It’s strange how events that don’t seem to directly affect you can put life into perspective. As I sat in front of my computer earlier this evening (10th November 2009), fretting about the ever-nearing deadline for my University application, I was suddenly alerted to the tragic death of Hanover 96 and Germany goalkeeper, Robert Enke.
All previous thoughts relating to the various “£1 a pint nights” that I’m sure to encounter in student union bars located in an as yet undecided city somewhere in the UK were wiped away, to be replaced with a feeling of total sorrow and shock.
For those readers who are perhaps not aware of what happened, 32 year-old Enke took his own life in an incident at a level crossing near Hanover, in which he was hit by a train. The suicide came just three years after his two year old daughter, Lara, died after losing a battle with a rare heart condition.
Most people will have experienced some sort of loss or grief in their life, but few will have had to cope with what Enke’s widow, Teresa, is sure to be going through. Having lost her daughter and now her husband, she has been left to bring up an eight month-old baby, Leila, who the couple adopted earlier this year. I cannot even begin to comprehend how heart-broken she must be, but my thoughts are especially with her, as well as with anybody else who knew the goalkeeper.
Personally, I never knew Enke. I have, however, watched enough German football to know that he was a very, very good goalkeeper. His consistently impressive performances between the sticks at the top level of German football not only earned him the idolisation of Hanover fans and subsequent captaincy of the club, but also the “Best Bundesliga Goalkeeper” award at the end of the 2008/09 season. Enke had also cemented his place in the German national squad, with a place in the World Cup squad beckoning and a starting spot very much up for grabs.
In addition to his performances on the pitch, Enke, who also played for major European clubs including Spanish giants Barcelona, was known for his involvement and hard work in many social and political projects within Hanover. These projects included the fight against right-wing extremism and the promotion of animal rights. During the 2006/07 season, a fan wrote a song about the goalkeeper titled “Robert Enke Nummer 1”. CD sales of the single helped to raise money for a local heart charity in Hanover.
The feeling of immense sadness, mourning and devastation that has quickly swept over Hanover 96, as well as German football on the whole, is a feeling that has sadly been shared by fans of many football teams across the globe in recent years. As a massive Queens Park Rangers fan, I know exactly how fans of the North German club are sure to be feeling at the moment. Young striker Ray Jones was killed in a car accident in August 2007. He was only 18.
Robert Enke had what millions worldwide dream of. His death has opened my eyes to the fact that whilst many people will strive for fame and success as their ultimate goal, there can be no doubt that there is nothing more important than personal happiness and family.
Robert Enke, 24.08.1977 – 10.11.2009.
Wednesday 11 November 2009
Saturday 12 September 2009
Time to fix it, Jim
As the 10,000-odd QPR fans left Loftus Road disappointed again, the question on many fans lips was simply “where do we go from here?”
When the fixtures were released in mid-June, R’s fans will have had every right to be very confident of a good start to the season. Instead, the side have picked up just 7 points from the first 6 games, winning only once in that time.
The dissatisfaction amongst fans is growing and it’s not hard to see why. £600 is an obscene amount of money to be charged to watch Championship football. The players (with the exception of a select few) would do well to remember to show the fans a bit of appreciation at the end of games. It is us after all us who pay their wages, travelling the length and breadth of the country to support them in the process.
There can be no doubting that Jim Magilton has inherited the most talented squad that Loftus Road has seen in years. There is, however, no point in having these players if they continue to play as a collection of individuals rather than a team. The game against Peterborough was a prime example of that. On paper, Rangers’ have a considerably better squad. Nevertheless, on the pitch it was the visitors who were the better side, playing as a team and controlling the play for long periods. This desperately needs to be addressed as the potential for success is there and that’s why it’s so frustrating to see Rangers’ disappoint week in, week out. “Madge” needs to make the players aware of how much of a privilege it is to play for Queens Park Rangers FC. The squad of players need to look at Gareth Ainsworth and learn something from him.
Magilton has made schoolboy errors when it comes to the squad gelling. Eight games into the campaign and he still seems to have no idea as to who his best side actually is. Key players like Akos Buzsaky and Kaspars Gorkšs have been in and out of the side all season. How are the players meant to build partnerships when the team is changed every week?
In some respects, it must be noted that Magilton has been unlucky. The two-week break that followed Rangers' first win of the season at Scunthorpe will have extinguished any chance of carrying momentum into the next game.
QPR face Crystal Palace this Tuesday, and 3 points is a necessity. With difficult games away to high-flyers Cardiff and Newcastle coming up, the pressure will really be on Magilton and the team to produce the goods. For all the pretty passing that Rangers’ are producing at the moment, the gaffer and his side have to be wary of the fact that football is a results game, and so far this season, they have not been good enough.
Jim Magilton need only ask Iain Dowie or Paulo Sousa about the ruthlessness of QPR’s owners to know that managers are not given a lot of time to prove themselves in W12. The clock is ticking.
When the fixtures were released in mid-June, R’s fans will have had every right to be very confident of a good start to the season. Instead, the side have picked up just 7 points from the first 6 games, winning only once in that time.
The dissatisfaction amongst fans is growing and it’s not hard to see why. £600 is an obscene amount of money to be charged to watch Championship football. The players (with the exception of a select few) would do well to remember to show the fans a bit of appreciation at the end of games. It is us after all us who pay their wages, travelling the length and breadth of the country to support them in the process.
There can be no doubting that Jim Magilton has inherited the most talented squad that Loftus Road has seen in years. There is, however, no point in having these players if they continue to play as a collection of individuals rather than a team. The game against Peterborough was a prime example of that. On paper, Rangers’ have a considerably better squad. Nevertheless, on the pitch it was the visitors who were the better side, playing as a team and controlling the play for long periods. This desperately needs to be addressed as the potential for success is there and that’s why it’s so frustrating to see Rangers’ disappoint week in, week out. “Madge” needs to make the players aware of how much of a privilege it is to play for Queens Park Rangers FC. The squad of players need to look at Gareth Ainsworth and learn something from him.
Magilton has made schoolboy errors when it comes to the squad gelling. Eight games into the campaign and he still seems to have no idea as to who his best side actually is. Key players like Akos Buzsaky and Kaspars Gorkšs have been in and out of the side all season. How are the players meant to build partnerships when the team is changed every week?
In some respects, it must be noted that Magilton has been unlucky. The two-week break that followed Rangers' first win of the season at Scunthorpe will have extinguished any chance of carrying momentum into the next game.
QPR face Crystal Palace this Tuesday, and 3 points is a necessity. With difficult games away to high-flyers Cardiff and Newcastle coming up, the pressure will really be on Magilton and the team to produce the goods. For all the pretty passing that Rangers’ are producing at the moment, the gaffer and his side have to be wary of the fact that football is a results game, and so far this season, they have not been good enough.
Jim Magilton need only ask Iain Dowie or Paulo Sousa about the ruthlessness of QPR’s owners to know that managers are not given a lot of time to prove themselves in W12. The clock is ticking.
Sunday 6 September 2009
The future’s bright, the future’s black and white for County
This summer, hidden somewhere amongst the depths of inflated transfer fees, ‘will he won’t he?!’ transfer sagas and managerial changes, a football revolution is occurring.
Where? Well that’s simple. Meadow Lane, home of League 2 outfit Notts County.
‘The Magpies’ as they are nicknamed, have consistently had to live in the shadow of hated city rivals and two time European Cup winners, Nottingham Forest.
However, for fans of County, this could all be about to change. Since Middle Eastern Consortium Munto Finance completed their takeover of the club in June, the profile of The Magpies has rocketed.
Recently appointed chief executive, Nottingham-born Peter Trembling made the new owners’ intentions clear in an interview with BBC Nottingham, claiming that “Our plans are very straightforward. We want to bring success back to Notts County Football Club."
The club has set a 5-year plan for County to be playing at Championship level and the investors haven’t wasted any time in showing they mean business, appointing ex-England boss Sven-Göran Eriksson as director of football to assist manager Ian McParland.
And it’s not just off the pitch that the big names have been brought to the midlands-based club.
Eriksson has got to work quickly, playing a huge part in the signing of 73-cap England defender Sol Campbell, as well as highly-rated young goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, whom the Swede managed whilst at Manchester City.
In addition, County have made some smart signings from Football League clubs. Lee Hughes, who scored 18 league goals for Oldham last season was snapped up quickly and has already got four goals this campaign.
Ex-Spurs midfielder Johnnie Jackson has joined from League 1 side Colchester and looks to be another astute signing. The 27-year old has shown he is clearly capable of playing at a higher level than League 2 by winning Colchester’s player of the season award when the club were in the Championship. Along with Campbell, Hughes and Schmeichel, the Magpies’ number 21 could well form the backbone of a County side that look certain to push for promotion this season.
Despite demonstrating the club’s huge potential in the first month of the new season, it’s important that all of those involved with Notts County FC keep their feet on the ground and look to build the club up from the bottom.
The board have realised this and have subsequently given Eriksson the responsibility of expanding the club. He has been made responsible for the development of training facilities, creating a centre of excellence as well as establishing links with other clubs.
The new owners would have struggled to find a more suitable candidate for the director of football role.
Eriksson’s 5-year stint as England manager will have played a part in Sol Campbell’s decision to drop down three divisions to join the club. Signing a player of Campbell’s pedigree has considerably raised the profile of the League 2 club.
The appointment of the ex-England boss has seen other talented players arrive at County, which has in turn seen improved performances on the pitch. This has led to the big rise in attendances at Meadow Lane, generating a lot more revenue for the club in the process.
The Swede will no doubt have created contacts with several of the Premiership’s top managers in his time as England head coach, straight away opening up the possibility of County benefiting from loan deals involving some of the country’s best young prospects. The loan signing of Portsmouth’s Matty Ritchie, who scored 12 goals from midfield whilst at Dagenham last season, is a prime example of the sort of player that fans of the Magpies can expect from now on.
There can be no doubting that it is certainly a very exciting time to be a fan of Notts County FC at the moment. It is, however, crucial that board and fans alike don’t get carried away by the recent takeover.
The board need to remain sensible and not forget that County are still a side plying their trade in the 4th tier of English football. A big rise in ticket prices is not what is needed at the club, especially not with the current economic climate looking the way it is.
The fans need to remember that despite the signings that have been made, these players will take time to gel, and success may not come straight away.
Patience is required by the board, management, players and fans if County are to fulfil their newly-found potential and climb up the ladder that is the English football league.
Notts County sit comfortably in the play-offs at the end of August, racking up an impressive total of 13 goals from just 5 games along the way, showing just why many bookmakers have installed them as favourites for the League 2 title.
The future’s bright, the future’s black and white.
Where? Well that’s simple. Meadow Lane, home of League 2 outfit Notts County.
‘The Magpies’ as they are nicknamed, have consistently had to live in the shadow of hated city rivals and two time European Cup winners, Nottingham Forest.
However, for fans of County, this could all be about to change. Since Middle Eastern Consortium Munto Finance completed their takeover of the club in June, the profile of The Magpies has rocketed.
Recently appointed chief executive, Nottingham-born Peter Trembling made the new owners’ intentions clear in an interview with BBC Nottingham, claiming that “Our plans are very straightforward. We want to bring success back to Notts County Football Club."
The club has set a 5-year plan for County to be playing at Championship level and the investors haven’t wasted any time in showing they mean business, appointing ex-England boss Sven-Göran Eriksson as director of football to assist manager Ian McParland.
And it’s not just off the pitch that the big names have been brought to the midlands-based club.
Eriksson has got to work quickly, playing a huge part in the signing of 73-cap England defender Sol Campbell, as well as highly-rated young goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, whom the Swede managed whilst at Manchester City.
In addition, County have made some smart signings from Football League clubs. Lee Hughes, who scored 18 league goals for Oldham last season was snapped up quickly and has already got four goals this campaign.
Ex-Spurs midfielder Johnnie Jackson has joined from League 1 side Colchester and looks to be another astute signing. The 27-year old has shown he is clearly capable of playing at a higher level than League 2 by winning Colchester’s player of the season award when the club were in the Championship. Along with Campbell, Hughes and Schmeichel, the Magpies’ number 21 could well form the backbone of a County side that look certain to push for promotion this season.
Despite demonstrating the club’s huge potential in the first month of the new season, it’s important that all of those involved with Notts County FC keep their feet on the ground and look to build the club up from the bottom.
The board have realised this and have subsequently given Eriksson the responsibility of expanding the club. He has been made responsible for the development of training facilities, creating a centre of excellence as well as establishing links with other clubs.
The new owners would have struggled to find a more suitable candidate for the director of football role.
Eriksson’s 5-year stint as England manager will have played a part in Sol Campbell’s decision to drop down three divisions to join the club. Signing a player of Campbell’s pedigree has considerably raised the profile of the League 2 club.
The appointment of the ex-England boss has seen other talented players arrive at County, which has in turn seen improved performances on the pitch. This has led to the big rise in attendances at Meadow Lane, generating a lot more revenue for the club in the process.
The Swede will no doubt have created contacts with several of the Premiership’s top managers in his time as England head coach, straight away opening up the possibility of County benefiting from loan deals involving some of the country’s best young prospects. The loan signing of Portsmouth’s Matty Ritchie, who scored 12 goals from midfield whilst at Dagenham last season, is a prime example of the sort of player that fans of the Magpies can expect from now on.
There can be no doubting that it is certainly a very exciting time to be a fan of Notts County FC at the moment. It is, however, crucial that board and fans alike don’t get carried away by the recent takeover.
The board need to remain sensible and not forget that County are still a side plying their trade in the 4th tier of English football. A big rise in ticket prices is not what is needed at the club, especially not with the current economic climate looking the way it is.
The fans need to remember that despite the signings that have been made, these players will take time to gel, and success may not come straight away.
Patience is required by the board, management, players and fans if County are to fulfil their newly-found potential and climb up the ladder that is the English football league.
Notts County sit comfortably in the play-offs at the end of August, racking up an impressive total of 13 goals from just 5 games along the way, showing just why many bookmakers have installed them as favourites for the League 2 title.
The future’s bright, the future’s black and white.
Banning Eduardo is a good move, as long as UEFA are consistent
In football, you always know a story is an important one when on transfer deadline day, Sky Sports News are discussing it rather than reporting on numerous sightings of world class players at various airports across England.
I am of course referring to Arsenal forward Eduardo being given a two-match ban by UEFA for his blatant dive in his side’s Champions League qualifier against Celtic.
For those of you who haven’t "seen the incident", the Gunners’ striker conned Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez into awarding his side a penalty, clearly diving when Celtic ‘keeper Artur Boruc came out to meet the Brazilian-born front man..
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has come out and said that the decision to ban the Croatian international is a “complete disgrace”.
Now, whilst I have no sort of problem with Mr Wenger (I think he’s a brilliant manager who has produced some of the best players to grace the Premiership) in this case, I must say that his comments are totally out of order and actually make a very talented and clever man look incredibly silly.
Let us flip the situation around. Had Arsenal been in Celtic’s position, and been cheated by a penalty which effectively sealed their elimination from the biggest club competition in Europe (Not to mention the massive financial sum that goes with qualification), would he still be making the same noises about the ban being a “disgrace”? I think we all know the answer to that one.
Wenger has gone on to claim that the decision “singles out a player in Europe to be a cheat, and that is not acceptable”. I’ll tell you what isn’t acceptable, Mr Wenger: Cheating a referee into awarding a penalty after a dive that British Olympic diving hopeful Tom Daley would be proud of. Referee’s jobs are hard enough without players cheating.
Personally, I’m happy that UEFA has finally acted on the issue but hope that the buck doesn’t stop with Eduardo. Diving is cheating and should have no place in football, and hopefully the case of Eduardo will send a message to the Ronaldo’s, Eboue’s and Drogba’s of this world. Get caught diving and prepare to be banned.
UEFA’s next task is to stand firm on their decision, and continue enforcing it until players finally learn that diving has no place in football. Arsenal have already decided to appeal, calling the decision "deeply flawed". Please UEFA, for the love of football, forget the technicalities and just uphold the ban. Make an example of Eduardo and give any future perpetrators the same punishment.
I am of course referring to Arsenal forward Eduardo being given a two-match ban by UEFA for his blatant dive in his side’s Champions League qualifier against Celtic.
For those of you who haven’t "seen the incident", the Gunners’ striker conned Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez into awarding his side a penalty, clearly diving when Celtic ‘keeper Artur Boruc came out to meet the Brazilian-born front man..
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has come out and said that the decision to ban the Croatian international is a “complete disgrace”.
Now, whilst I have no sort of problem with Mr Wenger (I think he’s a brilliant manager who has produced some of the best players to grace the Premiership) in this case, I must say that his comments are totally out of order and actually make a very talented and clever man look incredibly silly.
Let us flip the situation around. Had Arsenal been in Celtic’s position, and been cheated by a penalty which effectively sealed their elimination from the biggest club competition in Europe (Not to mention the massive financial sum that goes with qualification), would he still be making the same noises about the ban being a “disgrace”? I think we all know the answer to that one.
Wenger has gone on to claim that the decision “singles out a player in Europe to be a cheat, and that is not acceptable”. I’ll tell you what isn’t acceptable, Mr Wenger: Cheating a referee into awarding a penalty after a dive that British Olympic diving hopeful Tom Daley would be proud of. Referee’s jobs are hard enough without players cheating.
Personally, I’m happy that UEFA has finally acted on the issue but hope that the buck doesn’t stop with Eduardo. Diving is cheating and should have no place in football, and hopefully the case of Eduardo will send a message to the Ronaldo’s, Eboue’s and Drogba’s of this world. Get caught diving and prepare to be banned.
UEFA’s next task is to stand firm on their decision, and continue enforcing it until players finally learn that diving has no place in football. Arsenal have already decided to appeal, calling the decision "deeply flawed". Please UEFA, for the love of football, forget the technicalities and just uphold the ban. Make an example of Eduardo and give any future perpetrators the same punishment.
Friday 14 August 2009
Hooked on football
They say a week can be a long time in football. That phrase is wrong. A long time in football is the 97 day drought fans of football league clubs are made to endure between May and August every year. Saturdays that should be spent in the caff, at the pub, at the game, and back at the pub again (In precisely that order) are instead spent in dark, depressing places. Places like B&Q, shopping centres and supermarkets are all examples of the evil, Saturday stealing days that pre-season brings.
After being starved of the beautiful game for 14 of the longest weeks of my life, Saturday 8th August finally rolled around.
Going through the turnstiles, past The Blue and White bar up the stairs, past the food kiosk, climbing another flight of stairs and taking my seat, I felt the electricity flowing through me like a highly charged current.
The voltage going through my body was increased even further by the poignant minute’s applause for legend of the English game, Sir Bobby Robson. I never met or knew Bobby so I will leave the detailed tributes to those lucky enough to have known him. What I will say is that though Sir Bob never really had much of a connection to QPR, his stint as England boss as well as his bubbly nature and tactical nous ensured that he will be a figure not forgotten in a very long time by football fans across not only England but the whole world. A headline from The Guardian shortly after Robson’s death referred to him as “The heart English football’s had on its sleeve”. That just about sums up Sir Bob for me.
Anyway, back to the Rangers’ and the moment finally came. 3:00PM. The start of the R’s 2009/10 campaign.
Despite a promising start, with wingers Angelo Balanta and Wayne Routledge looking menacing, Rangers’ could not make their superiority tell, thanks in part to the heroics of Seasiders’ keeper Paul Rachubka.
I was eager for the R’s to grab that first goal, but as football can have a habit of doing, Blackpool broke away and with only their 2nd attempt at goal, took the lead thanks to ex-Brentford forward Ben Burgess.
Half-time came and I felt let down. For 14 weeks I’d been waiting for a goal, the chance to lose myself in the delight of QPR hitting the back of the net, and my wait was being increasingly extended.
Sometimes it just doesn’t look like being your day, and this scenario was looking increasingly likely as the second half wore on. Rachubka continued his virtuoso performance in goal, somehow clawing Fitz Hall’s header away from under his own crossbar. Balanta rattled the post before loanee Adel Taarabt’s again tested Rachubka, deciding somewhat greedily to ignore team mates better placed.
Rangers’ brought the big guns off the bench in a bid to salvage at least something and when two of the substitues combined and Patrick Agyemang brilliantly found Rowan Vine 5 minutes from time, I, along with many others in the P block of the Upper Loft, found myself out of my seat in anticipation. It was all in vain though, as Vine spurned a fantastic chance from no more than 8 yards out, dragging his shot wide of Rachubka.
Feeling as deflated as a beach ball involved in a particularly nasty confrontation with a nail, I sank back into my seat and resigned myself to another season of promise ruined by a lack of goals.
The 11 on the pitch though, had thankfully not given up. Peter Ramage, a player who has really endeared himself to me because of his determination to improve throughout last season, despite the booing and jeering he found himself subjected to from a small number of Superhoops fans, delivered a cross that eluded everybody.
And then it was 1-1. Looking at the goal, back to Ramage, who by this stage was turned towards R block with his arms outstretched, and back at the goal again, the sheer ecstasy of the goal hit me even harder than my friend’s right hook, who in his delight at the equaliser, had inadvertently (allegedly) caught me with a punch that would have made Ricky Hatton proud.
It’s nigh on impossible to explain the feeling of an important goal to someone with no interest in football (and believe me I’ve tried). But everybody who follows the beautiful game will know just how powerful the release of emotion is when your team stick one past the opposition ‘keeper.
As the blood trickled down my face, Rangers’ continued to hammer away at Blackpool, who were finding themselves more on the ropes than in the 87 minutes previous. Despite the roar the 5 minutes stoppage time brought from the R’s faithful, the knock-out punch was frustratingly not to be found and the game ended 1-1.
If the game had been a boxing match, there’s no doubt that despite a resilient, gutsy performance typical of former Rangers’ boss Ian Holloway, the Superhoops would easily have won on points.
I’ve never felt the urge for a cigarette myself, but as I walked out into Loftus Road at about 5:00PM, I felt akin to a smoker finally getting their first puff on a fag after a long train journey.
The football season is finally back, and like that smoker enjoying their first cigarette in a long time, I’m hooked all over again.
After being starved of the beautiful game for 14 of the longest weeks of my life, Saturday 8th August finally rolled around.
Going through the turnstiles, past The Blue and White bar up the stairs, past the food kiosk, climbing another flight of stairs and taking my seat, I felt the electricity flowing through me like a highly charged current.
The voltage going through my body was increased even further by the poignant minute’s applause for legend of the English game, Sir Bobby Robson. I never met or knew Bobby so I will leave the detailed tributes to those lucky enough to have known him. What I will say is that though Sir Bob never really had much of a connection to QPR, his stint as England boss as well as his bubbly nature and tactical nous ensured that he will be a figure not forgotten in a very long time by football fans across not only England but the whole world. A headline from The Guardian shortly after Robson’s death referred to him as “The heart English football’s had on its sleeve”. That just about sums up Sir Bob for me.
Anyway, back to the Rangers’ and the moment finally came. 3:00PM. The start of the R’s 2009/10 campaign.
Despite a promising start, with wingers Angelo Balanta and Wayne Routledge looking menacing, Rangers’ could not make their superiority tell, thanks in part to the heroics of Seasiders’ keeper Paul Rachubka.
I was eager for the R’s to grab that first goal, but as football can have a habit of doing, Blackpool broke away and with only their 2nd attempt at goal, took the lead thanks to ex-Brentford forward Ben Burgess.
Half-time came and I felt let down. For 14 weeks I’d been waiting for a goal, the chance to lose myself in the delight of QPR hitting the back of the net, and my wait was being increasingly extended.
Sometimes it just doesn’t look like being your day, and this scenario was looking increasingly likely as the second half wore on. Rachubka continued his virtuoso performance in goal, somehow clawing Fitz Hall’s header away from under his own crossbar. Balanta rattled the post before loanee Adel Taarabt’s again tested Rachubka, deciding somewhat greedily to ignore team mates better placed.
Rangers’ brought the big guns off the bench in a bid to salvage at least something and when two of the substitues combined and Patrick Agyemang brilliantly found Rowan Vine 5 minutes from time, I, along with many others in the P block of the Upper Loft, found myself out of my seat in anticipation. It was all in vain though, as Vine spurned a fantastic chance from no more than 8 yards out, dragging his shot wide of Rachubka.
Feeling as deflated as a beach ball involved in a particularly nasty confrontation with a nail, I sank back into my seat and resigned myself to another season of promise ruined by a lack of goals.
The 11 on the pitch though, had thankfully not given up. Peter Ramage, a player who has really endeared himself to me because of his determination to improve throughout last season, despite the booing and jeering he found himself subjected to from a small number of Superhoops fans, delivered a cross that eluded everybody.
And then it was 1-1. Looking at the goal, back to Ramage, who by this stage was turned towards R block with his arms outstretched, and back at the goal again, the sheer ecstasy of the goal hit me even harder than my friend’s right hook, who in his delight at the equaliser, had inadvertently (allegedly) caught me with a punch that would have made Ricky Hatton proud.
It’s nigh on impossible to explain the feeling of an important goal to someone with no interest in football (and believe me I’ve tried). But everybody who follows the beautiful game will know just how powerful the release of emotion is when your team stick one past the opposition ‘keeper.
As the blood trickled down my face, Rangers’ continued to hammer away at Blackpool, who were finding themselves more on the ropes than in the 87 minutes previous. Despite the roar the 5 minutes stoppage time brought from the R’s faithful, the knock-out punch was frustratingly not to be found and the game ended 1-1.
If the game had been a boxing match, there’s no doubt that despite a resilient, gutsy performance typical of former Rangers’ boss Ian Holloway, the Superhoops would easily have won on points.
I’ve never felt the urge for a cigarette myself, but as I walked out into Loftus Road at about 5:00PM, I felt akin to a smoker finally getting their first puff on a fag after a long train journey.
The football season is finally back, and like that smoker enjoying their first cigarette in a long time, I’m hooked all over again.
Monday 15 June 2009
Fixture release day is beckoning
It seems a bit odd really, that one of the favourite days in the calendar of many football fans across the country actually takes place in the middle of June, when their favourite players (not suffering from the recession of course) are no doubt sunning themselves somewhere hot and the closest thing around to competitive football is a FIFA tournament around your mates’ house.
There is however, something about 17 June that gives off a real sense of excitement and anticipation.
I am referring of course to the day on which the Premier and Football League fixtures for the upcoming season are released.
Naturally, there are some fans out there that don’t really care about the release of the fixtures, and I can guarantee that there won’t be too many QPR fans looking forward to Barnsley on a cold, wet January evening (Trust me though, there will be a few there anyway). However, I’d hazard a guess that the majority of football supporters are looking forward to at least one fixture already.
I’m sure the other 2000-odd QPR fans at Vicarage Road on 22 November last year will agree with my statement that it was one of the worst, most spineless performances in years. Living only minutes from Watford myself, I’ve not managed to live the banter down since, and am desperately seeking revenge for the 3-0 spanking. For that reason alone, I’d love Watford away on the first day.
Newcastle is another fixture that excites me. Growing up, I’ve always had a great deal of respect for a set of fans that I see as one of, if not the most passionate in the whole country. In addition, Alan Shearer was my hero as a kid and I’ve always wanted to visit St. James Park. I’m crossing my fingers that the away fixture will coincide with my 18th birthday, for reasons not totally related to football.
I’m sure there’ll be fans of many other championship clubs who will relish the journey to St. James Park (and Bloomfield Road for that matter), not to mention the weekend on the tiles sandwiched in-between.
Lastly, I hope that all teams are given a local fixture on Boxing Day. Only two Seasons ago, those who come up with the fixtures decided it would be a good idea to give QPR a nice easy journey to Plymouth of all places. (To rub salt into the wounds of the 698 travelling supporters, we lost with the last kick of the game).
Boxing Day was made for football, and making a team travel a long distance would not only subject them to the previous days undercooked Turkey, re-runs of “Wallace and Gromit” that your great Aunt Margaret can and does recite word for word, not to mention the horror of having to talk to the family.
The 2009/10 season promises to be another cracker and the publication of the fixtures is the first indication that the second Saturday in August is getting ever closer.
There is however, something about 17 June that gives off a real sense of excitement and anticipation.
I am referring of course to the day on which the Premier and Football League fixtures for the upcoming season are released.
Naturally, there are some fans out there that don’t really care about the release of the fixtures, and I can guarantee that there won’t be too many QPR fans looking forward to Barnsley on a cold, wet January evening (Trust me though, there will be a few there anyway). However, I’d hazard a guess that the majority of football supporters are looking forward to at least one fixture already.
I’m sure the other 2000-odd QPR fans at Vicarage Road on 22 November last year will agree with my statement that it was one of the worst, most spineless performances in years. Living only minutes from Watford myself, I’ve not managed to live the banter down since, and am desperately seeking revenge for the 3-0 spanking. For that reason alone, I’d love Watford away on the first day.
Newcastle is another fixture that excites me. Growing up, I’ve always had a great deal of respect for a set of fans that I see as one of, if not the most passionate in the whole country. In addition, Alan Shearer was my hero as a kid and I’ve always wanted to visit St. James Park. I’m crossing my fingers that the away fixture will coincide with my 18th birthday, for reasons not totally related to football.
I’m sure there’ll be fans of many other championship clubs who will relish the journey to St. James Park (and Bloomfield Road for that matter), not to mention the weekend on the tiles sandwiched in-between.
Lastly, I hope that all teams are given a local fixture on Boxing Day. Only two Seasons ago, those who come up with the fixtures decided it would be a good idea to give QPR a nice easy journey to Plymouth of all places. (To rub salt into the wounds of the 698 travelling supporters, we lost with the last kick of the game).
Boxing Day was made for football, and making a team travel a long distance would not only subject them to the previous days undercooked Turkey, re-runs of “Wallace and Gromit” that your great Aunt Margaret can and does recite word for word, not to mention the horror of having to talk to the family.
The 2009/10 season promises to be another cracker and the publication of the fixtures is the first indication that the second Saturday in August is getting ever closer.
World Cup Countdown
This Sunday (14th June) brought great excitement to me. The start of the Confederations cup had finally arrived.
Not that I’m really that interested in it at all. I’ll watch the games (Predominantly because I’m desperate to have one last drink from the cup of competitive football before the long drought otherwise known as pre-season begins) but being honest, I see the tournament as being up there with the Intertoto Cup and the World Club Championship for (its lack of) entertainment and meaning, not to mention purpose.
No, the reason that the Confederations Cup excites me is because it means that the next major international football Championship is just around the corner.
For me, despite being one of those who supports club over country, major International tournaments such as the World Cup (And the European Championships) provide the exception to the rule.
My first ever memory of football was the sheer excitement and anticipation that engulfed England during Euro ’96. Living less than 5 miles away from the world-famous Wembley Stadium, I was quickly infected with a bout of football fever so severe that I still haven’t been able to shake it off to this day. Despite my very young years, it still gives me great pride to look back on the unity that was present in the country.
You see, the tournament left such an impression on me that I can still remember many events as though they happened yesterday. From ‘Three Lions’ seemingly being played on a loop on every radio station and music channel in the country, to the delight that Shearer’s header from Adams’ flick-on in the semi-final brought not only to my very young self, but also to millions of others across the nation. Gareth Southgate’s miss in the shoot-out of the semi-final, coupled with Andreas Möller’s success from the spot triggered the first of many rivers of tears that I have shed whilst watching ‘The beautiful game’. I’m sure I’m not the only one who isn’t ashamed to admit that I cried my eyes out that night; just I have done on many other occasions following England since.
But as football fans, we will never learn. We will always come back for more, putting the inevitable heartbreak that is sure to occur aside for a few weeks. We’ll let the stream of media expectation carry us until it eventually trickles out and we’re all left heartbroken and thirsty for success once again.
I just love the excitement, unity and expectation that comes with a major international tournament. The sheer grand scale of it is fantastic. It’s almost as if the whole country just comes to a stand-still and jumps on the England supporting bandwagon. The amount of flags hanging out of windows pay testament to that.
Take the quarter final against Brazil in Japan 7 years ago as an example. Despite the differing time zones meaning that the game kicked off at 7:45AM, I can still remember the whole of my school being packed into our small hall to watch the game on a dodgy projector. Looking back on the roar that must have erupted from Vaughan School like a particularly volatile volcano when Michael Owen capitalised on Lucio’s error to dink the ball over the goalkeeper is something that still sends shivers down my spine to this day.
I think it’s the sheer passion, anticipation, hope and belief that grips the country harder than a child grabbing onto a rail whilst on a rollercoaster, that has caused me to become a total England fanatic. Born in England but with German blood, it’s the love of football, the real fervour that fills this country up whenever England compete in a major tournament that make me such a passionate English fan. I, like millions of others across the land, am just infatuated with these tournaments.
We try not to be, because the pain that follows defeat is almost as awful as not qualifying at all. But we believe nevertheless. We can’t help but believe that one day in the near future, the England team will emulate the actions of that of Sir Alf Ramsey’s of 1966. There will be no heartbreak then. The only tears that will fall will be tears of joy. It probably won’t happen next year. But you never know. And regardless of the result, you can be sure that once again, the whole nation will be caught up in the pandemonium that follows the World Cup.
Not that I’m really that interested in it at all. I’ll watch the games (Predominantly because I’m desperate to have one last drink from the cup of competitive football before the long drought otherwise known as pre-season begins) but being honest, I see the tournament as being up there with the Intertoto Cup and the World Club Championship for (its lack of) entertainment and meaning, not to mention purpose.
No, the reason that the Confederations Cup excites me is because it means that the next major international football Championship is just around the corner.
For me, despite being one of those who supports club over country, major International tournaments such as the World Cup (And the European Championships) provide the exception to the rule.
My first ever memory of football was the sheer excitement and anticipation that engulfed England during Euro ’96. Living less than 5 miles away from the world-famous Wembley Stadium, I was quickly infected with a bout of football fever so severe that I still haven’t been able to shake it off to this day. Despite my very young years, it still gives me great pride to look back on the unity that was present in the country.
You see, the tournament left such an impression on me that I can still remember many events as though they happened yesterday. From ‘Three Lions’ seemingly being played on a loop on every radio station and music channel in the country, to the delight that Shearer’s header from Adams’ flick-on in the semi-final brought not only to my very young self, but also to millions of others across the nation. Gareth Southgate’s miss in the shoot-out of the semi-final, coupled with Andreas Möller’s success from the spot triggered the first of many rivers of tears that I have shed whilst watching ‘The beautiful game’. I’m sure I’m not the only one who isn’t ashamed to admit that I cried my eyes out that night; just I have done on many other occasions following England since.
But as football fans, we will never learn. We will always come back for more, putting the inevitable heartbreak that is sure to occur aside for a few weeks. We’ll let the stream of media expectation carry us until it eventually trickles out and we’re all left heartbroken and thirsty for success once again.
I just love the excitement, unity and expectation that comes with a major international tournament. The sheer grand scale of it is fantastic. It’s almost as if the whole country just comes to a stand-still and jumps on the England supporting bandwagon. The amount of flags hanging out of windows pay testament to that.
Take the quarter final against Brazil in Japan 7 years ago as an example. Despite the differing time zones meaning that the game kicked off at 7:45AM, I can still remember the whole of my school being packed into our small hall to watch the game on a dodgy projector. Looking back on the roar that must have erupted from Vaughan School like a particularly volatile volcano when Michael Owen capitalised on Lucio’s error to dink the ball over the goalkeeper is something that still sends shivers down my spine to this day.
I think it’s the sheer passion, anticipation, hope and belief that grips the country harder than a child grabbing onto a rail whilst on a rollercoaster, that has caused me to become a total England fanatic. Born in England but with German blood, it’s the love of football, the real fervour that fills this country up whenever England compete in a major tournament that make me such a passionate English fan. I, like millions of others across the land, am just infatuated with these tournaments.
We try not to be, because the pain that follows defeat is almost as awful as not qualifying at all. But we believe nevertheless. We can’t help but believe that one day in the near future, the England team will emulate the actions of that of Sir Alf Ramsey’s of 1966. There will be no heartbreak then. The only tears that will fall will be tears of joy. It probably won’t happen next year. But you never know. And regardless of the result, you can be sure that once again, the whole nation will be caught up in the pandemonium that follows the World Cup.
Sunday 14 June 2009
"The beautiful game"
Recently, I’ve started to question my love for football. The game that I fell in love with years ago is changing rapidly, and as the era of diving, WAGs, inflated egos, wages and ticket prices continues its suppressive rule, I take a look back and realise just how beautiful the game really can be.
Berne, Switzerland, 14th July 1954, shortly before 7:00PM. A moment of magic from one man unites a country crippled by disgrace and sadness. A country packed full of horror, repression and destruction can finally smile again. A country bursting with poverty, shame and shock is finally able to be proud again.
You see, that’s the brilliance of football. I am, of course, referring to Helmut Rahn’s 84th minute winner for West Germany in the World Cup Final of 1954. Not even 10 years after the Germans had surrendered in World War Two, the country had been dragged up off its knees and was floating on the air of pure delight and pride.
On paper, the Germans had no chance. Gusztáv Sebes’ Hungary, including arguably one of the best players to ever grace a football pitch, Ferenc Puskás, were unbeaten in a staggering 32 games, a truly incredible run that had lasted 5 years along the way. The Hungarians were simply awesome. In 1953, a year before the iconic World Cup of ‘54 took place, they made history with the 6-3 annihilation of England, becoming the first team outside of the UK to win at Wembley in the process.
Whilst the Hungarians entered the tournament in a similar fashion to the assured student who’d constantly been revising for an exam months in advance, the Germans represented the student who’d picked up his textbook the night before and just hoped for the best. The country was still banned from competing at the 1950 World Cup, and had only played in a handful of games leading up to the tournament.
Hungary were widely seen as the favourites for the tournament, and when the eventual finalists met in the group stages they showed why, sweeping the Germans aside in a convincing 8-3 victory. Whereas the Hungarians reached the quarter-finals with all the elegance of a brand-new Lexus SC, West Germany’s means of transport into the knockout stages was more in the style of Delboy’s ‘Reliant Robin’ running low on fuel, eventually topped up prior to the 7-2 play-off win over Turkey.
Sebes’ team of professionals continued to go through the gears, winning the now infamous Battle of Berne 4-2 against a Brazilian side that had impressively finished runners up on their own turf in 1950. Even better was to follow at the semi-final stage, as the Hungarians, without key player Puskás, beat Uruguay 4-2 after extra time, becoming the first country to beat the South American country in a World Cup game in the process and securing their place in a final that the majority believed they’d be sure to win.
The German team of amateurs had started to improve rapidly, earning a hard-fought victory over Yugoslavia in the quarters, before demolishing Austria 6-1 in the semis, finally giving their war-torn country something to shout about.
Despite the Germans’ impressive tournament, many considered there to be only one winner when the two sides lined up on the 4th July, 1954. The Hungarians had brutally taken teams apart for years, and got off to a flyer, finding themselves 2-0 up after just 8 minutes. But this wasn’t the same German team that had entered the tournament. This team had grown, matured and developed a sense of determination to do their country proud. Who knows what it was that caused the change?! Perhaps the “krise” that the country had been going through brought the players together. It was clear nevertheless, that the Germans wanted success, and within 10 minutes of going 2-0 down, they were right back in the game at 2-2. Finally, after 84 minutes, Helmut Rahn scored the goal that would have a massive impact on millions of Germans, bringing momentary joy to a nation anguished by their depressing situation. ‘Das Wunder von Bern’ became a reality. West Germany were world champions.
For me, as a mad football fanatic, it is stories such as ‘Das Wunder von Bern’ that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and re-kindle my love for the game. And thankfully, stories like that of the German team in 1954 are not isolated, as the recent success of the Iraqi national team shows.
It’s arguable that Iraq’s recent development and subsequent success at a footballing nation is even more impressive than that of the Germans in 1954. Sadly for the Arabic nation, multiple wars hindered the promising progress made by the country in the mid 1980s (Iran qualified for the 1986 World Cup and had enjoyed success in many inter-Asian tournaments). Under the depressing rule of Uday Hussein, brother of Saddam, results started to drop. Players were threatened with violence and prison if they made errors and in 1996 Iraqi football reached its lowest ebb, finding themselves ranked 139 in the world in the FIFA rankings, their lowest ever standing. Things finally started to pick up, and the clear improvement was shown on a global stage when Iraq qualified for the 2004 Olympics. It was here where Iraq really caught the eye, beating not only respected nations such as Australia and Costa Rica but also a Portugal team including world stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Bosingwa and also Fernando Meira on their way to finishing 4th and just missing the bronze medal. Once again, a nation savaged by the evil vultures of war had something to smile about, bringing joy to those suffering back at home.
The thought of the joy brought to the average German (and in the modern era Iraqi) family, huddled around a radio when the referee blew his whistle for the very last time remind me, that despite the ever-growing greed within football, however much it hurts whenever your team give away a last minute goal, or the heart-break that relegation brings (and believe me, as a QPR fan I know all about that) ‘the beautiful game’ can still be as gorgeous as it ever was.
Berne, Switzerland, 14th July 1954, shortly before 7:00PM. A moment of magic from one man unites a country crippled by disgrace and sadness. A country packed full of horror, repression and destruction can finally smile again. A country bursting with poverty, shame and shock is finally able to be proud again.
You see, that’s the brilliance of football. I am, of course, referring to Helmut Rahn’s 84th minute winner for West Germany in the World Cup Final of 1954. Not even 10 years after the Germans had surrendered in World War Two, the country had been dragged up off its knees and was floating on the air of pure delight and pride.
On paper, the Germans had no chance. Gusztáv Sebes’ Hungary, including arguably one of the best players to ever grace a football pitch, Ferenc Puskás, were unbeaten in a staggering 32 games, a truly incredible run that had lasted 5 years along the way. The Hungarians were simply awesome. In 1953, a year before the iconic World Cup of ‘54 took place, they made history with the 6-3 annihilation of England, becoming the first team outside of the UK to win at Wembley in the process.
Whilst the Hungarians entered the tournament in a similar fashion to the assured student who’d constantly been revising for an exam months in advance, the Germans represented the student who’d picked up his textbook the night before and just hoped for the best. The country was still banned from competing at the 1950 World Cup, and had only played in a handful of games leading up to the tournament.
Hungary were widely seen as the favourites for the tournament, and when the eventual finalists met in the group stages they showed why, sweeping the Germans aside in a convincing 8-3 victory. Whereas the Hungarians reached the quarter-finals with all the elegance of a brand-new Lexus SC, West Germany’s means of transport into the knockout stages was more in the style of Delboy’s ‘Reliant Robin’ running low on fuel, eventually topped up prior to the 7-2 play-off win over Turkey.
Sebes’ team of professionals continued to go through the gears, winning the now infamous Battle of Berne 4-2 against a Brazilian side that had impressively finished runners up on their own turf in 1950. Even better was to follow at the semi-final stage, as the Hungarians, without key player Puskás, beat Uruguay 4-2 after extra time, becoming the first country to beat the South American country in a World Cup game in the process and securing their place in a final that the majority believed they’d be sure to win.
The German team of amateurs had started to improve rapidly, earning a hard-fought victory over Yugoslavia in the quarters, before demolishing Austria 6-1 in the semis, finally giving their war-torn country something to shout about.
Despite the Germans’ impressive tournament, many considered there to be only one winner when the two sides lined up on the 4th July, 1954. The Hungarians had brutally taken teams apart for years, and got off to a flyer, finding themselves 2-0 up after just 8 minutes. But this wasn’t the same German team that had entered the tournament. This team had grown, matured and developed a sense of determination to do their country proud. Who knows what it was that caused the change?! Perhaps the “krise” that the country had been going through brought the players together. It was clear nevertheless, that the Germans wanted success, and within 10 minutes of going 2-0 down, they were right back in the game at 2-2. Finally, after 84 minutes, Helmut Rahn scored the goal that would have a massive impact on millions of Germans, bringing momentary joy to a nation anguished by their depressing situation. ‘Das Wunder von Bern’ became a reality. West Germany were world champions.
For me, as a mad football fanatic, it is stories such as ‘Das Wunder von Bern’ that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and re-kindle my love for the game. And thankfully, stories like that of the German team in 1954 are not isolated, as the recent success of the Iraqi national team shows.
It’s arguable that Iraq’s recent development and subsequent success at a footballing nation is even more impressive than that of the Germans in 1954. Sadly for the Arabic nation, multiple wars hindered the promising progress made by the country in the mid 1980s (Iran qualified for the 1986 World Cup and had enjoyed success in many inter-Asian tournaments). Under the depressing rule of Uday Hussein, brother of Saddam, results started to drop. Players were threatened with violence and prison if they made errors and in 1996 Iraqi football reached its lowest ebb, finding themselves ranked 139 in the world in the FIFA rankings, their lowest ever standing. Things finally started to pick up, and the clear improvement was shown on a global stage when Iraq qualified for the 2004 Olympics. It was here where Iraq really caught the eye, beating not only respected nations such as Australia and Costa Rica but also a Portugal team including world stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Bosingwa and also Fernando Meira on their way to finishing 4th and just missing the bronze medal. Once again, a nation savaged by the evil vultures of war had something to smile about, bringing joy to those suffering back at home.
The thought of the joy brought to the average German (and in the modern era Iraqi) family, huddled around a radio when the referee blew his whistle for the very last time remind me, that despite the ever-growing greed within football, however much it hurts whenever your team give away a last minute goal, or the heart-break that relegation brings (and believe me, as a QPR fan I know all about that) ‘the beautiful game’ can still be as gorgeous as it ever was.
Welcome to my new blog
I hope to keep this updated with various articles. If you have any questions or want anythig published, feel free to e-mail me on nik.brumsack@googlemail.com
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