The English Football Post

The Desert Foxes (on our boxes)

I’m sitting here, it’s half time between Algeria and Egypt during the Cup of African Nations semi-final. The gallery is filled with many online bettors who are trying their fortune to earn some profit from the ongoing game. As there are many fraudulent betting providers emerging everywhere, bettors have to be very cautious. Read this blog to find the list of neue wettanbieter 2022 with excellent odds and bonuses.

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Our esteemed editor wrote recently about Black stars and elephants and why it could be African football’s year. There are a few other reasons why I’ve got so into the CAF as I affectionately call it. The kits, for a start. Mainly Puma, with some lovely shoulder designs such as Cameroon’s lions, Algeria’s fox face or the goalkeepers’ tribal face paints. Maybe it’s been that waspy buzzing of the strangely-named horns in the half empty stadiums. Perhaps it was an unwitting consequence of my recently-found love of Steven Pienaar, particularly after that goal at Arsenal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htnf63Sn6n4&feature=related) and the anticipation of his starring role in South Africa’s upcoming World Cup.

Or, maybe it’s just been as an antidote to the moribund shenanigans of non-celebrities that my beloved insists on watching every night.

Anyway, for the last three and a bit weeks I’ve been watching, often not quite believing what I was seeing. By that I don’t just mean the often-rather-mundane Eurosport commentary or the ad nauseum repetition of the half-time advert in which the kid gets sent a ‘jarg’ Coventry shirt in the post and stupidly gets ‘Nigeria 8p / min’ printed on the back of it.

Naturally, I had a special interest in Nigeria’s progress because of the Everton contingent, Yakubu and Yobo, however neither covered themselves in glory as the not-so-Super Eagles stuttered out of the tournament.

However, my fascination with the competition overall was heightened this year because it was the first since I discovered my Negro gums.

What? What did you say? I hear you ask, in the style of one of the creepy Lords at the start of The Phantom Menace when talking to Emperor Palpatine.

Well, my dentist explains it better than I.

Eighteen months ago during a routine check-up, that guy whose chin always mesmerised me (I imagined it with eyes stuck on, singing) declared for the first time in twenty years of visits, that my gums were a curious colour, and were akin to those of a negro, a North African, or at the very least, a Mediterranean.

Having Italian and French family, and recently getting engaged to a lovely lady with Greek and Spanish heritage, this could have just been a happy coincidence, however the romantic in me immediately created an elaborate ancestry that centred around my North African roots. I steered clear of the Negro links because, although I wanted a link to Ryan Giggs, I discovered the incredible myth of Mississippi Blue Gums whose bite was deadlier than any snake…

It just so happened that at school I had learned about the Maghrebin population of Marseilles, of which Zinedine Zidane was perhaps the most famous member. Having been entranced by Douglas Gordon and Mogwai’s ‘21st century Portrait’ of Zizou a few years back, I quickly settled on an Algerian heritage.

Algeria began to infiltrate my thoughts. Only after getting those fortunes told did I discover that Bouazza had signed for Blackpool; then came the World Cup draw, and media interest will increase before June’s match against England. As part of my Uni research I began to plan a trip to Algiers, until I read the BA advice to “not travel to the country unless absolutely necessary”, a decision I reluctantly made that was confirmed when I read FourFourTwo’s recent ‘More than a game’ article on Egypt v Algeria and the violence that accompanied it.

Which brings us to tonight’s game, and already we have seen a dodgy penalty that should then not have been allowed, and the blue-bandaged keeper with the weird hair nearly headbutt the ref as a result. Meanwhile there are reports that rival journalists are fighting pitchside.

To be honest, Algeria have disappointed me somewhat in this tournament so far, especially in their first game against Malawi, then they were brilliant in knocking out many people’s pre-tournament fav

Oh.

Egypt have just scored a second. And it was put away by Zidan.

So, maybe the third and fourth place play off will be a face-off between Evertonians and my distant relatives, and I’ll have to look forward to the World Cup before I can truly celebrate my oral heritage.

So… I’ll put Celebrity Big Brother on instead.

*Watches Vinny Jones et al for a bit*

First ad break, three nil. Second ad break, it’s four nil, two more sendings off… Bye, gums.

Fantasy can’t beat the Reality Star.

Calendar, goals

(Apologies to N.Sedaka/H.Greenfield)

I love, I love, I love my calendar game

Yeah, sweet calendar game

I love, I love, I love my calendar game

Each and every day of the year

(January) You start the year off fine…

The year started well with a continuing good run in the league and a couple of victories in the FA Cup, however, who would have thought we were on our way to Wembley at that point, especially not when we were drawn against Liverpool away in the fourth round. That coupled with the league game brought two rewarding draws, setting up nicely a replay in

(February) You’re my little valentine…

By which, of course, I mean Dan Gosling. I lost my voice completely for two days after that. And, whilst I had a very nice Valentine’s Day, the 15th brought a cracking victory over Villa, but as the match was kicking off, I was involved in a car accident.

Arteta and Anichebe were also felled up at Newcastle, a team whose demise I took no pleasure in whatsoever, in fact I am made up that as I type they are currently on their way back to [email protected]’spark.com

(March) I’m gonna march you down the aisle…

At Wembley, after a quarter final victory over Middlesbrough meant our place was booked at the wonderful new stadium. There was no question I was going to go, despite our facing Manchester United.

(April) You’re the Easter Bunny when you smile…

Except my Easter was ruined, not by the third exhilarating match with Villa but an unusual illness, leading to four days in bed and lots of pain. However, the last day of the holidays more than made up for that –

http://www.englishfootballpost.com/news/2009/04/15/dont-know-why-i-love-you-but-i-love-you-cantona-everton-v-man-utd-fa-cup/

Beware of The Black Stars & The Elephants…

With the 2010 World Cup draw just made, I thought there was no better time for some bold predictions. It was Pelé who once said – in that conceited manner of his – that an African nation would win the World Cup before Y2K. Then again he once infamously predicted Columbia would win USA ’94, explaining why most of his prophecies ever since have always lacked any sort of credence.

That said, his prediction, albeit some ten years off, now seems a distinct possibility. When Nigeria won the Olympic Gold medal in 1996, and when Cameroon won it 4 years later, many cited it as some sort of signifier. If neither victory prompted a significant shift in power on the International stage, then the sudden influx of Africans playing for Europe’s elite clubs certainly implies they are lingering on the cusp of something monumental.

My prediction then is simple. A host nation will win the inaugural World Cup on African soils. Home advantage and climate have always been pivotal factors in deciding World Cups, and altitude will no doubt play its part. Couple this with the undying support of a football hungry continent and it is a tried-and-tested recipe for success. Host nations have nearly always overachieved, and this has invariably triggered euphoric backing from their home supporters. South Africa won’t win it, but as a Nigerian taxi driver has just enlightened me on my way home this evening, there is a campaign happening right now in Africa, basically urging the whole of Africa to unite and get behind any African team left in the competition. I can only imagine the ramifications of this, and I’m certain it could be the catalyst that sees the famous trophy in African hands at long last.

Of course Spain will go in as favourites, and Germany & Brazil will inevitably be there or thereabouts. However, we saw the warning signs when Spain were convincingly beaten by USA, last summer in the Confederations Cup. Brazil & Germany have looked better also. Then, of course, there is England who you cannot write off completely. Spain aside, they have the best team on paper, but I’m sure their biggest opponent will be the climate, particularly the high altitude.

After finally recovering from the injustice France inflicted on the Irish Republic, I’ll be rooting for the African teams to succeed in next year’s main event. With Drogba, the Toure’s, & Kalou all in fine fettle, Ivory Coast strikes me as the obvious contenders. Nevertheless, this evening’s draw has not been kind on Les Éléphants (grouped with Brazil & Portugal – which will undoubtedly have the monopoly on the inevitable ‘group of death’ clichés) and I am subsequently going with Ghana. The Black Stars have players sprinkled all over Europe’s top teams, and the inside scoop in Africa suggests they are strong favourites for the African Nations in Jan, and to go furthest in South Africa this summer.

Ghana tasted success recently when they became the first African Nation to win the Fifa Under 20 World Cup in October 2009 (beating Brazil in the final), which has typically been a sign of great things to come.

It is sure to be a fascinating spectacle, and the prospect of an African home victory is more than just another Péle pie in the sky apparition. The Spanish, the Brazilians, and the Italians et al, had all better be weary. (Sorry I’ve not been around much lately!)

The EFP Writing Competition

After the success of previous writing competitions we have decided to run another for our readers, with the prize of your choice again being generously supplied by SoccerPro. This time SoccerPro have offered a Soccer Jacket or a Soccer Tee-Shirt of the winner’s choice. The post with the most hits and highest rating within the set time-frame will receive this fantastic prize.
Feeling creative? Why not submit a post about your favourite football team?

This competition begins Sunday 8th November 2009 and ends midnight Sunday January 31st 2010.

All EFP members (Join up now) have the opportunity to enter.

(Please view their wide selection of Soccer Jackets & Soccer Tee-Shirts )

Same rules apply; posts with most views, best ratings and top comments stand most chance of winning. Remember there is no restriction on how many posts each member can submit in the time frame. Remember, directing traffic to your own post is a huge advantage.

You do, however, need to be an EFP Member (Sign up now) to enter.

Good luck to any of you who are thinking of entering!

The English Football Post Admin

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Premiership Bets of the Weekend

Wolves v Arsenal 

Arsenal look like the best side in Europe when on their game, which at home, they have been all season. However they have been sloppy on the road this season, guilty of overplaying and taking their foot of the pedal. The recent games at AZ Alkmarr and West Ham were seemingly won, with the Gunners coasting,  until loss of concentration cost them victory (and punters money).  Despite this i think this game looks like tailor made for an emphatic victory.

Arsenal -1 = 11-10 @ Blue Square

Arsenal -2 = 91-50 @ Bet 365

Man City v Burnley 

City come into the game on the back of 4 draws (3 away from home), while Burnley are the Jekyll and Hyde side of the league.

Adebayor and Toure return to boost City, who will enjoy playing against against an open footballing team like The Clarets, until they change their style away from home or a side fails to take a gluttony of chances, then the opposition if decent, should be backed on the handicap against them

City -1 = 10-11 @ Blue Square

City -2 = 73-50 @ Bet 365

Double on Arsenal and City -1 = 3-1 @ Blue Square

Double on Arsenal and City -2 = 6-1 @ Bet 365

Read All About It

I was lost for ideas. I hadn’t written for efp for over a month, other things had got in the way, and as well as that, football had been rather underwhelming for me. Everton have improved in that time, Louis Saha has become one of the greatest players in the world (a private joke, sorry), but still there seemed little to whet my whistle.

I turned to a recent issue of FourFourTwo magazine in search of some inspiration. Surely, there would be some article or other to ignite my creative flair, some mention of an interesting focal point, a catalyst for my next literary reaction.
As it turned out, the main emphases within the pages were on Spanish and Italian football, which I’ve already written about. However, the magazine did offer a way out.

I decided to write about writing about football.

I have sent FourFourTwo a link to this article, as part of an ambitious mixed media approach to encourage cross-examination and comments on this debate. Some of the article is also missing, well, it can be found elsewhere, more of which later.

FourFourTwo is a monthly, grown-up magazine that started in 1994, I suppose a great time for a magazine to start, and although its style and content has changed direction somewhat – for example nowadays many of its cover stars seem to be part of a product placement project – I look forward to every new issue’s release and am often pleasantly surprised by what is in it. It can often take me a month to get through it due to my other commitments, but certainly, it is still a part of my life.

And so I decided once again to stroll down memory lane.

Throughout my life I have read and read about football. Match reports, player interviews, ghost-written autobiographies… and it all started with an issue of Shoot! magazine circa July 1986, I distinctly remember Maradona on the front kissing the World Cup amid the beautiful lush green of the Maracana pitch and the West Germany away shirts. But more than that I loved the stylish Shoot! logo, and knew I wanted more.

I soon arranged (courtesy of my parents, no doubt pleased that I was following in my father’s footsteps as he used to get Charles Buchan’s Monthly) a weekly order – do these still exist, I wonder? – at the local newsagents, where, years later, I was to gain employment sorting and delivering ‘papers on hungover weekend mornings. They wrote our surname on the front cover, and every week I looked forward to the day that Shoot! came out, whilst my sister collected her issue of Big! or Smash Hits.

Who would be on the front? Ratcliffe? Lineker? Gascoigne? Or Rush in an Everton shirt as part of an over elaborate cruel hoax for an April Fools’ day edition? I don’t remember much to read about in Shoot!, Paul Trevillion drawings, Ray Royce cartoons, occasionally an interview, and statistics such as results. How archaic that seems now – more of which later.

Of course, there were posters too. MATCH was the rival magazine, and arguably better for posters, but always seemed a bit more childish – and anyway, Shoot! offered league ladders. And, even at such a tender age, such a little thing, what a difference it made. MATCH did though gain popularity but grown up fans now are divided on its importance: one contributor to a thread on a Man Utd fans forum said “Match is shit these days. It tries to use “cool” language and just sounds gay” which is criticism indeed by someone who does the same.

As I grew up, and flirted with SOCCERSTARS (basically a mag full of posters of the likes of Beardsley, Cottee and Nevin which quickly adorned my bedroom walls whilst others tentatively began putting up Pamela Anderson et al), football developed, so did its media profile, and my own interests, and I moved on to the more adult 9o minutes magazine. Shoot! enjoyed continued success until last year when it finally folded, though the annual (a childhood Christmas Day staple) is said to remain. Apparently now, Match of the Day is also popular, though when I flicked through it in Tesco this morning, it looked rubbish, unless of course you’re an eight year old.

90minutes featured celebrity fans, regular sections such as ‘I was a winner with Welsby’ and ‘very much so’ plus of course the brilliant comic strip. Its name is now used by ‘America’s Premier Soccer Magazine’ but was very much of its time and as part of my Year 8 English project in which we had to examine a publication in detail.

(This article will now continue for six paragraphs on the wsag website, in an attempt to give both cohorts of readers of my verses a chance to see the complete picture that I’m going on about)

As I continue to contribute to both sites every month, I grow in confidence in my writing, and in my voice. I sometimes struggle for inspiration, and try not to overlap the themes I discuss so that there remains a freshness for both parties and audiences. These challenges are generally overcome; the quality of what I write I will allow others to decide, but when I get disillusioned with my day job, I dream of writing more regularly, that’s for sure.
With every newspaper seemingly offering football supplements, a plethora of fascinating books on football and footballers, new sports (and sports news) channels and web services, and those other magazines I have not yet mentioned but occasionally take (World Soccer, Football Italia, Champions etc) and of course the continental offerings like France Football, Gazzetto del Sport, the Spanish dailies and many many more) one would never be able to take in all that is available. Every boy’s (and some girl’s) dreams, surely?
But I also fear that new technologies may one day see the demise of the football magazine and whilst I am sure that fanzines will remain, to what will young lads turn when they first get interested in football and want to learn as much as they can about the beautiful game? I have questionable views for some people, I know, and I am aware that often I am a little too open and perhaps divulge too much, in the style of one of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads maybe, whose streams of consciousness reveal much about their inner personae.

But regardless of the future of the publications I have referenced, personally I simply have to continue to have my say: there is a therapy involved in writing what I do, especially when it is about something I love so much still. I will remain forever grateful to Tim for setting up this site and the opportunities it has given me.

To think I have come to having my ideas read online, fusing extravagant experiments with factual documentation of what it is like being a football fan nowadays, from a starting point of a weekly fix of photos of players in action or relaxing at home, will surprise many, but I honestly don’t think I could explain things half as much as I do if it wasn’t for those initial issues of a now extinct magazine I was keen to grow out of once upon a time.

Now, go out and buy a magazine and rekindle the excitement of turning the page

The Future’s bright, it’s black and white.

It has come to light that there’s a new found confidence at Vale Park this season.  Ok, a 1-0 loss at home to Bury on Saturday – that being the 1st home loss and only the 2nd loss of the season – is a massive improvement on last season already.
With the appointment of Micky Adams as the Valiants’s new head honcho, Vale fans, including myself, are begining to think there may be light at the end of the lower league’s dreary tunnel. With that said, with every new appointment comes – whether you’re stood in the stands or sat in the comfort of that armchair in front of the err radio, auspiciuos expection, heightened more so by a fantastic pre-season and an equally encouraging start.
Unfortunately, as ever, the club’s humbling financial budget has once again helped limit those expectations, once again limited to a reported £1,000,000 allocation for all club expenditure – including both transfer fees and player wages. Limited indeed when when you consider Notts County’s captures of both Sol Campbell’s and Lee Hughes’s and money spent on wages alone.  Please do not think I say this as an attack on the Port Vale board as I think that Bill Brat and co have done well in keeping the club affloat in such hard times; especially as they constantly looked for new investors to help the club survive, and move forward. I merely say this to make the point of what a challenging job Micky Adams has ahead of him.

Looking more positively, Mr Adams, unlike Sinnot and Glover before him, has been able to forgo the money side of things and use his experience and contacts in the game to vastly improve our squad; not only this, but, from what I’ve seen, he’s also been able to improve the confidence anId performances of what were a weary bunch of also rans by the end of last season.
Improvements on the pitch have improved immensely and, more importantly, matches are now a joy to behold.
Our defense is no longer just a rabble of men, who’d incessantly argue about whose job it was to pick up a lone attacker, but who’ve transformed into a well drilled, organised unit; so water-tight, they’ve only conceded two goals on home soil so far this season.  This feat is a personal favorite of mine.  Another is the fact Rob Taylor is back in the starting eleven. His fine performances have seen him emerge as a Vale Park’s new fans’s favourite.  As you may or may not know, Rob Taylor is formally our left back who, to the dismay of many fans, last season found himself frozen out by former boss Dean Glover. But now many, including myself, are sanguine about his triumphant return as an old fashioned left winger. It’s a role he seems to really be enjoying; scoring four goals already this season, putting him just one behind top-scorer, Richards.

With Dodds also playing well, the team seems happy enough with Adams’s new system of a three-pronged attack, and all three look hungary to add to their tallies.  So, as a whole, together with our more organised defence, a new look front line, and a midfield who look capable at both ends of the pitch, so far we are looking fairly tight.
Surely my point has been strengthend by Vale’s more than decent league results thus far and our two fantantic league cup performances – including wins away at Sheffield Utd and then beating the blue half of Sheffield in Round Two.  I doubt if Sheffield will be an overly welcoming city for Port Vale from now on.  Can we do the same to Scunthorpe in Round 3 this evening? By the time you’ve read this, things shall be a little clearer…
The bigest leauge test to date, many forescast, is also just around the corner, with an away trip to the aforementioned Notts County. The original Magpies’ new wealthy status, big name players, and slippery Sven Groran Ericcson pulling the strings behind the scenes, have turned an archaic club into one on the cusp of a team rapidly on the rise in English football – meaning they are now major players in this division.  Will they beat Leeds to the Premiership? I’m really not so sure.
What I am sure of, however, is that under Micky Adams, the Valiants will be up for any challange this season, and will prove many people wrong with our new and improved workrate and never-say-die mentality. I only hope our good start continues and this is a season fans will be anticipating our long awaited return to the Championship, instead of a potentially disasterous drop into Leauge Two, where most in the footballing world feel Port Vale belong.
Believe me: the future’s bright, the future’s black & white !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It has come to light that there’s a new found confidence at Vale Park this season.  Ok, a 1-0 loss at home to Bury last Saturday – that being the 1st home loss and only the 2nd loss of the season – is a massive improvement on last season already.

With the appointment of Micky Adams as the Valiants’s new head honcho, Vale fans, including myself, are begining to think there may be light at the end of a dreary lower league tunnel we’ve been languishing in for the past God knows how long. With that said, with every new appointment – whether you’re stood in the stands or sat in the comfort of that armchair in front of the err radio, comes with it auspicuous expectation, heightened even more so by a fantastic pre-season and an equally encouraging start.

Unfortunately, as ever, the club’s reality-biting financial budget has once again helped limit those expectations; once again limited to a reported £1,000,000 allocation for all club expenditure, including both transfer fees and player wages. Limited indeed when you consider Notts County’s captures of both Sol Campbell and Lee Hughes and money they’ve spent on their wages alone.  Please do not think I say this as an attack on the Port Vale board, as I certainly do not, and think Bill Brat and co have done well in keeping the club affloat in such testing times; especially as they’ve constantly looked for new investors to help the club move forward, and more importantly, survive. I merely say this to make the point of what a difficult job Micky Adams has ahead of him.

Looking more positively, Mr Adams, unlike Sinnot and Glover before him, has been able to forgo the money side of things and use his experience and contacts in the game to vastly improve our squad; not only this, but, from what I’ve seen, he’s also been able to improve the confidence and performances of what looked a weary bunch of also-rans by the end of last season.

Improvements on the pitch have improved immensely and, more importantly, matches are now a joy to behold.

Our defense is no longer just a rabble of men, who’d incessantly argue about whose job it was to pick up a lone attacker, but a group who’ve transformed into a well drilled, organised unit – so water-tight, they’ve only conceded two goals on home soil so far this season.  This feat is a personal favorite of mine.

Another plus is the fact Rob Taylor is back in the starting eleven. His fine performances have seen him emerge as a Vale Park favourite.  As you may or may not know, Rob Taylor formally plied his trade at left back whom last season, to the dismay of many fans, found himself frozen out by former boss Dean Glover. But now many, including myself, are sanguine about his triumphant return as an orthodox left winger. It’s a role he seems to really be enjoying, scoring four goals already this season, putting him just one behind top-scorer, Richards.

With Dodds also playing well, the team seems happy enough with Adams’s new system of a three-pronged attack, and all three look hungry enough to add to their encouraging goal tallies.  So, as a whole, together with our more organised defense, our new look front line, and a midfield who look capable at both ends of the pitch, so far things are looking very promising.

Surely my point has been strengthend by Vale’s more than decent league results thus far and our two fantastic League Cup performances – including wins away at Sheffield Utd and then beating the blue half of Sheffield in Round Two.  I doubt if Sheffield will be an overly welcoming city for Port Vale fans in the near future.  Can we do the same to Scunthorpe in Round 3 this evening? By the time you’ve read this, things shall be a little clearer…

The bigest leauge test to date, many forescast, is also just around the corner, with an away trip to the aforementioned Notts County. The original Magpies’ new wealthy status, big name players, and the enticing Sven Groran Ericcson pulling the strings behind the scenes, have turned an archaic club into one on the cusp of a team rapidly on the rise in English football – meaning they are now major players in this division.  Will they beat Leeds to the Premiership? I’m really not so sure.

What I am sure of, however, is that under Micky Adams, the Valiants will be up for any challange this season, and will prove many people wrong yet again with our new and improved workrate and never-say-die mentality. I only hope our good start continues and this is a season fans will be anticipating our long awaited return to the Championship, instead of a potentially disasterous drop into League Two, where most in the footballing world feel Port Vale belong.

Believe me, the future’s bright, the future’s most certainly black and white.

Freewriting, Bonny Scotland, Greece is the word.

This is another attempt at freewriting, and for the next ten minutes I will just be typing non-stop whilst listening to the Sky Sports Soccer Saturday post-match post-mortems. It’s a really hard thing to explain, you just write whatever comes in to your head regardless of the subject, within a time limit, and normally you don’t show anyone your efforts but in this instance I’m sharing them with all the efp readers out there.

It’s a good thing I learnt about this process today because I’ve been struggling for a theme to focus my next efp epic on for a while now. I’ve also had other things on my mind, but the reason for this writer’s block is partly, I think, down to my apathy towards football in general.

This isn’t bitterness at the state of the game, or even frustration at Everton’s stuttering start, indeed my enjoyment of the European games so far negates my boredom with the Premier League. And Thursday night was no exception, with some good football being played against albeit poor oppoisition, whose fans were originally going to be the centre of attention within my next effort, I decided the other night.

Anyone who didn’t see the AEK Athens fans missed a great performance by them at least, often the most interesting aspect of the second half, by which time they’d chosen to turn their backs on the game and take their shirts off, sing non-stop, and jump up and down incessantly.

It got me thinking about England, for some reason, well, more specifically Scotland.

*5.26pm, stops to check pork chop under the grill*

*5.28pm

I’ve already broken the rule of free writing, as Elbow explained all those years ago, but will carry on. So Scotland then. England are going through an exciting era under Capello, this we know, but Scottish football in general seems to be in the dodlrums. This despite their recent game against someone, can’t remember who right now, providing one of the greatest goals I have ever seen.

I went to meet a friend for a drink that evening and he said it was the sort of goal I would have dreamed of scoring. On viewing, I would have to agree. I actually preferred it to Archie Gemmill’s, forever associated with a sex scene from trainspotting, but a moment of genius all the same.

It also replaces my previous favourite goal by an inconsistent Scotch winger, Pat Nevin, twenty years ago this month, against Manchester United.

Basically McFadden got the ball around the half way line and nutmegged the last defender before dummying the keeper, rounding him and slotting it into an empty net, and for a minute, the Scottish fans in their kilts and ginger wigs no doubt, dreamed of joining the Auld enemy in South Africa.

*5.34pm, phone goes off*

5.48pm

Sorry, had my tea aswell, so have basically broken the rules but I’m nearly finished now so bear with me.

Where was I then – oh yeah, Scotland, so what I’m getting at is that I’d quite like to be Scottish, many of my favourite players over the years have been, and I’ve always liked their kits. Plus, I know a bit of what it’s like to be in the shadow of more successful neighbours when probably, you’ve been overtaken, and were there first.

The Scottish League doesn’t seem the best, but I’ve only ever watched the Rangers v Celtic matches, impartially really, but as i’ve stated before, I like the underdog.

And then there’s the fans, which brings us back to the Athens following, that was one of the few times I’ve ever wanted to support somebody else, as they seemed to be having more fun than us.

I’m sure that as things settle down there’ll be more to write about, and it won’t be quite so rushed maybe, and with the new additions, Everton’s season will slowly improve as it usually does.

It’s still only September.

Limited Homeless World Cup Tee-Shirts!

For those of you didn’t know, the Ukraine have just won the sixth Homeless World Cup 2009 taking place in Milan. To mark this momentous occasion, SoccerPro has brought out a limited edition of Homeless World Cup Tee-Shirts – which can be found at SoccerPro Homeless World Cup Tee-Shirt and seen below – with all