Archive for June, 2010

Advancement

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

The World Cup is the perfect time for the football world to congregate and share its talents for all to see. Every four years the rules get a tweak and the game is introduced to new types of technology, for example the Jubilani ball, that help improve the speed and fluidity of the sport.

In the midst of this year’s carnival France have been a disgrace. The thing that rankles most about their puerile tantrums is that they clearly cheated to get to the finals and have denied a honest bunch of Irishmen their chance to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage of all.

I feel most disappointed for John O’Shea, a player who is now in the top 20 for appearances for United and a man who has played in every position available for us on a football pitch. John is an advocate of Concave football boots, a new, innovative brand that provide the wearer with increased power and accuracy when striking the ball.

The French team in maximum sulk mode
John is a unique player for us and were it not for the superhuman efforts of Ronaldo and Rooney over the last couple of years he could well have been our player of the season. This can in no small part be down to the choice of equipment he takes with him to work. “The boots are unique in design and offer exclusive technology which hasn’t been seen before.” Says the man, I will certainly be checking out a pair myself in the near future.

John O’Shea’s Concave boots
Whilst O’Shea has not been blessed with the deftness of touch of some of his contemporaries, I find has attitude to the game to be just as inspirational. He is a guy whose hard work and attention to detail are a terrific example to all our younger fans.

One can only imagine what kind of an effort the Irish would have put in had they made it to the finals this year, but we can be certain that it would have been far superior to that of our Gallic cousins. I for one am simpky grateful that O’Shea will be lining up for United again next season.

Enjoy the rest of the World Cup.

For more information about Concave boots click here.

Photography courtesy of Yum9me@flickrccoms and Concave

World Cup Roving

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Mark kicks imaginary ball

Mark kicks imaginary ball

This is Mark Payne, he is 702 Breakfast World Cup Rover. Mark has been out every morning across Sydney soaking up the world cup with fans of every nation. He will be out every morning speaking to Adam on 702 Breakfast.
Indeed

Indeed


On Monday Morning Mark was with the German fans down at the Rocks watching them whack Australia 4-0.

On Tuesday Morning, Mark was out in Norton street Leichhardt as the world cup holders Italy drew 1-1 with Paraguay.

A new vendetta?

A new vendetta?


On Wednesday Mark Joined Brazil’s fans as they played their opening world cup match against North Korea. The South American won 2-1.
Tough life innit?

Tough life innit?


Cold but happy

Cold but happy


This morning, Mark was with South African and Uruguay fans as they did battle, the South Americans coming out on top 3-nilopup

World Cup Rover: Germany vs Australia

Monday, June 14th, 2010

As many of you will know, I am working as a roving fan reporter for the ABC in Sydney this World Cup. This morning I had the pleasure of seeing Germany put in the first decent performance of the tournament at the Lowenbrau just across the water from the famous Opera House. Below are some pictures and videos from the shenanigans and I will be posting up a link to the blog and audio of my reports from tomorrow.

Gnomes

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Panorama used to be the pinnacle of investigative news reporting. We did not see those giddy heights scaled in this week’s program on the Glazers. Although I very much liked the allusion that our American owners look somewhat like garden gnomes, it was definitely cheap television. Richard Dimbleby must be spinning in his grave.

What the program did do quite positively was harpoon some of the rubbish that has been in the papers of late. Headlines such as ‘Red Knights Doomed’ and ‘Bid Falters’ have been doing the rounds and there can be little doubt these originate from the American’s PR manoeuvrings.

As far as I can see the situation has not changed, we simply have a little more information about it. More specifically it is now clear the Glazers are indeed broke and that is why they are ripping us off.
What they are doing is the equivalent of paying off one credit card debt with another’s balance, our balance. Personally if I were in a similar financial mess I would sell off an asset, e.g. a car, in order to service my debts. The Glazers appear to be too greedy to do so.

The message from the lawyer was most chilling; “They are businessmen and will not give in.” I would suggest that we must meet such determination with similar zeal. Fergie said after the 2008 Champion’s League final, “we had a bit of a cause, and people with a cause are difficult to barter with.” That is precisely the position we are in now.
globe.jpg
Again, it is imperative that we hit them in the pocket. I would urge all United season ticket holders not to renew and all fans to abstain from official merchandising for the time-being. These parasites must go.

Many of us will feel that with no immediate pay-off our efforts are in vain. I would like to remind you of the story of the Wright Brothers. They were told that flight was impossible, that greater men than they had tried and failed to get man airborne. They did give in; they kept going and believed in their vision. The rest is history.

I believe in Manchester United, I have a vision of us as a fan owned club in the near future. Do not give in.

Photography courtesy of FadderUri at flickrCcoms.com

Mark is reporting on the World Cup for the Abc and you can follow him on twitter here or at TheDevilinMe