• Home
• About
• Contributors
• Contact Us
• Advertising

• Premiership
• Championship
• League One
• League Two
• Non League
• FA Cup
• Internationals
• Forum

Subscribe

Football in the sun anyone?

Every now and again, somebody comes up with an idea which may change the face of football forever. At the moment, there are plans to introduce video technology as well as a third linesman for example. However, trawling through the masses of literature on the internet, I became interested in another concept which does seem plausible.

This surrounds moving the football season so it encapsulates the summer months rather than the cold hard winter. Now many years ago, when I was a child, I became incredibly frustrated that just as the weather warmed up, and everyone had the chance to go out and play, the goalposts were taken down everywhere you looked – how annoying is that?

In terms of generating attendances, particularly at the lower end of the football spectrum – moving the season to the summer could also have major benefit in terms of attractiving the floating fans. People are more likely to stand outside and watch football when the weather is nice rather than freezing cold aren’t they?

Saying that though – isn’t becoming freezing cold at a football match part of it’s tradition and appeal.

What do you think? Would you be in favour of a summer move ?

Was it all worth it?

Last weekends International friendly match was, on paper, a good run out for the England team ahead of the important clash with the Ukrainians next Wednesday. A four nil score line is always something to be proud of no matter who the opposition are.

Yet despite this there were a few negatives which overshadowed the victory. First of all, the injuries picked up by Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole. The two are now out of Wednesday’s game and Fabio has drafted in Spurs striker Darren Bent as a replacement. Personally, I would have opted to bring Michael Owen in and the fact that he has been looked over yet again does cast some doubt over the future of his International career.

The other negative from last Saturday’s fixture was the unveiling of the new England strip which in my opinion is absolutel awful. It looks like a cross between a Wimbledon outfit and a PE kit designed for 10 year olds. Somebody at Umbro must be having a right laugh at the design now. Five Live legend Alan Green certainly agrees with me – lets just say that he made it pretty clear that he does not like the new kit live on air last Saturday!

So on to face Ukraine – lets hope that we gain that important fifth win and all but secure qualification from the group.

Liverpool destroy Villa

Steven Gerrard rendered the title race wide open after his hat trick helped see off Aston Villa at Anfield this afternoon.

The Liverpool skipper helped to ensure that his side’s poor home record did not continue against a Villa side who still have very real hoped of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The Reds have had a perfect weekend with both United and Chelsea slipping up which has raised their belief that the title race is still very much on. They are now just one point behind their deadly rivals although United do have a game in hand against struggling Portsmouth.

Realistically. Liverpool will pretty much have to win every game from now until the end of the season to see off their rivals at the final reckoning. But this afternoon will give them every confidence that they can go on and do that.

You have to say that after back to back defeats, United will come back strongly and are still the team to beat, but it is good for the neutrals if we have a genuine title race this season.

Liverpool could also go head to head with United in the Champions League final in May and realistically this could well be their only hope of securing a trophy this year.

Wembley should be for the Final!

When I was a young boy, a used to sit down and watch the Cup Final with my Grandad and it used to be one of the best days of the year. One of the first ones which I remember with any clarity is the 1990 Final between Manchester United and Crystal Palace. The game ended in a thriklling three all draw and as a result, people were treated to a mid week replay at Villa Park.

There was something magical about Cup Final day back then which in my opinion has been lost in today’s world of Champions Leagues, Super Cup and Premier Leagues.

This has been exemplified this season due to the fact that the semi finals as well as the final tie itself will be played at Wembley Stadium. Now I know that this has also happend in previous years too, but come on, surely this is taking much of the magical nature away from the hallowed stadium itself?

Get the semi finals played at a neutral venue around the country and safeguard Wembley for the final. Surely this is not too much to ask – yet I guess it is another example of market forces prevailing at the expense of tradition. Bah humbug.

Beckham signs time sharing deal with Milan

David Beckham never leaves the spotlight. Recently he has been making football headlines because of the Milan/LA Galaxy debate. He has already openly admitted he would like a move to Milan, but was tied in with LA Galaxy on contract.

A deal has finally been settled however. Beckham will be playing for both teams. That’s right, Beckham has become a timeshare property. David will play for Milan until the end of the current season and jet back to America to play for LA Galaxy between July and October.

Victoria Beckham is going to stay in America so it looks like the couple might be doing more online dating than real life dates with each other. Despite this, Victoria is supposedly happy with the outcome, with a source stating “[she] was over the moon. She knows how important AC Milan is to him and fully supports his decision.”

Simon Fuller, agent to the Beckham’s, suggests that the reason Victoria isn’t following the football star over the ocean is for the children’s sake. He said:

“The children will stay in LA with Victoria so that their schooling is not disrupted.”

Let’s just hope the football star can handle this increased workload, although I’m sure there’s enough cash involved to give him the incentive to pull it off.

Come on all you “United fans” - lets be ‘avin you!

I would not say that I am a Manchester United supporter by any stretch of the imagination. Pretty much anywhere you go in the country you will see people with the famous red shirts on complete with names and numbers on the back, who state that they support the Old Trafford outfit. The question which we all have to ask is how do you define “support”.

United are said to have the largest fan base in the world and there is no doubt that they are a massive global brand. However, does the fact that you have bought their latest shirt and occasionally watch them on Sky make you a “supporter”.

The reason I am bringing this up is that too many people say that they support successful teams and as a result consciously ignore their local teams as a result. If you look in the Manchester vicinity for example, you will see many teams, both league and non league who are struggling to find people to come through their turnstiles.

How many of these people are choosing to watch Soccer Saturday instead? In my mind they should take a hard look at themselves and consider the joys of live football in their local area. Watch United on the television for sure – but not at the expense of your local side who really do need you!

Copyright © 2007 Winning Is Everything - XML Sitemap