There is a heady air of optimism hanging around LS11. It is almost palpable. There is an excited hum of anticipation amongst most Leeds United fans and bizarrely enough, some elements of the British sports press. This is the Bielsa effect, the Bielsa Buzz. I am going to abstain from all the apian puns / hive of activity etc. etc for the sake of sanity.

Comparisons could be drawn to last season, when under the tutelage of Thomas Christiansen, we also had an unbeaten start. But that is where the comparison pales into insignificance. The style and quality of the football that we are bearing witness to, is a million miles away from that. Plus, we are only at the second game. Is the best yet to come?

It is difficult to describe how this feels without using every cliche in the book. There appears to be more of a hunger to compete. A desire to win, but not just win, to excel. There seems to be a competitive edge to be fitter, stronger, faster and better. Something that seems to be drilled out of youngsters nowadays in the whole era of inclusive equality, for fear that someone may get a bit upset if they are told that the next guy who has put the extra effort in, will be rewarded when they aren’t.

So what is the Bielsa Buzz?

There is an aura, a presence, a sense of gravitas about him. Silent but deadly. But not in a menacing way. It’s done in a confident way which simply says, “I mean business”.

After the first of the Bielsa interviews, he was the laughing stock of SkyTVisf**kings**t and the BBC pundits. These fools, who mercilessly took cheap digs at the fact he “needed” an interpreter. These are the same “journalists” who lauded on the testimonials from Pep Guardiola and Pochettino, and then in the same breath, added the Snidley Whiplash comments about him jacking in the job at Lille. For starters, can you see an English speaking manager going to Spain/Argentina, and making the effort to learn the language to try to speak the local lingo for the native TV audiences? Ok, Roy Hodgson aside, not really. Secondly, the interviewers don’t really care what you say because they have already made their own minds up – so why bother? Treat them with the contempt they deserve. Thirdly – yeah – as if he can’t understand what you are saying. Who’s the fool now?

To those “journos”, I say, actions speak louder than words, my friends. When we go up as Champions in February, the silence will be thunderously deafening.

I, for one, would much much rather have a measured, well reasoned, deliberate response over the  animated “its all Tom Lees’s fault / I’m gloating over a narrow one-nil victory” verbal “I like the sound of my own voice” diarrhoea barrage. I, for one, would rather see a calm and collected Bielsa sat on a bucket than an animated Klopp The Flop, gurning and gesticulating like a dog straining on a short leash (apologies to a dog).

Am I the only one sick of managers slagging off the refs/linesmen rather than fessing up to their own failures? Am I the only one sick of managers glorifying their dodgy last minute penalty in extra time results? Am I the only one sick of managers who think that sticking 10 men behind the ball constitutes a solid team display? I don’t think so. Admittedly, I don’t know how Bielsa will react should we lose a game, I’m hoping I never see that day anytime soon.

I like the way Bielsa has this no nonsense attitude. Just get on with it, play the game. No mad running-down-the-side-of-the-pitch-like-you-have-just-completed-the-treble goal celebrations, no high fives, no hugs and no kisses. After all, the Club is paying you to do your job, not advertise your potential to be the next Sports Personality Of the Year (not that it is much of a merit of an award when it is won by a certain “Mr SuperInjunction” G**gs). No extra plaudits and no post match back slapping congratulatory tweets. A healthy departure from the social media factions. No rehearsed, showcased soundbyte post match interviews. Just concentration, total concentration to the task at hand.

It’s refreshing to see this and long overdue. I am hoping Bielsa has the same attitude to the Cup games.  I am hoping he will show the respect that the oldest competition in English football deserves. I am hoping that not only did he watch all the league games last season, but he watched the dismal performances in the Cups. I am hoping that the conclusions drawn from them and the devastating impact of fielding poorer sides in the Cups is realised , so making sure that history does not repeat itself.

I saw a flag at the Derby game which said “agents are poisonous”. I figured that it wasn’t referring to park benches in Salisbury, but more to this “overcommercialisation” of football (I don’t even know if that is a word, but you know what I mean). Agents and the media are responsible for the theft of football away from the fans. They are too busy lining their own pockets to think about the effect of obsessively  hyping up the “worth” of footballers. It used to be about the skill on the pitch, now it’s more about shirt sales and sponsorship deals. It doesn’t matter that someone is a one trick pony, it is more important that he can sell dandruff shampoo or some other male grooming hipster products. It doesn’t matter that only one in five crosses is actually any good, it is more important that he has a million followers and his missus has appeared on celebrity big brother. It doesn’t matter that he can’t run half the length of the pitch without getting out of breath, because people are talking about his tattoos, his wedding was in OK magazine and he looks good on the front of FIFA 2019. “Sell-ability” over “football-ability” (again, apologies as this is not a word). I have no doubt that some agents are very good and only have their clients best interests at heart. Like most progressive 21st century modernities though, I am sure that there are the unscrupulous few, who would rather take their cut of the signing on fee and be happy watching their players warm the bench for 95% of the season at the “bigger” club, than watch the patient progression of a talented young player up through the youth ranks into the first team.

This is a sad testament to “Generation Swipe”. The “I Want It All Nows”. I don’t think it is necessarily greed that drives them and it probably isn’t that they are lazy, it is more that this instant gratification lark is instilled in them at an early age. It’s not just the players that would rather take the easy option and go somewhere else to get more money (even though it may mean that they never kick a competitive ball again) than stay where they are to become the finished article. There are many fans who would jump ship and abandon their home club to go support the more bigger famous ones, just because they can’t take the ups and downs. And, it’s not like we have never seen the top division clubs attempt to “buy the league” in this results based culture, rather than take the hard graft route. Which makes it even more laughable when they fail. Let’s see how Villa get on this year!

And here are the cliches…Patience is a virtue. Work hard, step up to the challenge, take responsibility for your own actions. Get back to basics. I was reminded by The Secretary that Bielsa seems to be doing what Herbert Chapman did way back when, getting the players fit enough to play football in the first place. To last out the 90 minutes, something that was sadly lacking in 80% of last seasons games. Tactical football to get that properly finished result – a great team display.

So, analogy for the sake of analogy, like bees working together in the hive to make honey for the common purpose – for the colony to survive…  work hard for each other, play as a group for the one purpose – to win. Promotion by February please. No infighting, no personality clashes, no badge kissing just to further fans favour. Just work as one for the greater good. The epitome of the famous “SIDE BEFORE SELF”?

After all, you can make a T-E-A-M out of your mates!

 

I while ago, I made a promise that I would write this, in the hope that I would eventually write it. After 12 months, true to my word, I have. Welcome back (home) Simon.

For those of you who are unaware, Harrogate Whites have a long standing affinity with our Scottish neighbours in Falkirk. This goes back some 30 years, when the (young) Branch Secretary made his way up to Falkirk to find some football to watch after one of our games got cancelled in 1989. He found his way to Elliots Pub in Falkirk and was met by some very friendly locals who were a bit surprised that someone would travel so far just to watch a Scottish 1st Division (those were the days) game. A lasting friendship was struck in Elliots that day. Since then, when fixtures have allowed, The Secretary, The Chairman and various branch members, old and new ( Mr Smith, Mr Charles, The Jap, Chris, Sonia and The MPO)  have made many, many sojourns to Brockville (now Morrisions car park) and since 2004, the shiny new Falkirk stadium, to watch The Mighty Bairns. This was reciprocated by the Falkirk faithful, who vice versa, travelled to Leeds, to cheer on the Mighty Whites, when their games were similarly altered. Pre SkyTVis f**kings**t meddling with our games, planning ahead for fitting in Scottish football was easy, now that we are permanently on the telly, recent trips have been scarce.

You cannot put a number to the many happy memories of day trips and rough mornings after late nights at Elliots (aka the Graeme Hotel) and The Red Lion at Larbert (now a chinese emporium) in the fantastic company of our Falkirk family, led by the inimitable motormouth Brian “your team’s shite” Stuart. Now there’s a man who knows how to run a football bus or three! The people of Falkirk simply refer to us as ” The Leeds” and have welcomed us with open arms at every establishment and watering hole for decades. Not just at Elliots, but to name just a few, Behind The Wall, The Tav, The Drookit Duck, Noors (home of the midnight munchy box) and of course The Mill Inn (Chris and Sonia’s favourite) second only to The Co-op. Probably should mention and thank the usual suspects, Andrew (Bodger) and Matty Gardner, Fraser (Housty), Davy Bell, Evil Dave, Ross and young George, Norrie, Bep, Dak (incl. everyone connected with nU2), Lesley, Des, Stevie, The Seals, Brian Flynn from BTW, Big Willy, Lieutenant Stardust , Billy, Wheezy, Munroe, Marsh, Derek (incl Razur Cuts) etc. etc. for their excellent company. Not forgetting the big man himself, Brian Stuart, and old Jim and the staff at Elliots. I have missed out many more but you all know that you have been a big part of our lives. I just need to finish with the Quote of The Century by Bep, ” I just had a Brian Stuart 15 minute tirade, he must have said a million words, of which I understood  10″.

So, to Simon.

Simon Barker is 21 and has been a Leeds United fan all his life. Simon was affectionately known as “Wee Jinxie” in his younger days for his uncanny ability to end a team’s winning run, just by purely turning up. Simon bore his tag with good humour, or at least as much as he could, whilst being surrounded by his merry father, Alan Barker, and his dad’s (even merrier) mates. As he grew up, the curse lifted and basically since the age of about 8, Simon has been the responsible adult in the group, supervising the trips from Falkirk to Leeds. After we won promotion against Bristol Rovers, Simon had to escort his father off the pitch. Alan was further reprimanded by another Simon,  Mr Simon Grayson, for his efforts that day, when Leeds played Falkirk in a friendly later that year. As a mark of Simon’s dedication as his father’s carer, he would benefit from periodic gifts from us, of Leeds United and LUSC memorabilia in the form of badges, wallets, scarves and copies of TSB and programmes etc. This has continued, despite the thousands of miles between us, after Alan decided to emigrate to Australia in 2013.

In July 2017, we received the sad news that Simon had been involved in a road traffic accident in Queensland. We were told he was in a coma and may not make it. He had suffered a traumatic brain injury and was treated at the roadside for an hour before he was stable enough to be moved to the Intensive Care Unit at Gold Coast University Hospital. Simon underwent 7 hours of brain surgery to treat the bleeding and swelling on his brain. He also sustained a broken neck, a ruptured spleen, blood clots on his lungs as well as the fact that most of his skull was missing. Simon was in a coma for the best part of four weeks.  Alan kept us updated, but Simon couldn’t speak, eat or hardly move and at the time, all we could do was send our thoughts to Alan, mum Linda and his sister Grace. In late August 2017, Simon was moved to the Brain Injury Rehab Unit in Brisbane, where he has learnt to walk and talk again. We, and most of the Falkirk family, were kept updated with photos on social media and #teamsimon. In September 2017, Simon was discharged home from hospital, with a view to returning for another operation to repair the skull damage. This operation was completed in May 2018, and as promised whilst Simon was in ICU, Alan is bringing Simon back to the UK, back to Falkirk, and more importantly, back to Elland Road.

Simon and his family have been through so much in the last 12 months, they have battled through it with courage and bravery. Hopefully if all goes to plan, Simon and Alan, along with a few more of the Falkirk Crew, will be here on August 18th for the Rotherham game. Last season, when the new (figure fitting) shirts came out, we sent one out to Simon, along with a few other treasures, and a scarf (!) in the post. It eventually got to him in November 2017 via snail mail. Alan said he wore it straight away and then asked for it to be washed, so he could wear it the next day as well. We received a video of Simon, thanking us for his gifts and an out-take of it. I have it on good faith that this was the first time Simon had laughed so much since his accident.

On behalf of Alan and his family, the branch would like to thank Phil (first man on the scene) and Queensland Emergency Services, the surgeons and staff at Gold Coast University Hospital Intensive Care Unit and all the staff at Brisbane Brain Injury Rehab Unit without whom Simon would simply not be here.

The montage of pictures below have been kindly used, with Alan’s permission, to show Simon’s courage in battling through this last year, and just how much it means to be Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. Welcome back, Simon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a brief holiday cramming in as much of the World Cup as physically possible, here is the July 2018 update. Apologies for no June update.

Monthly Branch Meeting

The AGM was well attended on July 8th. Thanks to all who came along. The minutes were read out by The Chairman and agreed with a show of hands. These will be available at the next AGM  for anyone who wishes to see a copy. The 2017-18 season was summed up and reports from the Secretary, Treasurer and MPO were provided. The Membership Secretary was MIA unfortunately, but rest assured, he along with the rest of the Committee were voted in again. It was unanimously agreed that we approach York Pullman for their services again this season. The next monthly branch meeting will be held on Sunday August 12th 8pm at the Londesborough Club, Bower Road, Harrogate. Current and prospective members all welcome.

Membership

Renewals and new membership applications are currently being taken. The cost remains at £7 for an adult, over 65s and under 18s are free. Forms are available on the bus at away games or via the email and postal addresses on the home page of this website. Please note, you CANNOT be a member of the branch if you are an existing member of another LUSC branch, sorry, those are the rules. Membership of our branch entitles you to very reasonably priced travel on our bus to away games and assistance with ordering your away ticket, if you do not have access to a computer or smartphone or the time to order them when they go on sale. In order for us to order you a ticket, you MUST have a Leeds United customer number, and when required, the correct number of loyalty games to qualify for a ticket. There were some bizarre rumours that we could magic up tickets at random. If this were possible, I would be a very rich man. Unfortunately, like Topol, I am not.

As a member, you are entitled to attend any of the fortnightly LUSC exec meetings, which are held at Elland Road, and are able to take part in the LUSC Annual Quiz, LUSC Annual Dinner and also participate in the three prize draw events which are part of the LUSC Player Sponsorship Deal. These are the training day with the players, the Players Sponsors Lunch and the Hospitality tickets for a game at the end of the season. The LUSC is a group which does what it says – supports Leeds United. We are a like minded group of people who have no political nor monetary agenda, we basically support the Club in whatever way we can, mostly by running buses to fixtures and providing a meeting point for people around the country and the world. Any further information about the LUSC, can be found at www.leedsunitedsupportersclub.org.uk

The only other benefit which being a member of Harrogate & District LUSC has, is the access to the closed facebook group of Harrogate& District LUSC. This group is strictly for paid up branch members only, with a few exceptions for “legacy” branch members.

Away games

We are currently waiting for York Pullman to provide a quote for this seasons requirements.

The branch will be running buses to most of the away games this season ( attempting to at least). We are currently taking bookings for Derby and Swansea. Departure times and ticketing details will be posted on the public facebook page with as much notice as possible. As always, branch members will take priority over non branch members for seats on the bus, where required, seats will be allocated on basis of previous matches travelled to on the coach.

A.O.B

Up to press, according to Google Analytics, the website is still being regularly viewed. If anyone from the branch would like to submit anything, please get in touch. The MPO is very busy, and anyone who is willing, is more than welcome.

LUSC programme page – if any branch member has anything which they would like to on the programme page, please get in touch with the MPO for details.

There will be a very welcome return to Elland Road from our ex scottish, now Australian friends Alan and Simon Barker for the Rotherham game. As some of you are aware Simon was involved in a very serious accident last year and coming back to Leeds was one of his goals.  We are planning a pre match meal and then post match wander round Leeds’s best pubs afterwards. Anyone who wishes to meet up with the party of five ( Houstie, Bep and Marsh are also coming down from Falkirk), please get in touch.

 

Just before the end of the season there was chatter about safe standing again. The other week, when there were more important things going on in Parliament, the issue regarding rail seating again was raised. Apparently it has the backing of the opposition now. In my own personal opinion this discussion, in the current climate, is rather distasteful as there are still proceedings taking place regarding the involvement of certain law enforcement groups / former officials of the club / retired law enforcement officers etc. in the terrible tragedy at Hillsborough, their “handling” of the aftermath and the subsequent “inquiries” since. For me, and I stress that this is my own view, until these proceedings are over and done with, complete with a concise investigation and it’s conclusions drawn, this discussion should not take place.

Whilst I am aware that my view goes against the view of the vocal groups backing the return of terracing and the makers of rail seating, I think the discussion should be more focused on supporters being allowed to have the right to choose whether they want sections of their grounds made into terracing or rail seating. As this is what it will boil down to in the end. Currently the law states that grounds must be all seater, to comply with the safety regulations. If rail seating is agreed, the clubs will have to spend money to convert whichever areas they choose to designate the safe standing area. This will cost money, which undoubtedly will be passed onto us, the paying fans, and it may cost some their seats. Some supporters have had their seats for decades, some will be very attached to their “seat” and may not be too happy to be usurped by the vocal minority. Before anyone jumps down my throat about rail seating increasing the capacity – it doesn’t make much difference, so clubs won’t be raking it in on extra ticket sales, we, the supporters, will bear that cost. I wonder in the eventuality of the club suddenly announcing it is happening, whether they will face another onslaught of change.org?

Hence, make your choice… even though I couldn’t resist putting a picture of the long gone Jiggy up.

The choice of whether to stand or sit for regular away travellers is basically a thing of the past, there is no choice. Let’s face it, for those fans who don’t have the stamina to stand up for 90 minutes, away games are difficult. There aren’t really the facilities in stadia now where the less able amongst us can have a perch. Yes, there are supposed to be “ambulant disabled” areas, but those tickets, like the disabled tickets are like gold dust. This is especially bad at away grounds with small capacities, (how pleased was I that Burton got relegated!) or grounds where our allocation has been reduced due to the police or the home clubs restrictions. Before we start with safe standing, how about we concentrate on safe seating? (see next blog)

We are all getting that little bit older, but just because our bodies can’t take it, it doesn’t mean that we aren’t still the best supporters in the land. We can look back on the old black and white photos and footage of 100,000+ crowds of fans (mostly men) of varying ages crammed into packed stands at Cup finals. When Cup finals meant something , of course (moot point). But in those days there was an element of respect, respect of our seniors and our peers and that little bit of common courtesy for those less able. Sadly, that common courtesy and unselfishness, is sadly lacking in the “modern” era of football. Celebrations of goal scoring have moved on from the cheering and clapping of players to throwing yourself and others around like rag dolls, resulting in flailing arms and legs rippling down the rather steep stands (Norwich for example) with a domino like effect. So whilst the initiators have a jolly good time, someone down the stand ends up with more serious injuries, like I said common courtesy, self awareness and responsibility for your actions….

Fan bases have also changed. More and more children are being encouraged to watch the sport, in hope that they can be put on the straight and narrow, before the peer pressures from their mates to follow the “popular” teams takes hold. The younger dads (and mothers!) want to take young children, but safety for a 5 year old is very different from that of a 15 year old. If the parent has a ticket in the Kop or the South Stand, would they want their small child to be caught up in a crush? The older amongst us will remember that crush, the feeling of being caught in a wave, until you ended up being stuck against the barrier with the weight of fifty or more people on top of you. The wiser amongst us stood at the back or on the peripheries, the foolhardy and brave in the middle, the one who stood at the barrier was someone who would do it once and never again! Rail seating apparently negates that crush, but judging by the surges currently happening at away games where the stewards are supposed to ensure everyone stays in their seat, I can’t see that it will make any difference.

Then there are those who aren’t actually watching the game, they are just out for a “day out” which will involve alcohol (the throwing around of rather than actually drinking it), possibly illegal substances, constant slagging off a particular player or players, or the manager, or the owner, shouting abuse at the opposition fans and players, arguing with people around them who don’t agree with what they are saying and generally not watching anything that is going on the pitch itself. These people weren’t around in the football grounds of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s as money was wiser spent then and drink, well let’s just say drink wasn’t wasted in those days. Needless to say, these people aren’t supporting their team.

I can understand that some may think that rail seating will create a better atmosphere. My reply to that would be playing good football and winning games creates a better atmosphere. Millwall at home last season, down to 10 men and 3-2 up with 4 minutes (which ended up as 6 minutes) to go, was a brilliant atmosphere. Every man, woman and child was behind the team believing that we could do it, even though we didn’t hold out in the end. Supporting your team and getting behind the team- that’s what creates a good atmosphere.

I was lucky enough to be at the game against 1860 decades ago, so I have first hand experience of rail seating. Celtic already have rail seating as they are not bound by the English Football regulations, I can’t say that I am aware of anyone constantly crowing on about how brilliant the atmosphere is at grounds with rail seating. In fact if the popular press is to be believed, the best atmosphere at a football game is to be experienced in the very sterile atmosphere of the premier league of all places! I have been lucky enough to have been to the Nou Camp, the Bernabeu, the Mestella, the Vincente Calderon, the Stadio Delle Alpi (before they moved), the Stadio Olimpico, some of the best stadia in Europe (without rail seating), and when the crowd is behind the team, the atmosphere is electric, as it was at Elland Road in the Championship title season and the European / Champions League era.

Just get behind the team, support Leeds United, that’s what we are there for after all, isn’t it? Support your team through thick and thin, or just go do something else. Make your choice

 

 

 

Originally I was going to call this “All I want for August is…” and stick a photo of Mariah Carey on the front, but then I remembered Debbie Harry and this vinyl cover, and I decided it was a much better option. Picture this then (in no particular order)

Promotion to the Premier League as Champions or in second

No messing abaht as they say. No play off rubbish, it never works out and I would much rather not turn up at all, rather than get to the play off final and suffer through watching Leeds United not bother to turn up as they did at Cardiff, Wembley etc.

One manager this season

Sacking someone after a string of defeats doesn’t work, look at poor Heckingbottom last season, just what did that achieve? Should have just kept with TC.

A decent run in the FA and League Cups

This would necessitate fielding a decent side in the first place (see below). It of course actually means respecting the League and FA Cups for being competitive competitions. Games that the first team players don’t necessarily need to play in, but a decent team made up of first team players, subs and the youth team to dispatch the opposition, duly dishing out the 5-0 victory needed to get us in the next round, being suffice.

Fielding a decent side in the League and FA Cup

Self explanatory. See what opposition you get picked and where the game is being played (home or away and proper pitch or lower league mudbath that a hippo wouldn’t be out of place in) . Pick your best side for the team you are playing to get the result required. Pick a team to play in the competition rather than just entering it for the sake of entering a team. I have been reminded by The Secretary that had Monk fielded a proper side against the Scousers, we might have won that game.

Away tickets allocated on loyalty of the last 10 years

Away tickets are always a hot topic for the start of the season, and will be even more so this season with the promise of a new manager (like last season, and the season before…). Given last years terrible problems for the Bolton game and the following games (until we started losing that is!) , I see this as the only way forward. The last few games last season were testament to how fickle fans can be, noticeably fewer away fans at Fulham, Preston (nearly 7k sell out last season), Villa and Norwich. As far as I and many others are concerned, if you bothered going to the games when we were really poor, you should be rewarded for that loyalty over and aboard those who can afford to pay the extra up front payment.  I could go on, but I said enough last season about this.

Appropriate use of our Youth side

We have a good set up, our youth team should be utilised better. They should be brought up through the ranks (given a chance in the Cup games) and not sold off or farmed out to lower league teams.

Sensible decision making when picking the team

It was said that Don Revie used to have copious notes on each team to make sure he knew the best team to play against the opposition. The Championship is mainly full of huge defenders, midfielders who challenge hard for the ball and teams who play “the modern game” of one up front. If the opposition is known for hoofing the ball up to a lone target man, stick two men on the striker. If the midfield is slow and lumbering, put your paciest wingers on and try the trickery. Change the strategy accordingly and have the balls to substitute your players if it isn’t going your way, and do it early. There is no point waiting til 80 minutes and then putting on an attacking midfielder, is there?

Players who can play for 90 minutes (give or take another 5 or 6 mins)

It is a game of 90 minutes plus whatever the ref adds on. 90 minutes a week, and on occasion there might be two games in a week depending on Cup ties etc (use the Youth Team to help out – see above). Take Millwall last season, 3-2 up with 4 minutes to go. Yes we were down to 10 men, but we should have held out for the extra minutes which were added on as a result of The South Stand behaving like children and not giving the ball back.

Less red cards than last season

Carrying on from above, 90 minutes of keeping your head when all around are losing theirs (poetic licence notwithstanding). Reckless and some needless challenges cost us much last season. The rest of the league sussed us out, with sufficient cheating, continual bad fouls, poor ref decisions etc. they could rile us and get the advantage of the extra man by just tipping us over the edge.

Football to be just about 90 minutes (plus extra time) on the pitch

Keyboard warriors / persons with over inflated egos and /or delusions of grandeur and self importance have ruined our last few seasons. It is about what goes on the pitch and that’s what we should be concentrating on. Whilst I am all for freedom of speech and everyone has the right to voice their own opinions, social media point scoring because you get the most hits or views or whatever the latest fad is, takes time away from the most important thing, which is surely supporting Leeds United?

Just one home strip and one away strip 

Stop fleecing the poor people who actually want to buy the shirts or are pressured into getting one either by peer pressure or for children to keep them on the straight and narrow.

No winter break EVER

This is England, or Wales if you are a Swansea fan. Just get on with it. Plus what about global warming? It’s supposed to be getting warmer- right? Or were the scientists in the 70s correct in the first place? Is  there really is going to be an ice age? We know what this is all about, money spinning games in the Far East and US, just the FA lying through their smug, over paid, white, middle aged, fat cat, dodgy deals dental plan on us (the plebs) teeth.

Football on Saturday afternoons at 3pm

Unless it is a Bank Holiday of course. When was the last time we played at home on August Bank holiday weekend?