Pilot Games - Cambridge United

[hellogregory]

Our players have reportedly been told this morning by our hierarchy that we’ll be staying part time even if and when the furlough scheme finishes so should start looking for employment opportunities outside of football.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Whole country is going to end up back in lockdown. Well it should, but Cummings would rather kill people than kill the economy. You’ve got to assume that Orient are only the tip of the iceberg across the EFL. No way we’re getting a full season in.

I understand reason why the government are concerned about sporting events that attract large crowds is the issue of volume arrivals on public transport /car and congregating near grounds and in pubs.
The government are more concerned about the public's health than you are giving them credit for.

 

[shoddycollins]

I understand reason why the government are concerned about sporting events that attract large crowds is the issue of volume arrivals on public transport /car and congregating near grounds and in pubs.
The government are more concerned about the public's health than you are giving them credit for.

Hardly large crowds though, they did reference crowds in one of their speeches but clearly thinking of the Premier League and 40-50,000 people in a stadium. I bet on an average Saturday night in Carlisle there are more people drinking in the pubs on Botchergate than attended the match that afternoon and that's still allowed, just with an hour earlier cutoff point, and it's not like we're pulling people in from far and wide either, again not like the Premier League where a huge proportion of the fans in one of the big stadia have travelled from all over the country to be there.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Hardly large crowds though, they did reference crowds in one of their speeches but clearly thinking of the Premier League and 40-50,000 people in a stadium. I bet on an average Saturday night in Carlisle there are more people drinking in the pubs on Botchergate than attended the match that afternoon and that's still allowed, just with an hour earlier cutoff point, and it's not like we're pulling people in from far and wide either, again not like the Premier League where a huge proportion of the fans in one of the big stadia have travelled from all over the country to be there.

FGR had a very small crowd for the trial and coped very well.
But Bolton or Bradford have thousands of season ticket holders. If they all turned up the safety/security measures would be massive.
I suspect the government want to know that clubs can cope with large crowds before giving them the go-ahead to admit fans.
The Premiership clubs are in same boat as Bolton/Bradford with huge followings. They would demand the same treatment.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

I understand reason why the government are concerned about sporting events that attract large crowds is the issue of volume arrivals on public transport /car and congregating near grounds and in pubs.
The government are more concerned about the public's health than you are giving them credit for.

The government couldn't give a shit about the public's health - hence not being arsed about setting up test and trace or repeatedly cutting the NHS. Them pretending to implement some token restrictions doesn't change that.

 

[E10rifle]

The government are more concerned about the public's health than you are giving them credit for.

Deluded.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Deluded.

Please don't be offensive.
I offered a rational explanation that is supported by highly intelligent scientists and has all political party support.
Neither they nor I are deluded.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

Please don't be offensive.
I offered a rational explanation that is supported by highly intelligent scientists and has all political party support.
Neither they nor I are deluded.

Public Health England described the measures as "crackers" and "inconsistent". You've pointed to Gove's ill-thought-out reasoning - where he lumped sporting events in with indoor conferences etc.

There will be more than 1,000 people arriving at roughly the same time at dozens of shopping centres (maybe even Middlebrook) and airports, but they are permitted. Frankly, the travelling and mingling excuse doesn't stand up - and the pilot events so far presumably haven't flagged up any concerns.

My opinion - and I'm sure I'm right - is that the government can't very well say "crowds can go to football" because they don't have the wherewithal or desire to be able to outline why it is safe, to a British public that is largely made up of morons. If they say 1,000 can go to football then they have to bat away questions like "why can you have 1,000 at football but I can't have a party in my garden for the kids" etc. The inconsistency in their guidelines and the subsequent (valid) criticism has made it not worth bothering trying to open up sports events.

The pubs are open to "strike a balance" between covid restrictions and keeping the people in the industry in employment. But there is no desire to strike a balance for those employed in sport - why? I'll give you a clue: it's to do with the sheer amount of cash the government rakes in from taxing alcohol.

But yeah, the government definitely cares about people's health.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Public Health England described the measures as "crackers" and "inconsistent". You've pointed to Gove's ill-thought-out reasoning - where he lumped sporting events in with indoor conferences etc.

There will be more than 1,000 people arriving at roughly the same time at dozens of shopping centres (maybe even Middlebrook) and airports, but they are permitted. Frankly, the travelling and mingling excuse doesn't stand up - and the pilot events so far presumably haven't flagged up any concerns.

My opinion - and I'm sure I'm right - is that the government can't very well say "crowds can go to football" because they don't have the wherewithal or desire to be able to outline why it is safe, to a British public that is largely made up of morons. If they say 1,000 can go to football then they have to bat away questions like "why can you have 1,000 at football but I can't have a party in my garden for the kids" etc. The inconsistency in their guidelines and the subsequent (valid) criticism has made it not worth bothering trying to open up sports events.

The pubs are open to "strike a balance" between covid restrictions and keeping the people in the industry in employment. But there is no desire to strike a balance for those employed in sport - why? I'll give you a clue: it's to do with the sheer amount of cash the government rakes in from taxing alcohol.

But yeah, the government definitely cares about people's health.

Thanks for your reply.
At least it was thought out and not just an offensive one-word answer.

I actually with agree that football fans can be well behaved and considerate towards others during this pandemic.
That was the case at TNL on Saturday when hundreds of home fans attended game against Bradford, including myself. We all obeyed safety protocol. I wore a mask during game and on the bus to it.
I actually support having fans back in the stadiums. Yes there are chances of catching CV19 but in most cases it will be mild. But just as important, in fact more important after 6 months of lock down, is mental health.
Attending sporting events with friends is a great way of staying happy.

And I do agree "the government definitely cares about people's health".
Unfortunately for them and governments around the world they are all in a no-win situation.
But be assured that all governments are doing their level best for the well-being of their own people.

 

[Super_horns]

There is that sense of panic because cases are going up it seems which might lead to more deaths and ofcouse the winter coming up.

So they have to be seen doing something and cannot please all.

But yes there needs to be some long term protecting of jobs and businesses in all industries.

 

[Super_horns]

Just read they had some MP on the Andrew Marr show basically saying it's up to the Premier league to help the others rather than rely on the Government for hand outs.

 

[Chris FGR]

Just read they had some MP on the Andrew Marr show basically saying it's up to the Premier league to help the others rather than rely on the Government for hand outs.

Fair enough.

The government's not got a magic money tree and football's one of the few industries that has enough money to bail itself out.

 

[shoddycollins]

I'm not fussy where the help comes from, but from an ethical standpoint I think it should be the Premier League rather than the taxpayer. I keep trotting this out I know, but by my own estimations, the amount of money one of the top half Premier League teams will spend on a single player in the hope of making the Champions League, you could cover the entire football and business expenses of every club in League Two for a year.

 

[Super_horns]

the top half Premier League teams will spend on a single player

Pretty much what Andrew Marr said - they could pay the full wages of a club in League Two with the amount spent on a reserve striker.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

I would rather we go out of business than take the Premier League's dirty money for whatever the hell they want in return.

 

[Greenacres]

I would rather we go out of business than take the Premier League's dirty money for whatever the hell they want in return.

Oddly the Premier League might have their wishes best served by not giving hand outs to clubs lower down the pyramid...if a few clubs go out of business it would be easier for them to fill the gaps with their B-Teams.

 

[Laker]

I would rather we go out of business than take the Premier League's dirty money for whatever the hell they want in return.

I do agree but it would require the EFL to negotiate a lucrative tv deal AND pay our vast sums to all members. The EFL only care about the Championship so League 1 and 2 clubs are compelled to going cap in hand to the Prem. It’s all bollocks.

 

[shoddycollins]

I would rather we go out of business than take the Premier League's dirty money for whatever the hell they want in return.

The Culture Secretary is now 'hopeful' a deal with the Premier League to help the lower leagues can be struck. My expectation is that after much negotiating an announcement will be made that Leagues One and Two are to recieve a package worth £900k, to be split 80:20 beween the two divisions and delivered over five years. In return, lower league youth systems are to be 'improved' by a reduction in the radius they can recruit from, a set fee of £20,000 for any youth player to sign for a Premier League club and a committment to look at the possibility of introducing B teams into League Two.

 

[Casey]

Shoddycollins wrote...

"...to look at the possibility of introducing B teams into League Two..."

Back in the late fifties/early sixties Crawley played in the Metropolitan League. A strange mish mash of top flight 'A' teams (Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham and 'cough' Luton) with non league reserve sides and a few sides from around the South; Dunstable Town, Windsor & Eaton and so on. After Sixty years of struggle, promotions, two relegations, money issues and false dawns we will find ourselves back where we started.

Was it worth it?

Casey

 

[Chris FGR]

The Culture Secretary is now 'hopeful' a deal with the Premier League to help the lower leagues can be struck. My expectation is that after much negotiating an announcement will be made that Leagues One and Two are to recieve a package worth £900k, to be split 80:20 beween the two divisions and delivered over five years. In return, lower league youth systems are to be 'improved' by a reduction in the radius they can recruit from, a set fee of £20,000 for any youth player to sign for a Premier League club and a committment to look at the possibility of introducing B teams into League Two.

Can't see it. Clubs won't agree to conditions like that, surely?

 

[shoddycollins]

Can't see it. Clubs won't agree to conditions like that, surely?

Depends how it's sold to them. It'll be a drip drip drip of small changes that benefit the Premier League until there's nothing left.

 

[valefan16]

Chair Message to Sports Minister | Port Vale FC

Port Vale co-owner and Chair Carol Shanahan has written to Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston to raise her concerns over the ‘pausing’ of Government plans to allow supporters to return to football stadia

www.port-vale.co.uk

 

[Robshep]

Fair enough.

The government's not got a magic money tree and football's one of the few industries that has enough money to bail itself out.

Change your name to Serco United and there is a magic money tree.

 

[shoddycollins]

We've started offering ST holders the choice between a refund and ifollow

 

[hellogregory]

We've started offering ST holders the choice between a refund and ifollow

I’ve accepted ifollow.

 

[shoddycollins]

I’ve accepted ifollow.

Just waiting on Firthy now to come and tell us that REAL fans would turn down the clubs offer of a refund and then also pay for their own ifollow on top of that.

 

[Casey]

Seems like the right place to post this.

Tonbridge Angels v Farnborough in the FA Cup.

Due to the level the teams play at Tonbridge are not allowed to have fans in attendance but Farnborough are. A home tie with only away fans allowed!

When silly rules are enforced absurd situations arise but, as I've already found out, what I think doesn't count.

Casey

 

[northstandexile]

Seems like the right place to post this.

Tonbridge Angels v Farnborough in the FA Cup.

Due to the level the teams play at Tonbridge are not allowed to have fans in attendance but Farnborough are. A home tie with only away fans allowed!

When silly rules are enforced absurd situations arise but, as I've already found out, what I think doesn't count.

Casey

I think you have got that wrong about only away fans only in attendance

Position agreed for spectators attending Emirates FA Cup third round qualifying ties

Read more

www.thefa.com

 

[SVH]

Our manager has tweeted today saying something exciting for the fans this Saturday is to be announced. No idea if this is another planned pilot game though. Can’t think of anything else it could be.

 

[valefan16]

Our manager has tweeted today saying something exciting for the fans this Saturday is to be announced. No idea if this is another planned pilot game though. Can’t think of anything else it could be.

Unlikely I would think with cases as they are.