Footy Fanatics

Racist Liverpool fan released on bail

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:40:01 +0000

A Liverpool fan caught on TV making alleged racist gestures at Patrice Evra, has been released on bail today. The 58 year old was seen making a monkey action at the Manchester United player in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over their rivals. The fan does face a possible life ban however, with Liverpool looking to remain squeaky clean in the area of racism, after the row over Luis Suarez’ racist remarks towards Evra.

Balotelli Charged with Violent Conduct

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:18:34 +0000

Controversial Manchester City player Mario Balotelli has been found guilty by the FA of violent conduct, after appearing to stamp on Tottenham’s Scott Parker. The 21 year old, not shy of the limelight, will be banned for four matches, which will be likely to pacify Harry Redknapp after he ranted to the press about the incident this morning, claiming that Parker had a cut above his eye from the stamp.

It is so far unclear whether Manchester City will appeal the ban.

Eagles and Bluebirds Battle for Wembley

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:12:26 +0000

Crystal Palace and Cardiff City will fight for a place at Wembley tomorrow (Jan 24th) in the Carling Cup semi final.

Whilst the League Cup often receives bad press for being a competition few sides take lightly, a trip to the famous North London stadium will be a prospect neither team will take lightly. Both teams sit in the second tier of English football, with Cardiff having never acheived top flight status, and Palace last seeing Premiership football in the 04/05 season.

Crystal Palace appear to be making a serious push at the game in Cardiff, having rested nine players for their weekend clash at Blackpool. Manager Dougie Freedman has stated that fixture congestion in January has taken its toll on his team, but they are determined to fight to win the tie. The away allocation has been sold out, and Crystal Palace take a 1-0 lead into this second leg.

Harry Redknapp Trial Begins

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:18:25 +0000

Harry Redknapp will appear in court today (23rd Jan), facing charges of tax evasion during his time at Portsmouth. Ever in the limelight, Mr Redknapp is accused along with former Portsmouth Chairman Milan Mandaric of tax avoidance on a sum of money just shy of £100,000. It is alleged that Mr Mandaric used Rednapp’s Monaco bank account to avoid taxation on the money. The two week trial begins today.

Meanwhile, Rednapp has caused controvery through his outspoken condemnation of Mario Ballotelli’s apparent stamp in the game between Spurs and Manchester City at the weekend. He observed that “It is not the first time he has done that and I am sure it won’t be the last”, about the controversial City player

Villas-Boas Suggests Feeder Club System

admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:45:06 +0000

Andre Villas-Boas has angered Football League fans through suggesting that lower league clubs should act as feeder clubs for Premier League sides such as Chelsea. The suggestion came as the Chelsea manager slammed the academy and youth systems in the English football setup as “not competitive” and that it was difficult to bridge the gap between reserve and first team football. His comments are certain to raise anger from Football League supporters, who are already feeling under threat from the controversial EPPP ruling set to come into force next season. Many see the current system as already forcing a wider gap between Football League clubs and the Premier League, and do not wish to see that gap widened into something impossible to bridge.

The End Draws Near for Darlington FC

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:35:42 +0000

Darlington Football Club are nearing extinction today, as attempts to save the club look to be about to fall through. Darlington’s debts have forced the club towards the edge of disappearing as they endure their third spell in administration in nine years.

Many see the clubs woes beginning with the tenure of ex chairman George Reynolds, who saw a new stadium purchased with promises of future Premiership football, but then pulled the funding from the club.

As the gap between rich and poor clubs widens, the future for clubs such as Darlington continues to be uncertain.

League Cup Quarter Finals

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:36:14 +0000

Some intriguing ties in the last 8 of the English League Cup (Carling Cup). Four of the top Premier League teams are drawn against eachother while Man U get Championship high fliers Crystal Palace and strugglers Blackburn get mid table championship side Cardiff.

Arsenal v Manchester City

Cardiff City v Blackburn Rovers

Chelsea v Liverpool

Manchester United v Crystal Palace

Matches to be played 29th/30th November

Protest Against Change to Academies

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:27:41 +0000

Following the vote by Football league chairmen to give in to Premier league pressure to change the current regulations for compensating lower league clubs for the young talent they have nurtured, the fans have decided to make their voices heard.
The72Unite – http://the72unite.co.uk/ is a website for fans of the 72 football league clubs protesting against the changes. As part of the campaign a five minute boycott of the first 5 minutes of league matches this saturday is planned.

The new regulations will mean that lower league clubs will have little incentive to develop youth players as the Premier league clubs will be able to sign up the players, giving a derisory amount of compensation to the developing club. So why did the championship chairmen agree? Quite simply it was blackmail – the premier league threatened to withold funding that was already agreed.

The 72 Unite video is here:

Premier League Fat Cats are at it again

admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:49:56 +0000

As the English Premier League seeks to attain the position of the World’s No.1 League, again they are squeezing the smaller English clubs dry. Latest decision is that they will pay a derisory sum for any player who signs for them who has come through one of the lower league academies. Whereas once the production of exciting young players was the lifeblood of the lower leagues, now even the most exciting and best talent will be able to be signed by the “top” clubs for a small sum.

Forget Beckham – player scores with HEADER from his own half

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:48:24 +0000

Jone Samuelsen scored an amazing goal against Tromso in the Norwegian league this week. He scored from a header from his own half of the pitch.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/69814/