Football

[backontrack]

The hooligan element has not left Leeds. They're still the same Henri Lloyd-clad thugs that they were in the 80s when they set fire to the chip van when we were at Odsal after the fire.

My thoughts on Leeds...

Growing up, Leeds were in the top flight mostly, while we (and Bradford City) were usually in the 3rd. As a result, Bradford was the local derby to look for each summer when the fixtures came out and Leeds didn't get a second thought. In the past decade or so this has changed, with us being alongside Leeds more often than not- so that has become the derby we Town fans look for. With Bradford the banter was always light-hearted for the most part but with Leeds there's often an undercurrent of malice. Bradford supporters I've spoken to feel the same way, and Leeds supporters really endeared themselves to Bradfordians by singing songs about the Valley Parade fire*.

*=see also Munich songs and Hillsborough songs for United and Liverpool respectively. Admittedly one of our supporters thought it would be funny to wave a Turkish flag this year after the tragic and horrific murder of 2 Leeds fans in Istanbul a few years ago- spoiler alert, it wasn't funny. Then again, Leeds fans do love to claim offense over that unfortunate episode, such as when Huddersfield Town had a one-off kit to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance- this kit was red and yellow to match the air ambulance livery, which by coincidence is also the home colours of Galatasaray. Cue Leeds supporters trying to make out that this was deliberate, I hope none of them ever need the air ambulance in that case...

That is awful. Absolutely awful.

There's an arrogance too with Leeds, claiming they don't care about us, that Manchester United are their real rivals, yet their highest crowds each season recently have been when Huddersfield Town take a trip down the A62- and their Supporters Club have just voted David Wagner their "Villain of the Season"! Their off-the-field issues of recent times have been highly entertaining though!

It does sound like many of their fans have sizeable chips on their shoulders but that's quite funny to be honest!

Of course, the majority of Leeds fans will be ordinary folk just supporting their team just like us, and I have no problem with that. The issue is the minority that act up (a bigger minority than many other clubs, it seems) and the general sense of entitlement that comes with big city teams, that they have a divine right to win games and competitions.

That's what I meant.

 

[DarloRich]

Darlington lost 5-1 at Salford on Saturday with the players going through the motions. It seems it may be the last time we see many of them and perhaps also the manager. What next season brings no one knows.

We still finished 5th in the league and made the playoffs on a small budget and at the first time of asking. The FA determination means that Chorley will take our place in the play offs.

 

[DarloRich]

Today Hartlepooh United can be relegated to the Conference. I take not pleasure in that at all. none. at all. none.




OK just a bit

 

[Kite159]

Wouldn't it be funny if Man City & Liverpool win their last remaining games and Tottenham do their usual Summer holiday switching off and end up 4th?

 

[bb21]

Today Hartlepooh United can be relegated to the Conference. I take not pleasure in that at all. none. at all. none.

I hope you told Jeff that to his face.

 

[DarloRich]

I hope you told Jeff that to his face.

he knows.

( he was very supportive of Darlo when we were in the clarts as were many Pools fans - I know how they feel today and it is horrible, but you have to gloat over your reivals being in deep trouble on the pitch AND we might get to play them again soon)

 

[DarloRich]

Despite winning Hartlepooh are relegated to the conference - 5 years ago there were 6 divisions between us - now there is 1

 

[Butts]

Despite winning Hartlepooh are relegated to the conference - 5 years ago there were 6 divisions between us - now there is 1

Well done to Newport County, 7.500 witnessed their survival after a traumatic season - and it went to the wire

No exile for my new adopted hometown team.

 

[richw]

Well done to Newport County, 7.500 witnessed their survival after a traumatic season - and it went to the wire

No exile for my new adopted hometown team.

They were dead and buried when their current manager took over. He must be a contender for manager of the season?

 

[DarloRich]

They were dead and buried when their current manager took over. He must be a contender for manager of the season?

Managed by someone who played very briefly for Darlington. Hahahahaha!

 

[richw]

Managed by someone who played very briefly for Darlington. Hahahahaha!

I don't know his history. Maybe I should research his name before posting. I've seen loads about him being a Newport legend as a player.

 

[DarloRich]

I don't know his history. Maybe I should research his name before posting. I've seen loads about him being a Newport legend as a player.

I think he has played for them for quite a while. He played 4 games for Darlo!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Darlington lost 5-1 at Salford on Saturday with the players going through the motions. We still finished 5th in the league and made the playoffs on a small budget and at the first time of asking.

The FA determination means that Chorley will take our place in the play offs.

Whilst both you and I are aware of this, can I ask that you explain to others reading this thread what "The FA determination" actually entails.

 

[DarloRich]

Whilst both you and I are aware of this, can I ask that you explain to others reading this thread what "The FA determination" actually entails.

that we didnt have enougth seats in place ny 30th march 2017 to be allowed to take part in the play offs ( the only league in the land to require you to invest in massive ground improvements on a specualtive whim as the others allow you to have them in place by the season after IF you are promoted!)

 

[SS4]

A point to end our season at Brighton isn't bad in what was, by all accounts, a dull game.

The sad news comes from Bristol where my other team of the day lost

 

[DarloRich]

Newcastle win the Championship after a late Villa equlaiser v Brighton who were less than a minute form the championship title.

Blackburn down & become the first Premier League champions to be relegated to league 1.

 

[bb21]

This season cannot possibly get better.

Seaweed and Donny both mess up on the last day.

Shame it has to be Hughton though. Always liked him.

Northstandchat is in meltdown. "Seven points ahead and you ****** it up!" Hilarious!!

 

[Antman]

Newcastle win the Championship after a late Villa equlaiser v Brighton who were less than a minute form the championship title.

Blackburn down & become the first Premier League champions to be relegated to league 1.

Forest could have become the first European champions to be relegated to the third tier. The battle of three mismanaged clubs and I was hoping Birmingham City would go for the ridiculous sacking of Gary Rowett.

 

[Kite159]

Well done to Newcastle for finally winning a trophy, no doubt it will take pride of place in the trophy cabinet

 

[Darandio]

Well done to Newcastle for finally winning a trophy, no doubt it will take pride of place in the trophy cabinet

If taking the ****** out of the Championship trophy is the case, it isn't finally is it. Considering they won it 7 years ago.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Forest could have become the first European champions to be relegated to the third tier. The battle of three mismanaged clubs and I was hoping Birmingham City would go for the ridiculous sacking of Gary Rowett.

They already have, they were down a few years back. You're also neglecting the most famous "Champions of Europe"...

Today we played a pretty-much full strength side but still lost 3-0, so I'll be expecting David Wagner to be asked for his thoughts about his team selection once again... Next week, we'll have a Yorkshire derby in the play-offs- we're definitely not the team with form going into the finale, anyway!

 

[507021]

They already have, they were down a few years back. You're also neglecting the most famous "Champions of Europe"...

Today we played a pretty-much full strength side but still lost 3-0, so I'll be expecting David Wagner to be asked for his thoughts about his team selection once again... Next week, we'll have a Yorkshire derby in the play-offs- we're definitely not the team with form going into the finale, anyway!

I have to admit, I was fully expecting Carlos Carvalhal to rest our key players today and the side he selected wasn't surprising in the slightest. We also lost our final league game of the season, but with a play off place already guaranteed ahead of the match, I don't think there was a need to risk any of our key players ahead of the play offs next week.

 

[backontrack]

This season cannot possibly get better.

York City.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Not sure how much interest this will generate but name a football ground in which you've attended a game which no longer exists.

As a Derby County supporter my obvious choice would be the Baseball Ground but instead I will go for Maine Road. Compared to their rivals I always thought the stadium never really had a definite plan for development and lets face it its location wasn't the best but I always had a soft spot for the place. My only real gripe were the wooden seats at the Platt Lane end before it was redeveloped. Memories!

 

[DarloRich]

Middlesbrough relegated

Not sure how much interest this will generate but name a football ground in which you've attended a game which no longer exists.

As a Derby County supporter my obvious choice would be the Baseball Ground but instead I will go for Maine Road. Compared to their rivals I always thought the stadium never really had a definite plan for development and lets face it its location wasn't the best but I always had a soft spot for the place. My only real gripe were the wooden seats at the Platt Lane end before it was redeveloped. Memories!

my list could be a long one! I will have a look and get back to you

 

[bb21]

It was always coming in any case. At least now the fans have been put out of their misery and can look forward.

 

[meridian2]

Today we played a pretty-much full strength side but still lost 3-0, so I'll be expecting David Wagner to be asked for his thoughts about his team selection once again... Next week, we'll have a Yorkshire derby in the play-offs- we're definitely not the team with form going into the finale, anyway!

Town's result had a lot to do with avoiding Fulham in the first leg of the playoffs.

 

[RichmondCommu]

It was always coming in any case. At least now the fans have been put out of their misery and can look forward.

Such a negative style of play was always going to leave you in trouble in my opinion.

For what its worth I thought the atmosphere at the Bridge tonight was the best I've heard in that ground for a long time.

 

[Antman]

Such a negative style of play was always going to leave you in trouble in my opinion.

For what its worth I thought the atmosphere at the Bridge tonight was the best I've heard in that ground for a long time.

Boro really were abysmal tonight and a 3-0 defeat flattered them, feel sorry for their fans who made the long journey on a Monday night.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Not sure how much interest this will generate but name a football ground in which you've attended a game which no longer exists.

As a Derby County supporter my obvious choice would be the Baseball Ground but instead I will go for Maine Road. Compared to their rivals I always thought the stadium never really had a definite plan for development and lets face it its location wasn't the best but I always had a soft spot for the place. My only real gripe were the wooden seats at the Platt Lane end before it was redeveloped. Memories!

The ones that immediately spring to mind are Leeds Road (obviously), The Vetch Field, Saltergate, Millmoor and Springfield Park.