# Footie Support Group: 25 days and counting . . . **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 22, 2003, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120 "2003-07-22T12:08:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/41 "2003-07-25T10:28:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by garius \* > \*\*. > > Then we got bored and went back to taking the mick out of my brother (a Spurs Fan). > > muahahaha \*\* Let’s hope only the one brother breeds… ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/42 "2003-07-25T10:35:48Z")
MTK recently won the Super Cup in Hungary against the team they won the league over by 1 point. The team they beat wears green and white hoops. Sound familiar? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/43 "2003-07-25T10:38:29Z")
The hoops part sounds familiar, but I can’t recall who else lost their league by a point … ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/44 "2003-07-25T10:41:23Z")
After a quick look up, Ferencvaros. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/45 "2003-07-25T10:47:46Z")
Yeah, but who else? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/46 "2003-07-25T11:23:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > \*\*Let’s hope only the one brother breeds… \*\* just hope my sister doesn’t breed - she’s a glory-hunting man utd fan. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/47 "2003-07-25T11:48:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > There are two clubs in N London constrained by 36,000 seat stadia, there is a huge cash hungry 75,000 stadium up the road in Brent (and lets not forget possibly an Olympic stadium in NE London - somewhere around Stratford I believe). > > I can see either ground share (very unlikely) or possibly the nomads moving yet again to wembley and THFC underwriting the Olympic stadium (its too big for West Ham). This was always the thinking behind the Picketts Lock debacle - we were supposed to be going there). **Owl** - I don’t get this. As I understood the Spurs position to be, they own not just the stadium (outright) but the freehold of much property around the stadium. For example, those houses in Paxton Road (there’s also a lot of room on the West Stand/High Road side). In consequence, there’s no problem building, say extra tiers around the ground. The essential issues facing the Chosen Ones and Mincing Foreign Mercenaries FC are quite different; they need to move away from Highbury because there’s not enough land to expand, Spurs need much seriously improved access to the public transport system – in fact, I have seen reports where the Chairman has threatened to leave North London unless Ministers and Ken sort something out (empty threats of course). I always thought the only reason Spurs haven’t already extended the stadium is because of demand – you need one mother of a waiting list to underwrite that, especially given how fickle fans can melt away when asked to cough up £,1 200 or so a season for non-European footie. Which, in turn, means you need to be pretty sure you’ve got the squad to sell the gaff out for the better part of a decade. Hence, no stadium extension. Your view seems very different ? ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/48 "2003-07-25T12:05:31Z")
Btw, another £25, 000 a week looks to be saved. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton\_wanderers/3093291.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/3093291.stm) I tell ya, they’ve been particularly deft at not catching a cold in the new economic climate. Nice, smug feeling . . .Okay, so Sick Note’s still on £30,000 but we can bear that given who’s been outed. Of course, it’s easy when you’re outing second-raters . . . Very sensible policy, IMHO. Finances in, relatively, good shape – maybe we should think about Ashburton Grove ? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/49 "2003-07-25T12:41:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > \*\ ***Owl** - I don’t get this. As I understood the Spurs position to be, they own not just the stadium (outright) but the freehold of much property around the stadium. For example, those houses in Paxton Road (there’s also a lot of room on the West Stand/High Road side). In consequence, there’s no problem building, say extra tiers around the ground. > > The essential issues facing the Chosen Ones and Mincing Foreign Mercenaries FC are quite different; they need to move away from Highbury because there’s not enough land to expand, Spurs need much seriously improved access to the public transport system – in fact, I have seen reports where the Chairman has threatened to leave North London unless Ministers and Ken sort something out (empty threats of course). > > I always thought the only reason Spurs haven’t already extended the stadium is because of demand – you need one mother of a waiting list to underwrite that, especially given how fickle fans can melt away when asked to cough up £,1 200 or so a season for non-European footie. > > Which, in turn, means you need to be pretty sure you’ve got the squad to sell the gaff out for the better part of a decade. Hence, no stadium extension. > > Your view seems very different ? \*\* Not very diffrerent really… THFC do indeed own a fair bit of land around WHL, but we can’t just demolish 'cos it suits us (We own the old brewery, the Bell and Hare, Bill Nicholson way etc. As you will know this is all badly run down). The bits the don’t belong to us are mainly owned by the Church Commissioners. We have outline planning permission to stick another tier on the East stand, bringing capacity up to 44,000. THFC’s position is that they are not prepared to make a singnificant investement in the local economy without some quid-pro-quo in infrastructure. It wouldn’t require THAT much money as there is a Victoria line spur under Northumberland Park BR station. This is where the fun starts…TFL and Haringey council aren’t prepared to make this investment without a firm commitment to THFC staying in the area, and the Olympic Stadium, Picketts Lock, Ashburton Grove; groundsharing with the filth and Wembley all muddy the waters as to our future intentions. as to the football; its a circular arguement; we don’t have european football so we don’t have the demand, so we can’t afford the players to get european football etc. (We have the highest turnover of any club not involved in Europe, accross the whole continent). It’s up to “Desperate” Dan Levy to try to break the circle. I don’t hold out too much hope… The situation for the Woolwich wankers is entirely different; they have achieved on the pitch, primarily on the back of some astute signings and inheriting a sound defence (a £15m centre half for sod all didn’t hurt them either) and can’t maintain this position on their receipts. They have over extended themselves keeping up with fergie and desperately need to move. They have also spent £60m on this move, and are no closer to moving to the rubbish tip (yes really) that is Ashburton Grove. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/50 "2003-07-25T13:00:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ruadh \* > \*\*Yeah, but who else? 😉 \*\* Lincoln City when palying away? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/51 "2003-07-28T10:19:41Z")
Zamora part of one of the best strike forces in the premiership. Bwahahahahahaha… no, wait… that _was_ a joke wasn’t it? The guy has never even _played_ at the top level and you’re already crowning him? I knew Spurs fans were optimistic but I thought you’d learned your lessons with Rebrov. And FTR Keane is pretty good, but no more than that. He’s no 30 goal a season man and he’s no twinkly-toed genius either. Honestly, the self-delusion that comes out of that part of North London is unbelievable. And don’t get me started on that back line! In other news: As it happens, I don’t bear any grudges towards fans from other countries supporting any team they choose in this country. Why shouldn’t they? After all, every team is pretty much equally distant. It’s the glory-hunters in _this_ country that drive me nuts. The guy who lives 2 minutes from Gillingham but supports ManUre. Unbelievable. pan ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/52 "2003-07-28T10:56:55Z")
To be honest even _they_ wouldn’t bother me that much if they bothered to learn a bit about the team and football in general. What pisses me off are the fans who don’t do that but are quite happy to gloat when they win etc. You can’t have a decent football argument with 'em when they are like that. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2003, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/53 "2003-07-29T10:38:38Z")
Zamora, Postigia and Keane stand comparison with most front lines. AT least on paper (and yes I know they play on grass), an England u21 striker, a ROI international and a portugese wunderkind. That’ll do for me (especially when compared with Teddy and Iversen). For the first time in some years I would rather be a yid than a gooner. Not on the pitch, at least not yet, as AFC will do much better than us this year (and are my tip for the title), but I think they face a VERY grim future. They are heavily in debt, with no obvious way out of it. More than any other team, their best players play for the manager not the club, and would leave when (and it surely is a question of when not if) he leaves for Real, French National team etc. This would leave them with no money for rebuilding and the scraps of a team. They would be back to their 15,000 crowds, as they would lose all the prawn sandwich mooks they have at the moment. Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of nomads. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2003, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/54 "2003-07-29T12:18:23Z")
See, that makes me almost as happy as the thought of yet another year of Spurs struggling to achieve mid-table mediocrity 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2003, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/55 "2003-07-29T12:22:00Z")
(And p.s… let’s not forget that Tony Cascarino was also a ROI international striker…) ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2003, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/56 "2003-07-29T12:23:15Z")
we don’t struggle to achieve mediocrity; we achieve it effortlessly. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/57 "2003-07-29T12:52:30Z")
I’d confidently predict a top 6 position if I didn’t do that every year, and been thwarted every year. Two unknowable variables in the Spurs equation for me this year: - Glenda himself, will the troops cope with his God-like man-management, and - The Portuguese PostItNotes (or whatever). I’m not as convinced, as many seem to be. It’s a lot, an awful lot of folding stuff in the current market and I’m very far indeed from being convinced he’s worth the euro’s. I suspect we overpaid but I hope I’m wrong. Get back to me in two years. What I do like, as said before, is the shape, balance and potential dynamism going forward and in the last third. I do think Glenda’s bought enough for a European spot this year, which was surely the Plan all along. I worry – A Lot – about the back five/six defending against pace, and defending in general without the oft-injured Richards. But at this point it looks okay, on paper. Btw, I hear good news from the QPR direction. The lad (Kelly, I believe) we sent over on loan is said to be almost ready for Stevie Carr’s right-back position and could be similar quality. Interesting. Nonetheless embarrassing if we supply the Ash gone-for-a-Burton Groovers half their back four. I see Spurs playing in a lot of high scoring games this season, and very few goalless draws. As for Chelski, I have no idea. I like the manager, not least cos he still reminds me of John Inman. But as for the team . . . could be good, could be very good. Gallas resigned which sees the most important signing of the whole lot Could they split the evil red-shirted twins . . . . I think so . … ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2003, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/58 "2003-07-29T14:30:44Z")
London Calling:- I’ve seen postigol on a couple of pre seasons and he looks the business. Admittedly there is a world of difference between Norwich and Man U, but in general terms he seems to be pretty much the complete package. He’s quick, strong, holds the ball up well and knows where the goal is. Unlike many UK footballers he can dribble and control the ball too. I said the same about Rebrov on his preseasons though, so I’m no judge. (Rebrov is the only footballer that actually looks like a Corinthian figurine of a footballer) Hoddle: the Jury (and inded the jewry) is still out. On the one hand he is the best footballer BAR NONE that these islands have ever produced, the most sucessful England Manger since Ron Greenwood in terms of wins/games ratio (this is true - it suprised me too) . On the other hand he is as mad as a box of frogs. However he seems to have stripped the deadwood quite well and bought encouragingly. He’s worth another season. I think the “sack the manager” culture at WHL is one reason for our continued underachievement. The defence is a worry, fast strikers will strip us as our wing backs don’t tackle back very well. Dean Marney looks pretty good at RB too. And the midfield is a nightmare. I can see us starting with this XI: ``` Keller ``` Carr King Richards Gardiner Ziege (if poss) ``` DAvies Redknapp Anderton Keane Postcards ``` I can see that team scoring a lot and conceding tons. Its like ossies famous five all over again. Oh well “the games about gloory, doing things in style” etc… As for chelsea? If the rode in on horses I’d f\*ck them too. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/59 "2003-07-29T15:01:52Z")
kabbes, OST, LC, you guys heard anything about [this](http://www.utvlive.com/newsroom/indepth.asp?pt=s&id=12634)? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2003, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/60 "2003-07-29T15:20:16Z")
I smell a herring, and its a red one. Everybody’s agent links them with chelsea. That’s how they get the name in the papers. Maybe they’re going to buy this geezer after being knocked back by Raul. Spurs scout eveyone in Ireland through Chris Houghton. That doesn’t mean we sign them though. This guy is only good enough for the Irish League, and he’s going to make a big splash in the premiership? No scottish clubs are interested? And if Gary Doherty is an international striker, so am I. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120.md?page=4)