Football Diary 13

Football Diary

by Patrick O’Connor

WHAT is it about the Germans and their business sense? They seem to be faring better than most in the Euro crisis and now one of England’s top football writers suggests that the German model is the one to adopt when it comes to running football clubs.

James Lawton, of The Independent, who is also Sports Writer of the Year, was last week speculating on how the Premier League could move away from the situation where unless your club is owned by a wealthy benefactor you’ve got no chance of winning anything.

“So what is the solution?” asked Lawton. “There isn’t one this side of the extremely unlikely possibility that the Premier League is prepared to create a huge revolution in the working of the top flight of English football and do what the Bundesliga does.

“This is to forbid any majority control of a single football club by a single business interest. Forty-nine per cent is fine, but no more than that because the Germans in their wisdom do understand business – it is probably why they remain the last hope of financial reality on Europe.”

Will his words be heeded? No chance.

Footballers are sometimes labelled as not being the sharpest tool in the box and the unfortunate Crystal Palace player Andy Dorman has done nothing to refute that tag.

After completing a loan move to Bristol Rovers, Dorman confessed he didn’t know what league they played in!

He’s committed to playing for the League 2 side until January 2 but the midfielder told BBC Radio Bristol: “ If I’m being honest I thought they were still in League One.”

Not so bright either is Ryan Frances, a defender with Scottish Third Division club East Stirlingshire. He’s just got himself banned for FOURTEEN games after being sent off in the Scottish Cup tie against Buckie Thistle.

His charge sheet is pretty impressive – excessive misconduct involving violent conduct, dissent, the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language. The 19 year old was also found guilty of the adoption of aggressive behaviour towards a match official. He was accused of placing hands on referee Barry Cook – something the Scottish Football Association promised to penalise heavily this season.

A statement on the club’s website read: “Ryan has been informed by the club that his behaviour in this incident was unacceptable.

“He has apologised for his conduct to the club, coaches and his team mates. He repeated that apology to the SFA disciplinary panel.

“He has also been informed that it is likely the club will take its own disciplinary action over this incident now that the SFA procedures have been concluded.”

I’m not surprised to see that Newcastle United’s decision to rename their famous St James’ Park ground the Sports Direct Arena has already met strong resistance.

The city’s council has announced it will not be paying to alter signs showing cars and ­pedestrians the way to the ground.

Councillor Henri Murison said: “The football club is part of the beating heart of the city, and while the council values its ­relationship with the club, it has no plans to change any existing wayfinding signs which bear the name St James’ Park.

“As far as the fans and Newcastle City Council are concerned, the home of Newcastle United will always be known as St James’ Park.

“It’s recognised around the world and the decision to change it, without consultation, will upset the ­overwhelming majority of fans who loyally support the team week in and week out.

“While I understand the ­commercial reasons for renaming sport venues when they relocate, this is not the case in this instance. Some things are beyond profit when they mean so much to people.

And Nexus, who run the Metro system, added: “We are not renaming St James’ Metro station.”