I think that you've misspelt 'oppressed'. Have to admit that the current set-up is unfair on England though. If the UK 'survives' the upcoming Scottish Independence referendum, they would be well advised to consider the Aussie system of Federal and State Governments. The idea of independence is extremely popular in this part of the country at the moment though..... I wasn't solely referring to the increased policing costs that would follow for smaller clubs if Rangers were demoted - more the before and after damage caused to people and property that match policing never seems capable of stopping - damage that I simply don't see that visiting clubs can be held responsible for. Easier to lay the blame at their door though, I suppose.
The amazing thing is that that's in the Euro qualifiers!!! Now that Rangers are destined to lose the SPL vote, is there any possibility whatsoever of them getting into the English system this season, or is it too late for that?
rumour had it today that they were trying to buy Bury so that they could get into the English leagues. Would we want them? i don't think we would!
The ideal scenario is that they enter the Conference next season, win the league, struggle in League Two, and at the end of their first Football League season accept the SFA and SPL's pleas to return north.
If they want to come to England, put them in the same division as Darlington - two levels below the Conference North.
Speaking of lower League teams - has something happened here that I missed - scummers no longer in the BSQ? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/league-two
If it's possible, I really do think so. The Scottish Football League would prefer not to be forced to take Rangers, because they fear they would highlight just how poor the lower leagues are. Even the Conference is stronger than the bottom two Scottish Leagues, so playing down here might allow Rangers to build a better team more quickly. The threat of them staying in England permanently might also convince the SPL to let them back in sooner. And if the SPL was desperate enough to beg for them to return, Rangers would be in an extremely strong bargaining position as far as voting and TV rights were concerned.
An interesting idea... Former England boss Terry Venables has revealed that a group of ex-internationals will come out of retirement to join his project at non-league side Wembley FC. Venables, who is technical advisor at the semi-professional club, has enlisted the services of Ray Parlour, Martin Keown, Graeme Le Saux, Claudio Cannigia and Brian McBride. The five former internationals have all signed to play for the club, while former England No.1 David Seaman is also on board as the new goalkeeping coach. The signings have been made to help take Wembley FC as far as they can go in next season's FA Cup, with the support of sponsors Budweiser. Parlour, former England and Arsenal player, said: "I've always believed grassroots football is essential to the lifeblood of the game so when I got the call asking if I would like to come out of retirement and help raise its profile I jumped at the chance. "I'm looking forward to working with Terry Venables again and helping a group of talented footballers achieve their dreams of playing in The FA Cup and seeing how far they can go in the tournament." Opportunity Ian Bates, Wembley FC manager, added: "The opportunity to learn from ex-professionals like Parlour and Seaman who have been there and done it will give us the best chance possible to go further than we ever have done in next season's FA Cup. "The initiative shines a light on non-league football reminding people of the importance of amateur football in contributing to the development of the national game." Former Three Lions stars Seaman, Parlour, Keown and Le Saux have between them won the FA Cup 12 times. The new additions will add to the club's experience on the pitch starting with the FA Cup extra preliminary round tie on August 11th. Any of you guys heard owt on this?
Fact or simply your opinion? The relative strength of the lower leagues is irrelevant (IMO) - if demoted, Rangers will not be in a position to keep their stronger players and they will, to a certain extent, be brought back to the pack. The SFA are aware of how the standard compares in their leagues, just as they are aware that the differences are common knowledge - so I doubt that that 'fear' is even in their minds. As to the SPL being convinced to let them back in - there is still a week to go before the vote and it's already common knowledge up here what the outcome is likely to be. Not looking good for Rangers.
Kevin Affleck‏@affers1178 Incredibly, also told Mark Ashton back in football ... at Bristol City. Maybe we should send an alarm call out to Red.
It was on the radio yesterday... they were talking about it on TalkSport today, made me smile..that's my home town
Cardiff have bought Jordan Mutch from Birmingham... he ran out of players at Watford, he's moving on to ex-Watford players!
England. Just who is really in charge? Right, OK, now while I'm not speaking for everyone I would imagine that most of us would agree that Milner, Young & Parker have all been ****e during this tournament. I have been suspicious of this for some years now but just who the hell really picks the squad? The reason I ask is because it never seems to make any difference who is manager it's basically the same nucleus isn't it? For some reason, certain individuals seem to be automatically on the team sheet with total disregard to their current form. Terry, Cole, Lampard, (he'd have been there had he been fit), Gerrard & the overrated Rooney. The way the national press hyped him up prior to the Ukraine game was pitiful. It was like a mass **** in for Christ's sake. OK, so I know they are starting to blood new young players. Wellbeck is well in there now & has his feet under the table. Carrol is starting to get his chance & to be fair to the lad he has impressed me. Using his height & strength up front & coming back to defend & not just during set pieces either. Then as soon as the scouser is available, he's straight in & Carrol dropped from the highest cliff. I look at the squad & see Henderson & Downing in there & think, wtf? Yet Adam Johnson & Mica Richards are left out, again, wtf? We have a bit of an aging squad. Not a million years ago the Germans had the same problem. They however, addressed it. They changed the whole set up. They took a broom & made a clean sweep. The kids that won the u21 Euro's were moulded into the nucleus of a new squad. This has benefited them massively. OK, so they haven't really set the tournament alight with delightful, fast flowing attacking football. But, what they have been is solid, confident & reassuring to each other. Christ, they haven't even broke sweat yet & still won all their games. The Germans do what they have to do. Should they need to step up a gear, then they have the ability to do so. Now I'm not saying they will go on to win it but I like the way they run things. On the other hand, I find the way the English FA go about it very disturbing. Thanks for listening.
Young was bad against Sweden, and Milner isn't my cup of tea. But I don't think that doing the gritty stuff that Gerrard doesn't want to do to means you are having a bad tournament. And I don't consider a wide midfielder making a defensive mistake to override everything else he does. Terry, Cole and Gerrard are all having their best ever tournaments in my opinion. That's not saying a lot, but still. Agree with what you're saying about learning lessons from the Germans though.
