What happened to all you Football Fans?

[BigHewer]

On 1/19/2024 at 10:25 AM, Lowseasonlover said:

Anybody caught your eye in the transfer market? who do you think your club should buy? who should they sell or offload? 

All I’ve noted is that NUFC are snookered. Still managed to do the business on Villa. 

Also I would say this is the first time in many, many years that I wouldn’t want to offload any of the Toon players. Very few clubs in that position.
I presume though that 2 or 3 will be out the door in the summer for financial reasons. Sell to buy and all of that…

[rkhguy]

On 11/23/2023 at 10:51 AM, Pinetree said:

love the NFL, dislike soccer. NFL, played by real men, mostly college Grads, usually 6 foot 6 in, 300lb monsters trying to kill each other. Soccer played by largely illiterate, stick thin, precious,  Barbie,  pussies, (and not the nice kind) acting like they have just been killed when someone just touches them. 

Cue the hate Police  

"mostly college Grads"

Well, nominally college grads.

If a group of average NFL players were in a spelling contest against the third graders of Saint Margaret's Elementary school, the smart money would be on Saint Margaret's.

[Lowseasonlover]

Have you seen that nonsense in the news Jose says he has unfinished business at United, he's interested to come back, a few of the fan channels it was pretty even over him coming back, and Jose over ETH 54% to Jose,

[BigHewer]

4 hours ago, Lowseasonlover said:

Have you seen that nonsense in the news Jose says he has unfinished business at United, he's interested to come back, a few of the fan channels it was pretty even over him coming back, and Jose over ETH 54% to Jose,

ETH is a real plodder, I have no time for him at all. I  actually  think Jose would do a better job, but it’s a low bar.

Need a revolution at United, a poisoned chalice for whoever takes over. Such a great club, need to sort out the player culture before moving forward. Need a manager with better man management skills.

[SnapDragon]

10 hours ago, BigHewer said:

ETH is a real plodder, I have no time for him at all. I  actually  think Jose would do a better job, but it’s a low bar.

Need a revolution at United, a poisoned chalice for whoever takes over. Such a great club, need to sort out the player culture before moving forward. Need a manager with better man management skills.

A Stan Cullis type perhaps?!

They had a good manager in David Moyes. They just think they can snap their fingers and get a new Sir Alex. Not so easy. He spoilt them with his outstandingness.

[BigHewer]

3 hours ago, SnapDragon said:

A Stan Cullis type perhaps?!

They had a good manager in David Moyes. They just think they can snap their fingers and get a new Sir Alex. Not so easy. He spoilt them with his outstandingness.

Or Don Revie?

Agreed there. They’ve tried “the chosen one”, “the player manager”, “the club legend”, “the pragmatist” (etc). Nothing sticks. 

I know a few Man U supporters (as we all do), surprised how much support ETH gets when they turned on the others in less time.

[Lowseasonlover]

Who could do the job I dont know, I think Sir Jim will stick with him for now and find out who are the bad apples in the club, rather than sack him then everyone in the club would say it's the manager, 

[BigHewer]

1 hour ago, Lowseasonlover said:

I think Sir Jim will stick with him for now and find out who are the bad apples in the club

I think you’re right and this is also the right approach. Consultation on both sides to identify what’s been going on. This is Ratcliffe’s legacy project and he’ll want to get it right.

[Lowseasonlover]

49 minutes ago, BigHewer said:

I think you’re right and this is also the right approach. Consultation on both sides to identify what’s been going on. This is Ratcliffe’s legacy project and he’ll want to get it right.

Keep this one under your hat, one completely out of the blue if it is true,  Simeone name has been mentioned to me, 

[SnapDragon]

 

Man Utd are not doing so bad. They are still a team to be reckoned with in the EPL.

Many other - once respected and feared clubs - would swap places with their position. Riversiders, Forest, Foxes, Rams, Black Cats, Albion, Peacocks, Owls, Toffeez, Pompy have all seen much better days.

Get to the game, enjoy the camaraderie, take in the atmosphere and have a good day. Love the game for what it is. Can't all be top doggies. At the mo' there is Pool, City and Gunners. A place for another. Could be Utd, or Chelsea, Villa or Toon. It's why English footy is so great.

[BigHewer]

4 hours ago, Lowseasonlover said:

Keep this one under your hat, one completely out of the blue if it is true,  Simeone name has been mentioned to me, 

He’s one of the few managers out there with the presence and personality to come in. Would be a good move.

[BigHewer]

4 hours ago, SnapDragon said:

Many other - once respected and feared clubs - would swap places with their position. Riversiders, Forest, Foxes, Rams, Black Cats, Albion, Peacocks, Owls, Toffeez, Pompy have all seen much better days.

Absolutely agree, it’s what makes English footy the best in the world. I’d say about 30 different clubs have been top doggies at different times over the years. 

Interesting anecdote I heard. In the early days of test cricket, only three grounds were used: Lords, The Oval and OT. When the schedule for the Aussie tour in 1902 was drawn up, they decided to play a one-off test at Bramall Lane, home of “England’s strongest football team”. Amazing to think about now.
 

[SnapDragon]

7 hours ago, BigHewer said:

Absolutely agree, it’s what makes English footy the best in the world. I’d say about 30 different clubs have been top doggies at different times over the years. 

Interesting anecdote I heard. In the early days of test cricket, only three grounds were used: Lords, The Oval and OT. When the schedule for the Aussie tour in 1902 was drawn up, they decided to play a one-off test at Bramall Lane, home of “England’s strongest football team”. Amazing to think about now.
 

The Blades were good. They won in 97/98, and were runners up to Villa in 99/00. But it was their City neighbours doing the biz also; winning in 02/03 and 03/04.

When the footy was stopped due to WW1, Villa were the era's top club with 6 championships under their belt. They never won the top league again until 1980/81.

[SnapDragon]

And still the goals keep coming. well over 4 a game so far. City to hit a few tonight I reckon.

[SnapDragon]

On 2/3/2024 at 1:02 PM, BigHewer said:

Absolutely agree, it’s what makes English footy the best in the world. I’d say about 30 different clubs have been top doggies at different times over the years. 

Bang on the money there BH. Some almost forgotten. Huddersfield and PNE for two.

In the 27 seasons before play was suspended due to WW1, 10 different clubs had taken the title. Interestingly, the only 'southern team' to even break into the top 3, was Bristol City.

Between the wars (20 seasons) it was different clubs dominating. Arsenal were crowned champs most often (5), and Huddersfield, WBA, Burnley and (wait for it) Man City all took the title.

After WW11, again it was again, different clubs making an impact. Spurs, Chelsea, Pompy and WW all took honours. Although the old guard was still around and winning Pool and Toffeez. The Merseysiders had won the title in all three eras.

The last of the four eras; the start of the premiership (EPL), has seen a handful of clubs dominating in the 31 seasons. Take out the two one-offs - Blackburn and Foxes - and just 5 clubs have shared the glory.

So, although it has changed in nature, English footy at the highest level does give the outsider a fighting chance. It's getting tougher though. I reckon 30 - BH's estimate - is just about right. I'll get me book out and count them. Put them in another post.

[BigHewer]

14 hours ago, SnapDragon said:

The last of the four eras; the start of the premiership (EPL), has seen a handful of clubs dominating in the 31 seasons. Take out the two one-offs - Blackburn and Foxes - and just 5 clubs have shared the glory.

Top post Snaps, a good read. The latest era seems to have carried on longer than the previous ones. Great to see a genuine title race and a wide open contest for the CL places.

Pity about the relegation zone. Two of those spots nailed on. I hope Luton stay up, I wouldn't want to see all three promoted teams go down.

[SnapDragon]

Had a quick check, and I reckon that 23 different clubs have won the top league since it all started in 1888/89. PNE were the champs for the first two tears. TBH, I thought it would be more. Clubs that have kept their supporters very happy for a number of years are few. Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool, United (twice) and City have all won three years on the spin.

Two clubs have won in their first season after being promoted, Ipswich and Forest. And 6 clubs have only managed one season, before being relegated.

There are quite a few www sites that have bundles of footy data and facts nowadays. When i was writing for a sports mag 30+ years ago, I had all the stats written down in books and on sheets of paper. And I would keep all the newspapers. Getting any unique footy tit-bits is becoming harder than ever. Here's a couple of my favourite pics::

Chelsea v Spurs 1913. Both looking at the tossed coin?

Jayne at the Lane.

Fans everywhere.

Don't look! Get you into trouble.

Next three perhaps the most famous footy pics of all.

Is that all you got Vinnie?

Hand of god? English fans; Hand of the devil.

Dave and Billy in philosophical spirit.

[BigHewer]

Some top photos there, very nice.

Maguire must have a hard time concentrating in that interview

[SnapDragon]

23 minutes ago, BigHewer said:

Maguire must have a hard time concentrating in that interview

Indeed. I've never seen the full interview; if there is one. But I reckon Harry spent the entire time looking at her lovely feet.

[BigHewer]

21 hours ago, SnapDragon said:

Hand of god? English fans; Hand of the devil.

Indeed. As a hobby / side business, I make customised sports memorabilia for bars, gifts etc. One project I had a few years ago was a series of World Cup Winners on tin plates. Most went as expected:

England 1966

Brazil 1970

Italy 2006

But when it came to commemorating the 1986 final...

I refrained from putting the words "winners" or "champions" 

[SnapDragon]

8 minutes ago, BigHewer said:

Indeed. As a hobby / side business, I make customised sports memorabilia for bars, gifts etc. One project I had a few years ago was a series of World Cup Winners on tin plates. Most went as expected:

England 1966

Brazil 1970

Italy 2006

But when it came to commemorating the 1986 final...

I refrained from putting the words "winners" or "champions" 

That is from exactly the same position as the earlier one I posted. Seen the 'hand of god' pics from other angles, but this one is the most dramatic.

Not paying too much attention to the game these guys. Must be half time.

 

[SnapDragon]

On 2/6/2024 at 9:10 PM, SnapDragon said:

Indeed. I've never seen the full interview; if there is one. But I reckon Harry spent the entire time looking at her lovely feet.

And here she is. Works for Leeds Utd as a reporter/interviewer/presenter.

[BigHewer]

5 hours ago, SnapDragon said:

And here she is. Works for Leeds Utd as a reporter/interviewer/presenter.

Yep.. up the Mighty Whites I say.

The Toffees giving a good account of themselves against Man City this far.

Just noticed that most of the Man City starting XI look like baddies from Miami Vice.

[SnapDragon]

6 minutes ago, BigHewer said:

Yep.. up the Mighty Whites I say.

The Toffees giving a good account of themselves against Man City this far.

Just noticed that most of the Man City starting XI look like baddies from Miami Vice.

This was a banker. If City don't get 3 points in this game it will go down as one of the season's EPL shock results.

[BigHewer]

3 minutes ago, SnapDragon said:

This was a banker. If City don't get 3 points in this game it will go down as one of the season's EPL shock results.

We can only hope. So far so good at half time. Man City have a Champions League fixture on Tuesday, so I expect a raft of changes 60 minutes in.

Will be interesting if it stays goalless till then...