Sepp Blatter and the 2022 Qatar World Cup

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has caused controversy again, this time by hinting that the 2022 World Cup Finals in Qatar could be staged in the winter, to avoid the searing temperatures of the Middle East. The health risks of the 50 degrees plus temperatures in June and July were seemingly ignored by the committee members, despite being mentioned in the official evaluation reports.

This would force the Premier League and other European leagues to abandon the traditional August to May schedule that we have grown to know and love for years, possibly for the long term.

There is nothing in FIFA’s regulations that state the World Cup must be held in June and July, however due to them being the hottest two months of the year in Qatar, it will have to be considered.

Love him or loathe him, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway once again made the headlines with his opinion on things. After expressing his opinions on Blatter, Holloway then took a comical view of things. “You wait till I get home and tell my turkeys ‘don’t worry it ain’t Christmas, we’re moving it. I’ve had a word with FIFA and we’re gonna move Christmas.”

This winter proposal is not the only thing that has been mentioned referring to the Qatar World Cup of 2022. The same day, Blatter also mentioned his views on the possibility of staging some matches in neighbouring countries – something which had previously not been suggested. It was revealed that the 74 year old had met with officials from Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait during a visit to the region.

The FIFA President also angered gay rights groups in the same week by suggesting gay fans travelling to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup should ”refrain from any sexual activities”.

Gay groups are worried about the welcome that will be received by homosexual fans, with the Gay Football Supporter's Network saying at the time of Fifa's decision: “We do not feel the World Cup should be held in any country that abuses and disregards the basic human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.”

Blatter insists however that there is ‘too much concern over a competition that is to be held in 12 years time.’

“It’s a results business,” has been mentioned on numerous occasions in the past in relationship to the departure of managers. However, can the sackings of Chris Hughton at Newcastle United and Sam Alladyce from Blackburn Rovers on Monday link to this generally regarded opinion?

Hughton left the Magpies following the 3-1 defeat to West Brom and became the first Premier League manager of the season to lose his job. This sacking came as much as a shock to the players as it did to anyone in the football industry. Veteran defender Sol Campbell claimed the decision ‘made no sense.’

The club released a statement mentioning that ‘an individual with more managerial experience was needed to take the club forward.’ What has Alan Pardew ever achieved in the top flight apart from relegation? Pardew was appointed just 3 days after the Hughton decision, so one would expect it to have already been in the pipeline before the West Brom result.

The second top-flight managerial casualty came just a week later with Sam Allardyce being relieved of his duties at Ewood Park. Admittedly ‘Fat Sam’ has lost three of his last five games in charge of the Lancashire club, but Blackburn were only one win away from 7^th place.

The new owners stated that they are on the lookout for a British manager; however ex Tottenham manager Martin Jol leads the way according to William Hill. Venky’s Group have also said: “We want good football and Blackburn to be fourth or fifth in the league – or even better.” The last time Rovers finished in the top 5 was the year they won the Premier League; the 1994/95 season. Can they really compete with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham?

''Rushden & Diamonds – The FA Cup''

Despite such a short history, Rushden & Diamonds have embarked on a number of cup runs, most notably the 1998-99 season. History was made as Rushden won in the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time.  Victory over Shrewsbury Town and then Doncaster Rovers in the 2^nd Round with a 4-2 replay win at Nene Park embarked on one of the best moments as a Rushden & Diamonds fan. 3^rd Round draw - Leeds United at home.

A record 6,431 spectators watched a side around 90 league places below their opposition record a memorable 0-0 draw, and therefore a replay at Elland Road. 11 days later, over 39,000 watched Rushden & Diamonds do the unexpected. Score first! Carl Heggs’ 11^th minute goal put the Diamonds in front of the many travelling Rushden fans. The international stars of ‘The Whites’ stepped up a gear, with two goals from Alan Smith and one from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink sparing the premiership outfit any embarrassment.

The following season, the Nene Park side went on another memorable FA Cup run – again as a Non-League team. A 3-0 victory at home over Ilkeston Town in a 2^nd Round Replay, ensured the Northamptonshire side a 3^rd Round tie against Sheffield United. Following an excellent 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane, Rushden held their own and took the Yorkshire side all the way to penalties – finally succumbing to a 6-5 defeat in the shoot-out.

The FA Cup hasn’t been the best of competitions for Rushden over the past decade, with the 2^nd Round only being reached on a couple of occasions. Since returning to a Non-League club, defeats to Tamworth, Bristol Rovers, Evesham United and Yeovil Town have continued this unwanted spell of bad fortune. Albeit the Yeovil defeat to a disappointing refereeing decision, with the winning goal being allowed to stand, despite one player interfering with play approximately 10 yards offside.

18 Years of Rushden & Diamonds

‘’Rushden and Diamonds – That season’’

In the five years that Rushden and Diamonds endured their first spell as a National Conference club, they finished in the top 4 on four occasions. Two-time FA Cup winner Brian Talbot was now the man in control of this rapidly expanding club, but where to go next. The only way is up.

Talbot made one big push for the 2000-01 season, spending almost £300,000 on a new strike force. Justin Jackson from Morecombe and Duane Darby from Notts County were the two men who were going to be in charge of lifting this team that didn’t even exist 10 years ago, into what was only ever considered a dream – the Football League. 

The season started well. Top of the table by the end of September, it looked as if the Diamonds were well on the way for another top 4 finish. Disastrous form during October and November put a dent in these ambitions. Losing 5 games on the trot, the East Northamptonshire outfit found themselves 7 points being Yeovil Town, who also had 2 games in hand, come Christmas. In a dramatic change of fortune, however, Brian Talbot’s men went on a 17 game unbeaten run. Was this the chance?

The month of April was going to be ‘do or die’. Rushden were set to face championship rivals Yeovil Town at Huish Park. Almost 9,000 people watched what was considered as the game of the season. Talbot’s tactic was to defend; and how this worked. The Diamonds left the West Country with a crucial point. Four games remained, and it was the Diamonds to lose.

The unexpected became reality, as Rushden and Diamonds won their remaining games, in addition to Yeovil losing to a last gasp winner by Hereford in the penultimate game of the season. Max Griggs had bought these two struggling Northamptonshire teams together, and created a masterpiece.

Over 3,000 Rushden and Diamonds fans travelled to Chester City for the final game of the season, knowing the Championship and promotion was already in the bag. A Jon Brady strike in the 92^nd minute made the day even sweeter as Rushden and Diamonds left the Deva Stadium with a 2-1 victory, in addition to the Championship Trophy

Final Day Celebrations

‘’Rushden and Diamonds – What is that?’’

Rushden and Diamonds Football Club were formed at the end of the 1991/1992 season between Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds, two clubs each with its own proud history and tradition.

Rushden Town Football Club was founded in 1889 and competed in the Midland and Northants Leagues before joining the United Counties Leagues in 1901. Apart from a short period from 1956-61, during which the side competed in the Central Alliance, the ‘Russians’ remained in the UCL until 1983, winning the Championship on 10 occasions. It was a bold decision to step up into the Southern League Midland Division and for a time it appeared that the club had over-reached itself, but seven years later it gained promotion to the Southern League Premier Division. However, after finishing in fourteenth place in its first season, Rushden were demoted to the Midland Division as the outdated Hayden Road ground failed to meet the required standard for the Premier Division.

Irthlingborough Diamonds Football Club was formed in 1946 and began playing competitive youth football the following year. After a lengthy association with the Rushden & District Youth and Senior Leagues, the club moved into the Kettering Amateur League in 1960, before joining the United Counties League 4 years later. In 1967 the ‘Diamonds’ won the Division Two title and were promoted into the top section where they remained until 1992. The Championship was won on four occasions – the last of these being in 1982-83. Other notable achievements  included exciting FA Vase runs, which took the team to the semi-finals in 1980-81 and 1983-84.

In 1991-92 both clubs faced an uncertain future and following lengthy  discussions with local businessman Mr Max Griggs regarding possible sponsorship, a merger was agreed. Rushden & Diamonds F.C. was formed with Max Griggs as chairman and representatives from the two original clubs in senior managerial positions. Roger Ashby was appointed as the club’s manager. Ashby had formerly enjoyed considerable success with Irthlingborough Diamonds and was the manager of Rushden Town prior to the amalgamation.

'You're too fat to referee!'

Well, well, well. I thought I had seen it all in the last few seasons at Non-League level with shocking refereeing displays. Obviously not! Welcome Mr. K Evans who was the man in the middle at the Galpharm Stadium today for the League 1 fixture between Huddersfield Town and Bristol Rovers. Without sounding harsh, I don’t know how anyone of his stature can be classed as a ‘Professional Referee’. I fully expected to see him in McDonalds on the way home, but with them not having a car park, I couldn’t have seen him walking to it! He literally was wider than he was tall and at around 5”2 it was pretty visible. With the home fans outnumbering the away fans by over 12,000, you would have expected him to try to keep in their good books. But, no. Two stone wall penalty claims turned down, several bookings that were given but not deserved and other decisions that to be honest he got wrong. No complaints about the winning goal, as it was one of the best I have seen this season, however with the possession of play Huddersfield had, the game should well and truly have been put to bed by then.

Today did however make me realise even more so, that being a journalist is definitely my ambition in life. The times I have sat at Nene Park, bored out of my head due to poor footballing displays and poor officiating needs to be sorted. To go home afterwards, just to vent my frustration on the internet football forums and Facebook. Although Huddersfield will become my ‘home club’ over the next few seasons, along with the Portsmouth v Crystal Palace game at Fratton Park that I watched earlier in the season, I thoroughly enjoyed watching as a neutral on these occasions. To sit in the press box and laugh along with really how bad some performances have been and to write and talk about them to a wider audience is really something I wish to do.

Talking of which, will start in around two and a half weeks, if not earlier, when I will find myself doing just that in the press box at the KC Stadium (Another ground I am yet to visit) for Hull City’s Championship League fixture against another former Premiership team in Sheffield United. A great chance for me to really see what it is like to fulfil my ambitions. To add to two more events that I have managed to obtained press status for. Moss Lane is the location for my second press experience that I have managed to gain so far. This will again be on a nice and warm Tuesday night for the Blue Square Premier game between Altrincham and AFC Wimbledon, two sides needing the points at both ends of the table.

Fortunately, I have also managed to receive a further Sporting event to create a press report for. No chance of getting cold at this one, despite it being at night! Wolverhampton Civic Hall will be the venue for this towards the middle of November for the ITV Sport ‘Grand Slam of Darts’ event, a sport in which I have a particular interest. This is a major coup for me and I am already looking forward to it.

University has already given me these chances and the next 3 years will hopefully help to build up my contacts to carry out this career for many years to come. Not many people can say they enjoy their job, but I certainly will enjoy mine if this can continue. I have Sports event calendars already coming out of my ears, as well as many ideas for feature articles already and I’ve only just started. Nothing planned for next Saturday yet, here’s hoping to maybe a debut press box appearance..?