The World Cup is almost here but there is still plenty of football before that. Brentford, of course, wait to find out their final Championship opponents (hopefully Leyton Orient and the Loftus Road mob) whilst, today, Hull City AFC take on Arsenal in the FA Cup final at the W place in North London.
I’ll be tuned in to ITV this afternoon, hoping that Hull City get the chance to take their celebrations to Slade-like levels. This is not a particular pop at Arsenal, although I am sure most neutrals would prefer their barren streak continued, but more because of the way it would round off the year for their supporters.
Any regular reader of this column will be aware of the ‘No to Hull Tigers’ campaign which was, eventually, successful. The team remains as Hull City AFC whilst their owner Doctor Assem Allam now needs to rethink his marketing plans somewhat.
So for them it promises to be a celebratory occasion but I can’t help feeling slightly let down. For me, the FA Cup is all about day-long coverage and the legend that is Jim Rosenthal.
To read the rest of this article, season 2013/14 is now available to download onto Kindle, in full. Containing previously unseen content, you can do so here for less than the cost of one matchday programme.
Thanks for reading over the course of the campaign. For now I need to make space on this page for any follow up. The ‘close season’ / World Cup columns continue in full, further on in this site.
Is this the most unwelcome transfer rumour of the season?
16 DecThe football world was rocked yesterday by the suggestion of the BBC Football League show being axed once the current campaign ends. Whilst nothing has been confirmed as yet, several newspapers were reporting that Channel Five had secured the Football League highlights package from the end of this season.
To read the rest of this article, season 2014/15 is now available to download onto Kindle (and other electronic reading device) in full. Containing additional material and even some (poor) editing, you can get it here for less than the cost of a Griffin Park matchday programme or Balti Pie.
Thanks for reading and all your comments over the course of the season. For now, I need to make more space on the site for any follow up. However, ‘close season’ will continue in full, further along.
Tags: 2013/14, Alan Judge, albatross, Alex Pritchard, BBC, Bees, Beesotted, Betinho, blog, book, Brentford, Brentford FC, celebrated, Celebrating like they'd won the FA Cup, Championship, Channel five, Clem, Clemwatch, comments, Dave Kitson, david button, diary, FA Cup, football, Fulham, Griffin Park, Harlee Dean, ITV, James Tarkowski, Jim Rosenthal, jinx, Jon Toral, Jonathan Douglas, José Ignacio Peleteiro Ramallo, Jota, just don’t mention that penalty, kindle, Leroy Rosenior, Manish, Manish Bhasin, Marcello Trotta, Marcos Tébar Ramiro, Mark Clemmit, Mark Warburton, Matthew Benham, Moses Odubajo, Natalie Sawyer, Nick Bruzon, Nick Proschwitz, penalty, QPR, rumour, Russell Slade, Sam Saunders, Sky bet Championship, Stan Collymore, Steve Claridge, Stuart Dallas, survey, The Football League Show, Toumani, transfer, Trotta, Warbs