Sport & Leisure
The Impact of Wealthy Businessmen at Football Clubs
The ongoing chaos at Reading FC has had me thinking about the intersection of business and sport. In the last two decades it has become increasingly prominent, with wealthy businessmen frequently taking ownership of football clubs. While this infusion of capital can bring about positive changes, it also raises concerns about the potential downsides. So, what are the pros and cons of a wealthy businessman taking over your football club? Fi...
A Desperate Day at Reading FC
In the shadow of persistent disillusionment, today marked my reluctant return to Reading FC alongside my son and stepson. The journey to the ground was overshadowed by the looming protests saturating social media. We knew things were likely to turn ugly and they did. Unfolding Despair The situation at Reading FC, a long standing bastion of Football League history, has plunged into a despondent abyss. A series of crises unfold, from ...
Ruddy Footballers – Too Much Money, Always Diving, Blah Blah!
I saw a post on the BBC Sports page the other day. It was about Harry Kane scoring again for Bayern Munich. There was a bit of a love in from England and Spurs supporters but it wasn’t long before the gammons joined in the party and started abusing him. Farmers League Diver Whenever I see Harry Kane interviewed he seems a very humble, pleasant sort of bloke. When I see him play football, he appears to do what he is paid handsomely for, ...
Reading FC Staring into the Abyss as Asset Strippers Hover
As I write this, Reading FC have received their latest HMRC winding up order. Fans of the club are waiting, hoping for a resolution. Over the last few days, there have been interested parties hovering around. Mike Ashley’s helicopter swirled above the stadium like a red kite swooping around mortally injured prey. Other asset strippers are also rumoured to be keen. Some of them, bizarrely, are merely attention seeking fantasists. To many, ...
To Cyprus and Back
I am not sure if I am alone in this but as the years pass, I find the aggro of going on holiday increases. I have to remind myself that once I arrive, it’s nearly always worth it. However, I hate Gatwick Airport so much, I have in recent years demanded that I will only travel via smaller airports. This year we went from Bristol airport which, don’t get me wrong, is no utopian paradise. However, it is at least more tolerable than than the ...