Erithacus

This could go in either section, but J.J. Watt and his wife are to invest in Burnley. Left field or what? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65451579 So many Americans seem to be flocking across the pond to become part of the beeautiful game over here. I am reminded about the old saying: How do you become involved in football and end up with a small fortune? Start with a big fortune...

I know it's not strictly that important now we are champions, but I want to see the girls put in a proper shift today. Start like we mean to go on, finish like we mean to go on! Besides, Brum did us on our turf so let's settle that today. COYR!

April 30th - a day I call Sgt Howie Day. Yes, it is the 50th anniversary of the mysterious disappearance of the West Highland Police sergeant! He was last seen in the capital of Summerisle but there has been no trace of him since the May Day celebrations. Tonight I shall be re-running the film in his honour. Sleep well my pretty sergeant...

Seems like the FA are looking to open up the lower levels, but presumably the strict criteria for WSL is being kept in place.

Good find! The ground would only have been used for a few years at that time, interesting to see how the place looked.

Is this official? I understand the organisers are reluctant to reveal too much information as there tends to be many incidents caused by over-eager spectators.

The new NFL season is officially under way. Welcome back. (Although the USFL is a little confusing at the moment.) Carolina have jumped the queue but took their time to pick... QB Bryce Young - Bama's first ever first round NFL pick!

Generally an offensive-heavy trend in the mocks. Plenty of demand from many teams will make things tricky for trading.

They used to stick on the ridge behind the signs too. Often wondered who would get them down or would they still be there next Saturday.

Two year agreement in principle but will he want two seasons? Jets are very much in the upsweep and it might just be the one ingredient that makes the difference. Meanwhile, the Packers' odds have shifted negatively. But after the acrimony of recent times in Green Bay is Rodgers looking much further ahead? Could Nevada see the last pass in the career of Rodgers? All this just before Draft Day too.

Congratulations to the girls! A season to be proud of and worthy champions. It's been a few years since the men won the League 1 title and the South Stand was only half built then. Good time for another party. I thought the side put out by Lauren Smith had a few surprises but they all played well. If there was a touch of nerves or distractions with a crowd of over 7,000 (let's say that again - 7,000) the girls didn't show it. No jitters or fluffs, there was a composed and determined edge today. Charlton are no mugs but they hardly had a look-in, thanks to some solid centre-back play and a driving midfield. Any opportunities in and around the City box was normally dealt with by blocks; Fran Bentley really only had to deal with one decent effort on target which she stopped magnificently. Getting the ball forwards, we had far the better movement. Ella Powell was bombing on in the first half to good effect and making it difficult for Charlton to press. Rachel Furness was having a big influence in the middle of the park, seizing on opponents' runs and turning into attack. She may not have been here long but it's clear she has added to the club greatly. Grace Clinton pounced on a defensive slip and after that there really wasn't a threat of a response. Scoring almost immediately after the restart left Charlton without a valid way back and it was largely one-way traffic. I have to say that Abi Harrison was outstanding today - not that she isn't in other games. She showed what she is all about with her positional nous, her skills with or without the ball and her leadership. When the first goal went in she insisted on getting the team into a huddle before the ball was back on the centre spot and giving them the benefit of some well-earned international experience. It must be impossible to define her value to the club: she is an on-field coach, a top goal-scorer, a passionate leader and (I dare say) something of a club icon. It's often said you need characters at a good club, and Abi is certainly in that class. Ffi Morgan's entry in the second half was topped with a great strike, However, she suffered a nasty-looking injury near the finish and there was concern. Fortunately, she was up and walking about in the after-match party so it doesn't seem that worrying. It must be said that there were two winning teams out there today - one in red, the other in black. Lauren Smith and her staff have reaped their just rewards after a season of improvement and encouragement. I'm not sure who they all are but you have to commend them all. Perhaps Mr Lansdown will be rightly pleased that the system works well and will be looking to carry on at all levels. Surely, there can be no doubt about the coach of the season award. So the season has proved successful, in front of a record breaking crowd at the Gate. I recall how Liverpool's fans celebrated their title last year on our manor and today will be particularly pleasing for all Robins. But the season has not finished yet! Put the Prosecco down and make sure we end it in the way we want to at Brum - in a way we mean to carry on. Naturally, with the end of the season approaching there will be a time set aside to take stock and begin planning for the next. Who will be moving on (or back to their parent club)? Who will be looking at contracts? And who are the new players coming up from the academy? Are there any players being scouted with the hope of adding to the squad? Interesting times ahead. But for now it's partytime - a well deserved moment to enjoy and celebrate. Mindful of just how things can change in the blink of an eye (ask Leah Williamson) you must take these moments and get the most out of them. After all, with the WSL a reality, the hard work starts now! Two years out of the top flight have been corrected. But take a second to soak it in: Bristol City Women - Barclays Womens Champions 2022-23! A credit to the club and the city. Well done everyone!

Not sure that other sports would put as much of a strain/impact on the joints as football - it's a tough game no mistake. I might think that something comparable would be skiing, where the kness are subject to high speed shocks and sudden twists. Also suspect that the growing uptake of girls playing football now is increasing the profile of injuries. Agree with the above item regarding more research being needed. Will we need to use a 'squad rotation' at the appropriate time?

How about local teams? I believe there is a Bristol Dockers side that will be playing in the Welsh Australian Rules Football League this season. I understand it is a smaller scale version of the game.

Perhaps an increasing emphasis on the physical side of the game, as it becomes higher profile and the stakes go higher too. On top of the medical statement that female knees are significantly less strong than men's pound for pound, I suspect we will only see more injuries. I also note that Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall made comment of the state of the playing surface and called for better, more professional venues. Meanwhile, it's a bad blow for the Lionesses, what with a few others questionable for the World Cup.

Not sure if there's been any notification from the club but are Season Card holders needing to queue up at the ticket office on Sunday?

That's what I call a really big Whoooosh!

So no favours from the Wildcats tonight, but we're in the position of not needing them. Lifting the title in front of a big crowd on Sunday is in prospect, so what's not to like? Isn't this what we would have wanted at the start of the season? The Beeb have a small item online, based on the podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65309544

Must remember to bring cap if sunny...

Saints have beaten London City 1-0! That has handed the title on a plate; we 'only have to win' and it's a return to the WSL. With lots of tickets already sold, I suspect this will add a few more to the attendance next Sunday. It would be a great day to win in front of a big crowd and celebrate. Just need to keep our heads down and make sure.

It seems to me that this is a mirror of humanity. Do we see what we want to, or what is actually there? What is the purpose? It also strikes me that if the 'sport' killed as many jockeys as horses then we would have a vastly different spectacle - perhaps something like motor racing in the post-war period.

It's quite clear to me that there are different types of supporter at a match, which will necessarily include those who do nothing but moan and berate. I agree that they must have some sort of problem elsewhere and find football a release mechanism to vent or disipate their negativity. In that respect football is a form of therapy, not available on the NHS and perhaps effective enough. You often find they will shout things at distant players/officials/opposing fans that they would not dare to do so close up. Maybe this is football's gift to the wider society. Also agree with the fact of permanent seating causing some unrest among groups. We recall how the new development of all-seater stadiums after the Taylor Report caused the atmosphere to drop in many cases. Having to spend a whole season sat next to some knuckle-dragger will certainly dampen the enjoyment.

Had a wander down to Crownfield for Key's game against Torpoint. Given the home side's well-documented tale of woe, it was good to see young players having a go. The forwards looked lively but the defending was all at sea. Final score: Keynsham 3-6 Torpoint.

Couple of ex-City girls in that starting XI.

Now Popmaster is going to be a Channel 4 show. Unexpected development. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65199803

Presumably they are going to keep the playing staff to complete their last three games, and then....? Is there a thought that the club's backers will take a drop down the system and keep going? A pity if so, but another stark warning that the women's game is often on tenuous footings. I note they are a limited company, incorporated 25th January, 2018, based on the old Coventry Spartans club of old.