Football

[Jimini]

England Women squeaked through their quarter final against Sweden. Conceded early and looked decidedly second best in the first half, but managed to come back to level 2-2 towards the end of the 90 minutes. Eventually went to penalties, which were fairly terrible. Only 5 scored from 14 taken.

A good result aye, but some of the worst penalties I've seen in a long old while!

 

[sannox]

England Women squeaked through their quarter final against Sweden. Conceded early and looked decidedly second best in the first half, but managed to come back to level 2-2 towards the end of the 90 minutes. Eventually went to penalties, which were fairly terrible. Only 5 scored from 14 taken.

I thought it was a poor quality game. It was one of the worst penalties shoot-outs I've seen - school kids would have done better.

 

[dangie]

A good result aye, but some of the worst penalties I've seen in a long old while!

Couple of good penalties. Couple of decent saves. Rest were pretty awful.
However let’s not forget Chris Waddle…..

 

[YorkshireBear]

As a Sheffield Wednesday fan who had a low opinion of the owner, even my cynical brain is struggling to comprehend what is going on at the club at the moment.

Takeover has collapsed again, players now leaving for free due to months of unpaid wages, manager AWOL again, after coming back during the takeover process and being told by players not welcome and now the council have shut one of the stands over safety concerns.....

My lord!

 

[Haywain]

As a Sheffield Wednesday fan who had a low opinion of the owner, even my cynical brain is struggling to comprehend what is going on at the club at the moment.

Takeover has collapsed again, players now leaving for free due to months of unpaid wages, manager AWOL again, after coming back during the takeover process and being told by players not welcome and now the council have shut one of the stands over safety concerns.....

My lord!

It's a mess, that's for certain. I expect that it will come to a head pretty soon with the EFL asking for financial guarantees that the club can see out the coming season. Chansiri doesn't appear to be in a position to give such a guarantee, so it will be quick sale time or expulsion from the league. If the latter happened Chansiri would lose pretty much everything - would he choose that option? I certainly hope not.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jul 2025 ==

Meanwhile, the sale of Morecambe FC drags on, and on... There's allegedly a buyer in the wings and claims that the National League have set some sort of deadline for today.

 

[YorkshireBear]

It's a mess, that's for certain. I expect that it will come to a head pretty soon with the EFL asking for financial guarantees that the club can see out the coming season. Chansiri doesn't appear to be in a position to give such a guarantee, so it will be quick sale time or expulsion from the league. If the latter happened Chansiri would lose pretty much everything - would he choose that option? I certainly hope not.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jul 2025 ==

Meanwhile, the sale of Morecambe FC drags on, and on... There's allegedly a buyer in the wings and claims that the National League have set some sort of deadline for today.

I almost want the EFL to jump in and really punish us as I think its unacceptable, and should set an example for others.

 

[Haywain]

I almost want the EFL to jump in and really punish us as I think its unacceptable, and should set an example for others.

They haven't got a lot of options though, that's the problem. If there's no financial guarantees (that actually stack up), you get kicked out in the same way that Bury were and miss a year of football before starting somewhere outside the EFL next season. Other than that it's points deductions but they don't seem to have any effect, other than to help you get relegated and Chansiri seems to be doing a good job of making that look very likely anyway.

 

[JD2168]

The best thing at Sheffield Wednesday would be for Chansiri to sell the club & the quicker the better so the players, Manager & Club can move on. The same at Morecambe.

 

[Haywain]

The best thing at Sheffield Wednesday would be for Chansiri to sell the club & the quicker the better so the players, Manager & Club can move on. The same at Morecambe.

Well, I think we'd all worked that much out. Perhaps you've got some insight into how the unwilling can be encouraged to sell?

 

[Hamma52]

For those who have missed it, Fantasy Premier League will soon return, and player prices have been gradually released as they have done in previous seasons.

Thus far, we have:
Pickford - £5.5m (Everton)
Aït-Nouri - £6.0m (Man City)
Wirtz - £8.5m (Liverpool)
Isak - £10.5m (Newcastle, at the moment)
Haaland - £14.0m (Man City)
Salah - £14.5m (Liverpool)

Some costly players there, but Wirtz looks like he could be a fantastic option at the price. More player prices will be revealed as the day goes on.

 

[AlterEgo]

Wirtz will have a great season for Liverpool regardless of how well the team does; the team is being built around him for the next four years or so.

 

[dangie]

Wirtz will have a great season for Liverpool regardless of how well the team does; the team is being built around him for the next four years or so.

Not looking good for Liverpool this season as they only beat Stoke 5-0 in a closed-doors preseason practice

 

[Jamesrob637]

England Women squeaked through their quarter final against Sweden. Conceded early and looked decidedly second best in the first half, but managed to come back to level 2-2 towards the end of the 90 minutes. Eventually went to penalties, which were fairly terrible. Only 5 scored from 14 taken.

We kind of squeaked through tonight, but it was a little easier. Well done Sarina's side and see you all on Sunday evening.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

We kind of squeaked through tonight, but it was a little easier. Well done Sarina's side and see you all on Sunday evening.

Think I need some time to recover after going through the wringer again tonight! It’s like watching England men’s side

 

[D1511]

If they play like they did against France, Sweden and Italy against Spain, it'll be double figures.......
But then again, they have been so lucky, Spain will probably lose in a freak result tomorrow.

 

[johntea]

I don't generally follow football other than the Euros / World Cup and the like but these last few games have had me on the edge of my seat!

Tonight reminded me of the 'JUDE BELLINGHAM!!!' moment from Euro 2024

 

[dgl]

Well it seems penalties are not a problem for the women's team...

 

[JamesT]

Well it seems penalties are not a problem for the women's team...

Southgate got the men reasonably good at them too.

Still leaves you on edge though watching them. But Wiegman does seem to have instilled such an indomitable spirit in this team that seems to carry them through.

Congratulations to the Lionesses on retaining the European Championship.

 

[DarloRich]

what do wifies kna aboot footb.......... oh.


( they don't half like to do it the hard way! I think the lionesses have led knockout games in this tournament for about 5 minutes!)

 

[REVUpminster]

Hannah Hampton has had a lot of deserved praise but I thought the German goalkeeper was the outstanding goalkeeper.

 

[Iskra]

Well, I think we'd all worked that much out. Perhaps you've got some insight into how the unwilling can be encouraged to sell?

He'd be better taking a reasonable/sensible price now, than allowing them to fall down a tier (or more) where their value will drop even more and he'd get barely anything at all for the club. At this point all he's selling that's worth anything is the brand, and even that is a heavily localised one. The ground is barely an asset and I can imagine that whoever takes over from Chansiri eventually, will have quite the task on their hands and will need some deep pockets.

Once again, an unfit and improper owner has ruined a football club. It's about time the EFL got a grip on owners. Although ironically, it's FFP as well as mismanagement that has created this situation.

 

[Haywain]

Once again, an unfit and improper owner has ruined a football club.

When did he become an "unfit and improper" owner? The test is a moment in time and people and their circumstances change.

 

[Iskra]

When did he become an "unfit and improper" owner?

When he stopped paying the regular staffs wages.

 

[Haywain]

When he stopped paying the regular staffs wages.

So AFTER passing the Owners and Directors Test, and past the point where the EFL (and Premier League and FA) can actually do anything beyond encouraging an owner to leave.

 

[Iskra]

So AFTER passing the Owners and Directors Test, and past the point where the EFL (and Premier League and FA) can actually do anything beyond encouraging an owner to leave.

Clearly there is an issue, when so many are passing the test and then turning out to be questionable later down the line. Chansiri had no credible business experience and just happened to have a lot of money from his dad. He gambled by spending big in the first few seasons, but if that doesn’t work you’re then in trouble with the EFL if you continue, so he’s got himself into a difficult situation that he can’t get out of.

 

[Haywain]

Clearly there is an issue, when so many are passing the test and then turning out to be questionable later down the line. Chansiri had no credible business experience and just happened to have a lot of money from his dad. He gambled by spending big in the first few seasons, but if that doesn’t work you’re then in trouble with the EFL if you continue, so he’s got himself into a difficult situation that he can’t get out of.

Yes, much the same situation as Morecambe, and Reading and others (Bury, Macclesfield) before them. The football authorities can't take over a club so the options are very limited. And it is clearly impossible to know how someone buying a club is going to turn out a few years down the line.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I am old enough to have seen the start and end of Colne Dynamoes FC (1973-1990), Graham White had a personal fortune and the club, from very low league levels gradually made their way up the pyramid and only their ground facilities stopped the Conference admitting them after winning the Northern Premier League. The club had a good list of honours, including winning the FA Vase.

The end came in 1990, when Graham White notified the club staff and players that then end had arrived. I think that Graham White tried to buy Burnley FC at one time.

 

[DarloRich]

Yes, much the same situation as Morecambe, and Reading and others (Bury, Macclesfield) before them. The football authorities can't take over a club so the options are very limited. And it is clearly impossible to know how someone buying a club is going to turn out a few years down the line.

And Darlo. The fella who tried VERY hard to kill our club just moved on to Hartlepooh without a by your leave. Fit and proper. It is a joke.

These people want dragging out into the street and putting in the pillory. None of them are "fit and proper" and should be banned from any involvement in football ever again in whatever form. I wouldn't even let them play FIFA on the Xbox!

And it is clearly impossible to know how someone buying a club is going to turn out a few years down the line.

is that really the truth though? Some of them are obvious chancers. Look at the fella who took over at Blyth. (I know that isn't a league club but the point stands)

So AFTER passing the Owners and Directors Test, and past the point where the EFL (and Premier League and FA) can actually do anything beyond encouraging an owner to leave.

The rules need changing, obviously. I would make everyone put up a massive good behaviour bond based on thier own, personal resources which will be forfeit at the fist sign of bad behaviour. Thier own money and houses and business and possessions on the line mind not some leveraged investment fund. Money from thier pocket.

 

[Twingo37175]

The rules need changing, obviously. I would make everyone put up a massive good behaviour bond based on thier own, personal resources which will be forfeit at the fist sign of bad behaviour. Thier own money and houses and business and possessions on the line mind not some leveraged investment fund. Money from thier pocket.

This!!
As a Wednesday fan myself, part of me actually hopes we do go under as it means Chansiri will get little if anything back! I am sure the support would remain for a "new" Wednesday to rise again. What size club will it take for EFL, or more so the FA to realise that whilst the Premier League may be "the richest league" in the World - at what cost to the rest of English football.

 

[Haywain]

Fit and proper. It is a joke.

It's called the Owners and Directors Test and it's easy to look up and see what's involved.

is that really the truth though? Some of them are obvious chancers.

Yes, it is true. As you say, some are chancers but the football authorities aren't the only ones who get taken in. However, was Mel Morris (Derby) a chancer? Was Chansiri a chancer in 2015, or Dai Yongge in 2017? Sometimes things go bad because another business fails - the guy who had Notts County a few years back, Alan Hardy, lost his other businesses because he put his time into trying to put things right at Notts.

The rules need changing, obviously.

Maybe, but I doubt there is anything that can be done that allows a rogue owner to actually be removed. A licensing system that is more black and white might be better, but it will still result in clubs being relegated or expelled.

I would make everyone put up a massive good behaviour bond based on thier own, personal resources which will be forfeit at the fist sign of bad behaviour. Thier own money and houses and business and possessions on the line mind not some leveraged investment fund. Money from thier pocket.

Including the fans who own Exeter and Wimbledon? And would it apply to the director of a club or the owners - Morecambe's owner isn't a director - if it's the owners it might well just bring forward the problems because if you can't afford to pay the wages you aren't going to be in a position to pay a bond. And that's before we get into what happens to that money before and after the "bad behaviour".