As featured in The Guardian\
What’s ruining football? Manchester City’s ‘moneyball’? John Terry’s foul mouth? The decline of the Big Man up front? Actually, it’s none of the above. Simon Jones reckons it’s something else. His theory is not beyond the realms of fantasy.
Read more on The Hidden Perils Of Fantasy Football by Simon Jones…
The ignominy of seeing one of Britain’s biggest and most successful clubs this week finally accepting the grim reality of administration was one thing. Glasgow Rangers’ humiliation however, paled in comparison when the disparity that exists within Scottish football became glaringly apparent when the club had ten points deducted for its failure to balance the books. The upshot of this was in many respects the biggest indictment of football north of the border. Rangers were left trailing archrivals Celtic by fourteen points but nevertheless maintaining a nine point cushion of comfort from third placed Motherwell. The remainder of the season will inevitably be just a dull procession.
Here I am, emphatically and unequivocally cementing a u-turn. Like most Spurs fans, my plea is clear: don’t go Harry! Alas, it seems that last Wednesday’s tumultuous events have paved the way for the wrongly accused Mr Redknapp to be the next in line to take up that ominous ‘poisoned chalice’ that is the England manager’s job. After all, if all and sundry are telling us it’s an inevitability, then it must be so. And there’s the little matter of Harry’s stating that he is fully “focused on Tottenham”. I’ve heard that kind of talk too many times before. One Sulzah Campbell springs to mind.
Read more on Don’t Go Harry: Why Redknapp Should Stay At Spurs…
Like him or not, Luis Suarez has been the most talked about and divisive character of the season. I had my say a few weeks ago, but Dispatches is nothing if not fair. As this week the law is under the microscope on here, Liverpool fan Rachael Singh pleads the case for the defence. Take cover.
Inspired by Franz Kafka’s The Trial
Someone must have been telling lies about John T, for although he had done many things wrong in his life, he was arrested for a crime he claimed he had not committed one fine morning. He protested his innocence to the officials that questioned him with vehemence but it seemed his denials had fallen on deaf ears.
How could this have come to pass? John T was a highly decorated and successful member of The Establishment. On many an occasion it had transpired that his propensity for brutish thuggery and sneering condescension towards those of lesser means had been overlooked by his protectors; a mysterious benefactor from the Russian steppe and a boardroom full of greying men known as The Association who feared his wrath but secretly admired his flagrant breaking of the Code of Conduct that many in his line of work dutifully adhered to. It would seem that this time, John T’s immunity was consigned to dust. He was suddenly consumed with a chilling feeling of loneliness. John T was apparently accused of going One Step Too Far.
I’ve always prided myself on the fact that apart from the odd moment when it’s used in context, swearing has never featured in my Dispatches posts. That doesn’t mean I am adverse to the use of what so many paragons of virtue (aka Daily Mail readers) call ‘colourful language’. Hold a conversation with me and I’m likely to add a liberal smattering of effs and blinds for effect. However, when it comes to writing, I’ve always found that the use of profanity does more to limit the ebb and flow of discourse rather than enhance it. It comes across as crass and poorly thought out, demonstrating neither wit nor charm.
Read more on Expletive Deleted: Football’s Culture Of Swearing…
When you think about Nottingham Forest, you think about those glorious moments that Brian Clough brought to the club. Sadly, those memories are rapidly fading. Joe Sharratt continues this week’s theme of mourning the demise of once great football institutions.
Some time this year.
The world of football was in mourning last night as the lights were finally extinguished on an institution that had influenced and shaped much of the footballing landscape of the last century. Liverpool Football Club, arguably the greatest club side ever to grace Britain, if not Europe, was terminated after nearly two decades of serial decline.
Read more on Liverpool Football Club, 1892 – 2012 – An Obituary…
Dispatch No. 100
If you want someone to blame for the ninety-nine Dispatches that have preceded this one, blame Nick Hornby. It was never meant to last this long, you know. It was just something to have a bit of fun with. You weren’t meant to read any of these things I’ve written. I’m riddled by my own obsession with putting a semi-cogent piece of writing together every Sunday. And to cap it all off, an Arsenal fan has done this to me.
When asked to name three geniuses, The Office’s David Brent reels off the names “Milligan, Cleese, Everett… Sessions”. Well, Dispatches can now add a fourth member to this comedy unit of gold. And this man resides in the Premier League. Andi Thomas explains…
In Defence Of Luis Suarez by Rachael Singh
What’s The Point Of Scottish Football?
Captain Caveman: The De-evolution of John Terry
Familiarity Breeds Contempt
Liverpool Football Club, 1892 – 2012 – An Obituary
The Hidden Perils Of Fantasy Football by Simon Jones
What’s The Point Of Scottish Football?
Don’t Go Harry: Why Redknapp Should Stay At Spurs
In Defence Of Luis Suarez by Rachael Singh
The Trial Of John T
SimonJ68: It was more aimed at the extreme users of stats - ...
drwinston001: the ramblings of an old man. ;-)
To be fair to ...
CCCC: No wonder you didn’t become a barrister!
Did y...
Peaman: I travelled from Manchester to Stirling for a matc...
Allan: Controversial title there.
There are two strand...
Make sure you don't miss any Dispatches by staying connected.
