We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Join me this afternoon from 2:45 EST to celebrate the start of the Championship season. Hull and Blackpool get us underway on the long and winding road, at the end of which is the promise of promotion to the top tier. We also have United v. a pick-up NY Cosmos team on hand. Who know - maybe Georgio Chinaglia might strap the boots on again. Way hay - football is back!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:48 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
195 Comments:
Good afternoon everyone.Ironically, Paul Scholes' testimonial match is a higher profile match than the kickoff to the Football League season. I am looking forward to it.
Welcome, MUR!
I'll be watching the tribute to the Ginga Ninja on FSC while streaming the Championship curtain opener.
Btw, there was a brilliant Championship preview on the Five Live podcast this week.
The pundits seem to be big upping Leicester City's chances, mainly because they've shelled out some (IMHO) silly money. I don't rate them or Sven as a manager.
Right, then. Here's the stream that I'm on for the Championship curtain opener between Hull City and Blackpool.
This is why the Championship is such a tremendously competitive league these days. Both of these sides - and many others - have recent Premiership experience.
It's going to be particularly interesting to see how Ian Holloway's boys run out today. They've lost several key components - including Charlie Adam - over the summer. A big question mark for them.
The Ginga Ninja is on the pitch now carrying his wee son about. Cosmos in green for this afternoon.
Fergie's presenting some kind of commemorate palte to Scholes and even Pele is on hand for a hug. Great scenes for Scholesy's testimonial this afternoon.
The Comos all-stars include some interesting people including Fabio Cannavaro and Wayne Bridge (?) but also some United legends (Nicky Butt). Is that Roy Keane or Robbie Keane for them up front?
Blackpool of course have SuperKevin Phillips up front this season. Does he still have the legs to tuck in the goals?
United have kicked off in the testimonial against the Cosmos.
Nani nearly nips in for an opening goal there.
Roon dives in for a header there.
The Cosmos already look a bit heavy legged.
Roy Keane sitting in the stands with a glare on his mug. It's Robbie Keane on the pitch for the Cosmos.
GOAL! Scholesy rockets in a typical Ginga Rocket there for 1-0!
That's what the OT crowd wanted.
Here are the line-ups for the match this afternoon:
Hull City: Gulacsi, Ronsenior, Chester, Hobbs, Dudgeon, Koren, McKenna, Cairney, Brady, Adebola, Fryatt.
Subs: Basso, Dawson, Evans, Simpson, Barmby (!)
Blackpool: Giles, Cathcart, Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey, Southern, Ferguson, Grandin, Taylor-Fletcher, Phillips, Ormerod.
Subs: Halstead, Clarke, Basham, Hill, Sutherland.
Blackpool get us underway at Hull.
The 4-4-3 line-up for Blackpool is an indication that Ian Holloway hasn't changed his stripes. Marvelous!
There's a real cut and thrust to this match already that we didn't see a lot of in the summer tournaments. Thank goodness English footer is back!
Looks like Nicky Butt has be paying a visit to my barber!
Hello BD. Sorry I am late, but I had to run an emergency errand to Brownsville.How has the match been?
Glad to see Scholsey scoring in his testimonial. How fitting!
Wayne Bridge's free kick gives De Gea a bit of catching practice there.
The free kick from Bridge is easily gathered by De Gea.
Welcome back, MUR! I hope everything's okay with you and yours.
Yes - great strike by Scholesy. You'll enjoy that one.
Robbie Keane went over rather easily.Minimal contact by Vidic.
More catching practice for De Gea.
Oh - Hull nearly take the lead through a terrific free kick by Cairney!
Ashley Young is fouled in the box and Roon makes it 2-0 with a rocket off the bar in the top corner.
2-0 UNITED!
It was an obvious penalty, IMHO.
GOAL! Roon blasts one in off the underside of the bar from the penalty spot. I never like those kinds of pens. Far too risky.
Thank you, BD. My wife is helping our friend who just had surgery. She will be gone for two to three days.
Do you have a link for Hull City vs Blackpool?
Interestingly, Cantona is seated next to Cobi Jones in the stand. Both are wearing Cosmos green. I'm fascinated by this venture. Apparently the Cosmos are scheduled to enter the MLS in spring 2012. I wonder how many of these veteran all-stars will be part of their side? I fear that they'll make the mistake that they did in the NASL of loading up on aging stars such as Cannavaro, Yorke and such.
Robbie Keane would be a good signing but there must be a balance of young, American players along with the stars.
That's nice of Elizabeth to lend a helping hand.
The Cosmos team is comprised primarily of EPL players. This is not really an MLS style lineup.
Thanks again for sharing the memories of Melanie's Bat Mitzvah with all of us - looked line a special event.
Half way through the first half at Hull and still 0-0. That Crainey free kick was the closest thing to an opening goal for the Championship season.
Thanks, BD. I agree that the Cosmos could be doomed if history repeats itself.Will the Red Bulls lose half their support to the Cosmos?
It would help if one of the two were actually NYC based. But both are essentially New Jersey sides with a suburban catchment area.
It was my pleasure. The actual Bat Mitzvah will be on Friday evening August 26th and Saturday morning August 27th.
STRUTH!!! Scholes was through , but took too long and was stopped by a last ditch tackle by Salgado.
Dwight Yorke has put on some wight. Will he be fit enough to play in MLS?
Yorke was fouled by Nani, and fortunately had a sense of humor about it.
Scholes volleys over from a Roon cross after chaos in the Cosmos box and two other missed opportunities.
Now Drac misses an open goal as United broke and roon laid it on a plate , but Drac shot over.
United could be 6-0 up , but they are showing some mercy.
Several of the Cosmos All-Stars look to be a bit heavy-legged at this moment in their careers.
Hull have looked the more likely side this afternoon. Blackpool have the same ambition as last season but perhaps not the same quality. Adam and Chandler are big losses for them.
There is a capacity crowd at OT. I am pleased to see that Scholes is properly rewarded for his years of service and loyalty to United. He was a class act.
Yorke has looked like the one player likely to create something for the Cosmos. The rest would look at home in League One.
Speaking of weight issues, Gary Taylor-Fletcher seems to have spent his summer months consuming fish and chips. Crikey!
That was the problem with the Cosmos set up too. You had a bad combination of aging superstars and League 1 level American NASL players. I hope that they don't do the same thing.
The ref blows the halftime whistle as United lead 2-0 , but it should really be much more. I am sure the Cosmos are relieved to hear the halftime whistle.
Could you give me link for Hull City vs Blackpool?
Baptiste was in there but he needed a bit more guile, instead blasting into Cairney.
Sure thing - sorry about that:
http://nutjob.eu/
United are 2-0 up at half-time.
Thank you, Bd. I really appreciate it. I see what you mean about Blackpool.
It doesn't look like there is any of the Championship stuff on FSC or ESPN2 tomorrow. We'll have to rely on the links.
Joe Dudgeon is the first into the book.
Dudgeon of Hull City is booked for a late challenge.
That was nice between Taylor-Fletcher and Southern. Blackpool coming into a bit as the half winds down.
Super Kev is crudely tackled by Crainey. That should have been a booking.
Oh - SuperKev rockets one off the post!
Nearly 1-0 as Taylor-Fletcher set up Super Kev, but his shot skimmed the out side of the post.
Ian evatt is booked for a nasty challenge on Adebola. Is this payback for Hull City's earlier challenges.?
One minute of stoppage time.
Brady did well to get past Alex Baptiste, but the cross was poor.
Yes - a bit of nastiness creeping in as the half-time whistle blows. Time for them to cool down in the dressing room.
For all the sturm and drang, it's 0-0.
I hadn't noticed the Cosmos blazer that Cantona is wearing. He's clearly an investor.
The halftime score from the KC Stadium is 0-0 as Blackpool finished the stronger and fitter of the two sides. There were a few feisty challenges at the end of the half. Ian Holloway will probably be a happier manager than Dean Windass.
The second half kicks off from OT.
Bobby Pires has checked into the match for the Cosmos as we get underway in the second half.
Oh - Danny Wellbeck was profligate there when he was played through. Should have hit it with his left peg.
Just wide by Roon .
Salgado wins the free kick just outside the box. He went down rather easily.
The free kick from Bobby Pires was well over.
GOAL! 3-0 as Anderson finishes off a sweet move.
GOAL 3-0!!! AS ANDERSON SCORES WITH A GREAT FINISH. GREAT WORK BY NANI AND WELLBECK!
Where is UWS? I am sure he would enjoy this match.
I need to correct myself. Nigel Pearson is the Hull manager.
I'm not sure. Back to school shopping?
Nani shoots over after he was set up by Wellbeck.
Paddy Vieira gets a nice boo from the OT faithful as he gets stripped off.
I saw Paddy Viera warming up for the Cosmos.
That could be. School supplies run out several weeks before school begins. I hope he can join us this weekend.
United fans are doing the wave. I hope that will not be a trend at OT. I see that Nicky Butt looks quite a bit like BD.
Bloody hell - there's a wave going round OT now. Shocking behavior!
GOAL !!!! 4-0 AS WELLBECK SCORES WITH A GREAT FINISH THANKS TO A DEFENSIVE ERROR IN THE COSMOS BOX!
Shambolic defending after Roon's cross allows Wellbeck to slam home the fourth.
Great to see Brian McBride back on a pitch.
Paddy Viera is on as his nemesis, Keane, watches from the stands.
Hull has kicked off in the second half now.
The second half is underway from the KC as the Cosmos win a corner, then make a hash of it.
Nicky Barmby embarks on his 21st season as a professional as he comes on for Hull. Wow!
Roon , Young, and Nani are off for Macheda, Cleverley,and one other
Yes. Barmaby is on for Adebola as the fan favorite seems to go on forever. He is definitely a model pro.
Dudgeon is getting close to his second yellow now.
The Neviller coming on for the Cosmos.
Gary Neville is about to come on for Slagado. SHOCKING BEHAVIOR AN EVIL GRIN TO BOOT. Neveille , Butt, Yorke , and Cantona are traitors.
Scholes wins a free kick just outside the box.
Isn't the Neviller still your club captain?
Oh - shocking miss from Welbeck there!
Scholes blasts the free kick well wide and some good natured ribbing from Anderson about it.
Nearly 5-0 as the keeper makes a great save from a Wellbeck header, but he blasts his own rebound over,. A great cross from Macheda.
The Neviller retired. He had a testimonial in May.
GOAL !!! 5-0 AS MEME DIOUF SCORES WITH A GREAT FINISH . HE WAS THAT ELUSIVE THIRD SUB.
GOAL! More charitable defending from the Cosmos and Diouff slams home #5.
IT'S WAY TOO EASY.
Ah - that makes sense then.
It is still 0-0 from the KC as Blackpool seem to be in control.
Macheda was just offside after being put through by Anderson.
Ian Holloway looks a bit agitated. He'll remember that his Blackpool side was a sensation on the first day last season when they took apart Wigan.
Will United show the Cosmos some mercy. Otherwise, we are looking at a cricket score.
I remember that. That proves that it is a long season that is a marathon, not a sprint.
Oh - fantastic challenge by Baptiste there as Matty Fryatt was racing through on goal.
Matt Fryatt was through for Hull City, but Alex Baptiste saved the day with a great tackle.
GOAL !!! 6-0 AS DIOUF SCORES HIS SECOND AS HE WAS PUT THROUGH BY MACHEDA. HE APPEARS TO BE SURPRISED THAT IT WAS THAT EASY.
The legend - Paul Scholes - comes off to a hero's tribute.
SCHOLES RECEIVES A STANDING OVATION AS HE IS SUBSTITUTED.
United should save some of these goals for Sunday!
How about seven???
I would like them to save some for the EPL too.
Fans queuing up for Scholesy's autograph now.
Scholes is busy signing autographs. A brilliant sight!
To be honest, the Cosmos look like a sick joke.
Smalling was offside as he was put through by Macheda.
The GREAT ONE is in attendance as he must be furious with the display by the Cosmos despite his calm demeanor.He is number one in my book.
Oh - Cleverly nearly adds a 7th.
The keeper tipped an effort by Cleverley around the post.
I still haven't forgiven United for stealing King Eric away from Elland Road.
Diouf heads over from the corner, looking for a hat-trick.
Oh - Paul McKenna goes down just outside the box urging for a pen. Nothing doing on his account.
You received Strachan a few years earlier. I think we are even.
Billy Clarke replacing Brett Ormerod for Blackpool.
Oh - Taylor-Fletcher should have scored from the corner there.
Billy Clarke is on for Ormerod for his first game in two years as Taylor-Fletcher heads wide from the corner.
Macheda dives in looking for #7. No mercy here from the United kids.
Macheda should have scored with a header as he completely missed the ball.
I've never seen this Pogba bloke before. Do you know his story?
United should really be up about 12-0.
Oh - the ball will just not go in for either side at the KC. Fryatt was in on goal there but ran into the keeper and then Barmby blew the rebound over the top.
Fryatt was through for Hull City, but shot at the keeper and Barmby shot the rebound over.
Cleverley shot just wide from long range.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher is just two or three battered sausages away from getting a header on goal this afternoon.
Oh - a raking drive from Anderson is inches away.
Anderson saw his long range effort tipped around the post by the keeper.
Another save from a Cleverley effort.
Reyering heads out for a United corner.
Waning minutes of the testimonial. There has been a Harlem Globetrotters feel to this match.
This looks like a training match as Cantona and Co know that they have a lot of work before next season
I agree, BD. I think it just happened to work out that way.
Kevo volleys well over.
Will you be around for the early match between Coventry and Leicester.
The match ends and United defeat the Cosmos 6-0. It could have been so much more.
I still have lots of questions about the Cosmos set-up. Will Cantona be the manager? How many of these players on show today will be in the roster? How will the league treat them in terms of allocations?
United fans are elated!!!
Oh, yeah. I'm very excited about the start of the season. I'll be up early to fire up my bagel and coffee. Will be around early. I'm also looking forward to Tuesday afternoon's Leeds v. Bradford Carling Cup match. Should be an excellent start to the season.
There are lots of questions about the Cosmos. They seem to be unanswered based on what we witnessed today. Barmby is booked for a high challenge.
I will have the same breakfast tomorrow. I will be around for every one of those matches.
The only match I'm likely to miss in the first couple of weeks is the Arsenal v. Newcastle late one next Saturday. I'll be on the road to Columbus to meet up with Someone Said for the Revs. v. Crew match that night.
This is the battle of the ex Leicester managers. Fryatt of Hull City was the Foxes leading scorer while playing for both mangers.
GOAL! Gary Taylor Fletcher has shrugged off the mid-summer pie eating to strike home what looks to be the winner for Blackpool!
1-0!
Fantastic goal to open the season. What a hit out of nothing!
GOAL !!! 0-1 BLACKPOOL AS TAYLOR-FLETCHER SCORES WITH A GREAT FINISH! THE FIRST GOAL OF THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL SEASON.
Blackpool deserve their lead as they have played the better football.
A foul in a dangerous area there. Cairney can hit them - we've seen that before.
Blackpool players are furious as Robert Koren is fouled.
Cairney drags this one wide. He's claiming a corner. And gets it.
Jay Simpson coming on for Hull violating the adage that you never bring on a sub when you're defending a corner.
And that's why - total chaos in the Blackpool area.
The free kick from Cairney is deflected as Jay Simpson is on for Paul McKenna. The Cairney corner is punched out by Gilkes and Brady blasts over.
Taylor-Fletcher wins a corner for Blackpool.
Billy Clarke wins a corner for Blackpool.
Bit of time wasting as Blackpool bring on two late subs. The goalscorer is coming off.
The corner is headed out and Southern shoots at the keeper.
Brady drags a shot wide of Jilkes' goal there.
More time wasting subs for Blackpool. They are pulling the taffy here.
Sutherland make his league debut , coming on for Taylor-Fletcher and Chris Basham is on for Elliot Grandin.
Interesting - the new Blackpool sub, Sutherland, appears to be a Texan.
Sutherland formerly of Midwestern State University in Texas won a corner for Blackpool on his debut.
Into four minutes of stoppage time now.
Four minutes of stoppage time.
Are you familiar with that school, MUR?
Cathcart did well to put off Simpson there.
Cathcart made a great tackle on Fryatt , then Jay Simpson shot wide for Hull City.
It is a small private school that I believe is located in Wichita Falls.
Oh - Simpson had the chance to nick a late equalizer there!
You can see why Arsene Wenger let him go now.
Ah - Wichita Falls. The birthplace of my soon to be ex-wife Karen.
Liam Rosenior concedes an unnecessary corner.
We are in the final minute.
Blackpool start their season with a 0-1 win at the KC.
That's it then! Well done Ian Holloway and the Tangerines! A brilliant start to them with a priceless away win - their first in this calendar year. Not so good for Hull City. I expect mid-table for them this season.
I agree. Blackpool should be in contention for a playoff spot.
I'm off to do a bit of grocery shopping for the weekend.
I'll look forward to the pleasure of your company in the morning.
Cheerio!
Cheers , BD. I will see you tomorrow morning.
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