1
West Bromwich Albion FC / Yann M'Vila signs short term deal
« on: February 04, 2024, 08:15:56 AM »
Yann M’Vila was at the game yesterday
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2
General Football & Sports / Gary Rowett leaves Birmingham
« on: December 14, 2016, 01:42:18 PM »
Absolute shocker to see Blues have seemingly sacked Rowett, 7th in the league and so much better off than when he took over. Must be more to the story.
3
West Bromwich Albion FC / MOVED: Devaluing the FA Cup
« on: January 06, 2016, 10:06:14 AM »
This topic has been moved to General Football & Sports.
http://westbrom.com/forum/index.php?topic=17773.0
http://westbrom.com/forum/index.php?topic=17773.0
4
West Bromwich Albion FC / West Brom warn of lengthy bans for ticket fraudsters
« on: June 23, 2015, 09:25:01 AM »
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-brom-warn-lengthy-bans-9507368#ICID=sharebar_twitter
Albion launch crackdown on abuse of discount rates as 24-year-old supporter handed six year ban from The Hawthorns for using Under-18 season ticket
West Bromwich Albion are cracking down on over-age adults using Under-18 season tickets through their automated electronic turnstiles.
One supporter has been handed a six year ban from home games as a result.
Stadium Manager/Safety Officer Mark Miles has warned fraudsters that they risk lengthy bans by trying to get around the system.
He said: “One 24-year-old was coming in on an Under-18 ticket. We clocked him and he has been banned for six years to reflect the six years he was coming in for a cheaper rate.
“There has been an element of some supporters pushing their luck and we will be cracking down on this.â€
The supporter concerned did not pay back the difference - hence the ban.
It was acknowledged at the recent Albion Assembly meeting where Miles was a speaker that such supporters were ‘cheating’ other fans.
Albion launch crackdown on abuse of discount rates as 24-year-old supporter handed six year ban from The Hawthorns for using Under-18 season ticket
West Bromwich Albion are cracking down on over-age adults using Under-18 season tickets through their automated electronic turnstiles.
One supporter has been handed a six year ban from home games as a result.
Stadium Manager/Safety Officer Mark Miles has warned fraudsters that they risk lengthy bans by trying to get around the system.
He said: “One 24-year-old was coming in on an Under-18 ticket. We clocked him and he has been banned for six years to reflect the six years he was coming in for a cheaper rate.
“There has been an element of some supporters pushing their luck and we will be cracking down on this.â€
The supporter concerned did not pay back the difference - hence the ban.
It was acknowledged at the recent Albion Assembly meeting where Miles was a speaker that such supporters were ‘cheating’ other fans.
5
General Football & Sports / Football fans to be breathalysed before match
« on: May 02, 2015, 11:29:33 AM »
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/news/11578118/Football-fans-to-be-breathalysed-before-matches.html
Football fans across the country could soon be breathalysed before entering grounds in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour and drunkenness at matches.
The first initiative of its kind will be trialled at Saturday's game between League Two sides, Cambridge United and Burton Albion.
Stewards at Cambridge’s Abbey Stadium will be presented with breathalyser devices called AlcoBlows, which will be used to measure whether fans are too drunk to be allowed entry.
While the breathalysers will not be used on every supporter attending the match, anyone who appears to be intoxicated will be asked to blow into the device.
If they are found to give a sample of 70 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is twice the legal drink drive limit, they will be refused admission.
The scheme is an extension of a system operating in a number of towns and cities across the country where pub and club doormen use breathalysers to bar entry to revellers who are too drunk.
But it is hoped if the scheme works well at Cambridge United it could become a regular feature at some of the bigger grounds including Premier League stadiums.
Sergeant Ian Wood of Cambridgeshire Police said there were a number of alcohol-related laws around sporting events and these included the offence of trying to enter a sports ground while drunk.
He said: “My concern is that fans will be unaware of these offences and I hope that the introduction of the devices will help stewards make empowered decisions about who should enter the ground and educate fans about the ramifications of being drunk at sporting events.
“We accept that a responsible fan may consume a moderate amount of alcohol before a game, however, we are focusing on the overly-intoxicated people who are most likely to become problematic during or after the game.
“The breathalysers will detect anything above twice the legal drink-drive limit.â€
But supporters’ groups said the scheme was unnecessary as football arrests were at their lowest point ever and stewards already had the power to bar fans if they thought they were too drunk.
Amanda Jacks of the Football Supporters' Federation, said: “This unnecessarily demonises football fans for what is, largely, a scheme aimed at pubgoers and clubbers.
“For years stewards have had the discretion to ascertain “drunkenness†and refuse entry to supporters. We’re not entirely sure what is achieved by introducing this new system.
“Last season there were only eight arrests at Cambridge United home games, and a further eight at away games.
“Of those 16 arrests, only three were for offences relating to alcohol. By the Home Office’s own stats, football arrests are at their lowest point ever, and we think that’s a definitely a story worth reporting.â€
A spokesman for The Football Association said the scheme was an independently run initiative and therefore not something it would comment on.
Football fans across the country could soon be breathalysed before entering grounds in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour and drunkenness at matches.
The first initiative of its kind will be trialled at Saturday's game between League Two sides, Cambridge United and Burton Albion.
Stewards at Cambridge’s Abbey Stadium will be presented with breathalyser devices called AlcoBlows, which will be used to measure whether fans are too drunk to be allowed entry.
While the breathalysers will not be used on every supporter attending the match, anyone who appears to be intoxicated will be asked to blow into the device.
If they are found to give a sample of 70 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is twice the legal drink drive limit, they will be refused admission.
The scheme is an extension of a system operating in a number of towns and cities across the country where pub and club doormen use breathalysers to bar entry to revellers who are too drunk.
But it is hoped if the scheme works well at Cambridge United it could become a regular feature at some of the bigger grounds including Premier League stadiums.
Sergeant Ian Wood of Cambridgeshire Police said there were a number of alcohol-related laws around sporting events and these included the offence of trying to enter a sports ground while drunk.
He said: “My concern is that fans will be unaware of these offences and I hope that the introduction of the devices will help stewards make empowered decisions about who should enter the ground and educate fans about the ramifications of being drunk at sporting events.
“We accept that a responsible fan may consume a moderate amount of alcohol before a game, however, we are focusing on the overly-intoxicated people who are most likely to become problematic during or after the game.
“The breathalysers will detect anything above twice the legal drink-drive limit.â€
But supporters’ groups said the scheme was unnecessary as football arrests were at their lowest point ever and stewards already had the power to bar fans if they thought they were too drunk.
Amanda Jacks of the Football Supporters' Federation, said: “This unnecessarily demonises football fans for what is, largely, a scheme aimed at pubgoers and clubbers.
“For years stewards have had the discretion to ascertain “drunkenness†and refuse entry to supporters. We’re not entirely sure what is achieved by introducing this new system.
“Last season there were only eight arrests at Cambridge United home games, and a further eight at away games.
“Of those 16 arrests, only three were for offences relating to alcohol. By the Home Office’s own stats, football arrests are at their lowest point ever, and we think that’s a definitely a story worth reporting.â€
A spokesman for The Football Association said the scheme was an independently run initiative and therefore not something it would comment on.
6
General Football & Sports / England ace held over ‘sex with schoolgirl, 14’
« on: March 02, 2015, 04:32:02 PM »
http://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/report-england-international-arrested-after-alleged-sexual-relationship-with-14-year-old-girl/15753
A potentially massive story breaking in the UK this afternoon
Both the Metro and The Sun are reporting that a Premier League footballer, and England international, has been arrested as the police probe allegations the player had sex with a 14-year-old girl.
The Metro say the player was arrested at his home at 9.15am and that a loaded, but legally held, gun was also found at the house.
A potentially massive story breaking in the UK this afternoon
Both the Metro and The Sun are reporting that a Premier League footballer, and England international, has been arrested as the police probe allegations the player had sex with a 14-year-old girl.
The Metro say the player was arrested at his home at 9.15am and that a loaded, but legally held, gun was also found at the house.
7
West Bromwich Albion FC / Free coach travel to Crystal Palace
« on: February 17, 2015, 07:08:09 PM »
http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/west-bromwich-albion-free-coaches-crystal-palace-2015-2277351.aspx
Club provide free transport for 13th successive season
Albion have released details of this season’s free coach offer for the 316-mile round trip to Crystal Palace.
The Baggies are due to meet the Eagles in a Premier League clash on April 18.
The fixture is subject to potential change were Tony Pulis’s team successful in their FA Cup quarter final against Aston Villa – the weekend of the Palace game is scheduled to stage the semi-finals.
But the club are again planning to put on up to 40 coaches capable of transporting 2,000 fans to Selhurst.
Fans can book their place when they buy their match tickets. A deposit of £1 is required which will then be returned by stewards at the start of the journey.
Club provide free transport for 13th successive season
Albion have released details of this season’s free coach offer for the 316-mile round trip to Crystal Palace.
The Baggies are due to meet the Eagles in a Premier League clash on April 18.
The fixture is subject to potential change were Tony Pulis’s team successful in their FA Cup quarter final against Aston Villa – the weekend of the Palace game is scheduled to stage the semi-finals.
But the club are again planning to put on up to 40 coaches capable of transporting 2,000 fans to Selhurst.
Fans can book their place when they buy their match tickets. A deposit of £1 is required which will then be returned by stewards at the start of the journey.
8
West Bromwich Albion FC / Telling comments about club structure
« on: December 02, 2014, 08:44:03 AM »
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-brom-fans-warned-not-8209623?
Albion boss Alan Irvine has warned fans to expect a quiet January with little business in or out of The Hawthorns.
West Bromwich Albion supporters are hoping for a transfer boost with the team struggling to win games or score goals.
The head coach says he hasn’t even ventured into Terry Burton’s recruitment office since the final day of August.
Albion were yesterday linked with Arsenal’s Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell but Irvine said: “I’m not quite sure where that’s come from.
“I don’t know if we’ll be able to do anything in January or if there will be a bit of business done.
“The structure of this club, as everybody knows, is different and it’s a structure that has worked very well in the past and I’m sure will continue to work well.
“Will there be activity in January? I’m really not too sure.
“I don’t think there will be a lot of activity but who knows? You don’t know what’s going to happen in terms of what offers we may receive for players and then what business we may be able to do ourselves.â€
Turning to the possible addition of Campbell, Irvine said: “Since the window closed I haven’t been in the recruitment room once so I’ve got no idea what the lists are.
“It’s not part of my remit. I am able to focus on the squad we’ve got and as far as I’m concerned I am simply saying, ‘This is our squad’.
“I will do what I’m here to do, which is work with that squad, and if there are changes made to that squad then I will work with those changes.
“You probably need to ask somebody else about the lists.â€
The likes of Silvestre Varela, Sebastian Blanco, Georgios Samaras, Jason Davidson and Chris Baird now look less than ideal summer recruits but any potential sales depend on offers.
“Unless people come in and make offers for players I don’t think that (exits) will happen,†said Irvine.
“The structure is different here so I’m not going to be involved in doing too much as far as January is concerned but you never know what’s going to happen in January.
“You don’t know whether all of a sudden somebody will come in for a player and a decision has to be made.
“As it stands I don’t think there will be an awful lot of activity in January but I could be so far wide of the mark as far as that’s concerned because there can be a domino effect and one move can trigger off other moves.â€
In any case sales have to happen before money is made available.
“I would think that would probably be the case because we have our squad in place and I don’t see us adding to the squad in terms of numbers. I couldn’t see that happening,†said Irvine, who illuminated a problem facing Albion’s backroom team in enticing players to The Hawthorns by claiming even clubs like West Ham offer bigger wages.
“There were one or two on our (summer recruitment) lists but West Ham pay a bit more money than we are able to pay and that’s going to happen.
“Players and agents will try to get the best deal they can and it’s difficult for us to start competing with West Ham on the financial front.
“This club is run extremely well and according to the budgets we’ve got and it’s a strong club because of that.
“It’s important that it remains a strong club because it’s the club that’s most important.â€
Albion boss Alan Irvine has warned fans to expect a quiet January with little business in or out of The Hawthorns.
West Bromwich Albion supporters are hoping for a transfer boost with the team struggling to win games or score goals.
The head coach says he hasn’t even ventured into Terry Burton’s recruitment office since the final day of August.
Albion were yesterday linked with Arsenal’s Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell but Irvine said: “I’m not quite sure where that’s come from.
“I don’t know if we’ll be able to do anything in January or if there will be a bit of business done.
“The structure of this club, as everybody knows, is different and it’s a structure that has worked very well in the past and I’m sure will continue to work well.
“Will there be activity in January? I’m really not too sure.
“I don’t think there will be a lot of activity but who knows? You don’t know what’s going to happen in terms of what offers we may receive for players and then what business we may be able to do ourselves.â€
Turning to the possible addition of Campbell, Irvine said: “Since the window closed I haven’t been in the recruitment room once so I’ve got no idea what the lists are.
“It’s not part of my remit. I am able to focus on the squad we’ve got and as far as I’m concerned I am simply saying, ‘This is our squad’.
“I will do what I’m here to do, which is work with that squad, and if there are changes made to that squad then I will work with those changes.
“You probably need to ask somebody else about the lists.â€
The likes of Silvestre Varela, Sebastian Blanco, Georgios Samaras, Jason Davidson and Chris Baird now look less than ideal summer recruits but any potential sales depend on offers.
“Unless people come in and make offers for players I don’t think that (exits) will happen,†said Irvine.
“The structure is different here so I’m not going to be involved in doing too much as far as January is concerned but you never know what’s going to happen in January.
“You don’t know whether all of a sudden somebody will come in for a player and a decision has to be made.
“As it stands I don’t think there will be an awful lot of activity in January but I could be so far wide of the mark as far as that’s concerned because there can be a domino effect and one move can trigger off other moves.â€
In any case sales have to happen before money is made available.
“I would think that would probably be the case because we have our squad in place and I don’t see us adding to the squad in terms of numbers. I couldn’t see that happening,†said Irvine, who illuminated a problem facing Albion’s backroom team in enticing players to The Hawthorns by claiming even clubs like West Ham offer bigger wages.
“There were one or two on our (summer recruitment) lists but West Ham pay a bit more money than we are able to pay and that’s going to happen.
“Players and agents will try to get the best deal they can and it’s difficult for us to start competing with West Ham on the financial front.
“This club is run extremely well and according to the budgets we’ve got and it’s a strong club because of that.
“It’s important that it remains a strong club because it’s the club that’s most important.â€
9
General Football & Sports / Howard Webb new Technical Director at PGMOL
« on: August 06, 2014, 01:12:14 PM »
http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2014-15/aug/howard-webb-appointed-technical-director-of-PGMOL.html
Howard Webb MBE has been appointed Technical Director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
In taking up the newly created position brings to an end his distinguished 25-year refereeing career.
As Technical Director, Webb will be responsible for overseeing the technical direction and standards that govern the on-field performance of PGMOL’s match officials. He will manage the PGMOL training programme and coaching system and will work extensively on the successful development programme that provides a pathway for referees from Level 3 through to the Select Group.
Additionally Webb will take a public-facing role, informing and educating on refereeing matters. Webb will report to PGMOL General Manager Mike Riley and joins his management team.
"I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career after a wonderfully rewarding 25 years on the pitch," Webb said. "I have spent over a decade with the best seat in the house for Barclays Premier League matches, been lucky enough to be involved in nine UEFA and FIFA tournaments, and taken charge of the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup finals.
"Refereeing has given me so much and it’s important that match officials who have had the rewards remain in the game to pass on their knowledge. I also have much more to learn about the business of refereeing and the best place for me to do that is with PGMOL. It’s an incredibly positive working environment and we all have a common goal of improving refereeing.
"Over the last five years in particular we have made huge strides in terms of our accuracy, fitness and professionalism. The current Select Group are the best referees this country has ever produced and I am thrilled that I not only get the chance to continue working with them but also the opportunity to help develop the next generation of Select Group officials.â€
Riley is pleased that PGMOL will be retaining the knowledge and skills of Webb “the foremost referee of his generation and an inspiration for match officials in this country and around the world†and these will be shared with other officials.
"While we will no longer see Howard’s commanding presence on the domestic and international stage, we have an excellent mix of experienced officials and some very talented younger referees in our 17-strong Select Group," Riley said. "We are very excited that Howard’s knowledge and skills are being retained and shared for them and the rest of PGMOL’s officials.
"The role of PGMOL Technical Director will strengthen refereeing in this country. The game in England does not stand still: clubs are always innovating and looking to improve, and that’s what we are about at PGMOL, too. Last season we trebled the funding for referee coaching and training and we will continue to invest in match officials from the Premier League down to the contributory leagues.
"We want to accelerate the development of referees from the semi-professional game so that we have an even stronger talent pool to pick from at Select Group level. There is no one better to lead on that than Howard Webb.â€
Webb began refereeing in 1989 and progressed through the Northern Counties and Football League to become a Select Group referee in 2003. He has refereed more than 500 Barclays Premier League and Football League matches and officiated in every major domestic final.
A FIFA Elite referee Howard has officiated in eight international tournaments, including two FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships.
In 2010 Webb became the first referee to take charge of the UEFA Champions League Final and the FIFA World Cup Final in the same year.
In 2011 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to football.
Howard Webb MBE has been appointed Technical Director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
In taking up the newly created position brings to an end his distinguished 25-year refereeing career.
As Technical Director, Webb will be responsible for overseeing the technical direction and standards that govern the on-field performance of PGMOL’s match officials. He will manage the PGMOL training programme and coaching system and will work extensively on the successful development programme that provides a pathway for referees from Level 3 through to the Select Group.
Additionally Webb will take a public-facing role, informing and educating on refereeing matters. Webb will report to PGMOL General Manager Mike Riley and joins his management team.
"I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career after a wonderfully rewarding 25 years on the pitch," Webb said. "I have spent over a decade with the best seat in the house for Barclays Premier League matches, been lucky enough to be involved in nine UEFA and FIFA tournaments, and taken charge of the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup finals.
"Refereeing has given me so much and it’s important that match officials who have had the rewards remain in the game to pass on their knowledge. I also have much more to learn about the business of refereeing and the best place for me to do that is with PGMOL. It’s an incredibly positive working environment and we all have a common goal of improving refereeing.
"Over the last five years in particular we have made huge strides in terms of our accuracy, fitness and professionalism. The current Select Group are the best referees this country has ever produced and I am thrilled that I not only get the chance to continue working with them but also the opportunity to help develop the next generation of Select Group officials.â€
Riley is pleased that PGMOL will be retaining the knowledge and skills of Webb “the foremost referee of his generation and an inspiration for match officials in this country and around the world†and these will be shared with other officials.
"While we will no longer see Howard’s commanding presence on the domestic and international stage, we have an excellent mix of experienced officials and some very talented younger referees in our 17-strong Select Group," Riley said. "We are very excited that Howard’s knowledge and skills are being retained and shared for them and the rest of PGMOL’s officials.
"The role of PGMOL Technical Director will strengthen refereeing in this country. The game in England does not stand still: clubs are always innovating and looking to improve, and that’s what we are about at PGMOL, too. Last season we trebled the funding for referee coaching and training and we will continue to invest in match officials from the Premier League down to the contributory leagues.
"We want to accelerate the development of referees from the semi-professional game so that we have an even stronger talent pool to pick from at Select Group level. There is no one better to lead on that than Howard Webb.â€
Webb began refereeing in 1989 and progressed through the Northern Counties and Football League to become a Select Group referee in 2003. He has refereed more than 500 Barclays Premier League and Football League matches and officiated in every major domestic final.
A FIFA Elite referee Howard has officiated in eight international tournaments, including two FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships.
In 2010 Webb became the first referee to take charge of the UEFA Champions League Final and the FIFA World Cup Final in the same year.
In 2011 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to football.
10
West Bromwich Albion FC / Arsenal away moved for Sky
« on: April 04, 2014, 05:13:40 PM »
Tom Ross ?@thegoalzone 7m
West Brom game away at Arsenal has been moved for TV coverage. It'll now be on Sunday 4th May with a 13:30 kick off #wba
West Brom game away at Arsenal has been moved for TV coverage. It'll now be on Sunday 4th May with a 13:30 kick off #wba
11
General Football & Sports / New International Tournament - Nations League
« on: March 27, 2014, 07:47:25 AM »
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/10722834/England-ready-to-play-in-new-Nations-League-as-revolutionary-Uefa-plan-earns-unanimous-backing.html
England ready to play in new Nations League as revolutionary Uefa plan earns unanimous backing
Exclusive: Third major international tournament due to start in 2018 and become biennial event which replaces friendlies and sparks biggest shake-up in football calendar for years
England will take part in a new Nations League from the 2018-19 season after all 54 of Uefa’s members agreed to back the revolutionary competition at its annual Congress this week.
Telegraph Sport has learned that a resolution giving European football’s governing body permission to devise a third major international tournament is expected to be waved through in Kazakhstan this week, paving the way for the biggest shake-up in the football calendar in years.
The precise format of the competition has yet to be confirmed but it is understood that there is almost unanimous support for a biennial event which would replace friendly games and run in parallel with the World Cup and European Championship from 2018.
As it stands, Uefa wants to divide the event into three or four divisions, with promotion and relegation between them.
England would qualify for a 16-team top flight, which would be split into four groups of four, with home and away fixtures taking place alongside qualifying matches for the World Cup and European Championship. Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Holland and Portugal are all likely to join England in the top division.
The winners of each of the four groups would then advance to a ‘Final Four’ tournament at a neutral venue, with two semi-finals and a final taking place over several days during the summer of odd-numbered years.
As well as the carrot of promotion, winners of the lower divisions could be rewarded with wild-card places at future European Championships.
The concept of a Nations League was first proposed by Uefa last year as Michel Platini, the European governing body’s president, sought to restore the prestige of international football.
The success of the Champions League, in particular, sparked concern that what was traditionally considered the highest level of the game had been overtaken by elite club competition.
Uefa’s expansion of the European Championship finals from 16 to 24 teams was also criticised for diluting the quality of its flagship international tournament.
The draw last month for the 2016 European Championship threw up a particularly unattractive set of fixtures for England, who can finish third in Group E and still qualify for the finals.
Greg Dyke, the Football Association chairman, reacted enthusiastically this month to the possibility of playing the likes of Germany, Spain and Italy on a regular basis.
He said: “In principle, we’d be quite interested. The hard thing about that is the detail but I think a Nations League where we played the top nations would be very attractive.”
The FA faces a huge challenge to drum up interest in England’s Group E fixtures and will endeavour to secure a series of glamorous friendlies in the coming years to entice fans to Wembley, on which it still owes £277? million.
England ready to play in new Nations League as revolutionary Uefa plan earns unanimous backing
Exclusive: Third major international tournament due to start in 2018 and become biennial event which replaces friendlies and sparks biggest shake-up in football calendar for years
England will take part in a new Nations League from the 2018-19 season after all 54 of Uefa’s members agreed to back the revolutionary competition at its annual Congress this week.
Telegraph Sport has learned that a resolution giving European football’s governing body permission to devise a third major international tournament is expected to be waved through in Kazakhstan this week, paving the way for the biggest shake-up in the football calendar in years.
The precise format of the competition has yet to be confirmed but it is understood that there is almost unanimous support for a biennial event which would replace friendly games and run in parallel with the World Cup and European Championship from 2018.
As it stands, Uefa wants to divide the event into three or four divisions, with promotion and relegation between them.
England would qualify for a 16-team top flight, which would be split into four groups of four, with home and away fixtures taking place alongside qualifying matches for the World Cup and European Championship. Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Holland and Portugal are all likely to join England in the top division.
The winners of each of the four groups would then advance to a ‘Final Four’ tournament at a neutral venue, with two semi-finals and a final taking place over several days during the summer of odd-numbered years.
As well as the carrot of promotion, winners of the lower divisions could be rewarded with wild-card places at future European Championships.
The concept of a Nations League was first proposed by Uefa last year as Michel Platini, the European governing body’s president, sought to restore the prestige of international football.
The success of the Champions League, in particular, sparked concern that what was traditionally considered the highest level of the game had been overtaken by elite club competition.
Uefa’s expansion of the European Championship finals from 16 to 24 teams was also criticised for diluting the quality of its flagship international tournament.
The draw last month for the 2016 European Championship threw up a particularly unattractive set of fixtures for England, who can finish third in Group E and still qualify for the finals.
Greg Dyke, the Football Association chairman, reacted enthusiastically this month to the possibility of playing the likes of Germany, Spain and Italy on a regular basis.
He said: “In principle, we’d be quite interested. The hard thing about that is the detail but I think a Nations League where we played the top nations would be very attractive.”
The FA faces a huge challenge to drum up interest in England’s Group E fixtures and will endeavour to secure a series of glamorous friendlies in the coming years to entice fans to Wembley, on which it still owes £277? million.
12
General Football & Sports / West Ham get fan arrested for fraud, banned and fined
« on: October 26, 2013, 12:40:41 PM »
Been reading about an 18-year-old West Ham fan that ended up being arrested for fraud for continuing to pay for under-16 tickets when obviously ineligible to do so. He has had his season ticket taken off him which is no surprise and been fined £1150 by the club which appears to be the difference between the adult and under-16 prices for the duration.
http://www.kumb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=150025&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
Interested to get others opinions of this, I've not read all the posts on the above link so not sure where he stands with the Police with regards to the alleged fraud. I notice so many Hammers fans being upset and saying its harsh to fine him so much but what about those in the same situation that were paying full price while he was saving so much money?
One thing I would say is I think it was harsh for the club to get the Police involved, yes technically it is fraud but surely banning him would have been a more simple option.
I know one thing though there are a few fans of other clubs that might start to take notice now if other clubs are likely to go this route as I know a few that do or have done this at all local clubs.
http://www.kumb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=150025&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
Interested to get others opinions of this, I've not read all the posts on the above link so not sure where he stands with the Police with regards to the alleged fraud. I notice so many Hammers fans being upset and saying its harsh to fine him so much but what about those in the same situation that were paying full price while he was saving so much money?
One thing I would say is I think it was harsh for the club to get the Police involved, yes technically it is fraud but surely banning him would have been a more simple option.
I know one thing though there are a few fans of other clubs that might start to take notice now if other clubs are likely to go this route as I know a few that do or have done this at all local clubs.
13
West Bromwich Albion FC / Is it time to change our transfer strategy?
« on: April 24, 2013, 11:33:12 AM »
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-bromwich-albion-chris-lepkowski-2999987
Let me help jog your memory.
West Bromwich Albion, managed by Tony Mowbray, were a week away from playing their first game back in the Premier League, at Arsenal.
They had played their final pre-season friendly against Real Mallorca the previous day, a game in which Neil Clement suffered his final, terminal knee injury.
Manchester United had just beaten Portsmouth on penalties in the Community Shield.
On that Sunday night I was due to meet my mate in a Black Country pub.
I was delayed because Albion had just announced the signing of Abdoulaye Meite from Bolton for a deal of around £2million. A pint was waiting for me when I arrived. All was good in the world.
Apologies for raking up bad memories of a poor player but this particular signing is significant in Albion’s timeline.
It was the last time Albion paid £2million or more (or indeed any significant amount of money) for a player from another Premier League club. They did later spend cash on Nicky Shorey, who arrived for around 1.4million from Villa in July 2010, but that was an exception. The Meite deal remains the notable milestone.
Back in summer 2008, Albion had already spent £3.25million on Liverpool’s Scott Carson and would pay a record £4.7million on Borja Valero before that August window closed.
That Meite was pretty much the last cash signing of such value from a top flight club and that Borja is still the club’s record signing tells you a lot about Albion’s transfer policy in the five years since.
Albion were relegated in 2008/09 and things changed.
Around then I recall a conversation with a senior member of the club’s hierarchy.
The context of what I was told has stuck with me since. It might not be exact, word for word, but the gist of it was: ‘transfer fees are, generally, dead money’. That statement shaped the club’s semi-official transfer manifesto.
Mowbray’s signings during the summer of 2008 were a watershed moment for club - essentially because, with one or two exceptions, they weren’t good enough in the main. The failure of those players prompted a re-think within Albion’s boardroom.
No longer would Albion be willing to shell out several million for little-known Spanish midfielders or Bolton’s reserve defenders.
In the three years since their return to the Premier League in 2010 Albion have only twice spent in the region of £4million - Shane Long in 2011, Ben Foster the following year.
For added perspective, 11 clubs currently in the Championship and a handful of League One clubs have spent more on their record signings.
Transfer fees, of course, don’t always reflect the true worth of a player’s ability. It’s merely a price tag determined by a selling club regarding their value of a particular player.
If you want a more true reflection of a player’s ability or attributes then the wage a player commands is a more accurate barometer - hence why it is no coincidence that a list of clubs’ wage levels in descending order tends to match the finishing position of the Premier League.
Albion, to their credit, have been one of the clubs to buck that trend in the last three seasons.
The Baggies have conducted their transfer business somewhat successfully since that watershed 2008 summer. A combination of scouting and due diligence into players spanning months, sometimes years, has helped bring in high quality players for little cash.
Gareth McAuley, Claudio Yacob, Youssouf Mulumbu and Billy Jones are the obvious success stories.
You sense that Albion regard finding the next Yacob as a challenge, an opportunity to flick a disparaging hand at the Establishment's desire to spend big money as if to say 'you can do it your way...but we've proven we can do it our way.'
It's worked so far. They should be rightly content with their record.
There have been the odd aberrations along the way, but it has generally been a succession of thumbs up.
Steve Clarke said last week this summer’s transfer programme would remain the same - one cash transfer, the rest would be loans and frees.
But now is the right time for Albion’s decision makers to consider a rethink of strategy.
The new media rights’ deal means every Premier League club will be entitled to £65million. How this will impact on this summer’s transfer market remains to be seen.
The Baggies find themselves in a place where they might need to invest a little more than previously to move the club on. They will now have the means to do so.
Whether Albion can continue to prosper within their current modus operandi is debatable.
Their transfer achievements during the last three years should be rightly lauded.
Yet the new TV deal means the football climate stands on the cusp of potential change. We might witness a shift in how the transfer system evolves and Albion have to be ready for that.
What has worked well for the Baggies in recent years might not necessarily be enough in the future.
On that basis, Albion shouldn’t be too dismissive of flexing their transfer protocol if the circumstances are appropriate.
Let me help jog your memory.
West Bromwich Albion, managed by Tony Mowbray, were a week away from playing their first game back in the Premier League, at Arsenal.
They had played their final pre-season friendly against Real Mallorca the previous day, a game in which Neil Clement suffered his final, terminal knee injury.
Manchester United had just beaten Portsmouth on penalties in the Community Shield.
On that Sunday night I was due to meet my mate in a Black Country pub.
I was delayed because Albion had just announced the signing of Abdoulaye Meite from Bolton for a deal of around £2million. A pint was waiting for me when I arrived. All was good in the world.
Apologies for raking up bad memories of a poor player but this particular signing is significant in Albion’s timeline.
It was the last time Albion paid £2million or more (or indeed any significant amount of money) for a player from another Premier League club. They did later spend cash on Nicky Shorey, who arrived for around 1.4million from Villa in July 2010, but that was an exception. The Meite deal remains the notable milestone.
Back in summer 2008, Albion had already spent £3.25million on Liverpool’s Scott Carson and would pay a record £4.7million on Borja Valero before that August window closed.
That Meite was pretty much the last cash signing of such value from a top flight club and that Borja is still the club’s record signing tells you a lot about Albion’s transfer policy in the five years since.
Albion were relegated in 2008/09 and things changed.
Around then I recall a conversation with a senior member of the club’s hierarchy.
The context of what I was told has stuck with me since. It might not be exact, word for word, but the gist of it was: ‘transfer fees are, generally, dead money’. That statement shaped the club’s semi-official transfer manifesto.
Mowbray’s signings during the summer of 2008 were a watershed moment for club - essentially because, with one or two exceptions, they weren’t good enough in the main. The failure of those players prompted a re-think within Albion’s boardroom.
No longer would Albion be willing to shell out several million for little-known Spanish midfielders or Bolton’s reserve defenders.
In the three years since their return to the Premier League in 2010 Albion have only twice spent in the region of £4million - Shane Long in 2011, Ben Foster the following year.
For added perspective, 11 clubs currently in the Championship and a handful of League One clubs have spent more on their record signings.
Transfer fees, of course, don’t always reflect the true worth of a player’s ability. It’s merely a price tag determined by a selling club regarding their value of a particular player.
If you want a more true reflection of a player’s ability or attributes then the wage a player commands is a more accurate barometer - hence why it is no coincidence that a list of clubs’ wage levels in descending order tends to match the finishing position of the Premier League.
Albion, to their credit, have been one of the clubs to buck that trend in the last three seasons.
The Baggies have conducted their transfer business somewhat successfully since that watershed 2008 summer. A combination of scouting and due diligence into players spanning months, sometimes years, has helped bring in high quality players for little cash.
Gareth McAuley, Claudio Yacob, Youssouf Mulumbu and Billy Jones are the obvious success stories.
You sense that Albion regard finding the next Yacob as a challenge, an opportunity to flick a disparaging hand at the Establishment's desire to spend big money as if to say 'you can do it your way...but we've proven we can do it our way.'
It's worked so far. They should be rightly content with their record.
There have been the odd aberrations along the way, but it has generally been a succession of thumbs up.
Steve Clarke said last week this summer’s transfer programme would remain the same - one cash transfer, the rest would be loans and frees.
But now is the right time for Albion’s decision makers to consider a rethink of strategy.
The new media rights’ deal means every Premier League club will be entitled to £65million. How this will impact on this summer’s transfer market remains to be seen.
The Baggies find themselves in a place where they might need to invest a little more than previously to move the club on. They will now have the means to do so.
Whether Albion can continue to prosper within their current modus operandi is debatable.
Their transfer achievements during the last three years should be rightly lauded.
Yet the new TV deal means the football climate stands on the cusp of potential change. We might witness a shift in how the transfer system evolves and Albion have to be ready for that.
What has worked well for the Baggies in recent years might not necessarily be enough in the future.
On that basis, Albion shouldn’t be too dismissive of flexing their transfer protocol if the circumstances are appropriate.
14
General Football & Sports / Alan Pardew given new 8-year contract at Newcastle
« on: September 27, 2012, 03:28:14 PM »
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20120927/eight-year-deals-for-pardew-and-coaches_2281670_2931833
Newcastle United have today given manager Alan Pardew and his three senior coaching staff, John Carver, Steve Stone and Andy Woodman, new eight-year contracts up to the end of the 2019/20 season.
The club has awarded the long-term contracts to ensure it has the stability necessary to achieve consistent success in the Premier League and European club competition.
Mike Ashley and his board have demonstrated their faith in Alan and his staff, and today's announcement sends out an emphatic message that the stability of the coaching team is key to moving the Club forward.
Managing Director Derek Llambias said: "If you look at clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have shown that stability gives you the best platform to achieve success, and that is the model we wish to emulate here.
"We're looking to build on the success we had last season and these new contracts are aimed at keeping the Club progressing on and off the pitch, as we have done since returning to the Premier League in 2010.
"Alan has done a fantastic job over the last couple of years and has proved what a great Premier League manager he is. I have total respect for him in all football matters and have an excellent relationship with him which I think benefits the club enormously.
"Alan also has one of the best backroom teams in the country and I would like to thank John Carver, Steve Stone, and Andy Woodman for all their combined efforts.
"We hope this announcement will be great news for the fans, whose support and commitment to this club over the years has been fantastic."
Back in June 2012, Chief Scout Graham Carr, who has been instrumental in bringing a number of the current squad to the Club, was also rewarded with an eight-year contract.
Newcastle United have today given manager Alan Pardew and his three senior coaching staff, John Carver, Steve Stone and Andy Woodman, new eight-year contracts up to the end of the 2019/20 season.
The club has awarded the long-term contracts to ensure it has the stability necessary to achieve consistent success in the Premier League and European club competition.
Mike Ashley and his board have demonstrated their faith in Alan and his staff, and today's announcement sends out an emphatic message that the stability of the coaching team is key to moving the Club forward.
Managing Director Derek Llambias said: "If you look at clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have shown that stability gives you the best platform to achieve success, and that is the model we wish to emulate here.
"We're looking to build on the success we had last season and these new contracts are aimed at keeping the Club progressing on and off the pitch, as we have done since returning to the Premier League in 2010.
"Alan has done a fantastic job over the last couple of years and has proved what a great Premier League manager he is. I have total respect for him in all football matters and have an excellent relationship with him which I think benefits the club enormously.
"Alan also has one of the best backroom teams in the country and I would like to thank John Carver, Steve Stone, and Andy Woodman for all their combined efforts.
"We hope this announcement will be great news for the fans, whose support and commitment to this club over the years has been fantastic."
Back in June 2012, Chief Scout Graham Carr, who has been instrumental in bringing a number of the current squad to the Club, was also rewarded with an eight-year contract.
15
General Football & Sports / Warwickshire v Worcestershire Friends Life t20 match free tickets
« on: April 17, 2012, 05:06:06 PM »
Not sure if anyone is interested but they are giving away 500 free tickets per day (10,000 in total) for this match on Friday 15th June at Edgbaston. They are limited to two per person and includes a £1.50 booking fee per ticket, all details are on the link below.
Pretty sure they have to give the tickets away as England play Sweden at the Euro's that night so would struggle for a crowd but apparently you can stay there and watch it on the big screens.
http://www.edgbaston.com/news/marston/
Pretty sure they have to give the tickets away as England play Sweden at the Euro's that night so would struggle for a crowd but apparently you can stay there and watch it on the big screens.
http://www.edgbaston.com/news/marston/
16
West Bromwich Albion FC / Gonzalo Jara Reyes facing driving charges
« on: December 19, 2011, 10:59:29 AM »
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/9427033.Albion_ace_Jara_Reyes_faces_driving_charges/
A Brighton and Hove Albion star has been charged with getting behind the wheel while banned for drink driving.
Right-back Gonzalo Jara Reyes missed the club’s 1-0 home defeat to Burnley at the American Express Community Stadium on Saturday because he had been arrested by Sussex Police that morning.
The 26-year-old, who was banned from driving for 17 months in July, is due to appear in court next month accused of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
Jara Reyes was arrested when police stopped an Audi Q7 sportscar in Richmond Terrace, Brighton, on Saturday morning. Police said he was taken into custody at about 11am.
The Chilean international gave his address as Sutton Coldfield and his occupation as "professional footballer".
He was charged and released on bail until a hearing at Brighton Magistrates' Court on January 20.
When asked about his absence in the aftermath of Saturday's defeat, Albion boss Gus Poyet said only that he was missing for "personal reasons".
He said he could not confirm if Jara Reyes would be available for the club's Christmas fixtures.
Brighton and Hove Albion made no comment on his arrest last night.
Jara Reyes moved to the UK in 2009, joining West Bromwich Albion for £1.4 million.
In October he came to the Seagulls on a 13-match loan, which ends when Albion host Southampton on January 2.
He was banned from driving in July after being caught drink driving in May.
A Brighton and Hove Albion star has been charged with getting behind the wheel while banned for drink driving.
Right-back Gonzalo Jara Reyes missed the club’s 1-0 home defeat to Burnley at the American Express Community Stadium on Saturday because he had been arrested by Sussex Police that morning.
The 26-year-old, who was banned from driving for 17 months in July, is due to appear in court next month accused of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
Jara Reyes was arrested when police stopped an Audi Q7 sportscar in Richmond Terrace, Brighton, on Saturday morning. Police said he was taken into custody at about 11am.
The Chilean international gave his address as Sutton Coldfield and his occupation as "professional footballer".
He was charged and released on bail until a hearing at Brighton Magistrates' Court on January 20.
When asked about his absence in the aftermath of Saturday's defeat, Albion boss Gus Poyet said only that he was missing for "personal reasons".
He said he could not confirm if Jara Reyes would be available for the club's Christmas fixtures.
Brighton and Hove Albion made no comment on his arrest last night.
Jara Reyes moved to the UK in 2009, joining West Bromwich Albion for £1.4 million.
In October he came to the Seagulls on a 13-match loan, which ends when Albion host Southampton on January 2.
He was banned from driving in July after being caught drink driving in May.
17
General Football & Sports / Nicklas Bendtner and Lee Cattermole arrested
« on: December 16, 2011, 10:44:28 AM »
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2011/12/16/nicklas-bendtner-and-lee-cattermole-arrested-72703-29964017/
NICKLAS Bendtner and Lee Cattermole were quizzed by police in connection with a car-wrecking spree on Newcastle.
Police launched a probe after a spate of cars were attacked on Stowell Street just streets away from Newcastle’s St James’ Park.
Several cars are believed to have been damaged during the attack, which occurred at around 10pm on Tuesday, December 6.
And the Sunderland footballers, both 23, were arrested yesterday as officers questioned them over the attacks, before being bailed.
They were quizzed on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
Today a spokesman from Northumbria Police said: “Police can confirm that on Thursday, December 15, two men aged 23 were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
“If follows an investigation in to damage caused to cars on Stowell Street in Newcastle city centre, which happened at about 10pm on Tuesday, December 6.”
The alleged damage – which is believed to have targeted at least three cars – happened just days after Sunderland lost 2-1 to Wolves at the Molineux Stadium.
It is believed that officers are scouring CCTV and are still trying to establish how many cars were damaged in the attack.
NICKLAS Bendtner and Lee Cattermole were quizzed by police in connection with a car-wrecking spree on Newcastle.
Police launched a probe after a spate of cars were attacked on Stowell Street just streets away from Newcastle’s St James’ Park.
Several cars are believed to have been damaged during the attack, which occurred at around 10pm on Tuesday, December 6.
And the Sunderland footballers, both 23, were arrested yesterday as officers questioned them over the attacks, before being bailed.
They were quizzed on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
Today a spokesman from Northumbria Police said: “Police can confirm that on Thursday, December 15, two men aged 23 were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
“If follows an investigation in to damage caused to cars on Stowell Street in Newcastle city centre, which happened at about 10pm on Tuesday, December 6.”
The alleged damage – which is believed to have targeted at least three cars – happened just days after Sunderland lost 2-1 to Wolves at the Molineux Stadium.
It is believed that officers are scouring CCTV and are still trying to establish how many cars were damaged in the attack.
18
West Bromwich Albion FC / No home pre-season friendly this summer
« on: May 31, 2011, 11:37:40 AM »
Interesting that Chris Lepkowski has said on his web chat that due to work taking place on the pitch this summer there wont be a home friendly.
19
General Football & Sports / Premier League broadcast payments 2010/11
« on: May 24, 2011, 06:05:20 PM »
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-united-earn-60m-from-premier-league-2288411.html
I originally got these figures from the official Premier League side but this was easier to paste the figures in.
Premier League broadcast payments 2010/11 (previous season in brackets):
Man Utd £60.4m (£53.0m)
Chelsea £57.7m (£52.9m)
Arsenal £56.1m (£51.7m)
Man City £55.5m (£49.6m)
Liverpool £55.1m (£48.0m)
Tottenham £53.1m (£49.5m)
Everton £49.6m (£42.8m)
A Villa £49.1m (£45.9m)
Fulham £47.4m (£38.2m)
Newcastle £47.2m (£12.4m)*
Sunderland £46.4m (£37.4m)
West Brom £45.1m (£12.4m)*
Stoke £43.6m (£39.0m)
Bolton £42.8m (£36.6m)
Blackburn £42.1m (£41.3m)
Wigan £41.3m (£35.0m)
Wolves £40.6m (£35.8m)
West Ham £40.3m (£34.7m)
Birmingham £39.8m (£41.1m)
Blackpool £39.1m n/a
*£12.4m is parachute payment
Earnings: merit money: £756,000 per place in table (max £15.1m, min £756,000); domestic TV cash equal share: £13.8m, £582,000 per televised match (minimum payment £5.82m); overseas TV equal share: £17.9m.
I originally got these figures from the official Premier League side but this was easier to paste the figures in.
Premier League broadcast payments 2010/11 (previous season in brackets):
Man Utd £60.4m (£53.0m)
Chelsea £57.7m (£52.9m)
Arsenal £56.1m (£51.7m)
Man City £55.5m (£49.6m)
Liverpool £55.1m (£48.0m)
Tottenham £53.1m (£49.5m)
Everton £49.6m (£42.8m)
A Villa £49.1m (£45.9m)
Fulham £47.4m (£38.2m)
Newcastle £47.2m (£12.4m)*
Sunderland £46.4m (£37.4m)
West Brom £45.1m (£12.4m)*
Stoke £43.6m (£39.0m)
Bolton £42.8m (£36.6m)
Blackburn £42.1m (£41.3m)
Wigan £41.3m (£35.0m)
Wolves £40.6m (£35.8m)
West Ham £40.3m (£34.7m)
Birmingham £39.8m (£41.1m)
Blackpool £39.1m n/a
*£12.4m is parachute payment
Earnings: merit money: £756,000 per place in table (max £15.1m, min £756,000); domestic TV cash equal share: £13.8m, £582,000 per televised match (minimum payment £5.82m); overseas TV equal share: £17.9m.
20
West Bromwich Albion FC / Loyalty Points - Wolves tickets
« on: April 05, 2011, 01:21:54 PM »
What is the point in having them if you are going to have a game like Wolves away as first come first served?
It is a ridiculous decision not to use them for this game and will leave a lot of people that have been to a fair few away games without a ticket while someone that hasn't been to any or just a couple will get one.
It is a ridiculous decision not to use them for this game and will leave a lot of people that have been to a fair few away games without a ticket while someone that hasn't been to any or just a couple will get one.
21
West Bromwich Albion FC / Rochdale pre-season friendly announced
« on: March 30, 2011, 02:31:52 PM »
http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~2327187,00.html
ALBION have confirmed their first pre-season friendly in preparation for the 2011/12 campaign.
The Baggies will travel to Rochdale on Tuesday, July 26 (ko 7.30pm).
Albion's coaching staff have been regular visitors to Spotland this term as centre-half Craig Dawson immediately returned there on a season-long loan after joining the Baggies for an undisclosed fee in August.
The 20-year-old defender is enjoying an excellent season and made it two goals in as many games in last night's 2-0 win against Charlton - his ninth of the term.
Dale are currently eighth in League One, just five points and two places off the play-offs with a game in hand.
ALBION have confirmed their first pre-season friendly in preparation for the 2011/12 campaign.
The Baggies will travel to Rochdale on Tuesday, July 26 (ko 7.30pm).
Albion's coaching staff have been regular visitors to Spotland this term as centre-half Craig Dawson immediately returned there on a season-long loan after joining the Baggies for an undisclosed fee in August.
The 20-year-old defender is enjoying an excellent season and made it two goals in as many games in last night's 2-0 win against Charlton - his ninth of the term.
Dale are currently eighth in League One, just five points and two places off the play-offs with a game in hand.
22
West Bromwich Albion FC / MOVED: Andre Villas Boas
« on: March 16, 2011, 12:04:49 PM »
This topic has been moved to General Football & Sports.
http://westbrom.com/forum/index.php?topic=623.0
http://westbrom.com/forum/index.php?topic=623.0
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