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May 11

Stockport County Wembley
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Something about Mary

The Acting Chair of Stockport County is getting more attention.  For a high profile position, when the football club has plunged out of the Football League, this could be expected.  Yet the attention is not just raised media profile but alleged death threats.  In no circumstances should a prominent official be subject to such vitriol.  As fans – calling for a perhaps perceived incompetent or unwanted official in any setting might be acceptable – but threats on a person’s life is a NO.  Nowhere is this more in focus than the actions against Celtic’s Manager, Neil Lennon – it has been suggested through some sectarian divide with their Glasgow counterparts or a person of a different political persuasion.

Only time will see if Mary remains in post.  Social media appears of ‘one voice’ at present.  Stockport Vital Football has the headline “Mary takes centre stage….again”.  A more independent source is the Stockport Express, even if we are referred to as “StoickportCounty”!

I’m sure the Acting Chair will consider her appointment as a baptism of fire in professional football after replacing the previous Chairman, Alwin Thompson around the time of departure of the team’s Manager, Paul Simpson.  Incidentally, Mr Thompson was introduced to an involvement with “County” by me.

May 9

Spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down
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Spoonful of Sugar

BBC’s coverage of football titled “Lord Sugar Tackles Football” was aired last night.  You can get a repeat performance on the BBC iPlayer (though apparently it doesn’t work worldwide).

I missed it ‘live’ but caught the repeat performance.  Must say that I felt the programme to be somewhat academic.  It emphasised basics of running a business which we all know have been ignored by many a football club.  Furthermore, it came across as a TV production made for entertainment without any real delving or investigative stuff – just headline stories and stats.  The simple facts of ‘financially keeping ones house in order’ was once communicated accurately at a Stockport County FC fans forum (post mortem) by a member of the Parfett’s family. It’s like a former colleague said to me, “Adrian, the problem with common sense is that it just isn’t common”.

One thing clearly apparent is the game has moved on, becoming a complex maze of commercial forecasting and debts accelerated, since Lord Sugar’s time as Owner of Tottenham Hotspur FC.  Lord Sugar sold his majority stake at Tottenham to ENIC (leisure group) for £47 Million.  He has described his time at that club as “a waste of my life”.

We were reminded of the £800M purchase by Glazer’s of Manchester United FC, with “extreme borrowings”.  Long live FCUM.

Surprised that Harry Redknapp said he didn’t know the wages of any players at his club. Karen Brady was an articulate contributor to the show and I always thought her to be a plausible candidate for a top job at the Football Association.

May 9

Stockport in the running for Olympics

It is with pride that Stockport has started to present its suitability to integrate with the London Olympics in 2012.  A network evening for local businesses through the forum SK & Away was held for this very purpose.

God knows, we need some good news about sport in the Borough this Year. Jon Baker, Centre Manager at Houldsworth Village (Stockport Sports Trust) commented: “Great event this evening Adrian.  Fantastic awareness of the Centre and its given me a great network that I can work on to generate further business.  Thanks for everything.”

I have been nominated as lead Director/Trustee at Stockport Sports Trust to deal with Olympic matters.  Watch the video and restore some pride in “S’PORT” – STOCKPORT.

May 9

Eric Cantona Four Four Two magazine and FC Sports Marketing

Ooh aah Cantona

I must say that I felt somewhat in the celebrity hall of fame when the write up of my activities involving Turkish football were mentioned alongside the great, Eric Cantona (not to confused with his brother, Joel Cantona, who had a spell at Stockport County).

This featured in May’s edition of “Four Four Two” magazine, which covered FC Sports Marketing’s first international football conference in Istanbul last month.

I visited Turkey with my Client, FC United of Manchester.

My only previous rendezvous with the French was a BBQ with David Ginola!

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