The eminent economist Jonathan Portes, Director of the National Institute for Economic and Social Research, likes to cite two examples in attempting to convince audiences of the merits of free movement of labour. The first is his own field – economics – where collaboration between academics trained within country traditions has produced the field’s most innovative work, and seen real international powerhouses established in the UK, the USA and Canada. His second example is the world of post-Bosman professional football. This is, thinks Portes, an infinitely better place for the impact of that landmark, shackle-loosening judgement in the mid-90s. The…
All posts tagged Walsall
TTU Go Predicting: Teams to Watch
After a 25-year absence, Newport County returned to the Football League in May with an extraordinary play-off final win over Wrexham. For a club who were wound up, reformed and exiled to Gloucestershire in the intervening years, it is a phenomenal and heart-warming achievement. What’s more, they actually look half-decent, and we certainly wouldn’t bet against them to carry last season’s winning form into League 2 and trouble the top 10. With the likes of Portsmouth and Scunthorpe to compete with, automatic promotion may be beyond the Ironsides, but a play-off push is realistic. Even mediocrity will be an achievement…
TTU Go Predicting: a Club-by-Club League 1 Preview
Following yesterday’s start to pre-season, in which we looked at all 24 League 2 clubs, our intensive schedule continues as we move on to League 1. Tomorrow, attention will turn to the Championship. Bradford City Fairytale Bradford City have added a little sheen to their well built squad as they look to attack League 1 at a canter – Rochdale’s Jason Kennedy and experienced winger Mark Yeates join the standout performers James Hanson, Carl McHugh and the quicksilver Nahki Wells in Phil Parkinson’s promotion winning squad. Much will be expected of Wells’ second shot at this level after a failed…
Football Violence, Thatcherism and the Media
In an emotive week, we have so far resisted discussing the attempts of a certain individual to run the sport we love into the ground a quarter of a century ago now. Nonetheless, a press narrative appears to be developing that recalls that era. Here, Tom Furnival-Adams analyses another example of how the irresponsibility of the Fourth Estate has gotten out of hand and how this might well suit the heirs of a previous regime. Tom is a Coventry City fans and be found expositing on the Sky Blues’ plight in the pages of the current issue of When Saturday Comes, the publication…
Stanley: A fine critique of The Economist piece, Ben, and a fine piece of your ...
Neil - Row Z: Interesting article, particularly re: the link between clubs and commu...
Kyle: Excellent article Ben - couldn't agree more with your criticism of the...
Steve: An excellent read and full of wisdom that would benefit many a footbal...
Lanterne Rouge: A brilliant article Ben and a strong candidate for any accolade of the...
