“In recent years sport has achieved an increasingly high profile as part of New Labour’s social inclusion agenda, based on assumptions about its potential contribution to areas such as social and economic regeneration, crime reduction, health improvement and educational achievement. However, these new opportunities … have been accompanied by a potential threat: evidence-based policy-making.”
So began the introduction to Fred Coalter’s 2007 book A Wider Social Role for Sport, …
It’s not easy to write about football in a purposely humorous way. When I’ve tried, it’s more than often backfired, crowbarred references to things being like things never coming out quite as amusingly as intended.
But the three pieces we’ve designated this week all manage to pull it off, one way or another.
Ground 217: Zimbru Stadium, Chişinău, The Accidental Groundhopper
Michael Hudson keeps it short in his summary …
For our penultimate award it’s difficult, as ever, to overlook those managers who have steered their team to either a championship or promotion winning season.
Indeed, despite his irritating histrionics and basic unpleasantness, Paolo di Canio took a previously dismal Swindon back up to League 1 at the first time of asking against a backdrop of tragic personal circumstances and, should he stick it out in Wiltshire, his side should …
2011-12 was torrid for the blogs. Two trailblazing club websites, Viva Rovers and Boy from Brazil called it a day and the circumstances behind these closures made a significant impact, provoking a serious amount of existential, ‘why do we do this?’ mutterings. Then, just a fortnight ago, Ben Mayhew decided to discontinue his Greenwich Gull site although he will remain active via his Experimental 361 persona.
Thankfully, some terrific sites …
In January, Lloyd conducted a thorough overview of the loan system calling for a 5 point plan to lead to fairer competition. In 2010-11, Craig Bellamy’s spell at Cardiff seemed grotesque given the way Manchester City continued to pay his wages and that was just one example of a number of transformative deals carried out in recent times.
But despite our reservations, a cannily chosen temp can make all …
Ben: Sounds like an interesting read - and a useful companion-piece to Tony...
sean smith: Brilliant article. Shared. COYS...
Steve: C.f. Phil Neville on MOTD2 talking about Rosicky's audacious blind pas...
Steve: Excellent article....
Winch: An enjoyable read. I'm not sure they bring back any good memories, but...
