Ferdinand recently surprised a selfless, tireless youth worker called T J Elliott with an offer to cover the rent on his Lambeth Action for Youth club. Ferdinand did more than give financial help; he is there as a mentor, as well as a banker. Even if Ferdinand is a substitute on Sunday in west London, he is having considerable sway on events in south London, in the struggle to prevent kids falling into gangs, in guiding those scared about their future in the direction of hope and employment. Not many of the political seven can say that.