Wednesday 5 May 2010

Standing Room Only


Could standing on the terraces at football matches in England be set for a surprising return?

Well, in a recent interview with the three men all vying for the next position as the minister heading up the Department for Sport, Media and Culture the most interesting answer came from the Liberal Democrat candidate Don Foster. Foster suggested that the Liberal Democrats would explore the options for a move towards 'safe standing' areas, with the Conservative candidate Hugh Robertson also open to such a proposal.

After the infamous Hillsborough disaster in 1989 and the much needed regeneration of the English game, standing terraces in the top two tiers of the football pyramid were replaced by seated stands following the Taylor report in 1990.

But now, 20 years on from that damning indictment of the state of English football a return to standing terraces is a real possibility. One argument goes that there is a working model for such a move in the Bundesliga in Germany.

With tickets for football escalating in price and attendances decreasing resulting in more subdued atmospheres the option of safe standing is a popular one amongst many football fans. Borrusia Dortmund houses a 24,000 capacity terrace with vociferous supporters enjoying a superb atmosphere at a reduced cost. This could certainly be seen as one way to bring back alienated fans from clubs who simply can not afford the price of a modern day football match.

Some would argue however that the cost of converting stadiums that have now shifted to all seater is a price that clubs would be reluctant to pay. Of course new build stadiums could have this option, and its certainly something that would be popular with football fans who reminisce about the 'good old days'.

I was lucky (or unlucky) enough to have experienced standing at an FA cup tie in the mid 90's between Plymouth Argyle and Kidderminster Harriers. Unfortunately my memory of that day, beyond a dourer than dour 0-0 draw was the urine stained crumbling concrete of a terrace that was in bad need of rebuilding. It is safe to say that modern day terraces would be less of dilapidated open air public toilet and more state-of-the-art seated convertible terraces as seen so successfully in Germany.



Dortmund offer standing and seating options

Photo: Stadionwelt.de

Tuesday 4 May 2010

If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.


Is it time for Rafael Benitez to leave Liverpool? In short, Yes. It's not about success or failure so much, it's more about stagnation, staleness and constant thirst for change in football.

LIverpool have been moderately successful under the auspices of Rafa. The Champions League victory in 2005, in such dramatic circumstances is something that has eluded some of the best managers in the world, most notably a one Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Liverpool followed their Champions League win with arguably an even more dramatic F.A Cup win the following year.

Nevertheless those victories came in 2005 and 2006 respectively, and whilst other teams have moved on and progressed, Liverpool haven't quite reached the potential that the early Benitez reign promised.

Whilst many predicted that it was only a matter of time for Benitez and Liverpool to win the Premier League title, a stagnation has set in this season that has seen Liverpool fail to make even the most minimum of expectations, Champions League qualification.

What has happened to Liverpool under the guidance of Rafael Benitez shares strong parallels with the Steve Bruce era at Birmingham City. A start that promised so much, promotion to the Premier League after 16 years of absence followed by three years of consistency and growth came crashing down in one foul swoop in the 2005-2006 season. Relegation for Birmingham that season was like going ten steps back after taking 9 forward. Although not the same ultimate result, Benitez has seen Liverpool grow under his leadership only for it to come crashing down over the last 12 months.


Shared Destinies


One bad season should not define a career at a club, yet this is the beginning of the end for Benitez. Despite Steve Bruce launching a successful promotion campaign with Birmingham following the season after relegation, calls for him to leave were growing louder and louder. Stagnation and Staleness had set in to the football club, not entirely through faults of Bruce, rather a combination of factors. Plans for a new stadium were at best floundering, rumours of boardroom unrest were rife, and supporters cried out for serious investment. Sounds familiar? For Birmingham 2005-2007 see Liverpool 2008-2010.

Bruce is now continuing to build his profile, and in many eyes has the potential to one day manage Manchester United, although tactical awareness will always hold Bruce back. Birmingham have been revitalised by Alex Mcleish and a takeover, seeing the stagnation swept away to be replaced by a new era of exciting optimism. This is inevitably the path that Liverpool will be forced to take. A new board will soon arrive, a new manager too, and that in itself will be enough to breath new life into the staleness that has tarnished The Reds this season.

In football if you dont move forward you move back. Standing still is essentially moving back as every other team progresses forwards. For many Liverpool have started to stand still, therefore a change needs to happen. Not because Benitez is a bad manager, or because Liverpool are a bad team. Far from it. But if nothing changes, nothing changes. And in football, if a change comes, its a safe bet to say it'll be the manager on his way.

Photo: PA

Saturday 1 May 2010

Welcome to Golaccio!



Welcome!

This blog is my window to the world in which you will witness what may appear to be the ramblings of an obsessed, nay addicted footballite.

So Where to begin? Well here's the essentials -My name is Jonny Randall and I'm soon to be a post graduate student in the study of Sports History and Culture. I have been a season ticket holder at Birmingham City for the best part of ten years.

My most enjoyable moments in football in a nutshell are watching my beloved Birmingham City play (and win, I hope), early season excitement, end of season drama, and the World Cup.

We all have our earliest memories of football and mine stretch back to the mid 90's. Two memories particularly come to mind. Firstly, just about managing to stay awake long enough to watch the penalty shootout of the USA 94 World Cup between Italy and Brazil ( I was only 6 at the time) and watching Football Italia on a sunday on Channel 4 (before Sky had really kicked off). This second memory provides the name of this blog, perhaps better pronounced as Goooooaaaaaaallll Lazio!

The immortal scream of Jose Altafini, an ex footballer come commentator. The excitement of a beautiful goal erupted into screams of Golaccio, often misunderstood in England as Goooooaaaaalll-Lazio! The word loosely means Goaltastic, which is fitting as Altafini, an Italian-Brazilian is the third highest scorer in Serie A history.

This blog will mainly focus its attention towards off the pitch analysis rather than match reporting. Such reporting would only highlight my lack of tactical nouse, although i may give it a go now and again! Thank you for reading this far, no doubt the content will improve over time so watch this space.


Jose 'Gooooooooaaaaal -Lazzziiioooooo' Altafini



Photo: storiedicalcio