# 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:** 9
**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:** [August 13, 2003, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/161 "2003-08-13T10:17:29Z")
Sicknote: **Another** £30,000 a week saved ! (£1 1/4 milion p.a.). 4 days, getting close . . .going to have to start pinning down some firm predictions today . . . . Anyone got anyhting to say about the ups and downs; for instance, I’m tempted to think Leicester might stay up but Bolton are gonners (which is, obviously, a lot better than being Gooners) . . more later. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > If GH gets hounded out of this job than we might as well admit that there isn’t anyone on the face of the globe who can do the job. > > Since the beginning of the Premierhip/sky money, we have change managers once every eighteen months. Why? Because results were poor. Well there’s a suprise. “hounded out” - I suppose it’s a matter of opinion, but by Christmas, it will have been 2 ½ years - and the odd shilling later. I do see progress in the squad but there should be for the money spent. 2 1/2 is a reasonable stretch, mabe give him three if we are top half at Christmas. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > Let’s give at least one manager a chance to build a team. After all we really do have nothing to lose. Admirable sentiment and not _entirely_ like you. Sentimental about the Messiah ? Anyway, that’s not what West Ham would say, they might have said it this time last year, though. Fwiw, I see the margin between 8th and 18th as frighteningly small. What I do hope, though, is that Glenda has sorted the dressing room dissent by off-loading a few of the older, opinionated non-believers. That might go a long way . . . > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > Also I think that the presence of DP is an almost entirely negative presence. He undermines GH at all available opportunities to his pals in the media and doesn’t seem to have a defined role at the club. I can think of no other team where the manager has to work in this way. That’s a bit strong, for me. Ducking and diving in the transfer market means, in the modern game, two things imho; A full time job in itself, where tens of millions can be made or lost, and It can be the making (Europe, international-class) or breaking (relegation and Administration) of a club. - It’s, very importantly, about generated those trading surpluses that oil your wheels better than that mob down the road. Vital stuff, jow, I think. - I’ll concede, though, it’s difficult balancing the respective roles of ‘Manager’ and ‘Director of Football’ (sic) but I think it’s a necessary evil, and that Pleat, on my admittedly limited understanding, fulfils his job description very well – as you say, look at the signings. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > And whilst you may not want Stelios to run BA, his brother does own 10% of THFC, god knows why. Nice bloke though Definitely one of the eyebrows-meeting-in-the-middle firm. All smiles and sharp pencils. Okay . … **predictions anyone ???** ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/162 "2003-08-13T11:03:22Z")
Predictions: Champs: Man Utd Euro pot: Arse; Chelsea; Liverpool (in any order) Uefa Places: Newcastle; Blackburn FA Cup: Spurs (really) or Everton League cup: Saints Relegated: Fulham, Leicester and Portsmuff. Leeds to have a truly horrific season (all the player sales they have made have simply SERVICED their overdraft - they are really in the mire - the Sheff Weds de nos jours). Wolves, bolton and charlton to struggle. Everton too possibly. Top goal scorer: Van Nistleroy Chumps League: Real Madrid West Ham, Sheff Utd to be promoted automatically. And on DP. He Bought Rebrov. He didn’t want davies (he only took him cos he wanted etherington). Still he did give us the last really good THFC team. I just think it’s an impossible and unecessary job, and sends the wrong messages to all concerned. If we get rid of GH who are we gonna call? Harry Redknapp? Big Ron? and for all your hoddle words of wisdom: [http://www.dangerhere.com/issues/issue9-300401/hoddle.htm](http://www.dangerhere.com/issues/issue9-300401/hoddle.htm) The section on Ronglish is a delight too. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2003, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/163 "2003-08-13T11:46:46Z")
Insanely tight: **Top three** ManU – No Beckham or Veron, which I like. The defence is looking better . . . just more of before, but will they not score as many from free kicks, etc ? Ashburton Grovellers – I don’t know how you get a team to play _consistently_ at the pace and skill level this shower are capable of but, if Wanker cracks it, it’s there’s. As it should have been last term until they blew it, a French trait . . ? Chelski – I hate to say it, but I’m excited by what John Inman could do. Sure, it should take a season or two, and we won’t know for a while what he intends, but I see a mouth-watering 3-5-2. Actually, I see a world-class 3-5-2. Biggest news for me – aside from the money launderer – was Gallas re-signing, okay and Geromi. Gallas was a huge, huge, signature. **Top Table:** ManU Chelski Ashburton Grovellers. Newcastle Liverpool **Mid Table** – any order you like but this is mine: Tottenham Birmingham ‘boro Everton Blackburn Southampton Man City **Trouser Trouble** – any order you like, any of them could go down: Villa Fulham Leeds Bolton Leicester Wolves Pompey Agree on Van Nistleroy as top scorer (he gets to take Beckham’s penalties, I assume) ---
**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:** [August 13, 2003, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/164 "2003-08-13T11:53:23Z")
Should I include Charlton ? Yep, okay: Bottom of mid-table. ---
**Author:** ![Jabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@Jabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jabba)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/165 "2003-08-13T12:08:44Z")
Well, BBC have bought the rights to tonight’s Champions League match, so we have the first chance to see the new Chelsea team. Kick-off at 7:15, program starts at 7 on BBC2. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/166 "2003-08-13T14:31:15Z")
Well, over eleven months without one of those devil boxes in the house. Then I read **Jabba’s** post and thought ‘I can’t cope with this’ . . So, I grabbed the wallet, rushed out and I’ve just now got back from the local Sainsbury Megastore whatsit, Comet and Curry’s – big search and spend expedition. Any guess what ? . . .I stopped myself just as I’d decided which one I was going to buy (28”, blah, blah, blah). I haven’t given in yet. But I will watch it from the comfort of the ‘saloon bar’ down the road. That was a mighty close call. Not expecting much tonight but it should be very interesting . . . ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/167 "2003-08-13T16:33:45Z")
Wolves to stay up at the expense of Fulham. Pompey gone. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/168 "2003-08-14T06:48:46Z")
… and already we have a contender for goal of the season. God bless you, Henrik Larsson. He now holds Britain’s record for most goals scored in Europe, btw. And just as icing on the cake, Rangers drew 1-1 at home against FC Copenhagen 🙂 ---
**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:** [August 14, 2003, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/169 "2003-08-14T09:55:30Z")
Yep, a Jock team in the Champions League proper ! Think of the cash . . . On Tottenham, Work Permits, rrr, permitting, both Mbulelo Mabizela and Bobby Convey are firmed up and signed up. Don’t know about the South African captain yet but the ‘merkin is £1.5. I do love these young bargains . . .both are seriously outstanding prospect and first-rate additions to the squad. Looks like Mabizela will be in the team for Brum. Together with the three forwards (Post-it-here, Bobby Z and the old crock from the Hammered), it’s been a blinding close-season, to my mind. Good business Still need that rottweiller in midfield, though. I wonder if either of these kids is capable in that regard . . . Saw the second half of Chelski. Damien Duff looks like an All Black galloping through the Welsh defence. Holy Mother . . . . what a friggin prospect. No idea what their best line up is, what did John Inman switch to at the end, some kind of 4-4-1-1 ? Difficult to tell given they spent most of the time encamped in the top third and Cole being all over the show. What about that first goal ! Nice. Also looked to me like Chelski will have 3 of the England back 4 by the next World Cup –dump Judas now I say, and get that John Terry settled. Outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/170 "2003-08-14T11:07:41Z")
The Southa Effrican is still a loan signing, but this is a paper distiction. He’s a yid. I wasn’t THAT impressed by CFC. and though Veron looked like the liability I think he is (although that may be me seeing what I want to see) In 47 hours and 48 minutes we will have kicked off against Brum. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2003, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/171 "2003-08-14T11:15:27Z")
**Owl** the BBC are saying both are signed/bought/circumstised subject to Work Permits only: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham\_hotspur/default.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/default.stm) I though Veron looked like a relieved man with a new spring in his step. Glad to be out of it. YMMV. Got to be too early to make any meaningful judgements about Chelski, but it is damn interesting. Genuine Fantasy Football stuff, but without the limits. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/172 "2003-08-14T11:22:42Z")
That’s why they’re “loans” . It’s the only way they can play. The S african should have no problem as he is SA’s captain and therefore of genuine class. Convey has played enough USA games, but the Home Office take a dim view of a lot of the USA games, as they are often little more than exhibitions. However money usually talks, and for once we seem to have some. The man behind Levy - Joe Lewis, who in reality is the owner of THFC is actually RICHER than Abramovich. He gave us a transfer fund of £15m. So there’s some left in the pot. Maybe enough for Van Bommel? He intends to take us private, so who knows what the future holds? ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/173 "2003-08-14T12:18:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Yep, a Jock team in the Champions League proper ! Think of the cash . . . Won’t make a difference, because according to Our Chairman, Brian Quinn, we still can’t afford to buy players. I’m depressed. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/174 "2003-08-14T12:32:30Z")
I never understand the glasgow clubs bleating on about their money position. They are sold out every week, guarenteed European football, and the dosh that comes from that. They are bomb-proof financially and such is their fanbases they can borrow easily. I realise that the TV rogon is nothing like the EPL, but they’re hardly paupers. Surely they are at least a match for the dutch, portugese, belgians etc? I can understand that the top players may not be that keen to play in scotland, but surely money isn’t a stumbling block? So they’re a bit like middlesbrough? ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/175 "2003-08-14T13:08:00Z")
> [@](#): > > They are sold out every week, guarenteed European football, and the dosh that comes from that. They are bomb-proof financially and such is their fanbases they can borrow easily. Money is a stumbling block. Scottish football doesn’t have the TV income of the Premier League, and last yer even Bolton made more than us on TV revenue. Due to insane financial decisions taken by the Evil Overlord David Murray in the late 90’s, the Forces of Darkness are now over £60 million in the hole, long term. The Bank of Scotland already took a portion of the club shares as part payment, and any money they are earning is purely to service the interest on the debt. Celtic got hit this year with the amortisation on previous contracts, as well as the bonuses for last years run. The financial year ending June 30th shows Celtic with a loss of 6 million, and a long term debt of around 18 million. Not great, but far better than the Minions of Evil in Kenning Park. Still, even qualification into the Champions League won’t help us alot. The board are dead against further borrowing, and see servicing the debt as their number one priority. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/176 "2003-08-14T13:24:30Z")
You will always have this problem is you compare yourselves with the EPL. Scotland is a small country, and it has a small country’s league. I realise that it is frustrating, but it is true. However the big fish in this small pond should be able to compete with the other smaller leagues for talent. Do they have to play average players a premium to play in scotland? Surely the recent return to sanity in the transfer market should help? And another thing… Them total and utter wankers at Virgin trains have decided to cancel all trains between London and Birmingham on saturday, at three days notice. Wankers. Wankers. Wankers. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/177 "2003-08-14T13:48:22Z")
We can attract big players with the lure of European football, but we don’t have the income to pay top dollar for them anymore. We’re on a see saw at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/178 "2003-08-14T13:56:05Z")
and some figures to explain our problems From one of the Scottish papers: [quote] In the year to June 30, Celtic reported a near doubling in pre-tax losses, to £5.8m, up from £3m in 2002. Reaching the UEFA Cup final added £10.2m to the bottom line: about the same as the club netted from qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League the season before. The club’s net debt rose by more than £1.3m, to £17.8m. Quinn attributed the deterioration in finances to three factors: lower domestic TV income after the BBC took over coverage of the SPL from Sky; a higher annual charge for writing off the cost of transfer fee payments; and a net loss on player sales. In each case, the cost to the club was £1m-£1.5m higher than the previous year. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2003, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/179 "2003-08-15T09:52:37Z")
Reasonable run in the Champions League would soon sort that out by the end of this season, **Twisty**. Touch of the Leeds Syndrome at the moment, though. Need that Champs League on a regular basis. [1/10 men prefer football to having sex](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/3151501.stm)– depends on the team and the bird, surely ? I mean, Olive from ‘On the Buses’ or Gooners vs. ManU . . . definitely a Stewards Inquiry on that . . . . [So Glenda’s 4/1 joint-favourite](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3110991.stm) for first Prem manager to meet his (unemployment) Maker – joint, that is, with John Inman, himself. I dunno, I don’t see as many managers at risk (early doors) as one might usually expect. Mark gets-on-my-tits Lawrenson have Brum and Spurs at 1-1. Any result’s possible in my view. Both teams are in development, question of time, fitness/injury levels, how it all clicks, etc. If memory serves, Gordon Strachen isn’t exactly Mr Wanker in the transfer market; £3.5 for Philips ? No idea. Never liked him but a bit of sea air might perk him up. Rebrov of the South Coast ? you decide. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2003, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120/180 "2003-08-15T09:56:56Z")
Oh, and can we have a quick chorus of ‘It’s coming home, it’s coming home . . .’ \*\* 28 hours to go !\*\* 😃 I feel 14 again 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/footie-support-group-25-days-and-counting/190120.md?page=10)