A Bridge Too Far?
After yesterdays announcement by Wayne Bridge, there has been a lot of press discussion about the situation. I thought I would blog my opinion on it.
Now this IS an emotive subject, and I am aware that people reading this may have experienced similar situations – so I hope that I can deal with this sensitively.
Ok, let’s say you discover that your work mate does what John Terry did with the lady of your life? What would you do?
I suspect there would be a variety of responses from violence to walking away from the people in question. To get a perspective on this, I think it is important to understand the feelings that you may go through. We all know that we were are emotionally involved with people, and that is challenged, it can affect all aspects in your life.
If it happened to you at work, could you continue to work with them?
It happened at a place I worked at and it was awful, the atmosphere was really affected. In the end all three people had to leave.
Ok having used that as a reference, a few comments on the situation in hand.
Some people are accusing Wayne Bridge of letting his country down leading up to the world cup – but sorry I don’t agree with that. (See opening paragraphs!) I actually think Bridge didn’t have any choice at all. He would have been living with Terry for several weeks in a close environment and I can’t believe, (having served in the forces), that words wouldn’t have been said and that would have upset the team spirit.
Wayne’s decision IMO is his attempt to try and bring some stability to the side, however it isn’t going to happen while Terry is still there. Let’s remember it is Terry’s actions that have caused this, not Wayne Bridge’s actions.
Terry should have stepped down, I don’t care if he is a quality defender or not – there are consequences to actions, something that footballers often want to avoid or think they are above.
So Wayne has my support for his decision, and I actually think that he has handled himself with dignity through this. Unfortunately I doubt this is the last of things, I am certain there are members of the England squad who won’t appreciate Terry still being in the squad, especially if they consider that it could of been their wife or girlfriend he had been with.
I know people will agree with me and there will be people who disagree with me, but this is my opinion of the situation as it stands right now.
Kev
VIEW FROM THE SOUTH – FULHAM vs BIRMINGHAM CITY
Here is Bazza’s match report.
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On a weekend when the BAFTA awards were being handed out, I couldn’t help reflecting on the fact that football, like theatre is well represented by the masks of mirth and tragedy and this game certainly demonstrated all the varying emotions of the stage and screen with the comical own goal by Chris Baird to the sad way, from Blues’ perspective, that the match ended. More about the game in a moment as spending an afternoon with my mate Will is an entertainment in itself and this Sunday was to prove no different. I travelled up on the train for this one and although it was slow going with engineering works and the like, I kept myself reclusive and in the zone by listening to Katherine Jenkins and then Schubert’s Great Symphony on the iPhone. This passed the time nicely and I was soon disembarking at Putney Bridge tube station. I had arranged to meet Will and his brother-in-law, Alex in the Temperance pub at about one o’clock for a pint and a bite to eat. For those of you that are followers of the Royal Blue from near and far, you will be aware that the Eight Bells about 50 yards away is the normal hostelry of choice for away fans. When I enquired as to why we had come to this pub rather than that one Will said “They only sell corned beef rolls in the Eight Bells but yow can get a steak sandwich in ‘ere.” Enough said, I went to the bar and ordered one myself. We were joined by a work mate of Will’s; Bob and Bob’s son affectionately known as Stick Man, Fulham supporters both. We talked complete rubbish about anything and everything over three pints including the plight of Portsmouth. It seems opinion is divided over whether they will go out of business or not; Bob citing the example of Charlton a few years ago but the scale of the problem was very different and this time the dreaded Inland Revenue is front of queue for a large slice of the owing’s and the Tax Man doesn’t give a toss about, the club, community, traditions or the impact of football in this country and abroad so sadly unless somebody with very deep pockets and a complete loss of all reason comes forward I think it may well happen.
Any way off to the match and as mentioned earlier two minutes in and a cross by Bowyer towards the far post where Jerome was lurking was headed powerfully into the top corner by Baird who had no one within yards of him. Naturally we celebrated like we had really won the FA Cup! We didn’t care that we have forwards who cannot do what the now honorary bluenose, Chris Baird had just done; magnificent! The man is a God! Fulham were rattled by this set back for a few minutes and Fahey really should have made it two when his goal bound snap shot hit a defender when either side of him would surely have netted. Fahey was in McFadden’s left midfield berth, the latter was playing up front with Jerome and both were causing problems without really threatening the big muscular Fulham back line. The game settled after 10 – 15 minutes into a dull mediocrity with Blues allowing Fulham possession as long as it was in front of them. Consequently the ball spent a long time being passed across the field while each side probed for an opening. The worrying area for Blues was Ridgewell’s limitations in the left back berth especially as Fahey isn’t exactly strong defensively either. Zamora who was excellent all afternoon cleverly won a number of free kicks when it was he and not Ridgewell who was the perpetrator on some occasions. A special mention has to go at this point to the assistant referee with the chequered flag running the line on that side; he was truly abysmal all day and missed obvious decisions for both sides but in the first half Blues suffered greatly because of this wholly inept official. Even the throw ins he seemed to take his lead from the referee as most of the time he hadn’t a clue which player the ball had come off last. The travelling supporters were quick to voice their disapproval on numerous occasions throughout the match. Officials like this are wholly out of their depth and should have their competency reviewed and remedial action taken or be removed from the list altogether but it wont happen will it?
At half time I met Ian from Sutton Coldfield whom I now know reads this blog. He said that I wouldn’t have much to report from the first half and how right he was. The second period was a lot better and after a flurry of pressure from the home side Blues seemed to be steadying the ship and were in control when they conceded the equaliser; and what a beautiful strike it was. Damian Duff had been a thorn in our side all afternoon. He cut inside from the left exchanging a one two with Gera to hammer a fierce shot from 25 yards across Joe Hart who dived valiantly but in reality had no chance of reaching it. The shot cannoned off the far post into the net to give Fulham parity that frankly they hadn’t looked like achieving to that point; a truly fabulous goal and worth the admission money alone. The game became somewhat “attritional” from then on with Blues having a spell of pressure that culminated with an equally impressive strike by James McFadden from 20 yards which crashed against the underside of the crossbar and down onto the line. Fulham were blessed by the Gods of football that this lovely shot was not justly rewarded. However, on such fine margins are games won and lost and we really didn’t threaten the home side much after that.
The game appeared to be petering out into a draw which was the fair result on the action produced. That was until of course Stephen Carr went in on Zoltan Gera to concede a free kick just outside the area inside the D. It was a clumsy, unnecessary challenge which Bobby Zamora lined up menacingly. Unfortunately, Fabio Capello had left the stadium at this stage but had he stayed there is no doubt he would have been impressed by what happened next. A wall the length of a certain structure in China was assembled and there seemed virtually nothing to aim at. The ball was too close to get up and over in time so Zamora smashed it round the wall instead like an arrow into the top corner. Joe Hart’s despairing outstretched right hand could not prevent the ball entering the postage stamp and there it was a defeat that Blues did not deserve but nevertheless had to accept.
Most Fulham fans that I spoke to afterwards also felt that their win was harsh on our lads but as Will, the Godalming philosopher was quick to point out when the aged old cliché ‘Neither team did enough to win’ was trotted out that Fulham did indeed do enough; they scored three wonderful goals! The difference was that they have better finishers in their side than us and two new strikers at least are essential in the summer as is a left back. Our midfield, I felt had the edge. On a different day Blues win this match comfortably; Fahey scores, Duff’s effort comes out off the post not in and James McFadden’s shot crosses the line and Zamora’s strike does what happens 9/10 times and is blocked, wide, high or saved. Will also said at this point “D’yow know Baz that whenever I drink beer it seems to numb the pain of losin’” Naturally, this led to the suggestion that we should go back to the pub and do just that. Alex, Bob and Stick Man were in agreement so having fallen in amongst such bad company what choice was there but to acquiesce? Another three pints later and it was back on the train. On the way, Alex’s bladder got the better of him and he had to alight at Surbiton before his clothes got wet and had to follow on from there. We were feeling benevolent at this stage and had a lovely conversation with a music student called Catherine who politely declined to play the flute, recorder or clarinet that she had with her for our amusement. Alex and Will went on for a curry from Guildford whilst I went home. Apparently, Will has a head like a foot this morning and realises that we did after all lose the game.
It was an average game with three cracking goals and all in all it was a great day out. Blues didn’t play badly and were done by two classy finishes. During our recent run we got the little bits of luck to sustain such. Just now things have turned against us a little bit. Last week of course we mugged Derby and they argued they deserved a replay, a view with which I have sympathy but in the end they lost because they failed to keep us out. We wore the mask of mirth that day; it was our turn to don the mask of despair this time around. We have to accept the same criticism levelled at Derby last Saturday this week and congratulate Fulham who with goals like the ones they scored were worthy winners. 
KRO SOTV
Blues News Digest
It’s been a few days since the last one, so I thought I’d do one now.
Alex has voiced his enjoyment at being at Blues and apparently the talks regarding a new contract are going well. Birmingham.net
Again another story regarding Alex’s new contract, but also that it is very likely that we will have Joe Hart again next season. IC Birmingham.
According to IMScouting.com, we are after a striker called Itay Shechter. No, I haven’t heard of him either – but it seems like he has a pretty decent scoring record.
Jack Buckland has played for England U17s. Official Site.
The ticket details for our visit to Portsmouth in the 6th Round have been announced. Official Site.
According to the Daily Mail, Roman Pavlyuchenko has issued a “come and get me” plea.
We did a couple of articles today. One about Wayne Rooney and one about the Wolves fine.
Mr. Wayne Rooney
Here is Dale’s latest article.
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Growing up in the mean streets of Croxteth, is it no surprise that Wayne Rooney has always had a sharp edge to his character. As a youngster is was football that dragged him away from the avenues of crime and mischief and provided him with a passion. A true passion that now, 76,000 people can bear witness to on a Saturday afternoon. Like many young lads before him, Rooney aspired to “make it”. Growing up watching the big, bustling and sometimes belligerent Duncan Ferguson, he found a childhood hero to aspire to be. Joining his boyhood club Everton at the age of ten, Rooney started to turn heads in Liverpool and many branded him as the “next big thing”. Then, a goal that would propel the prospect to unprecedented heights. Reigning champions Arsenal were the visitors at Goodison and on the back of a 30 match unbeaten run. A hard fought 1-1 draw beckoned as the clock ticked onto the 90th minute. Then off the bench stepped up 16 year old Wayne Rooney. A spectacular 30 yard strike cannoning off the underside of the bar made Rooney the youngest goal scorer in Premier league history and ending the gunner’s fantastic run.
Two years later, Rooney’s performances caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson and after seeing off Newcastle in a bidding war for the young starlet, the Evertonian was to join Manchester United for £25.6 million pounds. Rooney marked his debut against Fenerbahce with a hat-trick in a 6-2 win against in the champion’s league. He went on to bag 11 goals in his opening season and received the PFA Young Player of the Year Award for 04/05. However Rooney’s aggressive nature also provided some of the more forgettable instances during his career. Sarcastically clapping the referee for booking him earned him a sending off coupled with another dismissal for an alleged elbow on now Real Madrid defender Pepe during the Amsterdam tournament of 2006. That same year many national newspapers blamed Rooney for England’s departure from the 2006 world cup, after stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in the quarter-final tie earning a red card from referee.
However it was the arrival of Christiano Ronaldo that somewhat overshadowed Rooney’s performances and although the Englishman was still a prized asset to United, it was Ronaldo that began to run the show. His 12 goals during the 07/08 season was by no means an underachievement but the 31 goals and string of world class performances by Ronaldo issued a new star of the Stretford End.
Ronaldo parted company with United, opting for Real Madrid as his preferred destination for the fee of £80 million. This sparked doubts in many critics’ columns as to who would fill a void of goals and assists that Ronaldo previously acclaimed. Many believed United would falter without the Portuguese superstar but there was no need for Alex Ferguson to spend some of the money made available on a striker. As the remedy was right under their noses, like a big ginger chunk of vapour rub, in Wayne Rooney. Rooney currently occupies a more central role at United in every sense of the word. Playing down the spine of the team, the United striker has evolved into one of the most accomplished, classy and gifted players to grace English football. His grit and determination to get the ball from the opposition has made him a fans favourite and coupled with his improved goal scoring record, Rooney has become the ultimate player.
England travel to South Africa this summer in their quest for World Cup Glory. Spearheading their attack is non-other than the new and improved Wayne Rooney. Undoubtedly a more mature, professional and prolific player that previously put on the three lions shirt in a major competition. If the form of this transformed and rejuvenated striker continues, England may just have a chance of doing the unthinkable. Rooney brings something to a team that no other player can. Not only has he immense talent, quality and skill but he has the bite, the determination and the grit that sets him apart. He can produce moments of quality but unlike his Bulgarian team mate Berbatov he will work tirelessly for the team. As an Englishman, I hope and pray that Wayne Rooney can transfer his performances for his club onto an international scale and fire England to world cup glory in South Africa this summer.
Ladies and Gentlemen I give you, Mr. Wayne Rooney.
Blues Legend Gil Merrick
Yesterday, it was announced that Gil Merrick died on the 3rd of February 2010 aged 88. Sometimes the word legend is over or misused, but not here. Gil was DEFINITELY a legend.
He played for the club as a goalkeeper and went on to manage the side achieving the success of winning the league cup against some other local club. More of that in a while, back to the beginning.
Gil was a Brummy lad, born January 26th 1922 in Sparkhill. He signed for Blues in 1939 and played for the club over 500 times in all competitions. He set an amazing statistic of playing 126 league games in a row for the club, (between 1949-1952). During this time he also played in all the FA cup games and that included an FA cup semi-final, (his second). At the end of this amazing run, Gil was injured and lost his place to Johnny Schofield.
Gil was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the country during the early fifties, so it wasn’t surprising that in 1951, Gil won his 1st of 23 caps when he was picked to played for England. He played in the 1954 World Cup when England made it to the quarter finals.
In 1955/56 he had re-established himself as first choice. This was an amazing season for Blues, not only did they finish 6th in the top division – still our best finish – but Gil achieved 1 step further in the FA cup as runners up to Manchester City. The following season, Gil and the side achieved ANOTHER semi-final appearance.
Gil Merrick
Towards the end of his career, Gil also played his part in the Blues European games in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. During the 1956-1958 competition, Blues got through to the Semi-finals only to be beaten by Barcelona. He also played during the 1958-1960 competition. This time Blues made it to the final, but Gil lost his place after the final and only played 1 game the following season. He retired from club football in 1960, however his association with the Blues hadn’t finished.
He became the manager of Blues in 1960. The Blues entered the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup again, and Gil lead the team to another final. Once again, however, we were beaten again this time by Roma. He did lead the side to victory in the San-Siro and Blues were the only English club to win there for 40 years.
He main achievement was winning the recently formed League Cup, (then a two legged final), when we beat Villa over 2 legs 3-1 on aggregate.
After a couple of bad seasons in the league, Gil left his post as manager in 1964. He went on the manage a couple of local non-league sides but never another professional club. The only club he was ever associated with, was the Blues.
The club recently re-named the Railway end after him and he also unvieled the new Jeff Hall Memorial clock. Gil was also named in the Legends XI for the Blues Hall of Fame.
Just a little something that Aff posted on the forum:
Always remember a story told to me by a work colleague. She was best friends with one of Gil’s daughters. One day, she was invited around to Gil’s for dinner. During dinner, she asked Gil what he did for a living. He calmly replied that he was manager of Birmingham City FC – and left it at that.
And it’s a story that you hear over and over about the man. He seemed to have no ego and was a gentleman in every sense of the word.
So what can we say about a man who appeared in 3 FA Cup semi-finals and 1 final, who played / managed the club in a semi final and 2 finals of the Inter Cities Fairs Cup, won a domestic trophy and played for England for 23 times including a World Cup, and played and managed only one club and clearly was a gentleman - obviously one word. LEGEND.
RIP Gil.
Please feel free to add your comments / memories about Gil.
Image used by permission John Baker ©
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