hughieslastminutegoal

From The Guardian today: "A letter from the Football League, which at the time administered and regulated football from the top-flight professional game all the way down to youth level, said it was “opposed” to the “Bob Higgins Soccer Academy” (BHSA). Dated 27 April 1989 and addressed to “the managers of all clubs”, it read: “I understand that you may recently have received a letter from Mr. Bob Higgins, inviting your club to become involved with the above organisation [bHSA]. “The Football Association, Football League and English Schools’ Football Association are opposed to this organisation and I would ask all clubs which might be thinking of becoming involved to give this office the opportunity of appraising them of the situation before taking any steps in this direction." "The letter is signed by the secretary at the time, David Dent. It does not spell out exactly why the warning was issued. The Guardian has passed the letter on to the Football League, which is now branded the EFL. It said it was investigating the letter. "Higgins worked with youngsters at Southampton, who are renowned for their youth system, in the 1980s, leaving in April 1989 – the same month as the letter was sent. In 1992 he faced charges of sexual offences against boys but was cleared on the direction of a judge." Saints look to have brought Higgins to the attention of the football authorities at the time. He didn't try to get the club for wrongful dismissal either.

Would you care to clarify whether you mean we had more than one 'notorious' youth team coach or one notorious member among our youth team coaches? When you chuck stuff like this around you should make it crystal clear what you mean and then have evidence to back it up.

I think it is easier for Jose to pass through the eye of a needle than get a camel to take him to ManU. Or something like that.

I thought professional footy was supposed to be an entertainment. You seemed to be determined to find something to be constantly unhappy about. Try to enjoy life a little more.

Proof, if any were needed, that there really isn't anything to talk about in International breaks.

Because you are a "supporter". I really hope Sky pulls the plug.

He seems to need a reality check from time to time (rather than an unreality cheque).

Seriously, can anyone claim a goal scored against San Marino is world class? He's a tidy and very useful player, but in the Euros his final game was no more than ok. Busy, collecting a short pass and giving a short pass. Essential that someone does this shuttling job, but let's not go over the top about him being a Messi.

It's probably because he is listening to all your good advice now.

Can someone with an English degree please translate the above.

No, its far better to have endless hours of amusement watching non-Saints players in England colours.

Reason enough for Southgate not to get the job permanently.

What would be the point? Over 100 grand from his employer into a Monaco bank account in the name of his dog...... and he STILL got off. FFS, the **** seems untouchable.

You said "In my opinion being a fan or supporter is not about the players, titles, cups, money or whatever, it's about the club which makes your heart tick. You can loathe the policy of the club, believe Puel is a stupid frog or hate the obscenity which comes along with all the money in the PL but to turn your back to the club believing there are better things to do on a saturday or sunday afternoon? In that case I guess you're not really a fan or supporter anymore." So I'm not sure you really said anything other than "You are a supporter until you find something else to do which means you are not a supporter anymore." You have now outlined circumstances when one might not want to be a supporter anymore. You draw the line at filthy rich Arabs or Asians making [us] play in purple and gold... An increasing number of people (as this thread suggests) are feeling that it is increasingly difficult to remain a "supporter" the way the game is going. Being a supporter to them isn't just about the club, but about club within the context of the industry. You have just agreed with that, it's just your red line isn't quite in the same place as many others who find they are reaching theirs. They may however be prepared to watch the odd game for a piece of entertainment, just as they might watch a film or listen to a concert. They wouldn't necessarily call themselves a "supporter" of DreamWorks or of The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra or whatever.

I think you are only going for the be'er.

I could give a sh*t about Gaston or Gastonettes, but man, you REALLY need to get a life.

If supporting football was a purely rational affair, I'm not sure anyone would be more than a mildly interested occasional observer. In the case of West Ham for example, taking up the Olympic stadium as a home ground shows just how little the club owners care about supporters. They just want the TV money, and pay lip service to their supporters.

That is a religion - "I believe because I have faith" - "I am a supporter because I support my club". Your argument is circular. You have said quite plainly that you support the club irrespective of what football has become, what the players, managers and club do. Not only are you o.k. with paying through the nose for something you might not like, you are committing yourself to always doing so, because you are afraid to lose your faith. That (like all religions) is the definition of irrationality.

Yes, much better if TM pay below the minimum wage instead.

Has everyone forgotten peeps here were saying they hoped Tadic took no more penalties? No idea what they look like in training but his previous match penalties were nothing to write home about. Hardly MLT class.

Curtains for this window now.

Isn't the bold bit somewhat contradictory? He got the job to toe Les' line but promptly changed the way we play? Contradictory unless you believe that Les wanted to switch the way the club plays to "the diamond" and went out and got a manager who plays his teams that way.

I guess it is even worse when you get a simple game further simplified by idiots, not that I'd suggest any of our back seat managers can be classified as such. But if you send in your simple instructions (back of a fag packet will suffice) I'm sure they will be gratefully received.

His Nivea for Men advert appearances must be an acute embarrassment for him. He can't even hold a smile in front of a camera without looking like a weedy, awkward pussy. I won't buy it ever again, now.

Because he's always injured and is a **** maybe?