The day football died .

[TVC]

Unlike pro cycling, eh?

I have to agree that the pro riders are just mobile advertising hoardings, so yes it is business. However, I've never paid £50 to watch a pro race, so in that way there is a no cost option if you want to follow it.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I lost what remaining shreds of interest I had in wendyball when Roy Kinnear lost the plot in that infamous press conference. Though I confess I did sneak a look at MOTD on Sunday morning to see my once beloved Toon make like Lazarus against the Gooners.

But be warned, professional rugby union is going the same way as wendyball, the old standards are slipping, and the cynicism of the cheats increases season by season. This also affects the game at grass roots levels where "soccer attitudes" to opponents, to cheating and, particularly, to referees/officials are all too common. The avg new rugby union referee lasts less than two seasons and cites players' and spectators' behaviour as his reason for jacking it in (I quit after injury). Even during the 6 Nations games this weekend kickers were catcalled and whistled at and at least one substitute was boo-ed when coming on the park at Cardiff.

Our sports people are the products of the society they live in, we get the behaviour from them we deserve. My dad, 90 last month, is an ex-pro footballer

As to Pro-Ball in the States; the system of goverance is very clever, and some claim it has elements of socialism to it, I'd argue it is nothing more than a self serving cartel. Hard men though pro ball players. No doubt about that.

Not as hard a pro Rugby League players though.......

 

[Piemaster]

Premier league, English & Scottish, both have the same problem. No promotion. SPL is probably the worst for it, 2 teams fighting over the title year after year boring and predictable. Scottish football is suffering beacause of it and the EPL is going the same way.
Lower leagues are much better, 3 promotions/3 relegations change the league dynamics a lot.

Rugby League may be in an even worse state for it with the system used. 5 years for renewal of franchises, but at least it is balanced with a cap on players.

 

[MacB]

Interesting about the American Football setup there Arch, never knew that, though I was aware of the appalling injury record per Dells post.

Football, cycling, rugby, any sport, doesn't matter whether you like them or not, the root problem is all the same, it's worth posting the link again to the best explanation of why:-


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDW_Hj2K0wo


especially the line about how they ruin everything that's good in the world.

I would apologise to anyone that works in advertising or marketing but I'd only be being insincere!

 

[MarkF]

I love footie, played at a decent level I was 44, still play 5-a-side at 49. I remember the '70, stuff too (terraces cascading with piss was not great) but I prefer today's game, faster, less hoofing, it's more of a spectacle, drama, MOTD was great.

I like the cheating, I think the feigning of injuries, the diving, the shirt pulling and "card" waving is great, long may it continue and long may technology keep it's nose out.

BTW The cost of watching Bradford City works out at £3.26 per game for my and my lad.

 

[Piemaster]

BTW The cost of watching Bradford City works out at £3.26 per game for my and my lad.

Daylight robbery.

 

[postman]

£3-50 and you BOTH get a game .Good luck .

 

[MarkF]

Postman & Piemaster, you took your time...........

 

[ASC1951]

What ever happened to players with names like Arkwright and Entwistle and other fine anglo-saxon names.

They weren't good enough!

Going back to Postman, I used to turn out to watch in the days of the hard men - Setters, Hunter, Smith - and they were just neanderthals with few skills beyond decking an opponent and punting the ball up the pitch. Players today are fitter, faster and with far more technique; and the game is much much better to watch.

 

[Iain p]

I love footie, played at a decent level I was 44, still play 5-a-side at 49. I remember the '70, stuff too (terraces cascading with piss was not great) but I prefer today's game, faster, less hoofing, it's more of a spectacle, drama, MOTD was great.

I like the cheating, I think the feigning of injuries, the diving, the shirt pulling and "card" waving is great, long may it continue and long may technology keep it's nose out.

BTW The cost of watching Bradford City works out at £3.26 per game for my and my lad.

Guessing... you've got one of those 25 year tickets. Both my father in law and brother in law have them, great value.
I, like you still love the footie.Only get to a few games thought. Love the atmoshere and singing.
Marchin on together...........

 

[Smokin Joe]

They weren't good enough!

Going back to Postman, I used to turn out to watch in the days of the hard men - Setters, Hunter, Smith - and they were just neanderthals with few skills beyond decking an opponent and punting the ball up the pitch. Players today are fitter, faster and with far more technique; and the game is much much better to watch.

Very true.

A couple of years ago one of the digi channels re-ran a season of ITV's The Big Match from 1979. The standard of play was dreadful compared to what we see now,

 

[XmisterIS]

I wish football would die ...


...



... I'll get me coat.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

They weren't good enough!

Going back to Postman, I used to turn out to watch in the days of the hard men - Setters, Hunter, Smith - and they were just neanderthals with few skills beyond decking an opponent and punting the ball up the pitch. Players today are fitter, faster and with far more technique; and the game is much much better to watch.

Absolutely. There is a reason why England were shown up by Hungary and Brazil and others in those days, and it was skill (or lack of it). Incidentally, England would never have won in 1966 is it hadn't been held in England and the referees had not tolerated the European players' brutality against Pele and co. And Brazilian football is still a joy to watch even when the best players get immediately snapped up by European clubs.

 

[rich p]

Ah, professional football!

I played to a decent standard and still watch my old team, full of young hopefuls, from time to time. It shows no sign of being any less passionate or entertaining down at the basement end.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Absolutely. There is a reason why England were shown up by Hungary and Brazil and others in those days, and it was skill (or lack of it). Incidentally, England West Ham would never have won in 1966 is it hadn't been held in England and the referees had not tolerated the European players' brutality against Pele and co. And Brazilian football is still a joy to watch even when the best players get immediately snapped up by European clubs.

Edited your typo, FM.