(29 May 2015, 10:34 am)Andreos1 wrote I have thought about the stadia thing for a while.

I am not sure whether it would have happened or not.
The influx of TV money from the likes of Sky, have possibly helped speed things up - but on the other side of the coin, I am not sure football would have been as marketable - with the old stadiums.

If you go back to the early days of Sky and the Premier League, there were old grounds. Oldham, Boro, Sunderland, Coventry, Southampton etc
With prize money and TV revenue, we gradually saw the stadia improve. Clubs could afford to do it.
Football became glamorous, as a result of three things: Taylor, Premier League and Sky.

There will be exceptions to the rule like, with SJP being extended the first time round via club money and a tie up with Cameron Hall (John Hall paying himself basically) and the whole ball started moving, prior to promotion into the top flight.

One comment I heard a while back sent shivers through me, regarding where we found ourselves by 1992(Premier League and Sky entry into the game), it does sound quite bad when I say it but...

It was as if Bradford and Hillsborough had to happen, disasters that were inevitable, if they never happened when they did, it would have happened some other time, I think we needed the wake up call, most grounds had no improvements since the early 20th Century, no new Stadia for nearly 40 years(Roots Hall, Southend).

The one aspect of the Taylor Report I will never agree with is the need for All-seated stadia, Taylor never blamed Terracing for the deaths, that should never have made it into the report.

I believe we needed to get away from the massive kop style terraces, I will never forget being on the Fulwell End at Sunderland in 1990 or 91 and when Sunderland scored I was shoved into the barrier, cut my lip and nearly had a few teeth knocked out when I was smashed into the crush barrier...Though I never minded paddocks The Clock Stand and Main Stand...Did there used to be paddocks at SJP down what is today's Milburn Stand and East Stand???

I will shut up now, am starting to talk shite

(29 May 2015, 10:58 am)MrFozz wrote Here is a question for you mate

Name a team who were founders of the Premier League i.e. they were involved in the meetings when the breakaway was discussed, but have never played in the division?

Don't google it

Pure punt, but Luton?
Trying to think who had a season or two in the top flight around late 80's/early 90's.

Millwall came down in 88/89 if I remember right.
Oldham played a season or two of the Prem.

Cambridge came close to promotion a couple of times, as did Notts County. They never made it.

(29 May 2015, 11:36 am)Andreos1 wrote Pure punt, but Luton?
Trying to think who had a season or two in the top flight around late 80's/early 90's.

Millwall came down in 88/89 if I remember right.
Oldham played a season or two of the Prem.

Cambridge came close to promotion a couple of times, as did Notts County. They never made it.

I'll give ya that one, Notts County were relegated in the final year of the old 2nd Division

The first teams to come to my mind when I first heard that was Oxford, Peterborough, Cambridge and Brighton who were there or thereabouts in the old 2nd div

(29 May 2015, 11:38 am)MrFozz wrote I'll give ya that one, Notts County were relegated in the final year of the old 2nd Division

The first teams to come to my mind when I first heard that was Oxford, Peterborough, Cambridge and Brighton who were there or thereabouts in the old 2nd div

Never thought about Oxford.
They went off the boil after Maxwell fell off his boat.

Who was the team in question?

(29 May 2015, 11:53 am)Andreos1 wrote Never thought about Oxford.
They went off the boil after Maxwell fell off his boat.

Who was the team in question?

The team was Notts County

(29 May 2015, 11:18 am)MrFozz wrote One comment I heard a while back sent shivers through me, regarding where we found ourselves by 1992(Premier League and Sky entry into the game), it does sound quite bad when I say it but...

It was as if Bradford and Hillsborough had to happen, disasters that were inevitable, if they never happened when they did, it would have happened some other time, I think we needed the wake up call, most grounds had no improvements since the early 20th Century, no new Stadia for nearly 40 years(Roots Hall, Southend).

The one aspect of the Taylor Report I will never agree with is the need for All-seated stadia, Taylor never blamed Terracing for the deaths, that should never have made it into the report.

I believe we needed to get away from the massive kop style terraces, I will never forget being on the Fulwell End at Sunderland in 1990 or 91 and when Sunderland scored I was shoved into the barrier, cut my lip and nearly had a few teeth knocked out when I was smashed into the crush barrier...Though I never minded paddocks The Clock Stand and Main Stand...Did there used to be paddocks at SJP down what is today's Milburn Stand and East Stand???

I will shut up now, am starting to talk shite

Aye, the Milburn had a paddock. Think it was still there for the first season in the Premier League.
Can't remember the East Stand having one at that point though. It has had a few makeovers and was never a stand I used too often.

(29 May 2015, 11:53 am)MrFozz wrote The team was Notts County

Never realised they made it!
The relegations/promotions had a few changes over that period I think.
24 - 22 - 20. Can't remember how it was staggered.

You can no longer bet on who will be the next Gateshead manager...

#ColinCoopersBlackandWhiteArmy

(29 May 2015, 5:02 pm)leestransportphotos wrote You can no longer bet on who will be the next Gateshead manager...

#ColinCoopersBlackandWhiteArmy

Is it official now mate???

We should open an NEB book on how long it takes Lee to start moaning about it all

Not official yet but I've been told by someone close too the club

Rio Ferdinand has retired http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32944097

(30 May 2015, 12:46 pm)Davie wrote Rio Ferdinand has retired http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32944097

Don't think he had much choice, being widowed recently and having young children to look after

He has had a good career, so now is a good a time as any to pack in

#farewellrio
#nebhashtags

(30 May 2015, 12:53 pm)MrFozz wrote Don't think he had much choice, being widowed recently and having young children to look after

He has had a good career, so now is a good a time as any to pack in

#farewellrio
#nebhashtags

I agree there, I also think his legs were starting to go, he didn't have the pace he once had

(30 May 2015, 1:14 pm)Davie wrote I agree there, I also think his legs were starting to go, he didn't have the pace he once had

Some big names have left the BPL this season...

Frank Lampard
Steven Gerrard
Rio Ferdinand

There is only really John Terry left from England's so called 'Golden Generation'

(30 May 2015, 1:18 pm)MrFozz wrote Some big names have left the BPL this season...

Frank Lampard
Steven Gerrard
Rio Ferdinand

There is only really John Terry left from England's so called 'Golden Generation'

They will be missed next season...

(30 May 2015, 1:21 pm)Davie wrote They will be missed next season...

Liverpool are knackered without Gerrard, look how they went in the aftermath of Suarez leaving, now they have lost the man who is the club through and through

Anyone watching the FA cup edition of Top of the Pops? Classics.

(30 May 2015, 1:18 pm)MrFozz wrote Some big names have left the BPL this season...

Frank Lampard
Steven Gerrard
Rio Ferdinand

There is only really John Terry left from England's so called 'Golden Generation'

Meh. Frank Lampard left last season as well didn't he?

There's also a slim chance Gerrard might be back next season too.

(30 May 2015, 1:24 pm)MrFozz wrote Liverpool are knackered without Gerrard, look how they went in the aftermath of Suarez leaving, now they have lost the man who is the club through and through

If Sterling leaves their situation becomes even worse

(30 May 2015, 1:29 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Meh. Frank Lampard left last season as well didn't he?

There's also a slim chance Gerrard might be back next season too.

Gerrard had ruled it out when asked at the last home game. 

(30 May 2015, 1:34 pm)aureolin wrote Gerrard had ruled it out when asked at the last home game. 

I think he'll return as a coach but not a player

(30 May 2015, 1:29 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Meh. Frank Lampard left last season as well didn't he?

There's also a slim chance Gerrard might be back next season too.

He did 'leave' last season when he left Chelsea...I was talking about him leaving the BPL all together

(30 May 2015, 1:34 pm)aureolin wrote Gerrard had ruled it out when asked at the last home game. 

He certainly did

(30 May 2015, 1:35 pm)Davie wrote I think he'll return as a coach but not a player

As above, Aurelion is right, Stevie G ruled out a playing return...

Though I would not be surprised if he came back to Anfield to join the coaching staff and would not be surprised if he one day managed Liverpool

Vieira to be next Newcastle manager...?

(30 May 2015, 9:43 pm)Tom wrote Vieira to be next Newcastle manager...?

I can't see it happening myself but stranger things have happened...

(30 May 2015, 9:43 pm)Tom wrote Vieira to be next Newcastle manager...?

(30 May 2015, 9:46 pm)Davie wrote I can't see it happening myself but stranger things have happened...

Vieira also mentioned for Sunderland as well...

I can't see it myself, would he really want to leave Man City for a what now seems guaranteed yearly relegation battle?

As you say though Davie, stranger things have happened

Interesting from Razor at BBC Newcastle
https://twitter.com/raisbeck10/status/60...8211365889

Malcolm Crosby is now the favourite for the Gateshead job. And if I'm honest I'd be disgusted if he got the job. There are far better managers out there than him which we could attract.

In his most recent match in charge of a team, it was Birmingham vs Bournemouth, coincidently, Birmingham lost 8-0

(01 Jun 2015, 8:54 pm)LeeCalder wrote Malcolm Crosby is now the favourite for the Gateshead job. And if I'm honest I'd be disgusted if he got the job.  There are far better managers out there than him which we could attract.

In his most recent match in charge of a team, it was Birmingham vs  Bournemouth, coincidently, Birmingham lost 8-0

I thought Colin Cooper was a foregone conclusion.

(01 Jun 2015, 9:10 pm)MurdnunoC wrote I thought Colin Cooper was a foregone conclusion.

Aye...

I thought Coops pretty much assured the job...ruddy good job I never paid a visit to see my turf accountant ain't it

Malcolm Crosby...there's a blast from the past...

Took Sunderland to the FA Cup Final in 1992

Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor told of Newcastle release over phone

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/...over-phone

Sorry can't resist... Ryan Taylor over the phone!