San Fran City

6 hours ago, cellist said:

Be very worried if I was a Leicester fan. Showing every sign of bottling it

I’ve just read their forum and from before our goal, they were demanding manager be sacked and a complete overhaul of their board. 2nd in the table, probably will go up…puts Otib into perspective when we gain an L. Modern day football fans eh ffs! 

On 04/03/2024 at 16:30, Silvio Dante said:

There are very few people I despise more than insipid minstrel Ed Sheeran. 

The ginger busker. I totally get you. 

4 hours ago, Spoons said:

The answer is not to have Astro pitches at schools. The one where I live is now at end of life ( 13 years) , been rarely or poorly maintained and completely out of reach of local community. 
Fact the local junior Fc has spent over £80k over last 7 years with the “ charity/school “ that manage the Astro pitch! 
Absolute disgrace. The answer is a community use agreement which must open up these facilities to local groups for the benefit of the kids and inhabitants of local towns.

A not for profit football club spending 75% of its annual budget on Astro fees at a local school is wrong! 
 

The amount of money in football is crazy and I agree more Astro pitches are needed for kids especially, however it’s not just a case of building more pitches. They need to be accessible and maintained correctly.

 

As a chair and current fixture secretary of a local club the weather has caused absolute carnage this season.

All secondary new schools (Academies)  I’ve ever worked in have new, well-maintained 3G pitches, which are hired out to the public as much as possible most evenings and weekends for much needed extra income - is this ‘charity’ school you refer to a private operation?

I would counter your argument of taking facilities away from schools by stating we should adopt the US approach in this scenario - make schools the safety net for all kids when it comes to investment in young people’s sporting development and potential. So many kids I have  worked with who have that potential are let down by uninterested parents or, worse still, parents who can’t afford the modest subs that local clubs charge them (coupled with the add ons of kit, new boots etc). 

4 hours ago, ChippenhamRed said:

My 13 year old’s match tomorrow is off again because the pitch is waterlogged. He was due to play twice last weekend and both were lost to rain. He is also due to play on Sunday and that’s in the balance.

I’m sure plenty of others here will be in the same situation.

It’s got me thinking. British football is awash with money thanks to the Premier League - but far too much youth football is lost every winter to bad weather and pitches that can’t cope. When they do happen, invariably a poor quality pitch affects the standard of the game. Games on 3G almost always produce a better match.

Surely there needs to be a more urgent push to greatly increase the number of 3G all-weather pitches across the country?! It just seems obvious - and there is no lack of money.

It’s incredibly frustrating to see kids who love the game missing out on so much football - and the exercise, team building and socialising that goes with it - because of our notoriously bad weather. I dare say climate change is making it worse, too. We complain about kids being on screens all day, but it strikes me that we could be doing an awful lot more to stop that happening.

I definitely hear ya, and my lad plays for an under 7s side. We went to Brislington a few weeks back and it was wet but playable. Before the game I was surprised that his coaches suggested they shouldn’t play on the pitch - there was another game straight after and they felt the pitch would ultimately cut up too much and be ruined. But, the main argument made was why play on a pitch that would become too heavy and then limit the ability of the lads to play the game they’ve been coached - that coupled with the fact they’ll play 50-odd games this season so why push it? Tbf, when a game on grass has been called off due to weather, the coaches seem to act quick to book a local 5 a side pitch to play on. But I totally get your sentiments. 

Much appreciated all. Tickets purchased and with the confidence you’ve given me, I’m aiming for the dugout first and then just go from there 

I have had a last minute opportunity come in to take my 3 young kids tomorrow, but can’t get 4 seats together in the upper landsdown part of the stadium. What do you think the actual chances of us being able to sit together are if I just go ahead and purchase 4 separate tickets in that block? 
Appreciate any advice

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/10/sports/soccer/bristol-city-penalty-kicks.html?smid=url-share
 

6 hours ago, MarcusX said:

He’s already won the euros with the u19s, I know it’s no guarantee of senior call up but he’s in the right circles already.

I missed the game today but absolutely buzzing for him and Sam Bell, just catching up on all the threads and comments. Sounds like a great win

Scored in the semi as well?

On 27/03/2021 at 18:47, mozo said:

Ah mate! I saw the holy trinity of Idles, Sleaford Mods and [Liam] Fontaines DC that year. Loved it. Was a great Glastonbury all round though mind.

Have just purchased some F DC re-sale tickets for the Academy in October. Not been this excited about a gig since forever.