CHERRIES star David James defended the footballing fraternity and insisted players were more than just bad boys and big spenders.

Premier League aces including Mario Balotelli and former Cherries loan star Liam Ridgewell have recently come in for criticism after attracting adverse publicity.

But James, who has earned 53 international caps during his distinguished career, says there are plenty of professionals doing good work.

The former England keeper, who joined Cherries earlier this season, was made an MBE this year for services to football and charity.

That came after he had established the David James Foundation in 2005 to help communities in Malawi to improve long-term food security.

James told the Daily Echo: “I have had the recognition so I have got to be very pleased with that.

“I think generally with footballers, a lot of lads who are involved in charitable work don’t shout from the rooftops, which is their bag.

“Unfortunately, the headlines are usually for bad boys and money spending but there are some good lads out there.

“The foundation wasn’t set up to get any sort of credit. Personally, and often what happens in the cases, is people see a problem which they feel they can solve and if you are in a position where you can fund that, which I have been in, then you try to do your bit.”

James decided to set up his charity after attending an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in Malawi in 2005 alongside Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville.

Based on a 10-acre farm, the foundation demonstrates what can be done with different types of soils and land.

James says the eventual aim is self-sustainability and that the work could expand from crops to provide education on poultry and fish.

“I have got a friend in Devon who is a farmer so I talked to him about it and, in the end, we set up a foundation to help with agricultural techniques for local farmers, farmers’ groups and street kids in a bid to educate the farmers,” explained James.

“The problem with the HIV/AIDS outbreak is that it has almost taken away a whole generation of people in sub-Sahara and that was pretty much the farming knowledge in that area.

“The aim is educate younger people on how to grow better food and we are having some very good results out there at the moment.”

Following a spell with Bristol City, James has made 17 League One starts since joining Cherries.

For further information on the David James Foundation, visit djf.org.uk.