Welcome to this week’s Talking the Blues pocast with George and Andy Costigan.
The international break allows us to look further afield than Everton, looking at the United takeover, fan engagement and the multi-club model, it’s impact on the game and the different models on offer.
Thanks as always for listening and your tremendous support which is hugely appreciated by the three of us.
As ever, Talking the Blues is available on all major podcast platforms, links to which can be found here
Categories: podcast
Good listen fellas. Love a rant 😂🤣😂. And here is mine!!
On a very serious note. I’ve always supported the FAB, always thought they should be considered as the obvious point to a spear that is the EFC fanbase. But to be clear that’s the point of the same spear, made of the same material and is as much a part of the rest of the spear as any other part of it. (Stick with me 😄).
However, I have in the past heard comments from members about being given access to privileged information that can’t be disclosed to the fans until the club discloses it. For me, this is utterly unacceptable. To accept this creates an “us and them” scenario based on the privilege of representing the fans. That is not healthy and puts the FAB right in the pocket of the club whether they like it or not.
Nothing should be discussed with FAB that isn’t instantly available to share with the fans.
One final point. I recently heard a FAB member describe himself as a General and the rest of the fanbase as the soldiers.
I fully accept their voluntary basis. I fully accept that some of them have been in this fight since it began too. That comment is for them to consider but the mere idea that one fan is the general of others is ludicrous – I don’t care how long you’ve been fighting BK and the board, I don’t care what privileged position they think it gives them.
It is a clear indication of my previous point. It’s one based in privilege and position and being trusted to know something the mere mortal rest of us can’t be trusted with.
I do not compare that to any embargoed privilege the media or outlets such as yourself may have. But we do walk a dangerous line of alienating the entire masses if we find ourselves in this position. Creating and supporting the ITK culture is not healthy.
Cheers
Keith
I was stationed in Germany, very close to the Dutch border. In fact the barrack perimeter fence was actually on the border line. Our closest local in walking distance was on the Netherlands side. Best of both worlds. Some nice German villages to one side and the Dutch town of Roermond the other. Our closest major place and regular haunt. We still visit regularly.
Interesting comments about Old Trafford. Having been leaders in redeveloping their stadium you can see that it is gradually tiring. I was there for the cup match last season and sat with the United fans. My old Army friends looked after me and despite the result, it was a good night. They took me to a Manchester United equivalent of the Brick or Winslow. A lot of George Best memorabilia decorating the walls and a replica of the Munich memorial that sits on the end of the site of the old Munich airport, which I have visited.
Anfield seems to have problems. I’m not sure about the Etihad. Two reasons, when you go there in May, it is an intensive sun trap. And they treat you like second class citizens. No alcohol at half time, just water. Okay, first world problems. Also the way they channel you in and out of the ground is way too controlled. For someone now London based, knowing that there is a tube station around the corner but having to walk a mile or so is frustrating. It’s the same when they hold concerts. For the foot / train travelling fan, it’s not great. Tottenham, the best stadium in the world right now is a similar experience. I would add one to that list. Brighton. Now Brighton is easy to get to, but the trip to and from they stadium is painful. I was talking to their own supporters at last season’s match on the way back and they were complaining about the location.
I am pleased for Villa Park. One of my favourite English stadiums. Probably irrelevant, but interesting that they chose a Gaelic sport stadium in Belfast that has to be completely rebuilt over the traditional Windsor Park venue.
If reports are to be believed, Bramley Moore Dock will follow the Tottenham model of providing better facilities to keep supporters in the Stadium and increase match day revenue.
I first saw safe standing on a visit to Bayern Munich when they were still at the old Olympic Stadium before moving to the Allianz. That is going back decades. I follow Schalke; the Konigsblauen (Royal Blues). Their stadium is impressive. I don’t know the detail, but when they host international games and it is all seated, the capacity is 54,000. For Schalke home matches, with safe standing, it increases to about 62,000. It’s only at one end, the “Nordkurve”. In that lower tier, you don’t get a seat. They are there, but you get more people in. The difference from what we grew up with is that there is a safety bar in front of every row. Not the crush barriers we were accustomed to that had 100 plus behind them surging forward before the barrier took the pressure.
I will never stop watching Everton until I can’t breath. And they have given me breathless moments these past few seasons.. I like the choice of music. What a Wonderful (Royal Blue) World. I would add a Ray Charles classic for the next one. “I Can’t Stop Loving You”. No matter what.
I don’t know enough, but multi-club ownership seems to be a thing now. Many unknowns but being their first venture into the Premier League, would we become their flagship? Will see pre-season tournaments between their clubs? Player swaps and exchanges? Too many questions rather than answers, which are out of my control.
All I can say is that we need regime change. Not just an owner(s) who leave it to the old guard.