Here is a little footy trivia for you.
Who was the first player to score a hat-trick in the revamped English Premier League which has been in place since 1992?
Well the answer is Eric Cantona. The game was Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur which ended 5-0 to Leeds, on 25th August 1992. This is certainly befitting of a man I would call the first iconic figure in the Premiership that was mass marketed globally. Subsequently, the likes of Alan Shearer (who is the younger ever player to ever score a hat-trick on his debut at 17 years 240 days for Southampton, and also owns the record of most Premiership goals at 260), David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Gianfranco Zola all made a name for themselves, and the League.
Leeds went on to win the first ever Premiership, in a competition that was soon to be dominated by the next team Cantona played for, Manchester United.
Alright that is the snippet for tonight, till next time, cheerio!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Bull's, Cock or Hawkeye?
Ok here is the story, the Premier League is set to test Hawkeye technology in football with a view to remove doubts over goalline decisions. This system is already in its advanced testing phase with tennis, as seen in the recent Wimbledon tournament. The English FA is looking to add certainty to goalline controversy with the help of technology.
What do I think about all this? I would say toss off! What makes football the most watched sport in the world is its uncertainty! The draw-point is really the cliche of the ball being round.
Controversy not only feeds the appetite of the fans, but also gives the media something to stir up and serve to the audience. Losing uncertainty will only add boredom to an already mechanized and routine world that we live in. Sport is one of the few arenas left for people to enjoy creativity, ingenuity and innovation in a non-technological sense.
Who creates these controversies and the emotional roller-coaster ride in the first place? Players with their simulations and antics, referees with their mistakes and astuteness. Fans are kept emotionally high-strung and unstable as a result, not to forget the story-hungry media that is always on the lookout for anything news worthy. The story that is football is made exciting with controversy.
The nature of the game requires the discretion and judgement of the referee, who runs the game and makes the calls. Removing this element may not decrease the well-rooted fan support and firm media coverage, but it will certainly dull the kaleidoscope of emotions that football brings to its fans.
This is the success story of football. Players are human, referees are human, fans are human, please don't dehumanise the very human element that makes the sport what it is today. Say Cock-eye to Hawkeye!
Edited - I thought of a way to at least try to make it more interesting. In Wimbledon you have 3 tries to use the Hawkeye. If the call is yours, your number of attempts will not be decducted but if the call is not, you will be deducted one try.
For football, maybe if the call is yours, the goal stands. If it is not, the other team will get a 1/2 ball advantage, meaning a draw would not be enough in this instance. This perhaps could help make the use of technology more interesting.
What do I think about all this? I would say toss off! What makes football the most watched sport in the world is its uncertainty! The draw-point is really the cliche of the ball being round.
Controversy not only feeds the appetite of the fans, but also gives the media something to stir up and serve to the audience. Losing uncertainty will only add boredom to an already mechanized and routine world that we live in. Sport is one of the few arenas left for people to enjoy creativity, ingenuity and innovation in a non-technological sense.
Who creates these controversies and the emotional roller-coaster ride in the first place? Players with their simulations and antics, referees with their mistakes and astuteness. Fans are kept emotionally high-strung and unstable as a result, not to forget the story-hungry media that is always on the lookout for anything news worthy. The story that is football is made exciting with controversy.
The nature of the game requires the discretion and judgement of the referee, who runs the game and makes the calls. Removing this element may not decrease the well-rooted fan support and firm media coverage, but it will certainly dull the kaleidoscope of emotions that football brings to its fans.
This is the success story of football. Players are human, referees are human, fans are human, please don't dehumanise the very human element that makes the sport what it is today. Say Cock-eye to Hawkeye!
Edited - I thought of a way to at least try to make it more interesting. In Wimbledon you have 3 tries to use the Hawkeye. If the call is yours, your number of attempts will not be decducted but if the call is not, you will be deducted one try.
For football, maybe if the call is yours, the goal stands. If it is not, the other team will get a 1/2 ball advantage, meaning a draw would not be enough in this instance. This perhaps could help make the use of technology more interesting.
It's Called Football, Not Sucker
I decided to write this quick note after I tried Goggle-ing for some football related information. My key words were - football and hawkeye. The results were Iowa Hawkeye football team, American Football. You know what I am getting at...
I would just like to say, football is FOOTBALL, not SOCCER. Football should remain football for two simple reasons. Firstly, football was had its laws standardized in 1863, whereas the American game with no name (in my opinion) has its roots sprouting in 1871. First come, first serve, first right of redemption.
Secondly, can anyone tell me which of the two sports is the most watched and generates the most money in the world? Nuff said.
The American game does not even resemble the name it took, and same goes to the new name they gave to football, soccer. Seriously, W.T.F.
So please, for fuck's sake, it is FOOTBALL and not SUCKER. Go find another name for YOUR dumbass sport that only YOU watch. Thanks.
Now onto football and goaline technology.
I would just like to say, football is FOOTBALL, not SOCCER. Football should remain football for two simple reasons. Firstly, football was had its laws standardized in 1863, whereas the American game with no name (in my opinion) has its roots sprouting in 1871. First come, first serve, first right of redemption.
Secondly, can anyone tell me which of the two sports is the most watched and generates the most money in the world? Nuff said.
The American game does not even resemble the name it took, and same goes to the new name they gave to football, soccer. Seriously, W.T.F.
So please, for fuck's sake, it is FOOTBALL and not SUCKER. Go find another name for YOUR dumbass sport that only YOU watch. Thanks.
Now onto football and goaline technology.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Man, You Loaning Tevez?
The news is out and about. Manchester United is seeking to land Carlos Tevez on a 2 year loan deal with first option to buy. Few things come to my mind.
1. By loaning instead of buying, United give themselves a 2 year window to sort out the irregularities then would obviously come with any transfer deal to do with Tevez. This would also give time for the massive sandstorm that is already surrounding the Tevez saga to settle.
2. My initial thoughts was that United would actually be in the market for an out-and-out striker in the mould of recent Anfield acquisition Fernando Torres. If Tevez's services are acquired, United would be primed to further strengthen their already formidable and swift counter-attack style of play. They will not need a goal-getter if that is the plan, when they have various options moving forward on the break.
3. Will he be able to adapt? Well he already has fellow Argentine international Gabriel Heinze plowing up and down left-field, someone who (I wouldn't be surprised as this is not the first time Sir Alex has used such methods to acquire players) would act as chaperon and even be egging him to join United. He has proven to be strong and tough enough to endure the physicality of the English game with his time at West Ham. I would think he should be able to fit in nicely, provided no surprises are sprung, and no tantrums are thrown.
Anyway this is all speculation till he actually arrives. Exciting times for United fans as he will join Portuguese sensation Nani, Brazillian sorcerer Anderson, and English workhorse Owen Hargreaves in a youthful United side looking to claim the title of Fergie's Fledglings II.
1. By loaning instead of buying, United give themselves a 2 year window to sort out the irregularities then would obviously come with any transfer deal to do with Tevez. This would also give time for the massive sandstorm that is already surrounding the Tevez saga to settle.
2. My initial thoughts was that United would actually be in the market for an out-and-out striker in the mould of recent Anfield acquisition Fernando Torres. If Tevez's services are acquired, United would be primed to further strengthen their already formidable and swift counter-attack style of play. They will not need a goal-getter if that is the plan, when they have various options moving forward on the break.
3. Will he be able to adapt? Well he already has fellow Argentine international Gabriel Heinze plowing up and down left-field, someone who (I wouldn't be surprised as this is not the first time Sir Alex has used such methods to acquire players) would act as chaperon and even be egging him to join United. He has proven to be strong and tough enough to endure the physicality of the English game with his time at West Ham. I would think he should be able to fit in nicely, provided no surprises are sprung, and no tantrums are thrown.
Anyway this is all speculation till he actually arrives. Exciting times for United fans as he will join Portuguese sensation Nani, Brazillian sorcerer Anderson, and English workhorse Owen Hargreaves in a youthful United side looking to claim the title of Fergie's Fledglings II.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Reflections (hate to say I told you so)
1. Nothing better than for Tevez to go to the club who has the most 'live' games a season to showcase himself. MAN UNITED!
2. Torres to the Premiership? Nuff' said! Fiery Fernando or Tepid Torres, we shall see.
3. Henry leaving the Premiership? Well he already is a household name, no need for anymore advertising. He is his own brand.
2. Torres to the Premiership? Nuff' said! Fiery Fernando or Tepid Torres, we shall see.
3. Henry leaving the Premiership? Well he already is a household name, no need for anymore advertising. He is his own brand.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Iron Clad Hammers
In an announcement made by the English FA earlier this evening, Sheffield United’s appeal against West Ham’s punishment for fielding ineligible players during Premier League games which aided in their relegation dog-fight, was duly thrown out. It did not come as a surprise, to me at least. Other than the obvious reasons of the complications in re-ordering next season’s fixtures, I have a theory of my own.
1. M.O.N.E.Y
Well it is the same reason all over again isn’t it? The £5.5million fine they suffered is peanuts compared to the USD$2.2 billion estimated net worth of Eggert Magnússon. That monetary potential that the Hammers currently possess, can be equated as their capability to compete in an increasingly money driven game. Not much can be said about The Blades on that.
2. Marketing Potential
The Hammers are more recognizable in recent times with the likes of Paolo Di Canio, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe all donning their jerseys in the late 90s onwards, and more recently Tevez, Reo-Coker, Lucas Neill, Anton Ferdinand. This could translate into a more marketable team playing in a branded league. Sheffield United on the other hand has Keith Gillespie as their most recent and famous player. Not forgetting the fans who witnessed their glory days, may they rest in peace.
3. Tourism
This may seem a weird reason. West Ham in the bustling city of
For the sake of the bigger picture, West Ham has secured their Premiership status...for now.
Here’s some statistics below to help put numbers to the words.
West Ham
Location:
Stadium Capacity: 35,500
Best League Finish: 3rd
FA Cup Wins: 1964, 1975, 1980
Cup Winners Cup: 1965, 1976(losing finalist)
Intertoto Cup: 1999
Chairman: Eggert Magnússon
Sheffield United
Location:
Stadium Capacity: 32,609
Best League Finish: 1898(1st)
FA Cup Wins: 1899, 1902, 1915, 1925
Chairman: Terry Robinson
The Blades were simply hammered into the ground in this fiasco. West Ham’s place in next season’s Premiership you could say is more or less iron-clad.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Bet You Didn't Know That!
Many football clubs have sponsorship deals with bookmakers. This looks like a conflict of interest, to me at least. Should they even be allowed in the first place? I’ll leave you to make up your own mind.
Sports Betting Sponsorships as of 2006-2007 Season
Arsenal - Paddy Power
Aston Villa - 32red.com
Charlton Athletic - Ladbrokes, Paddy Power
Chelsea - Ladbrokes, Coral
Everton - Littlewoods Gaming, Coral
Fulham - Coral
Tottenham Hotspur - Mansion
West Ham - Ladbrokes, Pinnacle
That is 18 out of the 20 teams in the Premiership. Here’s more…
Real
Recreativo Huelva - Interweten
Espanyol - Interweten
AC Milan - Bwin
Udinese - Eurobet
These are just a few of the countless other sport bookmakers who sponsor football teams. Interestingly, the Spanish and Italian teams that I have listed either did very well or did very badly this season...
Bet you didn’t know that!
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