Football

[Purple Train]

Perhaps you are too young to know of his football career in England when he came from Argentina, from what you say above. Julio Arca spent 14 years playing for two clubs in the North-East,,,,,

2000-2006...Sunderland...157 games

2006-2013...Middlesbrough...160 games

The problem is that defenders do not stick in the memory as much as midfielders and forwards

It's the wrong region for my knowledge anyway! And yes - the bulk of his career is before I became particularly interested/well-versed in football.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Similarly the city of Wakefield has never had a football league club, and Leeds, Huddersfield and Barnsley tend to be the shirts and car stickers you see being displayed in the city- along with several local Rugby League clubs being popular in the area. Even when a club tried to establish itself in the city (having been stolen from Emley) it failed miserably. Those in the city that want to watch non-league football tend to favour Ossett United.

Who are themselves the recent result of a merger between Ossett Albion and Ossett Town, because neither club got the crowds to support competing in the NPL

 

[THC]

Contrast this with Taunton Town, who have had a decent few years and climbed to the dizzy heights of the sixth tier. The nearest league club is Exeter City thirty miles away, and whilst the county of Somerset did have a league club in Yeovil Town a few years ago, the Glovers now find themselves at the same level as their neighbours from the county town.

I was at a loose end on Saturday and so went to Chelmsford City 1-2 Taunton Town. Chelmo were beaten by a better and more hungry Taunton team whose application on a hot day was very impressive (their winning goal was a worldie free-kick). Great fans too - I spent half-time talking with several of them who were just happy to be in the league and have given such a good account of themselves in their debut season. They'll have lots more local matches next season with WSM, Yeovil and Torquay all joining them in National League South.

As for Chelmo, a point would have seen them finish third but it wasn't to be. Fifth and almost certainly a play-off exit at some stage for the side who seem destined to spend eternity in the NLS.

THC

 

[dangie]

A look at the table suggests there might be some doubt or debate on that one... I note that Plymouth Argyle have a goal difference of +33, but second placed Ipswich Town's GD is an astonishing +66.

Statistics prove nothing. The object is to score more goals than the opposition per game. Won vs Drawn vs Lost is what counts. Plymouth are just edging that one.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Statistics prove nothing. The object is to score more goals than the opposition per game. Won vs Drawn vs Lost is what counts. Plymouth are just edging that one.

Maybe so... but as a neutral I'd choose to watch an Ipswich game over a Plymouth one. Mostly because it would be marginally less of a nightmare to get to, admittedly!

 

[Haywain]

The object is to score more goals than the opposition per game.

In a league competition the object is to accumulate more points than anyone else, with the number of goals scored and conceded being of secondary importance.

 

[150249]

Let's put this argument to bed and say that both had great seasons that inevitably took them to the Championship

 

[Mcr Warrior]

In head-to-head games this season, Plymouth beat Ipswich Town 2-1 back in September, whereas in the return game at Portman Road in January, this finished 1-1. Suggests to me that there was very little between the teams, and, in any event, Ipswich may yet be League One champions if Argyle don't win at Port Vale on Sunday.

 

[DarloRich]

Would you classify South Shields in that category. I see their well-known manager from his league football days has been replaced by an equally well-known ex-League player.

Yes - a coined up club. Rumour is they are taking a couple of players of us because they can offer them more money. Arca for Phillips is a strange on but I am not close enough to understand why. Arca is well known on Wearside and in the North East so will get some positive column inches. Not sure what his record as a manager is like!

Is Julio Arca "equally well-known" as Kevin Phillips?

Yes - aloughth Kevin Phillipsis simple "Super Kev" on Wearside.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Didn't Arca play for and captain South Shields during their meteoric money-fuelled rise up from the depths of the Northern League (2nd Division) not all that long ago?

 

[DarloRich]

Didn't Arca play for and captain South Shields during their meteoric money-fuelled rise up from the depths of the Northern League (2nd Division) not all that long ago?

he did.

 

[tigerroar]

must be the only time we had a favourable ref this season!

Absolutely re form - i wasn't having a go - you have timed a run to perfection but looking at the table at 14:00 on Saturday I wouldn't have had Gloucester in the playoffs by 17:00!

BTW - I thought your chairman had pulled the plug? How are the club going to cope going forward? Are you still full time?


There are good players out there but there are plenty of coined up and/or full time clubs who will pay more even at lower levels coupled with a strong home in time for tea league vibe in some players. Travel in the NLN is a big killer for semi pro people. Why take a day of to get to Gloucester or Brackley or Banbury or Kings Lynn when you can get the same money for playing in the leagues below and be home at a sensible time AND not impact on your job.

It is the same for us. We get some players on our name, crowds and ability to put players in the shop window to sell people back to the pro game. We cant compete with even Spennymoor on wages so we have bot all chance against the really rich clubs. We are part time fan funded. We get the players we can afford and then we sell them! By the same token we have taken players of all three teams you mention because we are a slightly bigger side paying slightly more money. That said @Old Yard Dog can have Jacob Blyth back!

I felt like we'd thrown our chances away with the last three results; home draws against Banbury and Alfreton and then losing at Farsley last Saturday. I went into the game with absolutely no expectations of playoffs and the first thought I gave it was when Chorley went 1-3 up and someone said that they'd risen to fourth. Again, losing was losing and I was more disappointed by the manner of defeat, taking nothing away from Chorley because they were very good and more than worthy of their lead even though I was sure they'd only had two shots in the second half which they scored from and they had a left winger who was tearing us apart. All that mattered to me was that they weren't going to celebrate in front of us so when we got the equaliser towards the end I was content. Even when Tope volleyed home and the crowd went wild I didn't realise that it had put us into seventh. Such a surreal feeling.

We have new owners. We won't be spending like we have, which is a shame because it's fun when you're doing well. We train two or three mornings per week, we aren't properly full time but none of the players have jobs as far as I'm aware. It'll be different next year. It's a shame because Alex is a decent bloke who's really given it a go yet seems to upset people with his my way or the highway approach. Personally I feel that he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Getting players is a struggle, there aren't many decent ones around here. We have about five from south Wales, a few from London way, a few from Manchester and even though he hasn't featured much apparently JJ Hooper lives in Newcastle! Even our manager comes up from Eastbourne!!!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 May 2023 ==

Being in an area with a large population is a double-edged sword. For Bradford there's a league club in the same city which is likely to be a bigger draw. For Farsley there's also Leeds United nearby, and Guiseley have to contend with both. Similarly the city of Wakefield has never had a football league club, and Leeds, Huddersfield and Barnsley tend to be the shirts and car stickers you see being displayed in the city- along with several local Rugby League clubs being popular in the area. Even when a club tried to establish itself in the city (having been stolen from Emley) it failed miserably. Those in the city that want to watch non-league football tend to favour Ossett United.

Contrast this with Taunton Town, who have had a decent few years and climbed to the dizzy heights of the sixth tier. The nearest league club is Exeter City thirty miles away, and whilst the county of Somerset did have a league club in Yeovil Town a few years ago, the Glovers now find themselves at the same level as their neighbours from the county town.

My point was more about players in that area more than getting bums on seats. More likely to find 11 talented players in Bradford than you are in the village of Wammering Dell.

I remember when Taunton and Tiverton used to boss the Western League but didn't want promotion because of the travel costs. Happy to be big fish in small ponds.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

My point was more about players in that area more than getting bums on seats. More likely to find 11 talented players in Bradford than you are in the village of Wammering Dell.

Ah, I see your point now. Though it is still a double-edged sword: if there's a larger pool of players, there's also likely to be more other clubs competing for their signatures.

 

[DarloRich]

We have new owners. We won't be spending like we have, which is a shame because it's fun when you're doing well. We train two or three mornings per week, we aren't properly full time but none of the players have jobs as far as I'm aware. It'll be different next year. It's a shame because Alex is a decent bloke who's really given it a go yet seems to upset people with his my way or the highway approach. Personally I feel that he who pays the piper calls the tune.

The following is on an "I understand basis": most of our players do have jobs although not quite the same as when we were a league or two below where several were teachers and accountants. We even had a bloke who used to do night shifts after the match! We train 2 night s a week and our player who travels the furthest comes from Castleford ( an hour down the A1/M1)

It interesting the mix in our league. We have part time teams like ours, "pseudo" full time clubs like yours and full time clubs lie Fylde and Kings Lynn. We haven't really got a chance against the coined up clubs and it sounds like you might find out that is really tough next season. Finishing where we have is ok for us as club but not ok when we were top at xmas. I didnt think we would finish in the top 3 but the play offs SHOULD have been achievable. We imploded.

The owner is the one who calls the tune which is why we are VERY keen to stay fan owned even if it does mean we have hit a bit of a ceiling. We have been screwed over by dodgy owners and it wont happen again.

I remember when Taunton and Tiverton used to boss the Western League but didn't want promotion because of the travel costs. Happy to be big fish in small ponds.

Same in the Northern League. Rather win that and get to the FA Vase final for a nice blazery day out than take promotion. Took Darlo and Salford turning up to sort that out! Home in time for tea league is such a small town mentality although the point about travel is a valid one. THe costrs are massive. We put a team coach on to every game and we have to fund raise for that. The supporters club coach runs every game via the ticket sales. We have never failed to run one as far as i know.

 

[GS250]

Performance of the season in the NL surely has the be part time Wealdstone finishing 13th. Not bad for a team that have for 3 seasons been favourites to finish bottom.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Performance of the season in the NL surely has the be part time Wealdstone finishing 13th. Not bad for a team that have for 3 seasons been favourites to finish bottom.

Very well organised, full of niggle and slowing the game down at every opportunity - a nightmare to play against. And that's not a criticism at all by the way, just an obswervation.

Maidenhead have been like that for a few years now, but seemed more open this year. Maybe that's why they struggled and only just avoided relegation.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Performance of the season in the NL surely has the be part time Wealdstone finishing 13th. Not bad for a team that have for 3 seasons been favourites to finish bottom.

Good to see them punching above their weight, had a bit of a soft spot for Wealdstone ever since they hosted Huddersfield Town fans on the morning of the League One play-off final in 2012.

 

[450.emu]

Chelsea getting thrashed like a Class 319 out of Euston 3 nil to Arsenal so far. Surely the end for Lampard?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Chelsea getting thrashed like a Class 319 out of Euston 3 nil to Arsenal so far. Surely the end for Lampard?

Since returning as interim manager, he has the wrong type of a 100% record and being 3-0 down at half-time tonight looks like he will keep that record.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Are Chelsea rapidly disproving the theory you can buy success? And the cost of failure is pretty high too!

 

[dangie]

Chelsea getting thrashed like a Class 319 out of Euston 3 nil to Arsenal so far. Surely the end for Lampard?

Although they’re probably not mathematically safe from relegation, practically they probably are. What could a new manager do? May as well keep Lampard until the end of the season. Only four games to go.

 

[DarloRich]

Surely the end for Lampard?

If it is they cant get big fat Sam in - looks like Leeds have their first. An ultimate destroy and exit operation. Money, money, money.

 

[Purple Train]

Chelsea getting thrashed like a Class 319 out of Euston 3 nil to Arsenal so far. Surely the end for Lampard?

Rumour has it they are thinking about sacking Lampard and replacing him with Graham Potter...
The current managerial churn is astonishing - Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has been in charge since 2021... and is the third-longest-serving manager in the Championship!
As a statistical comparison, the third-longest-serving manager in the Premiership is Thomas Frank of Brentford (October 2018), in League One it is Ian Evatt of Bolton Wanderers (July 2020), and in League Two it is Nigel Clough of Mansfield Town (November 2020).
How does this turnover compare to that in other countries?

 

[150249]

As bad as spurs are, at least Chelsea are worse

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 May 2023 ==

Rumour has it they are thinking about sacking Lampard and replacing him with Graham Potter...
The current managerial churn is astonishing - Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has been in charge since 2021... and is the third-longest-serving manager in the Championship!
As a statistical comparison, the third-longest-serving manager in the Premiership is Thomas Frank of Brentford (October 2018), in League One it is Ian Evatt of Bolton Wanderers (July 2020), and in League Two it is Nigel Clough of Mansfield Town (November 2020).
How does this turnover compare to that in other countries?

I can see them kidnapping Tuchel from Bayern Munich

 

[SJL2020]

At this rate, 'Manager of the Month' might soon have a new meaning.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

At this rate, 'Manager of the Month' might soon have a new meaning.

Usually the Championship has a higher sacking rate, or at least seems to. I haven't compared this season to previous ones, but it doesn't feel to have been quite as brutal as some in the recent past. That does come with the caveat that at least three clubs (Blackpool, Huddersfield Town and Wigan Athletic) have changed manager twice during the season. It's also worth noting that of those three clubs, two of them are already relegated- with the other possibly joining them. Naturally I hope that club doesn't do so!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

A sign of the times is that next season's local derby matches between Oldham Athletic and Rochdale will be fixtures in the National League.

 

[Bantamzen]

My point was more about players in that area more than getting bums on seats. More likely to find 11 talented players in Bradford than you are in the village of Wammering Dell.

Frankly it's quite hard to find talented players from Bradford playing for City let alone Park Avenue. Unfortunately having a number of large Premier Leage & Championship clubs around the north with very well established youth programmes, there's often little left in the talent pool for clubs further down the structure.

A sign of the times is that next season's local derby matches between Oldham Athletic and Rochdale will be fixtures in the National League.

I'll miss our (Bradford City) trips to Spotland. Such a great little place to go, decent beer, good food and for us usually a packed away stand with over 3K of us to get a bit noisy. However Northern may not miss the fixtures, it is always a little cosy on Calder Valley services when we play there.

Hopefully Rochdale will buck the trend of clubs disappearing down the league structure and stage a comeback under their own steam. Either that or they woo a Hollywood star or two to bung them some cash in exchange for a TV series, before of course they get bored and head back to California...

 

[dangie]

Chelsea can have Alex Neil from Stoke City.
Ok, he’s still in a job and there’s no rumours of him being out of one anytime soon, but fingers crossed…..

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It has been very kind of both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to reproduce their recent form in order to help Liverpool attain a more respectable league position than they had a couple of months ago.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 May 2023 ==

If it is they cant get big fat Sam in - looks like Leeds have their first. An ultimate destroy and exit operation. Money, money, money.

Indeed he has taken over as manager at Leeds today.