Famous quotes are often abridged to enhance their long-term utility.
Hence Jock Stein observed that:
“Without fans who pay at the turnstile, football is nothing. Sometimes we are inclined to forget that. The only chance of bringing them into stadiums is if they are entertained by what happens on the football field.”
It was shortened to be :
“Football is nothing without fans.”
Today I learned on a recent conversation between two chaps who are employed by a couple of SPFL clubs.
They have the same designation as head of security.
Unsurprisingly, both are retried, senior police officers.
It seems to be a well-worn career progression on Planet Fitba.
Both agreed that they were unlikely to see football fans inside their respective home grounds this season.
I don’t count “test events” of 300 fans or so, as that simply isn’t a crowd big enough to generate an atmosphere.
So empty stadiums for the rest of the season?
Of course, for any club relying on matchday revenue, this is horrible news indeed.
I shared the gist of this ex-plod conversation to a chap who actually runs an SPFL club on a day to day basis.
It is fair to say that he was rather downbeat at the prospect although he didn’t demur.
He said to me:
“For the first time, I’m coming to the conclusion that some clubs might not see out this season”.
At the start of this pandemic Celtic were clearly the wealthiest club in Scotland.
Now, I understand that the Parkhead outfit is now feeling the financial pressures because of this unprecedented set of circumstances.
So, if Celtic are feeling the pinch, then it stands to reason that everyone else is too and then some.
Of course, all except one magical immortal franchise beloved of the authorities in Hampden and the intrepid chaps in the Stenography Corps.
If some Scottish clubs do succumb to a COVID induced insolvency event, then I wonder if their 2nd iterations will be allowed the same opportunity to pretend that nothing really happened.
Apparently, after this Rangers are somehow still alive.
Ah yes, the Immortal Franchise (IF) it’s a kind of magic.
Yes, football without fans is a seriously reduced occasion.
However, lives are at stake, and therefore we must avoid the idiots in our midst.
Please stay safe.
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You’re totally correct it’s peoples arrogance and the ‘no one’s going to tell me what to do’ attitude that’s causing problems. The information from the beginning that it was no worse than the flu and could only kill people who were elderly or had underlying health conditions didn’t help. It took me 20 minutes of research to find out that that information was a myth. The dye had been cast though and now the misinformation has caused complete chaos. I also believe we came out of lockdown way too soon and now the only way to gain control again is by going back into lockdown through the winter. We also need to stop international travel in or out of countries and even cross border travel too. I know that’s not easy to enforce and that the economy will tank and probably more businesses will go under but what’s the alternative, we have to stop this virus running amok or the death toll will rise exponentially.
The contradictions in the advice from government about ways to protect against the virus are puzzling. I can’t visit my gran and have a cup of tea with her in her kitchen. I can,however, take her to pub and give her a skinfull.
As for the bhoys, I’m very apprehensive about today’s outing with Riga.
The current situation is bemusing. What do the medical advisors know, and what are they telling us. As your ordinary guy on the street we look at the facts and what we see in front of us at home and work. What I see is nothing. I speak to hundreds of people per week and no-one sees anything to worry us apart from the “figures”.
The figures that cannot be manipulated are the hospital admissions and deaths. They seem to be at virtually zero.
Before the pandemic the world owed China financially on the back of the collapse of the banks in 2008. Now are they saying China are in debt to the world for the spread back in Feb / march and April of the real Co-vid pandemic. But what is going on now behind the government doors and Medical labs.
Happy to hear death rate in your environs is .o4%.
Much higher elsewhere most notably to the south of me -Im in Toronto.
Bad as it is the death rates are not potentially the worst thing.
Plenty of evidence coming in of lesions to lungs heart and other internal organs in recovered victims. Who knows now what the long term effect of that will be -especially on younger victims.
There is good reason to believe the numbers are massaged -particularly again south of here but elsewhere as well.
We have no clue as to the numbers in China for example.
There is well documented reports that the expected deaths per month are much higher than forecast (Insurance adjusters wd understand) -the suspicion is these extras are covid related deaths but we cant know.
We do know these higher numbers have been ongoing since March.
Toss in the point that there are presently a great many folk who have covid and are spreading it who are untested and therefore unknown.
So the number of covid infected is higher than reported and equally deaths may be higher as well.
That being so its really impossible to assign a death rate as a percentage.
The death rate we do know however suggests that the chances of fatally succumbing to the disease rise dramatically with age really taking off around 44 yrs old but of course even worse for the more aged.
Obviously the best thing presently is not to get it all -hence masks and social distancing.
Is it perfect no but so far all we have got.
Most of us have families and friends -sad fact is an older person is hugely at risk but a younger person less so.
On the other hand young people are also apparently efficient carriers of the virus before they show symptoms and thus a real threat to older relations if they dont stay away.
Privately im 74 and if it comes to it Ive had a good run.
I dont go out much and when I do I wear a mask and try to keep a distance for others -not for myself but actually to protect others from me in case I have it unawares.
Were I all alone in the world might have a different view but even then doubt I should be putting strangers at risk through my own actions-just my view.
Why would you ever listen seriously to anything any Tory says.
Apparently not all Economies
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53399999
Ironic.
Maybe there are no deaths because you live in a village.
People who have to use public transport to get around in a large city are clearly at risk.
Different circumstances entirely.
Is the cure worse than the disease ? The over reaction to CVD has destroyed all economies and the future prosperity of us all
The death rate here in Victoria, Australia is 4%, not 0.04%.
The nanny state has turned the average citizen into malfunctioning robots.
Unable to think for themselves or make rational choices based on common sense.
This Pandemic would have been on its way out had people simply stuck to a common sense approach.
But naw let’s all pile out on the bevvy,on holidays,on crowded transport to make non essential journeys because …well because WE CAN.
Wise up ffs and screw the nut.
Oh and keep you and yours safe whilst doing so.
Agree with you entirely JT but you just haven’t realised that this isn’t the Age of Aquarius, it’s the Age of the Snowflake.. HH
Honesttim indeed the rules put out today do indeed contradict each other. I have only one question for the folk that want to keep pubs and restaurants open. WHY?
If they want a drink they can buy plenty in the supermarket. If the want to eat can they not just buy food there too! Are they too lazy to actually cook their own food or pour a beer for themselves?
My grandfather often told me of the life he had growing up. It wasn’t if a restaurant or pub was closed he was worried about. It was worrying about the harvest and the livestock. Internet wasn’t even invented. Even electricity was new and he wouldn’t seen it in his village for another 60 50 years. the shops didn’t sell a million different kinds of ready made meals or fruit or chocolate. He told me he was in his 20s the first time he ever seen a tomato. Yet folk today have everything they could ever need yet they are crying and bicthing because they can’t go to a restaurant and have someone cook for them! They should grow the fk up. Get off tictoc Facebook Instagram ect and do something useful.
Obviously you failed to grasp the wider message in my post resp9nse.
The greater message here is not about pubs or restaurants etc being closed…and joe public having to uncork the wine himself…nor having to bung something in the microwave to zap a couch meal in 3 mins.
The wider message is two fold.
Firstly…business’s are being put to the sword under these rules which are totally contradictory……and people who have invested and taken debt to open their own business’s are losing ..not only their dreams…but their lives and livelihood.
Their employees are losing their livelihood’s…..
Why ?
Because of a so called pandemic that kills only 0.04%……less than flu….less than many other diseases.
Secondly…the full affect of restrictions are a breach of your fundamental freedoms….and illegal unless accompanied by a very good excuse to breach your rights.
Rights we have had since the beginning of time.
These lockdowns and restrictions have proven innefectual….but they serve the agenda of governments who want to see such restrictions imposed at all times.
Its a sad fact that there have always been a very small handful of people who believe they know whats best for us…..politicians these days.
Its a sadder fact that theres a large percentage of populations who believe their rubbish.
You seem to be one of the latter.
Lets hear what you have to say in 7 months when people are rioting in streets because theres no food…or because they cant afford to buy it….and government impose martial law to quell protestors.
“…some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money. They can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” Michael Caine The Dark Knight
Some men just want to watch the world burn….. and the Blue Room especially. They will take anything that stops this season. Early season finishes or a dozen clubs going to the wall and then they can blame, the SNP, the government, the SPFL, the SFA, Everything and Anything to stop this season. and they will bury Ran2ers* and Ran3ers will emerge debt free and in the top league!
The Celtic board, know 1. We have a real billionaire 2. We haven’t had a fans whip round in the form a share issue since 2001. 3. We have real sellable assists in Eddy, Ntcham, Ajer and if it came to it CalMac. and each would fetch £15mill+. The real issue on the sale of them is how much water the EPL will take on board over the next few months. We could top dollar one of them before the deadline, Fergus style.
We should give out soft loans to all 10 other clubs to help them stay afloat because some men just want to watch the rangers, ran2ers, ran3ers, r4ngers burn
If someone said, you won’t get to see a game all season but it gets you 10IAR…..I’d say Protect Society and Fly the Flag. It’s tough but history is not always easy or convenient.
Honesttim,
you are not alone, many people feel the same way as you.
I have been in the UK now for about one month and the first two weeks were under quarantine restrictions, not a single phone call, email or other form of communication to check my whereabouts, a complete waste of time.
As in France, people go shopping wearing masks and practice social distance within the store, but prior to going into the store and afterwards coming out they are all mask free, touchy feely, in for a coffee, bite to eat all in close proximity, etc.
I watched a young family in a large South London town shopping for the day, they were all walking down the street, hand in hand in close proximity and buying foodstuffs from the market stalls all around, perfectly normal, but once they all went into one of the main large stores their behavior completely changed, social distancing, masked up and the father of this family ensured that going up the escalator they were all the mandatory two meters apart, then they all came out of the said store and normal service was resumed, bizarre!
But some people have stock in this business, emotional stock! which tends to cloud their judgement and then all reasonable conversation is out the window.
Coved 19 like brexit has become a religion, disagree with them at your peril.
Back to rustic rural France on Friday, no social distancing, no masks, drink to your hearts content and not a single contamination or death in the village throughout this whole pandemic.
HH
Being restricted to watching games on TV, that old quote could be further updated;
“Without fans, (inside the stadium), football is nothing.”
Karma will seal the fate of The Rangers in due course.
For all the other clubs who could go bust due to extended stadium restrictions, there is only one thing the fans can expect with some certainty;
both The SPFL and The SFA will not anticipate – .nor deal with – the fallout in a competent, professional manner.
And the irony is: the SPL clubs have the substandard governance at Hampden which they fully deserve – because they have supported the actions of Petrie and Doncaster since before 2012.
How about another update;
“Without The SFA or SPFL, Scottish football could be something.” 🙁
Agree 100% with your summary . The fallout from this virus is far more harmful than the virus itself . Politicians handling of this situation has been nothing short of abysmal. Hopefully those same people will not ever get re- elected into a position of power and authority . They depend upon keeping many of the population in a continuous state of fear . The decisions that they’ve made to date have been scary of course .
Celtic seem to be missing out on pay per view whilst Rangers, however are charging £9.99 a game. Surely Celtic are missing out on quite a large revenue stream. There are supporters from all over the world who would sign up to this if available. I wonder how much Rangers are benefitting at this “windfall”?
SPL teams are weaker this year already. It is noticeable when Motherwell can wipe the floor with Aberdeen at Pittodrie. There are going to be sales at both Celtic and Sevco. If individuals and institutions thought the last 8 months was bad, I have no doubt the next 8 are going to be much much worse.
HH phil…..
As mich as I’m aware we face a serious virus….and I’m aware because the government told me its serious…..I find myself asking various questions of the Westminster cabalè…
Firstly…if so serious, why does it kill so few……0.04% of those who contract the virus.
Second…if weve had a lockdown and beat the virus…as jolly Boris said….why is it back.
Third…..if the tests only confirm you have a corona virus…not specifically covit 19….how can they even guess at infection numbers.
Fourth…if the virus is so deadly…does it also have intelligence?…after all…it seems to be able to tell when its 10 oclock and stay away till that curfews called.
It seems to be unable to enter schools or places of employment…as Boris thinks its safe to eat and drink outside till 10 o clock…and attend work and school.
It must be able to count cos it wont arrive in a group of up to six..but seven or more and its there.
Its not going to be around anytime except when it comes the autumn break….when it arrives so strongly that you have to actually lock down again.
Im very puzzled by this virus…as it cant be killed by heat or cold…yet can lie in wait while we lockdown …hibernating till we emerge.
Truely the chinese have invented the most impressive virus ever if it can do all that.
I dont mean to seem frugal….I just believe that nothing they have can stop this virus….despite Boris claims….and until we do,then lockdown is simply causing unnecessary hardship…mostly to the working classes….
That can be proven cos the virus will attack more than 6 in a house…but stays away from the rich grouseshooters in packs of 30.
Its time to say…move on…wear masks..clean hands….take all precautions….but lets live…cos these restrictions and lockdowns are killing people…mentalky and physically.