Football Diary
by Patrick O’Connor

WATCHING Liverpool’s Europa League win over Steaua Bucharest on television on Thursday night, it was sad to see gaping holes in the crowd.  Anfield, one of the most famous stadiums in the world, has a capacity of over 45,000, but was only just over half full.

FOOTBALL is a wonderful game, capable of providing breathtaking entertainment and excitement but there is a dark side where greed and financial madness run rampant, and that has never been more apparent than during this last week.

MOST football fans have a favourite goal, one they love to recall over sessions in the pub.

Such sporting classics are often surrounded by an aura of wonderment, goals so special that their images live on in the minds of those fortunate enough to have witnessed them, either live or on television.

THE last few days have been a bumper one for accountants, private health hospitals, solicitors, agents and the like who are involved with the football industry.

It’s transfer window time again with the deadline set at 6pm on Tuesday, August 31.  September 1 is also the deadline for Premier League clubs to announce their 25 man squads so a host of decisions weren’t made until to the last minute.

by Patrick O’Connor

IT’S the classic Catch 22 situation for a football manager:  The transfer window still has a week to run before it slams shut, putting an end to permanent moves until January.

Football Diary
by Patrick O’Connor

It’s back! The Premier League, with all its financial insanity and hype, has returned to action and from the outset I must confess some self-interest when it comes to  the fortunes of newcomers Blackpool.

They were promoted from the Championship via the play-offs last season and are rated by many as the least equipped side ever to tackle football’s top league.