Football Diary
by Patrick O’Connor
FOOTBALLERS love taking the mickey and it seems as if the lads at Premier League newcomers Queens Park Rangers found an easy target.
Recent signing Shaun Wright-Phillips only stands 5ft 5ins tall and so when the players gathered at a hotel the night before their game at Wolves, they got hold of a baby’s high-chair and placed a ‘SWP’ name card on it. Pictures of the stunt were then posted on Twitter by team-mate Joey Barton.
Fortunately former Manchester City player Wright-Phillips took it all in his stride and Tweeted back: “Boys are at it already lmao. Got a few things up my lil sleeves.”
According to a report in the Daily Mirror newspaper, Manchester United’s star striker Wayne Rooney has put his superb form down to his barber!
Rooney had a £30,000 hair transplant during the summer and now has it trimmed before every match. The Mirror says that Rooney believes the ‘magical’ powers of hairdresser Mr Daniel J have contributed to his playing success.
“Daniel J always keeps me looking sharp,” he said. “And when I look sharp, I feel sharp. I don’t know what it is but it’s like his haircuts have magical powers because every time he gives me a trim I seem to go and score.”
If you’re a football manager then it might be worth taking what your boss says with a pinch of salt.
Struggling Championship side Doncaster Rovers sacked manager Sean O’Driscoll last week and immediately appointed Wrexham boss Dean Saunders in his place.
But only the day before Rovers chairman John Ryan was quoted as saying:”I’ve never responded to hotheads who want to sack somebody. I don’t think it’s ever worked – look at Sheffield United.”
Nice story in the Metro newspaper about Chelsea. The mega-wealthy Premier League side showed their softer side by raising a five-figure sum through a raffle and collection for the families of four miners killed in an accident in Wales.
Before their home game against Welsh club Swansea, fans of both sides were urged to make donations.
The final amount has not yet been release but according to the Metro a club source said it could run into tens of thousands of pounds.
Welsh MP Peter Hain has issued a special thanks to Chelsea for their efforts.
Great news for tiny League Two side Aldershot, they are at home to mighty Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
United will almost certain field a weakened side but it’s still a great boost for Aldershot fans who will get the chance to see some world famous players in their compact EBB Stadium.
The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may be under a bit of pressure at the moment because of their poor start to the season but the Frenchman is still a voice of reason and sanity in the crazy world of Premier League football.
So it is worthy listening when he warns that global economic problems could lead to lower attendances.
“First of all we had disappointing results recently and the second factor is that we are going towards a huge financial crisis,” said Wenger.
“The stadiums will be less quickly full and we have noticed that already.
“You can look at all the clubs in England and the Premier League seats go slower and slower out. We are maybe a special case because we had disappointing results but the other clubs had the same problem.”