Aston Villa have announced that no away supporters will be permitted to attend their Europa league game with Israeli team, Maccabi Tel Aviv on the 6th November. The reasons given are that this is the Safety Advisory Group’s decision following advice from the police that they were concerned about potential safety concerns and their ability… Continue reading When antisemitism went to the football (responding to the ban on away supporters for Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv
Tag: football
Promotion, drama and distraction
It’s the 96th minute of the final game of the season, it’s 0-0 at Valley Parade, the place is rocking as a late late goal goes in and Bradford City secure third place and promotion. For a Bradford fan like me, the emotion is sheer delight. We did it! I can imagine too, the crushing… Continue reading Promotion, drama and distraction
Why you shouldn’t treat football as trivial
If you know me, then it won’t have escaped your attention that something significant happened in Bradford at the weekend and I was there for it. The significant thing was a football game. It is worth pausing there. Some of you may be choking on your coffee at the suggestion that there is anything significant… Continue reading Why you shouldn’t treat football as trivial
The difference
So, that was that, for all the talk of England’s date with destiny, it turned out to be Spain that had the invite after all. The Three Lions managed to pull back level after going a goal behind and only lost 2-1 in the late stages of the game. However, the narrow scoreline and late… Continue reading The difference
Total Recall and VAR (lessons from Harry Kane’s penalty for cultural analysis)
In both of England’s recent Euro semi-finals, there’s been penalty controversy. Some pundits branded the decision in favour of Kane the other night “a disgrace.” At the time, I agreed with the VAR decision but have found the lively, good natured social media debate fascinating. Many England fans have argued that it should not have… Continue reading Total Recall and VAR (lessons from Harry Kane’s penalty for cultural analysis)
The danger of desperately seeking relevance
What put the focus on what churches were doing regarding the Women’s World Cup final was probably an article reporting the comments of the Bishop of Derby. It was in this article where she said that church life could in effect wnork around an event like a football final. However, people’s attention was caught and… Continue reading The danger of desperately seeking relevance
What is more stubborn?
Well, here we are, the other side of the Women’s World Cup final. Sadly, for England fans it ended in tears with a 1-0 defeat to Spain. The Lionesses can leave Australia with their heads held high after another competitive tournament. They perhaps didn’t play at their best this time and were affected by injuries… Continue reading What is more stubborn?
Why we are still meeting at the usual time this Sunday. -even with the small matter of a football game
The Lionesses go into battle at 11am, UK time this Sunday. This means the televised women’s World Cup final will clash with a lot of church services. Should we move or cancel our church gatherings so that people can watch the match? If we don’t does this reflect a problem with sexism? What would we… Continue reading Why we are still meeting at the usual time this Sunday. -even with the small matter of a football game
Where are the goals going to come from?
Bradford City’s season can be summed up in one name “Andy Cook.” Over this season, he scored an impressive haul of 31 Goals, 28 in the league. This means he was scoring a goal every 121 minutes. His nearest rival, Sam Hoskins at Northampton Town was scoring every 163 minutes. Cook was the stand out… Continue reading Where are the goals going to come from?
Misunderstood? When symbols are taken the wrong way
Last Sunday we watched with bated breath as the England players stood up to take their penalties. I must admit that as soon as I saw Marcus Rashford do that fancy wiggle and pause that I thought we were in trouble. My reaction was “what were you thinking?” And I’m sure I’m not alone. His… Continue reading Misunderstood? When symbols are taken the wrong way
Faithroots 