It was inevitable
SOME of the 2,000 Millwall fans who were allowed into the Den last weekend drew widespread condemnation when they booed their own players for taking the knee before the game against Derby. Why the condemnation? I wrote a couple of weeks ago that when the supporters were eventually allowed back that this action was inevitable given the sinister background to the gesture and so it came to pass. The reactions from the woke brigade were as ever entirely predictable exclaiming, among other things, that what else could you expect from a club proven to be a bunch of retarded racists? Now, I’m not saying that Millwall supporters are a bunch of angels (I speak from experience), but I would argue that they’re no worse than many other groups of English footie fans and the BLM movement does itself no favours at all with their overtly political stance and adoption and usage of the black power salute. The Guardianistas and their fellow travellers were obviously very upset by the Millwall fans. But to describe the club and area as racist to the core is an insult to the majority of Millwall fans, who are decent people who probably don’t subscribe to a political movement that wants to defund the police, end capitalism, and change all our lives for the worst. More power to their elbow I would say. While we’re about it keep politics out of sport, which, to many people, is their sanctuary from the nitty-gritty of daily life. A sanctuary where, in my day, I wasn’t paying out hardearned dosh to be lectured to and patronised by my “betters”, who seem to want to take over my thought processes and advance their own sick agenda. 1984 anyone?
Let them play
Portsmouth, Norwich, Cardiff, West Ham, Leeds, Chelsea, Crystal Palace: what do these teams have in common? All are relative latecomers to football having been founded between 1898 and 1918. Meanwhile Marine FC of the BetVictor Northern Premier League First Division North West predates all these esteemed names, having been founded in 1894. They have been at their current ground since 1903 and it is at that venue where they hope to play Spurs in the FA Cup third round in January. At the time of writing the assumption is that the game will go on as planned in Crosby on January 10, but the local killjoys are keeping a watchful eye on the ground’s suitability for social distancing and will move the game to Anfield if necessary. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen because if any tie sums up the magic of the cup it’s this one, with arguably the greatest disparity between the teams in the history of the cup.
Have they really thought this through?
One thousand fans at the Ally Pally for the darts over Christmas, with alcohol being served without the requirement for “substantial” meals. Sounds good until you then discover that access to toilets will “probably” be denied. Darts fans plus copious amounts of alcohol and no toilets – what could possibly go wrong?
Numbers of the week
Four, five: since the beginning of October Arsenal have scored four goals while committing five foul throws.
Team of the week
Nick Pope Burnley, Reece James Chelsea, Eric Dier Spurs, Fabinho Liverpool, Wesley Fofana Leicester, Pierre-Emile Hoejbjerg Spurs, Allan Everton, Mason Mount Chelsea, Marcus Rashford United, Harry Kane Spurs, Wilfried Zaha Palace. Manager: Jose Mourinho Spurs.
This week’s games
Premier League today 2:30; Wolves vs Villa. 5pm; Newcastle vs West Brom. 7:30; United vs Citeh. 10pm; Everton vs Chelsea. Tomorrow 2pm; Southampton vs Sheffield United. 4:15; Palace vs
Spurs. 6:30; Fulham vs Liverpool. 9:15; Arsenal vs Burnley, Leicester vs Brighton. Tuesday 8pm; Wolves vs Chelsea. 10pm; Citeh vs West Brom. Wednesday 8pm; Arsenal vs Southampton, Leeds vs Newcastle, Leicester vs Everton. 10pm; Fulham vs Brighton, Liverpool vs Spurs, West Ham vs Palace. Thursday 8pm; Villa vs Burnley. 10pm; Sheffield United vs United. Selected Scotland; today 5pm; Accies vs Hibs. Tomorrow 2pm; Dundee United vs Rangers. 5pm; Celtic vs Kilmarnock. Tuesday League Cup 10pm; Alloa vs Hibs. Wednesday League Cup 10pm; St Mirren vs Rangers. Stand out games; today United vs Citeh, Wednesday Liverpool vs Spurs.
Best moment
Came from rugby league on Monday when Leeds Rhinos director of football Kevin Sinfield crossed the line at Saddleworth to complete his seventh marathon in seven days in support of his old Rhinos teammate Rob Burrows, who has motor neuron disease. Sinfield, at the time of writing, has raised an astonishing £2.3 million for the cause which is an
incredible sum and a fitting tribute to his long-time friend. Credit also to Castleford Tigers player Oliver Holmes, who opted to cycle 100km a day for seven days, also in tribute to Rob Burrows. These guys are a credit to rugby league.
Another great passes on
The Beeb has had many great commentators over the years and none were better than those that kept us informed throughout the latter part of the last century. Peter Alliss passed away last weekend to join that great pantheon of BBC commentators such as Bill McLaren, Dan Maskell, David Coleman, Cliff Morgan, Henry Longhurst, Harry Carpenter, along with others too many to mention. Alliss had a wickedly irreverent sense of humour which he wouldn’t have got away with today, but to my generation of golf fans as soon as he succeeded the great Mr Longhurst he carried on the tradition of excellence. RIP.
F1
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
tomorrow 3:10. This is the last race of one of the strangest ever F1 seasons and most teams will be glad to see the end of the 2020 season.
And finally
Last week’s question: Vardon, interlocking, and ten finger describe what in which sport? They are of course the types of grips used by golfers to hold the club. Most players favour the interlocking and the Vardon while some of the more powerful golfers go for the ten finger, which closely resembles the way a baseball player grips his bat.
This week: since the inception of the Champions League only two English managers have finished top of their group stage. Name them and what is their connection?
Addressing George Offord as “wee slikkit cowering tim’rous beastie” the other day after he sneaked away to avoid a wee spot of bother, the wife was somewhat taken aback when he retorted “you shouldnae tak the Roberts name in vain”. Her reply? “What was that thing he had with spiders?” You wouldn’t think she is half Scottish.