Newsletter #1236

Tonight features a World Cup theme: as England scuff another result, the similarities with City come to the fore for Joel, Steve’s been eyeing up the potential cheap buys, we’ve an ode to Poll, and WC Blogs.

OPINION: WC POTENTIAL

So far, looking for someone who’s worth the very small money we can pay, my pick would be Kader Mohammed of Togo. Quick, direct striker, a good age (27), scored a tremendous goal against Korea in the first game, and looked the most dangerous threat by a long way in the second game against the Swiss.

Oh, and he’s currently playing for Guingamp in the French second division, so maybe he’s affordable…

Anyone else impressed by this guy?

OPINION: CLUB BEFORE COUNTRY?

Being a Blue is…

I’m tired and hungover after watching England’s lacklustre, unconvincing display against Ecuador. The similarities between City and England are huge. I am not, I’m sure, alone in an almost masochistic way, of wanting Ecuador to stick one in last night. I personally cannot support two teams that habitually let you down. I don’t have the resources nor the energy. They always promise much, offer little.

Ok I want England to do alright so I can take the piss out of my German, Italian, Spanish et al clients – but I fear, they will be good natured Europeans, pat me on my back and say ‘hard luck’ Joel. After which I can come out with my – ‘I don’t care about England’ spiel. But whereas in a World Cup scenario, if your team ain’t doing so good, you want your ‘second’ team to do well after you’ve been dumped out (we’ve all done it – Brazil, Italy, Spain anyone?), on the home front this isn’t at all possible.

There are no split allegiances. If City lose one more time – I’m not going: ‘right, I’m off supporting the scousers or Rochdale or starting my own splinter club…’ It does not happen, you love ’em and you’ll always love ’em. You are an addict and you cannot kick it. This is why there are no jealousies in football, and those sad Red idiots who quote jealousy as one of the main reasons we ‘hate’ United are wrong. Grow up. Supporting a football team is the ultimate devotion. You don’t get jealous about it. There isn’t one person who will read this who will be jealous of Chelsea or Arsenal or Salford or whoever, why would you? It is exact science. I love my club and that is how it is. No loyalty division whatsoever.

There are however, enormous regrets. The missed Fowler penalty (for what we can almost entirely blame for the McClaren/England job), those Dunnie own goals, resigning Dickov. I mean he was an average Division Two player at best. Er yar, Paolo bagging a brace in the World Cup, we re-sign Dicky? Genius.

I trust Pearce, and I trust Macintosh. I have my doubts about Wardle and Tueart, as you may well know – but we have to sort the basics out. I have renewed, and I probably will next year. City is about more than money. It’s about life. City is letting me down though. I am tiring, and I am angry. But I cannot do anything other than vent my spleen here and there, penning almost re-re-re-written prose.

Don’t tell me, those guys who haven’t renewed, won’t be texting their mates at a quarter to five every, Sunday (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!) for the results? You betchya will.

It’s a tough job being a Blue, but we are Blue and we’ll always be Blue, and that is in itself absolutely bloody brilliant. Regardless of the worst home kit in all our history. We are top, and we are still here – just. So when all those berks, leg it down at 7am the morning after England get beat by Portugal, to remove those flags they have emblazoned on their cars – out of sheer embarrassment, you will still see me with my City air freshener. I’m not being cynical, I’m cynical about newspapers, TV and politics, not life, death and City. It’s what it’s all about; City air fresheners – that make your hands stink when you’re tying the elastic string together.

I’m off back to bed. I’m clobbered.

OPINION: CONTRACTUAL ABILITY

I think Jean-Francois was missing my point somewhat. I do realise that not all the other club supporting members of City staff could have been responsible for agreeing the contract with Reebok. However, one of them does know who is responsible for agreeing the design of the new kits rather than suggesting the club had no say in its design.

And by the way one other point, I didn’t actually mention any names and would also point out to the best of my knowledge Ian Howard is a City fan through and through, and was involved in the excellent work done on the season ticket renewals packs.

BLUE HUMOUR

I threw together this little piece to celebrate the performance of one of our favourite referees. Maybe we can sing it to him when he next visits Eastlands to celebrate his part in showing the world the level to which English football referees aspire and to show appreciation for his even-handed refereeing of matches such as Arsenal (H) last season.

Graham Poll, he shows one
Now the fun has just begun
With a nick-nack paddy-wack give the dog a bone
Graham Poll is coming home

Graham Poll, he shows two
What is Simonic to do?
With a nick-nack paddy-wack give the dog a bone
Graham Poll is coming home

Graham Poll, he shows three
Now he’s making history
With a nick-nack paddy-wack give the dog a bone
Graham Poll is coming home

Graham Poll, he shows red
Is he off his f**king head?
With a nick-nack paddy-wack give the dog a bone
Graham Poll is coming home

Sorry for the descent into swearing in the last verse. That probably rules it out of the next Junior Blues song competition.

REQUEST: BORROWS BLOG

Any Blues out there wishing to spark debate can post a message on the blog at http://www.4thegame.com/features/blogs/borrows-blog/

MCIVTA FAQ [v0506.02]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

Articles (Heidi Pickup)          : editor@mcivta.city-fan.org
News/rumour (Don Barrie)         : news@mcivta.city-fan.org
Subscriptions (Madeleine Hawkins): subscriptions@mcivta.city-fan.org
Technical problems (Paul)        : paul@city-fan.org
FAQ (David Warburton)            : faq@mcivta.city-fan.org

[2] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

Deadlines for issues are nominally 6pm, Monday and Thursday evenings bu email. Unfortunately we cannot accept email attachments.

[3] MCIVTA Back Issues and Manchester City Supporters’ home page

http://www.uit.no/mancity/ is the unofficial Manchester City Supporters’ home page. Created in 1994, it is the longest running of the Manchester City related web sites. Back issues of MCIVTA are also hosted on the site.

[4] What is the club’s official web site?

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/

[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

Manchester City FC recognises three supporters’ clubs: The “Official Supporters Club” (http://www.mcfcosc.com/); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.reddishblues.com/CSAWebsite/CSA.htm) and “The International Supporters’ Club”.

[6] Where can I find out about the fans’ committee?

The Fans’ Committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. The Fans’ Committee has been relaunched as “Points of Blue”. It has appeared on the club website as a minor entry under “Fans Zone”.

[7] What match day broadcasts are available on the web?

The GMR pre and post match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/gmr/sport_intro.shtml.

Live match commentaries and archives of games, reports and interviews can be found at http://mcfc.videoloungetv.com/do/preLogin?clubSiteCode=MCFC&CMP=AFC-003.

[8] Where can I find out if City are live on satellite TV?

http://www.satfootball.com/pl.html provides a listing of Premiership games being shown on UK domestic and foreign satellite channels. Useful sites for North American viewers are http://www.foxsportsworld.com/named/FSW/Index/Soccer, http://www.soccertv.com/, and http://www.livesoccertv.com/.

[9] Do we have a Usenet newsgroup?

Yes we do: uk.sport.football.clubs.man-city is our home on usenet. If you are not familiar with usenet, a basic explanation is available here: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci213262,00.html

[10] Do any squad members have their own web pages?

There are a number available and direct links can be found at http://www.uit.no/mancity/players/

[11] Can I buy shares in the club?

Yes you can: Shares in Manchester City PLC are traded on OFEX. The latest prices can be on found the OFEX web site http://www.ofex.com/ (registration required) or in the business section of the Manchester Evening News.

[12] Where can I find match statistics?

Statistics for the current season are available from the club site, but for a more in-depth analysis try http://www.mcfcstats.com/.

[13] Where can I find a list of City-related websites?

Try Wookie’s Lair: http://www.wookieslair.com/modules.php?name=Web_Links

DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in MCIVTA are entirely those of the subscribersand there is no intention to represent these opinions as being thoseof Manchester City Football Club, nor of any of the companies anduniversities by whom the subscribers are employed. It is not inany way whatsoever connected to the club or any other relatedorganisation and is simply a group of supporters using this mediumas a means of disseminating news and exchanging opinions.

Heidi Pickup, editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

Editor: