sport
The Soccer War 1969 - Kapuscinski
"In Latin America, he said, the border between soccer and politics is vague."
"... existing tensions between the two countries were inflamed by rioting during the second North American qualifying round for the 1970 FIFA World Cup. On July 14, 1969, the Salvadoran army launched an attack against Honduras. The Organization of American States negotiated a cease-fire which took effect on July 20, with the Salvadoran troops withdrawn in early August." (Wikipedia)
Alex Ferguson - manager and striker
Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United was involved in the Glasgow apprentices strike and a walkout at Falkirk FC.
Stephen Kelly wrote in the New Statesmen that Ferguson was born in Govan two years into the second world war.
Sporting victory for community in Milton, Glasgow
An eight year long campaign to save the St. Augustine's football pitches in Milton, Glasgow has finally triumphed, with a £2.4m investment in community facilities.
Glasgow City Council's Policy and Resources Committee is expected to approve plans for new changing rooms, community centre, and library at 13:00 today Tuesday 18th April. Refurbished football pitches and new rugby pitches are also planned for the site.
Commonwealth Games pitches close
In 2014, Glasgow intends to host the Commonwealth Games.
In 2007 and 2008, Glasgow intends to prepare for that great event by selling off football pitches at Maryhill Road, North Kelvinside; Acre Road, Summerston; and Cowlairs Park, Springburn.
Pitches next to recently closed primary schools are also planned to be built over.
Capitalism killing football
Richard Griffin analyses the decline of top-flight English football, its causes, and potential solutions.
Empty seats are appearing at Premiership games. So far this season attendances are down by 6%. There are a variety of reasons for this – high ticket prices, boring, predictable games, a lack of competition and a feeling that clubs don’t care about their fans.
The decline follows over a decade of growth.
Scotland: Baths and halls re-open in victory for local community
Kenny McLachlan, late chairperson of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, had the last laugh from beyond the grave, when red faced council bosses agreed to re-open Maryhill’s popular Burgh Halls and Swimming Baths.
A Council run swimming pool, fitness suite, and games hall will open 2008. Building work is scheduled to start in 2006 – according to secret documents seen by the Burgh Angel.
Weddings
The main Burgh Hall is planned to re-open 2009 – with weddings being the first order of business.
Bristol pool occupied
A group of protesters have occupied the site of the former Bristol North swimming bath on Gloucester Road.
The group entered the building in the early hours of Saturday demanding the building is reopened to provide a non-commercial space for the community.
Press Release:
We are a group of individuals concerned about the disappearance of public space and the privatisation of public services in Bristol. On Friday 20th January 2006, we reclaimed Bristol North Pool on Gloucester Road.
Di Canio in fascist salute ban
Paolo Di Canio has been banned for one game and fined £7,000 by the Italian FA for making a fascist salute.
The 37-year-old Lazio striker - who spent time in England with Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham - has now made the gesture three times during matches.
He was fined £7,000 but escaped a ban for his antics against AS Roma in January and raised his arm after being substituted against Livorno earlier in the month.
Di Canio made the gesture again last weekend against Juventus.
Book review: Undefeated - Terry Marsh
Sporting autobiographies are two a penny. Henry Cooper has written three at the last count. George Best has written more than he has had livers – and that is saying something!
It is perhaps because there are so many, that the good one’s actually stand out. “Undefeated” stands alone, not merely for its honesty, but the range of experiences it shares with the reader.
Still Undefeated
Undefeated – My Story by Terry Marsh (Self-published, £20) order from www.terrymarsh.biz
Eastender
Robbie Fowler - fined for supporting Liverpool dockers
England and Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler was fined in 1997 for showing support for sacked dock workers during a European Cup Winners' Cup match.
Fowler was fined 2,000 Swiss Francs ($1,400) by European governing body UEFA on Thursday for his show of support for sacked dock workers during a European Cup Winners' Cup match.
UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Committee made note of Fowler's sporting behaviour in assessing the punishment beginning its press release saying, "It may seem strange and even unfair...".
