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Digging in a Habari sandpit

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Saturday 22 November 2008

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Charlton on Best

I always was led to believe that Bobby Charlton and George Best didn't get on. I read it in books and interviews and heard it from various different sources. Of course, this fact wasn't a total surprise as the two gentlemen did appear to be completely different personalities with rather contrasting interests and, err, hobbies.

A month ago, I saw Charlton interviewed by Michael Parkinson where he recounted his memories of the Munich air crash. Charlton also talked about the frustration of playing alongside Best:

'So I made a run forward 'Pass it George, pass it.' George dribbles down the wing and cuts back inside. I move into space. 'Here George - pass it here. Now'. George continues on a mazy run past another three defenders. I move into the box 'George - come on. For God's sake, pass it now - oh what a great goal, George.'

Then Bobby Charlton recalled visiting Best with Dennis Law during his final days in a London hospital. Best was drugged and drifting in and out of consciousness and didn't recognise his two friends. Bobby Charlton had tears in his eyes and his voice was quivering. It really was an incredibly moving and emotional moment.

So, if anyone tells you Bobby Charlton hated George Best, just ask them to watch that interview.

another mangerial casualty

London - 5 November 2007 The football world was left reeling after Norman Brightside was fired last night. The long serving manager of Whiteside Wanderers was summarily dismissed when the club released a terse statement on their website.

'36 points. That's rubbish. You're fired.'

After a pre-season of great promise, big money transfers and high expectations from fans, Whiteside Wanderers have endured a poor start to the season and are positioned second from bottom after a string of inconsistent performances and bad results. Brightside defended his record: 'Don't look at me. Look at the players. They just haven't performed. The team has continually been wracked by injuries (Scholes, Rooney), suspensions (Ronaldo, Carsson) and loss of form (Berbatov).' The Chairman offered a slightly different view: 'The manager's lost it. He has made some bizarre selections (Noble, McShefferey). His stubborn refusal to even contemplate the purchase of a Liverpool or Manchester City player was the last straw. I negotiated a deal with Liverpool to get Gerrard for £56 million but he refused. The man is a stubborn idiot and is living in a fantasy world.' Brightside was left fuming at claims he had 'lost the dressing room'. 'That's absolutely absurd. The dressing room is on the right just after the toilets. I can find it with my eyes shut.' Brightside was coy about his plans for the future and refused to confirm or deny rumours of a £7.50 pay-off. The tabloid press are convinced he will team up with Sammy Lee and take over at managerless Stevenage, a Subbuteo team languishing in the Ryman Premier League. 'Some think Stevenage would be a retrograde step but there's great potential there. Besides, Sammy wants to go somewhere where the players look up to him.'

balls up

Q: Who on earth could manage to screw up a Cup draw involving just four teams ? A: The Scottish FA. Reminds me of a funny Not The Nine O'Clock News sketch where the draw is made for the FA Cup Final

'Number 2 - Arsenal ...will play Number 1 - Liverpool and that completes the draw for the FA Cup Final. '

Arsenal v Sunderland

I was lucky enough to accompany Norman Junior to the Emirates Stadium yesterday to see Arsenal thrash Sunderland 3-2. An ex-colleague has two season tickets (Section C, Row 4) and kindly offered them to me. Although Arsenal aren't my team, it was still great to go and see a match as opposed to my usual viewpoint perched on my barstool. The Emirates Stadium is really impressive. The view for all spectators is superb, there is plenty of legroom and the seats are actually padded. We had a brilliant view from row 4 in the Arsenal 'end' and we watched the Arsenal goalies warming up. Bizarrely, Arsenal fans derive a disproportionate amount lot of pleasure simply from spotting their mates in another section of the ground. As always, Sunderland brought an impressive, loyal and vocal support for an away fixture which the FA had helpfully scheduled for a 12 noon kick-off on Sunday. The game got underway and Arsenal started impressively, stroking the ball around. Arsenal created early chances at will and deservedly took the lead after just 7 minutes when van Persie rocketed a free kick in off the underside of the cross bar. Sunderland were still chasing shadows and Arsenal doubled the lead after 15 minutes when Phillipe Senderos managed to wrong-foot Craig Gordon. While the two early goals made for a decent atmosphere ('You're just a small town in Scotland'), I was starting to fear the worst for Roy Keane's Sunderland. The onslaught continued and the unfortunate Diaby had another goal ruled out for offside. He had also netted just after the award of the free kick for the opening goal. Thankfully, against the run of play, somehow Sunderland managed to conjure a goal out of nothing before half-time when Almunia (dodgy dyed hair) blocked a shot which fell nicely for Wallace who scored. Urged on by the tremendous away support, unbelievably Sunderland equalised early in the second half when a powerful Jones header squirmed under Almunia's (dodgy keeper) body into the net. Arsenal increased the tempo to regain the lead and maintain their lead at the top of the table. The Arsenal fans started to get restless. Toure nearly broke a post with a powerful drive from 30 yards. The young, pacy Theo Walcot came on as substitute and also struck the woodwork. Unfortunately, just when I thought Sunderland might hang on for a point, Robin van Persie latched on to a Walcott cross with a quick finish to ensure justice was done. Having just recovered from Noble's recent assault at West Ham, Alexander Hleb was caught by a late, late challenge which earned McShane a red card and prompted a rare spark of humour from the Arsenal fans ('just like your manager'). Attendance: 60,098 Pictures from a prawn sandwich munching, day tripper.

upside down season

I'm confused. Arsenal are playing like Chelsea. Manchester City are playing like Brazil. Manchester United are playing like Manchester City. Chelsea are playing like Northwich Victoria. Tottenham are playing like Wigan Athletic Derby are playing like Watford. Chelsea players are haranguing match officials like Manchester United. Emmanuel Adebayor is playing with the swagger and arrogance of Thierry Henry. In fact, I am so confused I am taking a day trip (and prawn sandwiches) to the Emirates Stadium next Sunday to watch Arsenal versus Sunderland.