English Football Didn’t Start in 1992

History is a good thing, but it's just that, history

Manchester City haven't always been as fashionable as they are now.

Hi. My names's Ash.
"Hi Ash!"
And, um...
"It's okay, we're all friends here, take your time."

Thanks. I'm, um, a football supporter and I, uh... [clears throat] I don't... I don't support a team in the Premier League.

A hush descends on the room, there are a few quizzical looks, a couple of sad nods and shakes of the head and even one quiet but audible gasp.

Yes, friends, this is what it often feels like to support a "lower" league team. You are an aberration. You're fooling yourself, You must have a Prem team, you simply must! How do you even live?!

It's hard not to hate football almost as much as I love it because of precisely this kind of fandom.

Like Sloan once sang, "It's not the band I hate, it's their fans."

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to watch all kinds of football. I'd be lying if I didn't say I appreciate and often enjoy a hard fought game in the top tier or the You-don't-have-to-be-Champions League. But it's the superiority complex of many fans, the attitude that my opinion cannot count because I don't support a 'proper' team. Because I don't deck myself out in every possible combination of club clothing at any given moment. Because the team I support had the temerity to have their heyday before the Premier League juggernaut really got going. (Often conveniently ignoring the fact that that applies to their team too). Because I happen to think that, in comparison to truly world class players, objectively, your star player and man-crush isn't that good and it's not because the national team manager is "playing them out of position." Because it can't possibly be that without the absurdly talented (and equally absurdly expensive) foreign import there to make your hero look good, he frequently fails on the biggest stage. Because at some point, the World Cup - the biggest stage - became overshadowed by club football.

And because I've never stopped supporting the team I grew up following; from dizzying never-again-attainable-heights and mind-numbing, soul-scarring lows. Instead, presumably, of keeping half an eye on them and hitching my wagon to the latest crop of fancy-dan, stepover merchants. Convincing myself that the Man Citys and Uniteds of this world are and have always been 'our' rivals, instead of the Countys and Albions.

The thing is, rightly or wrongly, I think your opinions are just as suspect for precisely the same reasons.
As I've mentioned, football did not start in 1992. Many clubs had success before this time, some of that number have had some since.

But the lopsided way some fans harp on about history is often perplexing. It's no good glorying in the exploits of Wolves or Forest or Leeds. The majority of their success came pre-Premier League and they're not a part of it now. An important distinction from, say, Liverpool who've had some success since the League's foundation but who would have seen winning the Football League Cup as the least of their achievements 25-30 years ago.

I'm not usually one for anecdotal evidence, but bear with me just this once. I was lucky enough to live in Nottingham in 1979/80. Most of the kids I went to school with followed Liverpool. You'd think it impossible that a club with so much history and success, not to mention  unbridled enthusiasm from the media would have fans that genuinely feel they are somehow underdogs and that the football establishment is out to get them but, they're out there, I've met some of them. Like I said, it's very hard not to hate football sometimes. Having history is often a good thing but it's just that, history. For all the success and trophies, it can often be a millstone around supporters necks. They struggle to reconcile with the mediocrity (or worse) of the present and so the club can never realign itself to the new football reality and be as good as they remember it.
That reality for the vast majority of clubs is either find a very rich owner with no desire to make money from the club but still happy to throw vast sums at it or be content with mid-table obscurity and the occasional tilt at a domestic trophy.

Success or failure can often be relative but year-in, year-out, fans of "unfashionable" clubs get bombarded with hyperbole about how terrible it was that a 'big' club missed out on Europe. It's hardly comparable with relegation or administration but you'd think they were cakewalks compared to missing out on all that
m̶o̶n̶e̶y quality football.

And the 'big' club moniker is bandied around in ever more perplexing ways. There's no solid definition. Amount of fans? Trophies? Richest owners? Man City have three stars on their crest because it looks more 'continental', not because of European success. Forget Wolves or Leeds or even Forest being considered big clubs, the new football hierarchy would exclude old giants like Ajax and Celtic.

I think a lot of the blame, if that's the right word, can be partially attributed to the creation of the Premier League and most to the media. Now armchair fans across the globe are not only treated to seeing their team every time they play but are also bombarded with facts and figures and hyperbole that strains credulity and makes a run-of-the-mill wet Wednesday night mid-table clash seem like the World Cup Final. It's no wonder there's no sense of proportion. And then we all get to do it again next week.

I can genuinely remember a time when fans would get behind any English club that got into Europe. Not hardcore support or changing allegiances but just hoping for a good show from one of our own. The football landscape has changed so irrevocably that i find myself actively wishing for some 'home' clubs to be knocked out just to get their fans and the media to shut up for a bit.

It's because of this constant coverage, the belief that certain teams are untouchable or the evergreen 'to good to go down' (tell that to Rangers, Pompey, Leeds, Charlton, etc.) that nothing matters as much, that history is only relevant when it's your club, that records only count post-1992 or since the creation if the Champions League, that spending incredible amounts of money on fair-to-middling players is somehow acceptable, that getting into the top four is an achievement on par with winning... anything at all.

It's because of these things that I'll watch top flight football but I'm sometimes glad the team I follow isn't a part of it.

"But the skill, the showmanship, you don't see that in the lower leagues."
You mean showboating? [clears throat]

"Well I bet you don't see goals as good."
I'll take that bet.

"It can't be exciting with nothing to play for."
Wrong and wrong.

-Ash Hawthorne

(Ash is a guest writer for the Geezer; he is the author of the Miserable Batsteward blog and you can follow him @VieuxPoissons.)

Bet he can't do that again....

Even Zlatan dug this sexy goal

Yes, the Jordanian Premier League isn't one of the top competitions in the world but this goal was:

Syrian striker, Motaz Salhani, gave his side, Al-Wahdat, the three points against home side Al-Ramtha but also gave the world a glimpse into how adults can still get giddy over a lucky but absurdly-superb goal.

Good on ya, son!

-Tio Pelotas
@TioPelotas74

'Too much gayness' for Martin Samuel

Sorry for the picture, but wanted to give you a face to go with the name.

Martin Samuel works for the Daily Mail, he's meant to be a football journalist, but some how manages to get his views on anything and everything into the paper. He's meant to be anyalyzing what the FA might do should a player come out, and how they would hypothetically mess it up. I am confused as to the point of the article, but it's the quote that threw me.

Here are his words (and the link), I'm still trying to work out the response...

The straight establishment wants a pet gay project only for their benefit. They want the unique selling point of football’s first gay icon to be marketed and exploited to the full. 

If 30 footballers came out as gay as one in a massive show of communal pride, it would be a disaster. 

Too much gayness. A flooded market. What are we going to do with all these queens? It is the lone gay that is sought, the saleable gay, the memorable face of the gay game and, by definition, of our marvellous, tolerant football community, too. It’s still all about us really. That and the money.

-Martin Samuel

I don't enjoy reading what this guy has to say on football, and have no idea how his editors allow him write about anything else. I'm lost for words.

INTERVIEW: Peru's Number 1 Still Learning His Craft

Raul 'Superman' Fernandez looks forward to tough task in Metropolis

Peruvian National 'keeper speaks exclusively to FootballGeezer

Raul Fernandez has enjoyed the sceneries that his football life has taken him from his hometown in Peru to France and to the U.S. He points to the passionate atmospheres of Seattle, Portland and Kansas City and is at peace with his family in Texas. 

But this weekend, as he descends upon the New York metro area for his first MLS match here against the New York Red Bulls, the FC Dallas goalkeeper is pure business and speaks of the need for three vital points.

"We're looking forward to playing against a top team but, truth be told, the pressure's on them, as they're at home," Fernandez, 27, said in a phone interview with FootballGeezer. "For me personally, it's going to be fun since it'll be my first time (at Red Bull Arena) and both teams will be fighting for a win. It'll be an attractive match."

The Peruvian international, who signed with Dallas from Nice in France in January, said he didn't think twice about coming to MLS when he heard of the opportunity and was happy to see firsthand its stature of a growing league.

"I was pleasantly surprised by its physical aspect," he added. "There is much to say about this league and more and more people will be talking about it because it's very competitive."

After being named an MLS All-Star this past summer, Fernandez soaked it all in, even having his pictures taken with Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan before the game against Roma.

"The All-Star game was a new experience for me, which I enjoyed immensely," Fernandez said. "It was such a positive experience to be on the field with players of that quality but it was a personal motivation for me to strive and be there again next year."

Aside from the All-Star festivities, Fernandez touched on the playoff system here but was generally humble about it.

 "Truth is, one needs to adapt overall to any changes or customs that every country has," he reflected. "I had culture shock in France and it was very rough in the beginning but once you accustom yourself, everything works out on its own."

Is he now a full-fledged Texan then?

"Well, I'm very happy here and I hope to stay for years," Fernandez added. "We're in a family-oriented environment and my family is at peace here. To me, that's first and everything else is second."

But Fernandez realizes everything isn't etched in stone. The goalkeeper strives to fight for his place every week and said he wants to continuously impress his manager. He takes it game-by-game but his near-term goal is to help Dallas get into the playoffs.

"As I've learned my whole life, no one is assured of their position," Fernandez said. "I work and train hard all the time whether it's with Dallas or the National team."

But with a long-offseason that most players around the globe aren't accustomed to, Fernandez is asked whether or not he'd consider a loan move after this year's campaign ends.

"That's something I actually haven't thought about," he paused. "But, yes, of course I'd like to have continuity so I can't rule it out. Obviously, that's something that has to be worked out. However, my objective right now is this season and that's to be a champion. After that, we'll see."

- Freddy Sebastian

@TioPelotas74

FC Dallas at New York Red Bulls,
Red Bull Arena

Harrison, N.J.

Sunday, Sept. 22 5pm ET

©FootballGeezer, Freddy Sebastian 09192013

Write to FootballGeezer at @FootballGeez or joeymelv@gmail.com

Geezer of the Day

I saw Iraq were playing Chile today and wondered who would be watching that - it's by no means a glamour friendly, but it's great to see that football is back and booming in Iraq.

(UPDATE: Iraq lost 6-0 to Chile in Brondby, Denmark.)

FIFA says there are 110 clubs in the country, with over half a million players. They have just slipped out of the world's top 100, and only qualified for 1 World Cup (1986), but they did really well at the recent U20s tournament and it seems like football is a real tool for helping rebuild.

So today's Geezer is Hussein Saeed - he scored 61 goals in 126 games for his country (both records) and represented Iraq at 3 Olympic games in the 1980s.

*Apologies as I don't know if it's Said or Saeed.

Pelotas' look ahead to Wednesday tilts

Tio Pelotas provides a small glimpse of what's to come on a fun FIFA friendly day

So it's friendly-match day. Some of us don't care because they're just that---friendlies--while others do because it's more football in the middle of August. With summer winding down here in the States, school about to start and, oh yeah, World Cup qualifiers, major European campaigns and MLS playoffs nearing, let's look at some of the matches on tap for tomorrow:

South Korea-Peru (5am) - South Korea went to the World Cup semifinals in 2002; Peru went to the World Cup in 1982. This has 0-0 written all over it.

Chile-Iraq (noon) - Iraq is rebuilding and will face the wrath of Chile's attack. Chile reportedly will play Iran in its next friendly. No word or confirmation if North Korea is on tap as well.

Colombia-Serbia (2pm) - Radamel Falcao is rich, good-looking, scored on his Ligue 1 debut over the weekend, just became a dad and his side is close to a World Cup ticket, its first in more than 15 years. Now he's the most interesting man in the world.

Bosnia-USA (2:30pm) - Clint Dempsey is big news in the US but won't be in Bosnia for this friendly. No problem. Maybe. OK, crap, 'merica may be in trouble. Bosnia is a scary side, ranked 13th in the world, has a goal differential of plus-20 in their qualifying group after six matches without a defeat. 

Italy-Argentina (2:45pm) - So who does avid footy fan Pope Francis root for in this one? (I know, I know, the whole world used that one today.)

Switzerland-Brazil (2:45pm) - Neymar avoided a press conference, just hours ahead of the match, leaving the band of journalists fuming. But poor Neymar was still reeling after being profiled at a local boutique when told a handbag he wanted to look at was too expensive for him.

England-Scotland (3pm) - For the good of this historic rivalry match, please invite Gazza. Oh, and Wayne Rooney too.

Belgium-France (3pm) - Yes, England is not involved here but between these two sides, there's around 20 Premier League players. 20.

Portugal-Netherlands (3:30pm) - Of course all eyes will be on Ronaldo and Robin van Persie but the true supporters will be on the lookout to see whose gonads Pepe will stomp on.

Ecuador-Spain (4pm) - Both sides will honor the late Christian Benitez, who died last month at 27. The match will take place in Guayaquil, Ecuador, home of Barcelona SC, 6000 miles away from the Nou Camp, home of FC Barcelona.

Mexico-Ivory Coast (9pm) - No Chicharito but we do have Drogba, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou and Yaya Toure here in Giants Stadium (not calling it MetLife) in the beautiful outskirts of northern New Jersey. Mexico manager Chepo de la Torre will be seeking out help from state troopers if results don't go his way because you can bet there will be a sea of angry Mexican supporters.

I thought he may buy a Burger King franchise

He was caught with three cross-dressing prostitutes in 2008, so this isn't completely out of left field!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2362937/Ronaldo-starts-new-career-porn-magnate-bidding-Playboy-franchise-Brazil.html

A pre-season game in the middle of the season?

Only in the MLS

Major League Soccer is about to enter that time of year when it sells itself to the highest bidder rather than focusing on strengthening its own brand.

The New York Red Bulls play Lyon tomorrow night in a game that doesn’t matter to anyone, and is just a pre-season game for the French team. This is amazing considering the Red Bulls have played 20 games in the league already, look like they will qualify for the playoffs and have nothing to gain from the fixture. It’s unlikely Thierry Henry or Tim Cahill will play – why risk the only good players they have? They also have to compete with the US National team who are playing Costa Rica at the exact same time (albeit in another match with little significance), which means fans and TV viewers are likely to be focused on something else. 

It begs the question of why the MLS needs to take on these games. It’s really not a benefit to the teams in the US and Canada, can’t bring in that significant revenue and isn’t a great advert for the league as the top players don’t participate.

The MLS All-Star game against Roma on July 31 is a little different. Putting the best players in the league up against teams like Manchester United and Chelsea (both former opponents for the All-Stars) can only be good for exposure and therefore attract a better quality player to the league. I’m sure players like Henry and Marco Di Vaio are not best pleased about having to play an extra game, and neither are there employers, but it’s good for promoting the league.

It’s already a league that doesn’t conform to the European football timetable, doesn’t have a regular schedule to attract fans (with games even being played at 1pm on a weekday!) and is still establishing an identity.

There is so much potential for the MLS, so here’s to hoping that they ditch some of these meaningless friendly games and focus on their own league.

Summer Blues

It's almost enough to make me a baseball fan...

Rooney to leave, Mourinho’s return, Monaco to buy everyone, Cassano joins his 29^th team, Messi not turning up for an autograph signing – it’s summer, so plenty of people making up stories to fill the back pages and websites with rumors and gossip.

We all love it to some degree – the hope that our teams are signing someone great, selling the deadwood and moving forward from last season, but it can be too much. I started watching Panama against Martinique last night, and was tempted to stay up for the Mexico v Canada game in the Gold Cup. It’s July – there’s no need for TV. Sit on the deck, drink beer, watch the world go by and think about anything but football.

There’s the Ashes cricket, the Lions tour, the Open, the X games, MLS soccer – hey, there’s even the opportunity for conversation about something other than sports, but who are we kidding. The countdown is on. Pre-season has begun. A summer without a major tournament just isn’t the same. The Confederations Cup doesn’t count. Tahiti were fun to watch, Brazil even more so, but all the players looked like they wanted a few weeks on the beach – and who can blame them.

Instead we’re stuck with stories of Nigerian teams winning 76-0 and 67-0 to try and boost their goal difference to get promoted, tales of Gareth Bale being seen shopping in the same place as Real Madrid’s communications officer’s third cousin, and beheadings in Brazil over a missed offside call.   

Roll on August. The rumors get too crazy in July, and ‘journalists’ really scrape the barrel to fill some space. Another Moyes and Rooney bust-up story is going to turn me into a baseball fan.

 -JEM