Someone call Sigourney Weaver before this alien escapes.
Saturday 18 December 2010
Thursday 9 December 2010
Spontaneous Human Combustion
The worst case of spontaneous human combustion ever recorded on a substitutes bench.
Friday 3 December 2010
Friday 26 November 2010
Footballing fireman
You gotta feel sorry for Italian footballers, wages are so low that some of them are taking part time jobs as firefighters.
Monday 22 November 2010
Man falls from sky
Man falls from sky and is safely caught by Seongnam Ilhwa players celebrating their Asian champions league triumph in Tokyo.
Monday 15 November 2010
Gone Fishing
A bunch of Zenit St Petersburg fans are caught by an unsuspecting fishing boat in the North sea.
Friday 19 March 2010
Pompey Play Kids
The Portsmouth manager is furious his team have been condemned to play Championship football next term after being deducted nine points for going into administration.
Grant said, stuff the premier league, I will play my kids.
Fabulous Fulham
Fulham advanced to the quarter-finals of the Europa League after a superb performance saw them defy the odds to beat Juventus in one of the greatest nights in the club's history. 
Thursday 18 March 2010
Sunderland Shearer
Alan Shearer offers Sport Relief a blank cheque rather than wear a Sunderland shirt!
Wednesday 17 March 2010
John Terry Quizzed As Steward Hurt By Car
Police have questioned and breathalysed John Terry after the Chelsea captain knocked down a steward in his car.
Eyewitnesses said the steward, who police said suffered a broken leg, was caught under a wheel as he cleared a scrum of photographers and fans.
Cameras caught Terry leaving the scene - video below
Eyewitnesses said the steward, who police said suffered a broken leg, was caught under a wheel as he cleared a scrum of photographers and fans.
Cameras caught Terry leaving the scene - video below
Tuesday 16 March 2010
My record is unbeatable
In the build up to this weeks Champions League clash between Chelsea and Inter, Jose Mourinho has been his unassuming modest self. The self proclaimed special one had a few messages for current blues boss Carlo Ancelotti, Ahead of the match, he claimed "Stamford Bridge is my fortress not yours. Everybody knows Mourinho doesn't lose at Stamford Bridge. My record is unbeatable. It is amazing - we were so strong for such a long time." You've got to love this guy.
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Monday 15 March 2010
Sunday 14 March 2010
Football - The Beautiful Game
Or is it more akin to a school playground.
I remember my school days with fondness as the highlight of our academic day was the daily twenty a-side football match at lunch times. Full of dirty tackles, shoulder charging, verbals and the occasional boxing match, ah the good old days.
All good things have to come to an end, or do they? Well for the majority of us yes, although there is a minority group still living these halcyon days every day. This rarest of species are commonly known as Premier League Footballers.
After Hull City's recent hammering from Everton this week all was not well at their public park training ground as experienced pros Jimmy Bullard and Nick Barmby were involved in what can only be described as "a womens wrestling match" the bad feeling started when Barmby had a go at Bullard, calling him lazy.
"Bullard rolled up his sleeves and said 'Let's have it out then'.
"Barmby said 'Don't be so silly, grow up'.
"But Bullard pushed him and it all kicked off before the other players split them."
I remember my school days with fondness as the highlight of our academic day was the daily twenty a-side football match at lunch times. Full of dirty tackles, shoulder charging, verbals and the occasional boxing match, ah the good old days.
All good things have to come to an end, or do they? Well for the majority of us yes, although there is a minority group still living these halcyon days every day. This rarest of species are commonly known as Premier League Footballers.
After Hull City's recent hammering from Everton this week all was not well at their public park training ground as experienced pros Jimmy Bullard and Nick Barmby were involved in what can only be described as "a womens wrestling match" the bad feeling started when Barmby had a go at Bullard, calling him lazy.
"Bullard rolled up his sleeves and said 'Let's have it out then'.
"Barmby said 'Don't be so silly, grow up'.
"But Bullard pushed him and it all kicked off before the other players split them."
Saturday 13 March 2010
African Footballer of the Year
Congratulations to Didier Drogba who was named African Footballer of the Year on Thursday, beating Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o and Ghana's Michael Essien for the 2009 award.
Friday 12 March 2010
Dreaded Vote Of Confidence
Real Madrid's Director General Jorge Valdano has publicly backed under fire boss Manuel Pellegrini following the Spanish clubs Champions League shock exit to Lyon. The dreaded vote of confidence, roughly translates as "as soon as we have a replacement coach lined up, your'e out the door".
Although sitting proudly on top of La Liga with only three defeats from twenty five games this season, the nine times European Champions have once again failed to progress past the last sixteen stage of Europe's elite competition.
Parallel this with the fact that Los Blancos are not the most patient club in the world when it comes to backing their managers, Pellegrini being the ninth different coach in seven years testifies to that.
The one saving grace that may save the Chilean his job is the fact that he is club president Florentino Perez's man, who feels his name would be tarnished if Pellegrini does not prove a success. By success I mean wrestling the Spanish title away from bitter rivals Barcelona, the only silverware that remains on offer after Real's humiliating 4-1 Copa del Rey exit at the hands of third division outfit Alcorcon.
I like Pellegrini, some of the football his team have played this season has been outstanding as was his Villarreal side he coached.
Let's hope for his sake the Bernabeu fans keep their white hankies in their pockets for a little while longer.
Although sitting proudly on top of La Liga with only three defeats from twenty five games this season, the nine times European Champions have once again failed to progress past the last sixteen stage of Europe's elite competition.
The one saving grace that may save the Chilean his job is the fact that he is club president Florentino Perez's man, who feels his name would be tarnished if Pellegrini does not prove a success. By success I mean wrestling the Spanish title away from bitter rivals Barcelona, the only silverware that remains on offer after Real's humiliating 4-1 Copa del Rey exit at the hands of third division outfit Alcorcon.
Let's hope for his sake the Bernabeu fans keep their white hankies in their pockets for a little while longer.
Falling
Thursday 11 March 2010
England Spy Gate Revealed
Was last weeks security breach at the Englands team hotel the work of serial pranksters Tommy Dunn snr, Dunn jnr and Karl Power. The layabouts were spotted in and around the five-star Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire on the day in question.
Although the F.A are conducting their own investigation, they haven't been able to to uncover the identity of the spies.
A six hour long recording of the squad is now in the hands of a national newspaper.
The Dunns most recent wind up was only last week, when they posed as autograph hunters and asked John Terry to address it 'to Wayne' with a note saying 'sorry'.
Karl Power strolled on to the pitch at Munich's Olympic Stadium and took up position alongside Andy Cole for Manchester United's team photograph just before their Champions League match against Bayern.
The two muppets also sneaked onto the centre court at Wimbledon before a Tim Henman match in 2002.
Although the F.A are conducting their own investigation, they haven't been able to to uncover the identity of the spies.
A six hour long recording of the squad is now in the hands of a national newspaper.
Here's just a few of their escapades
Karl Power strolled on to the pitch at Munich's Olympic Stadium and took up position alongside Andy Cole for Manchester United's team photograph just before their Champions League match against Bayern.
The Spaniard, A Wanderer and The Death of a Club
Poor old Rafa Benitez is under so much pressure at Liverpool these days that his eyesight is starting to fail him, this disease is more commonly known as Arsene Wenger disorder.
On a sad day for English football, Chester City F.C was wound up by a British court on Wednesday.
The club, based in northwest England, owed a total of 26,125 pounds to the British tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs.
Chester failed to field a team for their last two fixtures in the Blue Square Premier, English football's fifth-tier, and last month were booted out of the league.
Rafa defended Steven Gerrard following allegations the midfielder made a V-sign gesture towards the referee Andre Marriner during Liverpool's defeat to Wigan on Monday.
"Sometimes you move your fingers. It was nothing. We are not considering it, it was nothing," said BenÃtez.
Ahem
Other news this week, concerns "The Wandering Man" of International football Guus Hiddink. Still contracted to the Russian National side until May,Dutch National broadcaster NOS says that Guus Hiddink has agreed to coach Ivory Coast in this year's World Cup from 15 May to 15 July before then taking over as the head coach of Turkey in August! Does this guy ever take a break.
Ahem
On a sad day for English football, Chester City F.C was wound up by a British court on Wednesday.
The club, based in northwest England, owed a total of 26,125 pounds to the British tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs.
Chester failed to field a team for their last two fixtures in the Blue Square Premier, English football's fifth-tier, and last month were booted out of the league.
Notable former players include Liverpool legend Ian Rush, ex-Arsenal defender Lee Dixon and one-time England striker Cyrille Regis.
Spokesman David Evans said: "125 years of history have been extinguished today but that's just the body of the club - its soul lives on.
Spokesman David Evans said: "125 years of history have been extinguished today but that's just the body of the club - its soul lives on.
R.I.P Chester City Football Club
Wednesday 10 March 2010
What The Duck !!!
Japan's Urawa Reds have declared war on a covert army of ducks that have been leaving their droppings and feathers all over the team's training pitch.
The country's best-supported side have launched "Project Eagle," which involves the use of falcons, to keep the web-footed invaders at bay.
"We have had problems with ducks for a while," Urawa's public relations chief Daisuke Maruyama said on Tuesday. "They leave their mess on the pitch.
"We've taken a number of measures to clean things up, including falcons and putting out cones on the pitch. The things you have to do sometimes!"
The country's best-supported side have launched "Project Eagle," which involves the use of falcons, to keep the web-footed invaders at bay.
"We have had problems with ducks for a while," Urawa's public relations chief Daisuke Maruyama said on Tuesday. "They leave their mess on the pitch.
"We've taken a number of measures to clean things up, including falcons and putting out cones on the pitch. The things you have to do sometimes!"
Tuesday 9 March 2010
World's fattest footballers.
Brazilian footballer Ronaldo has acquired a new record - topping the list of the world's fattest footballers.
According to The Sun, Ronaldo tops this list because of his achievements in an over-sized body.
The double World Cup winner and three-times World Player of the Year has been tipping the scales for years now. Knee injuries have also not been kind to the former AC Milan striker but neither has his love of food, says the tabloid.
The other nine are as follows:
1. William Foulke (Chelsea)
2. Micky Quinn (Coventry)
3. Jan Molby (Denmark and Liverpool)
4. Ferenc Puskas (Hungary and Real Madrid)
5. Neville Southall (Wales and Everton)
6. Neil Ruddock (Tottenham Hotspurs)
7. Andy Reid (Ireland and Sunderland)
8. Tomas Brolin (Sweden and Leeds)
9. John Hartson (Wales)
Monday 8 March 2010
Saturday 6 March 2010
Battle of Santiago
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The Battle of Santiago is the name given to a particularly unsavoury and infamous football match during the 1962 World Cup Finals. It was a game played between hosts Chile and Italy on June 2, 1962 in Santiago.
The match was famously introduced by David Coleman as "the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game.
The Battle of Santiago is the name given to a particularly unsavoury and infamous football match during the 1962 World Cup Finals. It was a game played between hosts Chile and Italy on June 2, 1962 in Santiago.
The match was famously introduced by David Coleman as "the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game.
Footballers Bizarre Injuries
Footballers Bizarre Injuries
Barnsley's Darren Barnard slipped in a puddle of his new puppy's pee on the kitchen floor. The resulting knee ligament damage kept him out of action for five months.
The Scotland defender Kirk Broadfoot was inspecting two eggs he had just poached in his microwave when one of them blew up and squirted scalding hot water into his face.
The 25-year-old was treated at hospital for scalding to his cheek
SVEIN GRONDALEN: The Norway defender had to withdraw from an international during the 1970s after colliding with a moose while out jogging.
DAVE BEASANT: The veteran goalkeeper managed to rule himself out for eight weeks in 1993 when he dropped a bottle of salad cream on his foot, severing the tendon in his big toe.
Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney dislocated his jaw shouting at his defenders during a game against Birmingham in 1975.
Arsenal substitute Perry Groves once knocked himself out on the ceiling of a dug-out after jumping up to celebrate a goal.
Servette midfielder Paulo Diogo decided to mark his goal against Schauffhausen in a 2004 Swiss league game by jumping into the crowd. Unfortunately, his wedding ring got caught on the fence and ripped off the top half of his finger. To add insult to injury, he also received a booking for excessive celebration.
In 2003, Darius Vassell attempted DIY surgery on a blood blister under the nail of his big toe using a power drill. The former Villa striker intended to drill through the nail in order to drain the wound, but he ended up picking up an infection and had to have half the nail removed.
Barnsley's Darren Barnard slipped in a puddle of his new puppy's pee on the kitchen floor. The resulting knee ligament damage kept him out of action for five months.
The Scotland defender Kirk Broadfoot was inspecting two eggs he had just poached in his microwave when one of them blew up and squirted scalding hot water into his face.
The 25-year-old was treated at hospital for scalding to his cheek
SVEIN GRONDALEN: The Norway defender had to withdraw from an international during the 1970s after colliding with a moose while out jogging.
DAVE BEASANT: The veteran goalkeeper managed to rule himself out for eight weeks in 1993 when he dropped a bottle of salad cream on his foot, severing the tendon in his big toe.
Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney dislocated his jaw shouting at his defenders during a game against Birmingham in 1975.
Arsenal substitute Perry Groves once knocked himself out on the ceiling of a dug-out after jumping up to celebrate a goal.
Servette midfielder Paulo Diogo decided to mark his goal against Schauffhausen in a 2004 Swiss league game by jumping into the crowd. Unfortunately, his wedding ring got caught on the fence and ripped off the top half of his finger. To add insult to injury, he also received a booking for excessive celebration.
In 2003, Darius Vassell attempted DIY surgery on a blood blister under the nail of his big toe using a power drill. The former Villa striker intended to drill through the nail in order to drain the wound, but he ended up picking up an infection and had to have half the nail removed.
Worst Home Support
And the winner of the worst home support goes to....... France.
During the recent two nil defeat to Spain at the Stade de France this week, some of the players were singled out and persistently jeered. Thierry Henry who readily admits he is not playing at the top of his form right now, partly due to the lack of games he has had in the previous few months at Barcelona after losing his place in the European Champions starting line up, was singled out by "Les Bleus" for the most ferocious abuse.
Henry is a man who is the all time leading goalscorer with 51 goals, has won the World Cup for them in 1998 and won the European Championships in 2000. What more do these so called fans want from him?
Henry said after the game "It's the same story as usual and it's not the first time I've experienced that kind of situation at the Stade de France," Henry told reporters.
During the recent two nil defeat to Spain at the Stade de France this week, some of the players were singled out and persistently jeered. Thierry Henry who readily admits he is not playing at the top of his form right now, partly due to the lack of games he has had in the previous few months at Barcelona after losing his place in the European Champions starting line up, was singled out by "Les Bleus" for the most ferocious abuse.
Henry is a man who is the all time leading goalscorer with 51 goals, has won the World Cup for them in 1998 and won the European Championships in 2000. What more do these so called fans want from him?
Henry said after the game "It's the same story as usual and it's not the first time I've experienced that kind of situation at the Stade de France," Henry told reporters.
"I understand people who were eager for us to play well against Spain and, when you don't play well, you have to expect being jeered at. I don't know if I deserved that but there is nothing I can do."
Stick to the egg chasing.
Friday 5 March 2010
Thursday 4 March 2010
Strike Force England
Super sub Peter Crouch has given England manager Fabio Capello something to think about with his two goals against a good Egyptian side. Crouch has now scored twenty International goals in thirty seven appearances, an excellent return considering that he has came off the bench twenty times.
With only four months to go until the start of the World Cup Finals in South Africa does Capello know his best forward partnership? In the past England have been blessed with an amazing array of striking talent but can we say the same today? Lets take a closer look at this years hopefuls.
Wayne Rooney
The youngest player to ever represent England, a world class talent who is the countries most important attacking player, a certain starter. Caps: 58. Goals: 25.
Peter Crouch
A proven goalscorer at International level, Crouch as well as being able to find the net, he offers something different with his presence. Although he may need to play more games for his club in the next few months to challenge for an England starting role. Caps: 37. Goals: 20.
Jermain Defoe
Playing well for club and country this season, the Spurs man is a genuine contender for a World Cup starting berth. Full of pace, direct with an eye for goal. Caps: 39. Goals: 11
Emile Heskey
High level of International experience, having made his international debut against Hungary in 1999. Hasn't featured as much as he would have liked for Villa this season nor is he the most prolific striker in contention but he is a favourite of Capello. Caps: 57. Goals: 7
Gabriel Agbonlahor
A regular upfront for Aston Villa with a decent goal tally and pace to burn, possibly to inexperienced for a starting slot. Caps: 3. Goals: 0
Possible other hopefuls who could force their way into the managers plans might be Darren Bent, Carlton Cole or would it be fantasy football if I gave a mention for a certain Michael Owen Caps: 89. Goals: 40.
F8FXQENWXR77
With only four months to go until the start of the World Cup Finals in South Africa does Capello know his best forward partnership? In the past England have been blessed with an amazing array of striking talent but can we say the same today? Lets take a closer look at this years hopefuls.
Wayne Rooney
The youngest player to ever represent England, a world class talent who is the countries most important attacking player, a certain starter. Caps: 58. Goals: 25.
Peter Crouch
A proven goalscorer at International level, Crouch as well as being able to find the net, he offers something different with his presence. Although he may need to play more games for his club in the next few months to challenge for an England starting role. Caps: 37. Goals: 20.
Jermain Defoe
Playing well for club and country this season, the Spurs man is a genuine contender for a World Cup starting berth. Full of pace, direct with an eye for goal. Caps: 39. Goals: 11
Emile Heskey
High level of International experience, having made his international debut against Hungary in 1999. Hasn't featured as much as he would have liked for Villa this season nor is he the most prolific striker in contention but he is a favourite of Capello. Caps: 57. Goals: 7
Gabriel Agbonlahor
A regular upfront for Aston Villa with a decent goal tally and pace to burn, possibly to inexperienced for a starting slot. Caps: 3. Goals: 0
Possible other hopefuls who could force their way into the managers plans might be Darren Bent, Carlton Cole or would it be fantasy football if I gave a mention for a certain Michael Owen Caps: 89. Goals: 40.
F8FXQENWXR77
Wednesday 3 March 2010
100 Million Pound Player
With the recent big money signings in football Kaka, Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic etc, it is only a matter of time before the 100 million pounds barrier is broken. My favourite would be Lionel Messi, if of course he was to leave Barcelona.
Here are some of the ground breaking transfers in football history, starting with the most expensive player Christiano Ronaldo.
2009 - £80 million - Cristiano Ronaldo. Man Utd to Real Madrid
2009 - £51 million - Kaka. AC Milann to Real Madrid
1999 - £32 million - Cristian Vieri. Lazio to Inter
1998 - £21 million - Denilson. Sao Paulo to Real Betis
1992 - £10 million - Jean Pierre Papin. Marsielle to AC Milan
1984 - £5 million - Diego Maradona. Barcelona to Napoli
1975 - £1 million - Giuseppe Savoldi. Bologna to Napoli
1968 - £500,000 - Pietro Anastasi. Varese to Juventus
1961 - £150,000 - Luis Suarez. Barcelona to Inter
1928 - £10,000 - David Jack. Bolton to Arsenal
1905 - £1,000 - Alf Common. Sunderland to Middlesbrough
1893 - £100 - Willie Groves. West Brom to Aston Villa
Here are some of the ground breaking transfers in football history, starting with the most expensive player Christiano Ronaldo.
2009 - £80 million - Cristiano Ronaldo. Man Utd to Real Madrid
2009 - £51 million - Kaka. AC Milann to Real Madrid
1999 - £32 million - Cristian Vieri. Lazio to Inter
1998 - £21 million - Denilson. Sao Paulo to Real Betis
1992 - £10 million - Jean Pierre Papin. Marsielle to AC Milan
1984 - £5 million - Diego Maradona. Barcelona to Napoli
1975 - £1 million - Giuseppe Savoldi. Bologna to Napoli
1968 - £500,000 - Pietro Anastasi. Varese to Juventus
1961 - £150,000 - Luis Suarez. Barcelona to Inter
1928 - £10,000 - David Jack. Bolton to Arsenal
1905 - £1,000 - Alf Common. Sunderland to Middlesbrough
1893 - £100 - Willie Groves. West Brom to Aston Villa
Tuesday 2 March 2010
FIFA, Feruz and the new law
Is it possible that in the not so distant future the Scottish national team could consist entirely of players born outside of the country?
The chief executive of the Scottish Football Association Gordon Smith had been lobbying FIFA to utilise the new eligibility rule, agreed by the home nations, allows a player who was born in one country but spends at least five years of his education in another country to opt to be eligible for the latter.
With new manager Craig Levein compiling a definitive dossier of every player who may be eligible and stating he will be contacting every agent in the United Kingdom in a bid to assess who could be a future star for the country.
On 13 October 2009, Islam Feruz became the first player to use the new FIFA rule that meant despite being born in Somalia he could play for the Scotland Football team as he had been schooled in Scotland for the required five years.
Feruz, 15, came to Glasgow seven years ago with his mother and two younger sisters, seeking asylum because of violence between rival warlords.
While only 13 in 2008 he made his debut for Celtic under 19s and just under a year later he made his first team debut in the Tommy Burns Tribute Match. International honours soon followed and on 20 October 2009 Feruz made his international debut for Scotland's national under-17 football team against Cyprus U17s.
Feruz has been described as the best player of his generation by his youth coaches at Celtic and Scotland and he says “I have been very proud to live in Scotland. It’s a great country which is now my home and I will be proud to wear the Scotland jersey,”
The chief executive of the Scottish Football Association Gordon Smith had been lobbying FIFA to utilise the new eligibility rule, agreed by the home nations, allows a player who was born in one country but spends at least five years of his education in another country to opt to be eligible for the latter.
With new manager Craig Levein compiling a definitive dossier of every player who may be eligible and stating he will be contacting every agent in the United Kingdom in a bid to assess who could be a future star for the country.
On 13 October 2009, Islam Feruz became the first player to use the new FIFA rule that meant despite being born in Somalia he could play for the Scotland Football team as he had been schooled in Scotland for the required five years.
Feruz, 15, came to Glasgow seven years ago with his mother and two younger sisters, seeking asylum because of violence between rival warlords.
While only 13 in 2008 he made his debut for Celtic under 19s and just under a year later he made his first team debut in the Tommy Burns Tribute Match. International honours soon followed and on 20 October 2009 Feruz made his international debut for Scotland's national under-17 football team against Cyprus U17s.
Feruz has been described as the best player of his generation by his youth coaches at Celtic and Scotland and he says “I have been very proud to live in Scotland. It’s a great country which is now my home and I will be proud to wear the Scotland jersey,”
Footballer of the Year
This was a classic for the Spectrum ZX, ahead of its time, I was addicted to it when I was eight.
Footballer of the Year sees you taking total control of the career of an aspiring striker with a Division 4 team, with the Footballer of the Year award the ultimate goal. You start with a small amount of money, which is used to buy goal cards; each of these sets you up a chance in a match. Up to three can be played in each game, making Hat-Tricks a possibility.
The action sequences involve studying a move plan on the chalkboard, then getting into the right position to execute the final shot. Fail to score enough goals and you may lose your place in the team; do especially well and you may gain a transfer up the league.
http://c64s.com/game/1332/footballer_of_the_year/
Sunday 28 February 2010
Saturday 27 February 2010
What A Rubbish Strip
What would you say if I were to tell you that sportswear and equipment giants Nike are to make Brazil's World Cup strips from old rubbish found in Taiwanese landfill sites? No I don't need a lie down it's actually true.
Nike say shirts for the nine International teams wearing its gear at this summers tournament including Brazil, Portugal, Holland and the United States would be made out of polyester recycled from used bottles from Japanese and Taiwanese landfill sites.
Nike, which dominates sales in athletics and basketball, is mounting a major campaign to win a bigger share in soccer, the world's most popular sport. "We are equipping athletes with newly designed uniforms that not only look great and deliver performance benefits, but are also made with recycled materials, creating less impact on our environment," said Charlie Denson, president of Nike Brand.
Nike say shirts for the nine International teams wearing its gear at this summers tournament including Brazil, Portugal, Holland and the United States would be made out of polyester recycled from used bottles from Japanese and Taiwanese landfill sites.
Nike, which dominates sales in athletics and basketball, is mounting a major campaign to win a bigger share in soccer, the world's most popular sport. "We are equipping athletes with newly designed uniforms that not only look great and deliver performance benefits, but are also made with recycled materials, creating less impact on our environment," said Charlie Denson, president of Nike Brand.
Friday 26 February 2010
Before The Playstation.......
Before we all had computer consoles, ipods and mobile phones what did children play?
Summertime, and schools out for seven glorious long weeks. What can we do? em football, football and em football. Here's a nostalgic look back at some of the long forgotten games we used to play, see if you remember a few.
There was the old favourite 20 a side game with everyone wearing different coloured tops so it was impossible for anyone to pick out a team-mate with a pass, with the park having jumpers for goalposts and no boundaries which meant the pitch could be a quarter of a mile wide!
Another was played with just two of us, we called it Curby, you would find a road preferably a quiet one with high curbs. You throw the ball to try and make it bounce back to you off the curb, this scores a point then you would move into the middle of the road and try from there for two points.
Wembley or Wembley doubles, it's played in one set of goalposts with one designated goal keeper, with as many outfield players as you wish. It was played in rounds basically if you scored then you were through to the next round with the person not scoring being knocked out at the end of each round.
There is so many more but thats my top three, ok I'm off outside for a game of keepie uppies
Summertime, and schools out for seven glorious long weeks. What can we do? em football, football and em football. Here's a nostalgic look back at some of the long forgotten games we used to play, see if you remember a few.
There was the old favourite 20 a side game with everyone wearing different coloured tops so it was impossible for anyone to pick out a team-mate with a pass, with the park having jumpers for goalposts and no boundaries which meant the pitch could be a quarter of a mile wide!
Another was played with just two of us, we called it Curby, you would find a road preferably a quiet one with high curbs. You throw the ball to try and make it bounce back to you off the curb, this scores a point then you would move into the middle of the road and try from there for two points.
Wembley or Wembley doubles, it's played in one set of goalposts with one designated goal keeper, with as many outfield players as you wish. It was played in rounds basically if you scored then you were through to the next round with the person not scoring being knocked out at the end of each round.
There is so many more but thats my top three, ok I'm off outside for a game of keepie uppies
Left Back Needed
In the wake of newspaper allegations about a certain team-mate and a former girlfriend, Wayne Bridge has made himself unavailable for selection by England and will not travel to the World Cup Finals in South Africa this summer.
This leaves Fabio Capello with a serious selection problem as first choice left-back Ashley Cole broke his ankle in Chelsea's 2 - 1 lose against Everton and won't be back until May at the earliest, with the finals starting on the eleventh of June, it is unlikely he will make the squad.
So this leaves the England left-back slot up for grabs, let's take a look at the candidates.
Leighton Baines, although a former under 21 international he is uncapped at full level but has been a regular in the Everton defence for the past two seasons. "I think Bainesy on his day is a match for any of them and I know Fabio Capello knows about him. He is certainly in and around the reckoning" David Moyes.
Stephen Warnock, has been capped by Capello but still very inexperienced at the top level. Warnock has performed exceptionally well for Aston Villa this season, his team have the meanest defence in the Premier League.
Joleon Lescott, the versatile defender can play either centre-half or full back and has been capped nine times by England, but has been in and out of the Manchester City team this season, having failed to recapture the form he showed at Everton last season.
Gareth Barry, the most experienced option Capello has at left-back with thirty five caps but has been playing as a holding midfielder for years now. He has been outstanding when played in midfield behind Lampard and Gerrard.
James Milner, Only twenty four years old but has been involved with the international set-up since he was sixteen, hard worker but not a natural left-back.
This leaves Fabio Capello with a serious selection problem as first choice left-back Ashley Cole broke his ankle in Chelsea's 2 - 1 lose against Everton and won't be back until May at the earliest, with the finals starting on the eleventh of June, it is unlikely he will make the squad.
So this leaves the England left-back slot up for grabs, let's take a look at the candidates.
Leighton Baines, although a former under 21 international he is uncapped at full level but has been a regular in the Everton defence for the past two seasons. "I think Bainesy on his day is a match for any of them and I know Fabio Capello knows about him. He is certainly in and around the reckoning" David Moyes.
Stephen Warnock, has been capped by Capello but still very inexperienced at the top level. Warnock has performed exceptionally well for Aston Villa this season, his team have the meanest defence in the Premier League.
Joleon Lescott, the versatile defender can play either centre-half or full back and has been capped nine times by England, but has been in and out of the Manchester City team this season, having failed to recapture the form he showed at Everton last season.
Gareth Barry, the most experienced option Capello has at left-back with thirty five caps but has been playing as a holding midfielder for years now. He has been outstanding when played in midfield behind Lampard and Gerrard.
James Milner, Only twenty four years old but has been involved with the international set-up since he was sixteen, hard worker but not a natural left-back.
Thursday 25 February 2010
Football Freestyling
The football freestyling craze announced its arrival on the world with a bang in the early 21st century as Nike launched the first global freestyle championships in 2000. Nike ran an advertising campaign using stars from the world of football including Zidane and Ronaldinho. This along with Youtube was to make stars of previously unknown players such as Hee Young Woo(Mr Woo) who had played professionally in Germany for Stuttgart Kickers but soon retiring to freestyle full-time.
Beating 30,000 competitors to be crowned Freestyle King UK Champion, Abbas Farid has earned the reputation as a pioneer of freestyle and has set a new Guiness World Record of 88 heel juggles in sixty seconds. This guy is unbelievable, he was invited to the San Siro to freestyle with Ronaldinho and while Abbas was showing off his latest moves, Ronaldinho just stood there applauding him.
If you get a chance, you have got to have a look at some of these guys Palle, Jeremy Lynch, Billy Wyngrove, John Farnworth, Jeon Kwon and many more.
Beating 30,000 competitors to be crowned Freestyle King UK Champion, Abbas Farid has earned the reputation as a pioneer of freestyle and has set a new Guiness World Record of 88 heel juggles in sixty seconds. This guy is unbelievable, he was invited to the San Siro to freestyle with Ronaldinho and while Abbas was showing off his latest moves, Ronaldinho just stood there applauding him.
If you get a chance, you have got to have a look at some of these guys Palle, Jeremy Lynch, Billy Wyngrove, John Farnworth, Jeon Kwon and many more.
Bridge Makes Himself Unavailable
Wayne Bridge has today said in a statement that he has made himself unavailable for selection by England. Bridge, who has won won thirty six caps for his country, has made the decision in the wake of the media circus involving fellow international John Terry and allegations of an affair with Bridges former girlfriend.
In the statement, issued to Sky Sports News, Bridge said: "I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting of the events over the last few weeks.
"It has always been an honour to play for England. However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive.
"Sadly therefore, I feel, for the sake of the team, and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection.
"I have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the very best in South Africa.
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Why England will win the world cup.
Why England will win the world cup.
The manager Fabio Capello is a born winner with a personality which makes him respected sometimes feared, unlike many of his predecessors, having won the league title with every club he has managed AC Milan, Real Madrid, AS Roma and Juventus also the 1994 Champions League.
England qualified for the world cup finals at a canter from a tricky group including Croatia and Ukraine whom they beat convincingly.
The players England have at their disposal, are in my opinion, the finest they have had since 1990 with Gazza, Linekar, Butcher etc. If Capello can pick his strongest team available then no-one will be able to stop England ending their now 44 years of hurt since 1966. James, Terry, Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney are the spine of the team and i do not believe there is a stronger spine to any other team in the world.
Finally the English press seem to be doing everything in their power mad little minds to disrupt and hinder some of the England players who will be carrying the hopes of a nation this summer, this is a good thing for the England squad, it will only create a siege mentality within the camp and make the players stronger.
Tuesday 23 February 2010
First Ever International Fixture
30th of November 1872, West of Scotland Cricket Club at Hamilton Crescent in Partick Scotland. The first ever official association football international match would be played between Scotland and England.
Incredibly all eleven Scottish players were selected from Queens Park FC, the top Scottish club of this era. Queens are still playing in the Scottish Third Division to this day and are the only amatuer club in the Scottish league. The England side consisted of players from nine different clubs with three of those representing Oxford University.
Paying an entrance fee of a shilling, the crowd totalled 4,000 but they had to wait as the kickoff for this eagerly awaited contest was delayed by twenty minutes due to fog. The Scots lined up in dark blue jerseys with the thistle embroidered with the English team in white shirts with the three lions on their chests.
The pitch wasn't the best due to the heavy rainfall that had descended on Glasgow for the previous three days but nothing could deter the expectant crowd that attended.
Reports from the game show Scotland had the edge with superior running and dribbling skills as was expected due to the Scots eleven all playing for the same club side. Players of this time predominately dribbled with the ball as there was no mention of any passing moves in any reports of the game. Although Scotland had a goal disallowed in the first half, the umpire stating the ball had gone over the tape which was used before crossbars were brought in, the game ended in a nil - nil stalemate.
This was the start of a great football rivalry between the two countries which has seen them play 110 times with England winning 45 times, Scotland winning 41 games with 24 draws.
Teams-
Incredibly all eleven Scottish players were selected from Queens Park FC, the top Scottish club of this era. Queens are still playing in the Scottish Third Division to this day and are the only amatuer club in the Scottish league. The England side consisted of players from nine different clubs with three of those representing Oxford University.
Paying an entrance fee of a shilling, the crowd totalled 4,000 but they had to wait as the kickoff for this eagerly awaited contest was delayed by twenty minutes due to fog. The Scots lined up in dark blue jerseys with the thistle embroidered with the English team in white shirts with the three lions on their chests.
The pitch wasn't the best due to the heavy rainfall that had descended on Glasgow for the previous three days but nothing could deter the expectant crowd that attended.
Reports from the game show Scotland had the edge with superior running and dribbling skills as was expected due to the Scots eleven all playing for the same club side. Players of this time predominately dribbled with the ball as there was no mention of any passing moves in any reports of the game. Although Scotland had a goal disallowed in the first half, the umpire stating the ball had gone over the tape which was used before crossbars were brought in, the game ended in a nil - nil stalemate.
This was the start of a great football rivalry between the two countries which has seen them play 110 times with England winning 45 times, Scotland winning 41 games with 24 draws.
Teams-
| SCOTLAND: all Queens Park | |||
| 1 | Robert W Gardner captain | ||
| 2 | William Ker | ||
| 3 | Joseph Taylor | ||
| 4 | James Thomson | ||
| 5 | James Smith | ||
| 6 | Robert Smith | ||
| 7 | Robert Leckie | ||
| 8 | Alexander Rhind | ||
| 9 | Billy MacKinnon | ||
| 10 | Jimmy Weir | ||
| 11 | David Wotherspoon | ||
ENGLAND: | |||
| 1 | Robert Barker (Hertfordshire Rangers) | ||
| 2 | Ernest Greenhalgh (Notts County) | ||
| 3 | Reginald de Courtenay Welch (Harrow Chequers) | ||
| 4 | Frederick Chappell (Oxford University) | ||
| 5 | William Maynard (1st Surrey Rifles) | ||
| 6 | John Brockbank (Cambridge University) | ||
| 7 | Charles Clegg (Sheffield Wednesday) | ||
| 8 | Arnold Kirke-Smith (Oxford University) | ||
| 9 | Cuthbert Ottaway (Oxford University) (c) | ||
| 10 | Charles Chenery (Crystal Palace) | ||
| 11 | Charles Morice (Barnes) | ||
Soccer Players Salaries
Top 3 - Soccer Players Salaries
By: Niv Orlian
The question as to whether or not athletes in general and soccer players in particular, should be earning the kind of money they're earning is more vibrant then ever these days, with clubs paying their players incredible amounts of money each year.
The comparison to other sports is also very relative. A gymnast will train all his life, miss out on a lot of his younger years only to be able to handle a world class performance, but he will still not win as much in his lifetime as one of the highest earning soccer players makes in a year. But that's the market's call and there's no "fair" in sales share.
Getting back to our topic, it's somewhat difficult to judge exactly how much a player makes simply from his club salary, because many wage details are private, due to obvious reasons. As a club manager, you want to create complete harmony in your team and with all of them knowing that player gets paid twice as much as the rest, won't help you out with that.
The highest earning soccer players can also be affected by having their salaries publicly available, because at every less than bright performance, they'll be confronted with a "My God! He really should have played better for the kind of money he's making" type of exclamation from fans, media and fellow players.
A soccer player's income also comes from several other sources than simply his wage. For example, the best ever soccer players always made more money from endorsements and ads than their wages; take a look at David Beckham if you don't believe me.
Other contractual bonuses will also earn them a fair amount. For example, many strikers that are confident in their ability to play regularly and score will have contract bonuses for each goal, assist or for a total number of goals at the end of the season, while agreeing for a lower wage cutout.
However, considering all of the above, it would be logical to say that the highest earning soccer players are also the ones with the highest wages. A club will want to keep a player that brings in incredible amounts of money through endorsements and merchandise sale, so they will offer him a high salary. According to Forbes Magazine, here are the top 3 earners:
Ronaldinho ($29.5 million, salary + endorsement deals) - one of the most famous and nonconformist personas in soccer, Ronaldinho has become the trademark of playing soccer as a game, not as a business. His constant smile while playing and his tricks made him one of the most popular figures today, despite the fact that he's not as handsome and clean-cut as Beckham or Kaka. Ronaldinho is also widely considered one of the best ever soccer players, despite the fact that he still has many years to play for AC Milan, or his future clubs.
David Beckham ($29.1 million, salary + endorsement deals) - no presentation required, Beckham is more than just a soccer players for close to a decade now. His recent move to LA Galaxy from Real Madrid for an impressive transfer fee was well worth it, since American finance analysts agreed that the transfer would soon turn to profit, as Beckham shirt sales and other endorsements would soon earn the club their money back.
Ronaldo ($23.4 million, salary + endorsement deals) - the ex-phenomenon, the chunky Brazilian who impressed the World with his speed and goal-hungry attitude is not at the peak of his game anymore. Despite his declining form, Ronaldo remains one of the central figures in today's soccer, as he has an established name and image for over a decade.
About the Author
Niv Orlian is the author and the owner of a Soccer Fans website that provides information on various topics related to soccer. Learn more about famous soccer players here.
(ArticlesBase SC #238395)
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Top 3 - Soccer Players Salaries
Monday 22 February 2010
Torres and Gerrard wanted at city
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I dismissed this story as papertalk but it is looking more and more likely that this may actually happen!
A backpage lead is the rather eye-catching claim that Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook is intent on signing Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
According to some papers, 'There are those at Anfield only too aware of the threat from City, not least to Liverpool's two biggest stars. After the false dawn of Thakskin Shinawatra, the pledges of owner Sheikh Mansour are proving to be no mirage.
'That sends out a compelling message to both Torres and Gerrard - that they may have to re-evaluate their futures in the summer.'
Hmm. But it's the next couple of lines that really stands out:
'It's not even a secret within the City corridors of power that the hierarchy are plotting a £140million double swoop for both Torres and Gerrard this summer.
'City officials are already planning how they can pull off what would be one of the most audacious transfer coups of all time.'
£140m? Could Liverpool to afford to turn that down?
Harvard of Hooligans
It is important to know where to go to achieve the best post-graduate education. If you are a mathematician you might head to MIT. If you are a scholar of Shakespearean literature Oxford or Cambridge might be your destination of choice. If you are a football hooligan hoping to improve your terrace chants, learn how to better use weapons, and perfect methods of extorting money from club directors and players, you should look accept nothing less than a Boca Juniors education.
The Argentine sports daily Ole is reporting that Argentina’s football hooligans are now in the business of exporting their knowledge abroad to countries like Colombia and Mexico. For a few greenbacks, members of Argentina’s barras bravas will fly to your country and teach you how to be the best hooligan you can possible be.
The report said a leading fan from Mexico’s Pumas UNAM had twice visited Buenos Aires to obtain first hand experience of the methods used by the notorious Boca Juniors supporters club known as “La Doce” (The 12th man).
He stayed in a top five-star hotel and continued the exchange via e-mail after returning to Mexico, the report added.
Rafael Di Zeo, leader of La Doce, was quoted as saying: “As far as the world’s hooligans are concerned, La Doce is Harvard. They come here to learn.”
The Argentine sports daily Ole is reporting that Argentina’s football hooligans are now in the business of exporting their knowledge abroad to countries like Colombia and Mexico. For a few greenbacks, members of Argentina’s barras bravas will fly to your country and teach you how to be the best hooligan you can possible be.
The report said a leading fan from Mexico’s Pumas UNAM had twice visited Buenos Aires to obtain first hand experience of the methods used by the notorious Boca Juniors supporters club known as “La Doce” (The 12th man).
He stayed in a top five-star hotel and continued the exchange via e-mail after returning to Mexico, the report added.
Rafael Di Zeo, leader of La Doce, was quoted as saying: “As far as the world’s hooligans are concerned, La Doce is Harvard. They come here to learn.”
Sunday 21 February 2010
World's top ten fat footballers revealed
Brazilian footballer Ronaldo has acquired a new record - topping the list of the world's fattest footballers.
According to The Sun, Ronaldo tops this list because of his achievements in an over-sized body.
The double World Cup winner and three-times World Player of the Year has been tipping the scales for years now. Knee injuries have also not been kind to the former AC Milan striker but neither has his love of food, says the tabloid.
The other nine are as follows:
1. William Foulke (Chelsea)
2. Micky Quinn (Coventry)
3. Jan Molby (Denmark and Liverpool)
4. Ferenc Puskas (Hungary and Real Madrid)
5. Neville Southall (Wales and Everton)
6. Neil Ruddock (Tottenham Hotspurs)
7. Andy Reid (Ireland and Sunderland)
8. Tomas Brolin (Sweden and Leeds)
9. John Hartson (Wales)
CAPELLO WAS SCARY - ROONEY
The Worst Refereeing Decisions Ever
The Worst Refereeing Decisions Ever
By: Patrick Omari
Ask anyone what the hardest job in football is and you'll get a myriad of different answers. Maybe it's being a goalkeeper or a manager, perhaps the chairman is the hardest job? Well without doubt the hardest job is that of the referee. It has been said that the best referees will go unnoticed as the game is played, and there is certainly a grain of truth in that statement.
Do your job well and people will be talking about the match rather than about your performance. However if you make even one mistake then expect abuse, bad press and even punishments. It is a fine balancing act and without the advantage of slow motion replay and time to ponder a decision the referee must make the right call in the heat of the moment. While pundits have the opportunity to look over an incident in slow motion from a multitude of angles, the referee does not have this chance, making his job all that more difficult.
Given the fine line between making the right decision and making a bad one in football it comes as no surprise that sometimes the referee gets things hideously wrong. While there may be an excuse for a bad decision sometimes the one given by the referee just can't be explained. This article looks at some of the worst decisions ever made by football referees and should give some backing for calls of video replays being used during games to aid the officials.
Diego Maradona's second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup is often hailed as one of the greatest goals of all time. His first goal has become known as one of the most bizarre. As the ball was played high into the penalty area the diminutive Maradona managed to out-jump England keeper Peter Shilton and put the ball into the net.
Television replays clearly showed Maradona using his hand to beat the goalkeeper to the ball. The goal should never have stood and England were beaten 2-1 and knocked out of the World Cup with Argentina going on to win the tournament, showing just how much a bad refereeing decision can impact a team and a competition.
Generally regarded as a good referee, if a little prone to errors, Graham Poll committed one of the strangest refereeing mistakes in recent memory at the 2006 World Cup. During the match between Australia and Croatia Poll booked Josip Simunic twice without sending him off, eventually giving him his marching orders for a third yellow card at the end of the game. The mistake would see Poll sent home from the World Cup and his eventual retirement from tournament football, stating that this incident was his reason for stopping.
Standing out among all others as the strangest decision a football referee has made is the goal that Reading scored against Watford in 2008. The ball was hooked wide of the goal, but cleared away from the area. The linesman and the referee somehow gave a goal, despite the ball being a foot wide and never even touching the net.
The referee, Stuart Attwell, later claimed that it was an optical illusion that made it look like the ball was inside the goal. Illusion or not, it is one of the most bizarre goals ever awarded and will surely be remembered for many years.
Another goal mouth incident is next up and it's almost a direct opposite of the Reading incident. In 2005 while playing for Tottenham Pedro Mendes hooked the ball from the half-way line into the Manchester United goal. Goalkeeper Roy Carrol fumbled the ball before clawing it out from behind the line. The ball was over by about a foot but the officials said that it was not a goal.
Television replays confirmed that the goal should have been allowed and Spurs should have won 1-0 and taken three points from the game. The disallowed goal sparked a debate over whether replays should be used to aid decision-making and based on this game it certainly has a strong case.
These are some of the worst and the strangest decisions that I can remember, and they present a strong case for the addition of television replays to help officiating top-level matches. It must be remembered, however, that for the most part referees do an excellent job and games pass by with barely a mention of the man in the middle.
It is just an unfortunate situation that any error can so drastically change the course of a game, and even a season. Using replays to help the referee seems like a reasonable idea and in most cases wouldn't slow the game down much at all. Surely it's much better to get the right decision than save thirty seconds?
About the Author
Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in Gatwick hotels, Airparks Birmingham and Birmingham airport parking.
(ArticlesBase SC #582870)
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - The Worst Refereeing Decisions Ever
Your first pair of boots
Dr Maria Hayward, an expert at Southampton University, has discovered that Henry VIII - the Tudor King who had six wives, owned a pair of football boots.
These shoes, costing four shillings [approximately £100 in today's money] were made by his personal shoemaker, Cornelius Johnson, in 1525.
Dr Hayward found them in a list of the king's clothes made when he died in 1547.
Sadly we don't know what the football boots looked like so we cannot compare them with those worn by David Beckham or Ronaldo. However, it is not likely they were anything like the boots worn today. Historians think they were probably heavier than the normal shoes of the time and made of especially strong leather.
They needed to be strong because football during the 16th century, when Henry VIII was king, was a very tough game. 'Football in Tudor times was a very vicious game, with no teams and no rules, so it was not a game for gentlemen, 'comments Dr Hayward. According to a Tudor writer called Sir Thomas Elyot, it was a game of 'beastly fury and extreme violence'.
It is known that it was especially popular on Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) and Henry VIII even tried to ban the game because it so often led to riots and violence.
Behaviour generally, it appears, has improved over the ages! or has it?
These shoes, costing four shillings [approximately £100 in today's money] were made by his personal shoemaker, Cornelius Johnson, in 1525.
Dr Hayward found them in a list of the king's clothes made when he died in 1547.
Sadly we don't know what the football boots looked like so we cannot compare them with those worn by David Beckham or Ronaldo. However, it is not likely they were anything like the boots worn today. Historians think they were probably heavier than the normal shoes of the time and made of especially strong leather.
They needed to be strong because football during the 16th century, when Henry VIII was king, was a very tough game. 'Football in Tudor times was a very vicious game, with no teams and no rules, so it was not a game for gentlemen, 'comments Dr Hayward. According to a Tudor writer called Sir Thomas Elyot, it was a game of 'beastly fury and extreme violence'.
It is known that it was especially popular on Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) and Henry VIII even tried to ban the game because it so often led to riots and violence.
Behaviour generally, it appears, has improved over the ages! or has it?
Saturday 20 February 2010
Friday 19 February 2010
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- Welcome along to my wee tartan corner of the blogosphere, a place where I blog about all aspects of Scottish life.Travel, culture, people, history, humour, you name it I blog it.
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