The Footie Thread

[Tashyboy]

Surprised no one has mentioned it as it has probably slipped under the radar. But James Milner became the second highest prem League player in appearances the other night. Now level with Giggsy and only 21 behind Gareth Barry. Take a bow son.

 

[pendodave]

Absolutely, but times change. Despite being a blue we can not claim to be a 'big club' right now. We have moved out of the equation.

When I was a kid, also in the NW of England, Newcastle didn't register at all, as you found out. Even during the Keegan playing years, Waddle, Gascoigne etc they didn't flicker the needle really. Keegan the manager changed that, that era put them on the edge of the big boys. They disappeared again but are currently on the edge again. They have the ground, they have the support, they now have the money to compete and stay at the top table for longer. To become a big club they need to win things and sustain time at the top. I'd put them in that group with Spurs and West Ham right now. Villa might be about to join that group as well.

Interesting times, it is dull if it is always the same old teams.

Blimey
Villa are a bigger club than the Irons imho. League champions and (cough) actual Champions of Europe.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Blimey
Villa are a bigger club than the Irons imho. League champions and (cough) actual Champions of Europe.

Where does history stop counting? I get your point, and historically you are dead right, but time has moved on. I'm not saying that West Ham are bigger but they are in the same territory at the moment, imo.

 

[GB72]

I think that the only way you can look at it equitably is on something as nondescript as global fan base or even revenue, basically on how you would judge a company, size of customer base, income, profit etc.

Certainly when I was a kid Villa and Forest were huge but I suspect that was only on a national level. I am not even sure when global support started to become a significant factor.

The problem with judging on achievement, whilst the most correct when agreeing footballing stature, will always be subject to how recent the achievement was, how consistently the team achieves etc, What do you have to win to achieve big club status and how often. Did clubs like Liverpool and United become stop being big clubs in their barren years.

 

[Tashyboy]

I think that the only way you can look at it equitably is on something as nondescript as global fan base or even revenue, basically on how you would judge a company, size of customer base, income, profit etc.

Certainly when I was a kid Villa and Forest were huge but I suspect that was only on a national level. I am not even sure when global support started to become a significant factor.

The problem with judging on achievement, whilst the most correct when agreeing footballing stature, will always be subject to how recent the achievement was, how consistently the team achieves etc, What do you have to win to achieve big club status and how often. Did clubs like Liverpool and United become stop being big clubs in their barren years.

Does that include the current time
The glaziers have been in, or should I say out of control.

 

[Neilds]

Don’t big clubs need great stadiums? If this is one of the criteria then Man Utd are certainly out

 

[Voyager EMH]

When i emigrated from Rochdale to Mansfield in 1970. First day at school really was like being in a united Nations multicultural classroom. Apart from being shocked at the different accents, kids followed Celtic, Rangers, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal, Utd, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sunderland and a team called Forest etc etc and I was the only one that followed City. Am not sure in 1970 that it seemed any team was bigger that the next

In the 1970/71 season both Man Utd and Man City had a squad of absolute stars.
Loads of capped national players between them.
Man Utd finished 8th and Man City 11th.
Following year Man City were 4th, but Man Utd were 8th again.
Leeds were runners-up both those seasons.
Arsenal and Derby were the champs.

In those years there were always more than 10 who you would have to call "big clubs".

 

[Tashyboy]

In the 1970/71 season both Man Utd and Man City had a squad of absolute stars.
Loads of capped national players between them.
Man Utd finished 8th and Man City 11th.
Following year Man City were 4th, but Man Utd were 8th again.
Leeds were runners-up both those seasons.
Arsenal and Derby were the champs.

In those years there were always more than 10 who you would have to call "big clubs".

It’s odd, but I saw a story the other day that the last ever all English side to win the division 1 aka Prem was Man City. As a kid I never really looked at clubs as “ Big” just a club. Me dad still tells me that one week he watched City, the next Utd. Most of his mates did the same til the late 60,s when hooliganism started. He chuckles when I talk about attendances at City and Utd coz he reckons he was counted twice.

 

[Voyager EMH]

It’s odd, but I saw a story the other day that the last ever all English side to win the division 1 aka Prem was Man City. As a kid I never really looked at clubs as “ Big” just a club. Me dad still tells me that one week he watched City, the next Utd. Most of his mates did the same til the late 60,s when hooliganism started. He chuckles when I talk about attendances at City and Utd coz he reckons he was counted twice.

I think that would be an all GB&I team rather than all English.

Man City won the league in 1936/37 and that squad included 5 Scots and 3 from NI.
1967/68 they had only one Scot and one Welshman.

Anyway, better get off this thread sharpish before my out-of-touch-ness becomes too obvious.
I'll be back in a few months when Leicester win the Championship with a record breaking number of points.

Bye

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Where does history stop counting? I get your point, and historically you are dead right, but time has moved on. I'm not saying that West Ham are bigger but they are in the same territory at the moment, imo.

I was shocked when we are the second highest (on average) attendance only behind man united in the league

I mean the size of the stadium helps but shows how many fans we have . Well supported average

 

[hairball_89]

Surprised no one has mentioned it as it has probably slipped under the radar. But James Milner became the second highest prem League player in appearances the other night. Now level with Giggsy and only 21 behind Gareth Barry. Take a bow son.

He is simply phenomenal. His ability on the ball gets overlooked in favour of his frankly obscene athleticism, but overall he’s just a wonderful footballer and a brilliant person to have on your team.

Easily the best free transfer Liverpool have made in my lifetime, and a hugely astute signing for Brighton. I expect him to surpass Barry’s total next season.

 

[Tashyboy]

He is simply phenomenal. His ability on the ball gets overlooked in favour of his frankly obscene athleticism, but overall he’s just a wonderful footballer and a brilliant person to have on your team.

Easily the best free transfer Liverpool have made in my lifetime, and a hugely astute signing for Brighton. I expect him to surpass Barry’s total next season.

I met him In Dublin in a Man City pre season tour. Must of been around 2010. He was a genuinely nice guy. I showed Eden Dzecko my six pack. Milner was giggling his head off. Gutted he left City.

 

[clubchamp98]

Don’t big clubs need great stadiums? If this is one of the criteria then Man Utd are certainly out

Everton will be in next season then !
Their new stadium looks awesome.

 

[clubchamp98]

I met him In Dublin in a Man City pre season tour. Must of been around 2010. He was a genuinely nice guy. I showed Eden Dzecko my six pack. Milner was giggling his head off. Gutted he left City.

Six cans in a Lidel bag?

 

[Tashyboy]

Six cans in a Lidel bag?

It was probably more like a beer barrel

 

[Tashyboy]

Michael Hunt, a lifelong City fan, suffered a cardiac arrest at the Etihad Stadium ahead of the Bournemouth fixture last month. After six weeks in hospital and a successful triple bypass operation, Michael is now recovering at home and City gave him an amazing Christmas gift by paying him a visit with all of the Big Five trophies

PS love his name.

 

[HeftyHacker]

It was probably more like a beer barrel

As I always say to my missus, who wants a 6 pack when you can have a full barrel?

 

[Orikoru]

Michael Hunt, a lifelong City fan, suffered a cardiac arrest at the Etihad Stadium ahead of the Bournemouth fixture last month. After six weeks in hospital and a successful triple bypass operation, Michael is now recovering at home and City gave him an amazing Christmas gift by paying him a visit with all of the Big Five trophies

PS love his name.

"Don't call me Mike."

 

[Tashyboy]

"Don't call me Mike."

I saw it on a City Facebook page. With the humour of the City fans. Am gob smacked no one has said anything
Maybe we are turning into a sensitive bunch.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Chatting with a friend yesterday and he asked if I knew why football posts are on the field of play, not behind it? Never thought of it before but he was correct. It got me thinking, in hockey for example, the posts are set touching the line, behind it, but not fully on it. In football, the posts are fully on the line, interfering with play you could say. Anyone know why this is? (I know the answer could be, 'because it's always been that way' but I just thought it was an interesting point)