James Milner could yet start the season an Aston Villa Football Club player.
The Midlands side have already rejected an offer of £20 million for the midfielder from Manchester City, who have been told to cough up more if they want to take the player.
Milner is understood to be keen to join the Blues, but after meeting with Villa on Monday, he is still very much considered to be a part of Martin O’Neill’s plans.
Read the full article at Fans FC
Monday 26 July 2010
Rangers eye surprise move for Stoke City striker James Beattie
Jul 26 2010 Exclusive by Keith Jackson
Rangers are discussing a surprise swoop for veteran Stoke striker James Beattie.
Record Sport can reveal Ibrox boss Walter Smith has already held talks with chief executive Martin Bain about scraping together a package for the 32-year-old who looks to be on his way out at the Britannia Stadium following last season's public spat with manager Tony Pulis.
The financially-stricken Scottish champions may even try to strike a deal with Pulis to allow them to take Beattie on a season-long loan as Bain and Smith attempt to find enough wriggle room in their meagre budget to bulk up a desperately depleted first-team squad.
Read the full article in the Scottish Daily Record
Rangers are discussing a surprise swoop for veteran Stoke striker James Beattie.
Record Sport can reveal Ibrox boss Walter Smith has already held talks with chief executive Martin Bain about scraping together a package for the 32-year-old who looks to be on his way out at the Britannia Stadium following last season's public spat with manager Tony Pulis.
The financially-stricken Scottish champions may even try to strike a deal with Pulis to allow them to take Beattie on a season-long loan as Bain and Smith attempt to find enough wriggle room in their meagre budget to bulk up a desperately depleted first-team squad.
Read the full article in the Scottish Daily Record
Why Birmingham City can learn lessons from their Far East adventure
by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
ALEX McLeish has admitted that certain aspects of Blues’ tour to Hong Kong and China have not been ideal.
But he said his players simply had to accept the reasons for Blues coming out here to the Far East, and that there were bound to be teething problems during such a grand adventure, something the like of which has never before been undertaken by the club.
Before Blues departed, McLeish warned that the trip could not become a ‘circus’, with commercial and PR duties taking precedence over football and training.
Read the full article in the Birmingham Mail
ALEX McLeish has admitted that certain aspects of Blues’ tour to Hong Kong and China have not been ideal.
But he said his players simply had to accept the reasons for Blues coming out here to the Far East, and that there were bound to be teething problems during such a grand adventure, something the like of which has never before been undertaken by the club.
Before Blues departed, McLeish warned that the trip could not become a ‘circus’, with commercial and PR duties taking precedence over football and training.
Read the full article in the Birmingham Mail
Premier League Countdown - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Football.co.uk continues its club-by-club countdown to the start of the new Premier League season with a look at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Read the full review at Football.co.uk
Read the full review at Football.co.uk
Djemba-Djemba emerges as West Bromwich Albion target
West Bromwich Albion are set to make a move for former Aston Villa defensive midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba.
The 29-year-old, currently with Danish club Odense, is expected to be withdrawn from the squad for their game against Randers tonight.
Reports in Denmark are claiming that the Cameroonian is set to arrive in England early this week to finalise the move.
Read the full article in the Birmingham Mail
The 29-year-old, currently with Danish club Odense, is expected to be withdrawn from the squad for their game against Randers tonight.
Reports in Denmark are claiming that the Cameroonian is set to arrive in England early this week to finalise the move.
Read the full article in the Birmingham Mail
Sunday 25 July 2010
Vuvuzelas ...who's responsible?
Thank you to Paul Johnson whom, from the opening comments of his email about who is most likely to win the Braggers' League, I presume is a Villa fan, or perhaps a very discerning neutral. Paul has raised a question concerning the very important issue of vuvuzela playing. Clearly an issue that could influence the outcome of matches, especially if a chorus is blown as a player steps up to take a penalty, etc.
Paul comments:
"With regard to "Any significant display of vuvuzela playing by fans at any local derby will be docked a point" - would this mean that the home team or the team with the vuvuzela playing fans (or even both teams) would be docked a point? The home team are at fault for allowing the vuvuzelas into the ground as much as the supporters for "playing" (sic) them."
Thanks for this Paul, I have telephoned the committee over at the Ricoh, who were able to deliberate the matter for a few moments while the Hammond Organ was being brought on stage between Ghost Town and The Liquidator. The committee thank you for bringing this to their attention and they suggest that a point be docked for the actual 'significant' playing (and share your sic), two points docked to the home team's stewards for allowing the vuvuzelas into the ground in the first place and an additional point docked if a steward is actually photographed blowing a vuvuzela him or herself.
On a different issue, Paul has also suggested that bonus Bragger Points be awarded to teams on a sympathy basis for spending time in the relegation zone:
"Given that spending time in the "relegation zone" can be stressful for fans I would like to suggest that somehow time in the relegation zone is compensated with BPs. Along the lines of 1 point for each 4 consecutive weeks spent in the bottom three. Once a point has been achieved by a team then they would have to spend another 4 consecutive weeks in the bottom three for a second point and so on giving a possible 9 BPs for 36 consecutive weeks in the relegation zone. If a team (we all know we mean the Albion) spend a whole season in the bottom 3 then surely they deserve the BPs."
Whilst we can see where you're coming from here Paul and appreciate your public spirited gesture, and there's no denying that a long-term future of perpetually bouncing up and down must get disheartening at some point, I'm just worried about awarding points on the basis of being, well ok, crap basically. It's like dealing with children Paul, we don't reward lazy work and lack of commitment.
The problem is that one of our teams could beat Man U twice in the season and earn only 6 BP points, whereas another team (and it's slightly unfair to name Albion as it could be any one of .... well 2 teams) could spend the entire season at the foot of the league and earn 9 points.
However, I think the committee are willing to compromise because the point you make is a good one and this league is after all about supporting our local teams over the likes of Chelsea, Man U, Man City and Arsenal. So what about awarding the points as you suggest but deducting the lot if the team is ultimately relegated? That way we can show them (whoever they may be) empathy throughout the season whilst allowing the rest of us that final joyous gesture of rubbing salt into the wounds on the last day of the season.
Paul comments:
"With regard to "Any significant display of vuvuzela playing by fans at any local derby will be docked a point" - would this mean that the home team or the team with the vuvuzela playing fans (or even both teams) would be docked a point? The home team are at fault for allowing the vuvuzelas into the ground as much as the supporters for "playing" (sic) them."
Thanks for this Paul, I have telephoned the committee over at the Ricoh, who were able to deliberate the matter for a few moments while the Hammond Organ was being brought on stage between Ghost Town and The Liquidator. The committee thank you for bringing this to their attention and they suggest that a point be docked for the actual 'significant' playing (and share your sic), two points docked to the home team's stewards for allowing the vuvuzelas into the ground in the first place and an additional point docked if a steward is actually photographed blowing a vuvuzela him or herself.
As we speak, stewards around the West Midlands are being trained in the
best way to deal with vuvuzelas - a portable vice helps
On a different issue, Paul has also suggested that bonus Bragger Points be awarded to teams on a sympathy basis for spending time in the relegation zone:
"Given that spending time in the "relegation zone" can be stressful for fans I would like to suggest that somehow time in the relegation zone is compensated with BPs. Along the lines of 1 point for each 4 consecutive weeks spent in the bottom three. Once a point has been achieved by a team then they would have to spend another 4 consecutive weeks in the bottom three for a second point and so on giving a possible 9 BPs for 36 consecutive weeks in the relegation zone. If a team (we all know we mean the Albion) spend a whole season in the bottom 3 then surely they deserve the BPs."
Whilst we can see where you're coming from here Paul and appreciate your public spirited gesture, and there's no denying that a long-term future of perpetually bouncing up and down must get disheartening at some point, I'm just worried about awarding points on the basis of being, well ok, crap basically. It's like dealing with children Paul, we don't reward lazy work and lack of commitment.
The problem is that one of our teams could beat Man U twice in the season and earn only 6 BP points, whereas another team (and it's slightly unfair to name Albion as it could be any one of .... well 2 teams) could spend the entire season at the foot of the league and earn 9 points.
However, I think the committee are willing to compromise because the point you make is a good one and this league is after all about supporting our local teams over the likes of Chelsea, Man U, Man City and Arsenal. So what about awarding the points as you suggest but deducting the lot if the team is ultimately relegated? That way we can show them (whoever they may be) empathy throughout the season whilst allowing the rest of us that final joyous gesture of rubbing salt into the wounds on the last day of the season.
Sympathy points for having Boyden as a fan?
Saturday 24 July 2010
Latest new rule...
Even as I write on this blog, our learned committee of experts are locked away in a secret, neutral, non-football related location - yes, you've guessed it, the board room at the Ricoh Arena, scribbling out the rules for the Braggers' League.
This is their latest offering:
Five points to any team whose antics provoke radio sporting legend Tony Butler (right) to come out of retirement.
In such event, ten points to any team whose antics drive Butler to such exasperation that he goes back into retirement.
Hang on, I think The Specials are about to go back on stage.
If they spent more time at the Ricoh worrying about their football team and less time pondering on who will do the next retrospective renditions of the last retrospective renditions of Message To You Rudi and Longshot Kick the Bucket, we might even have a 6th team in the Braggers' League.
This is their latest offering:
In such event, ten points to any team whose antics drive Butler to such exasperation that he goes back into retirement.
Hang on, I think The Specials are about to go back on stage.
If they spent more time at the Ricoh worrying about their football team and less time pondering on who will do the next retrospective renditions of the last retrospective renditions of Message To You Rudi and Longshot Kick the Bucket, we might even have a 6th team in the Braggers' League.
Too much too young when they needed to be down the training ground...
Jimmy Hill and his Sky Blue Revolution
Wolves v Stoke - 14th August
Don't forget, the Braggers' League season officially kicks off with the game between Wolves and Stoke at the Molineux on 14th August at 3pm.
Most outsiders may not even know that the city of Stoke is in the West Midlands, indeed most Stoke residents have never heard of the West Midlands and most West Midlanders think that Stoke is in the Greater Manchester metropolis as Manchester does have a tendency of claiming all towns and villages north of Stafford when they are calculating their population for second city purposes.
But the famous pottery town, nay, five towns of the Stoke-on-Trent conurbation are in fact within the regional boundary of the Wes Midlands. Though going on the latest agenda of the new Coalition Government, this may change when the West Midlands region is wound up and gerimandered back into the dustbin of political history.
However, regardless of whether Advantage West Midlands and the Government Office are still in existence by the end of this season (even by Christmas), many Wolves and Stoke supporters claim this fixture as their 'derby'. The very suggestion flies in the face of the widespread view that the derby for Stoke would be against Port Vale and more notably that for Wolves is the big Black Country clash with them Baggie boys.
Perhaps there could be just a tad bit of a wind up from Wolves fans of their Black Country rivals of just 9 miles away at the Hawthorns (compared with the 34 mile journey from Wolverhampton to Stoke-on-Trent). However, many hard core Wolves supporters do genuinely claim that the so-called Staffordshire derby with Stoke is the big one as far as they are concerned and I quote here a bloke I once heard on the sidelines of a Wordesley Wasps vs Stourbridge Glassboys (we're talking heart of the Black Country) Under 11s Stourbridge and District match:
"The 'Orthorns ain't even in tha Black Countray, thums in Brummagem. Our derby's agurnst Stowk, it's the Staffs durby, ay it our kid?"
Football fans familiar with the Stoke vs Wolves clash may also offer the explanation that Stoke and Wolves fans have a more lively history between them in terms of off-pitch antics, though we certainly aren't here to glorify football violence and I can't imagine for one minute that Albion v Wolves games haven't seen their fair share of altercations over the past hundred and thirty years.
Incidentally, what is interesting about the carve-up of the Black Country in terms of fan loyalty is that West Bromwich Albion lay claim to the whole borough of Sandwell and a mile or so into Birmingham along the Hagley Road and Handsworth borders, whilst Wolves territory tends to begin properly on the north and west side of Dudley and extends into significant parts of South Staffordshire and Shropshire, so places like Bridgnorth, Cannock and Telford are home to large populations of Wanderers faithful.
This then leaves what is perceived to be the Black Country capital of Dudley itself up for grabs not just by Albion and Wolves fans but also, rather cheekily by the Manchester United (glory hunters) of the West Midlands, the Villa . Claret and blue shirts being as common a sight on the parks and playing fields of Netherton and Gornal as striped and gold shirts, though Blues' kits remain a rarity north of Quinton. A Birmingham City fan in the Black Country has either got lost on the way to Merry Hill or is tracing his ancestors.
The historical relationship between Albion and Villa is also a strong one, going back to the years when they took it in turns to win the FA Cup and I have even heard Birmingham City fans who say that their ancestors went to St Andrews one week and the Albion the next - the implication being that Blue noses were pleased with any additional opportunities to wallop the Witton Enders and the blue and white scarfs of the two teams were potentially transferable given everything was handwashed and run through granny's mangle pre-1970. Even Albion's nickname, the Baggies, is said to have been given to them by their Brummie neighbours as their fans walked on mass, straight out of the foundries, along the Soho Road towards Small Heath or Aston still wearing their flappy industrial trousers.
All of this then perhaps feeds the deeply rooted feeling of exclusivity that has been engendered within the ranks of the Wolverhampton Dingles over many decades and with what should be their true rivals geographically speaking, Walsall, never stepping up to the mark, many Wolves fans therefore look further north for their cultural sparring partners in Staffordshire.
Braggley the Octopus predicts the result of this game:
In terms of results last season there was very little between Stoke and Wolves with a 2-2 draw in front of 27,000 at Stoke followed by a 0-0 late in the season in front of 28,400 fans at Molinuex with Wolves fighting for their Premiership survival. Wolves finished the 2009-10 season in 15th position on 38 points (an average of one point per game), whilst Stoke were four places above them in 11th with 47 points.
Neither side were known for big scores last season but Stoke should in theory pip it on their superiority in the long throw department. Ricardo Fuller should bang in a couple for Stoke but having said this, Wolves' new signing Steven Fletcher may bag one back and Kevin Doyle another - this promises to be a sick new partnership for the Dingles and the added strength in attack could be enough to keep it level once again.
So Braggley the Octopus predicts a 2-2 draw.
Most likely sending off Ryan Shawcross for Stoke and Karl Henry for Wolves.
Most likely manager to lose the plot, we're sticking our neck out by saying it will be Tony Pulis as opposed to Mick McCarthy as Mick will be pleased with the home draw in a tough start to the season and, as previously mentioned, a point per game could be enough to keep the Wolves up at the end of the season.
.
.
Most outsiders may not even know that the city of Stoke is in the West Midlands, indeed most Stoke residents have never heard of the West Midlands and most West Midlanders think that Stoke is in the Greater Manchester metropolis as Manchester does have a tendency of claiming all towns and villages north of Stafford when they are calculating their population for second city purposes.
But the famous pottery town, nay, five towns of the Stoke-on-Trent conurbation are in fact within the regional boundary of the Wes Midlands. Though going on the latest agenda of the new Coalition Government, this may change when the West Midlands region is wound up and gerimandered back into the dustbin of political history.
However, regardless of whether Advantage West Midlands and the Government Office are still in existence by the end of this season (even by Christmas), many Wolves and Stoke supporters claim this fixture as their 'derby'. The very suggestion flies in the face of the widespread view that the derby for Stoke would be against Port Vale and more notably that for Wolves is the big Black Country clash with them Baggie boys.
Perhaps there could be just a tad bit of a wind up from Wolves fans of their Black Country rivals of just 9 miles away at the Hawthorns (compared with the 34 mile journey from Wolverhampton to Stoke-on-Trent). However, many hard core Wolves supporters do genuinely claim that the so-called Staffordshire derby with Stoke is the big one as far as they are concerned and I quote here a bloke I once heard on the sidelines of a Wordesley Wasps vs Stourbridge Glassboys (we're talking heart of the Black Country) Under 11s Stourbridge and District match:
"The 'Orthorns ain't even in tha Black Countray, thums in Brummagem. Our derby's agurnst Stowk, it's the Staffs durby, ay it our kid?"
Football fans familiar with the Stoke vs Wolves clash may also offer the explanation that Stoke and Wolves fans have a more lively history between them in terms of off-pitch antics, though we certainly aren't here to glorify football violence and I can't imagine for one minute that Albion v Wolves games haven't seen their fair share of altercations over the past hundred and thirty years.
Incidentally, what is interesting about the carve-up of the Black Country in terms of fan loyalty is that West Bromwich Albion lay claim to the whole borough of Sandwell and a mile or so into Birmingham along the Hagley Road and Handsworth borders, whilst Wolves territory tends to begin properly on the north and west side of Dudley and extends into significant parts of South Staffordshire and Shropshire, so places like Bridgnorth, Cannock and Telford are home to large populations of Wanderers faithful.
This then leaves what is perceived to be the Black Country capital of Dudley itself up for grabs not just by Albion and Wolves fans but also, rather cheekily by the Manchester United (glory hunters) of the West Midlands, the Villa . Claret and blue shirts being as common a sight on the parks and playing fields of Netherton and Gornal as striped and gold shirts, though Blues' kits remain a rarity north of Quinton. A Birmingham City fan in the Black Country has either got lost on the way to Merry Hill or is tracing his ancestors.
The historical relationship between Albion and Villa is also a strong one, going back to the years when they took it in turns to win the FA Cup and I have even heard Birmingham City fans who say that their ancestors went to St Andrews one week and the Albion the next - the implication being that Blue noses were pleased with any additional opportunities to wallop the Witton Enders and the blue and white scarfs of the two teams were potentially transferable given everything was handwashed and run through granny's mangle pre-1970. Even Albion's nickname, the Baggies, is said to have been given to them by their Brummie neighbours as their fans walked on mass, straight out of the foundries, along the Soho Road towards Small Heath or Aston still wearing their flappy industrial trousers.
All of this then perhaps feeds the deeply rooted feeling of exclusivity that has been engendered within the ranks of the Wolverhampton Dingles over many decades and with what should be their true rivals geographically speaking, Walsall, never stepping up to the mark, many Wolves fans therefore look further north for their cultural sparring partners in Staffordshire.
Braggley the Octopus predicts the result of this game:
In terms of results last season there was very little between Stoke and Wolves with a 2-2 draw in front of 27,000 at Stoke followed by a 0-0 late in the season in front of 28,400 fans at Molinuex with Wolves fighting for their Premiership survival. Wolves finished the 2009-10 season in 15th position on 38 points (an average of one point per game), whilst Stoke were four places above them in 11th with 47 points.
Neither side were known for big scores last season but Stoke should in theory pip it on their superiority in the long throw department. Ricardo Fuller should bang in a couple for Stoke but having said this, Wolves' new signing Steven Fletcher may bag one back and Kevin Doyle another - this promises to be a sick new partnership for the Dingles and the added strength in attack could be enough to keep it level once again.
So Braggley the Octopus predicts a 2-2 draw.
Most likely sending off Ryan Shawcross for Stoke and Karl Henry for Wolves.
Most likely manager to lose the plot, we're sticking our neck out by saying it will be Tony Pulis as opposed to Mick McCarthy as Mick will be pleased with the home draw in a tough start to the season and, as previously mentioned, a point per game could be enough to keep the Wolves up at the end of the season.
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.
Friday 23 July 2010
What the Braggers' League looks like in July
Well this is it folks, the league table as it stands at the start of the season with no points either awarded or docked and the teams positioned by alphabetical order. No I'm sorry I'm not doing the away and home columns - I can't fit it onto the blog and besides which local derbies operate under different rules of nature to the usual home and away advantage stuff.
But most of our columns will be familiar to football supporters, i.e. played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, goal difference and points at the end. The only additional column is the last but one column BP which stands for Bragger Points - these are the points either awarded or deducted under the bonus/handicap system set out in the Braggers' League official rule book.
We may award or deduct some points before the official kick-off of the first game in August for categories such as worst kit, most expensive player purchased, etc.
So watch this space.
Braggers' League Annual Awards
At the end of the season we will also invite nominations for the first ever Bragger's League Awards, which may include the following:
- The Golden Heartbreaker - for the top scorer in the 20 derby games
- The Pink Evertonian - for the season's worst kit
- The Golden Rattle - for funniest example of toys thrown from pram
- Goal of the Season (by a "West Midlands 5" player but in any Premiership or Cup game)
- Funniest open goal miss in a derby match
- Biggest Flop - e.g a high expectation signing who warms the bench all season
- Golden Ball for the season's best player
- The Peter Enckelman Award for the biggest career-ruining howler
- Most Whacky Fan (must be evidenced by pictures)
- Fashion Nightmare by a player or manager off pitch
- Posh Bragger- for the most notorious Wag of the Season
- Game of the season - the region's most hard fought mother of derby humdingers
- The Big Ron Clanger Award for memorable qoute of the season (for all the right or wrong reasons)
- Braggers Oscar - for most outstanding display of acting on the pitch
- Bragger of the Year - nominate one of your mates for bullshit in the face of common sense
- 12th Man of the Season - awarded to the most controversial referee of the year
Can't wait till August!
To celebrate the particpation of 5 West Midlands teams in the new Premiership for 2010-11 season, we have launched the Braggers League, an independent league table which pits the West Midlands teams against one another in terms of both results and the awarding or docking of potential bonus/handicap points for incidences that add to the general bragging rights (or otherwise) of our five teams.
You can participate throughout the season by sending in examples of situations where points can be either added or taken away. This is a bit of fun, so as a Villa supporter I promise not to be biased and to award or take away points on the basis of general consenus and collective hilarity.
You can participate throughout the season by sending in examples of situations where points can be either added or taken away. This is a bit of fun, so as a Villa supporter I promise not to be biased and to award or take away points on the basis of general consenus and collective hilarity.
Who will win this season's highly coveted Peter Enckelman Award?
The Rules... thus far
This is how the Braggers' League will work in the forthcoming season.
Each of the five West Midlands teams will play 8 local derbies (4 home and 4 away - see fixture list below)
As well as the normal points awarded for lose, draw or win, we're also going to have an opportunity to either acrue or lose additional points through two special Joker fixtures, as follows:
The We Hate Man U Big One- "Let's wind up Sir Alex and the Cockney faithful"- 6 pointer:
Your team's opportunity to gain an extra 3 points by beating the team that your smarmy southern workmate supports, i.e. Man U, either away or at home (so a potential 6 points if you beat them twice in the season - but draws and losses disregraded)
The Seaside Special - the game you Must Win or ...Drop Points - for one season only:
Yes it's the game that every club in the Premiership, other than Blackpool themselves, expects to win whilst enjoying a day out at the seaside for the fans into the bargain. But woe betide you if you drop 3 points by letting the seasiders do their business all over your knotted hankie. Yes, lose this one in the Prem and lose 3 points in the Braggers League into the bargain (draws and wins disregarded - this is all about the loss).
In addition, the following bonus points will be awarded or deducted (some at our discretion - though impartiality assured):
Lose 1 point for a manager's embarrassing rant concerning a derby match that makes it as a major talking point on the Alan Brazil breakfast show, Daz Hale, Tom Ross or Match of the Day, etc. (we will try to treat Wolves with some leniancy if it gets too silly).
Gain 1 extra point For any crushing victory of the nature of a 4 goal win or more, i.e. 4-0, 5-1 etc. in a local derby match
Lose 1 point for any sending off (ideally we'd like to see toys thrown out the pram though not mandatory) in a local derby
Lose 1 point for an embarrassing penalty miss or a goalkeeping error of significant comedy value in a local derby (anything that ends up as a popular You Tube clip would be perfect)
Gain 1 extra point for a witty or clever fan chant, tease, activity or banner that gains the notice of the media (needs to be evidenced) in or close to a derby game
Gain 1 extra point for any non-violent fan, player or manager intervention which seriously winds up either Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsen Wenger to the point that they comment about it in very angry terms to camera after the game (restricted to Man U and Arsenal matches). The funnier Wenger or Ferguson come across the better.
Lose a point for any significant demonstration of empty seats ("you must have come in a taxi" syndrome) at any local derby game (needs to be evidenced - Match of the Day etc)
Club who charges away fans most money in their derby home games over the course of the season will be docked 1 point
Club that goes furthest in both cup competitions gains an extra point per competition
Any club that gets knocked out of a cup competition by a lower league team gets docked a point, 2 points if it's by Coventry and 3 points if it's by Walsall, Port Vale or any other West Midlands club of the lower tiers
Any significant display of vuvuzela playing by fans at any local derby will be docked a point
All international appearances for any national side earns a point (but must enter the field of play - no bench warmers) - first team appearances only.
Highest transfer fee paid by one of the five teams during either transfer window earns a point (1 point each for summer 2010 and January 2011 windows).
A manager sacking during the season drops 5 points.
Gain a point for any instance of a player getting the ball into the back of the net from a throw in, even if it is disallowed
Any team that brings out a new squad song involving the players singing, at any point in the season will be docked 5 points for extraordinary ignorance of the fact that history shows us it's always hideous
This list may be added to before the start of the season, though won't be altered after the season begins. We will need clear and convincing evidence to support all claims for bonus points.
Good luck.
.
As well as the normal points awarded for lose, draw or win, we're also going to have an opportunity to either acrue or lose additional points through two special Joker fixtures, as follows:
The We Hate Man U Big One- "Let's wind up Sir Alex and the Cockney faithful"- 6 pointer:
Your team's opportunity to gain an extra 3 points by beating the team that your smarmy southern workmate supports, i.e. Man U, either away or at home (so a potential 6 points if you beat them twice in the season - but draws and losses disregraded)
Yes it's the game that every club in the Premiership, other than Blackpool themselves, expects to win whilst enjoying a day out at the seaside for the fans into the bargain. But woe betide you if you drop 3 points by letting the seasiders do their business all over your knotted hankie. Yes, lose this one in the Prem and lose 3 points in the Braggers League into the bargain (draws and wins disregarded - this is all about the loss).
In addition, the following bonus points will be awarded or deducted (some at our discretion - though impartiality assured):
Gain 1 extra point For any crushing victory of the nature of a 4 goal win or more, i.e. 4-0, 5-1 etc. in a local derby match
Lose 1 point for any sending off (ideally we'd like to see toys thrown out the pram though not mandatory) in a local derby
Lose 1 point for an embarrassing penalty miss or a goalkeeping error of significant comedy value in a local derby (anything that ends up as a popular You Tube clip would be perfect)
Gain 1 extra point for a witty or clever fan chant, tease, activity or banner that gains the notice of the media (needs to be evidenced) in or close to a derby game
Gain 1 extra point for any non-violent fan, player or manager intervention which seriously winds up either Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsen Wenger to the point that they comment about it in very angry terms to camera after the game (restricted to Man U and Arsenal matches). The funnier Wenger or Ferguson come across the better.
Club who charges away fans most money in their derby home games over the course of the season will be docked 1 point
Club that goes furthest in both cup competitions gains an extra point per competition
Any club that gets knocked out of a cup competition by a lower league team gets docked a point, 2 points if it's by Coventry and 3 points if it's by Walsall, Port Vale or any other West Midlands club of the lower tiers
Any significant display of vuvuzela playing by fans at any local derby will be docked a point
All international appearances for any national side earns a point (but must enter the field of play - no bench warmers) - first team appearances only.
Highest transfer fee paid by one of the five teams during either transfer window earns a point (1 point each for summer 2010 and January 2011 windows).
A manager sacking during the season drops 5 points.
Gain a point for any instance of a player getting the ball into the back of the net from a throw in, even if it is disallowed
Any outstandingly impressive public display of support by a celebrity fan for their team (for instance inappropriately wearing their team shirt or colours in a non footballing high profile event) will gain a point
Any team that brings out a new squad song involving the players singing, at any point in the season will be docked 5 points for extraordinary ignorance of the fact that history shows us it's always hideous
This list may be added to before the start of the season, though won't be altered after the season begins. We will need clear and convincing evidence to support all claims for bonus points.
Good luck.
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Football's Coming Home... Fixtures for the Big Five Bragging Rights Grudge Games
Never mind your softie Super Leagues and Champion Leagues - these are five of the stalwart Midlands teams who started it all in the first place back in the 1870s. But now it's 2010-11 and we're collectively back where we belong ...so bring it on.
As the originator and editor of the Braggers' League I wish you all well with complete impartiality. May the best team win by finishing in highest position next May.
The Key Battles
14th August
Wolverhampton v Stoke, 15:00
13th September
Stoke v Villa, 8pm
18th September
West Brom v Birmingham, 15:00
26th September
Wolverhampton v Aston Villa, 14:05
31st October
Aston Villa v Bimringham 12.00
9th November
Stoke v Birmingham 19.45
20th November
West Brom v Stoke, 15:00
11th December
Aston Villa v West Brom, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Birmingham, 13:30
19th December
West Brom v Wolverhampton, 12:00
16th January
Birmingham v Villa 12:00
12th February
Birmingham v Stoke, 15:00
26th February
Stoke v West Brom, 15:00
5th March
Birmingham v West Brom, 15:00
19th March
Aston Villa v Wolverhampton, 15:00
16th April
Stoke v Wolverhampton, 15:00
23rd April
30th April
West Brom v Aston Villa, 15:00
1st May
Birmingham v Wolverhampton, 12:00
7th May
Wolverhampton v West Brom, 15:00
Corrrrm on!
Braggers League gets support from the Stirrer
The Braggers League, announced yesterday on the Spaghetti Gazetti website (http://www.spaghettigazetti.com/) has already received an endorsement from broadcaster and political journalist Adrian Goldberg, also known as The Stirrer.
Adrian, who is well known for his love of football though is strangely in this respect a supporter of Premiership new boys, West Bromwich Albion, posted news of the Braggers League on his Stirrer website within 12 hours of it's launch in the early hours of this morning.
Adrian said:
"Come on – we all know that none of the West Midlands teams will win the Premiership this season, and merely looking at the league table is far too simplistic a way to gauge your side’s success. So Pete Millington of Spaghetti Gazetti has devised this ingenious handicap and launched the Braggers’ League – the true test of your club’s mettle".
The new Braggers League table will officially start with the kick off of the region's first local derby on 14th August when Wolves take on Stoke, with both clubs vying to take first blood bragging rights from the infamous Staffordshire derby. Stoke may also be aiming to earn bonus points should Wolves manager Mick McCarthy lose the plot after the game or Sutton Coldfield born Rory Delap score from a throw-in. Wolves could earn a bonus point should Stoke fans turn up to Molinuex with large numbers of vuvuzelas.
Braggers League creator Pete Millington, aka Pete The Geek, said:
"It doesn't get any more serious than this. The World Cup is flippin history as far as the West Midlands is concerned".
Other ideas of how the five competing teams, Villa, Blues, Wolves, Stoke and Baggies can gain or lose bonus points throughout the season are also being invited before the start of the new season. Pete is also considering the idea of forming a five person Braggers Adjudication Panel made up of fans from the respective teams willing to make authorative collective decisions around things like the degree of humiliation or hilarity worthy of point deduction in a given incident.
Ideas to Pete at editorialgazette@googlemail.com
Adrian, who is well known for his love of football though is strangely in this respect a supporter of Premiership new boys, West Bromwich Albion, posted news of the Braggers League on his Stirrer website within 12 hours of it's launch in the early hours of this morning.
"Come on – we all know that none of the West Midlands teams will win the Premiership this season, and merely looking at the league table is far too simplistic a way to gauge your side’s success. So Pete Millington of Spaghetti Gazetti has devised this ingenious handicap and launched the Braggers’ League – the true test of your club’s mettle".
The new Braggers League table will officially start with the kick off of the region's first local derby on 14th August when Wolves take on Stoke, with both clubs vying to take first blood bragging rights from the infamous Staffordshire derby. Stoke may also be aiming to earn bonus points should Wolves manager Mick McCarthy lose the plot after the game or Sutton Coldfield born Rory Delap score from a throw-in. Wolves could earn a bonus point should Stoke fans turn up to Molinuex with large numbers of vuvuzelas.
Braggers League creator Pete Millington, aka Pete The Geek, said:
"It doesn't get any more serious than this. The World Cup is flippin history as far as the West Midlands is concerned".
Other ideas of how the five competing teams, Villa, Blues, Wolves, Stoke and Baggies can gain or lose bonus points throughout the season are also being invited before the start of the new season. Pete is also considering the idea of forming a five person Braggers Adjudication Panel made up of fans from the respective teams willing to make authorative collective decisions around things like the degree of humiliation or hilarity worthy of point deduction in a given incident.
Ideas to Pete at editorialgazette@googlemail.com
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