@martin-bellamy - Are you getting out in your van at this time of year, Martin?
In a previous life, I used to go away in the caravan most weekends from March until the Bonfire Night meet, which was normally the last of the year. This year it was a majority of weeks, but with some gaps, from April to late September. The next meet after the end of September would have been the first week in October when when my wife had a long-organised Yoga weekend in Scarborough and I didn't fancy camping on my own. The last three weekend meets after that were a booked Hallow'een meet where places were limited and families with children were preferred, and two small booked meets at Club sites which meant arriving late on Friday and leaving early on Sunday which, when coupled with missing much of Saturday to attend a Boro game anyway, made camping a bit pointless at the time. So the van is parked up on the drive.
I MIGHT go up to the North West Highlands over the winter months and, since I now have a new van rather than its 16 year old predecessor, I don't have fears about driving the van 400 miles or so to get there. But whether I do go up, or whether I take the van or use "our room" up there, depends on medical appointments and other family calendar issues. But I'd like to get up there - having last been there in November 2021 and again in January 2022.
@forever-dormo We sold Absinthe last year so I should have said Static van, I guess. It’s our temporary home in Shropshire until we can sort a new house (don’t ask!).
Here is one for you if you live near Edinburgh - I have once been to Hibernian's home match about 40 years ago.
Boro will play a friendly against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sat 26 November. Kick-off 13:00. This is during the break for the World Cup.
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2022/november/08/hibernian-ticket-info/
Football is at its best on a ground and live. And the atmosphere is totally different. Recommended 🙂
Up the Boro!
Thanks for the invitation to share your sofa, mate. I’ll be round your house about 7.30!!
I’ve just checked Sky’s website. They are not covering our game tonight on the red button. Why not? It looks like every other game is on. I think this is discriminatory.
@clive-hurren. I think it is because it is a re-arranged game and is therefore not included as part of their schedule whereas the original game probably was.
That being said, I notice there are eight fixtures tonight but only six on Sky. Blackpool and Coventry the omissions. 😎
@jarkko I'm planning on going to that. Used to live just down the road from there but still pretty close.
@clive-hurren I am now warming the bench .. opps, sofa. Hurry up, mate. 🤣🤣🤣 Up the Boro!
@clive-hurren I am now warming the bench .. opps, sofa. Hurry up, mate. 🤣🤣🤣 Up the Boro!
@jarkko - your superb use of idiom in a second language puts those of us who only have schoolboy French to shame. Chapeau!
Thanks for the info about Boro on the TV.
My first port of call is to try Hesgoal.com - usually a bit frustrating as you have to keep refreshing the page.
Failing that I’ll be trying Radio Lancashire which is broadcast from Blackburn which is only 30 miles from Huddersfield and hopefully I can access the commentary.
For some reason I can’t get Radio Tees on 95 fm.
Philip of Huddersfield
The World Cup in Qatar - my view in light of recent comments (1) By Sepp Blatter that to award the tournament to Qatar was a mistake and (2) Comments by a Qatar World Cup Ambassador that "LGBT supporters must abide by our rules and homosexuality is a disease of the mind".
1. It WAS a mistake in my view for FIFA to have decided to hold the previous football World Cup in Russia and the World Cup due to start in a matter of weeks in Qatar, but maybe not for the reasons Sepp Blatter would accept. I am confident the voting procedures and the way the decisions were made were corrupt. Obviously money changed hands, and not ONLY in the form of brown paper bags full of US Dollars being handed over to those responsible for casting the relevant votes, or bank transfers being made in return for votes. There has been a long system, hardly disguised, of buying votes. Money going to the people in charge of some of the regional football Confederations; "soft power" being exercised by countries agreeing football tours and other donations being made which, to poorer countries, may be very "helpful" in securing support for a tournament in country X rather than country Y; the circus of prospective bids to hold a tournament being subject to regular visits to assess the Technical merits of each bid (during which, of course, the FIFA delegates will be accommodated in Luxury hotels and wined and dined to the ultimate degree, the delegates and no doubt their wives being given very expensive "goodie bags" after tours of the major sites in the country being visited etc. I mean, as a full-time job with prospects, it must be difficult to beat the very rewarding career of an International Olympic Committee member, or a member of the UEFA and FIFA Committees. Not much risk of being expected to organise an Economy Class air fair to the various candidate countries, or staying in a B+B or indeed anything other than a plutocratically-aimed luxury hotel, and even less risk that the delegates would be expected to put THEIR hand into their pockets to pay for that very cheeky vintage wine to go with the Lobster Thermidor. No - as a career choice, getting onto one of those committees must be as good as it gets.
2. How could any properly conducted survey of likely candidates have come up with holding a World Cup in a country with no stadiums at all? If, for example, the committee had been considering a bid by Portugal, you'd expect their "technical experts" to look at the stadiums currently being used by Benfica and Porto, and the infrastructure supporting them like rail, road and air links and accommodation that might be available for visiting supporters AS WELL AS VIPs, and to consider the plans for additional stadiums/transport links/accommodation that might have to be built to supplement the assets already in place. Maybe some modernisation of existing infratructure might have to be made. But in the case of Qatar, there were NO such stadiums nor the other stuff required to put on such a tournament, so that the exercise would have to carried out "off plan" rather than by inspection - not that this will have prevented several well-attended "site inspections" by committe members before a spade ever entered the ground and several more in order to "check on progress" (well - that fine food and wine will not consume itself, will it?).
3. In my view it is a laudable aim to wish to "spread the game" (or games) but it makes no sense to hold a major tournament in a country, much less an entire part of the world - where there is no heritage or support for the game, other than following other countries' top teams via television. Does anyone know who the champion Qatar football club is, where it plays or which players turn out for the team? If you wanted to "spread the game" then why not look at a country like Australia where there is some football league structure, support for the game and where the population is a ready-made fanbase in light of the immigrant nature of the population made up of expat Brits, Greeks, Turks, Italians, Spaniards, South Aisian countries, people from the Balkans etc, with a heritage of football support? Or have a tournament in an historic football country like Holland, or a confederation of countries from the Baltic: perm any group or future groups from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, Norway and Finland (none of which I think have ever hosted a World Cup, so there should be room for 2 or 3 tournaments there), or even let Sweden have a second bite at the cherry - as Germany, Italy, France, Brazil and Mexico have already had 2 World Cups each and Mexico is due to share its third, in 2026 with USA and Canada?
4. What "legacy" will be left after a World Cup in Qatar? Will the stadiums be mothballed, or taken down, as there is going to be no call for them in the years to come unless, for example, it was suggested India & Pakistan could play football games there, as per cricket in Abu Dhabi? Maybe they could play each other there 5 or 6 times a year...?
5. I realise the Human Rights issues are capable of being used both ways. On the one hand, in the liberal West where LGBTQ+ issues are to the fore, the suggestion that homosexuality should have to be hidden under the carpet is anathema, to be balanced on the other hand with the view that outsiders or visitors should not be able to force their views on others (the visited). For example if the World Cup were to be held in the UK, Germany, Sweden etc, how would we react to woman in the host country in the liberal West being told by representatives/supporters/visitors from Egypt, North Sudan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Algeria etc that they should dress modestly and cover their heads or that they should not go out unchaperoned, and even harassing them for acting in a way which would be considered entirely normal here? However even holding the World Cup in a country like Qatar, which is regarded by academics as having a generally poor Human Rights record (restrictions on civil liberties such as freedom of association, expression and the press as well as forced-labour conditions for expat workers who have built the stadiums etc for this World Cup) was ALWAYS going to be incendiary. It borders on having an Absolute Monarchy but, then again, Russia has and has had for some time a despot in charge and a disregard for Human Rights. If it gets in the way of those nice presents our committee members would be given during the selection process, the insfrastructure loans or promises made etc, why should anyone worry about these "incidentals"?
6. Of course, a World Cup played in the usual time of year - northern hemisphere summer - in Qatar would cause major issues for the health and safety of players and supporters (surprise, surprise). The Qatar AVERAGE high temperature in July is 98F and obviously it often far exceeds that on particularly hot days. You might have expected someone considering the technical merits of a Qatar bid to have considered that in advance but, no, instead the tournament has had to be re-organised to now take place in November/December despite the damage to "our" football leagues and schedules (it is still an average of 79F in November there!). The Champagne must have been flowing fast in the direction of the technical judges for that to have been overlooked.
7. Whilst considering Human Rights issues and specifically LGBTQ+ issues (and this ties in to the recently expressed views of the Qatar World Cup Ambassador), these don't only relate to Qatar but also to Russia. Yet both bids were successful. You could hardly make it up if you wanted to be believed. Homosexual relations were not only a criminal offence in Russia, contrary to Article 121 of the Sovet Union Criminal Code, but homosexuality was considered a perversion and a mental illness. Lunin, a Russian emigre psychologist who now practises in Canada, was accused of homosexuality and had pschiatric and psychological therapy to "cure" him, and he says that the situation in Russia for homosexuals before Perestroika began there in 1985 was much worse than more recently. Although Article 121 was repealed during the Premiership of Yeltsin (1991-99) and I think new ethical codes govern the way medical professionals in Russia should treat homosexuality, Lunin points out that the Russian Orthodox Church has rowed back heavily against "liberal views". Another pyschologist Igor Kon (now dead) in his last book said: "As long as gays and lesbians are objects of bullying and discrimination, everybody who conisders himself/herself as a thinking person must support LGBT peoples fights for their Human Rights." The 2nd edition of his book was published in 2003 at which time it took bravery for Kon to say this in light of the blunt and homophobic context of Russian culture but Lunin says that to say those words in 2017 (when Lunin wrote) would be illegal since a 2013 Act in Russia prohibits "propaganda on non-traditional relations". As YET there is no prohibition against quoting the words of DEAD people who have said this but... In short, therefore, homosexuality is and was made very difficult in Russia just as much as in Qatar, yet that has clearly not prevented BOTH countries being given a World Cup. It makes you wonder what it would take to be disqualified - maybe criticising FIFA and its officials?
8. I accept ANY display of affection in public is distinctly frowned upon in Qatar so if I went there and absent mindedly held hands with my wife when outside, I'd be at risk. And drinking in public as opposed to regulated hotels frequented by foreigners, is also illegal there. I suspect I COULD go there and I could easily avoid drinking alcohol at all for 6 weeks or whatever, but there will OBVIOUSLY be some drunken issues between rival supporters that it will be difficult if not impossible for the Qatar authorities to turn a blind eye towards. THEN there will be protests. This is a World Cup and I think every World Cup, Champions League etc has had very visible sponsorship by breweries.drinks manufacturers etc for as long as I can remember so didn't anyone think THAT might be an area of conflict and potential trouble?
9. I had thought to say a few words about the World Cup but I can see this is getting very heavy and rather long. So maybe it would be better to leave it here. But not before making it clear these are not only my views NOW about the World Cups being granted to Russia and Qatar, but they were my views at the time those decisions were announced. They are the sorts of decisions that make it sensible not to waste time and good money getting involved in bidding for future World tournaments because the extent of corruption virtually guarantees ridiculous decisons being made. That will have to do for now....
One for Ken.
Did Juninho represent Boro while playing at the World Cup? He is a World Champion with Brazil as I have a picture of him with the throphy.
But was that when was away from Boro? Mfc.co.uk wrote today: "McGree is set to join the likes of Wilf Mannion, Bernie Slaven, Gareth Southgate and compatriots Mark Schwarzer and Mark Viduka in representing their country at the World Cup while a Boro player."
Up the Boro!
1️⃣6️⃣ Middlesbrough players
at World Cup Finals...
🏴 W.Mannion —🏴 A.Peacock
🇬🇬 J.Platt —🇮🇪 B.Slaven
🇨🇴 H.Ricard (2) —🏴 P.Merson
🏴 G.Southgate —🇭🇷 A.Boksic
🏴 S.Downing —🇦🇺 M.Schwartzer
🇦🇺 M.Viduka —🇳🇿 C.Killen
🇦🇺 B.Jones —🇬🇭 A.Adomah
🇳🇬 K.Omeruo —🇦🇺 R.McGree
I found this on twitter. Jim Platt played on the second round while Jennings was injured.
Still wonder about Juninho, though.
Up the Boro!
@jarkko I'm planning on going to that. Used to live just down the road from there but still pretty close.
Unfortunately my social secretary already has my schedule plotted over that weekend, so I am really disappointed that I can't pop down from Perth for this ☹
I suppose (my post from 4.14pm) I could have saved time by saying:
a. The World Cup should not have been granted to Qatar for practical reasons:
- too hot to play at the time of year the tournament is normally played
- no football tradition nor infrastructure when the decision was made
- no "legacy" will be left after the tournament finishes
- there are potential difficulties for fans attending compared to previous tournaments
b. The World Cup should not have been granted to Qatar, nor to the previous one in Russia for Human Rights reasons.
c. The whole process of selecting host countries appears mired in controversy and corruption.
Wow, FD, that was some diatribe! Well done on pulling the main issues together so well. It deserves to be publicised much more widely. 👍
I suppose (my post from 4.14pm) I could have saved time by saying:
a. The World Cup should not have been granted to Qatar for practical reasons:
- too hot to play at the time of year the tournament is normally played
- no football tradition nor infrastructure when the decision was made
- no "legacy" will be left after the tournament finishes
- there are potential difficulties for fans attending compared to previous tournaments
b. The World Cup should not have been granted to Qatar, nor to the previous one in Russia for Human Rights reasons.
c. The whole process of selecting host countries appears mired in controversy and corruption.
A useful executive summary, but perhaps not quite so forceful as the "warts 'n all" version! 😉
Been pretty non-stop at the moment with finishing off various outdoor projects and task before the real cold weather arrives - a bit of joinery, cutting glass to glaze the Aviary for the winter and even cutting down a tree that no longer copes with the Mediterranean summers of northern Germany.
Anyway, looking forward to relaxing and watching the Boro game this evening - thanks to Andy for another terrific preview - so good you wrote it twice! Blackpool are at least not the side they were since the Queen's passing saw the game pulled.
I'm confident of a win tonight as the players are looking more confident with every game under Carrick, who is quietly going about his business in reshaping the team and rebuilding confidence - team should be out soon but probably no major changes unless Watmore is fit or Bola resurfaces!
Team News...
So it's an unchanged team with still no sign of Watmore or Bola - interesting arrival on the bench with someone called 'Willis' - maybe it's Bruce as Carrick aims to make Boro die harder...
@werdermouth That seems to be a 19-year-old from London who rejoices in the first name of Pharrell, Werder, *rolls eyes*
Didn't Pharrell Willis sing 'Happy'...
Didn't Pharrell Willis sing 'Happy'...
Search me! I know sod all about pop music!
@werdermouth That seems to be a 19-year-old from London who rejoices in the first name of Pharrell, Werder, *rolls eyes*
Pharrell? What’s the problem with that?
“Meaning of the name Pharrell
Derived from Irish Gaelic origin meaning 'a superior man, heroic' it is predominantly used in the English language. famous Pharrell's include American rapper Pharrell Williams.”
That's who I was thinking of - anyway let's hope we're all Happy come the final whistle!
I see that James Husband is in the Tangerines' starting XI...
That's who I was thinking of - anyway let's hope we're all Happy come the final whistle!
Amen to that!
Didn't Pharrell Willis sing 'Happy'...
Search me! I know sod all about pop music!
🤣
Belated thanks to Andy for Headliner.
Not been in much this week, having started the bathroom refurb that I had put on ice. However the democratic vote that took place saw me outvoted. Not sure how as there were only two voters. 🤨
Just seen the team sheet and had guessed at an unchanged starting 11.
Not sure about the subs, the old stalwarts are disappearing fast.
No prediction, just to say we certainly need three points.
Boro have won on their last 3 league matches at Bloomfield Road scoring twice in each of them, but I do remember Boro winning there 5-0 in 1946 with Johnny Spuhler scoring two, and Micky Fenton, Wif Mannion and a certain Eddie Murphy another inside forward from the South Bank St Peter’s side, scoring his only goal for Boro in nine post-war appearances although a regular scorer during the war years.
Having scored 7 in their last two away wins is it conceivable that Boro might mirror that score line some 76 years later? Nothing surprises me in the Championship this season, but although far fetched sometimes history has a habit of repeating itself.
Pharrell Willis. Left footed winger!