Non-motoring > Glad I don't usually bother.	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: R.P.	Replies: 127

Wed 23 Jan 13 22:40   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

Just watched Swansea and Chelsea - why did that yob give the ball boy person a kicking. Is that sort of normal in the "beautiful game" ? Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 23 Jan 13 23:07   Glad I don't usually bother. - No FM2R

"give him a kicking"? He may or may not have kicked him (rather than the ball) once. But a kicking? A ballboy tried to cheat, got kicked. They deserve each other. If they punish the player, then they should punish the ballboy. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 23 Jan 13 23:08   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

Only seen the report on the BBC sport site, not seen any footage, but I think you can understand why he did it while not condoning it of course. You are a player for one of the top teams in the country, and are 2 goals down to a non-entity of a club in the most important national (knock-out) tournament. Embarrassing isn't the word. You're desperately trying to even the score with only 10 minutes to go, when one of the home side's ball boys, not even one of their players, holds on to the ball to prevent you from doing anything about it. Hence when you try to get the ball back off him, you are a bit too, er, enthusiastic. The report says the player and ball boy apologised to each other after the game. EDIT: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21174252 Last edited by: Focusless on Wed 23 Jan 13 at 23:11 Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 23 Jan 13 23:16   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

Anyway, at least the victim had the ball: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQWUgxVoXHM Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 23 Jan 13 23:26   Glad I don't usually bother. - rtj70

>> You are a player for one of the top teams in the country, and are 2 goals down to a non-entity of a club So against a non entity of a club over two legs, Chelsea won then... oh hang on they didn't manage that not even at home. Non-entity eh? At least they don't have to lose against Bradford now do they. Swansea saved them from that. Benitez will be sacked soon no doubt.... :-) Last edited by: rtj70 on Wed 23 Jan 13 at 23:27 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 07:03   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

>> Non-entity eh? Just in case anyone thought I was knocking Swansea, I was envisaging how the Chelsea player might have seen it. Of course any foreign team would be just as frightened of meeting Swansea as Chelsea in one of the international club competitions :) Reply to this message | Report message       1

Thu 24 Jan 13 07:28   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

I'm rather shocked at the attitude of some football forums - I did some Googling to find out more about the aptly named Hazzard - and some poster had written something along the lines of "I'd have hoofed him if he had done it to me"... Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 07:44   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> Only seen the report on the BBC sport site, not seen any footage, but I >> think you can understand why he did it while not condoning it of course. >> >> You are a player for one of the top teams in the country, and are >> 2 goals down to a non-entity of a club in the most important national (knock-out) >> tournament. Its not, its a piddly unimportant tournament that carries little cachet or glory, no worthwhile automatic european tournament entry of note, and more importantly does not carry a heavy win bonus. The ball boy is not just a ball boy, he is part of the Swansea youth squad, and will certainly be used to, or can expect to get used to, a kicking. Good job it wasn't Rugby Union, the other player would have gouged his eyes out or raked studs down his face. Last edited by: Zero on Thu 24 Jan 13 at 07:45 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 07:49   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

>> Its not, its a piddly unimportant tournament that carries little cachet or glory I was thinking it was the FA Cup - hadn't spotted it was the League. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 08:16   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

Understated report in DM: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2267276/Eden-Hazard-kicks-ballboy-ribs-refuses-return-ball-cup-semi-final.html Ballboy was son of Swansea director apparently. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 09:17   Glad I don't usually bother. - Runfer D'Hills

I've only ever been to one professional football match in my life. A friend had a spare ticket and I went along to accompany him. The whole experience was deeply unpleasant. The foul mouthed and incessant chanting, the segregation of the crowds, the general feeling of underlying mutual hatred, instances of crowd violence etc etc. Not my idea of a fun day out. Haven't bothered since and won't again. Reply to this message | Report message       4

Thu 24 Jan 13 09:38   Glad I don't usually bother. - DP

Cannot stand this so-called "sport". No other sport requires a police lock-down in the immediate surrounding area where it is happening for several hours either side of the event. No other sport requires its fans to be segregated to prevent them kicking seven shades out of each other. No other sport contributes so heavily to the "celebrity worship" culture that we have in this country. And that's without the astronomical, reality-defying sums of money involved in transfers and players wages at Premiership level, at the same time as many grass roots fans and families have been priced out of attending games. The "beautiful game" moniker is an irony, surely. It's an abhorrent game, particularly at Premiership level. Reply to this message | Report message       2

Thu 24 Jan 13 09:53   Glad I don't usually bother. - madf

Agreed And the managers slagging off officials - against teh rules - and the FA does FA. You could clear teh whole issue up in about 4 weeks (it takes that long because most of them are dumb). Criticise the officialis which is against the rules? Banned from attending the next 5 matches. Period. After 5 managers are banned the rest might see sense..mavbe.. Surround the ref and threaten him? Lose 20 meters and a free kick. Appeal against a penalty? Another one awarded after the first. Diving? sent off. Reply to this message | Report message       2

Thu 24 Jan 13 10:40   Glad I don't usually bother. - henry k

>>I've only ever been to one professional football match in my life. >> I've now been to two. One was probably Brentford about 50 years ago and the other was the Olympic final. I bid for two tickets at the first sale and to my surprise got them. The Olympics was good. No segregation of course and lots of noise and colour. I would hate to go to a UK match. No thanks even with a free ticket. Reply to this message | Report message       1

Thu 24 Jan 13 10:52   Glad I don't usually bother. - Alanovich

>> One was probably Brentford about 50 years ago My commiserations. ;-) >> and the other was the Olympic final. I was at the Olympic Men's Bronze medal match between South Korea and Japan. Not exactly two nations known for their eternal mutual friendship. The crowd was non-segregated and the atmosphere was great. Plenty of supporters from both countries, not a whiff of malice or trouble. Party atmosphere. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 11:14   Glad I don't usually bother. - madf

>> >>I've only ever been to one professional football match in my life. >> >> >> I've now been to two. >> One was probably Brentford about 50 years ago and the other was the Olympic final. >> I bid for two tickets at the first sale and to my surprise got them. >> The Olympics was good. No segregation of course and lots of noise and colour. >> I would hate to go to a UK match. No thanks even with a free >> ticket. >> >> I watched Spurs play Milwall. An absolute disgrace full of obscene racist chanting. Obviously neither set of fans wanted to see the football as they always faced their opponents and swore and chanted at them.. (mid 1980s tho'). Been to no game since.. but sons do. (MU and Stoke supporters) Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 10:50   Glad I don't usually bother. - bathtub tom

>>I've only ever been to one professional football match in my life. A friend had a spare ticket and I went along to accompany him. Same here. Girlfriend was a Luton fan and dragged me along to watch them get a drubbing from Corby. She dumped me soon after. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 21:48   Glad I don't usually bother. - Bromptonaut

>> The whole experience was deeply unpleasant. The foul mouthed and incessant chanting, the segregation of >> the crowds, the general feeling of underlying mutual hatred, instances of crowd violence etc etc. >> Not my idea of a fun day out. Haven't bothered since and won't again. Pretty much my experience too. The Lad has been a Liverpool fan since age 10 and around 4yrs ago we managed to get tickets for a New Year's Day match against Bolton at Anfield. He loved evey minute, singing Never Walk Alone and a rude ditty about the ref who was Mr Poll There was a bloke a row behind keeping up a ninety minute stream of obscenities directed at players, ref and world in general. The Lad was old enough (14) to find it funny but we were with our friend Ian and his 10yo daughter. Fortunately it went over her head - just a man shouting. But it didn't make for a family atmosphere. Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Thu 24 Jan 13 at 21:50 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 21:57   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

on the other hand I have experienced some of the funniest or most emotional moments in a big football crowd. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 22:24   Glad I don't usually bother. - Robin O'Reliant

>> on the other hand I have experienced some of the funniest or most emotional moments >> in a big football crowd. >> Same here. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 09:53   Glad I don't usually bother. - Alanovich

Much as Walham Green Dog Track is the second most vile club in the country, I'd say this one's 50/50. Ballboy was a disgrace, particularly as he's 17 and should know better, but the player's action was unforgivable. Big grown up man should be able to wait for the ball to come back knowing that any time wasted would be added on by the referee. Aside from that incident, good on Swansea. I remember when they lost 7-0 in the FA Cup to the original and genuine team from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, even though they were a division above us. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 11:15   Glad I don't usually bother. - Haywain

For the first time, and probably the only time, I find myself with Joey Barton on this one "Hazard only crime is that he hasn't kicked him hard enough" (sic). The ball 'boy' is a 17 year-old smart-ass, spoilt son of a club director. He knew he was cheating and got his 15 minutes of fame by not sticking within the boundaries of gamesmanship. His job was to get the ball back into play as quickly as possible - not roll about on it. He'll be more careful in future. Reply to this message | Report message       3

Thu 24 Jan 13 11:25   Glad I don't usually bother. - Alanovich

Except Eden Hazard would not have any idea of the boy's age nor background. He just lashed out at a kid. A grown man should not be getting wound up by a child, and he certainly shouldn't be doing anything that could potentially harm him. They are both in the wrong. Six of one. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:05   Glad I don't usually bother. - CGNorwich

>> Except Eden Hazard would not have any idea of the boy's age nor background. He >> just lashed out at a kid. A grown man should not be getting wound up >> by a child, and he certainly shouldn't be doing anything that could potentially harm him. >> >> They are both in the wrong. Six of one. To describe a 17 hear old as a child is pushing it a bit. Eden Hazard himself is 22. A minor incident between two young men for which they both apologised to one another. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:11   Glad I don't usually bother. - Alanovich

The point I was making is that Hazard could not have known that the ballboy was 17. They are usually much younger than that, down to about 10 years old. He could well have been much younger. It is not acceptable for a grown man to kick out at an individual under those circumstances. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:26   Glad I don't usually bother. - Haywain

You are quite right, Alanovic, of course two wrongs don't make a right. I spend a lot of time watching non-league football and I have no time for the Premier League and those involved with it, however, my opinion of 'up-themselves' directors and their 'smart-ass' offspring, whatever the level of team, is broadly akin to your attitude towards royalty. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:26   Glad I don't usually bother. - madf

>> They are both in the wrong. Six of one. >> So timewasting justifies GBH? ROFL. Try telling that to a magistrate. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:51   Glad I don't usually bother. - Alanovich

>> GBH? Um, there's no suggestion of anything as serious as GBH having taken place. Whether the boy was even touched as the player attempted to retrieve the ball is moot. Both parties did something they should have known to have been wrong. The intent and the consequences of both actions have been fairly trivial. Six of one, shake hands, case dismissed. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:52   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> >> >> They are both in the wrong. Six of one. >> >> >> >> So timewasting justifies GBH? >> >> ROFL. >> >> Try telling that to a magistrate. He wont be, the police or the CPS don't think its GBH. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:33   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

>> They are both in the wrong. Six of one. DM piece linked to above now reports that the ballboy "Wrote on Twitter before the game that he was 'needed for timewasting'". Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:41   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

>> DM piece linked to above now reports that the ballboy "Wrote on Twitter before the >> game that he was 'needed for timewasting'". ...which of course doesn't excuse Hazard's behaviour as A has pointed out. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:53   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

Kind of makes you a target tho. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 12:56   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

That sums it up and my feelings towards the game. Never watch it again. Glad to see I'm not in a minority here. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 13:14   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

Just seen it on the news, 99% the ball "boy's" fault. He did everything he could to be obstructive, for a considerable amount of time, and then feigned injury after the player kicked the ball from under his body. The fact the club and the ball boy don't want to take it further says more than I could. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 13:24   Glad I don't usually bother. - Old Navy

Daddy does not seem to be impressed with the brat, he has called the police to remove the press from outside his house. Good luck with that one. :-) Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 14:21   Glad I don't usually bother. - Haywain

Looking at the current headline on the DM, the brat was long overdue a good kicking, as I inferred earlier. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 14:34   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

According to another DM headline "this 'kid' is everything that's wrong with modern Britain"! tinyurl.com/a8u6btd Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 16:31   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

Ball"boy" apart I was a bit disturbed as how he kept being referred to as a "boy" - although it is a term in common usage in SA and CF postcodes on how people refer to their sons - had an example just today caller referring to "Me and my boy" the son was 26 ! Last edited by: R.P. on Thu 24 Jan 13 at 16:34 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 16:41   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

My boy will be 24 this year, I still refer to him as "the lad" Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 16:44   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

I was thinking about this after posting what I said - locals around here refer to their sons as "Hogyn" seemingly regardless of age (or Bachgen down south or if you're posh) rather than "mab". Mab is the formal translation of son - the other refers to er..boy - so probably something that was translated years ago and entered common usage with non-Welsh speakers of the valleys. Last edited by: R.P. on Thu 24 Jan 13 at 16:44 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 17:05   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

All those under 55, and quite a few over that age, are whippersnappers to me. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 17:30   Glad I don't usually bother. - madf

>> Looking at the current headline on the DM, the brat was long overdue a good >> kicking, as I inferred earlier. >> Which typifies the typical DM article.. populist carp. Kicking = GBH. And the DM complains about violence and crime., What can you expect from the hypocrites who write it (and many of those who read it as well)...:-) Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 18:41   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

No mention of the little boy's connection with the managment on the extensive coverage on BBC Wales news. As alluded above he wuld be eaten for breakfast by a Rugby player or two. Seemed to have taken a dive. Common Assault at most Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 18:45   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

I'm not a footer fan but I thought I had a vague understanding of the rules. I simply can't understand what this thread is about. How can a ball boy, whose function I thought was to retrieve the ball when necessary to save time, try to stop a player from getting it? Seems completely insane to me. The boy got off lightly with alleged bruised ribs. Anyway I bet his promising touchline career has now ended. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 19:01   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

AC - as we well know you have a waŷ with words ! Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 19:25   Glad I don't usually bother. - Roger.

Do they not have at least two balls? Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 19:39   Glad I don't usually bother. - Robin O'Reliant

The ball "boy" got a slight dig in the ribs - which he fully deserved. He knew what he was doing. If we didn't spend so much effort on pandering to little brats who think they can behave as they like we wouldn't have to put up with their behaviour. Maybe this has taught him a lesson. Last edited by: Robin Regal on Thu 24 Jan 13 at 19:41 Reply to this message | Report message       7

Thu 24 Jan 13 19:48   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

>> Anyway I bet his promising touchline career has now ended. As heir to his dad's '£42m hotel fortune' (DM) he's probably not losing too much sleep over that... Last edited by: Focusless on Thu 24 Jan 13 at 19:49 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 20:06   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

I wish someone would tell me why he clung onto the ball like an unlucky scrum half with 42 tons of snorting meat on top of him. What was his purpose? Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 20:09   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

At the risk of stating the obvious... His dad is Swansea director and no doubt he's a big Swansea fan. Therefore by lying on the ball while Chelsea were desperately trying to claw back a couple of goals to avoid an embarrassing exit from the League Cup, he thought he was helping his side out. And it turned out he did. Last edited by: Focusless on Thu 24 Jan 13 at 20:10 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 20:21   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

By getting a Chelsea player sent off? That is a total, outrageous disgrace. The player shouldn't have been sent off. The ball boy should have been dragged off the field by his ear and the game restarted with extra time. Swansea should be penalised by the authorities. Good God! Players get penalised for diving I understand but it never occurred to me that anyone could get in there and fall on the ball. Won't the fans start doing it? I would if I were them. Faugh! Beautiful game already yet... Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 21:04   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

>> By getting a Chelsea player sent off? >> >> That is a total, outrageous disgrace. The player shouldn't have been sent off. Well... >> The ball boy should have been dragged off the field by his ear But he wasn't even on the field (of play). Perhaps you mean escorted from the ground, but then that's a job for a steward, or policeman, or someone who's supposed to do stuff like that. Yes, he should be punished, but not by one of the players. Hard to believe maybe but football is always trying to clean up its act, which is why the game is quite a bit less physical than it used to be (I'm not really a footie expert so someone please correct me if I'm wrong). So if the authorities/refs are coming down hard on any sort of 'violence' between people actually playing the game, it's hard to turn a blind eye to what looked like an attack on a bystander, provoked or otherwise. The ref didn't really have much choice. >> Swansea should be penalised by the authorities. Might still happen I guess if there's any evidence they encouraged the ballboys to timewaste. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 20:37   Glad I don't usually bother. - Manatee

I'd overlooked the fact that he's succeeded beyond all expectation by actually getting a man sent off. Maybe his ball boy career is just beginning. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 24 Jan 13 22:41   Glad I don't usually bother. - Westpig

I'm not a football fan in the slightest and never will be, so agree with the anti's above...but wasn't the player trying to get the ball back quickly and when the ball person kept hold of it, tried to release it by using his foot? I didn't get the impression it was an aggressive kick in the ribs. It was an aggressive lunge at the ball with his foot. Reckless yes, but not intentional. Still an assault, but lower down the scale than an intentional one. The whole sorry saga just reminds people what a shower of **** modern football is. There's no real team spirit, winning is everything even if you cheat, no respect for rules..what's the point? Last edited by: Westpig on Thu 24 Jan 13 at 22:41 Reply to this message | Report message       1

Fri 25 Jan 13 06:35   Glad I don't usually bother. - swiss tony

>> The whole sorry saga just reminds people what a shower of **** modern football is. >> There's no real team spirit, winning is everything even if you cheat, no respect for >> rules..what's the point? >> The point is five letters. MONEY. Any 'sport*' has been removed, and replaced by greed. And that is happening in most so called sports. *Sport as in team spirit, playing for the love of playing, etc. Reply to this message | Report message       2

Fri 25 Jan 13 16:49   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

Chelsea's Eden Hazard has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 17:30   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

Seems a bit over the top in the light of everything I've since read on here and other places - David Mellor spoke quite eloquently about the FA and their "trials" a few months ago. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 17:31   Glad I don't usually bother. - henry k

>> Chelsea's Eden Hazard has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association. >> www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_zo-_rSlVs The commentator says Eden kicked the ball and it does seem to pop out on the opposite side to the player. If they had to perform for xx minutes and were stopped wasting time then things might change for the poor things. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 17:36   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00z2tkx David Mellor. I heard him on the Today programme but this is much the same. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 17:45   Glad I don't usually bother. - henry k

Should have gone to Specsavers :-) www.itv.com/news/update/2013-01-25/specsavers-focus-on-ball-boy-kick-controversy-in-new-ad/ Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 19:55   Glad I don't usually bother. - Alanovich

>> David Mellor. I heard him on the Today programme but this is much the same. >> Mellor = turncoat >>ignore Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 20:14   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

Mellor+has sex in chelsea kit=tit Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 22:42   Glad I don't usually bother. - Londoner

>> Mellor+has sex in chelsea kit=tit >> A myth which (if we are honest) we all believed at the time. www.totalpolitics.com/print/2648/top-50-political-myths.thtml See #25 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 23:20   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

>> Mellor+has sex in chelsea kit=tit Who knows? But Mellor does have a way of making his suits, which must actually be expensive and 'good', look like those communist-era concrete jobs the Politburo used to wear. Got a feeling he shared a girl friend with the appalling Jeffrey Archer, a pug-faced blonde who was at a party in the Gate a few years back. Frightful woman. Last edited by: Armel Coussine on Fri 25 Jan 13 at 23:23 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 23:38   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

I'd have every reason to be pug faced if I'd been rogered by those two. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 25 Jan 13 22:59   Glad I don't usually bother. - Roger.

Poor kitty. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 26 Jan 13 00:18   Glad I don't usually bother. - Londoner

For a really disturbing image, remember that Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper are married and have three children. The thought of them having "relations" together makes me shudder......I don't know who to feel more sorry for! Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 26 Jan 13 00:22   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> For a really disturbing image, remember that Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper are married and >> have three children. >> >> The thought of them having "relations" together makes me shudder......I don't know who to feel >> more sorry for! The kids of course. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 26 Jan 13 00:28   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

Perhaps they are more winsome and agreeable looking when they aren't wearing their political hats. As for the children, they will have a lot of advantages not given to everyone. They will be fine. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 26 Jan 13 10:14   Glad I don't usually bother. - Roger.

........private health care, private education - probably. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 26 Jan 13 10:24   Glad I don't usually bother. - Bromptonaut

>> ........private health care, private education - probably. I don't think they did private education. One reason they were critcised over expenses was to do with 'flipping' their main residence ostensibly so as to live as a family all week and kids in one school. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 16:09   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

Just caught a couple of minutes of the Oldham/Liverpool game - just in time to see some overpaid kids fighting - goodness sake ! Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 16:51   Glad I don't usually bother. - Robin O'Reliant

>> Just caught a couple of minutes of the Oldham/Liverpool game - just in time to >> see some overpaid kids fighting - goodness sake ! >> >> The occasional punch up is a by product of the passion with which a hard physical game is played. To the uninitiated it is just hooliganism, but to the fan it is part of the game. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 28 Jan 13 11:09   Glad I don't usually bother. - Fursty Ferret

>> >> Just caught a couple of minutes of the Oldham/Liverpool game - just in time >> to >> >> see some overpaid kids fighting - goodness sake ! >> >> >> >> >> The occasional punch up is a by product of the passion with which a hard >> physical game is played. To the uninitiated it is just hooliganism, but to the fan >> it is part of the game. >> Disagree. Sorry. Reply to this message | Report message       3

Mon 28 Jan 13 11:18   Glad I don't usually bother. - swiss tony

>> >> The occasional punch up is a by product of the passion with which a hard >> >> physical game is played. To the uninitiated it is just hooliganism, but to the >> fan it is part of the game. >> >> >> >> Disagree. Sorry. >> +1 Reply to this message | Report message       1

Mon 28 Jan 13 17:46   Glad I don't usually bother. - Westpig

>> Disagree. Sorry. >> So do I. Doesn't the job description somewhere along the line use the word 'professional'? Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 28 Jan 13 18:03   Glad I don't usually bother. - madf

>> >> Disagree. Sorry. >> >> >> >> So do I. Doesn't the job description somewhere along the line use the word 'professional'? >> Yes but it excludes the word "idiot with no common sense " which is left unsaid. Oops that's more than one word... How about "numpty" instead? Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 17:13   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

For someone "who doesn't normally bother" you do seem to "accidentally" see a lot of soccer. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 17:32   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

I have learned to my cost that anyone who zaps restlessly through the channels ends up accidentally seeing far too much football. Sometimes you can't escape it at all, it seems. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 18:12   Glad I don't usually bother. - CGNorwich

Unless you subscribe to Sky Sports there is actually very little football on TV. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 18:13   Glad I don't usually bother. - Old Navy

Do people actually pay to watch football? Reply to this message | Report message       1

Sun 27 Jan 13 18:34   Glad I don't usually bother. - CGNorwich

I don't understand the anti-football thing. You don't have to watch it you don't like it, you don't have to read the sports pages, there is as I have pointed out fairly little football on terrestrial TV. The sport is self financing, it's not costing you anything, it brings enjoyment interest and employment to a lot of people. I'm not a big football follower myself but it does seem strange the amount of hostility it engenders. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 19:09   Glad I don't usually bother. - Old Navy

>> I'm not a big football follower myself but it does seem strange the amount of >> hostility it engenders. >> It may be the violence on and off the pitch, hatred between the supporters of rival clubs, and in some cases bigotry that non followers see. The fact that rival supporters have to be segregated is enough for me. I was once (as a legitimate passenger) told to leave a railway station by the police clearing the area as a supporters train was about to arrive. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 19:25   Glad I don't usually bother. - Bromptonaut

>> I don't understand the anti-football thing. You don't have to watch it you don't like >> it, you don't have to read the sports pages, there is as I have pointed >> out fairly little football on terrestrial TV. The sport is self financing, it's not costing >> you anything, it brings enjoyment interest and employment to a lot of people. >> >> I'm not a big football follower myself but it does seem strange the amount of >> hostility it engenders. Not hostile to it but resent the amount of media space it dominates and the effect on whole areas of a city in 'lockdown' before and after a match. Reply to this message | Report message       2

Mon 28 Jan 13 11:22   Glad I don't usually bother. - swiss tony

>> I have learned to my cost that anyone who zaps restlessly through the channels ends >> up accidentally seeing far too much football. Sometimes you can't escape it at all, it >> seems. >> I actively go out my way to see football. It's impossible to not see any, or hear it, it's on the TV more than any other sport, it's all over the papers, NOT just the back pages, people spout on about it everywhere, it's like a virus! Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 18:58   Glad I don't usually bother. - Bromptonaut

>> Just caught a couple of minutes of the Oldham/Liverpool game - just in time to >> see some overpaid kids fighting - goodness sake ! There was a brief fracas after the Liverpool goalie came close to a kick in the head. Soon sorted and the Oldham player yellow carded. Liverpool certainly have their share of overpaid kids. The description of Oldham's ground sounded like something from the 1900s and the club is apparently in dire straits and without prospect of an Eastern sugar-daddy to bail them out. And the bloomin well won!! The Lads interest in football has waned in favour of rock and girls but as LPL fan he was shocked to the core. Any bragging rights over Spurs fans sadly lost. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 19:26   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

I just turned the telly on ! I have no Sky Sports - In fact no Sky anymore. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 21:58   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

Just watched the news headlines - realised the Oldham were the underdogs and that Liverpool were humbled... Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 22:14   Glad I don't usually bother. - Ted

I only watch the national team or Man City as a rule, and then only on the box. If City are playing and not televised, then Radio Manchester usually has ball by ball commentary and I'm happy with that. Came in today and, flicking through the channels, I came across the Oldham game, saw the score and decided to watch it. Terrible weather, the cameras were either wet or steamed up. Would be good to see a Manchester derby final...City v Oldham ! I notice one of our posters living not far from the Pool is remaining silent atm ! :-) Ted Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 27 Jan 13 22:40   Glad I don't usually bother. - Haywain

Football is just another religion - crazy dreams, mad gurus and violence. Reply to this message | Report message       1

Mon 28 Jan 13 10:07   Glad I don't usually bother. - madf

>> Football is just another religion - crazy dreams, mad gurus and violence. >> You might have added: "and often living on long lost glories" Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 28 Jan 13 00:32   Glad I don't usually bother. - rtj70

Yes it would be good to see a local derby with Oldham beating Manchester City. We can only hope can't we :-) But it would be a shame if all the money invested in Oldham gets them a win. It's not as if Man City have hundreds of millions invested in them is it. The wage bill of say Tevez could never cover the wages of all of the Oldham team. Last edited by: rtj70 on Mon 28 Jan 13 at 00:33 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 31 Jan 13 08:28   Glad I don't usually bother. - Focusless

>> Mellor+has sex in chelsea kit=tit Funnily enough... www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2271002/Antonia-Sancha-51-mistress-helped-bring-David-Mellor.html EDIT: "Never mind that her infamous claim ... were made up" :o Last edited by: Focusless on Thu 31 Jan 13 at 08:30 Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 28 Jan 13 12:38   Glad I don't usually bother. - Mapmaker

Humph>>I've only ever been to one professional football match in my life. A friend had a >>spare ticket and I went along to accompany him. >>The whole experience was deeply unpleasant. The foul mouthed and incessant chanting, the >>segregation of the crowds, the general feeling of underlying mutual hatred, instances of >>crowd violence etc etc. Not my idea of a fun day out. Haven't bothered since and won't again. I've only been to one match. QPR at home against somebody, a couple of summers ago. We were in top-price tickets. (Needless to say the tickets were free.) My one feeling was that it was incredibly excitingly primeval; the Colosseum must have felt like that 2000 years ago when they had gladiators. I'm not rushing to go again, it was all somewhat tawdry as you say and the massive police presence I couldn't decide whether it was intimidating or reassuring. The only other thing I've been to like that is bullfighting in Spain, which had a similar Colosseum-type atmosphere, but without any policemen or potential crowd violence. I'd certainly go back. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 28 Jan 13 13:15   Glad I don't usually bother. - Dog

For a highly entertaining experience, one could always sample a home game down The Den (Millwall) Not recommended for the timid or those of a nervous disposition I might add, but you have nothing to fear. Except fear itself. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 28 Jan 13 13:36   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> For a highly entertaining experience, one could always sample a home game down The Den >> (Millwall) >> >> Not recommended for the timid or those of a nervous disposition I might add, but >> you have nothing to fear. >> >> Except fear itself. pussies down there in the den. Last edited by: Zero on Mon 28 Jan 13 at 13:36 Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 28 Jan 13 13:50   Glad I don't usually bother. - Dog

"No one likes us, no one likes us, no one likes us, we don't care. We're the Lions, we're the Lions, we're the Lions from the Den" Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 28 Jan 13 13:56   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> "No one likes us, no one likes us, no one likes us, we don't care. >> >> We're the Lions, we're the Lions, we're the Lions from the Den" www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSMCRD35ch4 Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 28 Jan 13 14:01   Glad I don't usually bother. - Dog

:-D Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 31 Jan 13 09:42   Glad I don't usually bother. - Alanovich

Any 'appy 'ammers on 'ere today? No? *grin* ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 31 Jan 13 10:52   Glad I don't usually bother. - Robin O'Reliant

>> Any 'appy 'ammers on 'ere today? No? >> >> *grin* >> >> ;-) >> There are no 'appy 'ammers anywhere today, just worried ones looking over our shoulder and frantically checking the fixture lists. Crap last night and a tough one against Swansea the weekend. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 2 Feb 13 23:53   Glad I don't usually bother. - PhilW

Hope you were watching the rugby today - two cracking matches!! And the opposition supporters seemed to mingle together and all were drinking pints during and after the games! Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 3 Feb 13 08:23   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

Any grumpy cottagers on here today? Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 3 Feb 13 09:34   Glad I don't usually bother. - Runfer D'Hills

I hadn't realised you had such interests Z. Still, 21st century and all that. No shame in it I suppose... Reply to this message | Report message       2

Sun 3 Feb 13 12:05   Glad I don't usually bother. - Westpig

>> I hadn't realised you had such interests Z. Still, 21st century and all that. No >> shame in it I suppose... >> Er..aren't you the one with an unhealthy interest in ladies shoes? Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 3 Feb 13 12:09   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

Shoes are one thing Westpig - fetishism pursued in dignified privacy - and cottaging is quite another being conducted in the public privy so to speak... Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 3 Feb 13 12:10   Glad I don't usually bother. - Westpig

>> Shoes are one thing Westpig - fetishism pursued in dignified privacy Hell's teeth...not another one! Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 3 Feb 13 12:13   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

They used to send winsome young coppers out to catch them, but everyone makes such a fuss about entrapment these days, such barrack-room lawyers people are. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 3 Feb 13 12:32   Glad I don't usually bother. - R.P.

One for the morning glory eh ! Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 4 Feb 13 13:25   Glad I don't usually bother. - Roger.

>> Shoes are one thing Westpig - fetishism pursued in dignified privacy - and cottaging is >> quite another being conducted in the public privy so to speak... >> It's OK if there is a glory-hole; sort of private! Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 4 Feb 13 13:19   Glad I don't usually bother. - Alanovich

>> Any grumpy cottagers on here today? Narrow defeats to Man U are nothing to be grumpy about. Unlike getting beat by Fulham, I imagine. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 4 Feb 13 13:46   Glad I don't usually bother. - Old Navy

Another reason not to bother, Europol has announced that the owners, referees, and players have been involved in match fixing with organised crime syndicates throughout Europe and beyond. So who wins what is totally irrelevant. Last edited by: Old Navy on Mon 4 Feb 13 at 13:47 Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 4 Feb 13 18:13   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> >> Any grumpy cottagers on here today? >> >> Narrow defeats to Man U are nothing to be grumpy about. Unlike getting beat by >> Fulham, I imagine. Well you have less points than us, we can afford to be generous. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 4 Feb 13 19:07   Glad I don't usually bother. - Duncan

fewer Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 4 Feb 13 19:21   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> fewer Less. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 4 Feb 13 19:29   Glad I don't usually bother. - Armel Coussine

>> fewer >> >> Less. Not as many. A smaller number. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 5 Feb 13 10:47   Glad I don't usually bother. - Londoner

It's "fewer", as well you know. From the Oxford Dictionary: "People often don’t know when to use less and when to use fewer in a sentence. Here’s how to get it right. Use fewer if you’re referring to people or things in the plural (e.g. houses, newspapers, dogs, students, children). For example: People these days are buying fewer newspapers. Fewer students are opting to study science-related subjects. Fewer than thirty children each year develop the disease. Use less when you’re referring to something that can’t be counted or doesn’t have a plural (e.g. money, air, time, music, rain). For example: It’s a better job but they pay you less money. People want to spend less time in traffic jams. Ironically, when I’m on tour, I listen to less music." Reply to this message | Report message       1

Tue 5 Feb 13 10:52   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

Fortunately there are fewer pedants on here, but they still exist. In a lesser form. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 5 Feb 13 11:06   Glad I don't usually bother. - Londoner

From Merriam-Webster Definition of PEDANT 1 obsolete : a male schoolteacher 2 a : one who makes a show of knowledge b : one who is unimaginative or who unduly emphasizes minutiae in the presentation or use of knowledge c : a formalist or precisionist in teaching ================== I don't fit any of those definitions. Definition 2a seems to be a cap that you like to wear sometimes, though. ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 5 Feb 13 11:28   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> From Merriam-Webster >> >> Definition of PEDANT >> 1 >> obsolete : a male schoolteacher >> 2 >> a : one who makes a show of knowledge >> b : one who is unimaginative or who unduly emphasizes minutiae in the presentation or >> use of knowledge >> c : a formalist or precisionist in teaching >> ================== >> >> I don't fit any of those definitions. Your opinion of course, however based on todays performance you have rightly earned 2b: Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 5 Feb 13 12:07   Glad I don't usually bother. - Londoner

The truth is, Zero, that you were caught out having made a mistake. It was just a small grammatical mistake, but when it was pointed out by Duncan you still had to argue the point because in your own mind you are never wrong. I made my post merely to settle the matter, citing impartial evidence. You then tried the old debating trick of attempting to discredit WHAT was said by attacking WHO said it. Just a final question for you. How old were you when you decided that you knew EVERYTHING? :-) Last edited by: Londoner on Tue 5 Feb 13 at 12:07 Reply to this message | Report message       2

Tue 5 Feb 13 12:28   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

Wow you really are practising being utterly pathetic today, doing well too. Keep it up. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 5 Feb 13 13:30   Glad I don't usually bother. - Londoner

Enough already! The audience must be bored stiff by now. If you don't live too far from M25 J15/J16 I could drop by for a pint at your favourite local hostelry on my way home from work, and we could continue this friendly discussion. Who knows? In the flesh we may even (Gasp!) LIKE each other! ;-) P.S.I didn't give you the scowly face. Last edited by: Londoner on Tue 5 Feb 13 at 13:32 Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 5 Feb 13 13:39   Glad I don't usually bother. - Bromptonaut

>> P.S.I didn't give you the scowly face. No That was me. Reason? Continuation of ad hominem argument. Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Tue 5 Feb 13 at 13:40 Reply to this message | Report message       1

Tue 5 Feb 13 13:44   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> >> P.S.I didn't give you the scowly face. >> >> No That was me. >> >> Reason? Continuation of ad hominem argument. Own up at the time then, a red face on its own is meaningless. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 5 Feb 13 13:43   Glad I don't usually bother. - Zero

>> Enough already! The audience must be bored stiff by now. >> >> If you don't live too far from M25 J15/J16 I could drop by for a >> pint at your favourite local hostelry on my way home from work, and we could >> continue this friendly discussion. Nah, its ok, if I want to talk to Websters or the Oxford dictionary I will do it at home over a large G&T in the library. >> P.S.I didn't give you the scowly face. I know you didn't, its not in the dictionary. ;P Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 4 Feb 13 19:08   Glad I don't usually bother. - zookeeper

cottaging is illegal in most civilised communities.. especially up north here in the midlands Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 5 Feb 13 10:20   Glad I don't usually bother. - Alanovich

>> Well you have less points than us For now, perhaps. Both the Wests, Ham and Brom, seem to be getting sussed out in the second half of the season. Our bad run is behind us. Allardyce is one-trick stuff. You'll be OK this season, but you'll need a new manager if you want to stay up next season. Reply to this message | Report message