scrappythoughts.com » Football

University of Burnley FC?

Callum — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:53:03 +0000

Burnley Football Club have unveiled an exciting new proposal that will see their Turf Moor stadium (and the surrounding areas) transformed. The development includes student accommodation, restaurants and an entertainment complex. However, the one factor that makes this very different from other multi-functional football developments is the inclusion of a football university.

This proposal could see the football club team up with Liverpool John Moores University to become a world-class academic institution where people can train in courses such as sponsorship, football finance (with the owners of Portsmouth already signed up!) and stadium design. Football club chief executive Mr Paul Fletcher MBE has said that this project, which could take 2 to 3 years, would be “a blueprint for a new Burnley”.

Transfer Window Closes

Lisa — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:13:21 +0000

At 5pm yesterday, the football transfer window slammed shut with great authority, although the number of transfers passing through this window was fairly minimal. Barring Manchester City paying £5m or £7 (depending on which report you read) for Middlesboro winger Adam Johnson, and Portsmouth getting as much money as possible for their assets before they foreclose, the window was restricted to loan and free signings.

As a result of the global recession and the amount of debt hanging over many clubs around Europe, the number of transfers was minimal. This day used to be a fabulously exciting time for football fans, but this year was very much a damp squib. Many larger clubs often mention that January is only a time for panic or emergency buying, but even if this was the reason, this football fan was left feeling pretty cold about the whole affair!

Rooney’s Hat-trick Hat-trick

Lewis — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:22:33 +0000

This weekend Manchester United travelled to Portsmouth to face a tricky game aganst opponents they had only beaten once in the last 3 attempts at Fratton Park. United went into the game on the back of a fantastic win against Everton and a poor performance in defeat from the kids team against Besiktas. The big players were being rested for what was an important game against the FA Cup winners of 2008. The result finished 4-1 to Manchester United and Wayne Rooney grabbed a hat-trick. It was his 3rd hat-trick for the club since his move from Everton in 2004. His first came on his debut against Fenerbahce, his second in October 2006 against Bolton and the 3rd on Saturday against Portsmouth. He came close to another against Aston Villa in October 2007 when he had already scored 2 and missed a penalty. United went on to win the game 4-1 however. Hopefully there will be many more to come!

Champions League Rules

Lewis — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:27:54 +0000

Yesterday Manchester United escaped a defeat at home to CSKA Moscow in the last 5 minutes of the game. 3-1 down just after half time they managed to get two goals back and qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League. One thing that crossed my mind during the game was regarding the appeals process.

Soon after United went 3-1 down they had a marvelous opportunity to get a goal back. The ball was played in from the right and just as Darren Fletcher was about to strike the ball goalwards the defender completely took his legs from under him. A penalty, a stone-wall one at that. So you would think.. The referee promptly booked Fletcher for simulation and gave a free kick the other way. A complete injustice and a real kick in the teeth for a man that missed the final of the tournament last year through bad luck in the penalty area again. That time he won the ball and got sent off for a foul as he was the last man.

The thing that really grinds me though is that Fletcher cannot appeal this yellow card. Why on earth should he have this yellow card against his name that could lead to further suspension later in the competition? Common sense from UEFA should insue, but I doubt that it will.

Manchester United Football Club!

Lewis — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:47:12 +0000

The greatest football club in the world! Ok I support them so I would say that but lets look at everything the club stands for. It still respects family values with the community programs it runs. It is the biggest club in the North West. It’s the biggest club in the world. The football this club believes in is fluid, passing, driving football that entertains and captivates those who come to watch and adore. Then you have some of the players who have blessed the united shirt. Charlton, Best, Law, Cantona, Robson, Beckham, Rooney and possibly the greatest united player ever Sir Ryan Giggs.

Football Derbies

Lewis — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:44:41 +0000

Just was does make every red blooded man in the country fall to his knees watching his beloved team win or lose, home or away! The beautiful game as it is commonly known must surely be one of the most addictive pastimes ever known to man! But twice a year comes the biggest and most intensely, competitive games on the radar…the derbies! Whether it is United Vs City, Liverpool Vs Everton or Arsenal Vs Spurs this is where the true passion comes out of each and every fan for 90 intense filled minutes and at the end one set of fans usually goes home in euphoria and one set of fans goes home inconsolable! This is football!

Sunday League Football

Lewis — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:37:15 +0000

Is there anything better than spending your Sunday morning playing or watching Sunday pub league football? I’m sure many wives and girlfriends would say that there are lots of things that are better but for the thousands of young (and old) men that drag themselves out of bed, mostly with hangovers, it is a release from the weeks trials and tribulations followed by a nice relaxing pint in the pub celebrating or commiserating with his fellow devotees. However for the older generation the week following will be one of recovery from the aches and pains received ready to do it all again the next Sunday!