So what about these Chinese billionaire takeovers?

[GrayBlade]

Yes, I feel sorry for those poor Chelsea fans and all they've had to endure since Abramovich took over.

Great for those fan who could still afford to watch them Cd but I wonder how those who couldn't feel?

I bet some would be fine about it if they weren't regulars in the first place and could still get to the odd game. Suddenly they've got a Championship winning team to support instead of also-rans that are always on the box and to be proud of. But some regulars on low income must have been priced out of attending regular football and that can't be right, turning a working man's game into one for the comparatively well off.

[Carpe_diem]

Great for those fan who could still afford to watch them Cd but I wonder how those who couldn't feel?

I bet some would be fine about it if they weren't regulars in the first place and could still get to the odd game. Suddenly they've got a Championship winning team to support instead of also-rans that are always on the box and to be proud of. But some regulars on low income must have been priced out of attending regular football and that can't be right, turning a working man's game into one for the comparatively well off.

I don't know how many people that actually affected, but given that most of their matches are on television and they've won the Premier League, the Champion's League, the League Cup and the F.A. Cup, and can attract players of an outstanding calibre, I wonder how many of those affected would turn all that down to be in the shoes of a team like Swansea or West Brom who tread water every season?

[GrayBlade]

I don't know how many people that actually affected, but given that most of their matches are on television and they've won the Premier League, the Champion's League, the League Cup and the F.A. Cup, and can attract players of an outstanding calibre, I wonder how many of those affected would turn all that down to be in the shoes of a team like Swansea or West Brom who tread water every season?

Yeah that's my point really, if somebody's happy to wear the shirt and support them on the box etc it's a no brainer. We've got a few ManU 'fans' out here in deepest Derbyshire who've never been near Old Trafford and they're always full of it. I was thinking more of fans who lived for going to games who can no longer afford to, Chelsea is probably not the best example, but I know people personally who've stopped attending because of the cost at Man City and even the Sty.

[pragueblade]

Im out in deepest derbyshire now Gray, not seen any closet manure fans, but a few blades shirts around hope /Castleton , the gospel of tufty is spreading......Edale might be tough to crack ,need to introduce them to a football first😉

[Carpe_diem]

Yeah that's my point really, if somebody's happy to wear the shirt and support them on the box etc it's a no brainer. We've got a few ManU 'fans' out here in deepest Derbyshire who've never been near Old Trafford and they're always full of it. I was thinking more of fans who lived for going to games who can no longer afford to, Chelsea is probably not the best example, but I know people personally who've stopped attending because of the cost at Man City and even the Sty.

Sadly that's just the way of the world though, eh? FFP, which prevents rich owners just pouring money in, hits the fans in the pocket as the turnover has to be there. I don't pretend to know what the answer is, but if you ever want the Blades to win anything - and to carry on winning rather than just having a fluke season - investment will have to be made. In fact, with the cash sloshing about now, investment will have to be made just to tread water

[Holden_C]

Whatever did ya think when Dick Emery was on't telly regularly or Dick Turpin then? More to do wi your mucky thoughts than owt i do or say mi thinks Fred. UTCB

Have only seen Stearman referred to as Richard Rod. Never Dick.

[rodcurrie]

Have only seen Stearman referred to as Richard Rod. Never Dick.

Well that's cos you're not as close to the management and squad as i am Marvin mi owd pal. By the way my mate Travis was delighted to see me at Stocky yesdi. UTCB

[Ayamonteblade]

Great article in the Times today about us..........we are the only team left in the Caramac Cup with no foreign players....infact there are only 4 altogether in the whole Football League - the other 3 in Div 2. Wilder says he was happy to use a squad who he knew he could rely on to get us out of League 1, however, now we are in the Championship we will be looking further afield.

Billy comments that there is a great team spirit at the Lane now, and that's why we were so successful last season, and will be again this season (love it!).

Wilder also says that he was flattered to be recommended by Big Sam for the Palace job, however he reckons it was only because he was sat next to him at the League Managers annual shindig and he kept on topping up Sam's wine glass He'd love to manage in the Premiership one day, and hopefully with us.

Looking forward to tonight - nothing to lose and all to gain.

[GrayBlade]

Great article in the Times today about us..........we are the only team left in the Caramac Cup with no foreign players....infact there are only 4 altogether in the whole Football League - the other 3 in Div 2. Wilder says he was happy to use a squad who he knew he could rely on to get us out of League 1, however, now we are in the Championship we will be looking further afield.

Billy comments that there is a great team spirit at the Lane now, and that's why we were so successful last season, and will be again this season (love it!).

Wilder also says that he was flattered to be recommended by Big Sam for the Palace job, however he reckons it was only because he was sat next to him at the League Managers annual shindig and he kept on topping up Sam's wine glass He'd love to manage in the Premiership one day, and hopefully with us.

Looking forward to tonight - nothing to lose and all to gain.

We were talking about us not having any foreign players after the matc...apart from Irish. I think it's great personality and will have helped build the closeness but if we really want to progress, there will come a time when Chris will have to start dipping our toes in the foreign market or we'll gtreatly reduce our quality player prospects. It's not all about big money high profile players, there will be plenty of gems like Vas Borbokis out there.

[GrayBlade]

Well that's cos you're not as close to the management and squad as i am Marvin mi owd pal. By the way my mate Travis was delighted to see me at Stocky yesdi. UTCB

Has he managed to clear his name yet Rod?