Football

[Darandio]

Did Steve Bruce walk out on Huddersfield years ago, or am I getting muddled up with somebody else?

He did. He very much had form for walking out on clubs in his early years of management.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Did Steve Bruce walk out on Huddersfield years ago, or am I getting muddled up with somebody else?

He's walked out on more people than Elizabeth Taylor

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Did Steve Bruce walk out on Huddersfield years ago, or am I getting muddled up with somebody else?

He did. He very much had form for walking out on clubs in his early years of management.

No he didn't. He was appointed in close season replacing the popular Peter Jackson because our owner at the time (Barry Rubery) wanted a "big name" manager. He was fired after a poor start to his second season in charge in October 2000.

 

[Darandio]

No he didn't. He was appointed in close season replacing the popular Peter Jackson because our owner at the time (Barry Rubery) wanted a "big name" manager. He was fired after a poor start to his second season in charge in October 2000.

Ah. Well it was about the only one he didn't walk out on in those early years!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Ah. Well it was about the only one he didn't walk out on in those early years!

He started really well with us, and had us in the running for promotion until the ridiculous decision by the board to sell Marcus Stewart to Ipswich Town, one of our rivals for a play-off spot. There was talk at the time that the sale was forced due to Stewart "playing away from home" with the chairman's wife, though I've no idea if this was true. Stewart went on to fire Ipswich to promotion to the Premier League, whilst Huddersfield's form collapsed and we missed out on the play-offs. The owners at the time made the bizarre decision to pay Bruce in part with shares in the club, meaning he had a conflict of interest when it came to player sales.

 

[gg1]

He did. He very much had form for walking out on clubs in his early years of management.

He did the same even towards the end of his career, resigning from Sheffield Wednesday to take the Newcastle job in 2019.

 

[Haywain]

The owners at the time made the bizarre decision to pay Bruce in part with shares in the club, meaning he had a conflict of interest when it came to player sales.

I can't imagine that shareholders were getting any sort of pay out, from transfers or anything else, so can't see how it would be a conflict of interest.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I can't imagine that shareholders were getting any sort of pay out, from transfers or anything else, so can't see how it would be a conflict of interest.

Perhaps not... but there were always rumours that Bruce wasn't exactly squeaky-clean in his financial dealings, particularly when it came to the Stewart sale. It was obvious that Stewart didn't want to leave, and as fans we felt Bruce should have put up more of a fight when his star player was sold to a promotion rival.

 

[Loppylugs]

Perhaps not... but there were always rumours that Bruce wasn't exactly squeaky-clean in his financial dealings, particularly when it came to the Stewart sale. It was obvious that Stewart didn't want to leave, and as fans we felt Bruce should have put up more of a fight when his star player was sold to a promotion rival.

Sad to hear that Marcus Stewart has been diagnosed with motor-neurone disease recently.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Sad to hear that Marcus Stewart has been diagnosed with motor-neurone disease recently.

Sad news indeed. However he seems to be taking the challenge head-on and using his platform to raise awareness and funds for research into this horrible disease. Hats off to him for that.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Sheffield United knew that tonight's match result was important, following Burnley's draw yesterday, but the script did not run to plan.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Sheffield United knew that tonight's match result was important, following Burnley's draw yesterday, but the script did not run to plan.

Indeed. Sheffield United (in second) lost 1-3 at home to (third-placed) Middlesbrough in the Championship last night and so the Blades remain eight points behind top-of-the-table Burnley, with 15 or so fixtures still to go.

 

[DarloRich]

Indeed. Sheffield United (in second) lost 1-3 at home to (third-placed) Middlesbrough in the Championship last night and so the Blades remain eight points behind top-of-the-table Burnley, with 15 or so fixtures still to go.

A good win for Boro - however they are too far adrift to take an automatic promotion spot. Thier upturn in from under Carrick is impressive.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Indeed. Sheffield United (in second) lost 1-3 at home to (third-placed) Middlesbrough in the Championship last night and so the Blades remain eight points behind top-of-the-table Burnley, with 15 or so fixtures still to go.

A week definitely not to remember for Sheffield United as their match today away to Millwall was the Saturday early kick-off and they lost again, this time by the old goal in five.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Winchester City 2...Penalty to Plymouth Parkway 1 (Tornaienen 30, Nolan 57; Seymour pen 71)

Winchester City notch up a home win at 3pm for the first time this season - sadly one I had to miss due to being served a dodgy burger at Aldershot last Tuesday.

Other Results:

Dorchester Town 1...Bracknell Town 2

Hanwell Town 0...Salisbury 3

Harrow Borough 1...Swindon Supermarine 3

Hendon 2...Weston-Super-Mare 3

Met Police 0...Merthyr Town 2

North Leigh 0...Gosport Borough 1

Poole Town 2...Beaconsfield Town 2

Tiverton Town 2...Chesham United 1

Truro City 1...Hartley Wintney 1

Yate Town 1...Hayes & Yeading 2

15. Plymouth Parkway P25 GD +2 33pts
16. Gosport Borough P30 GD -14 33pts
17. Winchester City P30 GD -15 31pts
18. Harrow Borough P29 GD -23 28pts
------------------------------------------------
19. Yate Town P31 GD -29 28pts
20. Hendon P28 GD -26 25pts
21. Hartley Wintney P32 GD -29 23pts
22. North Leigh P29 GD -34 19pts

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Northern Premier League...Premier Division

Hyde United 4 ... Liversedge 2

Hyde are always chary about home matches against bottom-of-the-table sides, but a good attendance of 739 saw Hyde go in 2-0 up at half time after goals in the 19th and 41st minute. They scored again in the 54th minute but were reduced to 10 men by a red card five minutes later. This spurred Liversedge on and they pulled back to 3-2 with goals in the 68th and 80th minute, but Hyde added a fourth in the 83rd minute. Hyde now secured their second league position with this win, but will be mindful that Radcliffe have enjoyed a recent spell of good form and have games in hand over Hyde.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Still a long way to go, but Neil Warnock's second spell in charge of Huddersfield Town got off to a great start... apart from going a goal behind within the first five minutes! The winning goal in particular from Jaheim Headley was right out of the Warnock style guide, assisted by goalkeeper Nick Bilokapic.

Keeping us up is still going to be a big ask, but at least we'll put up a bit of a fight. Either way it won't be dull!


In other news, Bolton Wanderers have announced that due to a new sponsorship deal their ground will now be known as the "Toughsheet Stadium". Apparently Toughsheet are a local building supplies firm, but it seems that someone didn't think that through very well!

 

[VauxhallandI]

Barnet 2 - 4 Altrincham

What a night for the Alty, lucky to get in at HT 2-1 down.

One of the worst away days for many many reasons so an extra pleasure.

2 more wins and a cuple of draws from safety.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Winchester City 1...Yate Town 0 (Hill 87)

A vital win. Both sides had chances throughout the game, with Yate seeing a goal disallowed for offside in the second half while City hit the post and had a shot cleared off the line. Then with three minutes left, IK Hill found the net with a somewhat untidy shot to seal three massive points.

Other results:

Bracknell Town 3...Hendon 2

Hayes & Yeading 0...Swindon Supermarine 0

Met Police 0...Weston-Super-Mare 0

North Leigh 1...Plymouth Parkway 2

Poole Town 3...Truro City 0

League Table

15. Plymouth Parkway P26 GD +3 36pts
16. Winchester City P31 GD -14 34pts
17. Gosport Borough P30 GD -14 33pts
18. Harrow Borough P29 GD -23 28pts
-----------------------------------------------
19. Yate Town P32 GD -30 28pts
20. Hendon P29 GD -27 25pts
21. Hartley Wintney P32 GD -31 23pts
22. North Leigh P30 GD -35 19pts

 

[High Dyke]

Lincolnshire Senior Cup S/F​

FT Grantham Town 2 Grimsby Town 1
FT Spalding United 0 Cleethorpes Town 0 (Spalding won 5-4 on penalties)

More importantly for Grantham Town was that Tadcaster Albion beat North Shields 1-0 in the NPL East division.

 

[156421]

This seems to be quite a strange thread with several ongoing soccer topics which should probably be individual threads possibly in a sports/soccer subforum. However I will insert yet another topic why not... looks like the latest club to be persecuted by the EFL is: Birmingham City. Probably will be another Derby County scenario whereby the EFL is so hellbent on destroying a club that it will initially deduct 12 points, then if there is any risk of the team not being relegated, arbitrarily apply further deductions/sanctions to pull the rug from under their feet.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Not many teams in Champions League later-stage matches in their home leg take a two-goal lead early in the first half and end up losing 2-5.

 

[Kite159]

Not many teams in Champions League later-stage matches in their home leg take a two-goal lead early in the first half and end up losing 2-5.

Reading the BBC report it sounds like it's the first time a team has led 2-0 only to loss by a goal margin of 3.

Another famous European night at Anfield

 

[61653 HTAFC]

This seems to be quite a strange thread with several ongoing soccer topics which should probably be individual threads possibly in a sports/soccer subforum. However I will insert yet another topic why not... looks like the latest club to be persecuted by the EFL is: Birmingham City. Probably will be another Derby County scenario whereby the EFL is so hellbent on destroying a club that it will initially deduct 12 points, then if there is any risk of the team not being relegated, arbitrarily apply further deductions/sanctions to pull the rug from under their feet.

Perhaps clubs shouldn't spend beyond their means?

If anything the Financial Fair Play rules need MORE teeth, not less.

I suspect any punishment for Birmingham City will be suspended, despite this not being their first rodeo.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I suspect any punishment for Birmingham City will be suspended, despite this not being their first rodeo.

I know that some American sports are held here occasionally to bring their attention to the public, but I cannot recall a rodeo being held in recent times.

Perhaps Birmingham City should stick to tried and tested events such as sheepdog trials.

 

[156421]

Perhaps clubs shouldn't spend beyond their means?

If anything the Financial Fair Play rules need MORE teeth, not less.

I suspect any punishment for Birmingham City will be suspended, despite this not being their first rodeo.

Also here's an idea: the EFL applies the rules consistently rather than punishing selected clubs only. Or perhaps the EFL can't be trusted and there needs to be an "arms length" body to deal with this sort of stuff. That way the EFL can deal with actual footballing matters such as why has almost every game I've been to this season kicked off 2 minutes late and half time has been 17-19 minutes. Very poor punctuality indeed.

 

[AlterEgo]

Also here's an idea: the EFL applies the rules consistently rather than punishing selected clubs only. Or perhaps the EFL can't be trusted and there needs to be an "arms length" body to deal with this sort of stuff. That way the EFL can deal with actual footballing matters such as why has almost every game I've been to this season kicked off 2 minutes late and half time has been 17-19 minutes. Very poor punctuality indeed.

I have a season ticket at a much-maligned League One club and I have observed exactly the same thing. In fact it’s been that way since 2007; we are almost always the last result to come in on the livescore services too.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I agree that it does seem that certain clubs are treated with more leniency than others, though none of us are party to the full facts of each case so I'll stop short of suggesting a deliberate bias or corruption.
Timekeeping in games is a completely unrelated matter though, all bringing that up does is muddy the waters. I have my own issues with the quality of refereeing decisions, but like most fans I'm probably biased towards the perceived injustices that affect the club I support.

 

[SuspectUsual]

half time has been 17-19 minutes

Half time has been 15 minutes since 1995, starts when the last player / official reaches the dressing rooms, and ends when the ref sounds the bell to summon the players back to the pitch, so from whistle to whistle it'll always be more like the 17 - 19 minutes you quote

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

On the BBC Football website, my son tells me there is a picture of a group of fans, one of which is carrying a large placard stating.....
"Football belongs to us, not you"

My son wondered if that sentiment was transferred into reality, with fans taking over the responsibility themselves for the financial running of the clubs, what the state of football would be like in Britain and what the average salary of players would be.