the liverpool european cup / champions league final defeat

Here's a picture of me earlier watching the Champions League (European Cup in old money) final tonight between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

I wanted to watch Liverpool versus Real Madrid as l thought it might be a good attacking game, but l was dreading it in case Liverpool were to win. However, l didn't want Mohamed Salah to go off injured, so despite still wanting to see Real Madrid triumph, when he did, l thought the enjoyment of (hopefully) Real's win would be taken away from me, as it would have been kind of a default victory.
That was before a brilliant overhead kick by Gareth Bale, and two howlers from Loris Karius (Liverpool's goalkeeper). To state that l was happy at the end is an understatement. I do actually feel sorry for Salah (who is a superb player) and Karius, but it was well worth watching from a Manchester United viewpoint.
Liverpool have still won it more than us though, and l can't see that changing anytime in the near future.

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another fine day out in the boro

Myself and Robbo went out a couple of weeks or so ago in the Boro to watch the football. Here's two of the sights from that day. Possibly the best toilet in the land, and a toilet door that someone has obviously taken out their frustration on.
Another fine day for all the family.

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dulwich football club, blake morgan and greendales - plus pressdram v arkell

I've got no affiliation with Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, but they have been going for 125 years and are in dispute with their landlords, who would probably like them to bugger off so they can sell the land (all praise capitalism!!).

So, in comes a solicitors letter from Blake Morgan, saying that Greendales IP LLC (The Company) have gone and trademarked Dulwich's name and website names, and they should stop using them when promoting themselves online or in print.

What a bunch of fucking bastards to do such a thing, even if it will be hopefully thrown out when contested, and Blake Morgan should be ashamed of themselves for taking the case on.

As a football fan and supporter of 'The little people', l say "Rise up!!!!  Direct action!!!!".  Make the bastards regret doing this. But obviously in a non violent way, as l would never condone such tactics.

They should use Private Eye's Pressdram v Arkell defence (below)

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old school football

I was flicking through some old football magazines and annuals the other day, and thought about this front cover of Charles Buchan's Soccer Gift Book, featuring Bobby Charlton of Manchester United. Look at the determination to get the (old leather) ball, despite being blocked off. Nowadays someone in his shoes / boots would be writhing around on the floor, clutching their face and pretending they had been elbowed, trying to get the other player sent off.
Pah! Modern bleeding footballers with their fancy coloured boots, beats headphones, tight shirts etc.
Don't get me started.

Also, despite me not liking Liverpool football club, here's the annuals back picture, featuring Billy Liddell. who used to play for them. He was my father's favourite player, and despite my advancing years, it was well before my time so I am unable to bear witness to how good he might have been, but l have heard others praising him over the years.

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spartak moscow versus nk maribor flare

I've seen plenty of flares at football grounds in the past, and on BT Sport tonight, they thought someone must have been one hell of a thrower to reach the centre circle with one during the Champions League game between Spartak Moscow and NK Maribor. However, it was fired from the crowd - something l've certainly never witnessed before. Newspapers are saying they aimed it at the referee, but it could have just been fired at the pitch. Either way, it was travelling at some speed, and bans or fines must be pretty certain to follow. However, it's UEFA that will get involved, so anything could happen.
The World Cup finals in Russia next year should be interesting.



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football - game of the gods

Two examples of how football is so much better than rugby, and takes a lot more skill. 

Pele doing an overhead / bicycle kick, and George Best demonstrating his speed and balance.

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paide own goal from kick off

This must be a one  off.
Paide, an Estonian team, manage to score an own goal straight from kick off, without the opposition team (Levadia) even touching the ball.



I'll say it again - football's back!!!
Hurrah again!!!

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football's back!

Hurrah!!!!  Football is back! It may not be the same game that l fell in love with years ago, but what a cracking start to the season. 

Thirteen goals in the first two games (Arsenal 4-3  Leicester, and Watford 3-3 Liverpool), and now Huddersfield are top of the league!

It's like a return to the 1920's.

Make the most of it while it lasts.

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donald trump and manchester united - plus gillan

Donald Trump.
He may be a privileged, monied, thinks he knows it all twat who gleans his knowledge of world events by watching crappy USA news feeds, talks of being an isolationist while bombing other countries, and may well increase the prospect of nuclear war and a return to Mutually Assured Destruction, but since he has been president, Manchester United have not lost in the league (Premiership to you modern hipsters), beating Chelsea 2-0 this afternoon.
So maybe his reign of bluff, blunder, backtracking and buffoonery may be worth it.
Swings and roundabouts brothers and sisters.



From where I stand
I see a blind man on a hill
From where I stand
I see the teacher in the valley
From where I stand
I see the blind man on a hill
And he is standing very still
The way it's planned
They'll only let the fools survive
The way it's planned
You would not want to stay alive
Just one big band
It's all they're leaving you to think about
From where I stand
I know just what they're planning
I know they're planning one big bang
And they call it Mutually Assured Destruction
From where I stand
I can see the mushrooms in the sky
From where I stand
I can watch the bleeding children cry
And they will die
And you have no wings to fly
From where I stand
I see the man on the hill
And he is standing very still

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sasha and john hartson, plus john and nobby stiles

Two scary looking fellows you don't want to meet in a dark alley late at night.
It's Sasha, one of my mates who l've played football with on numerous times over the years, with John Hartson, after last weeks 'Gentlemans Evening' at Catterick / Colburn's 'Hanson Sport and Social Club' (or, as we still call it, 'The Arc'). A splendid evening for all, which also featured Nobby Stiles' son (John) in his role as compere and stand up comedian, and who was much, much better than l was expecting, although, as he said himself, nobody remembers him playing for Leeds United, it's always as Nobby's son.
Mind you, Nobby did play for Manchester United and England, and is one of the few English players to have won both the European Cup (in 1968) and World Cup (in 1966).
Sadly, Nobby has had dementia and very poor health for a while, as aging and illnesses are bastards, but l hope he and his family are not suffering.
Here's John and Nobby

And here's Nobby at a charity match in 1968, pre owning the 'Spud' look that was later used in Trainspotting. He may not look it from the photograph, but he was one mean, hard player.

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west ham united ticket prices

West Ham United are not alone in having these kind of prices, it's one of the many curses of modern football.
If you are a working class bloke wanting to take a couple of your kids to a game, you'd better start saving up, or get some overtime booked in.

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leeds united v manchester united 1976

Ahhh....this takes me back.....the old days, when football was still a working class game, followed by a lot of young lads like myself (at the time), who could afford it on low wages.
It was still mainly standing, hooliganism was rife, and a ticket to the game (pay on the day) cost about 75 pence (equivalent to about £6 now).
Times have moved on to such an extent, that l have been to The Jackie Charlton suite in (dirty) Leeds' ground for my brothers wedding reception, and now mainly go to Leeds for comic fairs (and the odd gig).
Still miss the old school football and crowds though.
Photos are from here, where there is also a short video.

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sky bet

Todays predictions!

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jose mourinho works out what's wrong

Jose Mourinho and his team try to work out what is going wrong at Manchester United, after the other recent managers have all failed.
I wish they'd get a bleeding move on, because it is crap at the moment.

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billy bremner's son has taste

Billy Bremner of Dirty Leeds United must have been really proud of his sons bedroom decoration. An extremely large poster of Manchester United's George Best.
Good lad.

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todays football bet

Today's results (hopefully) 

COME ON!!!!

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a waterlogged pitch at dundee, and cheap prices at football games

This is good old fashioned football, despite the weather!
Dundee's Den's Park in 1936.

On a related note, here's some kids queuing to get into games (without tickets in advance) for 20p and 35p, not so very long ago. The 35p turnstile is at Liverpool.
There's not a chance in hell they could do that now, as the kids and working classes are being priced out (if they already haven't been).

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utah saints - funky music

After the tedium of last nights highly anticipated Manchester United versus Liverpool game, something to wake me up.
Utah Saints - 'Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On'



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latest footie bet

My fortune awaits!

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england fans drinks bill at the euros

This is kind of old news, as it is a bill for England fans drinks at The Euros. Obviously very expensive, but l am more impressed with the one hardy individual who insisted on having a Carlsberg.

Stick to what you like mate, and sod everyone else.

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