Looking Back on the Champions League Final

Congratulations to Manchester United for completing the double then. Surely anyone likely to be reading this site watched the game for themselves, so there seems little point in transcribing the action, but suffice to say, it’s a final we will be talking about for some time now. Perhaps not as dramatic as 2005’s incredible comeback from Liverpool, but in terms of sheer emotional intensity, this year’s all-English final will go down in history for more reasons than one.

There are many reasons that as a neutral I felt United deserved to win, but bizarrely their performance on the actual night is not one of them. For once, it was hard not to feel for Chelsea, with every defender and midfielder on the pitch giving their all for the club. The oft-maligned Ashley Cole was excellent all night, and after some early hiccups, makeshift right-back Michael Essien handled Cristaino Ronaldo with aplomb. Down the middle, JT and Carvalho were excellent as ever, with the former’s goal-line clearance from Ryan Giggs late into extra time keeping the tie alive. Claude Makalele overcame initial scraps to dominate the midfield, giving Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack as much freedom as they needed to pull the strings. In terms of attacking options, they were toothless and uninterested however, with Malouda and Kalou (when he came on) struggling to handle the pace, and Joe Cole anonymously hugging the right-hand touchline. Didier Drogba offered a quite fitting underline to his Chelsea career if he is indeed to leave this summer; pouting, ineffective and ultimately just plain stupid, this was the Drogba everyone but Chelsea fans have seen week after week for three years. Anelka too should be ashamed of himself; if ever there was a mercenary footballer it is him, with nothing even approaching emotion etched on his face after missing the crucial penalty that gave United the cup.

The Champions though, despite taking the lead before the half-hour, seemed to suffer from stage-fright for perhaps not the first time this season. While they were never really subjected to elongated periods of pressure at the back, they just had difficulty maintaining possession and building much going forward. The usual slick passing was absent, with too many players giving and receiving the ball standing still even early in the second-half before fatigue truly kicked in. Carlos Tevez led the line admirably, but Wayne Rooney failed to make any impact at all, and even Ronaldo faded into the background after scoring the opener. In line with previous criticisms on this site of his play in the big games, Ronaldo once again just didn’t gauge his team were having difficulty holding the ball, and continued to attempt backheels and flicks while a simple ball to feet would’ve sufficed. Centrally in midfield, Michael Carrick still seemed a bit out of depth at this level, while Paul Scholes just didn’t really have the legs to keep up with the pace and athleticism of Chelsea.

But, and it’s a big but, over the course of the season United have been by far the most impressive team in Europe, and for the sake of historical romance, many members of the squad are worthy of being called European Champions this year:

Ryan Giggs added to his record-breaking tenth Premier League title a fortnight ago by surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time club record on the night, now with 759 professional appearances going back to the age of 17.

Paul Scholes, who missed United’s last Champions League success through suspension, was the first name on Ferguson’s team-list this year, and did himself proud at the age of 33 after propelling United into the final with that wondrous strike against Barcelona in the semi-finals.

The whole defensive unit for United has been as important as the much-praised attacking prongs, with even Wes Brown playing exceptionally on the night. You’ll struggle to find a better central-defensive partnership than Vidic and Ferdinand anywhere in the world, and behind them, Edwin van der Sar richly deserves his second Champions League medal, 13 years after the first with Ajax.

As undoubtedly the world’s best player this year, Cristiano Ronaldo warrants a Champions League medal like Kaka last year and Ronaldinho before him, to name just two. He finished the competition’s leading goal-scorer, and perhaps missing another penalty is what he needs to keep his feet on the ground.

From a real nostalgic point of view, the fact that this triumph comes fifty years after the Munich air disaster makes the whole unfolding of the season seem destined in many ways. It is also forty years since Charlton’s rebuilt Busby Babes lifted the first European Cup for an English side, so success this year was undoubtedly written in the stars.

And last, but certainly not least, this win surely lifts Sir Alex Ferguson amongst the true greats, with previously just the one European success not really representative of the club’s domestic dominance since the Premier League’s inception. His list of accolades is quite simply breath-taking, with 21 trophies in 21 years at Manchester United now if my maths is right. In 1999, he became the first manager to lead an English team to the treble of league championship, FA Cup and Champions League; he has won the FA Cup five times; he is the only manager ever to win three successive league championships in the top flight in England with the same club (1998-1999, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001); and now, he joins the illustrious company of Brian Clough and Bob Paisley as only the third British manager to win the European Cup on more than one occasion.

With further squad improvement planned for the summer, can anything stop this United team from repeating their domestic and European dominance next season and beyond? The average age of the current team is frightening young, but with a new goalkeeper, right-back and centre forward at least on Fergie’s shopping list, not to mention young talent such as Aaron Ramsey and Victor Moses linked to United, I’d get used seeing this team lift the Premier League and Champions League trophies for some time now.

Gameweek 34 – ‘Aquarium’

Happy Monday folks and back in the saddle again. Obvious focal point this weekend was at Old Trafford where Manchester United all but sealed the title in a superlative showing against Arsenal, coming from behind to put the final nail in Arsene Wenger’s season. Chelsea play tonight and can stay in touch, but this display of resolve has surely signaled their very real intent to capture another Premier League/Champions league double. Liverpool also continued their excellent form of late, completely dominating a decent Blackburn side with Gerrard and Torres once again on the score-sheet for Rafa’s men.

Down at the bottom things continue to remain interesting as Bolton and Fulham both recorded hard-fought wins, and Birmingham and Sunderland dropped points against much stronger opposition to drag them back into the danger area. It will take a herculian effort for Fulham to rescue themselves, but just two points away from safety now, Bolton will fancy rolling up their sleeves and staying in the top flight for another year.

In the mid-table wastelands, Villa delivered the performance of the weekend to blow Derby away, and Manchester City pinched a somewhat unjustified three points to stay in the top 8. Draws for Pompey, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Tottenham keep things tight, but with neither European qualification or relegation on the cards, they are all very much winding down now for the season.

Premier League Team of the Week (based on OPTA stats, Fantasypremierleague.com ratings and my own expert eye):

Keeper – Ali Al Habsi (impressive throughout)

Defence – Patrice Evra (superb as ever at the back and going forward), Joleon Lescott (another big performance and ninth goal this season), Radhi Jaidi (solid), Paul Stalteri (definitely improving at his new club)

Midfield – Steven Gerrard (catalyst), Owen Hargreaves (perfection), Gareth Barry (singled out, but whole Villa midfield was again excellent), Stuart Downing (enterprising all game and sweet strike for the Boro equaliser)

Up Top – Mauro Zarate (another zero added to the young Argentine’s price tag), Kevin Davies (doing what he does best)

Weekly Awards:

Goal of the Week – Stilian Petrov throws his name in the hat for goal of the season with an inch-perfect half-volley from about 40 yards. For footage of all six Villa goals, click here. Any other week though cracking volleys from Roque Santa-Cruz and Dean Whitehead would be in definite contention so it’s worth mentioning them to.

Nutmeg of the Week – Stevie Gerrard masterfully nails walking man-mountain Chris Samba in the build up to his opener at Anfield.

Save of the Week – Mr Al Habsi superbly tipped over Dean Ashton’s audacious bicycle kick.

Skill of the Week – Simply because Arsene Wenger apparently hates showboating so much, Cristiano Ronaldo’s amazing little touchline stepover routine to wind down the clock at Old Trafford takes the biscuit. Check it about 11:40 into this video of the game’s highlights:

Manchester United 2 - Arsenal 1 (MOTD)

Posted to 101 Great Goals by Ronaldo on April 13, 2008

Click to Play View Details

Miss of the Week – Liam Ridgewell shows quite an impressive level of inability to fire over from 2 yards out, finding himself in acres of room following McFadden’s corner.

Attempt(s) of the Week – Part-time democracy installer and all round nice guy Brian McBride crashes the Reading crossbar with a sublime volley on the run from outside the box. Never one to be outdone, Jimmy Bullard also found the woodwork a couple of layers of paint too thick from a delightful freekick.

Own-Goal Attempt of the Week – Rio tried his best to beat Edwin van der Sar at his near post but thankfully for United the Dutchmen was familiar with Ferdinand’s desire to humorously merc him.

Unexpected Acrobatics of the Week – Central defender Steven Taylor tries his luck with a scissor kick against Portsmouth. Van Basten eat your heart out. Well, nearly.

Sniper-on-the-roof Moment of the Week – Manchester City substitute Sturridge took one in the kneecap to win a penalty at the Stadium of Light.

Gaffe of the Week – It seems cruel to kick him when he’s down but Roy Carroll had an absolute mare against Villa, kind of at fault for most of their goals.

ASBO of the Week – Martin Skrtel was on fine bruising form, first escaping punishment for an over-the-ball crunch and then simply throwing Jason Roberts to the ground as the Blackburn man sprinted towards goal.

Controversy of the Week – A certain Arsenal player putting his side ahead at Old Trafford with what was quite obviously a hand. And Arsene Wenger’s reaction you might wonder? “What’s a hand? Who’s Adebayor? I’ve never even heard of this ‘football’ you keep going on about!”

Statistic of the Week – Fernando Torres has now scored in his last seven consecutive Anfield appearances so give Ronaldo a serious challenge for Player of the Season.

Jess of the Week – Apparently Philip Senderos’ season is over because he is “mentally shattered.” In a bizarre coincidence, the Swiss word for “mentally shattered” is actually the same as for “shit.”

Hyperbole of the Week – “He wasn't born, he was chiseled out of an oak tree.” The 5Live commentator clearly got Tom Huddlestone’s envelope of cash then. For the record, the only man actually chiseled out of any kind of tree is Jean-Claude Van Damage.

Quote of the Week – “It's not something I've practised, I just thought I'd give it a go.” Radhi Jaidi talking about his somewhat comical star-jump distraction techniques in front of Tim Howard as Zarate lined up the equalizing freekick. He was offside, so how that isn’t interfering will play I will never know.

Honesty of the Week – Harry Redknapp: “I just want to win the FA Cup - that’s all that matters now to be perfectly truthful. If you said to me finish fifth or win the FA Cup, I want to win the Cup.”

Hero of the Week – Brian McBride for inspiring Fulham to a last-grasp push for survival, with Roy Hodgson’s side recording their first success away from home since 2006.

Zero of the Week – Officially out of all competitions in five days, Arsene Wenger is this week’s zero once again. Don’t take this is a personal vendetta though; for a club with aspirations as big as Arsenal’s, this season really has been just another enormous failure, and one that Wenger could’ve avoided had he not been so arrogant and failed to buy anyone in the January transfer window.

Personal Highlight of the Week – Not having to run the London Marathon, but seeing plenty of awesome Mascot suits going the distance. Kudos to the guys dressed as rhinos, the Wombles (obviously), and my personal favourite, the giant Cornish pasty.

We are Officially Amazing!

You love us, you really love us! Tremendous pats-on-the-back all round as today the SoccerLens’ 2007 Blog winners were announced, and guess what? STT took home 3 Editor’s Choice awards! That’s right; nominated in 3 catagories, won 3 catagories!

We are also honored to have come 2nd in the Reader’s vote for ‘Best Blog Name,’ and 3rd in the Reader’s vote for both ‘Best New Blog’ and also ‘Best EPL Blog.’

Direct your gaze towards this link for the full rundown of winners, while see below for some spectacularly understated hyperbole about your favourite blog’s favourite blog:

“But the sheer quality of writing and insight on display at The Run Of Play and STT is amazing and a refreshing break from the tripe we are force-fed through our regular footy news channels (i.e. the ilk of BBC, Guardian and Sun)”

“As much as we like the idea of having our cultured left foot caught offside as the original winger in extra time with some people still on the pitch, it still doesn’t beat sniffing the touchline during the run of play sparking a pitch invasion.”

“(STT is) easily the best new blog started in 2007”

Huge congratulations all round then, and good work for SoccerLens putting this on. Thanks to everyone who reads us regularly and voted, and welcome to anyone who discovered us recently through the Award nominations. We’ll taking the afternoon off now to go celebrate by doing some coke off a stripper; if you fancy joining us, we’ll be in Secrets in Hammersmith for about the next, I don’t know, 36 hours maybe.....

STT's cheerleader hangers on get the party started. Credit to With Leather

Big Ronaldo Bows Out

It’s not often that in this increasingly short-term and superficial game, anything really tugs at the heart strings, but yesterday the greatest striker of our generation announced his retirement from the game after suffering a similar injury to that which that sidelined him for more than 18 months 7 years ago.

Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima (to give him his full name) ruptured the tendon in his left knee while playing for AC Milan against Livorno this past Wednesday night, after previously damaging the equivalent tendon in his right knee, first in 1998, and then much more seriously in 2000.

It seems pointless to try and explain just how good he actually was, but suffice to say that alongside Zinidene Zidane, he is by far the best player I’ve seen in my lifetime. Perhaps the most lethal forward in the history of the game, he had everything; sublime technical skill, raw power from both feet, strength on the ball even at 17, and just the most explosive turn of pace you could ever hope for on a football pitch. Set your eyes to ‘stun’ and peep out these career statistics for the man nicknamed ‘The Phenomenon’ at 14 years of age:

Cruzerio (1993-1994) – 13 appearances, 12 goals

PSV Eindhoven (1994-1996) – 46 appearances, 42 goals

FC Barcelona (1996-1997) – 37 appearances, 34 goals

Inter Milan (1997-2002) – 69 appearances, 49 goals

Real Madrid (2002-2007) – 127 appearances, 83 goals

A.C. Milan (2007-2008) – 20 appearances, 9 goals

Brazil (1994-2006) – 97 appearances, 62 goals

Total – 392 appearances, 240 goals

Individual Awards:

FIFA World Player of the Year (1996, 1997, 2002)

World Soccer Player of the Year (1996, 1997, 2002)

European Footballer of the Year (1997, 2002)

It all just makes me wish I’d just seen more of him in his prime really, as during his early career especially it was difficult to see much European league football without the satellite TV and internet we take for granted now. In retrospect, his season for Barcelona was maybe the most incredible display of sustained individual talent the game will ever witness.

As the years passed however, Ronaldo was dogged with allegations of boozing, gambling and most famously over-eating, as time and time again he appeared to be pretty fat following the summer party season throughout Europe and back home. Furthermore, he has been through several tumultuous relationships, with three serious partners coming and going in the last 10 years. Firstly it was professional women’s player Milene Domingues (who strangely holds the world football-juggling record), then MTV presenter Daniela Cicarelli, and finally Brazilian model Raica Oliveira. Sports writer Andrew Dowie (ESPN) is right to draw a correlation between his on-field performances and personal stability, with those aforementioned award-winning seasons all taking place during the more settled periods of his life; namely his marriage with Domingues, and subsequent engagement to Cicarelli.

Yet despite all of this, and additional clashes with various coaches over his poor attitude in training, he still reached a height that few players have even come close too. It almost makes you wonder if circumstances had been different, could he have been greater still? Is that actually possible?

Along with Zidane he is the only player in history to have won World Player of the Year three times, while the 1996 win makes him still the accolade’s youngest recipient at 19. He is the World Cup’s leading all-time goal-scorer with 15 goals, and along with the great Jurgen Klinnsman is the only man to have scored more than thrice in three successive World Cups. He has won the Dutch Cup, the UEFA Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga and the Cup Winners Cup, as well as the World Cup twice.

To many he will be remembered for the bizarre convulsive fit that kept him out of the 1998 World Cup final which Brazil ultimately lost to France, while to others, it will be the huge grin and ridiculous half-moon haircut from the victorious 2002 World Cup campaign that resonates in the memory. Those gossip-savvy among you might even focus on the amazing rumours of him and Ronaldinho buying a noodle and massage bar in Milan, just to chill out away from the public eye and get the odd rub ‘n’ tug!

Personally though, in one of his first games for Real Madrid a few years ago, I remember seeing him and Zidane conjure up an epic attacking move, carving open the opposition defence from the halfway line with one-twos, backheels, stepovers, everything in the trick locker. ZZ ended up on the byline near the edge of the box, Cruyff-turned inside his man, squared it to Ronaldo literally 5 yards out, and I rose to me feet ready to scream that I’d just seen the greatest goal ever scored and then…Ronaldo skied it out of ground. Him and ZZ just looked at each other and burst out laughing. What a legend.

Christ I’m talking like he’s dead! Anyway, glory in some of these videos from years gone by and recognize an irreplaceable talent. For anyone drawing up any All Time Top XIs, he should be one of the first names on your list…

Documentary on PSV days:

every goal for Barce part 1 -

and part 2 -

hattrick from real 3 – 4 man u (CL 2003):

All 15 World Cup goals:

The World Conquering Jeff Stelling's Super Special Soccer Saturday Drinking Game

While recent STT coverage has waxed lyrical about the untapped potential of combining football with naked women, this game aims to remove any chance of seeing the latter by fueling the excitement of Saturday afternoon results with an incapacitating amount of alcohol.

So much is right about this game that it is a miracle that it hasn’t been rushed through the bureaucratic quagmire of the International Olympic Committee for inclusion in our 2012 event.

Below are a complete set of the rules but obviously they are all open to interpretation and substitution. Actually following this playbook word for word (i.e. a shot of beer for ever single goal scored on a Saturday) will almost certainly result in hospitalisation but if you’re man enough to do it, we’re man enough to put up pictures of you being sick on yourself!

Please note that the STT editorial staff shall be attempting this mammoth challenge in early February and the results shall be duly presented for all to see then…

You will need:

- a lined stomach

- twice your combined bodyweight in beer

- a bottle of Jagermeister

- a bottle of indiscriminate other spirit

- a bin / plastic bag / bucket to be sick into

- an understanding girlfriend

- a desire to remember nothing that happened on Saturday at all

- a willingness to lose teeth / end up in hospital once a week

General Rules

- Every time a goal is scored = 1 shot of beer

- Every sending off = 1 shot of Jager

- Half time = Absolutely no alcoholic beverages may be imbibed during this period

- Whenever Chris Kamara is talking, you must be constantly drinking

- Whenever Paul Merson uses stupid rhyming slang (i.e. “he's hit the beans on toast”!) = 1 shot of Jager

- In the second half, all teams can only be referred to by their nicknames and failure to do so results in a penalty of 3 shots of beer

- Whenever Swindon Town appear on the vidiprinter, the last person to shout out “Mackerel!” must do a shot of Jager

- Whenever Dundee appear on the vidiprinter, the last person to shout out “Football!” takes shot of Jager

- Whenever Northampton Town appear on the vidiprinter, the last person to shout out “Cobblers!” has to do a shot of Jager

- Every time your team score you have to do 2 extra shots of beer

- Every time Hartlepool score a goal = 3 shots of beer

- Every time James Brown scores for Hartlepool and Jeff does his “I feel good” dance a further shot must be consumed. Extra shots if any of the other guests join in

- Every time a pundit shouts off camera, for a goal or otherwise = 2 shots of beer

- Whenever Chris Kamara says “its unbelievable Jeff!” all drinks must be instantly downed

- Every time the team Keith is jokingly referred to as being just one guy = 1 shot of Jager

- Every time Brighton & Hove, or Daggenham & Redbridge are jokingly referred to as being two different teams playing the same opposition = 1 shot of Jager

- Every time anything bad happens to Craig Bellamy, Lee Bowyer or Joey Barton (injury, own goal, booked, sent off, arrested for murder etc) = 2 celebratory shots of the spirit of your choice

- Every time LeTiss is mentioned in connection with “a takeaway” = 1 shot of Jager

- Whenever the Carlos Tevez affair/scandal is mentioned = 1 shot of Jager

- Every time Phil Thompson says “Stevie Gerrard” you must consume 3 shots of beer

- Every time Matty Taylor and “Goal of the Season” are mentioned in the same sentence = 1 shot of Jager

- Every time Emmanuel Eboue or Jon Obi Mikel is involved in some sort of violent scuffle, a shot of spirits must be consumed

- Every time a commentator is struggling to speak over the drum player, or a band in general, a shot of spirits must be done

Advanced Rules

- Any hint of racism (casual or otherwise) from any of the pundits = Quad bombs (4 Jager shots + a redbull) all round

- Every time Jeff makes an “a Trialist” joke you must do 3 shots of beer

- Every time Jeff calls Kenny Deucher “The Good Doctor” = 1 shot of spirit

- Every time Jeff says “its Doom and Gloom at...” = 1 shot of Jager

- Every time Arbroath striker Kevin Webster scores and Jeff says “ohh, Sally will be pleased” = 1 shot of Jager

- Every time Exeter striker Adam Stansfield scores and Jeff says “oh Lisa will be pleased” = 1 shot of Jager

- Every time Kevin Nolan scores and Jeff says “oh his sisters will be pleased” = 1 shot of Jager

- Every time a team scores more that 5 goals take a shot of spirits for each supplementary goal

- If Jeff swears because Hartlepool are losing everyone involved must down their drinks

FA Cup Special Rules

In addition to all the above, further shots of Jager must be done upon hearing any of the following phrases:

- “That’s the magic of the cup”

- “Potential banana skin”

- “Who said the FA cup was dead?”

- “Giant killing”

- “And he’s a PLASTERER / PLUMBER / ELECTRICIAN etc by trade…”

- “They’ll be dancing in the streets of (Total Network Solutions etc) tonight!”

PRACTICE VIDEO

You can practice what you have larnt on this classic video, where Chris Kamara presents the eleven goal thriller between Portsmouth and Reading earlier this season:

I counted at least two 'unbelievables' there, as well as 2 goals over the 5 goal limit. That's at least 2 shots and 2 downed drinks to begin with, as well as supping constantly the 7 or 8 minutes that Kammy's in frame. Enjoy!

Props to the inspiration behind this post, the Facebook group of the same name as the title. Check them out online for pictures, movies, anecdotes and even the chance to buy special celebratory Jeff t-shirts and hoodies!

Mascot Ownage

The Burnley Bee is a hero.

WARNING - This video is of a streaker, who is totally naked, in the the way that streakers usually are. Let's just say that his junk is all over this, until the aforementioned mascot heroics.

The Bee is a G. Huge props to him.

Christians Love Ethnic Cleansing, It Was Just Called Something Else Back Then

You might recall a couple of weeks ago we ran a comment about a certain Inter Milan kit that boasted a design not dissimilar to the English flag, and looked a lot like, well, the sharp get-up the Knights Templar wore during the Crusades.

It seems that our eyebrows were not the only ones raised by this, as now word reaches us that a Turkish lawyer, Baris Kaska, took exception to the “Crusader-style” cross branded on the shirts, which he said symbolised “western racist superiority over Islam.” Now call me a cynic but this smacks of slightly sour grapes, as he is not only seeking personal damages from the Italian club, but has also appealed to UEFA to annul the match in question (against Fenerbahce) which Inter won 3 – 0. Quite why though is beyond me, as Fenerbahce also qualified from the group stage of the Champions League this week. The somewhat hyperbolic justification for his complaint is as follows: “It made me think immediately of the bloody days of the past. While I was watching the game, I felt profound grief in my soul.”

Inter are understandably "astounded" at the controversy, and have pointed out that a red cross on a white background is the symbol of the city of Milan, displayed only to mark their centenary, and that many other Italian football clubs have incorporated the cross into their shirt design.

Perhaps he has a case though, and if successful, this case could prove a vital precedent for future whinging. For example, following England’s humiliating loss against Croatia in the European Championship qualifiers, I too was filled with a “profound grief in my soul,” offended so by the Croatian’s insensitive kit. The blue shirt, with red and white check details, was a clear reminder of Princess Diana’s tragic death in Paris ten years ago, and as a result, I myself was unable to concentrate on the game. This was a callous stab at the heart’s of this great nation, and without doubt, the result should be cancelled…no, not even cancelled actually, but reversed altogether! I demand satisfaction!

There is maybe an ulterior motive behind this complaint however. As Christmas approaches, video games are flying off the shelves like they’re worth their weight in gold, and just recently has seen the release of a certain Crusades-based action game for the X-Box 360, Assassin’s Creed. In this game you play a nice young bruiser who is set the task of icing nine Knights Templar in and around period Jerusalem. They even wear the Inter Milan shirt in question, coincidence????

p.s. we don’t normally whore ourselves out, but since Ubisoft have absolutely no connection with STT we feel that ethically it’s ok to advertise on their behalf. Also, the game is crazy good

We’re Not the Only Decent (non porn) Website there is you know!

And sometimes we like to demonstrate that just because we feel a bit selfish attracting the amount of loyal fans that we do. The Monopoly Commission has been in touch and has politely requested that we divvy up at least a small portion of the traffic we currently gather, so here STT faithful is another website worthy of your valuable time.

In keeping with what is quickly becoming Mascot Liberation Day, please take some time to check out the below link. It’s a site with a mission, and that mission is simple: get your photo taken with every professional sports mascot in the U.S.A. Two wild frat boys, zanily called Jimmy and Croc, did a pretty damn fine job up until 2005 when they mysteriously went missing, never to be seen again. Rumour has it that they were taken out by an elite Mascot Protection League hit-squad, while others have banally suggested that they just grew up and got jobs. We will never know, but here is their legacy:

http://www.crittersbythebay.com/yippee/mascots.html

Wick to Wembley

As the FA Cup got properly underway this passed weekend, we at STT feel it’s now time to disperse a little bit of our internet spotlight onto another excellent blog worthy of your precious time. Masterfully called ‘Wick to Wembley,’ its an attempt to regain a little bit of grass roots football magic following site runner ‘Sniffer’ as he embarks on an epic journey to capture the entire spectrum of the FA Cup.

His mission statement is simple: go and watch your local club (Wick in this case) in the Extra Preliminary Round of qualifying in August and then, whichever team wins, go and see them in the next round, and whoever wins that, follow them into the next stage…and so on and so forth…all the way to Wembley! The theatre of dreams. The palace of hope. The mansion of cheese.

It’s a cracking idea, and as you can see from the site yourself, he faces a trip to Cambridgeshire and the glamorous prospect of Cambridge United v Weymouth next up in the second round, having already endured Dartford, Camberley, Bromley and Eastbourne among others. Anyway enough drivel, set your face to ‘smile’ and check out his exploits here.