The English Football Thread (Premiership/League/Non-League/Cups) [R]
  • JRunn14JRunn14
    Posts: 782
    I would say until this year I was a casual fan...I played as a kid and followed the NASL Caps and the 86ers...over time I lost touch with the club but always checked out scores to see how they were doing. Once I heard they were heading to MLS I decided it was time to get on board for real and much like I plan to now with Bristol City I started to research where the Whitecaps were at and what they had been up to since I last followed closely. It takes some time but I think I'm starting to get a feel for the club again and MLS in general. I never miss a match and I rage just as bad when Nolly lets in a softy as I do when Luongo does. Unfortunately this rekindled love affair is a long distance relationship as I moved away from Vancouver in 2007. I drove out mid-week for the New England match and brought a friend who hated football prior but after some debate agreed he would give it a shot. He now watches the Whitecaps every week and wears his hat he bought out all the time. Which is an accomplishment because I was fairly certain his Oilers cap was surgically  attached to his head. :) 

    I have played on a couple men's league squads and a long with my sister marrying a football crazy Paraguayan has really reconnected me not only with the Caps but with the sport in general.

    EPL has always been something I'd watch when it was on but never felt a connection to a club and just enjoyed watching top level football. With my reacquired passion for the game I felt it would be great to find a club to support in England. After reading a few replies I decided to pull out my Grandma's genealogy book she had published before she passed a few years back. The most common area that directly related to my lineage was Somerset County and Bristol. 

    Thanks for the links they are book marked and ready to roll :)
  • Blue_and_White_ArmyBlue_and_White_Army
    Posts: 4,398
    Boxing_Day_Massacre said:

    B&W Army - "The back cover has a large photo of Ian Porterfield, who just so happens to be the main character in a book that I'm writing at the moment."

    More details please



    It's about following a South Korean club home and away for an entire season.  Ian Porterfield happened to be the manager at the time.
    Member #15 - @BlueAnWhiteArmy on Twitter
    Member of VISTA (Victoria Independent Supporters' Trust Associated) - Canada's first supporters' trust
  • GrandstanderGrandstander
    Posts: 1,228
    JRunn14 said:


    EPL has always been something I'd watch when it was on but never felt a connection to a club and just enjoyed watching top level football. With my reacquired passion for the game I felt it would be great to find a club to support in England. 


    Your story is very similar to mine. Football fell out of favor with me for  a while. When I reacquired a taste for the game I purchased my first Caps half season ticket (for the '05 season). I also started to follow the EPL more closely. It's quite easy to folow a league when you have a lot of access to the games. In Canada, you have the access to the EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A. As I continued to watch I was drawn to an upcoming Portuguese international (Ronaldo). Even though Mourinho was coaching at Chelsea, I continued to follow United. The style of play was entertaining to watch.  This was at the tale end of their run of three years without a trophy. Arsenal beat them on penalties for the FA cup despite being clearly outplayed. Chelsea won the league for the first time in 50 years. I stuck with United. When CR7 was sold, a lot of people I know followed the player to Madrid. I didn't. So that's my team.

    I follow them online. I subscribe to two United specific podcasts. I get my gear from United Direct (Old Trafford), not some shop just selling Nike gear or soccer jersies. I've considered joining MUST, but don't find myself 100% aligned with their views.

    Brett said earlier, let the team pick you.  I agree. In '74 United was relegated and there are teams in the Prem. today that were in the second division along with them.  I look at where those clubs are, and where United are today. Success and ambition seem to be the driving differences. My point, support your club, but don't blame others for the lack of their success. Look internally for the answers.

    I strongly suggest finding podcasts that discuss either the team you choose specifically, or the league they play in. Some may be professional (BBC), others may be done by bloggers or fans. These are a wealth of information. Follow them on Twitter etc.
    Member #28
    @grandstander1
  • HirstyHirsty
    Posts: 235
    Anyone know a free stream to watch the Man City Swansea match?
  • BrentonBrenton
    Posts: 7,054
    atdhenet.tv usually has good streams. If it's ESPN, you can sign-up for an AT&T email account and sign in to ESPN3 using it for their livestream. 
    Member #393
    @CapsOffside
  • Blue_and_White_ArmyBlue_and_White_Army
    Posts: 4,398
    http://www.myp2p.eu/competition.php?competitionid=&part=sports&discipline=football

    Scroll down to the match, and click on the little TV logo on the right side.  A list of streams comes up.
    Member #15 - @BlueAnWhiteArmy on Twitter
    Member of VISTA (Victoria Independent Supporters' Trust Associated) - Canada's first supporters' trust
  • rodderzzzrodderzzz
    Posts: 1,280
    It's on tsn2 if you've got it.
  • HirstyHirsty
    Posts: 235
    Brenton said:

    atdhenet.tv usually has good streams. If it's ESPN, you can sign-up for an AT&T email account and sign in to ESPN3 using it for their livestream. 



    I didn't think atdhe worked anymore? It hasn't the last few times I've tried it.

    I gave up my cable a few weeks ago. Why I did that right before footy season I am seriously starting to question...
  • rodderzzzrodderzzz
    Posts: 1,280
    atdhe is under a different web address, if you google it it comes up
  • Blue_and_White_ArmyBlue_and_White_Army
    Posts: 4,398
    Good list of stream sites here.
    Member #15 - @BlueAnWhiteArmy on Twitter
    Member of VISTA (Victoria Independent Supporters' Trust Associated) - Canada's first supporters' trust
  • HirstyHirsty
    Posts: 235
    Cheers guys
  • YoungFanYoungFan
    Posts: 40
    Wow did anyone watch the City game today? As soon as Kun came on, City scored a couple instantly. Kun scored right away, set up Silva to score one (great work by Kun to keep the ball in play, most players would have let that ball go but he went for it), and scored a cracker from outside the box. 


  • DutchmanDutchman
    Posts: 132
    piltdownman said:

    Don't pick a team, let it pick you.



    Kinda like the sorting hat? :-))
    *ARSENAL*WHITECAPS*NEDERLANDS*
  • DutchmanDutchman
    Posts: 132
    1) Gooners
    2) Man U
    3) Liverpool
    4) Man City

    Championship...gotta think West Ham will get one of the top two spots. Should be a pretty entertaining year. Almost looking forward to these matches more than the top flight.
    *ARSENAL*WHITECAPS*NEDERLANDS*
  • stiltystilty
    Posts: 767
    YoungFan said:

    Wow did anyone watch the City game today? As soon as Kun came on, City scored a couple instantly. Kun scored right away, set up Silva to score one (great work by Kun to keep the ball in play, most players would have let that ball go but he went for it), and scored a cracker from outside the box. 





    That goal in extra time was killer.  And just think, he is considered "not fit" right now!  
    # 242.

    WTFf is a footymonster?
  • rodderzzzrodderzzz
    Posts: 1,280
    Have to avoid the English papers in the morning now. Be arsed reading the Aguero wankfest
  • BledforDaysBledforDays
    Posts: 974
    If you're a Whitecaps supporter and fancy an English side, pick whoever you feel like. You're already supporting a troubled side here. No need to go to hell twice. It seems to be unfashionable here to like a top 4 side. Be a rebel and go for an Argentinian side , or an African team. I used to follow ICFS Inter, a VMSL team. They were free and local. I have to get back into that.





    twitter @BledforDays2 member # 22
  • LeftyLefty
    Posts: 910
    I'm looking for a good 2nd Division Belgium squad.

    But seriously, I'm loving the fact that the F.A. is cracking down on diving, or should I say declared war on diving. As far as I know no announcement has been made, but there have been a couple of cards handed out and a few non calls for flopping.

    Nice one.
    Post edited by Lefty at 2011-08-15 22:39:47
  • CanuckredCanuckred
    Posts: 709
    I think we just need Joey Barton running around and hauling all of the divers to their feet! Though he looked like a complete cock falling like a sack of bricks, the Gervinho red card was brilliant.
  • Blue_and_White_ArmyBlue_and_White_Army
    Posts: 4,398
    Live stream of Ascot United vs. Wembley FC (FA Cup extra preliminary round):

    Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2011-08-19 12:06:39
    Member #15 - @BlueAnWhiteArmy on Twitter
    Member of VISTA (Victoria Independent Supporters' Trust Associated) - Canada's first supporters' trust
  • RockoRocko
    Posts: 59
    1. Manure
    2. Chelski
    3. Citeh
    4. Liverpool
    5. Arsenal
    6. Bolton

    FOYS
    Proud supporter of Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Arsenal FC
    www.twitter.com/downtown55brown
  • GrandstanderGrandstander
    Posts: 1,228
    Bolton above Tottenham?
    Member #28
    @grandstander1
  • BrentonBrenton
    Posts: 7,054
    Hirsty said:

    Brenton said:

    atdhenet.tv usually has good streams. If it's ESPN, you can sign-up for an AT&T email account and sign in to ESPN3 using it for their livestream. 



    I didn't think atdhe worked anymore? It hasn't the last few times I've tried it.

    I gave up my cable a few weeks ago. Why I did that right before footy season I am seriously starting to question...


    atdhenet.tv is the new site. 
    Member #393
    @CapsOffside
  • RockoRocko
    Posts: 59
    Grandstander said:

    Bolton above Tottenham?



    Their form from the end of March onward was just awful. 6 points out of a possible 27. I think it's possible for them to hit 60 points this season.

    I believe what we saw vs. Man U was the real spurzzz. 'Arry will be sacked before next season. He can join Arsene at the job office.
    Post edited by Rocko at 2011-08-23 00:17:31
    Proud supporter of Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Arsenal FC
    www.twitter.com/downtown55brown
  • stiltystilty
    Posts: 767
    JRunn14 said:

    So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol



    That one is easy... follow City!  That will really piss your brother off.  LOL  But with Silva, Dzeko, Aguero, Tevez, and now Nasri, going to make life hell for defenders!

    1.) City
    2.) Man-ure
    3.) Chelsea
    4.) Liverpool
    # 242.

    WTFf is a footymonster?
  • RockoRocko
    Posts: 59
    JRunn14 said:

    So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol



    City is the flavour of the month. Forget about em. If I were to pick a team for the hell of it, I'd pick Liverpool. Hated by Man U fans, have a great history, and look to be on their way back up to the Top 4.
    Proud supporter of Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Arsenal FC
    www.twitter.com/downtown55brown
  • HirstyHirsty
    Posts: 235
    Man U looked class against Tottenham. Welbeck is developing in to a monster and will get even better under Sir Alex.
  • LeftyLefty
    Posts: 910
    I have a hunch Welbeck finds a seat on the bench when Hernandez comes back fit.
  • HirstyHirsty
    Posts: 235
    He started ahead of Chicharito against Spurs. But I would be inclined to agree.
  • PrairieboyAlexPrairieboyAlex
    Posts: 409
    Tractor_Boy said:

    JRunn14 said:

    So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol



    Don't go for a Premiership club, it's much more fun to follow one of the smaller teams in the other leagues.


    This is the first season I'm following a League One Team, just for fun: Sheffield Wednesday
  • SAFC_YankSAFC_Yank
    Posts: 1,831
    Man Utd has a crowded enough schedule and Ferguson does enough squad rotation that Wellbeck will see plenty of time.  No question, he's a good one, I wish Sunderland could have another year of him.
  • GrandstanderGrandstander
    Posts: 1,228
    Rocko said:

    Grandstander said:

    Bolton above Tottenham?



    Their form from the end of March onward was just awful. 6 points out of a possible 27. I think it's possible for them to hit 60 points this season.

    I believe what we saw vs. Man U was the real spurzzz. 'Arry will be sacked before next season. He can join Arsene at the job office.


    Spurs have a good team, and I like Harry's go get'em attitude, but that club needs to defend. Benitez will replace him. If he doesn't ship out too many players and brings in solid defenders, Spurs could do well. Harry is out of his depth at times in the higher profile matches (much like Mark Hughes). 
    Member #28
    @grandstander1
  • GrandstanderGrandstander
    Posts: 1,228
    Lefty said:

    I have a hunch Welbeck finds a seat on the bench when Hernandez comes back fit.



    Oh no...

    Welbeck and Berbatov on the bench...

    Heh...heh...
    B-)
    Member #28
    @grandstander1
  • LeftyLefty
    Posts: 910
    There are some teams with some god awful log jams at certain positions. City and LFC at mid. I think Liverpool have about 11 EPL "quality midfielders on the books now. City is not far behind, but an additional log jam up front. United could use a a James Milner type but there are none of those available in England for them. Chelski could use Berbatov or Balotelli. There is just no balance in the league at all. It makes playing the fantasy game really difficult.
    :-W
  • PBandGPBandG
    Posts: 1,011
    Really don't think Chelsea need another striker. 
    Pat- Poor Students Section
    "We're drunk, we're poor, too drunk to know the score
    SouthStudents, Southstudents"
    Canada, Whitecaps, Chelsea, England
    Member #278
  • HirstyHirsty
    Posts: 235
    PrairieboyAlex said:



    This is the first season I'm following a League One Team, just for fun: Sheffield Wednesday



    There are myself and at least 3 other people on here that can attest that following Wednesday is no fun at all.
  • BianconeroSouthsiderBianconeroSouthsider
    Posts: 2,252
    I have a team that I like in Championship and in Premier League. I want Leeds to get promoted and in BPL, Swansea are my club at the moment. I've wanted a Welsh team in the Premier League for a while now.
    Member #629 :: Proud Southsider since August 21st, 2011
    Football Writer for ChampionsLeague.ca, Forza Italian Football & SoccerSouls
    Twitter: @pgalindo16
  • SeathanaichSeathanaich
    Posts: 3,570
    PrairieboyAlex said:

    Tractor_Boy said:

    JRunn14 said:



    This is the first season I'm following a League One Team, just for fun: Sheffield Wednesday


    Good choice. I hope you have looked up their history any club that was called "The Wednesday" is okay. Pretty much any club OTHER THAN Man Utd, Liv, Ars, and Chels is a good choice. My three in England are Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, and Nottingham Forest.
    Pronounced "shaw-neech", with the final 'ch' like that in 'loch'. http://juandefucaplate.ca/
    Vancouver Whitecaps 1978 - Aberdeen FC 1980 - Victoria Vistas 1989 - Victoria Highlanders 2009
  • LeftyLefty
    Posts: 910
    Well in the SPL my family's team is Celtic of Parkhead.



    Having lived in London for a few years and being a lifelong fan, one with no TIES I have the luxury of cheering for whoever I want. Mostly I gravitate to more working class teams and teams around London.



    EPL,

    Newcastle, friends from there,.Eric Burdon. Peter Beardsley is still with the Club, great teams in the 90's early 2000's.
    Obviously I love the rivalry with the Mackems. Truth be told I have occasionaly cheered them on too.


    QPR, working class London team, great ground Loftus Road. Nearly merged with the Dons.


    LFC, a team I gifted my then 6 year old son. I thought he should have a decent squad to cheer for and not an arrogant side like Man U or the then Gunners (1998 - 2001). This was Chelsea pre Russian Mafia, so glad that didn't happen though we were in the Chelsea catchment. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank era. We made the right choice in LFC I think. He's happy and loves his club as if he was born and raised just across the road from the Liverpool Docks.


    Championship



    Palace, Selhurst was my home ground though I was at Selhurst for the Dons. But Palce still play there hence a soft spot for a club I followed on the periphery



    Hammers, my Dutch dockworker pals at Feyenoord support them, maybe for thuggish reasons, but that good enough for me. You seriously do not want to argue with these guys.

    Millwall, see above.
    X_X
    League 1
    Carlisle, Beardsley's first pro team before being recruited to Caps.
    Oldham Athletic, Carl Velentine's team pre recruitment

    League 2
    AFC Don's, as close to my team as is possible outside of the Celtic.
    Dagenham and Redbridge, working class club on the outskirts of London. Billy (Barking) Bragg's home team.
  • AJAX79AJAX79
    Posts: 1,531
    ^No offence to you lefty but FUCK FEYENOORD!!! and their SECOND city of Rotterdam!

    X(

    (I know it doesn't have anything to do with you but it was a chance for me to express my non existant love for feyenoord, all in good fun of course).


    ....as you can tell, I have my reasons :-D

    Great post and nice explanations.

    Cheers!
    Post edited by AJAX79 at 2011-08-24 15:41:34
    AKA: Pat
    *HEAD CAPO*
    capo@vancouversouthsiders.ca
    @AJAX_79
    Empire: sec 217 / BC Place: Southside Pitch Level
  • PrairieboyAlexPrairieboyAlex
    Posts: 409
    Like I've said elsewhere, Wolverhampton has really climbed my favs list quickly. I like that they aren't one of the super powers and they have so much to gain and lose. Every game is a big one for them
  • PrairieboyAlexPrairieboyAlex
    Posts: 409
    seathanaich said:

    PrairieboyAlex said:

    Tractor_Boy said:

    JRunn14 said:



    This is the first season I'm following a League One Team, just for fun: Sheffield Wednesday


    Good choice. I hope you have looked up their history any club that was called "The Wednesday" is okay. Pretty much any club OTHER THAN Man Utd, Liv, Ars, and Chels is a good choice. My three in England are Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, and Nottingham Forest.


    Well, their name and logo caught my attention and their history finished the deal. So I've got my eye on them this year to see what they're all about
  • HirstyHirsty
    Posts: 235
    Sigh.....nevermind.
    Post edited by Hirsty at 2011-08-24 19:56:54
  • PrairieboyAlexPrairieboyAlex
    Posts: 409
    Hirsty said:

    Sigh.....nevermind.



    Sorry, I just caught what you said before.

    Why do you say it's not fun following them?
  • Blue_and_White_ArmyBlue_and_White_Army
    Posts: 4,398
    Cause they're shit.

    It's more fun following a shit team... he's just being shy. 
    <):)
    Member #15 - @BlueAnWhiteArmy on Twitter
    Member of VISTA (Victoria Independent Supporters' Trust Associated) - Canada's first supporters' trust
  • TheUpstartTheUpstart
    Posts: 82
    Not wanting to detract from what's on the fields but does anyone have an idea on what the BPL is in terms of percentage of the English economy? Seems much more unstable then ever. Just reading a transcript of an interview with the chair of Everton, the guys doesn't seem to have a clue and thinks it's possible to 'sell' the club, even though there's no revenues and all their proceeds from player sales go directly to the banks.

    Then there's Arsenal, sells Fabergas and Nasri, and by extension drops their player wages dramatically but their finances are a mess as well. Most of their revenue this past year is apparently from the sales of the Highbury lands. Their sponsorship deal with Emirates is also apparently not great and the debt from the new stadium is crushing. Saved themselves today though..weird that the main focus of the game should be to ensure they get the 25 mil pounds.

    I see fan forums pleading with clubs' owners to 'invest' but those days, at least above board investment, are coming to an end. Will the clubs that can afford to, just have their billionaire owners hand players cash in paper bags a la the KHL?

    What will 'Financial Fair Play' mean? Probably just more shady accounting. I find myself half wishing for a club with a large debt load to fold. See what kind of panic that causes.

    Ok, I feel better now; carry on.

    I'll cheer for whatever "English" team actually has English players, if any.



  • HirstyHirsty
    Posts: 235
    PrairieboyAlex said:

    Hirsty said:

    Sigh.....nevermind.



    Sorry, I just caught what you said before.

    Why do you say it's not fun following them?


    Haha no, I went off on some ill advised rant about how you should only
    support one team. I just have a headache and am in a bad mood. Hence the
    edit.



    And yes, Wednesday are shit. I'm just bemused that anyone would willingly subject themselves to such torture haha
  • Blue_and_White_ArmyBlue_and_White_Army
    Posts: 4,398
    I, for one, hope Plymouth Argyle don't get wound up.
    Member #15 - @BlueAnWhiteArmy on Twitter
    Member of VISTA (Victoria Independent Supporters' Trust Associated) - Canada's first supporters' trust
  • rodderzzzrodderzzz
    Posts: 1,280
    Bill Kenwright is doing a great job as Everton Chairman, I would love them fuckers to go down. They were fuckinf loving it last year when Liverpool were getting arse raped by Hicks and Gillett. I hope Blackburn twat them this weekend.
  • cixcevencixceven
    Posts: 2,562
    TheUpstart said:


    What will 'Financial Fair Play' mean? Probably just more shady accounting. I find myself half wishing for a club with a large debt load to fold. See what kind of panic that causes.



    Since they are UEFA rules, they won't cause anyone to fold. The punishment for failing the tests is exclusion from Champions League / Europa League competitions (which, obviously, is huge money and prestige). The gist of it is that if you can only be losing a (relatively) small amount of money each year, and extraordinary items cannot be included in the balance sheet for this purpose (essentially, you only count your football-related revenue: tickets, TV rights, stadium concessions, sponsorships, etc.; you do NOT get to count player sales as those are "one time deals"). Many teams (including the big teams) only look profitable because of sales of players. Further, the financial fair play rules forbid a sugar daddy owner from pumping in a boat load of cash to buy new players / improve the balance sheet, although they can still fund stadia and such, which have strong direct effects on revenues. 

    Will it lead to more "off the books" payments for the players? Probably. But current contracts are known, and a sudden change would be particularly obvious and suspicious. If you want a high-debt club to fold, write to the banks. They shoulder that risk assuming it could never happen, but if it did, you know they'd turn to the government for help.
    Southside Treasurer
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