Friday 30 September 2011

"But I wanted to win it better than you. You can understand that can't you?"

I recently came across the Yorkshire Television interview in which Brian Clough and Don Revie went head-to-head - since immortalised in the film 'The Damned United' starring Michael Sheen.

Amidst all the petty sniping, which admittedly reflects poorly on both of them, Clough nonetheless hits upon something that seems wonderfully sentimental and poignant given Tevez's readiness to throw in the towel recently - bear in mind Clough had only that day been sacked as Leeds United manager after just 44 days in the job.

His desire to take on the role, one so synonymous with his great rival, was not because he wanted to win more titles than Revie, necessarily, but because he wanted to win them better. It may have just been a clever quip at the time but still it seems to capture a wonderful idealism.

Thursday 8 September 2011

Give a little whistle

As a rule, I hate it when football managers criticise referees in post match interviews. For one, it's the easiest and oldest excuse in the book, plus why focus on something you simply have no control over?

Referee's will always make mistakes, always have, and the laws of statistics inevitably mean you'll get as many in your favour as against over time.

However, last night's 5-a-side match for Barely Athletic will always be remembered personally for this extraordinary incident...

Two players tussle for the ball. The ref's whistle blows. We stop. An opposition player proceeds to kick the ball in the net. I pick the ball up for what I assume is a free kick to us. Then the following dialogue unfolds...

- Me: Where's it from ref?
- Ref: Nah mate it was a goal.
- Me: But you blew your whistle.
- Ref: Yeah but I was trying to say 'play on' and blew it by accident.
- Me: But you blew your whistle!
- Ref: Sorry mate but it's still a goal.

Barely Athletic lost 7-1.