The big match in your local

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The big match in your local The local field may not be the best place to watch the big match, after last Saturday when Sky screened the Manchester United and Chelsea Premier League game in 3D to over 1,000 pubs.

Those who now cannot score tickets for Old Trafford can instead head the local pub where they can grab 3D glasses and a pint while they watch Didier Drogba rack up the goals

Although the installation of 3D televisions and equipment has been expensive for pubs, the payoff may be large with some already asking customers to reserve viewing space as they anticipate a large amount of excited fans to show up.

Commercial manager at Walkabout, a popular chain of Australian styled pubs, James Mawer said that 35 of their chain pubs will  be screening the next game which is likely going to lead to ticket selling in the future as an increasing amount of people are booking their viewing spots in advance. 

Mawer said that they will continue to gauge the response of customers but early research suggests some will pay up to six or seven pounds to get inside for a 3D match viewing.

Walkabout has been hit hard with the smoking ban and the recession which in turn has also hit many other pubs forcing the Australian bars to close down about 52 last year.  However, Mawer suggested that the 3D football matches may be the key to getting customers back in their doors as the appeal of watching live sports mixed with drinking has never faded away.

You can own a share of your team

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You can own a share of your team Sport fans have welcomed a government scheme possibility that would require clubs to offer supporters the chance to buy into up to 25% of the club, but opposition parties have called the proposals a ‘gimmick’ and a ‘pipe dream’ that will never see the light of day.

The Labour Party is preparing to add measures into their General election manifesto that will allow their supporters to have a larger say in how clubs are managed including the ability to launch a takeover bid if a club falls into administration or is placed up for sale.

Although the details behind the proposals are yet to be seen, any Governmental attempt to force clubs into allowing supporters to purchase stakes will raise practical and legal issues that could impact on insolvency and company laws.

However, supporters back the issue as Chairman of the Football Supporters Federation Malcolm Clarke stated that it is about time that the government recognizes the key value of the issue.  He continued to say that football clubs are not like other businesses but are a major staple in a community.

Chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters Trust, Duncan Drasdo, stated that it is a large step forward which is what they have been actively lobbying for.  He continued to say that there are many public interest areas where the government intervenes and there is an ample public interest in football clubs.

However, shadow sports minister, Hugh Robertson, stated that the move is just a pre-election gimmick that will never happen.

Watmore resignation sends out shockwaves

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Watmore resignation sends out shockwaves The sudden resignation of Ian Watmore from his post as chief executive of the Football Association has created a tremendous ruckus, and some dire predictions about the future of football in England.

The great fear is that the uncertainty and lack of leadership within the Association will endanger England’s chance to host the World Cup in 2018.  The bidding for this coveted honour will take place in December, and many officials are worried that rival teams will take advantage of the turmoil to further their own cause.

Though Watmore has been in office less than a year, the general feeling is that he was the right man for the job, well liked by his staff and dedicated to the welfare of the football industry.  According to officials from both FA and the Premier League, he was gradually establishing a good working relationship between the two.

However, numerous sources have reported that Watmore was continually frustrated in his efforts for reform within the organization.  The disagreements between Watmore and other Board members, notably Sir Dave Richards, Chairman of the Premier League were chiefly about finances and how they were handled.

Watmore felt that the industry has been more and more governed by political and vested interests, but every move he made to rectify the matter was blocked by the opposition. The resignation of Watmore now leaves an important role unfilled within the FA. Unlike other jobs in London, this role cannot be simply advertised and filled quickly. It will take time to find a good replacement that can offer hope of salvaging the football industry.

Though most of the members of both organizations said they were surprised by Watmore’s departure, the overall reaction is one of concern and alarm.  Many feel that Ian Watmore may have been the only man who could “save” the football industry in England.

Cheryl wedding ring is not a clue for Ashley Cole

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Cheryl wedding ring is not a clue for Ashley Cole Cheryl Cole insists that although she does not always wear her wedding ring, it is not a sign to her estranged husband Ashley Cole that she has decided to get a divorce.

The 26 year old X Factor judge stated that it is not a game she is playing and that when she was seen in Paris without her ring she was not drawing attention to her ringless finger, but simply pulling hair back out of her face.

On Twitter she explained that there have been many instances in which she has been photographed without her ring including instances when she was still with Ashley and thus believes it is crazy that people are so willing to interpret the gesture.

Later the same day Cole was seen in Paris wearing a gold knotted ring on her finger but it is not thought to have come from Ashley Cole.

Ashley Cole is the Chelsea and England footballer who made headlines this year off the field for cheating on Cheryl Cole with a long string of women which has led to their separation temporarily while the couple decides what to do.

Cheryl stated that Ashley and she are aware of what is going on in their private lives and a silly picture of her moving the hair from her face means very little.

Premium football games may come to freeview

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Premium football games may come to freeview Media regulator, Ofcom, is expected to decide that the pay TV market must be opened up so that terrestrial providers can broadcast its premium content across the Freeview system so that homes that only have aerials can view the channels as well.

The new move will benefit consumers since previously in order to view Sky Movies or Sky Sports a consumer needed to also purchase a dish or a Sky package subscription.

Those that live in listed flats or buildings are not allowed to purchase dishes and thus must pay around £35 a month in order to access the premium content.

At the moment, Virgin Media is the only cable service that provides the two channels but most regions cannot receive their cable signals.

If the reform is successful, then staying up to date on all the Ashes cricket matches and Premier League matches will become a much less expensive cost.  The expected provider of the new programming if the ruling is made is expected to be BT Vision.

In an attempt to soften the blow against Sky, Ofcom is expected to allow Sky to still offer the service, but to terrestrial viewers.

Currently, Sky broadcasts Sky Three, Sky News, and Sky Sports News on Freeview television and in 2007 started offering several of its top channels on pay per view including Disney and the Discovery Channel.

If passed, Sky is ready to launch a legal appeal under the grounds that the ruling may undercut the television provider’s market position by forcing them to reduce their prices.