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Posts tagged ‘stockport’

Jun 19

Brad Friedel

Stereotypes

Not looking to antagonise anyone but time to ponder a few likes and dislikes from my time as a football supporter. 

Likes: 

Of course, ignoring in the main the obvious “Stockport County”; 

  1. Behaviour and attitude of Northern Ireland fans in welcoming Turkish team and its’ supporters immediately post the 1999 earthquake in Izmit, Turkey.
  2. Found friendliest away grounds, in terms of courtesy of staff to be Rochdale AFC and Huddersfield Town AFC.
  3. Nicest player met, David Ginola (ex-Tottenham etc) or Brad Friedel (ex-Galatasaray).
  4. Success of our first Conference in Turkey this Year.
  5. “County’s” Argentina kit 1979-1980.
  6. Going to Stockport fixtures with my Grandad, Bill and Grandma, Marion (R.I.P).
  7. Away games.
  8. The hymn “Scarf my father wore”.
  9. Rapport with Alex Kotler, CEO of Football Partnerships.
  10. The Events related to my Book “B&B: Friendship and Football beyond frontiers”. 

Dislikes: 

  1. Admission price paid for me and 4 years old son, Kaya, to visit Elland Road and watch a League One match.
  2. Aggression by Millwall fan – the only time received a ‘blow’ at any game.
  3. Losing so often at Wembley.
  4. When “Vernon Bear” was replaced by “Harry the Hatter” as mascot.
  5. Fearing loss of life when uncontrolled surge of fans after Kocaelispor versus Erzurumspor match.
  6. Waiting for England winning the World Cup again.
  7. Chorus of “Delilah” from Stoke City AFC supporters.
  8. Sticking out like a sore thumb as the only Englishman in a hardcore area of Fenerbache terracing.
  9. Challenge by a fellow ‘County’ fan for my assisting saving Oldham Athletic AFC (2004).  That’s my job and what I do for a living!
  10. Fan who sang for 90 minutes at Chesterfield (away) “I’ve got a song that’ll get on your nerves” (repeated over and over and over again).

Jun 12

Vernon Bear

Hoddlegate

So National media today publishes an interest in investment by GHA (Glenn Hoddle Academy) to Stockport County.  No surprises where this might have come from with the Tottenham connection.  A strategic alliance ‘yes’ but takeover ‘not sure’.  With ‘Wardy’ and ‘Lordy’ currently in post, the indigenous team are more than capable of continuing their already impressive record of talent spotting and developing youth.  I could even assist with my Turkish connections. 

My fear is the amount of times that unfounded or unscrupulous characters crawl out to express a desire in owning a football club.  I have witnessed it many times with some household names expressing a potential bid but our ‘due diligence’ actually confirming that they haven’t got a “pot to piss in”.  

The latest publicity will appeal to the fans, but I offer a word of caution on premature excitement.  If some of the characters supposedly involved are true, then I’m already nervous. And claims of Council-relationships that mean an iconic new stadium cause me concern – as that’s not what I’ve heard. 

Whilst, it’s rare for me to agree with much that “County” do these days, I do think that “show me the money” and an honest and robust appraisal is fundamental.

May 11

Stockport County Wembley
1 Comment

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

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.

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