Passionate about football

Welcome to my football blog. Football is one of my passions and a fantastic escape from my ‘day job’. I am fortunate to support two fantastic teams, Liverpool and AFC Wimbledon.

Why these two? I don’t really know why I support Liverpool – I just do. My earliest football memory must have been the 1978 European Cup Final which I watched at my nans. Kenny Dalglish scored the winner and from that moment they were my team and Kenny was my favourite player. As any true football supporter will know – once you have a team, their yours for life, for better or worse.

My first match was the 1982 Charity Shield at Wembley where Ian Rush scored in the 31st minute for a 1-0 victory over Tottenham. I have witnessed Liverpool win every major honour in the game. My favourite game was the 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 1986 with Kenny scoring in the 23rd minute to clinch the first part of the double. The worst has to be the horror and despair of Hillsborough.

It was supporting Liverpool that led to my support of Wimbledon. I admired their rise through the leagues to reach the old first division in 1987. But it was the FA Cup final of 1988 where they met all conquering Liverpool going for the second double in three years. With Wimbledon leading 1-0, Liverpool were awarded a penalty. I was standing behind the goal and my heart sunk as John Aldridge missed and the Dons went on to lift the cup 11 just years after entering the league. Whilst I was disappointed I thought it was an amazing day for football anf I have has a soft spot for them ever since. Wimbledon continued to punch above their weight for many years often finishing in the top ten with good cup runs.

To cut a very long story short the club was first re-located to Selhurst Park then in 2002 to Milton Keynes. The FA sanctioned the move that basically stole the club from its supporters. The supporters formed AFC Wimbledon and in an amazing 9 years they are back in the league. In my view the true essence of football, that is fast being lost from the Premiership

I also support football in general especially lower league and non-league football. For the 2011/12 season I have sponsored 13 players from 13 Midlands teams.

Wednesday 24 August 2011

I bet they drink Carling black label


Luis Suarez and Maxi Rodriguez celebrate Liverpool's second goal















Liverpool cruised through to the 3rd round of the Carling Cup by beating Exeter City 3-1. It was a professional performance from a strong team.  Luis Suarez was again sensational with his third goal in three games and he assisted the two other goals.   I am hoping that without European football this season, Liverpool will take the domestic cups more seriously and hopefully a trip to Wembley next spring.

Sunday 21 August 2011

Whinging Wenger




Am I correct on think that respect or the Arsenal manager is being lost in great numbers. I remember when he came to England he was a breath of fresh air - his football was exciting turning one of the leagues most boring teams into the most exciting. He was polite and gracious in interviews and was an advocate of fair play. Remember him replaying an FA Cup match against Sheffield United because  of unsportsmanlike behaviour by his players.

But now he cuts a sad figure of a man - excuse after excuse. He often refuses to shake hands with the opposing manager and shows ever increasing signs of paranoia. The world and referees are all against Arsenal. If he is not careful he will ruin his reputation altogether

Saturday 20 August 2011

An afternoon at Kingsmeadow

One of the best games of football I have seen for a long time as it was end-to-end with chances as the Dons and Hereford shared the points with a 1-1 draw. Both teams entered the match with contrasting fortunes; the Dons with two great away wins and Hereford with three losses and han't even scored in the league. So it was a surprise when they took the lead on 8 minutes with a headed goal by Delroy Facey. Jack Midson netted his fourth goal of the season to put Wimbledon on equal terms and had a chance to snatch victory in injury time but captain Jamie Stuart fired wide.

This was my third Dons game of the season and I think they have settled in really well - who knows what coud happen.

Hereford is one of the West Midland teams that I am financially supporting this season and my sponsored player, Yoann Arquinn came on with 15 minutes to go. He is a big bulky player with good movement and uses his strength well. It caused the Wimbledon defence lots of problems.

Liverpool win first match of the season


Super Suarez seals Liverpools first victory of the season
I decided not to pay the exorbitant ticket prices at Areneal and chose to see AFC Wimbledon platy Hereford  instead. So I listened to the match on the radio as I drove to Kingston.  A 2-0 victory, the first away victory at Arsenal since 2000, was a fantatic result especialy after last weeks dissapointment. Luis Suarez came off the bench to have a hand in both goals. He was named as the player of the Copa Americal as Uruguay won the tournement and I thin he has every chance of being the Premierships player of the season. Liverpol sent a clear message today that the top four is acheivable. And we haven't even got Stevie G in the team - wait till he gets back!

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Dons March on at Plymouth











Wimbledon secured their second away win in three days as they beat struggling Plymouth Argyle 2-0 with a great second half performance.