fishCFC

A goody which I read with interest. Its certainly not my intention to dampen anyone's fireworks but the "move" has taken on a similar vein to transfer targets in as much as many players/sites are promoted but the reality (no slight on Fernando) is seldom one and the same. Consider the Chelsea Barracks proposal where LT voiced concerns that 50,000 people, post match, into Victoria Station was not feasible... what chance then, if any, for Earls Court/Vauxhall particularly in light of the current Transport Infrastructure Budget having already left the station, eastbound for the Olympics.I'm still of the opinion that the Club's future lies elsewhere based on increased revenue from larger arena, fan base, transport and accommodating council, and that whilst my opinion may be unpopular for all the (correct) historical reasons, its only fair to assume that the growing number of clubs listed in The London Gazette, under Administration, shared those very same views. But its not all bad... ...there's easy money to be had from the bookies, for based on the same criteria of fan base, its a racing certainty that there's a New Trafford on the horizon: in Kent

I believe he's currently a Chels ambassador. Allowing for the chasms in my Swiss cheese memory, I may have witnessed his last game before his departure to Blackburn. I'm fairly certain it was against Ipswich who had John Wark (the player's always the last person to know he's finished) kicking everything up in the air, viewing the game through the clouds of the East Stand, "Socks" took the ball to the corner flag (Shed End) which inspired John Wark to launch a hefty kick at what used to be called, in Doug Rougvie's day 'man and ball', that "Socks" only avoided by a spectacular jump. Shortly after Glen pulled him off, which prompted "Socks" to pull his shirt off and walk to the bench with an obvious hump and consequent rant, though a passing cloud obscured my view. Seemingly within days "Socks" was out in a not too dissimilar way to Glen Johnson/Jose. I considered he was a better player following his experience at Blackburn as he seemed to relish joining up in midfield (where he collected that woeful tackle from Gerrard in that fantastic 03/04 game which gave us the CL spot under Claudio)... though I'm the first to admit my memory is a pavement sausage... as the mothers of my children confirm far too frequently for my lasting comfort.

MadMac's original post "Bates hadn't saved us or Roman pulled out and we ceased to exist... the successor to your allegiance" -- still confident in your assertion that "I've inferred the demise..." ? "to take a cheap shot at those who responded to this thread" presumably as in my retort to Stevo's comment that "a bigger stadium... for even more day trippers and w**kers taking up the spaces of proper supporters". While my support for Stevo's right to express his view is limitless, your freedom to inaccurately (as highlighted above) admonish my response is only plausible in a world where the efforts of Chelsea supporters who climbed on the roof of the old West Stand in 1953 (Moscow Dynamos) are made worthless by posts of "second or third allegiance", as if those climbers in blue, in the face of a 100,000 crowd, would have opted for a seat at The Old Den or The Cock instead... their souls are surely 'drowning in their own tears'. "breast beating" -- "that's my boy!!!" in Family Section at Birmingham Cup match... . my 'sweet baby James' (30yrs old) -- admonished by hyperactive steward for standing up and berating Birmingham chant of "we've got hughton, you've got ginger ***** (AVB)"... will the experience stop James, his brother, wives and 'tots' being there on Sunday for Leicester? Not a chance, and their "second or third allegiance"? F*** All... DNA from their old man/permanent absent father perhaps... but are they "w**kers" or "proper supporters" Stevo???

The "yo yo" years (up and down like a whore's drawers)... In the event of any future new ownership/takeover, a larger stadium could possibly be detrimental to Chels and our kids ongoing support???OR paradoxically, as revealed in the thread "if there were no Chelsea" many 'proper supporters' on here openly list their second or third team in the event of demise of Chels -- Yo Yo supporters

In defence of Rami's perceived 'young man's' stance. Can anyone fail to recognise his wish for a bright future for his own Blue generation and, assuming the desire to "spank the mancs" burns in him as it does in previous generations who long ago recognised our shortcomings when compared to OT's 70,000 capacious expenditure, then I'm with him in accepting what appears to be the inevitable, whilst cherishing the wonderful ride at The Bridge. Anything else, with apologies to Bruce, is "I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it but I probably will... Glory Days"

The Council... whose forebears welcomed suggestions of making The Bridge a supermarket during Hard Times in 1970s and 20 years later wined and dined Cabra Estates (Cabra also applied for redevelopment of Craven Cottage into flats... which sadly didn't materialise•••)... and I should have faith in the Council? or political influence in football?? An influx of 40,000 every other week or their own version of Westfield? A lottery winner has recently acquired a property on doorstep to The Bridge... Chels fan or beneficiary of compulsory purchase order/profits? Giving full throttle to my scepticism and the development of spuds and emirates, I wouldn't be at all surprised should the published options (battersea, earls court) prove to be a bluff hand: that an alternative site was earmarked long ago; promoted by fan base, transport and catchment area... encouraged and supported by a friendly council. ••• re: "if there was no CFC" thread -- nauseating to learn that some, if any, of subscribers on any Chels site would EVER hang their hat in that toilet... home of Wacko statue -- its that deplorable demographic that fuels my scepticism.

Eider for me too. In terms of "cast in the same mould", arguably Ramires and John Hollins (as a player) share the same DNA

yummy imogen heap accompanied by a collasus with dirty fingers... hold tight !!!

Samdwich Sometimes I think people on this forum see Mourinho as far better than he actually is... Point fairly made as for all Jose's (early... as in Duff/Robben et al) success, I have no wish to return to days of 1-0. Irrespective of opinions on Benitez pot success, its undeniable that he formed a liverpool team that in terms of physicality and "style", were the polar opposite of the adventurous play we all(?) cherish from a Chelsea side. Benitez would need to be "special", and for me a door-stop's got more charisma!

for international men's day

point well made, Real also benefit hugely from funding by city council (no chance for CFC there, then) indeed Spanish sport in general has prospered from state funding illustrated by the huge depth of young talent in motoGP. On the up, I don't have to open a newspaper and see Ronaldo's latest coiffure, not all bad here.

Ronaldo... the name alone triggers nausea in me. His sole redemption was replacing Drogs (during his frequent brush with passing feathers, dramatic recovery and routine on pitch change of boots period) as the Prem's most disliked player... though the prima donna parking in a tunnel brightened my day. The vision of the coiffured ponce in blue is nightmarish.

momentum of bad news from Ibrox gathers pace day by day, a climax can't be far off, I hope it's acceptable to the fans. Sky's report today that Manager believes there is no "personal agenda" in relation to playing staff's money appears to be stronging it... 20 blokes in a room talking money and there's no personal agenda?

"back on track" -- not a land I'd feel comfortable in

Popularly accredited to Tony Waddington, then Stoke manager who was a great admirer of Huds (mi contento) during his time at Stoke.

Thanks for the heads up on the biography. I was never a fan of his while he was playing, always thought he was a "big fish in a...." whoever he played for, but THAT push on the ref and Nigel Winterburn's transformation from Mr. Angry to Wimp in 2 seconds was fekin priceless.

as we're still awaiting team news perhaps Eddie watching the Reserves yesterday signals a suprise or three?

Interesting, not overly impressed by spanish fans but I was moved by inter fans singing "Fratelli d'Italia" (brothers of italy) at The Bridge and undeniably Bari truly belt out "forza bari alé" till they almost burst! and ain't that what its about?

Yes, the passion... since AVB's departure I've wondered if Martin Allen might have pushed Drogs in a frozen river (hartlepool)... and would Drogs have laughed?Di Canio a Fascist? the Lazio salute? No, a different culture (and far earlier democracy than ours) where ancient statues depict the very same gesture -- outstretched arm with exposed hand to signal the absence of weapon, the forerunner of a hand shake, and Italian fans abroad proudly belt out "Brothers of Italy" (Welsh rugby fans do their own version) and reinforce pride in their culture... can that be wrong?

or his parting shot to RonG might have been? -- no matter, I love this song and RP's sad departure (in the car park, having breezed his medical) gets me back on track

I'm a slave to your beat

day of media self congratulation regarding AVB departure, my sky's blue+black... from the self-confessed "happy idiot"

I'm thinking Drogba would have been good choice last year, when he was fitter... after running round waving and blowing kisses to Marseilles fans... truly puke inducing

Oh to have had a spy cam on Ken Bates!!!