Niels

They were a soccer team.They reached the Scottish cup final in 2006 and also the Premier league. However they couldn't sustain it due to the ill health of their backer.

Thank you Eddie, I appreciate your kind words. I enjoy reading your posts too. I think you raise a good question. I am not sure to be honest. The only thing I can think of is that it would benefit boys who are half Scottish and really wanted to play for Scotland? If they could find a few they would be able develop them together? But if they became too good then presumably they could opt for England or Great Britain instead?

I think there will be some under 16s in England who are half English and Scottish who can attend the Bradford trials. They are entitled to play for either so I think it's a good idea to try to attract them for Scotland.

I think it's because it is difficult to win playing downhill first half if teams are fairly equally matched. My theory is that for the first 20 minutes of any game, most sides and referees are feeling their way and scores are lower. Also more points are scored in the last 20 minutes as teams tire so it is advantages to be playing downhill second half. It depends on the strength of the sides as to how many points the slope is worth.

I was just surprised by your comments. I thought you had been last year and had a great time which I think I appreciated here. For me I love the slope and everyone I have take to Mount Pleasant feels the same. Regardless of the slope, the playing surface is excellent so it is a good pitch.

"The likes of Batley"? Ar least we provide undercover terracing where away fans are welcome. Nobody else thinks the terracing for away fans at Leeds is acceptable. Especially when there is torrential rain. I suppose they could move to the South Stand if they are prepared to be abused. Most fans thankfully love the slope and it generates a lot of good publicity for the game.

Ok, as they didn't win the World cup, or the Euros, I will let you and Damien claim the "best charity team" for England. Even though it isn't a competition!

I think we need to ask if Australia and NZ would replace their coaches after an identical situation. If the answer is yes because they would expect to win or reach the final.

I agree with you. This was why I thought it was very admirable of the player I mentioned. Regarding the game I actually wanted Portugal to win but every team has found Morocco difficult to score against. I am not sure why England think they would have beaten them. I was saying the same after they beat Spain that the Portuguese forwards would be too good. Saying it and doing it are very different though.

I think either I haven't explained properly or you have misunderstood. In this culture, Religious players, and a lot of the team are, are obliged to help those poorer. I would be surprised if they don't help. Tommy and yourself have pointed out what the England players do but Importantly, my point is that this is negligible and they should do more. For me, giving what they consider is "nothing major" is not sufficient for me. These are top earners and the fee is less than 1% of their monthly wage! As I said before it goes to grass roots, not cancer patients or poorly children. I would like players of all nations to give their national team fees and extras to the poor and team staff directly as the Moroccan player does and follow his example. I wouldn't use the argument that it's jealousy. This is a trope used by those on the far right who criticise people on benefits for having this opinion about higher taxes etc. I think sometimes the top soccer players need a little reminder from the press how privileged they are. I agree it isn't a competition, but then it wasn't me who mentioned Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount

It's part of Islamic culture for those who are rich to regularly help the poor directly. I am sure many other players will donate also. The England players are giving what they admit in the article I posted is "nothing major". They also admit they keep far more from sponsorship.

I don't think it's the same though as the Moroccan example is cultural. The player has given his national team money to the team staff and to actual poorer families in his home country for 7 years. I agree Zaha is a good example, as he gives to the poor here and in Ivory Coast, but he isn't English either.

I understand but there is a difference between raising the money and giving away your own.

Only their appearance fee, which they seem to consider negligible anyway according to this article. It goes to football grass routes and communities anyway. Not to ill children or Cancer Patients. Ziyach gave £185,000 to a Cancer Charity in addition to his profits from the national team. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nationalworld.com/sport/football/england-players-paid-world-cup-2022-bonus-3921085%3famp

It's a good question and to be honest I am not sure how to answer. I liked the story of Hakim Ziyach, the Moroccan player, who has never taken any money for playing for his country. He gives it to team staff and poor families in Morocco. I think this is part of his Islamic culture where richer people are obligated to help the poor. But not everyone does, and there is no reason why European players can't follow suit. I would like to see more players do this. Do you think it could be encouraged?

Duplicate sorry

It's a good question and to be honest I am not sure how to answer. I liked the story of Hakim Ziyach, the Moroccan player, who has never taken any money for playing for his country. He gives it to team staff and poor families in Morocco. I think this is part of his Islamic culture where richer people are obligated to help the poor. But not everyone does, and there is no reason why European players can't follow suit. But I would like to see more players do this. Do you think it could be encouraged?

I think when we are ill, or a family member is, and we need a paramedic or a surgeon desperately, that is when their value is appreciated. All of us will need medical workers in our lives. We don't really need footballers. Additionally, we don't need to pay them so much as there are many who would play for free. Fans like myself who support lower clubs don't worry if we aren't seeing the best players.

This was very unnecessary and disappointing. Even Messi was ungracious at the end.

I read that he charged a machine gun single handedly to save his colleagues. I think this would be very interesting as a half time feature. Or sometimes programmes such as the Antiques roadshow do interludes featuring historical stories with a link to where they are visiting. It may be worth emailing the BBC or RL to make a suggestion.

Was it was England at the rugby league world cup? I think both had comfortable wins the game before then were unable to re-produce it against better opposition. I did think Brasil had got carried away with the dancing against South Korea.

It's an interesting point Tommy. France have the most players with African links I think, 13 in the original squad. Mbappe could have chosen Algeria or Cameroon.

A short film could be made maybe and shown on tv before and during a key game? Similar to the Clive Sullivan features. Historic achievements always have an audience I think.

The commentators and Summarisers have been poor I think. Gary Lineker for me is by far the most in touch with what I want to hear discussed. I also like the French summariser on ITV. She understands the tactical side of the game well.

We had neighbours who did it. With total disregard for creating danger and blind spots for children. You probably know me well enough here to know that I spoke up and objected.