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Sep 8

Turkey’s Olympic spirit

Clearly the ‘gloves are now off’.  The main man in Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ended speculation and confirmed Istanbul is a bidding City in the fight for the 2020 Olympic Games.  It will come to blows with rivals Rome, Madrid, Baku and Tokyo.  I’m unsure if Doha has sneaked into the ring as well? (yes, I’m hearing).  The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will award on September 7, 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Minister said: “We are here today to declare to the world our candidacy for the 2020 Olympic Games, which we consider extremely important for our country and people”.  Sport is on the up in Turkey and we are involved in submitting legacy projects to Istanbul as we blog.  Not for the Olympics but 2012 – because whilst we boast the spectacle of sport in London next Year, Istanbul is the European Capital of Sport. 

Turkey has failed with four bids for the Olympics since the Millennium.  It would be an ideal destination.  Let’s hope that the current debacle in Turkish football doesn’t hinder the quest for success in this round.

Sep 3

Stockport County Fan

Friday night

How I enjoyed last night’s football.  Plus a tipple in Ye Olde Vic and Our Lady’s as pre-match warm-up and post-match contemplation. A combination of a draw against fellow ‘Hatters’ Luton Town after trailing, and a return to Friday Night Football. 

I used to query with former marketing/commercial regimes at County whether they had undertaken any analysis to determine whether Fridays or Saturdays were best financially for the Club.  Must admit never got a reasoned response.  Naturally, there are pros and cons of the day we play, but for people like me with young children, I can enjoy my beloved County and have two full days uninterrupted for other pastimes that they might choose to pursue each weekend.  For some reason the entire family don’t necessarily want to visit EP every week.

I was brought up on a diet of Friday Night Football.  I seem to recall others like Tranmere Rovers FC and Southend United FC did similar.  I understand discussions have been held with a view to moving some Scottish Football League games to Friday evenings.  Ligue 1 in France will be scheduled in the same way under the terms of the French top flight’s television deal commencing 2012 – 13.  The Australian Football League (‘Aussie Rules’) promote matches on that night in conjunction with the Seven Network and remain convinced it is an optimum fixture for publicity and income.  Does anyone know any lower league clubs that have adopted Fridays and launched promotional tactics to entice supporters of other clubs successfully that are playing the day after?

Aug 26

Darius Vassell

Miller leaves Turkey

So Kenny Miller couldn’t settle in Turkey and has returned to Cardiff.  Apparently, having only moved there from Rangers in January of this year, he sought a premature return and joined Cardiff City FC.  Personally, I can’t understand that with Bursa, the City that Bursaspor his former team represents, being the founder of Iskender Kebab – one of my favourite dishes.  That alone would have kept me in the City.

On the pitch he had not shown any dissatisfaction, netting five times and helping the Club to finish in third position. 

Locations and cultures are subject to personal whims.  Some players turn to Turkey and are amazed by the rapturous reception.  Apparently, Darius Vassell was overwhelmed by 3,000 fans of Ankaragucu turning out to greet him as he flew in to discuss a transfer.  Supposedly he had never expected to sign but was taken aback by the enthusiasm.  See the video. Mind you that situation soon changed as financial turmoil at that same club resulted in his eviction from the hotel that he was staying at.  He had scored twice in eight games in the Super Lig.

Football in Turkey is currently in turmoil – the stability and migration of players to and from will remain an interesting spectacle in the coming months.

Jul 31

Mersey Ferry Stockport

Mersey ferry

It reminds me of that old pub quiz question: “Which professional football club is closest to the Mersey?” (Obviously, asked before last season).  Punters ponder over Liverpool or Everton, or then could it be Tranmere – when the answer is in fact that it’s actually Stockport County. 

Yesterday’s pre-season friendly was a victory over Accrington Stanley, and at Edgeley Park. My elation was somewhat deflated by a wondering about the regime running ‘County’ and our future.  I’m just one supporter in a sea of blue and white that could have our fears removed by just a little more light on the facts.  You’ll recall I wrote about it before and National Media has continued pushing at that door since.

I suppose that it’s this ‘not knowing’ that means we continue to have reservations, despite the lads on the field putting it all in this fixture.  Scepticism breeds the worst accusations – and I note that of five new signings, Ryan Fraughan, John Miles, Sean McConville, John Nolan – they have come from Liverpool, Fazackerley, Liverpool and Huyton respectively.  Are we ferrying them in from Merseyside or is this just the Manager exploiting his connections?

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