FUTBOL Central?

[soxfan121]

So, the idea has come to do a "Central" with Futbol. Anyone interested in helping out? Football Central has documentation on the technical side of doing things, so it's really just: 
1. Is there interest from the regulars in this forum?
2. What is the content?
3. What does it look like?
 
I can help but I've no interest in trying to manage another one of these at the same time. So, who wants to get "game on"?

 

[Billy R Ford]

I'd be interested in helping out. I have some experience writing and editing (just college newspaper stuff, but still, it was a nice experience), so though I don't know how qualified I am to write about soccer, I could at least contribute towards that aspect.
 
As far as content, I'd say we have a pretty clear bias towards (1) Premier League and (2) US Men's National Team and players, though we obviously have posters from all over so I think we could get content about pretty much anything.
 
I think what would give most posters a pause is wondering what the time commitment would be, but if it's manageable I'm up for contributing.

 

[soxfan121]

Generally, Football Central is a "when you have time" endeavor. We don'd do deadlines (makes for shitty writing) and contributors are encouraged to give time when they can. There's no "commitment" to be made. If you want to participate but have limited time, we can work with you. If you want to get really involved, there's lots to do and you can choose what you do. 

 

[DLew On Roids]

I'd be interested in writing, probably on tactics, transfer policy, and finance (the hibernation of the Swiss Ramble has left a huge hole IMO). You can count on no blind LFC homerism, especially as long as they play like this.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I'd be happy to occasionally contribute something, although I have zero idea what I could write about that would be worthwhile to read.
 
"Stuck in the Muddle of The Championship"
"The Horrors of League One"
"Sheffield United- More Despicable than Leeds?"
"Damn you John Harkes, Damn you."
"Wolves v. Huddersfield: Is Anyone Else Actually Watching?"
"Remembering the 1991 League Cup"

 

[mascho]

I'd be happy to occasionally contribute something, although I have zero idea what I could write about that would be worthwhile to read.
 
"Stuck in the Muddle of The Championship"
"The Horrors of League One"
"Sheffield United- More Despicable than Leeds?"
"Damn you John Harkes, Damn you."
"Wolves v. Huddersfield: Is Anyone Else Actually Watching?"
"Remembering the 1991 League Cup"

 
All of which would likely be great reads.
 
sf121 knows my contributions will consist of funny Pardew gifs and tracking how many Newcastle Brown Ales I need to get through a Newcastle match, so if that's good, your stuff will be better. 

 

[Investor 11]

I believe I'm one of a handful of members who is planning a trip to a game in Europe this season. Maybe a stadium review or guide to going to a specific game (transportation, bars, tickets) would be beneficial for people down the road. I'd be happy to write one up for the Derby County game I'm going to.

 

[mascho]

I believe I'm one of a handful of members who is planning a trip to a game in Europe this season. Maybe a stadium review or guide to going to a specific game (transportation, bars, tickets) would be beneficial for people down the road. I'd be happy to write one up for the Derby County game I'm going to.

 
That would be great.

 

[soxfan121]

I'd be interested in writing, probably on tactics, transfer policy, and finance (the hibernation of the Swiss Ramble has left a huge hole IMO). You can count on no blind LFC homerism, especially as long as they play like this.

 
Awesome. I was hoping you (and many others) would want to be in. I think the above is excellent. 
 
And once the team is assembled, we should talk about homerism. Football Central (I hope) doesn't come across as homers, despite our Pats focus.
 
Personally, I think a small bit (not a lot) of homerism from the MLS guys (hell yes, MLS people, we want you) and, well, everyone would be good for the site. 
 

I'd be happy to occasionally contribute something, although I have zero idea what I could write about that would be worthwhile to read.
 
"Stuck in the Muddle of The Championship"
"The Horrors of League One"
"Sheffield United- More Despicable than Leeds?"
"Damn you John Harkes, Damn you."
"Wolves v. Huddersfield: Is Anyone Else Actually Watching?"
"Remembering the 1991 League Cup"

 
Like Mark said, this sounds exactly like what I'd want to read. It sounds fun. It sounds like the ideas of someone who loves the game. 
 

I believe I'm one of a handful of members who is planning a trip to a game in Europe this season. Maybe a stadium review or guide to going to a specific game (transportation, bars, tickets) would be beneficial for people down the road. I'd be happy to write one up for the Derby County game I'm going to.

 
Hell yes. This sounds perfect. 

 

[soxfan121]

Send me an email - david.mccullough@sonsofsamhorn.com - for more information. 

 

[WayBackVazquez]

I believe I'm one of a handful of members who is planning a trip to a game in Europe this season. Maybe a stadium review or guide to going to a specific game (transportation, bars, tickets) would be beneficial for people down the road. I'd be happy to write one up for the Derby County game I'm going to.

Yes, I would do that for my Anfield trip. I'm not qualified to write much beyond that piece, but will look forward to reading.

 

[Bosoxen]

Others could provide more content regarding club football than me, and Lord knows I'm having enough trouble finishing even a single piece that I've already committed to write, but I'm all in for writing any international content. When the Copa America fires up next summer, I'll be happy to add stuff for the Mexican side.

 

[The Talented Allen Ripley]

When it comes to the shock and awe that is the Scottish Premier League, I'm your man.

 

[teddykgb]

I kind of have the same feelings about Football Central as I do about this.  Please take this in a constructive manner -- what's SOSH's unique perspective? What gap is SOSH filling on soccer writing?  It isn't that I don't doubt there are a few interesting pieces that could be written, but how/why is SOSH going to gain a foothold?
 
That said, I'd read pretty much anything written by fletcherpost, it feels like reading Joyce.  I'm not sure I ever understand it fully or at all but it somehow feels awesome.

 

[soxfan121]

I kind of have the same feelings about Football Central as I do about this.  Please take this in a constructive manner -- what's SOSH's unique perspective? What gap is SOSH filling on soccer writing?  It isn't that I don't doubt there are a few interesting pieces that could be written, but how/why is SOSH going to gain a foothold?
 
That said, I'd read pretty much anything written by fletcherpost, it feels like reading Joyce.  I'm not sure I ever understand it fully or at all but it somehow feels awesome.

 
 
Last things first, fletcherpost Central would be my homepage.
 
Your questions are good ones. Why (not) us? 

Unique, in my opinion, is overrated. Lots of people can do something; the things that get attention are done well. Quality finds an audience. If there's one thing SoSH has in abundance, it is quality writers. 

 

[Laser Show]

Yes, I would do that for my Anfield trip. I'm not qualified to write much beyond that piece, but will look forward to reading.

I believe I just landed a ticket for the match at Stamford Bridge this weekend. I would also be more than happy to write a review, but I'll hold off on official commitment right now since I'm quite busy over the next couple weeks and want to make sure it'd be quality.

 

[Schnerres]

I´m all in, although my english isn´t great. I can write down an easy article without many mistakes i guess, but i couldn´t speak with much flavour like i would do in german...and i think that would be boring. So, i´ll have to conquer you with the content of my words - which obviously will be german football.

 

[Zososoxfan]

I'll definitely do some writing on Barca and maybe a little on Real, some EPL, and the big tournaments (e.g. Copa America, UCL, European Cup, etc.).

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I have the same problem as with Football Central - I have enough pressing deadlines professionally for the next year that I can't make any kind of significant time commitment.  That said, I've probably written at least 3-4 expletive-laden articles in my mind in the last month on Wenger's tactics, so translating one of those into actual prose probably wouldn't be that difficult at some point and perhaps a little bit cathartic.
 
Can we bring Ossie back and give him plenty of liquor and an open invitation to "blog"? 

 

[soxfan121]

I´m all in, although my english isn´t great. I can write down an easy article without many mistakes i guess, but i couldn´t speak with much flavour like i would do in german...and i think that would be boring. So, i´ll have to conquer you with the content of my words - which obviously will be german football.

 
"Aber hallo!" / "Natürlich!" / "Na logisch!" / "Logo!" / "Na klar!" 
 

I'll definitely do some writing on Barca and maybe a little on Real, some EPL, and the big tournaments (e.g. Copa America, UCL, European Cup, etc.).

 
El inferno si!
 

I have the same problem as with Football Central - I have enough pressing deadlines professionally for the next year that I can't make any kind of significant time commitment.  That said, I've probably written at least 3-4 expletive-laden articles in my mind in the last month on Wenger's tactics, so translating one of those into actual prose probably wouldn't be that difficult at some point and perhaps a little bit cathartic.
 
Can we bring Ossie back and give him plenty of liquor and an open invitation to "blog"? 

 
I hope you can. I encourage contributors to Football to use the "two paragraph rule" - when you hit the second complete paragraph, send it to an editor. It takes a little longer to "get on the site" but it's worth the editing time. 
 
If you followed that rule, on Wenger, or Wenger's tactics, you'd write three pieces a week. ;-)

 

[candylandriots]

I believe I'm one of a handful of members who is planning a trip to a game in Europe this season. Maybe a stadium review or guide to going to a specific game (transportation, bars, tickets) would be beneficial for people down the road. I'd be happy to write one up for the Derby County game I'm going to.

 
I think that's about all I'd be qualified to do as well (I'm really just getting into the game), but I can say that I would be a dedicated reader of anything that you guys put together.

 

[mascho]

Bump.
 
Who's in?

 

[Zososoxfan]

Still in.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I'm in starting in July or August.

 

[DLew On Roids]

Yep.

 

[fletcherpost]

So guys, what's this all about. Not being much of a follower of US Pro Football i only just found out about Football Central. Is the plan for something similar?  I remember when the Guardian used to have A Ron Manager column, Ron Manager (i think) was based on a Fast Show Sketch, a comedy show we used to have in the UK...it was a pretty funny read.
I'd like to write a bit about Scottish Football, but since Scottish Football is, or could be seen as 'a joke' right now and for the forseeable...i would lean towards writing something with a bit of humour in it. And I'd be happy to be edited.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4I1ye2gcEo

 

[mascho]

Fletch, you can write about how the pies served at Scottish matches are too salty and we'll put it up.

 

[bosox4283]

I'm in, if you want someone to talk on and on about Atletico de Madrid. Frankly, I don't think I know enough about the sport to contribute. 

 

[mascho]

I'm in, if you want someone to talk on and on about Atletico de Madrid. Frankly, I don't think I know enough about the sport to contribute. 

 
Write, write and write some more. Same goes for you jkempa. There's a lot of fertile ground to cover in the Futbol world...

 

[blueguitar322]

I'd be willing to contribute once in a while, but Football Central sets the bar so unattainably high that I doubt my analysis would be worth much in comparison.  Then again, I'm very capable of writing "Unnamed sources confirm that [insert club name] is interested in acquiring [insert player name] and values [player's name] at [insert random amount]" so I should fit right in with the larger world of soccer journalism.
 
Football Central has a pretty central unifying theme in that most on SoSH are Pats fans; this ensures dialogue and website hits.  But there's nothing like that in Breakfast with Gazza.  By necessity my focus is generally on Arsenal games because there is just SO MUCH SOCCER that can be watched.  760 Premier league games each season, 760 La Liga games, 48 group stage CL games and 29 knockout stage CL games is 3200 hours of football each season, not even including domestic cups, Bundesliga, Seria A, Euro qualifications and tournament, World cup qualifications and tournament, FIFA regional tournaments, international friendlies, MLS, etc.  Even watching a single team takes anywhere from 4-6 hours each week over nine months, compared with three hour football games once a week for 4-5 months.  As such, it's difficult just to stay up to date, much less produce insightful analysis worthy of the SoSH pedigree.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Football Central has a pretty central unifying theme in that most on SoSH are Pats fans; this ensures dialogue and website hits.  But there's nothing like that in Breakfast with Gazza.  By necessity my focus is generally on Arsenal games because there is just SO MUCH SOCCER that can be watched.  760 Premier league games each season, 760 La Liga games, 48 group stage CL games and 29 knockout stage CL games is 3200 hours of football each season, not even including domestic cups, Bundesliga, Seria A, Euro qualifications and tournament, World cup qualifications and tournament, FIFA regional tournaments, international friendlies, MLS, etc.  Even watching a single team takes anywhere from 4-6 hours each week over nine months, compared with three hour football games once a week for 4-5 months.  As such, it's difficult just to stay up to date, much less produce insightful analysis worthy of the SoSH pedigree.

 
What about The Championship you snooty fuck?

 

[fletcherpost]

I think there's Yeoman's work to be done in writing about the Championship, especially for those who just follow the Premiership and have little to no idea who, say Middlesbrough or Bournemouth are...kinda like last year...I'll wager a lot of new fans don't know about Burnley and their proud history. And who can forget the once mighty Sheffield Wednesday (your welcome Justin) one of the oldest clubs in English association football and four times champs of England's Top Flight (pay me later), a team feared by all and sundry - back in the late 20's, yes that's 85 years ago but they all count. Christ the Championship race this year is hotter than ever; the top five separated by a mere five points, so much to play for.
 
Re: Scottish Fitba, lower league stuff. We've got the soap opera that is Rangers Football Club, or Sevco, in the second tier of Scottish football, 20 points behind the mighty Jam Tarts, two points behind the not so mighty Hibees (but with three games in hand, but one of those is hame to thon Terts.) The Gers were dumped out of the Scottish Cup at home to Raith Rovers of Kirkcaldy, birthplace of Adam (tightarse) Smith. The Gers are so badly run even that most proud of Royalists, Walter (no i don't smile) Smith has said he'd never work for them again. I could probably do interviews from outside Ibrox, i live 600 yards from the 'mighty palace'. No one would understand what anyone was saying but i doubt that would matter.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Seems to me that Rangers' story from a local perspective would be pretty fascinating, because from thousands of miles away, the question I think many of us have is how the fuck did that happen? And why can't it happen to any club? I mean, supposedly the tax dodge that got them in trouble and was the beginning of the end, while dodgy, wasn't even illegal. It's a pretty fascinating story of how rapidly things can deteriorate, especially in the era of wealthy white knights supposedly coming in to make things better. And I would guess New England Patriots fans in particular would find some of the stuff resonates. The reasons people love to hate Rangers are more complicated than spygate or deflated footballs and I suppose have deep sectarian and political roots, but also there seems to be a large measure of good old fashioned jealousy.

And some coverage of the Championship would be great. There are seven teams within seven points at the top of the table, and I don't know the first thing about most of them, except that the Boscome club's kits makes them look like Milan if you've been drinking.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Hey don't forget the 1991 League Cup Fletch. Last non top tier squad to win a trophy. And they were among the original bastards that jumped to the Premier League.
 
But I was just in my cups and was unnecessarily unpleasant to blue guitar (who seems a good fellow, despite his rooting interests)...probably just pissy because I root for a team like Wednesday.
 
Things are crazy around the old Hoy household right now- work, coaching, fantasy drafts to prepare for, baby #2 crowding us up; I'll try to throw something together and send it out but I make no promises on meeting a deadline right now.

 

[Schnerres]

I´m sorry, i don´t get it.
Can someone point me to an actual content of this? I get to see 1000 new messages of the baseball section, but it´s more like a chat and not what i was thinking this is going to be. Maybe i´m just too dumb to see the real texts...

 

[soxfan121]

I´m sorry, i don´t get it.
Can someone point me to an actual content of this? I get to see 1000 new messages of the baseball section, but it´s more like a chat and not what i was thinking this is going to be. Maybe i´m just too dumb to see the real texts...

 
It's not you, it's them. 
 
If you want to talk to Schnerres - or participate in planning this thing - send me an email: david.mccullough@sonsofsamhorn.com so we can take you to the place Schnerres is talking about. 

 

[DJnVa]

I'm in, if you want someone to talk on and on about Atletico de Madrid. Frankly, I don't think I know enough about the sport to contribute. 

 
 
The good thing is the folks in charge don't know enough either!!!!
 

 

[soxfan121]

 
 
The good thing is the folks in charge don't know enough either!!!!
 

 
Present company included. ;-)

 

[Spacemans Bong]

yeah, I might be up for contributing something like a detailed sociological analysis of the Finsbury Park Gooners, an appreciation of Ajax's Big Cup win over Inter in 1972, a walking tour of London League One grounds, how Ferenc Puskas symbolized Imre Nagy's rebel government, etc. 

 

[DLew On Roids]

Anything people would want to read?
 
(I kid, I kid)

 

[Spacemans Bong]

Anything people would want to read?
 
(I kid, I kid)

 

 

[mascho]

Hey everyone.

If you haven't done so yet, shoot me or soxfan121 a PM with an email address. Then we can get you an invite to Slack, which is the communications app we've been working on. Thanks!

 

[soxfan121]

Everyone who's indicated interest here has gotten a PM with the next step. Titan's Bastard, Schnerres, PedroSpecialK, and many others are already starting to share ideas and shape the project. If you want to be on the team, send an email or PM. 

We need a big squad if we want to compete for the Champions League. Or not to be relegated. Something like that. Team talks aren't my strong suit.

 

[Reverend]

 
It's not you, it's them. 
 
If you want to talk to Schnerres - or participate in planning this thing - send me an email: david.mccullough@sonsofsamhorn.com so we can take you to the place Schnerres is talking about. 

 
I think it's adorable that people think that the guts, nuts, and bolts of FC were some kind of finely tuned machine and not a bunch of monkeys hitting pipes with hammers like the rest of SoSH.

 

[Bosoxen]

 
I think it's adorable that people think that the guts, nuts, and bolts of FC were some kind of finely tuned machine and not a bunch of monkeys hitting pipes with hammers like the rest of SoSH.

 
Was your avatar the inspiration for this comment or is it just a hilarious coincidence?
 
Either way, I got a chuckle out of it.

 

[Mr Mulliner]

I look forward to this, but, as usual, stand to contribute nothing.

Unless there is a deep and heretoforeand unrewarded interest in the struggle for promotion and relegation of a club in the third tier of Eastern Massachusetts Sunday beer-league over 40 division.

I have an unfortunate amount of experience with that subject.