Tuesday 30 October 2007
Monday 18 June 2007
Football Banned at Altitude!
One issue in world football I noticed recently is Ecuador and Bolivia’s argument with FIFA over playing their home games at high altitude.
FIFA have apparently banned all international matches being played 2500 metres above sea level or more after complaints from visiting teams (namely Brazil and Argentina) that such conditions cause altitude sickness.
The facts of the matter seem to be that it can take up to seven days to adapt to high altitude before you can compete in a sporting event at full potential. Visiting teams have complained that this gives the home side an unfair advantage because with the modern football calendar there just isn’t time for lets say Brazil or Argentina’s players to stay in Ecuador or Bolivia for that length of time before a match. The final straw looks to have come from a Libertadores Cup(South America Champion’s League) game between Real Potosi(Bolivia) and Flamengo(Brazil) where Flamengo players were forced to take on oxygen during the last 20 minutes of the match to stop them collapsing.
The ruling will purposefully affect Bolivia and Ecuador the most with both countries in the heart of the Andes mountain range with capitals La Paz and Quito(where most internationals are played) well above the 2500 metres FIFA have declared as a safe altitude. Colombia, Mexico and Peru are the other countries that will be affected. Bogota is just over the limit while Cuzaco where Peru, play some internationals is miles over the limit at nearly around 3300m. However capital city Lima is OK. Mexico will also be stopped from playing internationals in Monterey but their main Azteca Stadium(the venue for two previous WC finals) in Mexico City is below the level so deemed acceptable.
The Bolivian’s have kicked up the biggest fuss, president Evo Morales claiming that the decision amounts to discrimination with him stating “He who wins at altitude wins with dignity.” Ecuador also complained that it is unfair to expect them to play their internationals 300 miles away in the inadequate stadium of their smaller towns and cities. Bolivia also have a similar problem with both their better stadiums being located in La Paz and a third even higher at Potosi. The Ecuadorian FA could be easier to convince now that a fair percentage of their international players are playing in Europe and would also require time to adapt back to their own climate. Their repost then could be a sneaky appeal to FIFA for funding towards improving their other stadia and would probably be a fair compromise in the Ecuadorian’s eyes.
The move has actually met with mixed responses from football fans of Bolivia and Ecuador with some stating FIFA are bowing down to the international powers of Brazil and Argentina and they have only started complaining(about the altitude) since the marked improvement in Ecuador as a team in the last 10 years. However many Ecuadorians and Bolivians have said they can understand people getting altitude sickness after traveling abroad themselves and then returning to find they too suffer with the problem.
Bolivia however look like they are going to take the fight even further with Morales stating he’ll be forming a delegation to storm FIFA’s offices in Switzerland. Hmmm I await that with interest!
FIFA have apparently banned all international matches being played 2500 metres above sea level or more after complaints from visiting teams (namely Brazil and Argentina) that such conditions cause altitude sickness.
The facts of the matter seem to be that it can take up to seven days to adapt to high altitude before you can compete in a sporting event at full potential. Visiting teams have complained that this gives the home side an unfair advantage because with the modern football calendar there just isn’t time for lets say Brazil or Argentina’s players to stay in Ecuador or Bolivia for that length of time before a match. The final straw looks to have come from a Libertadores Cup(South America Champion’s League) game between Real Potosi(Bolivia) and Flamengo(Brazil) where Flamengo players were forced to take on oxygen during the last 20 minutes of the match to stop them collapsing.
The ruling will purposefully affect Bolivia and Ecuador the most with both countries in the heart of the Andes mountain range with capitals La Paz and Quito(where most internationals are played) well above the 2500 metres FIFA have declared as a safe altitude. Colombia, Mexico and Peru are the other countries that will be affected. Bogota is just over the limit while Cuzaco where Peru, play some internationals is miles over the limit at nearly around 3300m. However capital city Lima is OK. Mexico will also be stopped from playing internationals in Monterey but their main Azteca Stadium(the venue for two previous WC finals) in Mexico City is below the level so deemed acceptable.
The Bolivian’s have kicked up the biggest fuss, president Evo Morales claiming that the decision amounts to discrimination with him stating “He who wins at altitude wins with dignity.” Ecuador also complained that it is unfair to expect them to play their internationals 300 miles away in the inadequate stadium of their smaller towns and cities. Bolivia also have a similar problem with both their better stadiums being located in La Paz and a third even higher at Potosi. The Ecuadorian FA could be easier to convince now that a fair percentage of their international players are playing in Europe and would also require time to adapt back to their own climate. Their repost then could be a sneaky appeal to FIFA for funding towards improving their other stadia and would probably be a fair compromise in the Ecuadorian’s eyes.
The move has actually met with mixed responses from football fans of Bolivia and Ecuador with some stating FIFA are bowing down to the international powers of Brazil and Argentina and they have only started complaining(about the altitude) since the marked improvement in Ecuador as a team in the last 10 years. However many Ecuadorians and Bolivians have said they can understand people getting altitude sickness after traveling abroad themselves and then returning to find they too suffer with the problem.
Bolivia however look like they are going to take the fight even further with Morales stating he’ll be forming a delegation to storm FIFA’s offices in Switzerland. Hmmm I await that with interest!
The Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz
where the altitude is 'too high'
Monday 30 April 2007
How the mighty have fallen!
Well Leeds United have become the third of English footballs so called big clubs to end up in League 1. Sheffield Wednesday and Notts Forest have both had or in Forest's case are still having a spell in the third tear. I wonder who will be next?
I had a certain amount of sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday and Notts Forest but Leeds it's difficult to feel sorry for and I'm sure many fans will agree.(Although being a journalist I'm supposed to be impartial) The amount of debt they ran up in the Premiership and yet they can still go out and splash money on signings when they came down to the championship. Supporters of clubs who have had their own financial troubles in the not to distant past(my own club included) might think Leeds are getting their just desserts and with todays news that administration might come their way a lot of fans are laughing away but I have to say it's not a nice feeling when it happens to your club.
Although you can't help but laugh at this youtube video from a Huddersfield fan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyA1p3hiR_w
Perhaps it's the only way some of these bigger clubs will learn don't take anything for granted, European football, FA Cups etc.
The same can be said for Reading and Wigan the other way round fans of those 2 clubs probably thought they'd see a lifetime of lower league football!
I had a certain amount of sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday and Notts Forest but Leeds it's difficult to feel sorry for and I'm sure many fans will agree.(Although being a journalist I'm supposed to be impartial) The amount of debt they ran up in the Premiership and yet they can still go out and splash money on signings when they came down to the championship. Supporters of clubs who have had their own financial troubles in the not to distant past(my own club included) might think Leeds are getting their just desserts and with todays news that administration might come their way a lot of fans are laughing away but I have to say it's not a nice feeling when it happens to your club.
Although you can't help but laugh at this youtube video from a Huddersfield fan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyA1p3hiR_w
Perhaps it's the only way some of these bigger clubs will learn don't take anything for granted, European football, FA Cups etc.
The same can be said for Reading and Wigan the other way round fans of those 2 clubs probably thought they'd see a lifetime of lower league football!
Thursday 26 April 2007
Feature: Local Rivals Promotion Battle
One thing I've noticed this season was the battle beaten Bath City and Team Bath at the top of the Southern Premier League. Bath City have ultimately won the tussle as they have finished 13 points clear of Team Bath to consign their rivals to the playoffs.
This actually brought back memories of my team Port Vale's promotion rivalry with Stoke City in the 1992/1993 season when Vale missed out after a late run from Bolton took them into second place and Vale ended up losing in the playoffs to WBA, often the sad fate of the team who finishes in the top playoff spot!
Hopefully Team Bath won't suffer the same fate in their playoff games when they take on Hemel Hempstead this week!
It would be interesting to here the thoughts of others on Promotion battles between local rivals if there are any?
This clip from youtube brings a tear to the eye for me personnal when we were denied promotion in the 1993 Division 2 playoff final!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQdRZRgcNBc
This actually brought back memories of my team Port Vale's promotion rivalry with Stoke City in the 1992/1993 season when Vale missed out after a late run from Bolton took them into second place and Vale ended up losing in the playoffs to WBA, often the sad fate of the team who finishes in the top playoff spot!
Hopefully Team Bath won't suffer the same fate in their playoff games when they take on Hemel Hempstead this week!
It would be interesting to here the thoughts of others on Promotion battles between local rivals if there are any?
This clip from youtube brings a tear to the eye for me personnal when we were denied promotion in the 1993 Division 2 playoff final!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQdRZRgcNBc
Tuesday 20 March 2007
Nets?
One thing that has always interested me(strangely) is the shape of nets(yes I have no life!).
New Style 'Euro' Nets and the Old Style Traditional Nets
The European style square nets seem to be pretty much common place amongst most clubs now as oppose to the old style 'triangular' shaped ones seen at many grounds in the past.
New Style 'Euro' Nets and the Old Style Traditional NetsI would imagine that UEFA/FIFA regulations now state that teams in the Premiership must have the new style nets as Watford appeared to change pretty quickly when they were promoted to the big time last year.
Even clubs in the lower reaches of the football league are comforming to the new style of nets in fact I think you could count on one hand how many league clubs still have the old style goalposts who would actually have room for the new style.
Some clubs pitches don't have room for deeper nets with Walsall(Bescot Stadium), Scunthorpe(Glanford Park) and Cheltenham(Whaddon Road) examples of this.
Typically though my club, Port Vale despite having one of the biggest pitches in the league have yet to change. The old style goalposts still reign supreme at Vale Park when even clubs in the Conference have square nets? I keep thinking every season why don't we change? Our current goals even caused a problem last season when a shot from Hartlepool came back off the stantion casting doubt on whether it had crossed the line, a problem which wouldn't be had with square nets!
Having done some research it appears to cost just over a grand to update
Having said that it does seem some clubs struggle to afford with the botsched jobs at Macclesfield and Rochdale who clearly have new nets hanging off the old goalposts!
Still nothing beats the nets at Lewes' Dripping Pan during this seasons FA Cup first round tie against Darlington where they had 1 style at 1 end and at the other!
Intrigingly shaped nets at Stafford Rangers
Monday 19 March 2007
Player Features: Simeon Jackson
One player I have noticed who is certainly making a name for himself in the Conference is Rushden & Diamonds striker Simeon Jackson.
The 19 year old Canadian, has scored 14 goals already this season in a side who have largely flirted around mid-table. His efforts have seen him grab the February player off the month award for the Conference with 60% of the votes.
This should assure that he receives admirers from the football league come the summer especially as he is out of contract, although as long as Rushden offer a new deal they will get a few even if he opts for pastures new.
With players like McLean, Mackail-Smith, Blackett and Boyd already moving from the Conference to local rivals of Rushden, Peterborough who's betting the League 2 money bags aren't keeping tabs on another potential signing?
I doubt Rushden will let their star man go cheap though, which could see it result in a tribunal.
http://www.thediamondsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10784~995836,00.html
The 19 year old Canadian, has scored 14 goals already this season in a side who have largely flirted around mid-table. His efforts have seen him grab the February player off the month award for the Conference with 60% of the votes.
This should assure that he receives admirers from the football league come the summer especially as he is out of contract, although as long as Rushden offer a new deal they will get a few even if he opts for pastures new.
With players like McLean, Mackail-Smith, Blackett and Boyd already moving from the Conference to local rivals of Rushden, Peterborough who's betting the League 2 money bags aren't keeping tabs on another potential signing?
I doubt Rushden will let their star man go cheap though, which could see it result in a tribunal.
http://www.thediamondsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10784~995836,00.html
Tuesday 6 March 2007
Edit
Idiot here didn't do his research because Shrewsbury V Wrexham has been called off due to a Waterlogged pitch. They'll be playing in July if this carries on!
I remember a few seasons ago Vale had 4 games to play going into the last week. We played Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and still picked up 5 points.
I remember a few seasons ago Vale had 4 games to play going into the last week. We played Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and still picked up 5 points.
League Two Preview
Midweek in League two see's 3 games mostly affecting the mid-table teams. Although the local derby between Shrewsbury and Wrexham looks the pick of the bunch. Shrewsbury despite being anchored in mid-table for most of the campaign could yet achieve something from their last season at Gay Meadow. The ammount of games in hand they have courtesy of flooding and January's bad weather gives them an outside chance of chasing down a playoff place. Wrexham's season which couldn't get much worse did take an upturn at the weekend with victory at Barnet(their first win in 13) but the Welsh club still have a lot of work to do if they are to avoid playing conference football next season. Elsewhere Accrington will aim to keep themselves clear of Boston in 23rd when they entertain underachieving Bristol Rovers and Mansfield and Chester battle it out for mid-table mediocrity at Field Mill.
League One Preview
Promotion at the top of League One looks altogether more clear cut. With Scunthorpe 10 points clear, not many people would bet against another one of football's 'smaller clubs' being promoted to the 2nd tier. Colchester and Southend were last season's suprise promotions and the North Lincolnshire club look likely to follow in their footsteps barring a very bad run in. 'Big Club' or should that be 'sleeping giant' Notts Forest could cut their lead to 7 points with a win over Doncaster at the City Ground but Doncaster will be hoping to pull some points back on the playoffs after succumbing to Bournemouth at the weekend.
Blackpool have the best chance of the chasing pack(behind 6th place Tranmere) the seasiders are 4 points adrift but with 2 games in hand. One of these being tonight's clash with struggling Bournemouth who as I mentioned earlier beat Donny at the weekend to move out of the bottom 4.
My own pride and joy entertain Cheltenham at Vale Park looking to cement a place in mid-table and hammer another nail in the Gloucestershire sides relegation coffin. Although a win for John Ward's team would keep them in touch with the teams just above the dropzone.
Blackpool have the best chance of the chasing pack(behind 6th place Tranmere) the seasiders are 4 points adrift but with 2 games in hand. One of these being tonight's clash with struggling Bournemouth who as I mentioned earlier beat Donny at the weekend to move out of the bottom 4.
My own pride and joy entertain Cheltenham at Vale Park looking to cement a place in mid-table and hammer another nail in the Gloucestershire sides relegation coffin. Although a win for John Ward's team would keep them in touch with the teams just above the dropzone.
Championship Review/Preview
Promotion to the 'promised land' of the Premiership looks as open as ever with 8 teams all still in the immediate playoff and automatic promotion picture.
Derby and Birmingham look as though they will just hold off the challenge of West Brom and Sunderland for the automatic placings, although the momentum is certainly with the Black Cats after saturday's win at the Hawthorns and any slip ups could see Roy Keane's men take advantage. Derby will surge back to the summit tonight if they can win at mid-table Norwich. The other two matches see a mid-table battle; Sheffield Wednesday V Plymouth and Hull attempting to pull away from the bottom three and make Ipswich look nervously over their shoulder as those two meet at the KC.
Preston's win last night against Southampton infront of the Sky cameras, moved them back into the playoff places with Neil Mellor scoring his first goal for the club and David Nugent netting his 16th of the season. Rasiak's 20th was in vain on the evening but it remains wide open which should make the last 10 games or so very interesting.
Derby and Birmingham look as though they will just hold off the challenge of West Brom and Sunderland for the automatic placings, although the momentum is certainly with the Black Cats after saturday's win at the Hawthorns and any slip ups could see Roy Keane's men take advantage. Derby will surge back to the summit tonight if they can win at mid-table Norwich. The other two matches see a mid-table battle; Sheffield Wednesday V Plymouth and Hull attempting to pull away from the bottom three and make Ipswich look nervously over their shoulder as those two meet at the KC.
Preston's win last night against Southampton infront of the Sky cameras, moved them back into the playoff places with Neil Mellor scoring his first goal for the club and David Nugent netting his 16th of the season. Rasiak's 20th was in vain on the evening but it remains wide open which should make the last 10 games or so very interesting.
Monday 5 March 2007
Introduction
Hi and welcome to my blog which will be looking at stories and issues in the football league from the Championship down to the Conference.
Yes that's right no Premiership, the overpaid and overpriced world of the Prima donnas will have no place on this blog. It will be totally dedicated to lower leagues and smaller clubs!
I'm a Port Vale fan myself but I appreciate all football in the football league and love a good debate so any comments are welcome.
Enjoy
Regards
Richard
Yes that's right no Premiership, the overpaid and overpriced world of the Prima donnas will have no place on this blog. It will be totally dedicated to lower leagues and smaller clubs!
I'm a Port Vale fan myself but I appreciate all football in the football league and love a good debate so any comments are welcome.
Enjoy
Regards
Richard
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