The events of the past week have proved that even in football there are some things money cannot buy.

Given the sport's preoccupation with pounds and pence at the top level, that might sound like an outrageous statement.

But Kaka, in turning down a move to Manchester City that would have made him the richest sportsman in the world, proved there is more to life than money.

The Brazilian is very much the exception to the rule in so many ways - his is unashamedly middle class and has spoken of his wishes to enter the priesthood when his career draws to a close.
He is also a man unaffected by cash and in this day and age that is like a breath of the purest air on the lungs of an old cynic like myself.

Manchester City do not compare to AC Milan. One is among the biggest clubs on the planet, the other simply has the biggest bank balance. If it's honour and status (not to mention medals) you're after, the decision is a no-brainer.

Of course, it's also one made substantially easier by the fact that Kaka probably already has more money than he will ever need. It's not like the difference between earning £400 a week and weighing up the pros and cons of a job where you would double your money.

And so while part of me is happy Kaka won't be coming to the Premier League and that such a decision is based on financial terms, it is a magic moment watered down considerably by the fact the player is already in a position of some economic strength.

We were recently told at the Chron by an FA edict that we will no longer be able to publish the details of youth football at any level below under-eights.

Such a position is already par for the course for the age groups below that, where the governing body is keen to limit the competitive element in a bid to improve technique.

The ruling met with a mixed reaction at Upper Mounts. My personal opinion is that youth football should be about enjoyment first, self improvement second and results third.

At some Centres of Excellence clubs operate a 'no tackling' rule in training and while I would never like to see that imposed in matches (tackling is just an important a skill as any in football), I would like to see a couple of tweaks to youth football.

How about as well as getting 'one' for a goal, teams can get 'three' for 10 consecutive passes? And one taken off for every foul? It would certainly improve the passing ability of the next generation of England players.

But as my colleague and former Cobblers correspondent Jeremy Casey pointed out: "Wait until your kids are playing sport, you will want them to win more than anything in the world."

We shall see.