Has football peaked?

Actually Bruce, I think this will tell you all you need to know:

Dear Soccer fans,
As you all know, i've been looking to buy the United's of Manchester for a little while now. I've also heard that some of you may not be too happy about me using, sorry, buying the club in order to reach new heights and also, that I may not be a fan.

Well fear not, as i'm writing this personal letter to let you know that i'm a genuine fan of you blue devils. I began rooting for the United's back in
1992 when our little Malcolm JR was practising those Soccer home runs out in the yard. I loved the way you turned defence into offence, and the way that Bobby Shearer used to top half it into the goal bag. Oh man, that play was hot. My son tells me that you even out-zoned your City rivals Southampton in the 4th quarter of the FA World series.

As for your current team, that Rude guy is awesome!!!! I see a profitable future at the United, with the young talent of Cristiano Rooney (man, that guy can dance!) and Peter Shilton giving us hope in defeating the evil Russian tyranny which assaults the freedom of our beloved Soccer. With the marketing potential of those Neville brothers and that Pearce dude leading the team, we can all look to acheiving our beliefs of a better future.
Especially when I add Alexei Lalas and Cobi Jones to the starting 15.

Now to you, the fans. I've been to see the United's play once before, and the respect you pay your team in silently admiring the play out on the pitch was overwhelming. Because of this, i've just purchased a new £45 million mansion in the Manchester to be close to you guys. And more good news is i'm planning to add an extra 10,000 seats through corporate boxes so more genuine blue devils can experience the play.

What's with the prawn sandwiches I had to eat when I was there?
Well, rest assured, it'll be super size prawn baguettes when I take charge.
I can't wait to come over to the Manchester isles, as I love the country, especially the beaches and the hot chicks. I hope you can all see my vision of this future, with new shirt sponsors (Dunkin Donuts) and new team name (The Manchester Gloom) i'm sure things are looking bright.

Further good news for you guys is that i've just agreed a partnership deal with McDonalds, who will help in promoting the Manchester brand. This will involve re-naming the stadium to 'McTrafford' as well as an exciting launch of Manchester Gloom plastic fan toys in every happy meal. Cristiano Rooney will be the face of this campaign and during this, he will be marketed globally as Roonald McDonald. Take care dudes.

Regards Malcolm

It will be interesting to see whether anyone from the Glazer family makes an appearance at Cardiff tomorrow.

My view is that although I was against the Glazer takeover, in the nature of fickle football fans (and the United board if the rumours are to be believed) he needs to be given the benefit of the doubt.

The debt is a big issue, and there are various things that could be done to reduce the debt that could then present longer term problems for the club, such as a sale and lease back on Old Trafford.

I agree with most of Matthew's analysis, but it does concentrate on the the borrowing and not on the actual cash investment. I may be burying my head in the sand but surely the only way his substantial cash investment can work is if the team performs on the pitch.

You never know Glazer could anounce a 10% discount on prompt season ticket renewals and don't forget that the Board had indicated there was no money for transfer for next season apart from a new goalkeeper so £20M looks attractive.

I'm still going to wear black tomorrow but in sad old git tradition I'll wear the 1993 away kit!

Regards

Chris

Although a football & long-suffering Chelsea-Yeovil supporter-attender, I think that Liverpool did well to remove the new Champions of Italy & England from Euro Ford-Sony League, and they might hopefully get awarded more balls over the line than AC next week. Unlike some teams, they will probably remember to have a few attempts on goal.

It was a pleasure to see Abramovich team win Russia's first club European trophy with decent 2nd half last Wednesday.

Interesting that this season in England (Wales really) the 2 cup finals are between the top 4 sides (yes, I know that Liverpool almost finished 6th... - no offence intended to Toffee people).

It is a pity Henry is out this afternoon. I can't believe it's 26 years since these 2 met in FA Final. Probably Arse & M.Ut are the 2 most-supported 'English' clubs at moment, so there are probably less 'neutrals' watching this final than ever. Mourinho has said some unreasonably nice things very recently about the successful Mr Ferguson, and they share a glass of wine after a game. I'm surprised that they do not have at least one each. It was only when I covered up his name on tellie on which I usually watch footie that Chelsea with a bit of financial help managed to win 1st trophy in 5 years. Thank goodness my lot's season is over (apart from Samsung matches in Far East) and I can leave off the superstitious match-influencing obsessional rituals.

Today it is announced in UK that 'structure of football will be examined' soon. Roll on the ladies' footie on UK terrestrial TV in June. Extra time would be nice this afternoon also, and it might be Gunners turn to beat Red Devils at last this season.

Last night the Arse side just won in a funny 'Question Of Sport'.

What with the Manc Intellectual elite freaking out after losing to the Gunners very soon, I'm really looking forward to a brilliant game, and their pathetic moanings afterwards with the cops over Starsky's takeover. This will mean that Arsenal after Man U, will be only the second tream in history to be double number winners of the FA Cup.


Fritz Von The rain will pour as the (Multi Million quid Swindon built roof is busted), and will Rooney get a RED CARD (YES I THINK SO) Up the Gunners³

I was amazed that the winning penalty was scored by a red card holder ?

Fritz Von I'll have to get more on that from somebody who knows their stuff I reckon, innit

I despite having drunk no alcohol enjoyed the efforts of M.Ut. , and finished big bag of Maltesers commenced at kick-off by 15.33.

As a neutral, it is one of the finals I liked most despite Arse being dire (but they saw it as compensation for Liver winning in 2001).

Bring back the European Cup Winners' Cup.

UK footie season is almost over, so will have to take Somerset C.C./cricket seriously soon.

Rugby League Cup Final not until August ...???

Well as a Rangers fan I'd have to say that today was an excellent end to the season.

Motherwell 2 - 1 Celtic
Hibernian 0 - 1 Rangers

Rangers champions by a solitary point! Superb.

... and O'Squeal rumoured to be leaving.

quote:

Originally posted by long-time-dead:
... and O'Squeal rumoured to be leaving.

I'd be a lot happier with that if the rumoured replacement wasn't Gordon Strachan.

It will hopefully peak next monday at Cardiff !!! I can't believe any of you experts oot there don't want to comment on the fact that yesterdays winning goal for Arsenal was scored by a red card holder (just before the end of the game) or am I just plane daft, and that's allowed ?

Fritz Von Up the Dumfirmline

Fritzy
Reyes had the red card, not Viera who scored the winning penalty.
It would be nice to see Preston NE back in the top flight after such a long time

Regards
Clive

Cheers for that; I did wonder ! It was probably me trackin (namely a bottle of Bud or ten)

Fritz Von Preston NE never eard ov em

Nicely and surprisingly done by my Scottish team Blues ... Although like most I like W. Ham, I have no objection if P.N.E. return to 'top flight' (seem to remember them being 2 up at chelsea in FA Cup, and Charlie Cooke stuck 2 in in last minute ...).

Having grudgingly admired Mourinho's boring teams have some success in past several years, I thought the Lineker programme on BBC1 last night was quite nice, and as Chelsea supporter look forward to team consistently trying to score.

I thought that Porto in EUFA & 'Champions League' successes were as tedious as Arsenal used to be before they discovered joys of winning attacking footie, and that Celtic should have won that EUFA final 2 years ago. That 53 year old did pretty well for Celtic it seems, and I have in England missed seeing Scottish teams this season occasionally on BBC1. This season my rugby/footie teams seem to have won a bit, but I prefer often as neutral to watch good play - e.g. Rooney & Co. last Saturday.

Not to repeat the famous joke about the white horse ordering a beer in a country local, and the astonished barman stuttering "We named a whiskey after you" to which the horse replied "What ! Eric ?" too often, I'm reminded of Our Mat's Great Great Uncle the 17th Duke of Hazzard who whils't at Wemberley to see the Hammers playing their FA Cup final many moons afore decided to name that famous white house "Billy" innit.


Fritz Von I'm looking forward to a good clean fight tommorow neet in Istanbul

Who gives a toffee if the gits cannie defend their title, innit

Footie peaked at half-time yesterday, and went steadily up into heaven for Liver peeps thereafter ...

I didn't know that the ref was Michael Howard in disguise ?

Perhaps this has been debated before and I have missed it but I'm intrigued - at the end of a fantastic season for Chelsea, with the prospect of a an FA Cup Final to "end all wars", with the Scousers about to be humiliated by Milan in Istanbul - why no chat?

Not been a good season for United fans has it Chris? Glazer has you in Hock, red nose won't leave for another 3 years (despite being, at best, the fourth best manager in the Premiership), Arsenal nick your FA Cup and the Scouser stretch their lead in European Cups to 5-2.
John

John

You're right that it has not been a good year, but it would have been worse if City or Leeds had won the Carling Cup instead of Chelsea.

Anyway if you don't experience lean times you don't enjoy the good times as much - the celebrations in Liverpool last night and today were twenty years in the making and probably enjoyed more for it!

I disagree your manager ratings, but if Sir Alex walked away tomorrow and if I could have a free pick I wouldn't choose a current Premiership manager/coach to replace him.

A "friend" sent me a text earlier today a long the lines of.....

Osama Bin Laden has been captured hiding out in the Man United 2004/5 season throphy room. He claimed that it reminded him of the Afghanistan caves.......... cold dark empty and recently taken over by Yanks.

C'est la vie!

Chris

PS Much as I find the prospect of Wigan and PNE in the Premiership intriguing, I'd really like to see West Ham back.

I was amused to hear some idiot commentator describe Jamie Carragher as having "cramp in both groins" late in the match!

G

http://www.whufc.com/index.asp Yes, It has now³

Pish: Just for those around that don't know, this win consitutes the most valuable single football match on earth, innit

Grand day out depite the best the best efforts of First Great Western and Alan Pardew to mess it up.

Matthew

PS graham55 you have two groin muscles, a left and a right so the commentator was correct.

I suppose some'W' had to say it, innit


Fritz Von Totally irrr³ Son

quote:

Originally posted by notMatthew:
Grand day out depite the best the best efforts of First Great Western and Alan Pardew to mess it up.

I hadn't expect to see any posts from you for at least 24 hours after that result.

I think the playoffs are a great idea and I wish the SFA & SPL would come to their senses and introduce them up here as the current 1 up/1 down system for the SPL isn't ideal.