Dead End Street - there speaks an old Rookery ender... The issue of what a country's national anthem should be is always a contentious one. When Australia held its plebescite on changing theirs, there was a great deal of anger - not against getting rid of GSTQ, but at the other options put forward. I never did find out who created the list of options, but know that my vote was based more on the desire to get rid of GSTQ than a preference for any of the others.
If those who dislike GSTQ, and I just think it is outdated, then take a look at the French one. The tune is far better, but I do wonder about the words. To get things going the first verse put through the translator comes out something like this. Arise, children of the Fatherland, The day of glory has arrived! Against us, tyranny's Bloody standard is raised, (repeat) Do you hear, in the countryside, The roar of those ferocious soldiers? They're coming right into your arms To cut the throats of your sons, your women!
I do wish we could get something more inclusive which didn't involve the ''Fatherland'' bit - I mean I have the German passport but my father (and grandfather) fought against them. For all Germans whose fathers were born in Anatolia this comes over as a bit exclusive - as if there were bio Germans,on the one hand, and others who have naturalized. And why 'fatherland' and not 'motherland' ? If anthems don't mention 'fatherland' or 'motherland' then they nearly always go over the top in the 'glory' 'glory' bit - as if there was ever anything glorious about winning wars on foreign fields. The problem with the British anthem is that it reinforces a one sided view of British history (along with some of the prats who get onto our banknotes such as the Duke of Wellington), along with the view that the country has declined because the present inhabitant of Buckingham Palace can no longer call herself Empress of India ! The day we start celebrating the nobler side of our history ie. people like the Tolpuddle Martyrs, then, and only then, can I feel any pride of nation.
I watched the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony a short while ago... how far we've fallen. We've veered a long way topically, but it's been a good thread!
Threads do ramble and there are some very good points made that do not sit easily anywhere else. That doesn't matter in my opinion providing that the title of the thread is returned to.
Ok. we have rambled a bit, but the whole thing started with the absurdity of singing a national anthem at a cup final between two club sides (particularly as very few on the pitch, or in management, or ownership have anything to do with the UK apart from living there). I always quite like to see the Italians going far in international tournaments because their anthem is so snappy ! Ours just makes you want to dig a whole in the grass and jump in.
How about this one: 'William of Nassau am I, of Dutch descent; True to the fatherland I remain until death. Prince of Orange am I, free and fearless, To the King of Spain I have always given honour You, my God and Lord are my shield, on you I rely. On you I will build; never leave me, So that I may remain pious, your servant at all moments, Dispelling the tyranny that wounds my heart. This is what Johann Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, Marco van Basten and a hundred other great players had to sing before matches which explains why they never won the World Cup - and why Hakim Ziyech decided to play for Morocco.
Wel if Fulham can bounce back so can we . Just need a 25 goal striker and a defender who can score 2 in a play off final ' And to keep the manager for a season when we get one.
Wonders will never cease - for once, I'm in agreement with Neil Warnock... About Bournemouth that is...
The problem is not Celtic or Rangers but rather the SPL Mark. Any club in the Premiership is in the position to attract a millionaire investor or top players, but, big as they are, top players do not want to ply their trade in the SPL. The same thing is true of leagues such as the Dutch and Belgian leagues - Ajax Amsterdam are also a much bigger club than Brighton but couldn't prevent Joel Veltmann from moving there because of the lucre of the Premier League and the feeling that players must prove themselves there. Richarlison chose Watford over Ajax for the same reason. In the long run I think we may see combinations of leagues forming - starting with the Belgian and Dutch first divisions combining (which has been in discussion for some time). Clubs like Celtic, Ajax, Feyenoord or Anderlecht or far too big, and have far greater traditions, than to simply be reduced to feeder clubs for mid table Premiership clubs, which is what is happening at the moment.
I have seen that League 1 and 2 clubs have agreed to a salary cap. It makes sense for them, but will it work is a different matter. English rugby had one and the result was that a lot of players moved to France where there was not one. In the days of the maximum wage for footballers of £10 per week plus a win bonus, there was a lot of brown envelope passing of money.
Bournemouth have not searched far and wide, but promoted assistant manager Jason Tindall to be the new boss.
Brings some continuity to the squad I guess as he will know the players well naturally.. On the other hand will that mean they get a bit complacent and set in his own ways? Least they have one and can start planning for the season ahead.
Obviously I don't really"like" this... been on their web sit as it triggered a memory (no, I wasn't assaulted) but, well, you'll get the gist...
Hearts are unhappy bunnies - after being given permission to start pre-season training two weeks ago, as long as certain safety protocols were in place, they've now been told to stop. Other Championship clubs were given the same go ahead, but decided not to at the time - now Hearts are being told that it's unfair on the other clubs. No wonder the SFA are seen as a laughing stock... https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
