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Feb 1

Leeds, Leeds, Leeds

The name repeated three times and justifiably so.  The Club, with recent events, offer a comedy three times the butt of humour of any other club possibly.  Just what is going on at this once famous Club?

A potential, new majority shareholder (circa 75%), Italian in origin,  may have had a role in suggesting one of their nationals sit alongside then Manager, Brian McDermott.  Constructive dismissal and certainly undermining authority in my book.  Then McDermott is announced as having left the Club 24 hours before kick-off against Huddersfield Town. I’m guessing the mid-week article in which he spoke about the need for the right investors didn’t do him any favours.  “Leeds must be owned ‘by right people’ says in-limbo McDermott” read the headline in the Yorkshire Post.

Far be it for me to suggest the Management should be censored.  The Harry Hill lookalike, despite recent results, appears to have the fans onside.  They chanted his name for the 90 minutes. Did he pick the Team – who knows? In the morning of the game, SKY Sports reported two different people picked two different teams.  One, McDermott’s assistant, Nigel Gibbs and one that same proposed bench-warming Italian.  The former took final control of the team orchestrating a 5-1 victory at ER.  The latter allegedly taking a seat in the Stand and recording player notes on pages with illustrations of each Leeds footballer.

Rumours suggest this Italian investor was the only suitor to come up with quick cash.  But there is more than a possibility that the new Investor(s) will be referred and have concerns to pass the ‘fit and proper’ person. I’m guessing “We are Leeds, Leeds, Leeds” will be whispered until the debacle ends!

Dec 27

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All I want for Christmas

Is this newly published book…….and I got it!

“Last season a Stockport team, which in turns is inspired, petrified and tickled pink by the little man with the funny accent, at last made soccer sit up and take notice by climbing out of the Fourth Division where they had wallowed for over 20 years. That in itself was testament to Bergara’s passion and commitment to a game that he cheerfully admits dominates his life 24 hours a day. But if lifting County out of the bargain basement was a monumental feat, what he has created since has been well-nigh unbelievable.” [Manchester Evening News, 1992]

The diminutive Uruguayan remains in our hearts – and now has a Stand named after him at EP.  He still remains responsible for one of my favourite quotes: Danny Bergara (R.I.P) when asked about Jim Gannon by another Manager……”I hear he’s a bit volatile”.  Danny’s reply: “Oh yes, very volatile, he can play anywhere”.

Buy your copy of The Man From Uruguay.

Dec 27

What’s in a name?

The debate is topical – with focus on Asian owners.  I reported earlier in S’PORT about the lack of empathy in the Malaysian one changing the historic identity of Cardiff as ‘Bluebirds’.  More recently, the Owner at Hull City has requested a name change to ‘Hull Tigers’ apparently to maximize marketing and merchandising value.  I’m the first to appreciate heritage and thought a compromise could have been Hull City Tigers.  In fact a solution first aired on TALKsport.  I was taken to task by a young vociferous upstart, saying how would I like it if we became Stockport County Hatters.  Well that option wouldn’t have bothered me.  I retorted better than a former proposed ‘County Cobras’. Allegedly the Club’s worst sponsorship deal with a success fee only remuneration dependant on amount of Cobra Lager consumed in North West.  I was informed it was single figures of crates in a season – this before Cobra established itself in the UK.  The County Cobras quip was no doubt over his head – long before he supported our Club.

Fan ownership is gaining momentum.  Surprisingly as though its never materialised before at Stockport! I’ll always remain positive about supporters engagement but when I see the new Board at the Stockport County Co-operative I suspect hidden agendas by some.  Indeed, one source supposedly ‘in the know’ expects a rival bid from ‘same old faces’ (and manager) may derail the white knights from China.  I would genuinely be interested if a part-share arrangement can’t result would the true County fans want the supporters to try and run the Club again – or let the Chinese Consortium have a go?

Nov 3

Sacre bleu

A stereotypical curse associated with French people – when actually they never use it.  A bit like the guaranteed onions around the necks, striped sweat shirts and berets – somethings only non-French people think is typical of France.  Anyway now that I’ve got your attention let’s talk about football in France.  PSG as an outside bet on Champions League – No – we’re talking strikes, and believe me this population knows how to mount a strike!

Clubs in the Country are threatening to strike unless they are declared exempt from the 75%, so-called “super tax” on anyone earning more than one million euros in a given year.  The Tax, which would in fact be a liability of the clubs rather than the players, could cost 44M for the relevant two years period.  Government ministers say it is only fair to apply the tax to football clubs in the same way as any companies whose employees earn more than a million euros face that same levy.

The death of French football?

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