# SDMB FOOTIE FOCUS: September **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 1, 2003, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942 "2003-09-01T09:30:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**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:** [September 10, 2003, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/121 "2003-09-10T11:31:54Z")
I think Beckham and Gerrard will be substituted if/when we go 3 up – might take 15 minutes, might take 90. Sooner the better, obviously. My guess it they’ll play the first half only – Sven has to cover his arse. Can you imagine them not playing and it all going horribly wrong . . . It seems you’re talking about a different charitable arrangement to the thing **Twisty** was involved in ? – is there a name I can put in Google for them, **Owl**? Yep, that is. I liked the Jolly Gardeners as well. Nice pint of London Pride . . . John Pratt used to make me cry with laughter sometimes . . .funniest player I ever saw . . . ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/122 "2003-09-10T11:45:17Z")
It is a diffeent thing, although it sounds like the same team, there doesn’t seem to be a website. I got invited through Chivers, who can be reached at the club (Bill Nicholson Way, 748 High Rd, N17 OAP) who will pass on any request - at least that’s what they did for us. Although it’s nothing to do with the club. Its Phil Neal that organises it I think. All they ask is a donation to a charity and they will come along and embarras you. They hang around for a beer afterwards too, which is more fun than playing them (they may be old but they’re still much, much, much better than you, trust me). Seeing my little boy playing with big Chiv was a very happy moment. Not only was I nutmegged by Pratt (which I have NEVER been allowed to forget - you have to remeber that since his retirement Pratt has been on an intensive pie eating contest - fat Pratt) ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/123 "2003-09-10T12:37:33Z")
I think it might be a different thing Owl, the Matches Football aid run are in the stadiums themselves, and the only ex-pro’s are the captains. the rest of the places are won by auction. I’ll have photo’s soon. I have one of my jersey hanging up in the CP dressing room. that one will be around for a while 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/124 "2003-09-10T15:07:18Z")
Yeah it’s a totally different thing. The thing i’m talking about is a loose collection of ex spurs pros (and the odd hammer and even a passing gooner or two) who happen to be mates and enjoy a friendly kick-about in the park. Obviously people like me are prepared to pay a fee to play these blokes, so they charge a small fee which goes to a charity, and then we go and play in the park. Although THFC are prepared to help it’s nothing to do with them (Chivers, Perryman and Jennings etc work there on matchdays) There is something similar at Chelsea I believe. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/125 "2003-09-11T10:10:07Z")
19:30 Shame we couldn’t get those tickets, eh luv? Never mind, mine’s a Hoegaarten. Cheers. 19:40 No Bellamy, no Delany, no Lily. Shit. 19:45 Well, here we go. I think the game was probably up on Saturday, but if we can beat the Finns and Serbia can hold the Eyeties, then cloud nine would approach as though whistled by Monkey. 19:48 Wales 1 Finland 0. Christ above, this could actually happen. What a splendid handball. 20:22 S&M 0 Italy 1. Ah well, it wasn’t meant to be. A play off place would be splendid. 21:25 Bye, Koumas. Ah well. 21:30 Wales 1 Finland 1. Forsell unmarked. Had it coming. And then it happened 21:44 Ilic equalises for S&M. Oh GOD OH CHRIST WE COULD’VE WON THE GROUP. Now we need a favour from Azerbaijan. In Italy. Never has a play-off place felt more like taking the money in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. It looks like the toss of a coin: **Heads** - Holland, Spain, Turkey, Russia **Tails** - Scotland, Slovenia, Romania, Hungary, Belgium (many assumptions made here, of course. For our posters from The Pale, I think Russia will beat Georgia I’m afraid.) I call tails. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/126 "2003-09-11T12:26:21Z")
Shame for the Welsh. So many key players watching from the stands, though . . . > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > I think Beckham and Gerrard will be substituted if/when we go 3 up – might take 15 minutes, might take 90. Sooner the better, obviously. My guess it they’ll play the first half only – Sven has to cover his arse. Can you imagine them not playing and it all going horribly wrong . . . 15 minutes later than predicted, but if it hadn’t have been for Owen missing the chance of the season and the woodwork getting hammered (“Your woodwork took a hell of a beating . . .”) I might have been on the money . . Anyway, another muddled-through performance. Seems Sven’s got a nightmare decision now with Rooney playing so well ‘in the hole’. Given our limitation in the central defence and Sven’s preference, it’s almost always going to be a form of 4-4-2. So, four from five for our ‘diamond’ geezers. My current thinking: Rooney or Scholes Beckham (primarily right-side) Gerrard (primarily left-side) Butt (holding) With any or all of Lampard, J. Cole and Dyer (plus the omitted party from above) providing a one-stop, change it all option with 25 minutes to go. First half was the usual no-genuine-width-without-Heskey predicable nightmare, but we always muddle through under Sven . . it’s deceptive. I wonder if we’d have at least one more World Cup in the bin now but for the insistence of Ryan Gigg’s friggin father. **Important** I’m thinking of writing an article and sending it off for publication somewhere. I feel we need to start a national campaign to get Mrs Rooney to undergo steroid-sized IVF treatment before her eggs go off the boil – not worried about Mr Rooney as any old Penthouse and a container will suffice. Can they get Lottery Funding for this sort of thing ? The country needs ten baby Rooney’s before Mum gets too old. Into the stirrups Mrs R, the Nation awaits ! ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/127 "2003-09-11T12:37:52Z")
Eh, it’s already got one baby Rooney ready to spit out his dummy at every oppertunity. Good footballer, but without the proper management he’s going to crash and burn. And I’m not talking about football here. He needs to sort out his temper if he’s going to get anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/128 "2003-09-11T12:46:00Z")
LC:- You’re showing a lack of ambition. We should look to the example of tennis Aggaisi and Graf - Evert +Lloyd etc So we need Rooney’s mum to shag Glenn Hoddle. (or Sol Campbell) ---
**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:** [September 11, 2003, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/129 "2003-09-11T12:51:41Z")
Proven material, **Owl**. Can’t have untested harry monk flying around. Look at Booby Charlton, one shot and what did the eager nation get, a fucking weather girl! Shoot. Foot. In the. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/130 "2003-09-11T13:12:19Z")
The girls are always going to be a problem - although you could get another Gabby Yorath (and you can’t have too many of them). Kenny Dalgleish’s girl is a STUNNA too. Not sure about Peter Beardsley’s and hopefully Luke Chadwick is shooting blanks. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2003, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/131 "2003-09-11T13:55:29Z")
I think I speak for us all when I say, lets hope [Iain Dowie](http://members.lycos.co.uk/SaintsPreserveUs/IainDowie.htm)doesn’t hit the back of the reproductive net too often. Given hubby is a decent rugby player, I’m rather hoping Gabby produces some decent material. So, sports-wise or snatch-wise we could be onto a winner. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/132 "2003-09-11T14:10:17Z")
The yorath/logan sprog has the right genes but he’ll be a taff and/or a sweaty. ie mean and short and twisted. I think we’re reasonably safe that Paul Scholes won’t visit another ginger upon the world. ---
**Author:** ![Barks\_dog\_food](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@Barks\_dog\_food](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barks_dog_food)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/133 "2003-09-11T18:06:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SentientMeat \* > \*\*It looks like the toss of a coin: > **Heads** - Holland, Spain, Turkey, Russia > **Tails** - Scotland, Slovenia, Romania, Hungary, Belgium > (many assumptions made here, of course. For our posters from The Pale, I think Russia will beat Georgia I’m afraid.) > > I call tails. \*\* Actually Romania can’t get 2. unless Norway doesn’t beat Luxenburg in Norway. The most likely scenario is 2. place to Norway. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/134 "2003-09-12T10:01:40Z")
Gosh, yes, Group 2 is quite a pot-boiler isn’t it? Hmm? I did say many assumptions were being made after a quick glance at the tables. I think avoidance of Holland, Turkey and Spain would be order of the day: 2-1 odds on a simply epic task. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/135 "2003-09-12T10:07:27Z")
In the telegraph today they were saying that UEFA will seed the playoffs - with results against the other teams in the table being the basis of the seeding. This will certainly help the welsh. I’m not sure about the other teams though. Back to domestic football on saturday (and I’m not looking forward to it). ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/136 "2003-09-12T11:17:34Z")
[**Group breakdown**](http://www.euro2004.com/competitions/EURO/news/Kind=8192/newsId=103239.html) And yes, playoff teams will be seeded according to ranking. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2003, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/137 "2003-09-12T12:08:25Z")
**Own** - You’re getting a little obsessive about who is and who isn’t married. Okay, it’s the boring Brummies turn this morning to attact the attention of dodgy johnny foreigners looking to lauder a few bob: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston\_villa/3102634.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/3102634.stm) “Venezuelan billionaire Gustavo Cisneros is reported to be stepping up his bid to invest in Aston Villa. Cisneros, whose fortune is said to be considerably greater than that of Roman Abramovich, was linked with a takeover at Villa Park in the summer. “ Early doors but the Stock Exchange have been informed of the enquiry. - rather him that me sniffing around Deadly Doug’s pride and joy . . . ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/138 "2003-09-12T14:29:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > \*\ ***Own** - You’re getting a little obsessive about who is and who isn’t married… \*\* Ahh… jumpers for goalposts… Sol Campbell Jnr. makes a marvelous clearance… ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/139 "2003-09-15T10:11:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mascaroni \* > \*\*Ahh… jumpers for goalposts… Sol Campbell Jnr. makes a marvelous clearance… \*\* Fat chance of that ever happening! (although perhaps if turkey basters were involved…) In other news I went to Chelsea on Saturday for our annual drubbing, I was dreading it. I was expecting much worse than 4-2. That Mutu looks like a phenomonal talent. Afterwards I was talking to a pal of mine who works at THFC and he told me that unless there is a remarkable improvement, Glenn is getting the chop in the week of the internationals in October. The board have a shortlist of two - curbuishely and MacLeish. He’s usually quite reliable on these issues. Also; has there ever been a more unlikeable bunch of cheats than Arsenal? The only other team I can think of is Revie’s Leeds - also highly talented, also horrible. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942/140 "2003-09-15T10:28:04Z")
Starter for 10:How difficult is it to break the leg of a fit, muscular 25 year old wearing top of the range shin pads? _bzzz_ Blackburn, **Neill** : I haaadly fackin touched the Pom. Incorrect the answer is _extremely_ another starter for 10: After a life-threatening illness during which your club and team-mates stuck with you through thick and thin, is it socially acceptable to break the ankle of the guy you share a peg with? _bzzz_ Blackburn, **Guillame-Barre** : De Czech kinter just vent uber, it vas just von off zose sings. Jesus, 5 more games like that and we’ll be into the youth team. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-september/198942.md?page=8)