in Dublin and Sunderland. Quinn, his body battered and bruised after nearly two decades in the game, is not too sad that his illustrious career is coming to an end.

Quinn will definitely bow out of the international game with the Republic of Ireland after this summer's World Cup finals.

Already his use extends beyond the pitch and Republic of I reland manage r Mick McCarthy uses him as a role model for his youngsters. Robbie Keane, Damien Duff et al regularly ask him for advice, learning from the man brought up the Highbury way.

"Pat Rice at Arsenal was the man who put me on the straight and narrow," he said. "Without him I would not be in the game today, I have no doubt about that. The best thing that ever happened to me in football was the day George Graham appointed him as youth coach at Highbury, about a year after I had signed for the club.

"I was going nowhere fast when Pat came in. I had arrived from Ireland, failed to settle and failed to make any impact.

"He made all the difference. Pat instilled in me the same honesty and the same commitment that saw him win a Double when better players came and left Arsenal without making it.

"Pat taught me to work hard, to be honest with the game and never to forget that the game provides the trappings that go with it, not the other way around. He changed my life.

"It is no surprise to me that he is still with Arsenal. He is probably more important to that team than anyone. Every club could do with a Pat Rice in this day and age."

Rice must be proud that Quinn is bowing out of the game by making such a public-spirited gesture. Quinn has long wanted to help those less fortunate than himself since his early days at Highbury when he used to go out and meet the homeless, many over from Ireland.

"I tried to help. I was prepared to scratch below the surface, to ask how these people, many of whom had left home with the same aspirations that I had brought to England, ended up in the gutter of life.

"It was harrowing and it had a profound effect on me.

"It is easy when you're a normal human being, never mind a flash footballer, to ignore these people, to turn a blind eye.

"I have always felt that attitude is wrong. I have always tried to help so I am delighted now that my testimonial can offer some help to anyone.

"I have been lucky through football. I have earned a good living and I can afford to give something back now.

"It is not an ego thing, it is not publicity seeking, it is just a chance to give. That is something we should all aspire to."