Confessions of a Correspondent - All Comments

re: The caring side of Fergie

Redbud — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:32:15 GMT

Nice to read, great job on the Paddy Crerend book too.

re: Could a twisting of words force Pep into a British media blackout?

CuleAngles — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:42:25 GMT

He also gave a TV interview to Sky in which he noted that Arsenal kick the ball long from goal kicks, which makes life slightly more difficult for Barca (most Spanish sides play it short and try to pass the ball out of defence). Sky then spent the next five minutes accusing Guardiola of calling Arsenal a route one side. Pep would be more than justified if he decided to blank the English hack pack.

re: Marseille trip far more eventful off the pitch than on it for United fans

neiltmufc — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:05:37 GMT

When are UEFA going to clamp down on the French CRS? Having personally been CS gassed for having the temerity to walk out of the Stade Gerland in Lyon, every British/Irish fan has nightmare stories of being attacked by those who are meant to be protecting you and enforcing law and order.

Being denied your civil rights in " holding pens " , battoned indiscriminately and having dogs set on you simply because you are following a English team is surely much worse than lighting a few flares?

Yes there are a fair few dicks who watch football abroad but the police should spend more time lifting them than treating every fan as a criminal.

Pep signs up for more Primera pain

La Liga Loca — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:08:24 GMT

Despite not appearing to enjoy one micro-second of his job – then again, no manager in la Liga seems

re: Steven Pienaar, crushed motorbikes & Phil Brown's shortbread

RobSmith — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:01:20 GMT

Great piece as usual, Andy. Keep 'em coming.

A P.A. announcement of someone's “motorbike has been crushed against a wall.” is a good one. That's the kind of thing I'd half expect to hear at a Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians tie.

re: Forlan, Mr Mystery and caravans

neil kershaw — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:50:48 GMT

hello andy....we met on the train to chester to watch chester v chorley....did u manage to write about and bumpin into me and my mate who are fc united fans....

re: Green & Gold protest to rumble on

micky moodys hat — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:27:02 GMT

Intresting choice of photo Andy considering your comments, assuming that you were responsible for it.

re: Green & Gold protest to rumble on

unitedrant — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:34:42 GMT

A good summary Andy. I'm still dumbfounded about the beliefs of some fans who are still prepared to 'wait and see', still lap up every morsel of PR spin emanating from the club. The divisions among the fans are as great as ever. It's unbelievably frustrating that we can't pull together as a group but its these very divisions that Glazers now live on.

Green & gold has been a great campaign to unite behind but stage II is now even more important. I get the impression that the supporters groups - equally divided at times - are not sure what that is. Another MUST poster campaign doesn't really cut it.

United fans can still bring down the Glazers. If fans were truly united there would be 20,000 season tickets on general sale, not 4,000, and the Glazers would be contemplating a sale, not a price freeze.

re: From fanzines to satellite TV

RobSmith — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:26:47 GMT

Great article...a shame you never made it over here to Dublin. The guinness is slightly different.

Irish fans of the Premier League are something of a funny bunch (in my opinion).

We're something of a nation of glory hunters. The Russian-invested success of Chelsea seen a rise in Chelsea supporters and guys wearing Chelsea shirts...something you wouldnt see when I was growing up in the early to mid 90's. Then it was all Man United (who were, as you well know, phenomenal then - and i guess now *sigh).

Most recently seen a rise in Manchester City supporters. What? Since when? Nobody ever supported City before. Just cause they've invested in every player ever people are supporting them. I know of one particular guy who lives near my house who 2/3 years ago was wearing his Liverpool shirt. The other day he was in the blue of Manchester City. Why are we glory hunting so much. Is there any pride with these guys anymore?

That said, it's not everyone.

At least i got my Ladies Football Club tattoo.

re: Are the CIA in cahoots with Man City?

danmanc86 — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:45:54 GMT

Erm...we have'nt been referred to as "The Lazer Blues" since 2002/03, when we last played in a lazer blue kit.

re: Are the CIA in cahoots with Man City?

Jeruleus — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:15:07 GMT

Probably American's aren't very much (VERY much) more ignorant, on average, about other parts of the world than any other country's population. It's just easier to find us because we've got 300million people rather than 30million. At least, we're probably not more ignorant about other parts of the world and other cultures than a similar proportion of other people are about our own culture.

re: Are the CIA in cahoots with Man City?

SSgtJedi3381 — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 05:44:06 GMT

as an American it is true we dont pay too much attention to the outside world. I gotta say you sound as if your judging us on some weak parts of our great country. Nevertheless my countrymen dont understand the great game as I do.

re: Are the CIA in cahoots with Man City?

Ro1980 — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:39:50 GMT

Americans are ignorant about the world outside their country. This is a fact everybody knows. It is a worn-out story. No need to write about it again.

re: Are the CIA in cahoots with Man City?

Jeruleus — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:44:09 GMT

Hey, it's not our fault London isn't an important city. Why should we bother with European history? History's boring.

re: Are the CIA in cahoots with Man City?

Yorugua — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:51:01 GMT

Sounds like you're being a tad too hard on the U.S., You should've gone to Las Vegas, head down to Hooters for some chicken wings, maybe visit a couple of strip-joints, you would've seen America isn't so bad.

re: Philly, Rocky and a painful tattoo

mastrilli — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:47:50 GMT

i'm a philly native living in barcelona and it was nice to see the old home town...hope you appreciated our local custom of getting smashed in the parking lot...did eating a greasy cheese steak at the end of the night make u more or less hungover?

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

bluetide — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:15:42 GMT

Wouldn't the better comparison be Cardiff City or Swansea's ongoing membership in the FA Leagues? They are without a doubt the strongest Welsh sides and play in the FA Leagues yet Wales have their own national team and even a (very weak) domestic national league. Up until the mid-1990s, they even competed for the Welsh Cup.

It seems there would not be a problem in terms of precedent for Barca or Espanyol to stay in La Liga and the rest of the weaker sides to form their own domestic league. The problems would be with European qualification and regional politics. City's appearance in the FA Cup final a couple of years back raised the very interesting question of whether they could take one of the reserved "English" spots in the Europa League had they won. They didn't and Portsmouth hadn't qualified for the CL so it was moot. Rangers and Celtic have long been considered candidates to join the EPL, but domestic politics have prevented that from occurring.

I say that to say that Barca staying in the Spanish league seems feasible. There would be some grumbling but ultimately, there is precedent and too much money is lost by them leaving. The real row would begin when they are in a position to earn a spot in Europe that would otherwise go to a Spanish team.

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

Orit Kal — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:48:41 GMT

Why not an Iberian League (or something of that sort), where Barca and first grade Basque clubs as representatives of proud, free nations could play?

This whole issue needs new thinking.

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

nudger — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:30:59 GMT

For sure an interesting and welcome article. Having been to Bilbao and witnessed the incredible passion and indeed food I am very interested in anything regarding Athletic. However I never sa your article in 4 4 2 . Is there an archive link Andy? Oh and by the way..look out there's a Blue Moon rising !!!

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

Joel Oberstone — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:39:06 GMT

Thank you for the perspective regarding the Catalania-Spanish impass. After visiting Barcelona this past Fall, I felt that I had started to appreciate the historical problems and this story provided yet another layer of understanding. While in Barcelona I learned that there was a book fair that promoted only those authors that wrote in Catalan—all books in Spanish were banned. That served as my jump start regarding how deep the split is. As an outsider, I know that I cannot begin to appreciate what generations of Catalans have have experienced.

Again, thank you for your article.

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

JohnPJones — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:18:37 GMT

No, fair dues to you Andy, it is a brave opinion piece. It's just that this subject is , ahem, 'delicate', like Gerard points out, it's bloody hard to find middle ground on these matters in Spain.

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

Andy Mitten — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:57:35 GMT

Thanks for your comments. Decent, informed and interesting points.

The subject is complex and conveying such complexities in an 800 word blog is difficult. I also usually write the blogs in an informal manner, whereas if I was writing the piece as a 2,000 feature I'd probably quote five or six relevant sources and the tone would be slightly different. But even that wouldn't be enough to do the subject justice.

I wanted to convey the mood in Barcelona and what I saw last weekend - which was my neighbourhood emptying to go on the protest. It seemed like every single person was going. And to mention some other issues like Iniesta/Jarque and a possible (and frankly unlikely ) Catalan league.

Opinions are wide, deep and varied. They vary from barrio to barrio. I walked 400 metres this morning and was in a barrio where Spain flags fluttered. You don't get that where I live. It's hardly north Belfast, but it's noticeable. I offered mine and I'd hope it's an informed one, albeit that of an outsider with just nine years under my belt in Barcelona.

As for the figures. Fair point. Calculating mass demonstrations is notoriously difficult. Catalan TV said 1.4 million; but a) they would and b) how would they know? How does anyone know when tickets are not issued? The million figure was a consensus in the media the following day, but the police estimated it to be as low as 400,000. Nobody knows the answer, but it was undeniably a vast showing and far far in excess of how many celebrated the following night, which was my point.

As for the stat about there only being 1.7 million people in Barcelona. That's the city, but the metropolitan area of Barcelona is 4.2 million. Also, tens of thousands of people travelled from all over Catalonia. I saw them, asking how to use the metro and such like. It was amusing.

The Bilbao point was relevant and worthy of another blog. I'm sure there are the theories you mentioned and I did the Athletic v Real Sociedad piece for 442 a few years ago (plus the one on Real Sociedad signing Aldridge, Atkinson and Richardson) so I'm aware of opinions in the Basque country with regard to Spain. And I love watching both the Athletic players who were called up and hope they stay and play in the new San Mames. Sorry, cathedral.

Thanks again for reading and commenting. I'll write the next blog from the US next week on Man Utd's pre-season tour.

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

JohnPJones — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:24:42 GMT

Andy, Monaco don't have a national side.

Besides, I fail to see how this is always indicative, plenty of Catalans oscillate between demanding some more autonomy, but not outright secession, and the Status Quo, (the latter being more in tune with my family), and we have roots in Barcelona going well back.

I'd agree with your article, if it weren't that the realities are ever so more complex, (such a typically Spanish thing).

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

JohnPJones — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:02:01 GMT

Andy, I saw the march, it was 400.000 if you ask me, a substantial figure, but never a million. (Jees the city barely has 1.7 million people).

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

nudger — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:47:37 GMT

I was using the Madridsta phrase as a "capital city" generalisation . Any comment from you Mr Mitten?

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

andres in ny — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:30:20 GMT

Well for starters nudger Fernando Torres is far from a Madridista.

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

nudger — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:56:04 GMT

Interesting article. However I think you could have made the point of how the Basques reacted? My contact in Bilbao inferred that they were pretty apathetical about the whole gig and this wasn't helped by the continued use of Torres as a sub when Llorente had been so effective when he was used. There was a feeling of a Madridsta plot against certainly Llorente. Anylight on this Andy or indeed anyone?

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

RobSmith — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:14:09 GMT

Great article Andy.

There was a great interview (I'll try find youtube link) on Irish television covering the celebrations of Spains world cup triumph in Barcelona. The interviewer went and interviewed all tourists in their Red and Yellow colours of Spain. They interviewed one local. A young girl aged around twenty who told the Irish journalist in perfect English "I hate this. I hate Spain. I am Catalan. I am a Barça fan. I hate this" and the interviewer was somewhat taken aback by this.

Good ol' RTE.

Great article all the same, mate. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Delighted you mentioned the Dani Jarque bit...I mentioned it on my twitter when Iniesta scored to my bemused public.

Top marks.

ROB

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

Yorugua — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:34:42 GMT

Incredible article, do you happen to know how many Catalan players were featured on the Spanish 1950 Squad? I think it was only one.

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

andres in ny — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:22:32 GMT

As Gerard put it there is way too much radicalism in Spanish politics. People, both those in power and regular citizens like you and me, need to begin to think pragmatically when discussing issues of national identity, culture, tax law, religion and politics because this poisonous political anxiety has done nothing but hold Spain back for over a century.

re: Spain win highlights Catalan divide

Gerard — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:53:03 GMT

Nice article. As a catalan I must say it is a bit more complicated, but of course from outside it sounds like a madhouse. Today we protest for our region's rights and authonomy, tomorrow we celebrate the success of Spain, our 'State' as we like to call it.

You must understand though that there are sooo much radicalism here. We have the super catalan guys, who want Spain to loose the Cup, get independent, etc (but care if you ask them what could Barça do in a catalan league). Then, the 'facha' ones, spanish patriots who negate any catalan indentity, even speaking garbage such like "catalan is a dialect".

I'm sure you got similar cases in UK, not neccesarilly about territorial issues (like Ireland), I mean mindless people, zealots, fanatics with their brain washed to move and take action on a certain affair. The politics behind are the actual scum, they do not know what they want neither what we all want, and just fight each other while the population sights and tries to look to another way.

I consider myself very catalanist; I wouldn't sign our independence yet a new auto-determination would be great, while I think our own culture, identity, language, etc are to be preserved, even boosted. But, I celebrated Spain's success as the most 'facha' guy, no flags though. I feel no shame for doing it, it's my country and while I'm zero patriot it's the only team I should support. If catalonia played the World Cup? Well, that's another story...

re: The World Cup has nothing on pre-season

footballfutbolfitba — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:01:03 GMT

It's been a decent tournament, but international football doesn't come close to the club game, and hasn't for a long time.

footballfutbolfitba.wordpress.com/.../no-longer-the-main-event

re: The World Cup has nothing on pre-season

jlc21 — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:38:33 GMT

Andy -- Massive United fan in Houston, would love to buy you a pint or 3 when you're in town. Drop me a line if you get a chance -- twitter.com/jlcubria.

re: Christmas in Carlisle... no, Preston... er, Southport?!

Maroussia — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:43:26 GMT

It will be great to watch Manchester United, i have bought tickets from

ticketfront.com/.../Manchester_United-tickets looking forward to it.

re: Barca presidential race overshadowing Spain's World Cup preparations

Lenfu — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 02:58:43 GMT

It seems pretty obvious to me that Rosell will become the next President of FC Barcelona. My only real concern is that he follows thru with the obvious.

He allows for Pep G to coach his players with full confidence

He bridges the gap for all culé all over the world with better coverage

He allows Barça to remain above all else, a true socio (democracy)

I trust politicians about as far as i can toss them, that being said.... I think Sandro Rosell IS a true culé. If he does win this election (and it looks like he will), i hope and pray he encourages all that is best and healthy for our community.

re: Barca presidential race overshadowing Spain's World Cup preparations

kbones — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:58:39 GMT

Chygrynsky a flop? Now you're being shallow. He was never supposed to take a big part from the beginning.

And about Fabregas - he's not supposed to improve the team like Villa - he's probably the only player in the world to replace Xavi. The players want him back (hence endless interviews about the transfer), the technical staff want him in the team, so who's not convinced here?

re: Messi and Villa already on good terms - unlike Levante and Valencia

tariqo — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:56:40 GMT

is this an aticle

re: Peter Andre, Andy Cole and the case of the missing fanzines

InAllFurness — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:07:25 GMT

Lol...you're old man had it in for Scholes years ago and good to see in his old age he's not mellowing.

Loving the blogs Andy

re: Peter Andre, Andy Cole and the case of the missing fanzines

ben od — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:28:30 GMT

ive been reading your blogs for a while and enjoy them but have to ask,is your old man really that mad?keep up the good work

re: Peter Andre, Andy Cole and the case of the missing fanzines

RobSmith — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:26:38 GMT

Close call with the fanzines.

Great work as usual, Andy.

re: Where everybody despises Barcelona

temjin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:36:14 GMT

Very interesting article. You have something very similar here in Portugal with Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.

"You are not our rivals. You are our enemy." indeed.

re: Where everybody despises Barcelona

Paul — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:42:27 GMT

Excellent article ,Andy, Nice to see a Barça article that doesn't pull it's punches. Glad to see you pointed out the Tourists wearing Barça shirts at Espanyol are not welcome. I have spent so many derbies saving Brits from getting a kicking. Would you wear a Man Utd shirt to Man City if you've never been there before ?.Are people so stupid they think as it's Barça they are fine because everyone loves them ?

Anyway top stuff and an antidote to that Suck up fest that bloke from Football focus did.

Visca L'Espanyol

re: Giggs-loving drunks, jobsworths and texts from Zlatan

cjc_11 — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:42:06 GMT

Can I have Zlatans Moblie Number plz???

lol

gr8 article

re: Mitten in Milan: outcasts, communists & best-sellers

temjin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:22:56 GMT

"Imagine being a fan of a club and not being able to go to matches."

Most Man Utd supporters from Manchester do.

re: Mitten in Milan: outcasts, communists and best-sellers

Fabrecass — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:19:05 GMT

.....i'm sorry, that was utter tosh.

re: How I made it from paperboy to columnist

OFH — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:41:14 GMT

Been reading Andys columns for over 6 months now and love them. Not the best one this week but as the site made me leave my details I wanted to put a question to anyone out there or Andy himself. I am a season ticket holder at OT, regular USW reader & have bought a Y&G scarf myself and feel it is a emotive & substansial demonstration; however what is the end game, aside from another foreign billionaire, what are any good outcomes?

re: Wiki, Naka, Benni, Benzema and Beadle

jim82 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:56:20 GMT

Never trust the Daily Mirror. I read an article once about the Manchester United v AC Milan Champions League tie in 2009. The one where United were playing Inter.

I sometimes wonder how people get these jobs.

re: For once, players are queueing up to speak to me

ryan.k — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:42:30 GMT

If you get David Villa in the Rojo of United i will send endless supplies to the UWS HQ!

re: For once, players are queueing up to speak to me

temjin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:43:20 GMT

Not related to this post but seeing as you are the HMIC (head mancunian in charge) ...

I just found out about some manchester club called Central. I never heard of it. You could drop a post about it sometime...

re: How I made it from paperboy to columnist

Gary Parkinson — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:34:35 GMT

Andy didn't write the headline, I did.

You may have a point about it, but I refer you to his last sentence...

re: How I made it from paperboy to columnist

The Brain — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:23:34 GMT

Fabrecass: I think it was something to do with the match he just watched, or some hooligan or something...

re: How I made it from paperboy to columnist

Fabrecass — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:20:14 GMT

I read this column thinking i'd find out how you went from paper boy to columnist.... you know... because that's what the title said..... so how come it didn't explain anything about how you went from paperboy to columnist?

re: Oldham's summer tour exploits follow them home

tiago — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:38:23 GMT

Andy,

More reading on the Oldham american connection

www.thespoiler.co.uk/.../californian-cheerleader-why-i-travelled-11000-miles-to-watch-oldham-athletic

www.thespoiler.co.uk/.../californian-cheerleaders-fly-11000-miles-to-watch-oldham-play-millwall

Greetings from Terrassa, cheers

tiago

www.twitter.com/tiago_romeu

re: United and Red Star: friends forever

Paul Johnson — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:33:33 GMT

Andy is always very interesting whenever he writes.

re: Christmas in Carlisle... no, Preston... er, Southport?!

psdiggs — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:34:42 GMT

What were the mistakes in the book Andy?

re: Christmas in Carlisle... no, Preston... er, Southport?!

neiltmufc — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:15:46 GMT

re Fulhum fans. Truth hurts Quiggle? Anyway, our off-field performance was all we had to sing about that day. Slightly contradictory but you know what I mean.

re: Christmas in Carlisle... no, Preston... er, Southport?!

Quiggle — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:47:02 GMT

slighting fulham's fanbase was unnecessary

re: A week of football in Germany

wilkymufc — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 11:17:19 GMT

Unfortunately the last time I was in the St Pauli area of Hamburg, visiting the Ground was not on my agenda....!!

re: A week of football in Germany

temjin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:33:10 GMT

St. Pauli, eh? Your street creed is back dude. And it's "tudo bem". cheers.

re: Xavi, Mustoe, Cole and Enke

temjin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:52:57 GMT

Dude, you went to Hamburg to check out the fan culture and ended up going to a HSV match instead of a St. Pauli match!?

Epic fa1l Mr. Mitten...

re: Xavi, Mustoe, Cole and Enke

Ad99 — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:59:36 GMT

Andy, how long have you been based in Barcelona? I've read the mags for some years and noticed the Spanish content always seemed to fall in your domain...

re: Xavi, Mustoe, Cole and Enke

kbones — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:47:12 GMT

Presenters who don't know about football? Tell me about it. Here in Poland, guys who commentate CL matches sound as puzzled and lost as an Englishman giving his first coverage on, say, Segunda B.

great read, as always reassuring me that it's all okay in the football world.

re: Europa gaining consensus in Catalonia

Yorugua — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:21:41 GMT

Excellent piece but just one question... €10 to see a 4th division team? Isn't that a bit too much?

re: Speaking to Robert Enke

Alex84 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:08:02 GMT

Great piece. Sounds like he was a top class guy and a rarity in football these days - down to earth.

RIP.

re: Speaking to Robert Enke

spandidoman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:27:35 GMT

RIP Robert, i hope you have found peace at last.

re: Speaking to Robert Enke

Fabrecass — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:11:06 GMT

truly devastating loss to football and mankind.

re: Speaking to Robert Enke

BoroKnight — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:03:40 GMT

from what i've read , he was solemn and brave, went through a lot of pangs. May his journey be in peace

re: Speaking to Robert Enke

Yorugua — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:53:17 GMT

Great Piece, which also touches upon the difference with the more flamboyant Kahn who turned out to be a total pariah (in his private life)... what a difference with Enke, who suffered the tortures of the damned in his personal life... May he rest in peace.

re: Fletcher, Cole, Flintoff, X Factor & folk rock

Gorayfe — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:45:06 GMT

"When he was 10, I managed to convince him that he wasn’t born in a hospital, but was actually found in the soil on wasteland behind Altrincham’s ground."

A reference to Plato's Noble Lie in the Republic. Quality writing.

re: Fletcher, Cole, Flintoff, X Factor & folk rock

RobSmith — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:57:42 GMT

The Saw Doctors? Culchie rock!?!? They once stole my booze!

Good to see the book signings are going well Andy.

Great blog, keep up the great work!

re: Book bother, bucking broncos & bedding Beyonce

dalliaa — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:45:56 GMT

finished your book yesterday, and its an excellent read, funny in parts (David May!!)and getting the players insight was very refreshing as was reading Martin Edwards chapter, its the one i found most interesting as it was the view from 'upstairs' which one rarely gets to hear about. The one player I really didnt take too was Jordi Cruyff...was glad when that chapter ended, all he did was complain, complain and complain.

re: Crerand, Cole, Glory & robbery

psdiggs — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:03:27 GMT

Read the book, its a really great read best parts being Cole, Edwards and the nutter that is David May.

re: Book bother, bucking broncos & bedding Beyonce

Damian — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:13:27 GMT

Just finished reading your book Andy - great work as usual. A very good read. Cheers.

re: Book bother, bucking broncos & bedding Beyonce

Ian-H- — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:07:41 GMT

I've just gone on the United We Stand forum and checked and it IS on there.

Yours,

confused. I'm sure I was on the toilet when reading that. It was fascinating, by the way, and I conclude that Edwards is a good man, certainly a sight better than some people I could mention. Like whoever looks after the clock in St. Ann's Church in central Manchester, for instance.

re: Book bother, bucking broncos & bedding Beyonce

Ian-H- — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:03:46 GMT

Have you ever tried to interview one of the Glazers, or is that a silly question?

I'm not sure what you'd ask them but it would make for interesting reading. Is there an extract of the Edwards piece somewhere in United We Stand? I know for a fact I was reading it on the khazi the other day. Is in the Groundside on the UWS forum? If so I must have dragged the computer into the cackhouse and read it while I did my business without even realising I'd done it (dragged the computer, that is, not done my business; I always know when I'm doing that).

This is gonna drive me mad now...thanks...I hope you're proud of yourself.

re: Book bother, bucking broncos & bedding Beyonce

WATPOAE — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:53:23 GMT

When I saw the comments in the papers I thought, hang on, where's this coming from. Then something clicked and I remembered that you had interviewed him for the book (of which I have a copy and is next on my reading list). As you said, its not the first time the incredibly lazy hacks in Fleet St have pilfered someone else's work and claimed it as their own. Its pathetic. Same with UWS (and Red News and Red Issue), these so called journos are constantly scouring United fan sites for genuine stories that they then usually rip off and claim as their own exclusive. Some do quote the source but they are in the minority.

Hopefully the coverage will help the book if nothing else. Though I did smile to myself thinking of the Glazers thoughts on his comments re: the finances!

re: Backing Manchester's Olympic bid

Yorugua — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:07:00 GMT

Placing the Olympics in Madrid would have been the worst decision of all time, it's a potential terrorist hotbed, not only from the home grown type (ETA) but also the "Johnny Jihad's Come Lately" which seem to lie in sleeper mode waiting for just the right time to unleash their brand of "social protest" --- Although some may like to believe the media fantasy that George W. Bush "created" terrorism to stay in power (as Hitler did with the Reichstag fire), the truth is we are living in scary times. Placing a major tournament event which attracts millions of people in a major European city is dangerous enough, placing it in a city (Madrid) which has lax security concerning their rail transportation is too dangerous a cocktail to swallow.

re: From Barnsley to Switzerland via Xavi and Hitler

RobSmith — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:19:31 GMT

Here's me thinking they were for Low Fat Crisps.

Great work as usual, Andy.

re: Tevez, Kidd, Rooney and hypocrisy

The Brain — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:31:26 GMT

I don't think Fergie made too much effort to sign him and in the end he cost more than he wanted. (Remember, United had already spent £10m just loaning him).

He went to City and everything changed. Fans are fickle. Every team. I didn't have a reason to boo Adebayor even if I wanted to but now I do (an Arsenal fan) but I'll choose not to.

re: Tevez, Kidd, Rooney and hypocrisy

dharma_bum — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:36:53 GMT

@ isaidso

Do you really think that had tevez signed for another club, say Inter, Real Madrid or even Arsenal, his return to Old Trafford would be as hostile as it was at the weekend? My change of opinion of the man has very little to do with him saying he was treated badly by the club due to his "limited appearances" and stalling contract offers. He was half right, Ferguson didn't see him as a first choice and as a result he didn't get the games carlos thought he deserved, and SAF was also left unconvinced he was worth the extra £20-25mill. Neither do I, and the same applies for many other reds.

It was because he decided to follow the $ and show zero respect to the fans (who gave him better vocal support than afforded to almost any other player wearing red during his 2 years at OT) by signing for city. He could have gone to many other clubs and would have returned to OT with a good reception. Time will probably tell that he contradicted himself by moving "to get more games" due to the number of attacking players they've signed. His limitations were all to see in stoppage time when he could've easily taken that clearance down and held up play but flicked it on straight to Rooney...

And Hughes? All managers are guilty of defending the indefensible among their players and it's just another case of what this article is about: hypocrisy. It's Hughes' bad words about United since taking over at city that have ruined my opinion of a man who was my first hero.

re: Tevez, Kidd, Rooney and hypocrisy

Tony_Oldham — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:28:59 GMT

I understand your revisionist comments to a certain extent but the way Tevez conducted himself after he left United he did not deserve to be revered by our fans. When Ronaldo left United i think some people expected him to open his mouth about the club, but the way he has been since he left is exemplory. He has been nothing but courtious and thankful about SAF and the club, something that has raised my estimation of the type of person he is massive amounts, i never doubted his immense talents as a footballer but i think all united fans questioned his nature sometimes seeming very arrogant, something which i am sorry about now. The Way Tevez acted has just made me respect Ronaldo all the more. Tevez also needs to realise that he had as much to thank the club for as much as it needed to be thankful to him.

re: Tevez, Kidd, Rooney and hypocrisy

unitedrant — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:23:17 GMT

As you say, all football fans are revisionist when it comes to players but there are factors that have exacerbated the reaction to Tevez among United supporters.

Tevez very conspiculously failed to be humble about his move from United to City. In saying that Sir Alex Ferguson showed him disrespect and so very obviously telling outright lies about the club's offer to him, he immediately set himself against the club.

United fans are forever loyal to the club and Sir Alex has such a massive bank of credit that fans are prepared to trust his judgement when it comes to players. This is an argument Tevez could never win with supporters.

Tevez simply should have said he was moving to find the first team football he couldn't at United - like Nicky Butt and Phil Neville - and he could have maintained a more civil relationship with United supporters. The player's problem is that he rates himself as significantly better than he really is.

Moreover, Manchester City supporters have held him up as some kind of trophy. True, they haven't seen any silverware in 34 years, but still it's a wee bit desperate. How could that not provoke a reaction?

re: Tevez, Kidd, Rooney and hypocrisy

WATPOAE — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:56:02 GMT

Poor old Carlos was really living in dreamland if he thought he would get a heroes welcome dressed in laser blue on derby day. As you said, he is well used to derbies in both Argentina and Brazil. While I respected and loved his contribution in a red shirt in the two years he played for us, his constant whining and complaining to the press over the summer and for most of last season did nothing but make him look a right d**k. He moved (or was encouraged to move by his agents) for money, end of story. It was hardly for the prospect of winning trophies (perhaps he was laughing at the 33/34 years banner on the Stretty having just realised his mistake!). True, professional footballers have to think of their careers and their families but Tevez did nothing to help himself in his constant bleating about his "mistreatment". If winning two leagues, a champions league, a league cup and earning over 90k a week is mistreatment, then sign me up! To then expect to be applauded by fans at OT while playing for the bitters is not just unreal but a tad stupid in my opinion.

re: Tevez, Kidd, Rooney and hypocrisy

Isaidso — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:06:13 GMT

If you are a Man UNited fan, then you certainly don't understand the situation here. Tevez wasn't boo-ed at every time he touched the ball because he chose to sign for City, which is what you are implying. He was jeered because he LIED about why he signed for the bluenoses, and told the media he had been thrown out of Old Trafford! But CARLA lit the blue touchpaper when he continually whined almost every week about why he signed for the Pity, and demaned respect whilst not respecting SAF or our Management team. He was mistreated - didn't get enough games, yeah right! He couldn't stop badmouthing our club, and that's why he will always get the same treatment at OT. Hughesy is getting the treatment because he has become like Pinnochio, his nose is growing rapidly for all the lies he tells to defend the indefensible among his players. I loved to watch you on MUTV and read your mag - not any more Andy - just stop misrepresenting our fans like the bluenoses, unless you are becoming one of them!

re: Chasing Socrates and meeting Messi

RobSmith — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:37:19 GMT

great work as usual. keep it up.

re: A week in the life

Wolf — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:24:21 GMT

fabrecass.. You care enough to read it !!

Vladivistok.. brilliant !!

re: A week in the life

Fabrecass — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:12:45 GMT

snooze fest, does anyone care how many famous people you know? there's got to be a reason why you sit and write a list every week and call it a blog.

re: Eating cows and washing Wilko's balls

Mancunian Red — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:19:29 GMT

I'm from Flixton too and in my mid 40s but wouldn't leave Manchester. Sad may be, but I love Manchester and going to watch United every home game.

re: Espanyol fans finally have home of their own

Paul — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:07:48 GMT

"the most loony ultras" Betis win that one, Boro, hands down. Though in the City of Barcelona,Espanyol's support is way more vocal than that other mob across the city aka The noise(nois)abatement society.

The ones who invaded the pitch for "Ibra" I guarantee that's the first time most of 'em have been in the stadium for years.

re: Espanyol fans finally have home of their own

BoroKnight — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:10:59 GMT

".....and ‘Gerrard Was Nine When We Last Won the League.’ "

HA! Nice dig Man U boy!

But its nice a good, prestigous club like Espanyol have a stadium of their own, but blimey, they have one of the most loony ultras around. Paul might grudgingly accept.....

re: Espanyol fans finally have home of their own

Paul — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:21:39 GMT

"Llibre is trusted by fans" He is by me(13 year season ticket holder) but there's a very vocal large group against him. They are against him for,Stadium apart,missing opportunities to move the club forward on the pitch when everything has been in place for us to be a top six fixture.

Good article, the stadium is really impressive and isn't great to hear so much noise inside a footy stadium in the city and metropolitan area(where Cornella is) which Barça supporting morons insist on telling me.

re: Pennant and Ibrahimovic already feeling the heat

Terwase — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:00:45 GMT

Etoo is one of the better strikers around inter did'nt lose much. Samuel is sure to score goals in the serie A, time he left spain anyway

re: Pennant and Ibrahimovic already feeling the heat

kbones — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:54:49 GMT

"Had there been a consistently better centre forward in world football in the last five years?"

Thierry Henry, perhaps?

Anyway - I don't think that Pep would sell Eto'o because of his character or disturbances - if there were any during the last season. I believe what the players said about the good atmosphere back in the locker room. For me, it was Sammy's motivation which could lack in the upcoming season. You could sense it for some time now. I'll miss him, but I'm glad that he left now, while people still remember him for his best.

And, as always, great article.

re: Sky keep schtum on rapid Rivals ruin

WATPOAE — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:03:44 GMT

Typical Sky/News Corp behaviour. I deal with News International in my job and believe me, you wouldn't believe some of the stuff that goes on.

re: Sky keep schtum on rapid Rivals ruin

Wolf — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:26:35 GMT

"huh? Unavailable?" !! Photo of another local mancunian logging onto UWS!! Funny!! But what is not funny is the way Rivals gave no notice.. Pretty poor !!

re: Sky keep schtum on rapid Rivals ruin

Manc Red — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:46:50 GMT

I was one of those who saw the same thing, resorted to wikipedia to find out what happened to it.

re: Anfield man's arrival splits Old Trafford opinion

psdiggs — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:29:52 GMT

"i'm going to knock them off their f*cking perch" was a benchmark set in regards to winning the league it mattered little that it was liverpool, any other club that had won the league as much in that era would have had the same target on their back for an ambitious manager. The concept of "us vs them" helped to create team spirit. It has been this team spirit that has given Utd that ability to get results in games other team would of lost.

For the record Owen may never be a Utd legend but he is a proven goal scorer and gives Ferguson two years to develop or discover new stiking talent.

re: Anfield man's arrival splits Old Trafford opinion

mrplow2000 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:52:42 GMT

He also advanced the us and them concept against the media in his early united days. Also, "you think i would deal with that mob?.... i wouldn't sell them a virus" classy

re: Anfield man's arrival splits Old Trafford opinion

doller — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:09:28 GMT

"Ferguson also has no time for the hostilities of fan culture" Are you having a laugh, this man epitomises the hostilities of fan culture, in fact its probably down to him why LFC and MUFC fans hate each other so much. remind me now who was it who said i'm going to knock off their f*cking perch

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

labuan — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:58:53 GMT

i miss the UWS forum!!! need... to... read... banter... miss... Danny... Loki's... JOKEZ...

sort it Andy!

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

Wolf — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:22:16 GMT

at least you are still able to beat Stoke and Hull to the signature of an ex galactico.. Was a good job Fat Sam at Blackburn pulled out of the running..

Your forward line is full of scousers !! With berbaflop being an honorary member having not done a days work in the last year !!

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

EBH — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:54:26 GMT

how can an incident be brought to task?

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

D Man — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:25:34 GMT

You are getting confused Mr Plow.Stam was bombed out when Lazio offered silly money.Fergie thought he'd lost a yard of pace and his son was acting as an agent in the deal.Stam looked shell shocked and didn't want to leave.As for the illegal approach.Name a transfer when a player isn't "sounded out" about his interest first.

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

mrplow2000 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:02:15 GMT

Jaap Stamm. He left despite Fergie wanting him. Or was it because Fergie had made an illegal approach. The clearly guilty incident was never brought to task. Wonder why??

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

TheRedC — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:22:18 GMT

Ah, from Denton yes, illiterate Blue bitter? No! United took the stance that if he hadn't signed after the deadline they had set then he didn't want to sign. His agent, on the other hand, passed the blame over to United by stating that the club had not given him enough time to sign the contract, indicating very strongly that it was indeed being considered.

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

george_weahs_nephew — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:14:50 GMT

I would like to offer my sympathy for the loss of Ronaldo, who was lost for £80m. As a Southampton fan it really puts things into perspective :-)

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

withoutadream — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:01:46 GMT

Ah from Denton yet taking the micky out of the Manc accent, classic.

This is taken from manutd.com

'Following contact received from Carlos Tevez’s advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the Club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the Club.

THE CLUB AGREED TO PAY THE OPTION PRICE OF £25.5 MILLION and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players.

Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the Club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the Club’s most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.

The Club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future.'

Yes they tried to make hims sign within 10 days but it doesn't change the fact that they were willing to pay the fee.

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

TheRedC — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:37:50 GMT

As far as i know, Andy is perfectly correct concerning Tevez's departure. If 'withoutadream' analyses things once more he will realise that United withdrew their offer. Tevez's agent stated that United had not given him enough time to sign. In my book that is United not believing he was worth the money or hassle.

Personaly, I am annoyed and confused by both departures. I'm from Denton, originally...and I'm panicking, albeit here on the streets of Scandinavia.

I have no doubt, in time, that United will emerge again as Europe's strongest side, but every time it seems as if we are on the verge of complete World domination then things like this happens. I'm a little tired of the sensation that we have just lost one of the worlds best players. Staam, Cantona, Beckham, Ruud and now Ronaldo. Add to that the very good players like Forlan, Rossi, Pique and Tevez and I am starting to feel lonely and unwanted.

I need to feel the luxury of bringing in a top - and very expensive - signing. Even if we never use him on the actual field of play, even if he just keeps the bench warm for Berbatov's ineviatable substitutions then I'll still be happy in the knowledge that we can waste our cash just as easily as Madrid, Chelsea and Citeh and I will still be able to hold on to the admittedly often challenged and questioned belief that Manchester is the best city in the World to live, drink, party - and see football in.

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

psdiggs — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:27:55 GMT

Great reply spanish blue. Just what was the point? Surely with a name like spanish blue you've been born and raised in the shadow of maine road? Also great use of CAP locks. Typical blue nobody pays any notice of them so they talk crap to get noticed.

Good blog key thing is Utd make stars they dont buy them.

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

Fletcher_Defender — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:22:09 GMT

irony overload from spanish blue.

and try reading his about section, if you can read properly.

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

Spanish Blue — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:02:56 GMT

AS A DIE HARD BLUE I MUST AGREE WITH YOU,YOU WILL NOT FIND ANY RAGS IN DIDSBURY, DENTON OR MOSS SIDE THERE ALL DOWN SOUTH OR IN IRELAND. YOU PLONKER THATS PROBBABLY WHERE YOUR WRITING THIS DRIVEL FROM.

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

Morton Henmarsh — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:51:44 GMT

There's something unmistakably Joycean about your style, Andeh, though the Dubliner seldom managed to be as pithily unarsed about life's little setbacks.

There's a Duvel with your name on it behind the bar at The Bar.

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

Fletcher_Defender — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:35:47 GMT

great blog that, and exactly my thoughts on the situation.

we have the best manager to have ever lived, and i trust him that much, i dont even bother reading newspapers.

re: United fans won't panic despite loss of prize pair

withoutadream — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:26:10 GMT

Obviously you're a red and will write with a biased perspective but just to make your article a little more factually correct Ferguson did think Tevez was worth the fee, Tevez decided not to stay.

re: Bouncing Barca & the symptoms of success

Aitsa — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:48:37 GMT

Barcelona represents a commitment to player development and total dedication to a certain type of football - poor Bobby Robson got sacked for winning ugly. It has a history of anti-fascism and, despite being opportunist enough to have Babybel designated its Official Cheese, still rather advertise Unicef rather than some sports betting agency, thereby losing out on the trasnsfer cost of at least one top player per season. Its principles might be moth-eaten, but it has some.

Manchester United represents... mmm... what exactly?

re: Bouncing Barca & the symptoms of success

WATPOAE — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:07:46 GMT

"To avoid drowning in such soporific dullness, you don’t advertise which team you support when meeting people in social company. Friends who watch United home and away wouldn’t dream of wearing the club's colours because the identity of the shirt has been stripped and because it attracts tools."

Couldn't have put it better meself.

re: Bouncing Barca & the symptoms of success

D Man — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:03:31 GMT

There's no way that would Finch join Real Madrid.

re: Bouncing Barca & the symptoms of success

kbones — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:00:51 GMT

Do you respect only those who can actually go to their team's matches? I'd like you to explain that more clearly. That's because I'm a Barca fan a few years now, I've never been to any of their matches and I don't expect that to happen in less than two years. I also know a nice Cule group in Poland (where I live), some of them are surely newcomers, but several are die-hard fans and I wouldn't say their "match trip counts" go past 10.

However, we all watch Barca on TV and none of us misses more than two games per season.

re: Bouncing Barca & the symptoms of success

182 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:47:08 GMT

Never thought id feel bad for utd fans, but i guess not all of them are idiots, thanks for the education!

re: Filming with The King & drinking with The Axe

Fabrecass — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:33:46 GMT

your blogs are horrible. i'm sick of reading about who you met last week, or who you're going to meet, or how much you spend on man utd condoms.

f*** off, you're incredibly boring.

re: Filming with The King & drinking with The Axe

WATPOAE — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:05:32 GMT

Tell me about it, I think the money left my credit card before I'd turned the bloody laptop off when I renewed the week before last. Paying £684, just like yourself. Empty seats a plenty next season at OT me thinks.

re: Cruyff, Van der Sar, Cantona and Scudamore

Manc Red — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:54:31 GMT

I hear looking for eric is quite good

re: Cruyff, Van der Sar, Cantona and Scudamore

Wolf — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:35:44 GMT

looks like Kaka may have a new team mate !!

re: Paddy Crerand, Prince William, the hacks & the drunks

RobSmith — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:51:39 GMT

Nice Smiths reference. Great work as usual Andy.

re: Paddy Crerand, Prince William, the hacks & the drunks

WATPOAE — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:28:43 GMT

Andy, good job you didn't decide to take the tram back to Flamini station after the game. Bloody nightmare, surprised someone wasn't injured with the free for all disguised as organisation at the tram/bus stops. Gutted by our lack of a performance on the night (bar the first 10 mins). We just didn't turn up and let the Barca midfield away with murder which as good sides do, they took full advantage of. Anyway, far from a bad season for us, number 18 in the bag and if I had my pick it would always be the league first. Here's to Madrid next year anyway.

Cheers.

re: The Fonz, The Flea & dating Brian Kidd's daughter

RobSmith — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:59:58 GMT

Great blog Andy. Keep it up.

re: My next seven (hectic as hell) days...

benfawkes — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:26:11 GMT

my week consists of sitting in office, procrastinating, buggering off for a long weekend. Yours sounds a lot better I feel...Andy Cole book eh? Could be good - any scandal at all or is it full of emo Keegan anecdotes?

re: My next seven (hectic as hell) days...

WATPOAE — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:37:25 GMT

A hectic week but sounds very enjoyable. Do you fancy trading places?!!

re: Rome, Rotherham & Ronaldo in his pants

InAllFurness — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:50:11 GMT

Give Charlie my regards....good to see that age hasn't mellowed him!!

re: Stockport strife hits stars of the future hard

frodoisdead — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:20:24 GMT

Stockport's my local club and it makes me sad to see them in this position. Last season it really looked as though the club was on the up; with a great manager in Jimmy Gannon, a good young squad and a strong, loyal fanbase.

I hope to god that Jimmy Gannon doesn't leave the club. If he does then i can see County struggling next season, especially with point deductions.

Good luck with the trials. Hopefully he'll get through it and be in an even better position!

re: Gallipoli, Guiza & Galatasaray

carl.31 — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:17:06 GMT

Lest We Forget. GO KEWELL!!!

re: Gallipoli, Guiza & Galatasaray

cambiasso — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:58:37 GMT

great blog more on turkey pls

re: Postcard from Beirut...

Love — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:25:10 GMT

Arnau got booked in the semi. He's banned for the final.

re: View that Glazers are perfect gaining worrying currency

WATPOAE — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:21:42 GMT

Anyone with half a brain is concerned by the debt. Simple fact is that if you're not, you're only kidding yourself.

The only way I can see them servicing the debt is by breaking the current Premier League TV deal and doing a deal for the club by itself. Now at the present time, I would envision the rights being worth an absolute fortune, but who's to say that will continue if our on-field fortunes don't stay at the very top year after year? And what happens if United pull out of the PL rights deal? I would say the likes of Sky et al won't be coughing up half as much for the rights in future if United are operating solo and negotiating with different broadcasters. Thats when the whole PL house of cards could come crashing down.

The Glazers just about getting away with it at the moment but its all balanced on a knife edge. I fully expect them to increase my season ticket price in June, despite the economy being on its knees and there being DEFLATION in the economy as a whole. I just can't wait to hear their justification for it (and it isn't demand for tickets, I can tell you that much).

re: View that Glazers are perfect gaining worrying currency

Manc Red — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:21:34 GMT

You're not the only red to show concern about the finance. I have ever since they took over, as long as the debt can be managed but can it?

re: View that Glazers are perfect gaining worrying currency

psdiggs — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:55:45 GMT

While your right about them not being needed the club was always going to be sold if the right bid came in. Take a look at the two city takeovers the first is a felon and tha second bought the club as a status symbol/plaything throwing money about with no real plan. They you have Liverpool with infighting that could bring it to its knees. West Ham who gave Lucas Neill 75 grand a week and now dont have a pot to piss in. Having one owner who needs to keep the club sucessful if he ever wants to make a profit has a good business sense and knows that you need to let people who understand football run the club is not the worst thing in the world.

re: Football in Bombay? It's just not cricket...

InAllFurness — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:06:46 GMT

Another great blog Andrew....your trip sounds amazing mate

re: Football in Bombay? It's just not cricket...

pauly_waterboot — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:40:20 GMT

Surely not the same bubble jacket you've attempted to bring back into fashion in recent times Andy....great blog.

re: We all follow United, over land and sea...

WATPOAE — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:14:04 GMT

Nice update Andy, seems to be a hell of a trip so far. On a different note, any reason why you've put the cost of UWS back to £2? Not that I'm complaining!

re: We all follow United, over land and sea...

wilkymufc — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:43:55 GMT

Some of that takes me back pal. I seem to remember a glass shelf coming away from the wall in a smart Barcelona nightclub....

Gav mate, the fiver is in the post!!

re: We all follow United, over land and sea...

gavmufc — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:52:59 GMT

Wilky is at true Legend within the Navy! A top red and a top bloke too!

re: Journey to paradise ruined by Reds romp at Old Trafford

FourFourTwo Team — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:31:25 GMT

A fine spot eagle-eyed reader. Although yes we agree it's probably only a matter of time!

FourFourTwo Team

re: Journey to paradise ruined by Reds romp at Old Trafford

neiltmufc — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:27:57 GMT

I know you have been away a while but the pound has not sunk that much against the Euro ( yet ). €75 = £700 ???

re: A one million capacity stadium & the death of a legend

neiltmufc — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:29:56 GMT

Recognise him from my days of " home, away and abroad " in the 90s but I am a JCL compared to Mike Dobbin. The man attended more United games in the Ferguson era than the manager himself. RIP

re: Freak injuries, grazing geese & more Crerand classics

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:03:05 GMT

this must be the most interesting leg of your trip, The Falklands is a war i know next to nothing about and would love to visit.

you must really be wishing you were at Wembley on Sunday.

re: A whistle-stop tour of Buenos Aires arenas

RobSmith — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:34:15 GMT

"Does Garth Crooks ask long-winded, multi-claused questions?"

very good.

re: Croc shoes, Crerand quotes & a Colon comeback

mrplow2000 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:19:00 GMT

there we go, a good interesting read, i knew you could do it.

re: Croc shoes, Crerand quotes & a Colon comeback

Hammerman — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:33:45 GMT

Another Great post.

re: Croc shoes, Crerand quotes & a Colon comeback

Manc Red — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:54:29 GMT

Great blog, Paddy Crerand's an absolute legend!

re: City shadows, Seba Veron & a Primark in River Plate

murlan9 — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:43:32 GMT

mrplow - eating a bananna with your foot is amazing you cant do it so that monkey is better than you. Jelousy i think.

re: City shadows, Seba Veron & a Primark in River Plate

mrplow2000 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:41:25 GMT

monkeys can eat bananas with their feet, does that make it good?

re: City shadows, Seba Veron & a Primark in River Plate

Nevchenko — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:39:49 GMT

Regardless of his "relative" failure, Juan Seba Veron was one of the finest players ever to grace the OT turf, he can do things with a ball at his feet that we can't do with our hands, he can brew a mate one hand, and brew a mate in the other, without the bombilla!!

re: City shadows, Seba Veron & a Primark in River Plate

Fletcher_Defender — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:23:36 GMT

Excellent shot of the stadium there, and your trip blogs are superb so far.

re: City shadows, Seba Veron & a Primark in River Plate

emmetb — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:08:24 GMT

Ha! The way River are playing at the moment, you'll be happy to spend some time in Primark browsing the sweaters!

re: Bouncing Brazilians & Mancs in Montevideo

RobSmith — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:55:08 GMT

Top marks as usual, sir.

Richie Dunne is the man though!

re: Bouncing Brazilians & Mancs in Montevideo

Manc Red — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:06:45 GMT

What Nevchenko said, the key word again BLOG!

re: Bouncing Brazilians & Mancs in Montevideo

Nevchenko — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:58:18 GMT

This is a blog, not a match report

re: Bouncing Brazilians & Mancs in Montevideo

mrplow2000 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:09:40 GMT

IF Mr Mitten had had that conversation, it is unlikely the City fan's immediate response, when told he was from Manchester, would have been to assume he is a united fan. It is amazing how many of these, very similar stories are starting to circulate. The City fan lives just outside Manchester (normally Stockport), the United fan lives in Manchester, ohh the irony. Anyhow can you address the relevance of the end of the article to the Gaucho tournament? Thats still a no isn't it.

re: Bouncing Brazilians & Mancs in Montevideo

Nevchenko — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:45:42 GMT

What I believe Mr. Mitten was trying to illustrate at the end of his article, was that in the River Plate, miles away from home, he encountered someone from practically his hometown, and this neighbour, instead of behaving like a civilized human being and politely acknowledging their mutual origins, asked him if he was a "United w***er". This goes to show, that despite world travel and new horizons, some City fans are twisted, lonely, and devoid of any civility or class. They also habour the worlds biggest chip on the worlds smallest shoulder.

re: Bouncing Brazilians & Mancs in Montevideo

mrplow2000 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:50:48 GMT

As excellent illustration of my point murlan9, the article has missed a great opportunity to pass on some information to other football fans. A point completely missed by our myopic friend mr. el_dhulqarnain.

You don't quite understand irony do you mr. E? Thats right our David Brent wannabe happens to be one of your legends. D'Oh ring a bell perchance?

re: Bouncing Brazilians & Mancs in Montevideo

murlan9 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:07:34 GMT

on a general note. What is Montevideo like, im going traveling and its one of the places i have in mind and punta del est are they wroth going to. I havent finalised everywhere i am going, but i thought about stopping in uruguy when going from argentina to brazil rather than hopping over it.

re: Bouncing Brazilians & Mancs in Montevideo

el_dhulqarnain — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:56:01 GMT

mrplow2000,

Is the threat of Manchester City beginning to worry you?

Threat? - What threat? Languishing in mid-table, being run by a David Brent wannabe, or simply making a fool of yourselves chasing players who wouldn't play for you however much you pay them?

Meanwhile, we are collecting championship medals, bringing through promising youngsters and cementing our legend.

Threat? - Don't make me laugh, mate.

re: Bouncing Brazilians & Mancs in Montevideo

mrplow2000 — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:23:51 GMT

What a poor end to what could have been an interesting article. Is the threat of Manchester City beginning to worry you? You have had a chance to report an exciting competition, but reduced the article to a snipe at City. Can you rewrite the article and give us some interesting observations of the tournament. In other words, do your job properly.

re: Forlan, Falcao & fantastic breasts

Hammerman — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:55:18 GMT

What about Junior at Torino and Pescara.

re: Forlan, Falcao & fantastic breasts

ACMilan — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:23:57 GMT

"Finally got hold of Falcao’s number. I had intended to interview the brilliant Brazilian, the only one from the ’82 World Cup team who played in Europe"

If the article had had "at the time" at the end of the last period quoted, I would be wrong.

re: Forlan, Falcao & fantastic breasts

D Man — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:40:35 GMT

You are wrong AC Milan.At the time of the 1982 World Cup Finals, only Falcao played in Europe. Socrates was at Corinthians and Zico at Flamengo.Cererzo and Serginho were playing in Brazil.

re: Forlan, Falcao & fantastic breasts

ACMilan — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:08:35 GMT

OPS!

re: Forlan, Falcao & fantastic breasts

ACMilan — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:04:44 GMT

The great great Brazil of '82 had not only Falcao playing in Europe, off the top of my head I can think of Zico (Udinese), Socrates (Fiorentina), Cerezo (Roma) and Serginho (Avellino).

re: Forlan, Falcao & fantastic breasts

etienneozeki — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:05:09 GMT

Sevastopol is not the best place to visit in May, still its quite beautiful in spring) good luck

re: Beach boys, Silkmen & pineapples called Pele

RobSmith — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:00:14 GMT

Quality! Keep up the good work, sir.

re: Beach boys, Silkmen & pineapples called Pele

InAllFurness — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:48:52 GMT

Quality, quality, quality musings mate.....always a good start to the day catching up on whereabouts. Keep up the good work

Hope you and the family are all well.

re: Robinho, Rafael & an unmistakable moustache

Andre - Brazil — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:53:02 GMT

Felipe, I don't agree with your opinion: only for discovering Romario for football, Antonio Lopes is a great coach. And it's good also to remember that he was the coach of the last great Corinthians squad, the 2005 team, with Tevez and Mascherano, Brazilian champion that year. And most of Vasco's great teams from the eighties had his hand(s), the 1998 South American champion above all (a detail: here in Brazil we have the "Evil of the Centenary" - when clubs commemorate 100 years, they usually have bad seasons here. 1998's Vasco is the only exception I know - and Lopes, his mastes. His name is in the history of the Brazilian Football.

re: Robinho, Rafael & an unmistakable moustache

FelipeBr — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:36:18 GMT

I would just like to clear something about Antonio Lopez.

Being a former police comissary, he is indeed a very well known football coach here in Brasil, but he's not a great coach. although he did already win the continental cup once and being runner-up another in 2005, when São Paulo won the title and gained the right to play Fifa's Club World Cup, where he would eventually beat Liverpool (it always makes me glad to remember that), and won the Domestic League.

He has been coaching so many teams as mentioned that he collects lots more disappointing than winning campaigns.

He hasn't the fame and glory as names like Luxemburgo, Scolari, Parreira, Altuori or Muricy Ramalho.

Oh and to correct: he is not Vasco's coach anymore. He was fired last season, when the team was relegated.

PS.: his wife is very annoing: she always go to football TV porgramms with her husband and speaks untrue facts about his career or ability as coach.

re: There's an awful lot of Stokies in Sao Paulo...

Gorayfe — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:08:06 GMT

You're in Brazil wow what I wouldn't give to e there now.

re: Derby daze, book bonanza & recruiting Cantona

Andre - Brazil — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:43:59 GMT

Hi! My name is André, and I work at the Brazil's Football Museum, at the Pacaembu Stadium, in the city of São Paulo.

Forgive-me if I'm not exactly writing a comment. That's because I'm impressed on how stable briti DT's are. Mr. Ferguson is the first example for us, Brazilians, on how stable a coach may be. He entered at MUFC on a time where football was already modern, but a little far from what it is now. Here, our winner of the winners on clubs in the last decades - Mr. Telê Santana, of São Paulo Futebol Clube - remained there for only 5 years, a flash if compared with Mr. Ferguson.

Andy, you believe that the British mentality helps on this. I agree, but there is something more - would it be because on Europe intellectual work - in this case, DT's work - is more respected? If it's right, would the perfect championship be the Premier League - with the best organization and the best players (the Brazilians)?

And a suggestion... please, write about the Brazilian Football Museum (www.museudofutebol.org.br). Every reader of this column is invited to visit it - and to know how "briti" Brazilian football is (the "founder" of Brazilian football was... Charles Miller, with English father and mother. That's why the 2nd most popular club here is named... Corinthians!

Thank U a lot.

re: Derby daze, book bonanza & recruiting Cantona

neiltmufc — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:49:13 GMT

The Wire is superb Andy, rightly lauded and certainly not over-rated. Enjoy it. The book " Homicide " by David Simon (who writes a lot of the tv series) is also magnificent if you manage to get through the weighty tomes. Have a good trip, as the lads on the email thread say, life of bloody riley. Jealousy is somewhay unattractive but a natural reaction when we read your nonsense on this blog.

re: Derby daze, book bonanza & recruiting Cantona

Manc Red — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:47:51 GMT

Do you completely hate 606? You've mentioned it before.

re: Derby daze, book bonanza & recruiting Cantona

Fletcher_Defender — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:09:57 GMT

not another one in 'the wire clique', it's overrated im afraid.

and beevor's book on Stalingrad is far superior, but nevertheless enjoy your trip!

re: Legend of Finch causes Club World Cup confuzzlement

Whoops — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:23:27 GMT

It's surprising than more articles (or books) have not been written about 'Finch'.

A brilliant entertainer, possessor of wonderful balance and agility, Finch had it all. Whether stopping a shot or dealing with a cross, the ball would stick to Finch like glue. Rumour has it that Peter Schmeichel started using his long throw after watching Finch do the same.

The highlight of my non-existent Football career was playing in the same side as Finch at Wellacre School in Flixton, Manchester. Finch always stood out, and I know for a fact that a bevy of top UK & Continental clubs wanted to sign him. He also had that touch of madness all keepers need, but to me, Finch will always be a just a local boy with a genius for football.

Finch had been tipped to play for England by our Games teacher, a Geordie Barry McGuigan look-alike who played Semi-Professional Football. Even in training Finch wouldn't let anything in, and the games teacher had to tell him to let a few in because it was shattering the confidence of our striker. At times, Finch was simply unbeatable.

When people talk about wasted talent in Football, Finch is the benchmark. A player like that in today’s market would surely be worth £30 or £40 million.

People still talk about Finch in certain quarters of Manchester and his popularity has hardly wavered since those heady days in the 80's when he would bring gasps of astonishment from the privileged few who saw Finch produce mind boggling save after mind boggling save.

re: Coley's recollections and global gatherings

Chris-barry — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:11:15 GMT

Enjoy your trip and be safe.Was dissappointed that you gave a capital 'c' for city.

re: The Twelve Days of Christmas

Abu the Red — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:19:24 GMT

Some respect for Salford blue for admitting that he is a blue. And you learn something every day... I never knew they even had blues in Salford.

There's an english disease where people can't wait to knock others, and you've got it bad Mr Blue. Andy seems to enjoy the priveliged life he has, and why shouldn't he?

His adolescent scribblings on United musn't have seemed like much of a career plan a while ago, but credit to him he's made it work. Even though he does grown up stuff like proper interviews it's still obvious that he's a real fan.

Maybe he's gone a bit too Barca for the 'I'm [insert name of a local club] til I die' types, but surely the quirky stories of travelling the world of football is what this blog is about, or am I missing something?

I for one am keen to read decent writing from United's travels such as learning about life in Soweto as an aside to United's South Africa tour, or from a red who watched United become champions of the World in Japan.

I'm sure city fans will want the same when they are European champions within the next four years. And if I don't fancy reading about it the I won't, instead of giving out bitter ' smug and self-satisfied' quips.

re: The Twelve Days of Christmas

Salford Blue — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:50:43 GMT

Andy, Can I be so bold as to suggest a New Year's Resolution for you? Here goes:

"I must remember that I am no better than other football fans who have not been as well travelled as myself."

As smug and self-satisfied as always.

Also..."Word spread fast. By the end of the night, it seemed that every Manchester United lad was in the bar."

Who do think you are son????

re: From damp at the Nou Camp to jet-lagged in Japan

Fletcher_Defender — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:24:33 GMT

i looked into going actually, but it was far too dear for me. looking at the pictures though, im extremely jealous. Have a good one.

re: Anfield, Greenwood, Cardiff, Macc and Robinho

WATPOAE — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:06:33 GMT

Andy, why didn't you just boot Ronnie up the backside instead?! Although putting him in a "headlock" sounds alright I suppose....your powers of sarcasm are to be admired Mr Mitten!!

I agree with you re: 606, though its not just United fans that sound like complete mongs, the average caller on that show sounds like they started watching fooball around 3 years ago. I somehow envision them sitting on their sofas wearing their replica tops and venting their spleens to the king of the scousers, sorry, I mean Alan Green.

re: Morrissey, my mum and Robinho on a bus

WATPOAE — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:44:51 GMT

Nothing beats lazy journalism. The Fleet St lot rip off not only UWS but also Red News and Red Issue on a consistent basis. Its actually pathetic. If they had the decency to credit their source it wouldn't be so bad.

re: Anfield, Greenwood, Cardiff, Macc and Robinho

Manc Red — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:33:15 GMT

Was Moss Rose what Robinho had in mind I wonder? And yes what about Ronaldo?

re: Anfield, Greenwood, Cardiff, Macc and Robinho

Gorayfe — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:32:40 GMT

Good blog as always. I'm a fellow Manchester United fan and I always love reading your blogs. But did you seriously get Ronaldo to do that?

re: Stalemates, derby days and the world's busiest man

Ian Wilkinson — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:37:45 GMT

I seem to remember that Mark II Escort taking us over to Oldham for a pre-season friendly many moons ago mate!

re: Morrissey, my mum and Robinho on a bus

Manc Red — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:25:04 GMT

If it's The Traffic Centre then poor old Robinho will take the bus because he probably couldn't find a parking space.

re: Morrissey, my mum and Robinho on a bus

dharma_bum — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:34:58 GMT

not to mention the guardian nicking a former cover star yesterday

www.guardian.co.uk/.../cricket-golf

re: Morrissey, my mum and Robinho on a bus

Talljohn — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:02:43 GMT

I noticed the bit in UWS about the thief in the dressing room also got nicked by the nationals. Ironic eh?

re: Communication breakdown: the journo's dread

enciam — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:18:32 GMT

i hope your cancellation letter included the phrase 'put that in your pipex and smokex'

re: Communication breakdown: the journo's dread

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:03:16 GMT

I have just had a run in with 3, it seems all phone companies are useless. Im wondering if they were happy with your explanation.

re: Why Curzon Ashton are better than Barcelona...

AdamCule — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:24:15 GMT

Nice column, however I was part of a smaller crowd at the Camp Nou 3 seasons ago when only about 12,000 turned up to see us play Zamora. At least there was no hassle getting on to the metro after the match! Long live the FA cup, it really is the greatest domestic cup competition in the world and the only one which manages to evoke passionate feelings amongst the fans, even if it is less dominant than it used to be.

re: From Pallister's sofa to 'ell at the Emirates

OLE20 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:09:38 GMT

Pity the atmosphere was so bad at the Emirates in the away section on Saturday!

re: From Pallister's sofa to 'ell at the Emirates

Fletcher_Defender — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:17:41 GMT

God bless Larry Mcmahon Andy.

Those seats were super, i hope to repay the favour one day!

re: Cruyff, Cliftonville and The Ketchup Song

Steelo — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:26:00 GMT

Ironically, 'that new Celtic song' was taken from Cliftonville!

re: Cruyff, Cliftonville and The Ketchup Song

WATPOAE — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:36:53 GMT

I agree, 3pm kick offs at OT are as rare as Louis Saha staying fit when he played for us.

Seriously Andy, you must log some amount of air miles, road miles, train miles....well, a load of miles every month. Sounds like an interesting gig though.

And don't get the next UWS out too soon, I'm only half way through the current one!

re: Cruyff, Cliftonville and The Ketchup Song

Manc Red — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:09:19 GMT

3pm on a Saturday! NEVER!

re: May musings, Sharpe stories and befuddling Bhoys

HEAVENKNOWS — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:42:34 GMT

Is there anywhere I can read the article you wrote for the Sweedish magazine?

re: May musings, Sharpe stories and befuddling Bhoys

Fletcher_Defender — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:53:33 GMT

Celtic goad United about how many European Cups Liverpool have won. That is the saddest thing i have seen at football since Chelsea fans singing 'come on millwall' a week before the 2004 FA Cup Final.

re: May musings, Sharpe stories and befuddling Bhoys

neiltmufc — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:44:19 GMT

When I first arrived in my second home in 1990 ( time for the guru ), many United fans had a second team from Glasgow.

Scarves with United and Celtic on them were particularly common and testimonial games resembled a bit of a love-in.

Now the only people donning green and red scarves are day-trippers from Cork. Most United fans have gone from admiration to tolerance to ambivalence to scorn.

I'm all for having a beer at the match but many Celtic supporters who make the now-frequent trips south ( is that part of the problem )have no class and are more at home with the Soccer AM-esque football "fans" of this world.

Unfortunately there is a very sizeable minority who follow the Celts act like dicks on their travels.

It's a shame ... even I would admit Celtic are a great club with an amazing history.

re: May musings, Sharpe stories and befuddling Bhoys

lok — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:16:43 GMT

after the bahoys capers in Newcastle for Shearers testimonial another case of not reporting anything negative about this lot, did they ever find who threw the coin at dallas , or did they even try

Oh and as for not having a foreign owner is desmond not irish ( it aint part of britain ) as you keep reminding everyone

re: May musings, Sharpe stories and befuddling Bhoys

Paolomio — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:00:34 GMT

Andy, Andy, Andy. I'm afraid this tale smacks of you having the urine removed from your good self by a few Celtic supporters and this is your counter.

Every support has it's share of drunken louts, however most of us are able to refrain from rioting, stabbing, smashing up cars, attacking police and beating them to a pulp and generally wreaking havoc across numerous square blocks of large cities. Please don't take the lead of the Scottish tabloid press and tar the good name of Celtic with the same brush as our badly behaved neighbouring rivals with the O** F*** tag, it's akin to United supporters taking flack for Leeds' fans' behaviour in Istanbul, or Chelsea's fans - wherever they travel.

I'm not seeking an apology or even an acceptance of wrongdoing, all I want to do is change the perception that Celtic and Rangers as two sides of the same coin, where one's wrongs are shouldered equally by the other.

re: May musings, Sharpe stories and befuddling Bhoys

BallyshannonBhoy — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:30:07 GMT

Andy, I enjoy your blog a lot but you have a tendency to be a bit unfair on Celtic fans, not just in this post but in an earlier one after our most recent visit to Barcelona.

Yes, a lot of Celtic fans get hammered and many of us are uncomfortable with the Tartan Army-style behaviour that seems to be creeping into elements of our support - I was mortified when Spanish TV focused on the two clowns dancing around in kilts and tammies in Villareal - but lets keep some perspective.

I wasn't there but the Manchester police were and judging by their public praise the Celtic fans were extremely well-behaved. As for the picture, was that taken in Manchester on wet and windy Tuesday night? The guy is lightly dressed and wearing a Barca scarf so I doubt it.

What especially bothers me is you saying that the "Old Firm's" stock is low in Manchester. What have we done to deserve being tarred with the same brush as them? You live in Barcelona - you must have seen the letter to Rangers fans in the Catalan newspapers last season saying that we deserved a medal just for putting up with that lot on a daily basis. A couple of piss-heads giving you a hard time is far removed from several thousand Rangers fans turning your home city into a warzone.

I accept that we have a few dossers in our fanbase and that dealing with these characters is no fun - fair enough, I've seen it often enough myself. Give us a break though and don't look at us through a blue-tinted lens, we don't deserve that.

On a different note, very well-played on Tuesday. Keep the posts coming...

re: Sharpey, Chiles, Big Ron, fags and horse tranquiliser

edward nygma — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:21:14 GMT

When the drunken celts ask "is that the programme?" tell them 'yes' and sell them five copies for their mates at home.

re: Clayton's confession & McQueen's messy mishap

Fletcher_Defender — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:51:51 GMT

Good luck with it Andy, i was thinking David May would tell a great story and would surely agree to do it. I was wondering as well what made you think of John Gidman? Did you know how mad he was before the interview? That was by far the best part of your original book.

re: Gerrard, giant Germans and Chas 'n' Dave

Manc Red — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:17:04 GMT

I hope you did the 2008 European Capital of trophies proud with your arguments explaing why Manchester is great.

re: Beer tasting Belize captain is king of Catalonia

LuckyLuke10 — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:05:57 GMT

Great story. Does anyone know of English Professional Football Players with parents or grandparents from Belize. It stands to reason that they exist due to the large number of people from Belize living in England.

re: Spanish Jacks, James Brown, Oasis and Plymouth (again)

darjay — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:02:20 GMT

Sorry Andy, generally I also enjoy your work as both a 'blogger' on the web and as a journalist in fourfourtwo magazine.

But I do have a complaint, in your recent interview with Eric Cantona you have included my question but under the name of Terry Bentley! Now normally I wouldn't mind but since this is the first time I've ever been printed in a national magazine, I wouldn't mind if my name was correct!

The correct name was as guessed darjay, or my actual name of Daniel Gayle.

Thanks!

re: Spanish Jacks, James Brown, Oasis and Plymouth (again)

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:18:24 GMT

I was thinking you might have been disappointed you missed the Espanyol v Barcelona derby, but it seems like you have had an entertaining week anyway.

re: Spanish Jacks, James Brown, Oasis and Plymouth (again)

rosdev — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:47:46 GMT

Great blog as always Andy, good read.

One thing however, I dont remember Paul Parker as being a Striker !

re: From Cantona to Grays via Swansea vs Cardiff

harryhpalmer — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:33:35 GMT

Andy, you may need to have a word with your picture researcher, because your provocative picture of Lee Trundle in fact features current Swansea player, and former ManUre defender, Alan Tate.

Also as there is so much work being done by both clubs and supporters Trusts to keep the violence away from this match, publishing that picture is a tad irresponsible, don't you think, or is it your intention to stoke up the trouble prior to the game?

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

Blue Order — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:47:11 GMT

I LOVE the way the rags think it upsets us when they call our magnificent, modern stadium, 'The Council House'. Think it upsets them more to know that if they ever paid council tax to Manchester, (Yeah, I know, most live anywhere but, but humour me)or bought a lottery ticket, they know they have contributed towards it. Thanks!

Oh, and don't be all holier than though....MBNA Bank own your mis-matched meccano set, lock stock and barrel!! x

re: Guardiola, Corrie and Kelly Brook

logan — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:38:39 GMT

A Kelly Brook picture is definitely better than an inflatable!!

re: Guardiola, Corrie and Kelly Brook

Manc Red — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:17:19 GMT

Wigan of La Liga lol. Their stadium is much much bigger!

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

thrillhammer — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:12:27 GMT

Does it matter though, United havent won many derbys lately. Even on the most tetchy, sensative match in 50 years they couldnt perform. Fergie goes in two years and the side are no where near as good as ten years ago. Good luck rags, us bitters will be watching for the fall and absolutely pissing ourselves.

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

Fletcher_Defender — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:07:38 GMT

they are accusing us of bullying now.

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

The Pope — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:33:57 GMT

Such purile arrogance once again from a red.

What big babies they are.

The spoilt kid in the playground who wants it all their own way who will resort to teasing and name calling in order to feel superior.

Dickhead.

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

neiltmufc — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:33:56 GMT

PS " This 20 yr old kid " (simon23) ... must be one of the few compliments blues have paid the author over the years

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

neiltmufc — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:30:34 GMT

Dear Blue Order ( and other assorted numpties), yes you are missing something. If you bought/stole/had a quick look in Waterstones at " Mad for it " there is a explanation of what actually constitutes a derby and the origins of the word in a sporting context. It is a commonly held misconception that it has to involve two local rivals. Around the world " derby " means much more than that. But then again, even now with Thai/Arab money, many ( but not all ) City fans are still more obsessed with goings-on at M16 0RA than at the Council House.

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

edward nygma — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:02:44 GMT

Andy Mitten, from the great london suburb of, umm, Urmston! Good work fella, haven't seen the bitters this upset since stephen ireland's gran(x2) died.

cITY are a MASSIVE club, 32 yrs etc etc.....

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

benfawkes — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:40:04 GMT

so touchy its ridiculous - at the end of the day Man U vs Liverpool is a bigger game than Man Utd vs Man City - on a global perspective, and that is where the game is going and I guess why it got the focus of the book. Locally the Manchester Derby has more anticipation particularly for City fans - I imagine United fans arrogantly expect to win it most of the time so may not get so hyped up about it. Also I think the likes of G.Neville aka Shakespeare has helped create a larger rivalry with Liverpool over recent times due to his vocal hatred of them. Either way - why get all worked up about it City? You beat them at the Munich Anniversary game, it doesn't get much better than that really.

http://www.footballfilter.com

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

BoroKnight — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:47:17 GMT

city still suck!

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

Blue Order — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:32:31 GMT

Am I missing somwthing here? Is a 'derby' not meant by definition to be a game between two teams from the same city, or locale?

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

thrillhammer — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:52:24 GMT

Apart from helping pedos, the biggest failure of the internet is that arrogant prats who would get decked in a pub, get to shoot their mouths off from the comfort of their armchair. The rags and the scousers will soon have a big thing in common, their domination will have come to an end. MCFC MCFC MCFC MCFC MCFC MCFC MCFC MCFC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

Con — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:54:24 GMT

The only embarassing thing here is your self obsession and some grandiose notion that your motives and scribblings are somehow from a higher intellect.

Same old use of stereotypes, snobbery, one-upmanship ans self importance.

My interpretation of these (selected) City fans' comments is that they are mocking you or dismissing you out of hand!

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

chrisef — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:33:45 GMT

Its clear Liverpool and United had to go in this book over the Manchester derby to sell copies. There'a a much bigger market share made up of glory hunting fans for both these clubs than there is for a club like City.

Also these fans/followers buy more merchandise.

City have (so far) failed to attract this sort of fan, there's your reason for Andy choosing united vs the scousers over City vs United. Marketing.

re: City fans fume at derby day omission

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:52:23 GMT

Man City fans touchy? never...

this poor chap only suggested that scoring on debut doesn't make you a club legend. look at the abuse hurled at him.

fourfourtwo.com/.../robinho-a-warning-from-history.aspx

re: Lost Pilgrims, City oil slickers & Carra gold

benfawkes — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:03:30 GMT

In the wake of Croatia losing 4-1 can I be the first to ironically say I have always rated England, never slagged them off and that Theo Walcott is boy wonder Michael Own version 2? I wonder how the papers will portray tonights events....

http://www.footballfilter.com

re: Cantona, Dinho, Shots, Bantams and... soap

Fletcher_Defender — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:08:56 GMT

Michael Vaughan has still got more ducks than you this season.

re: Monaco woe, Aldershot and oddballs

RayDeChaussee — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:12:29 GMT

No need for that Snyde. The column's called "Confessions of a Correspondent" and it does what it says on the tin.

Andy, I used to work with a legendary Manc called Tony Crichton (well, he was legendary to us anyway). He used to be a roadie for the Mondays and my favourite tale of his was how he, Bez and Shaun used to "battle" the Krauts whenever they were in Germany. Doesn't ring any bells, does he?

re: Monaco woe, Aldershot and oddballs

689908 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:00:35 GMT

I thoroughly concur, 'Manc Red'. However, no 'Snyde' is better than some 'Snyde'. Top stuff Andy.

re: Monaco woe, Aldershot and oddballs

Snyde — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:09:28 GMT

Such utter trash. By far the most useless blog on 4-4-2. Rather have someone covering Germany than you.

re: Monaco woe, Aldershot and oddballs

Manc Red — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:15:49 GMT

Some football is better than no football.

re: Facing fears, tying knots and Big Sam's big seats

Fletcher_Defender — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:08:37 GMT

good prediction about United's fire power, i had concerns but i thought they would win still.

re: Facing fears, tieing knots and Big Sam's big seats

michael4444 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:39:11 GMT

Rumour has it that the golden statue on top of the mormon church mentioned in Chorley was used by Big Sam in one of his less scientific training techniques at Bolton. Many sightings of Nicky Hunt, Ricardo Gardener and Jussi Jaaskelainen were recorded of the trio standing in the church car park with a bag of balls being ordered by Big Sam to 'hit the big man' on top of the steeple. Strange but very true!

re: Phone calls, emails and Paul Parker's worst nightmare

Manc Red — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:45:26 GMT

Will Paul ever confront his fears? I've been and it's a good tour.

re: Phone calls, emails and Paul Parker's worst nightmare

BigWelshDefender — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:27:39 GMT

Those fans were amazing. I watched Cardiff City Vs Ajax last friday and i must say they were just as entertaining!

re: At home with Lucas Radebe

RichM — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:09:36 GMT

Lucus is a true Leeds United legend. Injury plagued his career but when he was fit/nearly fit, he was immense, a rock at the back. His commitment and loyalty was second to none.

A full house, almost 40,000, turned out for his testimonial in 2005 at a point when we were struggling in the second tier of English football.

He even had a beer named after him by a Leeds Brewery - Radebeer!

re: At home with Lucas Radebe

Vic Leeds — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:45:22 GMT

I have met and spoken to lucas he is the most genuine person i have ever met and will allways be a legend in my eyes. He is exactly what football needs more of. teach the young footbalers its not about been flash its about remebering where you have come from. God Bless Lucas Radebe

re: At home with Lucas Radebe

realdeal — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:43:43 GMT

How refreshing to see loyalty from one person in the midst of ronaldo, keane etc. Football has no morals whilst this great man lived in poverty, danger and fear of life but is still loyal to those who he knows love him. Always a legend in my eyes and many Leeds fan all over the world

re: My Valentine's date with Ronaldinho

eduardoarquitetura@terra.com.br — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:43:31 GMT

your girlfriend is my wife!!!!!

re: My Valentine's date with Ronaldinho

eduardoarquitetura@terra.com.br — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:36:37 GMT

your girlfriend is my wife!!!!! eduardo - porto alegre

re: Jordi Cruyff and the Sexy Newsreader World Cup

irishonthebridge — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:10:40 GMT

as usual, interesting and informative. keep up the good work. p.s. ordered the new book off amazon,make us proud, andy lad!!

re: Spain march on: with or without Catalan support

Wolf — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:55:49 GMT

Some harsh and bitter comments on Madrid Andy..

Is this becasue your best player thinks your sh1te and wants to play for a team who has won more European Cups than the biggest team in Trafford.

re: The caring side of Fergie

Robbos Left Nut — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:07:59 GMT

Great article...I've been trying to tell everyone for years that United are, deep down, a family club with a lot of traditions.

Incidentally...Andy I remember you when I used to get the UWS/Red Issue coach to away games many years ago. Great to see you've moved up the journalistic ladder...and that your living in Barca! I'm moving there soon to teach English so I might bump into you.

Keep up the good work.

re: The caring side of United

pawlu — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:51:39 GMT

Regardless of who you support, such gestures have to be applauded.

re: The caring side of United

Manc Red — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:50:43 GMT

Very moving story. A true unsung hero. As you said logan it's a club with great values. Thank you Andy for posting this.

re: The caring side of United

logan — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:39:41 GMT

A club with great values of this nature does not need a disloyal player like Cristiano Ronaldo - he MUST be sold.

re: Mancs emerge as top dogs in Moscow

BOPOHA — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:56:11 GMT

I congratulate on a victory! It was heavy, but they did it! An excellent match! I, as well as the majority of my Russian friends, supported MU.

p.s.

Спасибо for a nice flight Barcelona-Moscow, May 19,2008 ;)

re: No such thing as a football free weekend

disraelite — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:23:40 GMT

wonderful, andy, just plain wonderful.

It is an addiction. I'm going on honeymoon this summer, to Italy. (Getting married ten days after Euro 2008 and returning from honeymoon a week or so before the new season. No coincidence.)

We're planning to go to Siena for a day or two and all I can think of is: "Didn't Magnus Hedman play there for a season?"

How crazy is that....?

re: Mancs emerge as top dogs in Moscow

Socrates — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:03:35 GMT

To push Manchester United right to the very end was a superb achievement for Avram Grant and would be so for any manager. After all, Sir Alex Ferguson is the manager of managers!

I can't help but think that Avram should be praised whilst John Terry should be the Chelsea criminal in all this. Also, Nicolas Anelka - a £15m striker with penalty taking experience who refused to take a penalty because he claimed to have come on as a right-back. Julian Belletti certainly didn't complain. He willing took and scored his penalty, has scored more goals than Anelka this season and cost a fifth of the price!

re: Mancs emerge as top dogs in Moscow

Mindlos — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:58:10 GMT

it's a dog eat dog world indeed.I feel sorry for Terry & Average Grant,but i nearly peed myself during the penalty shoot-out.lucky escape for Ron.VIVA UNITED!!

re: No love for Laporta as Barca go from bad to worse

safcrhys — Sun, 18 May 2008 21:32:32 GMT

Disgraceful suuport, I know Barca have had a disappointing season but to have onlyh 39,000 fans turn up when your team is third in the league is pathetic.

re: Viva Ronaldo... and a lift with Lawro

Prufrock — Sun, 18 May 2008 13:28:18 GMT

bit of a downer on Bolton don't you?! Also who's the fourth as you call it 'Greater Mancheser club' Blackburn?? Shame Bolton staying up means there's four for next season. But you're Bolton hating didnt stop there. Dean Holden, Oldham and Peterborough?? what about the academy he came through, and the first team he played for before breaking his leg? that would be Bolton. Damn shame because he was a bloody good right back till he broke his leg.

re: Pesky passengers and Barca's six-strong support

huynhvu — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:17:59 GMT

hi andy,

I'm a newcommer. I don't know how to create a blog in fourfourtwo. Can you help me?

re: Vexed by visas on long march to Moscow

huynhvu — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:15:46 GMT

hi Andy, I don't know how to create a blog in fourfourtwo. cant you help me?

re: Pesky passengers and Barca's six-strong support

shell2008 — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:26:42 GMT

80 000 Celtic fans in Seville for UEFA Cup final against Porto 2003...And we Celtic fans travel in large numbers wherever we go...

re: Pesky passengers and Barca's six-strong support

safcrhys — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:37:47 GMT

English fans are the greatest fans in the world. Look at Sunderland, 8,000 away supporters were taken to Barnsley last season for an unimportant game. NOW THAT IS SUPPORT.

re: Pesky passengers and Barca's six-strong support

logan — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:28:59 GMT

Hey Andy, I've quite enjoyed reading your articles on derbies in FourFourTwo magazine, yes even the one about Mansfield & Chesterfield (Scad!Scad!Scad! - Hilarious). Anyways, the article about the Roman derby in the June 2008 was a dud, with little material on the recent history of derby. I hope you touch it up, as I'm looking forward to the book!!

re: Twelve hours on Tuesday

horse — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:31:09 GMT

is the stoat and helmet that one by band on the wall?

looks a right dive!

re: There's only one Paddy Crerand

LarssonGerrardNedved — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:58:42 GMT

What song was it? I'd love to hear him belt out Fools Gold. Well, he couldn't be any worse than Ian Brown is nowadays...

re: Enrique, Tevez, Joy Division and a mute Chinese man

Ian-H- — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:08:34 GMT

Andy, it's Love Will Tear US Apart, mate. There'd be some proper berks on at you if they saw that. They'd call you all sorts of traitorous things, crimes so horrid and vile against all that it is to be a "Manc" that you'd be afraid to show your face anywhere near OT again.

You have rose so much higher in my estimations as a result of this wonderful transgression. And the funniest thing of all? It's pretty much the only ^&*%$#@ Joy Division tune I know the title of! Jeepers, life's funny, innit?

But to more important things. I know you must have been there tonight, and I hope you'll agree when I say we were absolute garbage. OK, we "defended" and they didn't score, but is "defending" putting fourteen men behind the ball and knobbing it up the park at all kinds of ludicrous angles much to hard for anyone (had there actually been anyone up there to receive it) to control? We'd have needed six blokes with kangaroo legs bopping that pill about tonight judging from the rate at which they were kicking it AWAY from themselves. I saw someone on the UWS forum earlier, trying to put some spin on it, and he said it was better that we drew like this, cos the pressure in the second home leg will force us to attack - which is what we do best. It has to be the most intelligent forum going these days. He was of course being a little sarcastotronic.

But they took Deco and Messi off. They strolled around like they owned the pla-, er, like they were miles better than us. Us. The best football team in the world. What a trip...

re: The other 'Dinho in Barcelona

SocialZerosmate — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:55:59 GMT

He'll never make it, and the seven were absolutely right, but your goalie is an even bigger knob.

re: There's only one team in Manchester?

mike roberts — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:21:30 GMT

Hi Andy.

I am amused by this article, because it was me as one of FCB's translators who sent the original memo telling some of my Catalan colleagues to stop this annoying way of calling them 'Manchester' when there is another team called City. Also pleased to note that they have taken good heed of what I told them and at least Barça now call them United or Utd, even if the rest of Spain is still oblivious to the fact that there is a team called City.

re: Barca plan party for travelling United army

montixxx — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:01:32 GMT

Hi Andy, I'm Monti from ***. Does you book talk about Sevilla - Betis or Xerez - Cadiz?

re: There's only one team in Manchester?

benfawkes — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:08:53 GMT

I recently checked out the costs of getting to Russia and tickets on line and flights are already going for about 400 quid (i live in Switz so dont know what its like in the UK now) and tickets are going for about 1500 euros, bit of an expensive mini break I feel!Especially as Chelsea might not even get there!

Manc v Barca is going to be very interesting, especially if Deco and Messi get back in time. I think Man Utd will probably do it tho.

http://www.footballfilter.com

p.s Any chance you could sort me out with some tickets then?Don't be tight!

re: There's only one team in Manchester?

kingron — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:56:50 GMT

take me with u and al *** ur mum inside out

re: There's only one team in Manchester?

Toni Gols — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:16:45 GMT

bring me with you...i promise to sing all the songs for cristiano, rooney or tevez...

re: Sorry I'm late gaffer, it was the pigeons' fault

matnichol — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:08:23 GMT

Nice one Andy!

re: Around the (football) world in seven days

Ian-H- — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:46:58 GMT

I trust that slow boat wasn't too crowded, Andy. The Med is an ancient lake, crammed with filth and flotsam of every possible character. Brian Kidd on the other hand is a pirate, descended from the famous Captain Kidd. Brian knows where the treasure's buried; in a windy park outside Clayton, down a deep hole gouged in the clay by a cyclops over 18,000 years ago. It's just there, waiting to be dug up, but Brian Kidd ain't telling.

Some people say that Brian Kidd isn't really a person, but a robot, built by Colin Blaney in a disused subterraneous warehouse in Ancoats sometime around 1978. That's right, ten years AFTER Kidd scored the first goal in the historic 1968 European Cup Final at Wembers, when United beat Brazil 14-1 and set many nerves on edge. How did Kidd get built by a Collyhurst criminal grafter and then beamed back thru a time-warp like that? Well, the truth is, Kidd and Blaney are one and the same, and they are BOTH really Ricky Hatton. I'm not joking. And the three of 'em are actually all just an old bloke called Carl, an ex-boxer from the 'Hurst who used to run pubs round town and is probably dead of old age by now, but he lives on in his offcast lobes, his North Manchester smithereens, in the form of Kidd, Blaney, Hatton, and a few thousand more craggy chinned marvels of the Mancunian jungle.

Celtoid and Rangerific are beneath you, Andy. Personally, I think you should stay in Barca and not bother with the Old Firm. Leave such trifles to the likes of O' Neill and Strachan and Smith and Co. It's cold, it's dark, and it's bloody daft.

re: Fiery showdowns, derby dates and Paolo Di Canio

Stephen — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:39:21 GMT

George isn't a red nutter...............

re: Fiery showdowns, derby dates and Paolo Di Canio

SocialZerosmate — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:15:08 GMT

Nah, that's no fun. I think the "social zero" thought that cheating in one game could be coincidence, but doing it twice??????. Will the "Red" nutter only be trotted out again if both teams reach the semi's?. I think he's played less than 60 minutes in 2 games.

re: Beer tasting Belize captain is king of Catalonia

COCO — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:19:55 GMT

As a teenager I rubbed shoulders on the pitch with Jorge. It takes mad talent to balance footballing and beer making skills but if one person can do it, its Jorge. We are from the same town in Belize and when it comes to thinking about the top crop of players ever to come out from there, I think of him. The only thing I never understood is why he's a Brazil fan. lol Not sure how that works having an Argentinian wife. I was impressed with this article as I thought with his career choice he'd be looking more like Norm from Cheers by now. I surely wouldnt mind rubbing shoulders with him again! Oh........just a hint...he gets weak when exposed to Cryptonite! Cheers!

re: Fiery showdowns, derby dates and Paolo Di Canio

Toni Gols — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:56:04 GMT

Let's leave it at the end of the season, better...

re: Hey Avram, I know how you feel

Blogger — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:11:45 GMT

Guess how that turned out... Didn't have the Cross a surprise as well... hmm anyway.. 2-1 the Cross.

re: Fiery showdowns, derby dates and Paolo Di Canio

Blogger — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:05:30 GMT

Nice story. Well.. some big flaws in the game report, but hey.. everybody is entitled to his own view. But was that clipping.. clipping? Wasn't it just a gentle brush? Aren't we getting a bit Spanish here? Questions, questions. Let's leave it at that. Oh no, let's leave it at 2-1, yeah, let's do that.

re: Fiery showdowns, derby dates and Paolo Di Canio

neiltmufc — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:24:35 GMT

" More than a game " ... Does that mean you will be back at Solitude or Windsor Park again?

re: "Hello, is that Ivan Campo?"

TestaGrande — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:49:12 GMT

I've often heard it said that its a small world and that certainly seemed the case last Sunday morning. There I was ambling along Piccadilly in Manchester heading for my pick up on route to an eagerly awaited fixture in the Bury and District Sunday League Division Three when who'm should I see coming towards me but Juande Ramos. Looking quite the sportsmen in Hotspurs trackies and jacket he appeared to be 'Power Walking', his eagerness to take early morning excercise didn't stop him having time for a quick "hola" before we parted company to prepare for our respective big matches. Unfortunately for both myself and the other new manager on the block, both Tottenham and Prestwich Lions failed to live up to early promise and were defeated. Juande did however promise to ring me if he needed anything in the future.

re: Fiery showdowns, derby dates and Paolo Di Canio

TestaGrande — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:38:15 GMT

The 'About Andy Mitten' blurb states that you've visited 65 countries, an impressive tally Andrew and one which I'm sure you'll be eager to increase. However,please forgive my ignorance but I would be interested to know the qualifying criteria, i.e what counts as a visit. Do you for example have to have a meal in local restaurant or spend the night in a country; or do you merely have to touch down at an airport? There is also the matter of principalities.

re: "Hello, is that Ivan Campo?"

Leon ZHU — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:47:44 GMT

Yeah,you are right.there is many differences between English and Spanish in the lecture!

re: Bhoys fans benefit from Rangers' visit to Catalonia

perssonsleftfoot — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:53:52 GMT

It's not so easy getting the Rangers/Celtic thing out of your head when direct comparisons between the two visits have been mighty prominant in the last 10 days or so in the newspapers, television, websites..when you include a full page ad in all the red top dailies in Scotland from Peter Lawell about Celtic's fans expexted behaviour in the city.

The many Rangers fans who were availing themselves of the bars ( some temporarily located to deal with the anticipated invasion)were forced to urinate in many public places because any public facilities that were available were soon rendered useless by the numbers passing through them.

A foriegn city is a foriegn city so fans who arrive for one or two nights tend to congregate in the larger squares...they do not cram in a weeks sightseeing in one afternoon.

The sea change in the city fathers stance on visiting football fans was directly linked to the Rangers fans visit in November...there were elections coming up and the Catalans were in high dudgeon regarding thousands of drunken fans( of all clubs) behaving like drunken football fans.The fact that Rangers took over 20000( spend

ing plenty when there,I may add)compounded their dismay.

New by laws saw 130+ Stuttgart fans being arrested/fined later in the year and by the time Celtic rolled into town, meals and entertainment(of a certain variety,and I don't mean old jugglers and vents from the Glasgow Empire days) had been laid on.

This account is fairly refreshing as it does go against the standard Scottish Mhedia blanket analysis

Rangers fans = dangerous

Celtic fans = virtous

re: Bhoys fans benefit from Rangers' visit to Catalonia

Stephen — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 06:07:37 GMT

Get the Rangers/Celtic thing out of your head.

Where were these facilities when any team has been in town?

The town council has finally realised that it must cater for large travelling supports.

re: Bhoys fans benefit from Rangers' visit to Catalonia

chris4242 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:55:38 GMT

I think the point the writer is trying to make is, where, were the facilities that Celtic fans enjoyed when Rangers fans were in town.

21000-25000 Rangers fans = No proper provisions made.

10000-13000 Celtic fans = A fanzone with everything a travelling fan needs.

See the difference?

re: FC United out to avoid kick in the goolies

FFFC — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:21:26 GMT

Andy, surely you'll find "Britain's premier inland port" much nearer home.

re: Bhoys fans benefit from Rangers' visit to Catalonia

Stephen — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:57:17 GMT

Well here we go. What a load of tosh.

Barça fans won't travel to Manchester, well very few will if they are paired together. As we know they don't have a big away following. It's not in the culture.

Rangers fans were not criticised for urinating in Plaça Catalunya, they were criticised for urinating on the monument to Francesc Macià ex-president of the Generalitat and founder member of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya political party.

Celtic have not benefited from Rangers' visit, Celtic have benefited from the visits of Celtic (twice recently), Rangers, Man United, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea, any German team that has been here and many others.

Any team that has brought a large, noisy, drinking support has lead to these new measures and it will be a lot more comfortable in the future.

We've all seen drunken fans make a fool of themselves. My favourite was the Man United fan who asked me if he was on the right metro for the Camp Nou, drunk as a skunk, ticket in hand. Time - 21.15, date - 26th May 1999.

re: Bhoys fans benefit from Rangers' visit to Catalonia

Stephen — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:56:36 GMT

Well here we go. What a load of tosh.

Barça fans won't travel to Manchester, well very few will if they are paired together. As we know they don't have a big away following. It's not in the culture.

Any team that has brought a large, noisy, drinking support has lead to these new measures and it will be a lot more comfortable in the future.

re: Beer tasting Belize captain is king of Catalonia

Denise — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:48:30 GMT

Hey,

Friends don't mention faults! I've known Jorge for 22 years...he's a good guy. yeh, he was one of Belize's best if not the best. Proud to be a friend.

re: Beer tasting Belize captain is king of Catalonia

Laura Raymond — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:19:38 GMT

I have to agree with Bernoske...Jorge is indeed an excellent team player, humble, quiet but very astute and smart. I don't think Belize has seen or heard of players with the unique qualities Jorge posseses in a long time.

I think I was also around when he brewed his first batch and many batches thereafter. Congratulations!

re: Beer tasting Belize captain is king of Catalonia

Laura Raymond — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:19:30 GMT

I think I was also around when he brewed his first batch and many batches thereafter. Congratulations!

re: Beer tasting Belize captain is king of Catalonia

Laura Raymond — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:19:24 GMT

I think I was also around when he brewed his first batch and many batches thereafter. Congratulations!

re: A meeting with Ruud and train ticket torment

Stretford End — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:41:11 GMT

VanNistelrooy has been superb leaving United in 2006, but to be honest I didn't think he would have been anything else.

I think it was the right time for him to leave Old Trafford as we'd been a little flat at times in the 2005/06 season - you could clearly see the majority of last season how more dynamic we'd become with Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs and at the start of the season Saha.

For me, VanNistelrooy was the best striker i'd ever seen at United. He was a great finisher (although Solskjaer is still the best for me), his hold up play to bring others into the play was different class and most of all he was determined.

Great piece in last months 442 stating Ruud's first scouting report -"Lazy, doesn't run, scored a hat trick". Unfortunately, I think many fans would assume this be true for every game he plays - does nothing but scores lots of goals. VanNistelrooy is a better player than Inzaghi who although is a top striker is a poor footballer in comparison.

Anyways, hope the interview went well. Ruud is still a legend.

re: Beer tasting Belize captain is king of Catalonia

dbernoske — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:10:28 GMT

I was a teammate of Jorge’s in Belize back in 1994. And while I watched mostly from the bench, we grew to be very close friends. In fact, I was there when he brewed his very first batch of beer. After weeks of meticulous craftsmanship, we anxiously awaited what was to be a batch of smooth amber ale. But the night before bottling, someone accidentally shattered the glass carboy while sweeping the floor. We never would taste his brew.

Years later Jorge took me on a tour of his Argentinean brewing operations in Santa Fe. This time, we walked over to the main supply line from the finishing vats to the bottling plant, tapped the line and filled our two glasses without breaking a thing. The best glass of beer I’ve ever had.

But you hit the nail on the head. Jorge is the most humble guy I know.

Great article, Andy. I enjoyed your writing as usual.

re: Beer tasting Belize captain is king of Catalonia

Salas — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:22:53 GMT

He is the real key for Manchester. I'm serius, nothing would be the same without Jorge

re: Scarf for sale. Useful for strangling the media...

AlanSmith — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:05:39 GMT

Scandalous behaviour selling the scarves. If it were me I would cherish it as a precious memento.

re: Ronaldinho, "Andinho" and the best girls in Brazil

Toni Gols — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:20:31 GMT

Come on Ronnie...wake up and shut up some mouths!!!

Great interview andinho!!

re: Barca, Brits and the bad, bad reporter

Ian Mc — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:29:22 GMT

Another classic football interview to rank alongside this one, from Iran Sports Press…

Exclusive interview with Oliver Kahn

ISP's Reza Ghazinouri met up with a few Bayern players and officials during their U.S. trip. This is what Bayern captain and Germany's number one in goal Oliver Kahn had to say:

Reza Ghazinouri: Mr. Kahn would you mind answering two questions please?

Oliver Kahn: No

Reza Ghazinouri: We have come a long distance, it would mean a lot for Iranians around the globe if we could ask a couple of questions.

Oliver Kahn: Please say it quickly

Reza Ghazinouri: On October 8, the German National team has a friendly game against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Would you mind giving us some comments about that game?

Oliver Kahn: No, I don't care about that game at all. Who cares about Iran and that game in October? Bye.

www.iransportspress.com

re: Barca, Brits and the bad, bad reporter

Ian-H- — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:29:52 GMT

Is it me, or was Ferguson emitting the invisible (but tangible) halo normally reserved for royalty on that video? The man positively oozes distinction.

Fortunately I receive La liga matches on cable where I live. They serve as a warm substitute for Serie A, which, with Jesus-freak Kaka chasing Inter still by quite a margin, has gone a bit tepid.

re: Barca, Brits and the bad, bad reporter

eddy — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:36:59 GMT

Watching that game was like looking at kids trying to play football in a bathtub. Entertaining though it was, it was a relief when someone scored, although I felt sorry for Osasuna. They played a good game, looking quite sharp on the day. That was a humdinger of a clearance off the line by Monreal, for one thing.