This week was the tale of two footballers for me.

In one corner a highly-decorated legend from soccer’s long history and in the other, all that’s rotten with ‘the beautiful game’ today.

Meeting by chance in the doorway of Liverpool’s majestic Anglican Cathedral, I was fortunate enough to shake the hand of Alan Kennedy.

Kennedy was the rampaging Sunderland-born full-back from the great Liverpool side of 1978-1986.

He scored the winning goal against Real Madrid in the 1981 European Cup Final and took the decisive spot-kick in Rome, 1984.

Slight in stature, softly-spoken and heading out to his modest car, 59-year-old Alan has looked after himself.

“I still play,” he told me. “You’ve got to.”

It’s nice to think that somewhere on some nights a civic astro-turf is still witness to Kennedy’s rampaging runs down its touchline.

He was incredibly normal and unassuming – despite having won just about everything there is to win in the game (and selling some of it.)

Bonhams Auctioneers record online that a sum of £132 was raised from some of Alan’s assorted medals, trophies and carriage clocks six years ago.

Sadly, this seems to happen too frequently to former Division One footballers.

A shortage of money is unlikely ever to be a problem for the new generation of players - unless of course they ‘Casino’ it all away.

Moving on, I also follow Carlisle United.

I became a fan of Carlisle in the 1998-99 season, when deep into injury time goalkeeper Jimmy Glass volleyed home the winner against Plymouth to avoid last day relegation.

The other reason I started following ‘The Cumbrians’ was after being bewitched by the late, great sports commentator Derek Lacey of Radio Cumbria.

Here’s his classic piece of broadcasting recalling that famous goal.

“And here comes Jimmy Glass! Carlisle United goalkeeper Jimmy Glass is coming up for the kick – everyone is going up. There isn’t one player in the Carlisle half. Well, well...and the corner kick comes in...and...the goalkeeper’s punch...oh...Jimmy Glass! Jimmy Glass! Jimmy Glass the goalkeeper has scored a goal for Carlisle United! There’s a pitch invasion! There is a pitch invasion! The referee has been swamped! They’re bouncing on the crossbar!”

The hairs still stand up on end.

Now compare all that to the sorry saga of 19-year-old ‘starlet’ Courtney Meppen-Walter.

This is the former Manchester City trainee who has won a trial up at Carlisle United after recently being released from prison.

Why? Because he’s served time for killing a brother and sister in a Mercedes.

The accident orphaned two children.

I’m the first to promote forgiveness but the sentence seems excessively lenient.

Reports also suggest Meppen-Walter has not learned any humility from his time inside.

So the difference between the two footballers is clear. One thinks he’s a legend, the other actually is one.

If only they could both realise the difference.