Is International Football Dead

[gaz1959]

Aren't we all just a little fed up with the divide narf n sarf n all that; 'aves n 'aves not from the elite in football to the lower ranks who scrape by week by week.

England have not delivered for many years so there you have it people are fed up. Untill we are able to go to a game without interfering stewards; over priced tickets; over priced over cooked nosh.

Long waits meaning if you go for nosh at half time you miss half the 2nd half.

Greedy players who get paid a fortune then don't have a pot to piss in when it all goes belly up.

Up t'narf there seems to be bigger investment in lower leagues than down here i.e. bigger n better grounds; cheaper way of life too

What chance of Swindon got of reaching the dizzy heights of the likes of Burnley who seem to be able to yo-yo up and down on very little money but their chairman is doing all right I expect.

The premier league might as well fek off into a super league wonderland and be done with it

[trickydick]

The North and South illustrated by Waitrose lol

[davee59]

I'm a bit like Tricky and Chalky now Davee; I've lost faith with the international team big time and the Premier League leaves me cold now. I've been let down by England far too many times, and too much of the problem is the way in which football in theis country is financed such that it is no longer a sport, with players working to generate a large income rather than to further the successes of their Club or Country. For the first time this season I've stopped watching MOTD. I'd rather concentrate on the EFL and instead watch the Chapionsip , L1 and L2 games. Not perfect, but far more honest.

The comment about south of Watford was more based on my experiences while living in London and the Home Counties, especially the attitudes of those who lived there, and the per capita spending in England which is weighted towards London.

The problem with per capita spending figures particularly in London is that this figure is inflated by a wealthy minority. Some of us working class probably earn less than many Northerners who also have a cheaper cost of living.
Yes I have been let down many times by England and whereas in the past I would love joining my mates at the pub to watch games, I just stayed at home and watched Friday's game on the telly. I can never understand why people go to a football match and miss part of the game because they want something to eat or if they leave early they will miss the rush. In 50 years going to football I have only ever left early twice. Palace v Coventry 1969/70 season and Palace v Sheff Wed FA Cup 2nd Reply at Villa Park circa 1972/73. Who can forget the days when teams would be locked in replays for a couple of weeks?

[griff]

I meant per capita spending by Government davee. If you ratch out the figures the spending is highest per person on Scotland, N Ireland, Wales and London, with the English regions left as poor relations. The Eastern region is particularly hard done by. If this was a one-off I could accept it, but it's the same every year. The Barnett formula has a lot to do with it, but that doesn't explain London, who seem to get whatever they want. Outside chance of flooding? Build an expensive barrage. Actual floods in the North? Crumbs from the table. Takes an hour to get from one side of London to the other? No problem, we'll build a £16bn hole to get the time down to 50 minutes. Poor Public transport in the Regions? Tough.I'd just like to see a level playing field.

I used to go to Crystal Palace around '73 to '76. Worked at the Price George on Thornton Heath High Street then walked up to the ground. Those were the days of Malcolm Allison in the bath with page 3 girls. Saw Carlisle win there more than once. Heady days.

[davee59]

My dad was in the RAF so 1974-1976 we were in Hong Kong. Palace's great run to the FA Cup Semi-Final was unbelievable in 76 and if they had beaten Saints we were going to come home for the Final. Alas Palace lost but happily I was able to get dad a ticket for the Final in 1990. He had watched Palace since the mid fifties when they were in the old Division 3 South and never thought that his team would ever get to Wembley.