Chasing the Money - worth it, or not????

Well, one of the current talking points is China at the moment. The offers being made to Footballers, and Referee's alike. Offers that to be fair, are quite irresistible. You couldn't really blame someone for going, I'm sure that they have worked out that they could chase the money for a couple of years, and then they would be sorted for life. I guess that a lot of people would do the same if they were offered similar within their industry.

The question is 'What is important to them'?

It's an upheaval, a total upheaval. Leaving your extended family, leaving home, moving possibly to somewhere where you don't understand the language, or culture.

On the other hand (or foot!). It might be the best experience ever. To live somewhere different to home, to learn a new language, to enjoy a new climate. How wonderful.

We are all different, what is good for one, isn't good for another.

Don't mock anyone's decision, because 'It's their decision, about their life', Nothing to do with anyone else.

My Grandad was talking about a time when he spoke with Charlie Mitten, ex Manchester United player. My Grandad was visiting his Uncle in hospital, who was an extremely popular man. There were several people already visiting, and his Uncle said 'do me a favour and go an speak with the chap in the bed across the ward'. My Grandad turned to his Uncle and said 'what am I going to talk about'. His Uncle said 'he is Charlie Mitten, ex Manchester United, who moved oversea's, he rarely has any visitors, he will love your company'. My Grandad went over and spent a wonderful afternoon with him

So, who was Charlie Mitten;

Born in 1921, he went through the junior ranks of Manchester United, however due to the outbreak of war, he didn't get his first professional match until 1946. During the War, he did however guest appear for the nearest football to him at the time. He didn't let anything get in the way of him actually playing. Back at Manchester United, he played during the early days of Matt Busby, well before the Busby Babes - In fact he was one of the 'Famous Five of Old Trafford', a formidable group of players made up of;

• Jimmy Delaney
• Stan Pearson
• Jack Rowley
• Johnny Morris
• And of course Charlie.

In 1950 Man United toured the USA, to sell out stadiums. The footballers suddenly realised their worth and questioned the £12 per week maximum wage allowed by FIFA. A few players were approached by external leagues, and Charlie was no different, being approached by the Columbians. Charlie went to Independiente Santa Fe, during a period they called El Dorado. Charlie received £5000 signing on, and £40 per week - The footballers and fans back home nicknamed him 'The Bogota Bandit'. 

Charlie didn't look to the future. The following year Columbia joined FIFA. Charlie was still a Man United player and therefore couldn't play for Independiente anymore. He returned to the UK. Because of his running away to Columbia, on his return he was immediately placed on a 6 month ban, and to top it all Busby sold him, such was his upset. He was approached to play for Real Madrid, but in his upset and confusion he turned the offer down, which he regretted.

Charlie was the fore-runner of today's footballers. He paved the way for them to be able to move around quite freely, chasing the money, or chasing experience. As with anything, someone has to be the first and they generally have the rough ride, so that people after have the smooth.

My Grandad had a nice chat with him, and he was great-full for someone to talk to. It would be nice if today's footballers were aware of the Guy who paved the way.

When It's Just Brilliant

Well when it goes well, it goes well - Doesn't it?

Football is a funny old game, one week walking out of the stadium shaking your head in disbelief, the next week jumping for joy;

Stockport County had a great first leg of a cup match last week. They went 0-1 down and although they played their socks off that equaliser wasn't happening. Well fast forward to the last kick of the game, which was a corner. Who does a short corner when you know it's going to be the last action of the 90 minutes. As soon as they took that short kick I admit that I shook my head. The ball was then shot towards the Net, and the Goalie didn't stand a chance, 

This is the picture of my Grandad when that goal happened, the wonderful expression of sheer joy. This is what football is about, and this is what should make footballers get up in a morning. 

Happy New Year

Amazing - A new year, new hopes - Bring it on!!!!!!

I hope that your 2016 was a good one, and whatever you learnt from it, you can take through to 2017 a greater understanding of where you want to be, what you want to achieve, and how you are going to do it.

In 2016 I left the Education system (for now anyway). I'm working harder then ever these days though, with a part time job in a local store enabling me to have enough money to go and meet with people and organisations, to Network and get involved. I also referee at least a couple of games per week. It takes a lot of time and commitment, but as with everything, if you want to succeed, then you need to give it all you have.

Anyway - over the Christmas period I went to watch two matches;

Derby v Wigan - Have to say that it was quite a bland game. It was on New Years Eve, I could almost forgive the teams if it had been New Years Day and the players were slightly tired from the night before. There really wasn't any fight from either team to be honest. We sat in the season ticket stand - now that was entertaining. We were in fits of laughter at some of the comments being made. Score was 0-0

Stockport v Harrogate - First 20 minutes Harrogate controlled the game, then Stockport suddenly gathered momentum. It was a good clean game, with plenty of end to end. Stockport went ahead with a lovely goal, and looked all along like they would keep that precious lead.

Then; That awful moment, when it just goes all wrong. The game was in Harrogates half, as were all the players barring the Goalie. Why you would do a pass back from the halfway line, when you have no pressure on you ?????? but Stockports player did just that, and with some gusto and speed. The goalie didn't collect the ball. As soon as the ball passed the Goalie, everything went into slow-motion, as the ball just trickled over the line. The stadium was in stunned silence, my Mum covered her face, and my Grandad muttered something about 'in all my Years'??Even the Harrogate crowd were silent.

It happens to the best. We've all made mistakes, and the strength is how you cope, and how you bounce back. Fortunately the die-hard fans of Stockport clapped the Goalie off, when he rushed off two minutes later when the final whistle blew. Them fans will be back next week, and although a talking point, they will still be thinking positive;

Take a look at the post match interview on You-Tube 'Jim Gannon Post-Match interview - Harrogate Town'

I'm fortunate to be in the position to get to a couple of live matches, but for those who generally watch the TV, this week has really shown some great football;

Bournemouth v Arsenal - What a fantastic game. Bournemouth were absolutely brilliant, 3-0 up by half time and teaching Arsenal a thing or two about the game. But never say die Arsenal gave a masterclass in never giving up. An incredible comeback, showing why they are such a top team. It was cushion in front of the face stuff in that last couple of minutes - I'm so glad Bournemouth managed to keep the game to a draw.

Yes - It's a 'Contact Sport'

I reckon I'm pretty lucky really. I've been playing sport, and football in particular, for 15 years now;

• I broke my finger in a match playing with Riverside when I was around eight 
• I cracked my Pelvis in a match playing with Derby County when I was about thirteen

Anyway, this weekend I added to the list. I had been playing for 15 minutes, and already scored a goal. I went back in for another goal and jumped into the air to give it some welly, I made contact with the ball at the same time a defender came in with a late tackle and literally sent me flying. I landed like a sack of potato's on my lower back - just about caught my shot going into the net though.

I immediately couldn't feel my legs. and was so scared. Fortunately there was another football pitch close to ours, so the match was moved across, to enable me not to be moved. I was covered with space blankets and jackets. An ambulance was called.

Well 2 hours later with many chasing phone calls to 999, and the same response of 'we have no ambulances available', finally an ambulance arrived. It was now very dark, on a football pitch at the top end of a very open field. Even though I had lots of covers over and under me, and my Mum cuddling me to keep me warm, I still had on set of hypothermia.

The hospital Nurses and Doctors were great. After much investigation (8 hours) I was cleared of any fractures, and informed that I had muscular / Nerve damage, but I would be admitted into hospital. A further 12 hours later, there was still no bed available. Eventually with some heavy painkillers and crutches, my Mum took me home to be nursed there - Me and Mum had been up for 40 hours by then, so the thought of going home to our own beds - that were definitely available, was great.

I'm still very sore, but happy that the damage wasn't any worse. I had a couple of days rest, but I've started physiotherapy and Mum is overseeing my stretches and hydrotherapy now, so I won't be out of action for too long.

I was so touched by my friends and family, who were all sending me get well wishes, and visiting me.