(19 May 2014, 8:31 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Never noticed the Rossendale to be honest - mind, I was just hoping coach 7 wasn't the Kingsleys coach!

I was wondering how the services would have been picked.
Mates who have been to Wembley or Cardiff with Newcastle have always said they stopped at Woodhall too.

If management at the services had arranged a deal with the club, you would have thought additional staff would have been brought in to assist with the crowds - the queues were horrendous, especially on the way back outside McDonalds and KFC.

That banner is canny. You should try and get it signed by the squad.

It was ridiculous like coming back. I completely agree with.you that more staff should have been organised, especially as around 1,700 people will turn up within half an hour or so. We ended up going over the bridge to the southbound side and getting food there. The queues were still enormous.

Funnily enough, one of my Business teachers is good friends with James Curtis and he said that if I bring in a programme, he'll give it to Curtis so he and the rest of the squad can sign it

(19 May 2014, 9:04 pm)Adam wrote It was ridiculous like coming back. I completely agree with.you that more staff should have been organised, especially as around 1,700 people will turn up within half an hour or so. We ended up going over the bridge to the southbound side and getting food there. The queues were still enormous.

Funnily enough, one of my Business teachers is good friends with James Curtis and he said that if I bring in a programme, he'll give it to Curtis so he and the rest of the squad can sign it

If you ever go to a KFC at a motorway services, there is always a fast track till like in Argos.
Order the food at the touch screen computer and go to the dedicated till.
Only a handful of people did it, the rest stood and queued.

#kfctipsonNEB

You should def get it signed. Don't leave it too late

(19 May 2014, 9:17 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote If you ever go to a KFC at a motorway services, there is always a fast track till like in Argos.
Order the food at the touch screen computer and go to the dedicated till.
Only a handful of people did it, the rest stood and queued.

#kfctipsonNEB

haha never realised they had that. Quite a clever feature. I know McDonald's on Grainger Street have a similar system.

(19 May 2014, 9:22 pm)Adam wrote haha never realised they had that. Quite a clever feature. I know McDonald's on Grainger Street have a similar system.

Forgot all about it - but did you see the bus spotters at Wembley?
Didn't notice cameras, just old guys noting down (I presume) reg numbers.

They got some stick off people on our bus - particularly the one who looked like an old Arsne Wenger!

(21 May 2014, 7:47 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Forgot all about it - but did you see the bus spotters at Wembley?
Didn't notice cameras, just old guys noting down (I presume) reg numbers.

They got some stick off people on our bus - particularly the one who looked like an old Arsne Wenger!

I would have a laugh at his expense, must be awful being named after an ArsenHole(see what I did there) lmao

(21 May 2014, 7:47 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Forgot all about it - but did you see the bus spotters at Wembley?
Didn't notice cameras, just old guys noting down (I presume) reg numbers.

They got some stick off people on our bus - particularly the one who looked like an old Arsne Wenger!

I never noticed them. Would have been canny.for them though, seeing around 40 coaches of different operators. Forgot to say as well, I noticed there was a Country Lion coach from Northampton parked in the Gateshead end at Wembley.

Any one watching the Champions league final?

Gonna be a red card soon, some dirty tackles going in!

(24 May 2014, 7:19 pm)Michael wrote Any one watching the Champions league final?

Gonna be a red card soon, some dirty tackles going in!

Or maybe a goal to AM....

(24 May 2014, 7:23 pm)citaro5284 wrote Or maybe a goal to AM....

, good, dont want RM to win

AM got exactly what they deserved, trying to defend a 1-0 lead in the final! Exciting times now, in extra time!

(24 May 2014, 8:53 pm)tyresmoke wrote AM got exactly what they deserved, trying to defend a 1-0 lead in the final! Exciting times now, in extra time!

Real definitely didn't deserve to win 4-1.
Thought it was all going to kick off when Simeone ran onto the pitch.

Anyone watching the league 1 play off final, what a good game!

Each team has scored brilliant goals, currently 2-2 in the 23rd min of extra time.

Rotherham wins 4-3 on pens

Congratz Rotherham

The Scottish Championship will be interesting next season with not only Rangers, but also Hibs and Hearts

(26 May 2014, 7:43 am)marxistafozzski wrote The Scottish Championship will be interesting next season with not only Rangers, but also Hibs and Hearts

Further down the league, the Second Division could prove to be interesting as, from next season, the team which places last are involved in a play-off scenario against non-league teams to determine who stays or not.

Maybe, a potential rise up the Scottish leagues may tempt clubs like Celtic Nation.

(26 May 2014, 11:25 am)AdamY wrote Further down the league, the Second Division could prove to be interesting as, from next season, the team which places last are involved in a play-off scenario against non-league teams to determine who stays or not.

Maybe, a potential rise up the Scottish leagues may tempt clubs like Celtic Nation.

So they are at long last creating a Pyramid in Scotland, there system is antiquated now, might be good to see a Huntly, Keith, Brora or Spartans in the Scottish League...

As for Celtic Nation, I dont think they will ever enter the Scottish League, for starters they are in an English League based in Carlisle, The FA, SFA and UEFA would probably veto it. Before you come back at me with Berwick and Welsh teams, that is down to geography(Berwicks case) and Wales had no national till 1993, by which time Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham etc were established in the English League System.

There are cases in Europe where teams play in a different countries league system, but it is mostly down to politics(Derry City in Rep.Ireland) or countries not having there own league system(Liechtenstein, San Marino)

Fleetwood Town have taken the final promotion place in League 2, beating Burton 1-0 at Wembley...

Not a bad rise for Fleetwood considering they were re-formed in 1997 in the North West Counties League(equivalent to Northern League Division 2)

But I am not surprised at the there rise up the National League System as for the last few years they have been bankrolled

(26 May 2014, 4:04 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Fleetwood Town have taken the final promotion place in League 2, beating Burton 1-0 at Wembley...

Not a bad rise for Fleetwood considering they were re-formed in 1997 in the North West Counties League(equivalent to Northern League Division 2)

But I am not surprised at the there rise up the National League System as for the last few years they have been bankrolled

Well done Fleetwood, Hopefully they have a good season.

So all the domestic leagues in England are finished now!

So this happened:

Premiership:
Relegation: Cardiff City,Fulham and Norwich City

In the Championship:
Promoted: Leicester City and Burnley
Relegation: Yeovil Barnsley. Doncaster

League 1:
Promoted: Wolves , Brentford , Rotherham
Relegation: Stevenage, Shrewsbury Tranmere and Carlisle

League 2:
Promoted: Chesterfield, Scunthorpe, Rochdale and Fleetwood
Relegation: Torquay and Bristol Rovers

Conference:
Promoted: Luton Town & Cambridge United
Relegation: Hyde, Tamworth, Dartford, Chester

(26 May 2014, 4:25 pm)Michael wrote Well done Fleetwood, Hopefully they have a good season.

So all the domestic leagues in England are finished now!

So this happened:

Premiership:
Relegation: Cardiff City,Fulham and Norwich City

In the Championship:
Promoted: Leicester City and Burnley
Relegation: Yeovil Barnsley. Doncaster

League 1:
Promoted: Wolves , Brentford , Rotherham
Relegation: Stevenage, Shrewsbury Tranmere and Carlisle

League 2:
Promoted: Chesterfield, Scunthorpe, Rochdale and Fleetwood
Relegation: Torquay and Bristol Rovers

Conference:
Promoted: Luton Town & Cambridge United
Relegation: Hyde, Tamworth, Dartford, Chester

Just to add to that

Arsenal:- FA Cup
Man City:- Capital One Cup
Real Madrid:- Champions League
Seville: Europa League

As for Fleetwood, I can see it ending in tears, once the owner gets bored of bankrolling them, they will end up back at there natural level, history says that is what happens when you chase the dream and clubs in Lower Leagues will normally go bust, take a look at Maidstone, Newport, Aldershot in the late 80's/early 90's and more recently clubs like Scarborough, Halifax and Chester ended up being reformed, also Gretna in Scotland

(26 May 2014, 4:43 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Just to add to that

Arsenal:- FA Cup
Man City:- Capital One Cup
Real Madrid:- Champions League
Seville: Europa League

As for Fleetwood, I can see it ending in tears, once the owner gets bored of bankrolling them, they will end up back at there natural level, history says that is what happens when you chase the dream and clubs in Lower Leagues will normally go bust, take a look at Maidstone, Newport, Aldershot in the late 80's/early 90's and more recently clubs like Scarborough, Halifax and Chester ended up being reformed, also Gretna in Scotland

Thanks, i forgot to add the main cups.

I hope they don't get bored of using their money

(26 May 2014, 4:44 pm)Michael wrote Thanks, i forgot to add the main cups.

I hope they don't get bored of using their money

Me neither, but history has proved chairman will only put so much before they want out, I dont like seeing any club going bust, it is genuine fans who lose out. To think they were only averaging 134 in 2003/04 to 2,819 in the season just ended, quite an achievement but I hope they can sustain themselves in League 1 or 2

(26 May 2014, 4:50 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Me neither, but history has proved chairman will only put so much before they want out, I dont like seeing any club going bust, it is genuine fans who lose out. To think they were only averaging 134 in 2003/04 to 2,819 in the season just ended, quite an achievement but I hope they can sustain themselves in League 1 or 2

Hopefully it means more people will turn up, giving a better boost for cash, let's hope the prices for tickets don't rocket up!

Reading about the Scottish League Plans, if only they could be as simple as our system i.e. 2 up 2 down from between League 2 and Conference. The Scottish system involves a promotion/relegation play off...

The Champions of the Highland League will face the Champions of the Lowland League in a play off to earn the right to go play off against the team who finishes bottom of Scottish League 2

(26 May 2014, 6:41 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Reading about the Scottish League Plans, if only they could be as simple as our system i.e. 2 up 2 down from between League 2 and Conference. The Scottish system involves a promotion/relegation play off...

The Champions of the Highland League will face the Champions of the Lowland League in a play off to earn the right to go play off against the team who finishes bottom of Scottish League 2

Why do they not just do what we do and have simple promotion and relegation, by having 2 up, 2 down in each league

Yep, that would be simple enough...

Scotland has a mad league system, 4 National Divisions(1 of 12 and 3 of 10)...

Personally I think they should have 2 National Divisions(1 of 22, 1 of 20) and regionalised at Level 3, would like this

Scottish Premiership: 22 clubs Premier League and Championship merged...with 3 up 3 down
Scottish Championship: 20 Clubs League 1 and League merged 4 up 4 down
Scottish League 1 North and South: Highland League and Lowland League run side by side, each Champion gets promoted with the next 4 teams(2-5) playing off, just like our play off system

(26 May 2014, 7:45 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Yep, that would be simple enough...

Scotland has a mad league system, 4 National Divisions(1 of 12 and 3 of 10)...

Personally I think they should have 2 National Divisions(1 of 22, 1 of 20) and regionalised at Level 3, would like this

Scottish Premiership: 22 clubs Premier League and Championship merged...with 3 up 3 down
Scottish Championship: 20 Clubs League 1 and League merged 4 up 4 down
Scottish League 1 North and South: Highland League and Lowland League run side by side, each Champion gets promoted with the next 4 teams(2-5) playing off, just like our play off system

I agree fully with that idea

I am also of the opinion that Football in this country could do with a change lower down...

Premier League to absorb the Championship and become Premier 2, League 1 becomes the The Championship and League 2 absorbs the Conference to become League 2 North/South and 3 divisions under that covering the North, The South and a Midlands division...would look something like this.

Premier League:- 3 down
Premier League 2:- 3 up 3 down
Championship:- 4 up 4 down
League 1 N/S:- 2 Champions promoted, 2 more through regional division play offs 3 relegated
North/South/Midland Conference: 3 champions promoted no play off

Then just keep on regionalising the leagues as you go down the pyramid...

I personally dont think we need 5 National Divisions(1 with 20, the rest with 24), looking at Europe, most countries only have 2 or 3 National Football Divisions(France has 2, as does Spain, Germany has 3 and possibly Italy too), with regional leagues at the 4th Level it brings mileage down a heck of a lot, teams will have more local derbies, and could possibly encourage more people to follow there team...

Thats just my opinion anyway, it would never happen because the Conference would refuse to play ball by wanting to protect there National Division

(26 May 2014, 8:24 pm)marxistafozzski wrote I am also of the opinion that Football in this country could do with a change lower down...

Premier League to absorb the Championship and become Premier 2, League 1 becomes the The Championship and League 2 absorbs the Conference to become League 2 North/South and 3 divisions under that covering the North, The South and a Midlands division...would look something like this.

Premier League:- 3 down
Premier League 2:- 3 up 3 down
Championship:- 4 up 4 down
League 1 N/S:- 2 Champions promoted, 2 more through regional division play offs 3 relegated
North/South/Midland Conference: 3 champions promoted no play off

Then just keep on regionalising the leagues as you go down the pyramid...

I personally dont think we need 5 National Divisions(1 with 20, the rest with 24), looking at Europe, most countries only have 2 or 3 National Football Divisions(France has 2, as does Spain, Germany has 3 and possibly Italy too), with regional leagues at the 4th Level it brings mileage down a heck of a lot, teams will have more local derbies, and could possibly encourage more people to follow there team...

Thats just my opinion anyway, it would never happen because the Conference would refuse to play ball by wanting to protect there National Division

There could also be issues with the FA loosing out again.
When the Premier League was inaugurated, the FA found their status diminished and what had been their league system, superseded by the Prem.
I cant see them giving up the Championship division and seeing it pushed further down the pyramid.

(26 May 2014, 8:35 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote There could also be issues with the FA loosing out again.
When the Premier League was inaugurated, the FA found their status diminished and what had been their league system, superseded by the Prem.
I cant see them giving up the Championship division.

The Championship is not governed by the FA, that is the Football League, our system is quite stupid as there 3 main organisations running football...The FA, The Premier League and Football League...

One solution could be to try and re-unite football, for years Scottish Football was ran by the SPL and SFL until last year when a deal was reached form the Scottish Professional Football League with Premier Division at the top and League 2 at the bottom. I doubt a Premier League/Football League merger would work here though as the Premier League would want to be the majority partner so to speak.

I dont think the Football League could do much about it if say 15 Championship Sides announced there intent to resign there Football League Membership, as long as they stuck to rules in the Leagues constitution that was exactly what happened back in 1990 or 1991 when the old 1st Division broke awah

But I still believe that if there were drastic changes in our system, Premier 2 would probably be the most likely outcome

(26 May 2014, 8:48 pm)marxistafozzski wrote The Championship is not governed by the FA, that is the Football League, our system is quite stupid as there 3 main organisations running football...The FA, The Premier League and Football League...

One solution could be to try and re-unite football, for years Scottish Football was ran by the SPL and SFL until last year when a deal was reached form the Scottish Professional Football League with Premier Division at the top and League 2 at the bottom. I doubt a Premier League/Football League merger would work here though as the Premier League would want to be the majority partner so to speak.

I dont think the Football League could do much about it if say 15 Championship Sides announced there intent to resign there Football League Membership, as long as they stuck to rules in the Leagues constitution that was exactly what happened back in 1990 or 1991 when the old 1st Division broke awah

But I still believe that if there were drastic changes in our system, Premier 2 would probably be the most likely outcome

Sorry - yes, that's what I meant... The Football League governs, the Football League...

Getting back to the point about teams in the Championship splitting - how would that work with the current TV rights?
I don't think it is as easy as it was prior to the 1992 changes, as there are the massive TV contracts and parachute systems in place now.

If the chairmen were to announce their separation, there would be a lot more red tape than previously, which would in my opinion hinder the creation of a new division.
It would take a lot more than a few chairmen to force change these days.

I will have to have a think about that mate...

The one thing I have heard proposed in the past, and I hope football never goes down that route would see the creation of a Premier 2 and becoming a 'closed shop' so to speak, parachute payments would be stopped, as would promotion/relegation between Premier 2 and The Football League, we would have no co-operation between PL/FL. And that would probably destroy the Football League.

As for the TV deal, Sky and BT could screen more matches over the season, multiple games at the same time and try to get the Saturday 3pm Blackout quashed by being allowed t9 show a limited number of games at 3pm on a Saturday, I dont care what anybody says, it would not have a devastating effect on attendance football if games were screened at 3pm on a Saturday...

Gonna have to have a good think about this to see if anything sensible can come off my mind [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]