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Posts from the ‘Stockport County’ Category

Dec 21

Come on County: Cuddly Toys

This statement alone reminds me of the memory part of the Generation Game. Now, I’m showing my age, but atleast a few of you might recall that ‘conveyor belt’ stocked with items that the contestants had to remember.

Just thought a couple of newsworthy points I’d like to highlight.

The first, is a massive WELL DONE to my accountants and also client, that I have supported on business development, primarily with sports clubs and NGBs. This being Sedulo. Once again, they have surpassed themselves in their annual charity gesture by collecting and donating Christmas presents for families and children who otherwise might go without.

As the Firm said: “Through no fault of their own, half a million UK children live in poverty and wake up at Christmas to find Santa hasn’t visited. Every year our Toy Appeal teams up with charities and carers to help stop that from happening and this year it’s needed more than ever.” Sponsors wrap, label and deliver gifts to its offices in Manchester, Leeds, London and Liverpool where they host a festive-themed reverse grotto event.

The second is a noteworthy action by the Spanish Club, Real Betis. Of all the traditions in sports, this Spanish top-flight football Club stands out for an act of kindness. Annually before Christmas, the supporters shower the pitch with soft toys for underprivileged kids.  This Year was no exception, as thousands of fans threw teddy bears and cuddly toys onto the pitch during half-time. 

Come on County? Personally, I like this and wonder if Stockport County could be the first English Club to mimic this charitable tactic.

Jul 12

It’s not coming HOME!

Well I prepared my English, war-cry equivalent, video clip, to celebrate victory. The Win didn’t come, but the footage is here anyway – it would be a shame to go to waste. 

So football isn’t coming home and like many with the benefit of hindsight we ‘post mortem’ the Tournament and Finale.

England got to a Tournament final. Probably unexpected and nevertheless a great achievement by a Team showing superb togetherness. For me it never was “football coming home” – as only the World Cup means that ultimate accolade to mirror 1966.  But a step in the right direction, nevertheless.

The statistics show we were the second best team and I don’t begrudge the Italians being crowned Champions. They were the better Team in the Euros and Final and deserving.

It is a shame racism raises its ugly head again, as I like many never even thought of the colour of the players’ skin, before or after any of the failing penalties. It all seemed so orchestrated, that we put on.our best ‘pen’ takers and lift that Trophy. Well sorry to say it, but those penalty misses were poor. Didn’t see any signs of practice makes perfect there.

Hopefully the younger players including those who missed penalties will benefit from Tournament experience and take the better aspects of performances in to Qatar 2022. Blending with experience is a must – the defence was a credit throughput and the combination of blue, Stones and red, Maguire awesome.  Shaw was a candidate for England player of the Euros (though no doubt Mourinho will still try and undermine!). 

I’d obviously have preferred a Stockport County return to the EFL over a Euros win this time. But I’ll dream again in 2022 that both that and a World Cup victory could result. This adaptation of the England and Stockport crests hits it home for me (@OTCountyCulture) and the message of us ‘dreamers’. What is spectating, following and supporting without hope? Some countries and so called fans have branded us arrogant, with our singing ‘football’s coming home’. Clearly, they can’t understand the lyrics.

So what else isn’t coming home? Thinking maybe any future World Cup hosting with deficiencies in security. Not only a safety concern but a serious concern with potential terrorism targeting. Media coverage also does us no favours with fans being tarred with same brush, yet a minority of a minority are the culprits.

What is coming home? Likely more COVID19 cases with uncontrolled or at best, inadequate, major events. And the usual suspects jump on the bandwagon for self-publicity or politics to state the bleeding obvious.

Isn’t it amazing that something that brings so much togetherness – also can be so divisive.

Apr 19

Flabergasted

It has been muted before and no doubt will be again. Some believe it’s high jinks and a negotiating ploy to get more out of UEFA in advance of imminent meetings. Not this time, I feel, as the concensus of PR from the 6 so-called ‘BIG CLUBS’ cries a done deal. I’m just hearing that BVB Dortmund may have refused to join, yet good on them if so – though the German model of ownership has offered more security to stakeholders including the fans and been applauded previously. It is blatant ‘fat cats’ behaviour, the drivers behind this so called ‘European Super League’ (ESL) with overseas owners of United, Arsenal and Liverpool one tier beneath the former Real Madrid President in the new hierarchy. Will it go ahead? Of course if these ‘big ones’ want it enough. The objective is simply more revenue. A logical ‘target’ with shareholders seeking greater returns on investment. However, what has clearly been betrayed is the fans. No consultation, no advance warning, no solicitation of opinions. Owners can do what they want, but this is adverse to the heritage, tradition and DNA of the “beautiful game“. Reactionary tones suggest bans from Europa and Champions League for Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, City, United and Liverpool. Also, potential dismissing from future participation in the EPL. Then finally, potentially no players from these 6 teams featuring in the Euros or World Cups. I know my Son and I had fun selecting our new England best eleven this morning over breakfast without recourse to any of those six clubs. Will they get their own way? If they want to yes! Will the threats outside the ESL, prove toothless? Who knows? Only time will tell. Claimants to be ‘Football Finance’ experts are now mushrooming on every corner. So just take a peek at this huge wave of continuity, in opinion, against those North West or London owners and their clubs. You’ll detect from those posts that I have selected below, my take on this all. And yes, the silver lining might be cast on County or FC United amongst others.

Jan 26

Cheerio Jim

Simply posting a repeat of my social media Tweet last week after hearing the surprising news of our Manager’s departure. I said: “Don’t know all facts @StockportCounty but as we are a results based business this could prove to be a huge error. Currently, sitting nicely in table and @james16gannon‘s teams always get stronger in second half of season. Guessing there’s more to this story to come out.”

Thinking face

All I can relate to is the words of Pep Guardiola this Morning on Talk Sport: “There’s no such thing as a ‘Project’ in football. It’s about Winning, Losing or Drawing Games”. I rest my case. It is a big risk to change a winning formula, especially at this stage of the campaign – all in the name of ‘culture’. But to replace a performing fans’ favourite, in Jim Gannon, with any incumbent having limited experience in management in this challenging Non-League hierarchy, an even bigger risk. As a County fan, let’s just hope it works!

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