Comments on: Outside Looking In http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2005/11/26/outside-looking-in/ Football News, Views, Articles and Discussion Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:28:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Justin @ Mr. Green http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2005/11/26/outside-looking-in/#comment-25 Justin @ Mr. Green Sun, 04 Dec 2005 23:00:43 +0000 http://stateofthegame.co.uk/?p=25#comment-25 The funds injected into the game have made available many more live games in faraway countries (albeit to the selected few who are able to afford it). I used to stay in Malaysia, where English football is keenly followed. I remember the days when all the highlights that we could get are "Road to Wembley" and an hour long weekly highlights from the league games. Only occassionally we get to see some live league games. But now, there are about 5 live games every week, and 98% of the games will be shown either live or delayed on satellite TV channels. Fast thinking entertainment outlets quickly set up big screens for the thirsty customers and most importantly their female mates. For the first time ever, girls can actually understand offside rule better than the assistant referees... Coupled with the prolonged slump of the Malaysian national team, the interests in EPL have never been higher. Sadly, many of those are glory hunters, who never stepped into a local football stadium (a Man Utd pre-season friendly could draw 50-60k fans, but a competitive national team game may get as little as 20k supporters). I doubt the days when the beautiful game is also the people's game will ever return. The game has moved too far down the money path for it to make a U-turn. My only wish is that important games such as the World Cup finals games (all, not just the final), FA Cup Final etc will continue to be available live on free-to-air TVs. The funds injected into the game have made available many more live games in faraway countries (albeit to the selected few who are able to afford it). I used to stay in Malaysia, where English football is keenly followed.

I remember the days when all the highlights that we could get are “Road to Wembley” and an hour long weekly highlights from the league games. Only occassionally we get to see some live league games.

But now, there are about 5 live games every week, and 98% of the games will be shown either live or delayed on satellite TV channels. Fast thinking entertainment outlets quickly set up big screens for the thirsty customers and most importantly their female mates. For the first time ever, girls can actually understand offside rule better than the assistant referees…

Coupled with the prolonged slump of the Malaysian national team, the interests in EPL have never been higher. Sadly, many of those are glory hunters, who never stepped into a local football stadium (a Man Utd pre-season friendly could draw 50-60k fans, but a competitive national team game may get as little as 20k supporters).

I doubt the days when the beautiful game is also the people’s game will ever return. The game has moved too far down the money path for it to make a U-turn. My only wish is that important games such as the World Cup finals games (all, not just the final), FA Cup Final etc will continue to be available live on free-to-air TVs.

]]> By: Hylo http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2005/11/26/outside-looking-in/#comment-23 Hylo Sat, 26 Nov 2005 20:25:19 +0000 http://stateofthegame.co.uk/?p=25#comment-23 Your problem was being corrupted by the Darkside jointly at grammar school and locally at "the club" where you picked up those filthy egg chasing ways. Whereas the people I hung about with were diehard football fans (and still are as putting up with those two non-scoring years Windsor Park you would have to be), your mates were more interested in some imaginary country called All Ireland (controversial!) and playing against other big fat men who liked to roll around on the ground and grab other men through the legs. Oops, INTELLIGENT football opinion on this site, I better let my prejudice slip to the side then. You raise some very valid points about the commercialism of the game and to be honest it's one aspect that really puts me off top level football. I think the rampant money grabbing and chasing has done more to damage the game I've continued to love since I was a small child than anything else and that the pursuit of money by clubs and players has only further alienated the fans who ultimately pay their wages. I don't know what can be done to reverse that trend but I do know there is no will amongts the clubs, players or governing bodies to do it which is to be expected. Maybe if they did there would be a return to the game of people who have drifted away to other sports or past times over the years as the modern game continues to sicken their stomachs. Maybe the secret is to get involved at a lower level where money isn't the overriding factor behind people getting involved or playing and it's actually all for the love of the game. Money out, football fans in. Now who wants to put up the cash for the campaign. Mr Murdoch, it's over to you. Your problem was being corrupted by the Darkside jointly at grammar school and locally at “the club” where you picked up those filthy egg chasing ways. Whereas the people I hung about with were diehard football fans (and still are as putting up with those two non-scoring years Windsor Park you would have to be), your mates were more interested in some imaginary country called All Ireland (controversial!) and playing against other big fat men who liked to roll around on the ground and grab other men through the legs. Oops, INTELLIGENT football opinion on this site, I better let my prejudice slip to the side then.

You raise some very valid points about the commercialism of the game and to be honest it’s one aspect that really puts me off top level football. I think the rampant money grabbing and chasing has done more to damage the game I’ve continued to love since I was a small child than anything else and that the pursuit of money by clubs and players has only further alienated the fans who ultimately pay their wages. I don’t know what can be done to reverse that trend but I do know there is no will amongts the clubs, players or governing bodies to do it which is to be expected.

Maybe if they did there would be a return to the game of people who have drifted away to other sports or past times over the years as the modern game continues to sicken their stomachs. Maybe the secret is to get involved at a lower level where money isn’t the overriding factor behind people getting involved or playing and it’s actually all for the love of the game.

Money out, football fans in. Now who wants to put up the cash for the campaign. Mr Murdoch, it’s over to you.

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