On the list of things you couldn't make up if you tried; Bury FC are close to being expelled from the English Football League (Association Football or Soccer for those who don't know). They play in League One, the third tier of the English football system. The problem they face is that the new owner, who bought the club for 1 pound sterling (US$1.22) late last year, has not been able to satisfy the EFL that he has the finances to run a fully professional club for the coming season. That season kicks off this weekend.
Read about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/29/bury-suspend-efl-league-one-match-mk-dons
Apparently owner Steve Dale has put the club up for sale. I suggest an offer of a fiver, bearing in mind the new owner is acquiring the accumulated debts, which include unpaid player wages, transfer fees and the like. Their home ground is owned by the club, which I understand has a mortgage against it. The real cost then is more likely in the millions of pounds, but given they're in League One after being promoted from League Two last year, the prospect is they may keep on winning. That's right ambitious folk amongst you, they're two steps off English Premier League. Got your attention?
Update: The Chairman of Bury FC has put out the following statement in reply to the EFL: https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2019/july/statement-from-chairman/
I think the key to this matter is contained in the third to last paragraph (starting with the words "Then the EFL meeting last night and subsequent statement..."). The way I read this is that the EFL want to see funds in the bank, and this must happen before they release 500k+ to Bury.
July 31, 2019
July 30, 2019
Kane Williamson - NZ Cricket
I read somewhere that New Zealand's 'Black Caps' captain is finding it hard to come to terms with how an umpire could decide the outcome of the World Cup. I've got no sympathy, he's paid the big money to actually know the rules of the game, as are the coaches. On the day they failed to know those rules and managed to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory. I will say it again, you'd never see that level of incompetence exhibited at a game of baseball. It simply wouldn't happen. NZ cricket have the incredible ability to find a way to lose. They've never won anything.
July 29, 2019
Is the NRL Rigged?
The latest controversy regarding the New Zealand Warriors playing the Australia's NRL Rugby League competition begs the question: is the competition rigged?
You have to wonder, considering how many times decisive refereeing decisions go against them. The latest example, a forward pass that wasn't leading up to what would have been a certain try, has resulted in NZ's betting agency the TAB refunding bets placed on the Warriors to win. Is it now so obvious the TAB can't accept bets?
NZ needs to grow up and realise there is no future in having NZ teams participating in an Australian competition.
You have to wonder, considering how many times decisive refereeing decisions go against them. The latest example, a forward pass that wasn't leading up to what would have been a certain try, has resulted in NZ's betting agency the TAB refunding bets placed on the Warriors to win. Is it now so obvious the TAB can't accept bets?
NZ needs to grow up and realise there is no future in having NZ teams participating in an Australian competition.
July 27, 2019
Steven Adams for the Celtics
The Boston Celtics are meant to be interested in Steven Adams. It just so happens that Enes Kanter is now with the Celtics and Adams and Kanter are mates. My suggestion is get a deal done and let's see Adams at the Celtics. Why would this be a good move?
1. The Celtics are winners,
2. They like to play big nasties on the inside,
3. They've got the money to pay luxury tax,
4. They need Adams for what he offers defensively.
1. The Celtics are winners,
2. They like to play big nasties on the inside,
3. They've got the money to pay luxury tax,
4. They need Adams for what he offers defensively.
July 26, 2019
New Zealand's Own Ben Stokes
I'm talking about Ameliaranne Ekenasio. She scored the winning goal that won New Zealand the Netball World Cup. She was born and raised in Australia, played netball for U-21 Australia and then moved to NZ for more playing time. She was clinical and stuck the knife in when required.
Ben Stokes was born in NZ and left for the UK at the age of 12 with his family. He started playing for England and also stuck the knife in when required. Both defeated the country in which they were born and raised. I'm kind of impressed by their professionalism.
Ben Stokes was born in NZ and left for the UK at the age of 12 with his family. He started playing for England and also stuck the knife in when required. Both defeated the country in which they were born and raised. I'm kind of impressed by their professionalism.
July 25, 2019
Boris Johnson Cleans House
Britain's new Prime Minister has sent a clear signal of how he intends to lead his country, bringing in hard line Brexit supporters and sacking those he doesn't trust. Finally, Brexit seems nearer.
Theresa May was always lukewarm on this whole Brexit thing. She wanted to keep everyone happy but only succeeded in making everyone depressed. She was too timid and at times indecisive. Sometimes just making any decision and sticking to it is better than no decision at all.
What can we expect from Johnson? It looks like a hard Brexit at this stage. But now they see which way things are headed, there remains the possibility the EU will buckle. Unlike many others, I think the EU stand to lose more if they oppose a more friendly divorce arrangement. That's because of the intangibles and things such as defence. If the EU are difficult, Britain may be less inclined to defend Western Europe. The cost of that task will be left to Germany who currently freeload off the UK and USA. Yes, NATO and all that, but the UK could easily sit on its hands.
This new Britain may pivot to the Pacific where they have considerable territory. That could involve joining the TPPA (or whatever they call it now). It may also engage more with Africa. Both regions offer more trade possibilities than the tired and indebted EU.
Theresa May was always lukewarm on this whole Brexit thing. She wanted to keep everyone happy but only succeeded in making everyone depressed. She was too timid and at times indecisive. Sometimes just making any decision and sticking to it is better than no decision at all.
What can we expect from Johnson? It looks like a hard Brexit at this stage. But now they see which way things are headed, there remains the possibility the EU will buckle. Unlike many others, I think the EU stand to lose more if they oppose a more friendly divorce arrangement. That's because of the intangibles and things such as defence. If the EU are difficult, Britain may be less inclined to defend Western Europe. The cost of that task will be left to Germany who currently freeload off the UK and USA. Yes, NATO and all that, but the UK could easily sit on its hands.
This new Britain may pivot to the Pacific where they have considerable territory. That could involve joining the TPPA (or whatever they call it now). It may also engage more with Africa. Both regions offer more trade possibilities than the tired and indebted EU.
July 22, 2019
New Zealand World Champions
This time it's Netball. New Zealand are the world champions after beating Australia in the 2019 final, held in Liverpool, England. For those Kiwis watching, notice any difference between the netballers and the cricketers? No, I'm not talking about gender. I'm talking about diversity, the NZ cricket team lacks diversity, while the netball team has loads of it.
July 21, 2019
Snob's Guide to New Zealand
Shameless self-promotion here; my latest book Snob's Guide to New Zealand is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle. It's very accurate, an example is not a single word in the book needs to be changed about what I had to say about cricket in NZ. The chapters are organised alphabetically, cricket being dealt with under the chapter...Sport.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
July 19, 2019
Russell Westbrook to the Rockets
The Houston Rockets make it hard for me to be a fan. They acquired Carmelo Anthony, remember how that went? Now they've taken on Russell Westbrook, the most selfish player in the NBA today. Will he bring a title now that he's back with James Harden? It's hard to see how quite frankly, Harden has grown and become something special and I just don't see the two playing together any longer, how could the two egos work? One would have to accept a secondary role and that seems unlikely. We'll have to wait and see, but just as with Anthony, I'm not holding my breath.
July 18, 2019
Serena Williams
Serena Williams looked decidedly second-rate against Simona Halep in the 2019 Wimbledon final. She should think about retiring, these new young players are too good. Williams game has been one of overpowering opponents, effectively bludgeoning them into submission. But these days the new guard have that play and finesse as well.
And Williams doesn't deserve her current high seeding in tournaments. The way she played against Halep illustrates my point, she was terrible. Fans will start watching less if they think Williams will show up playing so badly. I say lower her seeding or don't seed her at all.
And Williams doesn't deserve her current high seeding in tournaments. The way she played against Halep illustrates my point, she was terrible. Fans will start watching less if they think Williams will show up playing so badly. I say lower her seeding or don't seed her at all.
July 16, 2019
Baldwin Street No Longer World's Steepest
I got to walk up Baldwin Street in Dunedin, N.Z. before it lost its crown as the steepest street in the world. Some imposter street in Wales has got the nod from the Guinness World Records outfit. Thing is, this title steepest is a bit dodgy to begin with, have they checked every street on earth? I doubt it, the title is actually world's steepest that they know of.
Here's how to get the title back. Are you listening Dunedin? Rename the lower and flatter portion of Baldwin Street something else, Baldwin Street North perhaps, then put in more signs and something to indicate a new road is starting, and call the steep section Baldwin Street South. The steep section would have an average gradient over 40%. Job done. Oh and don't forget to blueprint the changes.
And if the above solution is a no go, simply repave the street in such a way as to increase the gradient to more than the street in Wales.
Here's how to get the title back. Are you listening Dunedin? Rename the lower and flatter portion of Baldwin Street something else, Baldwin Street North perhaps, then put in more signs and something to indicate a new road is starting, and call the steep section Baldwin Street South. The steep section would have an average gradient over 40%. Job done. Oh and don't forget to blueprint the changes.
And if the above solution is a no go, simply repave the street in such a way as to increase the gradient to more than the street in Wales.
July 15, 2019
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: The Final
New Zealand played England in the Cricket World Cup final, the match ending in a tie after each had completed their 50 overs (241 runs each). The contest then went to so-called "super overs" where 6 extra balls are bowled by each team. The team scoring the most runs wins. However, the super overs also ended tied. That handed the world cup to England as they had scored the most boundaries in the match.
[ Update: NZ actually won the game, scoring 241 runs to England's 240. No need for the so-called Super Over. Turns out the umpires got it wrong on the third to last ball of the match, awarding Ben Stokes 2 runs plus 4 overthrows, a total of 6 off the ball when it should have been 5 runs scored - see this link: Ben Stokes Incident
This illustrates why I prefer baseball over cricket. Coaches and key players know their rules in baseball. I have said it many times, NZ have proven themselves to be a bunch of amateurs at this cricket biz. They should have stopped the game to have the correct score registered (this is not to criticise England, Stokes did nothing wrong and he's entitled to take everything that comes his way)]
After a day playing such a closely fought match, it's kind of hollow to decide things by count-back of boundaries (it also penalises teams that collect runs in singles and two's and who do not get bowled out accumulating their score). Why do they not play the way basketball does when the scores are tied? Keep playing extra time until a result is obtained. In cricket that would mean adding super over after super over until the result.
Many will say that NZ redeemed themselves a little after their capitulation to Australia in the final four years ago. But I'm not so generous, the reason NZ lost runs a little deeper, it goes to the culture within the team.
Leading up to the final the NZ trainings looked like a team just happy to make the final. They didn't look like a team desperate to avoid losing another final. Then during the game they could not set a worthwhile total, NZ's final 10 overs with the bat were average at best. To illustrate, consider the very last ball NZ faced. The batsman ducked out of the way and no run was scored. What he should have done is throw his bat at the ball as there wasn't another ball to face. Defending, NZ fielded well, but they too often find themselves defending a total that's too low. Thus, their results are often much closer than they need to be and this latest final was a classic example of that.
England looked like they were choking under the pressure of home town expectations. They got there - just. NZ has to learn to keep their foot on the throats of their opponents. Oh and while NZ were robbed, England did deserve the win. Why? NZ only won one of their last five matches played in the tournament.
[ Update: NZ actually won the game, scoring 241 runs to England's 240. No need for the so-called Super Over. Turns out the umpires got it wrong on the third to last ball of the match, awarding Ben Stokes 2 runs plus 4 overthrows, a total of 6 off the ball when it should have been 5 runs scored - see this link: Ben Stokes Incident
This illustrates why I prefer baseball over cricket. Coaches and key players know their rules in baseball. I have said it many times, NZ have proven themselves to be a bunch of amateurs at this cricket biz. They should have stopped the game to have the correct score registered (this is not to criticise England, Stokes did nothing wrong and he's entitled to take everything that comes his way)]
After a day playing such a closely fought match, it's kind of hollow to decide things by count-back of boundaries (it also penalises teams that collect runs in singles and two's and who do not get bowled out accumulating their score). Why do they not play the way basketball does when the scores are tied? Keep playing extra time until a result is obtained. In cricket that would mean adding super over after super over until the result.
Many will say that NZ redeemed themselves a little after their capitulation to Australia in the final four years ago. But I'm not so generous, the reason NZ lost runs a little deeper, it goes to the culture within the team.
Leading up to the final the NZ trainings looked like a team just happy to make the final. They didn't look like a team desperate to avoid losing another final. Then during the game they could not set a worthwhile total, NZ's final 10 overs with the bat were average at best. To illustrate, consider the very last ball NZ faced. The batsman ducked out of the way and no run was scored. What he should have done is throw his bat at the ball as there wasn't another ball to face. Defending, NZ fielded well, but they too often find themselves defending a total that's too low. Thus, their results are often much closer than they need to be and this latest final was a classic example of that.
England looked like they were choking under the pressure of home town expectations. They got there - just. NZ has to learn to keep their foot on the throats of their opponents. Oh and while NZ were robbed, England did deserve the win. Why? NZ only won one of their last five matches played in the tournament.
July 08, 2019
NBA: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to the Clippers
I just heard the lead sinker fall to the floor. Oh no, hearing the news Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are signing with the Clippers has got to be the worst move ever or they're both geniuses.
For Leonard, he has nothing to prove having won titles with the Spurs and Raptors. But George is taking a much bigger risk as he's linking up with an outfit that has never won an NBA title and never looked like winning one. The Clippers have never advanced past the second stage of the playoffs (correct me if I'm wrong, I didn't look it up).
The Clippers play in the Staples Center and get second choice on all the booking slots. That's because the owner of the Staples Center also owns a share of the Lakers and the Lakers play at Staples. For Leonard and George they're effectively wilfully choosing to play for the B team.
Compare with Durant and Irving going to Brooklyn. The Nets have at least won two titles when part of the ABA, and they've got hot talent brought together by the savvy Sean Marks. And add DeAndre Jordan to the list at Brooklyn.
So Leonard and George may be making a huge belly-flop into the pool. I never rate the hapless Clippers, if there is a way to lose, they'll find it.
For Leonard, he has nothing to prove having won titles with the Spurs and Raptors. But George is taking a much bigger risk as he's linking up with an outfit that has never won an NBA title and never looked like winning one. The Clippers have never advanced past the second stage of the playoffs (correct me if I'm wrong, I didn't look it up).
The Clippers play in the Staples Center and get second choice on all the booking slots. That's because the owner of the Staples Center also owns a share of the Lakers and the Lakers play at Staples. For Leonard and George they're effectively wilfully choosing to play for the B team.
Compare with Durant and Irving going to Brooklyn. The Nets have at least won two titles when part of the ABA, and they've got hot talent brought together by the savvy Sean Marks. And add DeAndre Jordan to the list at Brooklyn.
So Leonard and George may be making a huge belly-flop into the pool. I never rate the hapless Clippers, if there is a way to lose, they'll find it.
July 04, 2019
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: New Zealand
The New Zealand cricket team is proving itself to be very average. Its world ranking is far higher than it really deserves and now we can see why: the Kiwis have no fight in them.
They're poorly lead and play like a bunch of amateurs. The problem with NZ cricket goes deeper too; they're a team of upper middle class guys. That's a recipe that'll never get the job done. To win you've got to have a bit of mongrel in there, look at the All Blacks for inspiration. For summer sports the men with that mongrel are out fishing or hunting, or they're in motor sport or baseball. They're not going to stand around all day saying inane things like ' great shot Whitherrington' or 'c'mon lads give them a bit of what-o.'
At the world cup in 2019 I've been following Afghanistan, they've got some fight in them which is a stark contrast to the chinless wonder Kiwis. One day Afghanistan may even win at the top level, won't that be a day to celebrate! But watching the NZers is like watching concrete set, boring and always a disappointment. For me Kane Williamson getting out against Australia said it all, when walking off having amassed a disappointing 40, he looked like he was taking his dog for a walk in the park, not like he was gutted he'd just let his team down.
They're poorly lead and play like a bunch of amateurs. The problem with NZ cricket goes deeper too; they're a team of upper middle class guys. That's a recipe that'll never get the job done. To win you've got to have a bit of mongrel in there, look at the All Blacks for inspiration. For summer sports the men with that mongrel are out fishing or hunting, or they're in motor sport or baseball. They're not going to stand around all day saying inane things like ' great shot Whitherrington' or 'c'mon lads give them a bit of what-o.'
At the world cup in 2019 I've been following Afghanistan, they've got some fight in them which is a stark contrast to the chinless wonder Kiwis. One day Afghanistan may even win at the top level, won't that be a day to celebrate! But watching the NZers is like watching concrete set, boring and always a disappointment. For me Kane Williamson getting out against Australia said it all, when walking off having amassed a disappointing 40, he looked like he was taking his dog for a walk in the park, not like he was gutted he'd just let his team down.
July 02, 2019
Hong Kong Crisis
Things are going downhill fast in Hong Kong. I hope these young demonstrators don't get too carried away as the Chinese government are not known to be restrained in how they retaliate against anyone challenging their power. Remember, China is not a democracy, it is a brutal dictatorship.
It was funny to see the old Hong Kong flag being unfurled by these protesters. Britain has a lot to answer for in its acquiescence to China back in the 90's, but it's touching the youngsters, who may not have been born when Hong Kong was handed back to China by the British, are still clinging to some semblance of freedom.
It was funny to see the old Hong Kong flag being unfurled by these protesters. Britain has a lot to answer for in its acquiescence to China back in the 90's, but it's touching the youngsters, who may not have been born when Hong Kong was handed back to China by the British, are still clinging to some semblance of freedom.