united they stand.

Last week saw the start of the 2009/2010 football league season, and my word did it kick off with a bang! plenty of goals which sadly im sure 95% of went past Swindon against Gillingham. It felt like it anyway. And this week sees the start of the new Premier League season, and the opening week will be just as explosive and intriguing.

Even though the Premier League is now more predictable, you still get your entertaining shocks that make it the best league in the world. Think back to last season, the late equaliser by Jenas to complete a Tottenham comeback at Arsenal, Arshavin's 4 goals v Liverpool at Anfield and Rory Delap being the good part of a team, and now you will see that anything can happen in the Premier League!

(don't worry lads, i'll save you!)

The summer has seen lots of money going back and forwards, but not alot within the country. Except Man City who are buying the premier league dream team! Its like fantasy football to them, but there making It realistic. What a cracking idea!

Summer Signings for City include Gareth Barry, Tevez, Adebayor and Toure. Some top name players, who City have paid big money for, espically Tevez who cost 25.5 million. Will Citys spending however bring quick success? not for me It won't. They need to start playing as a team and with big name players It takes a while to gel and play as a team. Anything though outside a european spot would be seen as a failure at Eastlands. Money also brings expectation, and I'm sure Mark Hughes Is aware of that.

Ronaldo has now left our shores for the sun of Spain and finally ended the ongoing, and in my opinion boring, transfer speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. United will miss his presence this year, They would be silly not to admit that, anyone worth £80 million is going to be missed.

United though have replaced Ronaldo with Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. Valencia is a good player, but no Ronaldo. If he is the straight replacement then United haven't filled the gap left, but players like Nani can still come through and be crucial players for United this season and in seasons to come. Rooney will now be able to play upfront where he should be, not out wide and hopefully he can have a great saeason before winning England the world cup in 2010....maybe im going off topic! United though still have the power to win the league. There squad is full of quality and still has more depth than any of the title challengers. Players like Anderson can't get in the united first eleven and to me he is defintely going to be a world class midfielder.

The other title challengers though, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have had quiet summers. Arsenal have sold players like Adebayor and Toure, whilst signing Ajax defender Thomas Vermaalen. He comes with a good reputation and could help improve Arsenals defence. Another crucial thing to remember about Arsenal is that it is Arshavin's first full season. He was a class act towards the end of last season and I'm sure more is on its way. They still need a more quality squad to compete for the title but they will keep up with the others longer than what they did last season when fighting for Villa for 4th place. How embarrasing was that for Arsenal.

Watching Sky Sports News today made me realise why Liverpool won't win the title this season. There fans were saying they would win it because they have the best fans...sadly that won't get you three points! Liverpool have Torres up front, and thats it. Great striker, but he gets injured and they are struggling. David N'Gog and Voronin don't do it for me sadly. Alonso has gone but Liverpools strongest part of the team is the centre of Midfield and have plenty of back up, espically buying Aquiliani for 20 million from Roma. The defence looks an issue for the start with injuries, but that doesn't mean that Liverpool should spend 12 million on Michael Turner from Hull. Im sure someone must be laughing about making that one up and now it is in the press, that can't be true! Liverpool's defence always gets you plenty of fantasy league points so it must be good.

Chelsea may have won the community shield and now feel they have the pschological advantage but Im not sure that matter sone bit when It comes to United. With Sir Alex as manager, they won't be fussed too much by that defeat.

Chelsea have added only two players to there squad in Zhirkov, who is a highly rated Russian left midfielder or defender, and Daniel Sturridge from Man city on a free who is someone who is tipped to be a future star. These could both be great assets to Chelsea for now and future. I still see the problem at Chelsea in there depth upfront. Drogba can be stroppy and Anelka, even though top goalscorer last year can be hot or cold. They needed ito invest in a solid quick goalscorer. The big issue last year was can Chelsea play them both together and will they try it this season under Ancelotti? Thats another issue, will Ancelotti do a Scolari? We will see. Ancelotti will have a season to prove himself and his number one aim will be the Champions League. The Premier League is more realistic but Mr Abramovich craves that Champions League trophy still after numerous semi finals.

So, for me Manchester United are still the team to beat. They have the quality all across the pitch and under Alex Ferguson always have the best man in charge. They always seem to pop up with a goal when its needed, which is the sign of champions.

(John O Shea stood in the right place...out of the way!)

Its always a tough one predicting, thats why i don't bet...but I'll have a go with this predicted top ten.

1. United - Have a good quality squad who can get a goal when its most needed.
2. Chelsea - Great team, lack a depth of quality and might struggle up front.
3. Liverpool - too relient on Torres and Gerrard to mount a challenge yet.
4. Arsenal - some great individulas but as a team struggle to break down teams.
5. Villa - No great players signed but have good players and manager but lack depth.
6. Man City - with that quality bought, they got to make europe. simple.
7. Tottenham - good squad, good manager but again, too many strikers to juggle with.
8. Everton - haven't spend, Lescott might still leave, but a club I hope do well.
9. West Ham - Zola have bought some players, could get them playing well like himself
10. Fulham - Miracle last season with there finish, why not again?

The other teams to me just don't have anything that makes my top ten. Wigan might make it in but It Is the usual culprits for me!

You will be shocked how long that took me to decide, thought i'd just write that out in one go...anyway, heres too a cracking Premier League Season and a successful one for your team...if your a Birmingham, Burnley, Portsmouth or Hull fan...I'm not sure your going to enjoy this season. No particular reason obviously....

Caddy calls it a day.

One of England's greatest bowlers Andy Caddick has decided to retire from first class cricket at the end of the season.

Andy Caddick, Caddy, Big Ears is my cricket idol. Being a Somerset fan myself it is slightly bias but he was a brilliant opening bowler for England, sadly when England weren't at there best.



I started playing cricket when i was 11 and Caddy was my inspiration, so much so my nickname at Calne when I play is Caddy. (I like to think its because im just as good, but i think the big ears have a part to play) His run up is also brilliant and his bowling action is extradionary! if you have never seen it, check it out, and have a go at copying it, its very hard!

I was watching the compliation of tributes put together by Sky and the one that caught my eye was a comment by David Lloyd. He said that on his day, he was unplayable. That is a big statement to make, but many people out there will know what he could do with a ball. His sheer pace and bounce at times did make him look impossible to play.

I remember watching him in his greatest moment for England when taking four wickets in an over against the West Indies in 2000. I was 10/11 years old in my front room watching it and it was incredible to see. West Indies collapsing to 69 all out. Caddy could change a game but was also prone to some wayward bowling but when you knew that magic was there you allowed him to not be perfect all the time!
His last test match was in Australia when taking seven wickets in the final ashes test match in the 2003 Ashes. It was fitting that he started his test career against the Aussies and finished that way.



In 2007, Caddy had a great season taking 72 first class wickets. He helped Somerset get back to where they belong, into division one of the county championship. His performances were that impressive, many spoke about a shock England return, which sadly didn't happen. Caddy though had ended on a high in 2003 and wouldn't have ever been able to reach that standard again at the age of 38. I think he thought the same too and was just glad to help Somerset out.

The numbers of wickets do the explaining for Caddy and clearly show why he is a cricket legend. In his test career he took 234 wickets at an average of just under 30, which for a test career of 10 years, is a good standard to maintain. He has taken over 1,000 first class wickets, and to be precise It's now 1170 first class wickets but with a month of the season still to go, he will be hoping for that 1200 mark. If he can do that, I would love it for his career to end with a county championship. I don't think there are many people that would begrudge him, in the cricket world, that honour. Unless your a Durham player/fan!

All i hope of now, is to make a trip down to Taunton to see the man bowl one more time.

My Grandad use to tell me about the great england fast bowlers he watched like Bob Willis and many others that I have forgotten but I'm pretty sure one day i will have the same conversation with my grandson about Andy Caddick and hopefully, he will care just as much as i do.

You want a football club?

just follow this link: www.ebay.co.uk.

You may think im just having a laugh but yesterday Tranmere Rovers was up for sale on the auction site Ebay. I laughed very hard, espically at the price of $10 million, which is about £6 million. Who is going to buy Tranmere for that, come on, you been to Birkenhead? seen the facilites? the club? if a certain friend is reading this, then, lets be honest, you agree too deep down!

The story behind all this is that Tranmere have told a seperate company in America to try and find new investment. The people trying to sell the club thought putting it on Ebay would be a good idea. Tranmere Rovers weren't as happy with the idea and the club was removed. This made me think about todays ownership in Football..

There are many clubs seeking new investment to try and catch up, keep up, or even stay afloat. Livingston were the most recent club to be faced with liquidation, now they been saved by a last minute finanicial package. Great News!

Clubs have been in a similiar situation in this country, such as good old Swindon Town! we were 20 minutes away from liquidation until a director, Sir Seton Wills saved us! He is a top bloke. Now our chairman a few years later has cleared our £5 million or so debt, so there can be light at the end of the tunnel.

Bill Kenwright has for years been dropping hints that Everton want a investor, and he always suggests that they be a billionaire. Now thats probably unrealistic, but with the people getting involved at Man City and Portsmouth recently, he has a valued reason to say that. There are people in the world who have that amount of money and see the opportunity to cash in on football too, which is getting bigger globally. I have no problem with people doing this in limits but i don't want these people coming in buying all the best clubs and making them stronger, how boring is that...have some fun!

Now Notts County, that interests me. A guy with obviously a bit of cash, getting in Sven Goran Erikson, wants premier league football in ten years. What a challenging, exciting time for the club. Notts County have had it very rough in recent times and its something there fans deserve, so it will be good to follow and see the adventure in Nottingham. Its different to just seeing Man City being taken over or Portsmouth, they already in the Premiership and are solid clubs in it, boring! MK Dons are in a similar situation too with Pete Winkleman but my objection to that is that he bought Wimbledon and moved them to Milton Keynes, changed the clubs name, history and knicked there place in the championship. Thats not on.

So, if you win the lottery i suggest you go down to your local football club and buy them, you could become a global superstar! or just gain some street cred in your town. Im going to buy Calne Town when i have the money, be like playing football manager in real life!

Its got to be an Ashes summer!

Sorry, I 'borrowed' that headline off Sky, but it is very relevant.

After Cardiff many of us thought heading to Lords that we just needed to improve our performance, do abit of hanging on and get a draw.

But who would have thought we would have beaten Australia for the first time, at Lords, since 1936? Its got to be an ashes summer! Espically when you think back to last week watching Monty and Jimmy block ball after ball to help us knick a draw. What a difference a test makes.

The performance at lords has filled us all with great confidence and the usual English expectation that we can go on to win the ashes.

Ricky Ponting said that he thought his side lost the game within the first four hours of day one, and i can see his point to an extent. Cook and Strauss opening partnership was the only upside to our 1st innings and it has pulled us through to win. Strauss 161 was a captains and winning innings but come on Ricky, you had to bat twice yourself! you lost it. Your bowling attack, well, you need Brett Lee back.


(Picture from BBC Sport)

Englands batting wasn't that great, Strauss hit a big score, and it was good to see Jimmy Anderson hit some tail end runs to pull us over the 400 mark which had a big influence on the games proceedings. Priors innings in the second innnings was also very important to get the runs onto the board quickly so we could declare over night and have the chance to bowl at the Australians for two days.

With Pietersen expected to be out of the third test, and the continuing injury doubts over Flintoff, who has struggled with the bat but can do it, we may struggle. Players like Ian Bell will be coming into the squad who have been dropped because they aren't in form, and what will they do about Flintoff if he can't make it? Two Spinners? Harmison would be a nice addition as he can generate the same dangerous bounce and pace that Flintoff brings. Shame about the consistency!

Englands bowling in the last test was heavily criticised which was fair, but England's bowling attack can do it, we have seen it and after this test hopefully we can continue in this form! Andersons four wickets won us the game too in essence by leaving the Aussies 181-8 i think it was after day two. It was going to be an uphill struggle from there. Onions came in to the attack instead of Panesar and failed to shine but hopefully he will get another chance and not just be dropped straight away, that won't do anyone any favours.


(Picture from BBC Sport)

Andrew Flintoff though deserves his own paragraph. The man even though failing with the bat again was the inspiration behind the bowling. I, and i hope the rest of you do, get so excited when you see Flintoff steaming in from the his run up. The man has a presence about him that just pulls you in and he will be missed in test cricket. So many times for England he has put in that bowling spell to turn a game around, or with the bat hit quick runs to help England get out of a mess. His career has had its ups and downs, but the man is a legend. Lets hope he will keep his promise of being fit for the last three test matches!

So, three tests to go, alot of cricket to be played, England maybe without Pietersen and Flintoff, Australia will have more options in Lee, Watson to pick from...its not going to be simple. England are going to have to up there game in the batting department and surely, its got to rain!? i will take a 1-0 victory and sacrifice my summer.

Wiltshire in the open!

The Open started today with the Wiltshire flag flying high! even though the Wiltshire flag isn't the most impressive, David Howell and Steve Surry are flying it anyway!

David Howell, the more recognised golfer, is from Swindon and Steve Surry, who comes at Cumberwell Park got into the tournament through the qualifiers last week.

Steve Surry can be proud of his efforts after a round of 69, finishing 1 under par and still in the pack to push on in the second round. I suggest you all follow the man, as in Golf you never know who is going to win, even though obviously Woods is the big name and the best consistent player, it is often the unknowns who come through in these tournaments.

Its also great to see David Howell back, the swindonian (not sure that will catch on) has had many injuries. I was listening to an interview of his and he seems happy to be back and says his game has improved alot. He came bursting onto the scene a few years ago and says that back then he wasn't as good as people made out. He now though at the open has his chance to put himself back into the top Brits and back into contention for the Ryder Cup in 2010.
Howell today finished on two under and is in the pack of the leading Brits, so he is doing very well and like Surry, a good round tomorrow will make or break his chances.

Jimenez at the moment leads the tournament on six under followed by Ben Curtis, Tom Watson and Kenichi Kuboya on five under. Tiger Woods had a bad round of one over and even lost his cool after hitting the ball into the rough and threw his club to the ground. Not a good day for Tiger.

The Open is always a fascinating tournament and Ian Poulters choice of clothes is usually the main reason. I'm not saying watch this instead of the Ashes because that is illegal, but keep an eye out for the Wiltshire lads!

Man City make their move.

The summer of money has continued rolling today after Man City started to make there big name moves, that actually have an outside shout of being realistic!

The news that Tevez is set to sign for city has shocked me slightly. United were willing to match the 25.5 million price tag but he decided to move on. However, you never know that if Tevez was told what to do or did what he did because he wanted to. His agent, Kia Joor..(thats as much as i know!) has nothing but a disgrace to football. Tevez to me must have moved for the money, and probably because of Kia's (his agent) best interests even though now Man City are believed to be the sole owners of the player, which is great news. However, back to Tevez.
Tevez, now is at a club with promise because of the money and he will be desperate for first team football and this leads me to my next thought, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Man city today are also said to be making a 20 million move for Adebayor and Arsenal would likely sell. City already have Santa Cruz for 18 million and with that strikeforce, who will fit where. They all justify a spot with the money spent and it will end in a disaster for one of the players. I'm hoping its not Tevez as he is a top guy and footballer and just can't settle in England because of the press and his agent. He showed glimpses when he got ton the pitch for United of his skill and i hope at least at city he will get regular games.

I said in my last blog that Man City aren't big enough to get the big names, but Tevez is a real start, and with Robinho too already, they are looking a formidable force upfront, there defensive however is looking shaky! Dunne surely is past his best now, even if he did win player of the year 5 years in a row...that ain't hard considering Citys last 5 seasons before last. Hart going to Birmingham on loan is good for him, and city will benefit in the future from him which I'm sure they know.

You guys are thinking, why care about city? i find it interesting, they are spending alot of money, in a hope they will buy success and we will see if it works for definite as this is the first time a smaller premiership side have been taken over with this financial backing as before clubs taken over have been the bigger clubs anyway.

Talking about money, Swindon today spent £100,000 on a defender called Scott Cuthbert, i will be ready to see if he is worth it. I hope so but i wish we would buy some strikers! our defence might be good next year but it looks like all games will be 0-0!

Money, Money, Money!

must be funny, in a rich mans world! Some of you are thinking, what does he have to say about Abba? Well, nothing, but money, at the moment is just funny in football.

Platini has been moaning for a while now at the premier league about the vast amount of money that is being moving around from club to club. Now, Spain are getting back into the act, well Real Madrid are as they plan to once again conquer European football after 2 or 3 years of being forgotten about and not liking it!

Real Madrid have broken the record fee for a player twice this summer. They have got the record fee of 80 million for Ronaldo. They have also spent 30 Million for Benzema, 56 Million for Kaka and there is talk of Madrid wanting Ribery who could cost up to 50 million. Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president is treating football as his playground. I had to settle for monkey bars rather than the game of football! how times change. We have seen it in the past with Roman Abramovich(owner of Chelsea) and the new Man City Owners are trying the same too but have gone to a club who have no popularity in world football so will have to wait till they have a good season to splash the cash.

No player is worth this amount of money. Should there be a cap on how much a player can cost and then the player decides where he wants to go? How much would that do for the little clubs? The big clubs would still have the money anyway. The big clubs will continue to get bigger and the smaller clubs will have to try and survive.

Money in football isn't shared fairly and for obvious reasons. Use the example of the Premier League, It's better than the other English leagues so gets on TV more. More TV means the better sponsors are willing to get there product assoicated with it. The better the football, the more 'fans' the big clubs will gain therefore bigger grounds and then more sales in shirts etc....it all goes round in a circle for the big teams.

Being a Swindon Town fan, spending money is rare, if the club buy a player, everyone watches them so much closer to see the club are spending the money on a worthwhile player. We are lucky though to have the chairman and board we do who have cash to spend to keep us afloat and clear our debts. Thanks again Mr Fitton! This is why supporitng Swindon is great, its always interesting, Swindon's season is always unpredictable whereas to me the premier league is in danger of going stale and being more predictable every year.

Don't get me wrong, the standard of football in the world is brilliant, and with the money involved, players will have to continue getting better, but is one bloke who can kick a ball worth 80 million pounds, and 150,000 grand a week in wages, when people in this country earn 15,000 a year. You have to agree its madness.

The Football league, or maybe even FIFA, have to watch the situation and start thinking of ways to keep clubs afloat and to try and make football once again the anything can happen game. Now the best clubs have there own world, and the rest just have to battle knowing that they won't win anything.

It's a situation that can't be changed, as if people have the money they are going to spend it. Its the fact of football now. Its all about the money.

I don't like cricket....

I love it!


What summers were made more, the Ashes! 5 days per test, 5 test matches, and if 2005 was anything to go by, get your snacks in, your comfy chair out, sit back and enjoy.

The last ashes series was an embarrassment, so we will not reflect on the past, but in true British style as we won in 2005....lets talk about that instead! We had a captain who lead from the front, and a set of bowlers who, if one wasn't performing, you could call on another to get that important wicket or breakthrough.

Instead of Michael Vaughan, who today announced his retirement, we have Andrew Strauss as captain. Strauss was in the 2005 winning team which will bring valuable experience of the pressures involved in an ashes series and has got a few test matches under his belt as captain against the West Indies. Strauss has a good international average with the bat, and lets hope he don't fall into the trap of when someone becomes England captain they forget how to hold a bat. Strauss can lead us to victory, he has a good knowledge of the game, I'm not sure he will be as tactical as Vaughan was in 2005 but Strauss definitely can lead from the front and can be trusted.

Englands bowlers in 2005, Harmison, Hoggard, Jones, Giles and Flintoff were a strong unit, they all backed each other up when needed. Now we have Broad, Anderson, Onions, Sidebottomm, Swann, Panesar, Rashid and Flintoff to choose from to be our main bowlers with probably one spinner to be picked. I'm not as comfortable with the depth of bowling as we had in 2005 but Anderson has come along way in recent years and so has Broad. I think this series will truly show how good they both are, they both picked up wickets against the West Indies recently but to be honest, that doesn't mean alot at the moment in test cricket. The real test will be the Australians.

So, who would i start in the first test in Cardiff? Here we go:

Strauss (C), Cook, Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Prior (Wk), Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Sidebottom, Anderson.

We have to stick with some experienced players, mixed in with the players on form. Bopara has to stay at three, he has been in form in test cricket and there is no reason why Bell should come back in to the squad when Bopara has been in the form he is in. The batting line up for England goes down to number 9 now with Broad and Swann both being capable of hitting runs and England will need a long tail. Sidebottom just edges it for me at the moment ahead of Onions because Sidebottom has the left arm variation that could be useful. It might not be, but i think Sidebottom has proven in the past he can take test wickets. Onions in the County Championship this season has taken over 50 wickets already, being ahead of the wicket takers by a long way, so he will be right on Sidebottom, or any of the bowlers if anyone has a bad test match.

Some people might think, wheres Good ole Monty? i love his beard and dancing. Sadly for me, everyone has realised he bowls the same ball at the same pace. He is being found out and even struggles in the County Championship. Until he realises that i think he could even be overtaken by young leg spinner Adil Rashid. Swann can bat, and had a good test series against the West Indies and should be in. He can mix it up and take chances which is what Test cricket is about, you have to mix it up.

The other players in that team i don't think need explanation. They all are of the highest quality and if in form, and on there day could probably destroy the Australian bowling attack. Flintoff is still a question mark over fitness, but when fit, he is a devasting bowler and has got to be in aslong as he is fit, if he isn't, then i think it would be a bad decision to put him in just on reputation, we got to have 11 fully fit players ready to play.

A prediction is hard to do, with Australia now without there veteran go to guys, i think they will find it tough with some less experienced players. Hauritz is trying to fill big shoes in Shane Warne and Brett Lee will have to be the main strike bowler who can be very good, or just manic. I think it will be just as close as 2005 for a different reason. 2005 was because both teams were playing at such a high level that mistakes were rare. In this test there are players that could be prone to some mistakes through inexperience, but i will be optimistic and say 2-1 to England.

July 8th to 25th August, book it off work, ditch your friends, and order sky now if you don't have it! Its going to be great...(that could be understatement of the century) Come on England!

Button's Back?

Saturday saw the start to the Formula One season and the Somerset lad from Frome won the first race of the season.

In build up to the race there was a lot of controversy surrounding whether the Brawn GP car, the team that Button races for, was legal or not. It met FIA requirements so was free to race.

It was only Buttons second ever formula one win and this brings into question, is it just the best cars that win? if you go from the evidence of Saturday then you would have to say yes with a Brawn GP One two finish with tem mate Rubens Barrichello in second.

I was happy for Button, one because he is a local lad for me being from Somerset and because I think the argument of having a good car is very helpful. I think that the previous Honda team he was part of were nowhere up to the standards of Ferrari and McClaren.

All the drivers must be in formula one because they are good standard drivers but with last years champion, Lewis Hamilton, seriously playing down his chances of being able to compete for a title this season it does take a bit of the skill away from the sport. His practice laps were not up to usual standard and because of a gearbox failure he started the Australian Grand Prix in last. He did though rise to third and this surely must show the talents of a great driver rather than the car. So there is a fair argument on both sides.

Can Button keep this going? It’s too early to say now but if the Brawn GP Team can keep up with the other cars, Button is a driver capable of winning the championship but so much will happen between now and the last race at Abu Dhabi on November 1st 2009. Brawn GP has the new owner and I’m guessing with money to put towards the team so the capability is there surely for improvements.

It is good to have two Brits (English!) going for the formula one title and both having a chance at winning the Formula One Championship.

Is Football going to beat the recession?

The recession has hit hard on many people, but Football clubs are yet to really feel the bite.

Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney today has said that Football just has to wait until the recession will make an impact.

10 clubs face the possibility of going into administration and will therefore lose 10points. Those 10 points could ruin a dream of promotion that would bring added cash, or a threat of relegation that would see fewer spectators.

If teams can hang on till the end of the season it could change there fortunes around.

Take the example of Luton, Bournemouth and Rotherham. All had points deducted at the beginning of the season, luckily Bournemouth and Rotherham have now caught up but Luton are still behind.

Bournemouth has had points deducted from them twice and overall have lost 27 points due to there finance. The club had debts of £4 million.
Most recently the club faced a winding up order but £33,000, owed to Magic Solutions Limited, has been paid by a local philanthropist, Adam Murry. The club now want to move on and have a few potential owners. That’s a luxury most other clubs don’t have.

Cheltenham Town have put there entire squad up for sale, and have had a loan of £100,000 from the local council. They have managed to cut £8,000 from there squad wage costs. With the market getting worse before it can imagine to start getting better, more clubs will feel the pressure

FA Chairman Lord Triesman has also voiced his concerns with the excess amount of debt by saying: ‘‘Football is obviously carrying a pretty large volume of debt. People will be making business judgements about whether it is sustainable or not, but it is carrying quite a large volume of debt. Those debts will either have to be paid or there will have to be a re-financing deal, and re-financing deals inevitably mean that you package up debt in smaller blocks as people try to minimise the risk.’’

Many other lower league clubs have had there problems as the money seems to stay in the top league due to its popularity across the country and world.
Lord Mawhinney now believes though that it won’t be long until the top leagues see the recession on there doorsteps. West Ham and Portsmouth are both up for sale still but no offer has been made for the clubs due to no one buying at the moment. Mike Ashley had Newcastle up for sale but couldn’t find a potential buyer to match his selling price.

The team I support, Swindon Town have been in administration three times. We were 20 minutes away from liquidation until a director, Sir Seton Wills, paid us out of trouble. If the 10 point deduction rule was in when we were in administration, we probably wouldn’t be in the football league. Now we have the luxury of a financially sound chairman and board of directors who are keeping us a float.

Sadly I think it won’t be long till we see football clubs disappearing.


Links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7965152.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/7547284.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/7937545.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7656862.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cheltenham_town/7953055.stm

''The Grand Daddy of them all''

The 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania is fast approaching, but has WWE messed up this anniversary like they did Wrestlemania 20?



The Card for the event doesn't excite anyone as the matches have either been done before or just not interesting. The Raw Rating has continued to drop in the last few weeks and this has to be related to the Wrestlemania build up.

Let’s start with what is probably going to be the main event. Triple H versus Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. It was being done just after last year’s Wrestlemania for several events before Orton's injury at One Night Stand. It was done when Orton won the title back in 2003 for the first time. They have put a new angle on it and made it more 'personal' but it’s still the same wrestlers. The angle has brought a new life to the story but it doesn't grab my imagination. I am a big fan of Randy Orton, I think he is a great wrestler and a great talker on the mic, and in recent weeks has had the crowd on his side too. Triple H himself hasn't won a match at Wrestlemania since Wrestlemania 19 when he beat Booker T for the World Heavyweight Title so will WWE give the title to Triple H this time? The atmosphere this match might bring could be interesting with Orton gaining more fans and it could be evenly split in the crowd in Houston which would make it more interesting to watch.

The second main event is The World Heavyweight Champion Edge v John Cena v Big Show. First thing that I hope pops into your mind is...Why Big Show? Big Show hasn't had much build up at all since his defeat to Floyd Mayweather at Wrestlemania 24. He has had no great feuds, only with Undertaker and if we want to talk about over done, them two in a match is the definition. Cena v Edge was a great rivalry a few years ago and was done for a year nearly on and off. This match at first was great due to the fans who don't like John Cena being able to rely on the opportunist Edge who would knick wins but then we all knew that it would eventually end with Cena as champion because otherwise some kid somewhere would cry. So I’m not sure why include the Big Show, he won't add anything to the match except slow and boring wrestling where his only move is a punch, even Hulk Hogan does more moves! The Vickie Guerrero love triangle with Big Show and Edge isn't a vague bit interesting, who cares about Vickie Guerrero? I fully expect Cena to walk away with the title and then move to Smackdown in the draft, but then wrestling is always unknown!

The other big match is the Undertaker v Shawn Michaels. Now, this does have my attention. Two Legends back in the ring together. When they were number one and two in the 2008 Royal Rumble I think everyone loved the atmosphere it brought. I hope that WWE continue to build this up well in the coming weeks using the cocky Shawn Michaels we all prefer. Will the undefeated streak come to an end? I don't think so. I don’t know who it would help having taker lose it after all this time to Shawn Michaels who himself isn't the future of the WWE. Unless this is going to be Undertakers last Wrestlemania? Let’s hope if it is, he doesn't cry like Ric Flair did! Now that would ruin his character.

Other match I have to mention is the Chris Jericho v the legends of Piper, Steamboat and Snuka. What an awful match to ruin Chris Jericho’s momentum he gained from last year. He was over with the fans, deservedly got the title and had a run. He bought something new to wrestling and now they want to ruin him against three legends that can barely walk? If Mickey Rourke comes in to it is just going to be a joke. Why do WWE persist with making the legends look great when they have left and ruin the reputation that there current wrestlers have, surely you want your current wrestlers to look good!? If Jericho does win, great, but then I wouldn't see the point in the match. I think everyone was in the back of there head thinking, Austin, maybe Hogan? And maybe it was but it hasn't come to fruition. Austin I’m sure will make an appearance at Wrestlemania as it is in his hometown of Houston, Texas. I think it will just be when they announce who is in this year’s hall of fame and they come out and have a good old wave. Whoever Jericho would have faced out of the ones mentioned it wouldn't have been that exciting. Austin was always a long shot as he is struggling with injuries.

Other matches include the Money In the bank that have two people in Mark Henry and Kane who can't get onto a ladder I’m sure. I’m hoping Christian will win and that WWE use his character and popularity with the fans already. They have ruined his return; now let’s not ruin the fact that they have signed him back. What would have been the point of signing him back? That will be my question. One shock I do have is that Rey Mysterio isn't in it, why not? He is great for these sorts of matches. I’m not a fan but I do appreciate his high flying ability of course, why not put him in to improve the match? Not Mark Henry would have any chance of winning or climbing anything at any point.

Jeff Hardy v Matt Hardy - well, it’s been done and I’d have rather seen them both in money in the bank as they both have the capability of winning I reckon. It was built up after the rumble for a week, then stopped for a month and now is back all of a sudden? How odd and random!?

Diva Battle Royal – I know when I’m going to have my toilet break this year, this is truly awful and will only ruin my eyesight.

WWE AND World Tag Titles: John Morrison and The Miz v The Colons - Boring. Next.

More matches I think will be added, including a match with JBL for the intercontinental title at it is in Houston, Texas his original hometown but we will see. I’m assuming that’s why they gave him the title as CM Punk is in money in the bank anyway.

Wrestlemania is not going to the grand daddy of them all but lets hope WWE can put in some surprises to make it an event or at least some good wrestling which has been lacking recently in recent pay per views. Is this the year we will see money in the bank cashed in on the night? Now that would make it interesting!

Wrestlemania 25, April 5th, Enjoy!

England Storm Europe

All four English teams have made it through to the Champions League Quarter Finals.

Manchester United and Liverpool did it with ease, Chelsea made it abit difficult and Arsenal got by on penalties but all teams made it through.

The Premier League surely now must be the best league in the world? The foreign clubs are struggling to keep up. Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Juventus and Roma have suffered at the hands of English clubs and all in the past have been strong teams in Europe.

The only real threat i see to an all English champions league final for the second year in a row is Barcelona. They have the class to go all the way for sure, with the likes of Messi, Eto'o, Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol, Valdes, just to name a few world class players. Other teams like Bayern Munich, even on the back of there 12-1 aggregate demolition of Sporting Lisbon, don't look like if they had to face Liverpool on there day could match up.

When Liverpool made the champions league final in 2005 v AC Milan, we didn't think we would see an English club in the champions league final again for years, but we have had an English representative in every final since. Before Liverpool, there was a six year gap after Manchester Uniteds dramatic win over Bayern Munich.

What can the Premier League put this dominance down too? I say its foreign players and the quality of the Premier League.

Foreign players have been an integral part of the premier league for years now and if English clubs pick up more silverware, more world class players will want to join and win silverware. Big transfer fees are becoming a part of the game and the big wages, and these easily attract the best players. The best players if put together and work together are going to be the best, ask Real Madrid that it is easier said than done but it is something that has been done in the Premiership.

Manchester United show this. They have players that may not be the best in the world, and United could go out and buy the best, but they concentrate on a team that can work together best. It has paid off, with Manchester United big favourites to do the quadruple. You look at forign clubs and they have good players but look at individuals rather than a team. AC Milan suffered last season and are now in the UEFA Cup, Real Madrid on Tuesday against Liverpool were easily beat but do have a group of world class players who dont play well together.

The other issue with this is, if most of the squad are foreign, what does this say about English football? I say that if England want to be the best, they need to develop the best and sadly at the moment we are not creating as good a players as abroad.
People think we have great players but yet we couldn't make the European Championships! The influx of foreign players is going to start to make the english players see how good they need to be if they want to be the best international team. People moan that the English players should be played ahead of foreigners but managers want the best players and thats it. Our players at the moment just aren't as good, simple as, and to blame the foreign players is a scapecoat from the situation.

It would be great if our English clubs were made up of English players and could win the champions league but it just wouldn't happen.

Lets get behind the English Teams and come May 27th we will be celebrating the Premier Leagues Dominance.

Will Hooliganism Ever Go Away?

English Football has its reputation for its Hooligans and troubles, but what makes people do these acts?

In 1985 because of Football Hooligans, English clubs were banned from playing in the European cup until 1990. In the 1985 European cup final between Liverpool v Juventus, 39 Juventus fans were crushed to death after Liverpool fans broke through a police barrier and attacked the Juventus fans. Many of which were families not even people who wanted to fight back. During the fighting a wall collapsed and killed some Juventus fans. This incident is widely known as the Heysel Stadium Disaster.

What encourages people to continue going to football games and doing these sorts of acts on people? Do people think it makes them a 'better' supporter?

The Hooliganism in football isn't as bad as it once was, but the problem is still there. Films have even been made about the subject including Football Factory and Green Street. I have watched both and don't see how these films are enjoyable and all I can see it doing is provoking people to go out and copy the actions in the film.

The reason behind me talking about this issue is because I have witnessed or been involved in football related incidents of violence and it angers me every time I see it.

Just last week when walking back to the train station after a game between Swindon (who I support) and Tranmere at Tranmere, a gang of around 30 kids aged 16-22 decided to head butt and punch me because of who i support. They won the game and I had said nothing to provoke the attack. If i hadn't had mentioned I was a Swindon supporter they would have just gone.

People think that adults are the fault for hooliganism but kids are now getting more involved and looking up to adults for inspiration. Kids as well will easily get away with it due to there age and because they will target other younger people who are less likely to go report it.

I have seen kids being hit by coins which is definitely not on and Kids being the ones throwing coins and objects.

In a derby match between Swindon and Oxford, play was delayed for 30 minutes due to crowd trouble and coins being thrown at opposition players. These are scenes that Football shouldn't be associated with.

These acts of violence use to be limited to local derbies but not anymore, i got attacked after a game between Swindon and Tranmere which is around 4 hours apart. Swindon 'fans' attack fans of other clubs like Bournemouth, Plymouth, Leeds, and Leicester. There is no rivalry between these teams but people fight anyway for there club, as they put it.

So, I thought to myself what does the FA do to try and prevent Football Hooliganism?

The FA following the violence at Euro 2000 where over 100 England Fans were arrested introduced measures including giving life bans from football, having family friendly stadium atmospheres and giving police more power to arrest and convict hooligans.

All seem effective ways and variable ways to combat the problem. Figures have shown that year by year football related arrests are falling which is good news but the problem is still there and I’m not sure the problem will ever go away.

Will we ever get the day when you can walk down the road with your football team’s shirt on and not have to worry if some guy thinks you deserve a head butt because you are wearing a different team to him? Who knows?

Another question to think about is, are these people football fans? Or just fighters? There is no place for people who say they are football fans to condone then going to beat someone up cause of who they support. All fans go to games and banter and have a go at the other team during the game but when it comes to meeting those fans you then don't punch one of them. When it comes to local derbies you are going to get a lot of heated action and chanting but it’s about bragging rights not fighting rights.

Let’s hope one day Football is just about the Football.