havanatopia

I didn't say that 'PAL' i said spare a thought.

A Dutch author called Barbara Smit has written what looks like a fascinating story about the founding of two of the world's first and now top sports brands, Adidas and Puma. Both German, both from a small town of just 23,000 people just outside Nuremburg and both run by feuding brothers. Both were also quite keen Nazis which is the black mark on their record and seems the companies curried favour with the 1930's brutal regime in return for probable business benefits. Ms Smit writes..... The war exacerbated tensions between the two brothers and their wives. Although both Dasslers joined the Nazi party and signed their letters with a "Heil Hitler" salutation, Rudolf was a more devoted Nazi, according to Smit. end quote. Rudolf was head of Puma, City's new kit supplier. Its all ancient history now I say to myself and we have moved on. But have the companies?... Both are still owned, run and managed by the Dassler families. Had they not got through the war years in such a healthy state they might not be where they are today. I guess you can say that about VW - very blemished record. Well I don't drive one but i might find it hard not to buy a City shirt because I love my team above the problems of the past. But at least its worth sparing a thought for the small part a lot of companies played in germany in tacitly supporting the gov't of the day. So I suppose we should forgive Maradona for his hand of god then?!!! Still, pity City did not go with Umbro - British through and through. Discuss.

odd that it continues for GJ when he is top of the pile. Millen has no such table to judge his ability which leads me to ask how you know he is such a great coach? Not that I am doubting you but I was not too impressed with him during Tinman's tenure. he has, presumably, come on leaps and bounds since then unless it was all Tinman's fault? Hmmm, interesting one to think about there then.

go to the following link to see who is top of the entire football league - yes thats 92 clubs - its our very own Gary Johnson http://www.leaguemanagers.com/awards/tissot-league.html Well done Gary, Fantastic job. If this does not silence the critics then clearly nothing will. Very fitting too on this 30th anniversary of reaching the top flight for the first time in 65 years.

thanks to all. magnificent. clevedon recovered top spot and are champions of league 8!!

nothing is single handed in this business mate but your prowess is not in question!! keep it up.

last two hours of the season - all you clevedonites and sympathetic supporters we need you now or promotion is OFF. Clevedon are no longer top and we are going to lose 2nd spot very soon and possibly 3rd so please, if you fancy a bit of fun and to get the pride of Clevedon promoted please lend a hand now. Many thanks in advance. RMB. here is the link:- http://www.playforyourclub.com/play.php

why i believe that was me and, i stand by it has Brian Laws ripped into his heading skills as well then? am i missing something here? its the last day of the season please lend a hand to keep Clevedon Town top of the league - we don't want St Albans City taking over. thanks a lot. link: - http://www.playforyourclub.com/play.php

the USA exile? nice one. the underbelly of support for Clevedon is quite remarkable. Bodes well for the start of the Premiership season on wednesday for City. RMB Havana exile.

good practice for when the season starts for CITY next week. Help Clevedon Town stay on top of the league. all help appreciated. go to the link below - play....

good man sparky - need all the help now as those boys from feethams are catching up - got until sunday night to get promoted. rally the troops cheers.

good man. darlington are pressing at our heels so have another go when you can - as long as your head can take it! i think we are not going to lose top spot - RMB

you little beauty!!!!

cripes. i had that crown since 1100 and you nabbed it in 5 minutes! well done mate. thanks for the assistance. we are surely going to go up as champs now!! I gotta get the web master to darken the blue of the strip; its ways too light. hey cod good to see you scoring some goals!

thanks to SYL and RMG whoever they are.

Clevedon Town football club are the newest entrant to the www.playforyourclub.com league season - they have to start at the bottom so are in the league qualifiers - the link is - http://www.playforyourclub.com/play.php single handedly i have got em up to 4th but i now need some assistance - beware - its a bit addictive! The City are resting until later in the week - in the Premiership of course! Update: they have dropped to 5th!! cheers in advance; lets get the town promoted.

Good to see some real news on the web site at last. I look forward to the Scott Murray column becoming a regular slot with first 'issue' after tonight's match. As club captain scotty should be given a weekly column that he should write after every game. come on board, come on GJ, come on Mark we need to hear from the players through the voice of Scotty in his own words.

its absolutely criminalistic i agree but then again we live in hope of some real replies other than mark's which was most pleasing i have to say. now as for that Mozo bloke well i reckon he's on some kind of spiced up baked bean diet

the whole city experience is surreal mate. i am going to try and get some salsa dancing girls over to give us a 'hot toddy' before kick offs. but only after the PA system with ---- off speakers are installed and a big video screen at the new Bob Taylor stand end

Mark, the bike bit the dust during hurricane wilma; chain seized up, spokes popped out, brakes failed and i went over the handle bars luckily into a nice calming deep pool of sea water fresh from the Florida Straits but it's a tiny problem compared to the turmoil in Bristol. Appreciated the reply; whatever good work you are doing it can never be enough - goes for any job - but please keep it up and do try, in whatever capacity you can, to enlist the players in posting their views and feelings to us all. I think especially in these very trying times we would all very much appreciate it; when the opportunity to buy videos on line comes up twice in as many days it is a little trying at times. Thanks again and here is hoping we have more real news soon. Rich

you just did mate, nice one! but it didn't last long so here it goes again. this could go on all night until i get a few real replies!!

errr, that's cos i put it there mozo!!! thanks for the constructive reply nonetheless!!!

i see this thread went down well then!

Its official - Alan Curbishley announces a crisis at The Valley after 6 straight defeats. There is no talk of a crisis at the Gate but our position is much much more severe. Question is this; Are the powers that be at the Gate right to keep their heads down and try and turn it around or should they be more open and talk to the fans more, should they put out official statements in a more cohesive and concerted manner to try and calm us and keep us on side instead of tempt us with VHS videos and girls footie results which for me and others seem to inflame our feelings somewhat or a lot. Perhaps the Supporters Trust IS the way forward but for us exiles and those who cannot always afford to go to a match this web site is our lifeline to the team we hold so dear. So I say, lets have more footie news and more compassionate remarks from SL and GJ and, come to that, heartfelt comments from the City Captain or the club captain - over to you Scotty..... Talk to us, we want to hear what you are going through and how much playing for the shirt truly truly means. get it off your chest chaps.

absolutely.