Other Football Stuff

As we get towards the end of the season, enthusiastic footballers may find their thumbs excessively twiddled as the footballing calendar takes a breather and readies itself for a new season.

A football parent. It is something wonderful and precious. We are committed, supportive, encouraging and always there  for our child, whether it is a win, draw or loss. The best football parents can keep a perspective on it all and a smile on their face.

Poor old CR7 got a wack in the Euro 2016 final and injured his knee. At least it was a conventional football injury! Unlike the weird and wacky tales of players missing games thanks to misfortune and misadventure.

Do you know someone in Grassroots football who deserves to be recognised and rewarded. Maybe it's you? The BBC are casting for a new series of My Big Week. Each of the six episodes will follow a different individual through one life-changing week.

The recent Leicester v West Ham game has bought into focus this absurd and ongoing situation where players wrestle each other off the ball at every set piece situation and even in free play when crosses are being delivered into the box. It isn't just defenders wrestling attackers. It is also attackers, blocking and wrestling defenders. The whole situation is just crazy.

I had a personal interest in the infamous Battle of Bramall Lane. I had played for Sheffield United and my old team mate and friend Gary Megson was the Manager of West Bromwich Albion. Like millions of football fans, I was gob smacked with what happened in the First Division game between Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion on Marh 16 2002.

Efe Sodje is a Nigerian International making 12 appearances, including playing against Argentina and England in the 2002 World Cup. He has had a long and illustrious career in professional football. Playing over 600 games for 11 clubs  games in England. He is currently assistant Manager for Macclesfield Town in the Conference National.

Is it? Isn't it? The handball in the penalty area debates rages on. There has to be a clearer guidance and mandate from the FA and Referees association on what is or isn't handball