Football Orphan: Football mourns Gary Speed.
On Sunday afternoon I was walking off chatting to the referee after the final whistle of the local game I was covering for a newspaper, when a man approached us to tell us of the death of Gary Speed. At first I thought this was a person who he had in common with the referee. He then confirmed it was the Wales national manager. At only 42 years of age with so much to live for, his death is tragic. Further news would unfold later in the afternoon. This is what stopped me in my tracks. Without being to specific, most of the men I know have had enough things to worry about, and deal with. I’m certain that all who will read this will know someone who has needed, or will need a friendly face to confide in at some point.
For whatever reason, us men are not good at sharing our worries and problems. We all have something to get off our chest from time to time. Hopefully plenty of men will read this article and will think “Well thank goodness I don’t have much to worry about”. Thank goodness indeed, but a time will certainly come, when all of us have something to deal with, and it is vital that issues are shared. This activity is mostly looked upon as “The soft way out” for a lot of people, or it compromises a person’s character, if it’s not dealt with internally. Absolute rubbish. It’s a foolish mind-set that will result in the issues manifesting and resurfacing at a point further down the road.
In these troubled times when we all wish that we could be a little more comfortable in life in one way or another, it appeared that Gary Speed was an ambitious man with a tremendous playing career behind him and a bright future as a coach to come. For all football supporters he was someone to admire and look up to. I saw all of his playing career unfold as I grew up, but can’t remember a single opposing supporter having anything negative to say about a guy who was the perfect example of a professional footballer. It is only now that we know that something as simple as someone to talk to for a while, could have saved his life.
I implore any men out there who think they can solve their own problems by keeping things to themselves, you are WRONG. I personally know this for a number of reasons. It is not soft, weak or feminine to discuss your problems however trivial with someone. It is how we overcome obstacles. A problem shared IS a problem halved. Whether it’s depression, or something as simple as just being in someone’s company to brighten a friend’s spirits, it is enough to ease a person’s burden. If you are lucky enough to have avoided any kind of darkness in your life, you can guarantee someone you know, or are even quite close to has, or will need a confidant.
Sunday afternoon will remain a black day in the history of British football. The passing of Gary Speed, a Premier League legend, has shocked and upset people inside and out of football. He was a tough but fair player. He was a mentor to many young players and will be remembered in the highest regard by all football fans. Football will pay its respects to him for a long time to come. I am certain the first man to reach 500 Premier League appearances will be held in the highest esteem for generations to come. I like many, hope that the Premier League will mark his passing with a gesture that will be fitting of his fine career and achievements in football.
Gary Speed Rip.
Football Orphan: International football. Who needs it?
Due to the International break Football Orphan will deviate from current event stories until normal service resumes. International football has become more of an inconvenience to many people rather than something to celebrate. I personally tolerate it as a necessary evil. It always seems to me that the season is settling into its groove just as the break interrupts the momentum. I wish once and for all, the powers that be would cut an international window out of the calendar by adding extra games to the other windows.
Realistically it would show the strength of a nations resources. In my opinion, high-class marquee players should thrive on being with the international set up for a little longer as opposed to shorter, more frequent breaks. This would probably include countries playing 3 games in 8 days or so thus showing up that it really is a squad game in this day and age.
Until I see my sensible solution come to fruition, I will endeavor to commit to new ways of entertaining Football Orphan visitors during inconvenient International breaks. I understand that during this time the media will be saturated with menial, trivial tid bits of information. This is simply not good enough for the insatiable greed for information that we as football addicts require. I believe that if we can’t have something substantial that is of the hour, then we should review something meaningful, yet still relevant from football’s past.
During this international break I will be covering players of yester year, but with a difference. The articles will all follow one single theme which will be revealed in tomorrow’s post, and will then subsequently be featured with Football Orphan’s newest section “El minuto 21 a”. Tune in tomorrow for the first installment for Football Orphan’s first documentary series.
Football Orphan: Champions League is back… with a whimper.
Champions League football came to the fore once again last night. It hardly seems that long ago since Barcelona handed Manchester United another lesson in football. Yet it’s all consigned to the history books now. I can’t help being cynical about these early stages of the tournament given that over the six game league format we usually see the group favourites make it through to the knock out stages. At very least we have a few new clubs and a handful of re emerging ones to shake it up a little this season.
Barcelona are the team that most would mark down as favourites, once we look to the chasing pack it becomes all too predictable thereafter. In my opinion the Champions League is becoming increasingly in danger of stagnation. Did any of last nights games set the world alight? Will they have any major bearing on the outcome of where the trophy ends up? Will tonight’s games be any different? The answer for me is a resounding, No.
Ask anyone what they think of the Scottish league, the answer is rarely anything other than negitive because the same teams always contest for the silverware. The Champions League is starting to closely resemble this pattern. If you happen to be a supporter of Barcelona and Manchester United in particular that’s all well and good. Both clubs have featured in three finals each from the last six seasons. The system has always been kind to the big clubs. They never really have to break sweat until the knock out stages any way.
I have touched on the motto of our friends at Fifa before, but the way this tournament is structured under the guidance of Uefa, is far from “Fair Play” for all the clubs hoping to be involved. The most important component in football is the supporters. Without the interest of the people in the stands or the folks watching at home, the commodity of football is worthless. I think it’s high time that something is done to invigorate the format of this meandering tournament before fans tune out until the real competition begins.
Football Orphan: Glazer Family & Sheikh Mansour lead charge for title.
This weekends action saw both Manchester United and Manchester City cruise to yet another win. The football played by both was indeed scintillating as much as it was effective. Are we witnessing the beginning of what will continue as a two horse race for the duration of the season? Do we as Premier League enthusiasts see this as the mark of which the chasing bunch must aspire to? Or is this just the crass reality that only financial clout will assist a clubs ascension towards success? I personally, partially entertain the notion of these superpowers given the entertainment value. On the other hand I also believe we are being deprived of an ultra competitive competition, due to the neglect an incompetence of football’s governing bodies on many levels.
Most of us would prefer to be entertained once a game kicks off, but it’s how each club gains its power that intrigues me. Michel Platini was instrumental in introducing the Financial Fair Play initiative but yet again it appears to be wide of the mark as a perfect solution. The general consensus among football fans is that Manchester City 
will go and buy up all the available talent and then loan players out as they please. On a sliding scale, isn’t this what happens with all clubs? In effect once a player goes out on loan to a lower club, they improve the player as an asset by giving him precious game time, then he returns to his parent club.
This to me is like loan sharking, where the big guy profits in the long-term while the small club has little chance of reaping any benefit. This is where M’sieur Platini in my opinion should have been aiming his “Fair Play”. If the loan system became a strict and “Fair” system, possibly even eradicated from the game altogether, perhaps then we would see a more even playing field. If a player can’t get into the first team, give him game time in the reserves, or sell him. Simple. Players are either an asset to a club, or they are not. Loaning players between clubs has become in one way or another, not to dissimilar to a kidnap ransom. If the powers that be are to find a solution to the “Sugar Daddy” conundrum I believe that this is the first step to putting football back on the right track. That is, “If” they really have any desire to put football back on the right track.
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