Football

[1D54]

There are loads of games throughout the winter months down to step 6 where floodlights are needed. Obviously the standard of the playing surfaces are not up to the standard of the top level and of course this current weather creates havoc with fixtures but there are games in the Football League that are getting cancelled.

Players would rather be out tonight playing a competitive game of football than be out training to keep fit for the weekend games.

 

[DarloRich]

Are there all that many night-time matches played in the deep winter months in non-league football levels of the pyramid. Obviously floodlights would be essential.

yes - loads! If you play "proper" football in the pyramid you play night games. Also the non league chaps are expected to play after doing a days work elsewhere unlike the pampered show ponies of the premier league!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Yes. Both games that were scheduled for midweeks and rescheduled postponements

There were a number of non-league games in the lower tiers of the pyramid that were postponed because of frozen pitches during the current winter weather spell last weekend, which were scheduled for an afternoon kick-off time and I should imagine that the ground temperature at the scheduled evening kick-off time in such conditions would be considerably colder.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Are there all that many night-time matches played in the deep winter months in non-league football levels of the pyramid. Obviously floodlights would be essential.

Gainsborough Trinity (Northern Premier League) currently have five (maybe six?) upcoming re-arranged midweek league fixtures scheduled in the next couple of months. Mainly due to their progressing in the FA Cup and FA Trophy competitions. League rules generally require unplayed fixtures to be re-scheduled for a new date within 42 days of the originally set date.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

yes - loads! If you play "proper" football in the pyramid you play night games. Also the non league chaps are expected to play after doing a days work elsewhere unlike the pampered show ponies of the premier league!

Show ponies.!!!...has Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Glossop North End ?...a private long-standing joke between the two of us...

Gainsborough Trinity (Northern Premier League) currently have five (maybe six?) upcoming re-arranged midweek league fixtures scheduled in the next couple of months. Mainly due to their progressing in the FA Cup and FA Trophy competitions. League rules generally require unplayed fixtures to be re-scheduled for a new date within 42 days of the originally set date.

They have performed exceedingly well this season for a team in the Northern Premier League, Pemier Division in the Isuzi FA Trophy and have reached the fifth round proper. In that round, they haven drawn at home against Woking who play in the National League.

 

[side effect]

Tottenham entertain Liverpool at the lane tonight in the other semi final with Liverpool scoring 6 on the recent visit in the league. Well think it was 6-3.

North London Derby would be my ideal final though.

 

[Ghostbus]

Can I just check you're talking about the same Newcastle United who haven't won a major trophy in over half a century?

We're talking about the Newcastle United whose current owners have only been in charge for two full seasons prior to this one, and have already got the club to one Wembley final, their last appearance being in 1999, and got them back into the Champion's League, having not been there since 2002. And thanks to Arsenal's inability to play with a Puma ball, probably another final too.

I dont think there's a single club that can claim that level of improvement in that short a time, under the current rules which specifically prevent clubs just buying their way to success. Aston Villa's billionaire owner has been in place since 2018. One Champion's League appearance, no trophies, one Wembley final. Same as Newcastle.

Bombed out of Europe easily and went backwards last season.

Found themselves in a legit Group of Death, with so many injuries they had to play a 17 year old in midfield for 26 games, including 2 starts and one off the bench in their 6 Champion's League group games.

They still spanked PSG at home and would have beat them away were it not for an extremely dodgy (some might say corrupt) 98th minute penalty award, magically ensuring the world's best player Mbappe would continue to the next stage.

Scored 6 goals against three of Europe's very best teams, the French Champions, the second best team in Germany and fourth best team in Italy. Conceded 7. Qualifiers PSG scored 9 and conceded 8, four of those scored by Newcastle. Two by local lads, Big Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff.

A supreme effort. With the current rules forcing player sales rather than new signings at the end of the season, the star signing being the permanent signature of a 20 year old left back on loan, having played only 9 times for the mighfy Chelsea, a drop from finishing 4th in the league to 7th in the next season was no mean feat.

Now looks to have been a blessing in disguise, a chance to get their players fit and go again.

 

[THC]

I dont think there's a single club that can claim that level of improvement in that short a time, under the current rules which specifically prevent clubs just buying their way to success. Aston Villa's billionaire owner has been in place since 2018. One Champion's League appearance, no trophies, one Wembley final. Same as Newcastle.

You weren't thinking very hard. Leicester City, EPL winners in 2015/16, were in the second tier exactly two seasons earlier. FFP was introduced by UEFA in 2011/12 and was implemented under the banner of PSR by the Premier League in 2013.

I love your enthusiasm, btw. Just don't let it blind you to the facts.

THC

 

[side effect]

Not saying you were but weren't some Geordies calling for the managers head not so long ago.

 

[REVUpminster]

Potter at West Ham. Quidditch wingers flying down the wings. Jack Sullivan probably told his father to get him.

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[Xenophon PCDGS]

Tottenham entertain Liverpool at the lane tonight in the other semi final with Liverpool scoring 6 on the recent visit in the league. Well think it was 6-3.

Carabao Cup.... Semi-Final (1st leg)

Tottenham Hotspur 1 ... Liverpool 0

 

[Haywain]

Rob Edwards has left Luton Town by mutual consent.

 

[SteveHFC]

Are there all that many night-time matches played in the deep winter months in non-league football levels of the pyramid. Obviously floodlights would be essential.

Have a look at this list of matches for this coming Tuesday evening in non-league football.

https://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/search/?date=2025-01-14&submit=Search+for+Fixtures+by+Date

Ron Edwards has left Luton Town by mutual consent.

Rob Edwards rather than Ron

 

[Haywain]

Rob Edwards rather than Ron

D'oh!

 

[43096]

Rob Edwards has left Luton Town by mutual consent.

And Sean Dyche has left Everton. Not by mutual consent, it would seem.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Sean Dyche gone as Everton FC manager.

Doesn't normally happen quite so soon before a 1st team fixture (they play Peterborough United in the FA Cup 3rd round at 7.45 p.m. tonight).

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2025/january/09/club-statement/

Extract(s)...

Everton Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as Senior Men’s First Team Manager with immediate effect.

The process to appoint a new manager is under way and an update will be provided in due course.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Have a look at this list of matches for this coming Tuesday evening in non-league football.

https://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/search/?date=2025-01-14&submit=Search+for+Fixtures+by+Date

How many of those are in the area which was subject to this week's amber-level ice and snow warnings that led to matches being postponed on account of frozen pitches?

 

[side effect]

Sean Dyche gone as Everton FC manager.

Doesn't normally happen quite so soon before a 1st team fixture (they play Peterborough United in the FA Cup 3rd round at 7.45 p.m. tonight).

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2025/january/09/club-statement/

Extract(s)...

Wonder if Moyes is in the frame.

 

[Falcon1200]

Do they have a different bodily make-up from normal human beings?

Yes! These are young men in the absolute peak of physical condition, with the very best exercise and diet regimes, and medical care, that money can buy.

I dont think there's a single club that can claim that level of improvement in that short a time

Going back a bit, Oxford United won the Third Division Title in 1984, the Second Division title in 1985, and the League Cup in 1986. We had never had such success before, and certainly never will again. We will however draw a veil over the financial dealings of our owner then, one R.Maxwell......

 

[Howardh]

Wonder if Moyes is in the frame.

Rooney!!!

I'd laugh if it was.

Meanwhile in proper football, although the astro might be playable, to prevent the Isle of Man travelling over a decision will be made at Gigg 10am tomorrow and I can't see them not postponing the game - can't guarantee the astro will be frost-free on Saturday and also the surrounds are icy.

Looks like Droylsden v Daisy Hill for me if their astro survives the frost.

 

[side effect]

Rooney!!!

I'd laugh if it was.

Meanwhile in proper football, although the astro might be playable, to prevent the Isle of Man travelling over a decision will be made at Gigg 10am tomorrow and I can't see them not postponing the game - can't guarantee the astro will be frost-free on Saturday and also the surrounds are icy.

Looks like Droylsden v Daisy Hill for me if their astro survives the frost.

Forgot about Rooney. Could you imagine . He is a true blue lol

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Looks like Droylsden v Daisy Hill for me if their astro survives the frost.

When did Droylsden FC have a 3G pitch installed at their Butcher's Arms ground? Must have missed that!

 

[Howardh]

When did Droylsden FC have a 3G pitch installed at their Butcher's Arms ground? Must have missed that!

I think they have but could be wrong; maybe it's the (public) training area? Certainly Avro do nearby! If it's not astro then no way can the game go ahead.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I dont think there's a single club that can claim that level of improvement in that short a time, under the current rules which specifically prevent clubs just buying their way to success

Nottingham Forest going from the old second division to being champions of Europe in two years is loads more impressive.

(And it was the proper European Cup where you couldn't afford the luxury of losing a couple of group games)

(And they retained it the following season)

 

[1D54]

Easier to win it in those days for want of a better word though. Remember Red Star Belgrade turning Barcelona over in a final where they spent an hour playing for penalties and got away with it. Taking nothing away from achievements of Nottm For Celtic etc but to be still living on it decades later is rather sad.

 

[Howardh]

Nottingham Forest going from the old second division to being champions of Europe in two years is loads more impressive.

(And it was the proper European Cup where you couldn't afford the luxury of losing a couple of group games)

(And they retained it the following season)

Wimbledon, from non league to FA Cup winners?
Fleetwood were at level 9 and got to level 3 in a very short period of time.
Wigan, non league to Premier and cup winners, but over several years of course!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wonder how many non-league teams have "astroturf-type" pitches these days?

Weather-wise, the temperature was minus 9 degrees C locally where I live at 23:00 last night.

 

[THC]

Wimbledon, from non league to FA Cup winners?
Fleetwood were at level 9 and got to level 3 in a very short period of time.
Wigan, non league to Premier and cup winners, but over several years of course!

There is also Swansea City's rise from Division 4 to Division 1 in four years (1977/78 to 1981/82) and Watford's rise from Division 4 to Division 1 runners-up in five years (1977/78 to 1982/83) then onto the UEFA Cup third round and FA Cup final in 1983/84, but all these ignore the point in post #34,687 about the financial rules in force when they happened.

THC

 

[SuspectUsual]

all these ignore the point in post #34,687 about the financial rules in force when they happened

True, but the rules weren’t in place then because there was no need for them - there just wasn’t anything like as much money in the game and nobody was being bankrolled by a sugar daddy.

 

[Cross City]

True, but the rules weren’t in place then because there was no need for them - there just wasn’t anything like as much money in the game and nobody was being bankrolled by a sugar daddy.

Sorry but this is nonsense. There have always been teams buying the league and financially out muscling their competitors, the whole Football League was founded as a big money grab.

Back in the early days clubs with wealthy backing used to just buy up all of the local talent and put other clubs out of business. That was exactly the situation in Birmingham in the late 1800s when Aston Villa put Birmingham St George's out of business by kicking them out of the league decreeing that only 1 team could represent each town. This directly lead to the excluded clubs forming "The Combination" rival league which eventually became the second division of the Football League after a rebrand as the Football Alliance.

Even before this Aston Villa directly lead to the winding up of several clubs in Birmingham; Excelsior, Warwick County (the football wing of Warwickshire CCC), Aston Unity, Aston Shakespeare and 'The Birmingham Club' to name a few. Coincidentally most of these played at Aston lower Grounds (a very large facility where several teams including Villa played, a small part of it is now Villa Park) where the wealthy owners of Villa could essentially cherry pick the players and staff they liked.

This situation cannot be unique to Birmingham, early football business was an absolute bloodbath. Fortunately, Small Heath Alliance survived so I don't have to support a club built upon upper class exceptionalism who's snobbish attitude still survives to the modern day.

Even in the start of the 'modern era' of football, teams like Forest didn't win the European Cup twice on a budget of 20 B&H and a packet of digestives. Same goes for Blackburn when they won the Premier League, even Leicester too to some extent

Money dominating football... Same as it ever was.