(PROBABLY BEST READ IN THAT DEEP BARITONE VOICE USED IN MOVIE TRAILERS)
One really doesn't want to encourage panic, but the depressing thought is there, how many sports or entertainment event organisers have an crisis management plan in place for Swine Flu.?
The global footprint of major sports events for example means that we are all susceptible to disruption, cancellation and financial chaos if this thing kicks in the way the 32,899 news articles I found 5 minutes ago on Google are talking it up.
Think about it for a nano second....all major US sports, Formula 1,European soccer leagues, international cricket tours, motoGP, World Cup football, international tours by European soccer teams...if this things goes human to human in crowded spaces the risks, the potential losses, the busted guarantees....
I wonder how many organisations have in a folder a document called "How we will deal with major health threats post SARS?
I hope it's more than I think.
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Wednesday 22 April 2009
rugby versus football.....the fan experiences compared
Over the last 10 days I have attended a Heinekin Cup Rugby Quarter Final;Harlequins versus Leinster, a UEFA Cup Quarter final; Manchester City versus Hamburg and an FA Cup Semi Final;Manchester United versus Everton all as a paying punter and with the "normal" fans rather than in corporate hospitality and was struck by the difference of the experiences and the effect each had on me as a fan or as a spectator.
Firstly the rugby, a great competition, a brilliant day out, easy access, fantastic atmosphere, friendly, warm, respectful, fans of both sides intermingling,fantastic cheerleaders,a couple of beers and a nice chat with the people around me,followed by an incrediby close game with a huge physical encounter on the pitch,and happily the Irish team squeaked it. An easy experience as a fan, a spectator and importantly as a parent as I had my 9 year old with me. My involvement; a fan of the sport
Fast forward to Manchester for City's biggest European game since the 1970's (sad, frustrating but true), no beer on site to help the nerves as City lay siege unsuccessfuly to the Germans' goal due to a quaint Uefa ruling re beer sponsorship ( I'm sure they sell beer at Uefa Chapions League Games??),jumping up and down at key moments, occassional team hugs with all and sundry, raucus screaming and chanting, criticism of players and management decisions, tearing out of hair,gnashing of teeth,(that was just me and my brothers) followed by a quiet resignation that goes with this job. Visiting fans were largely ignored as we focused on our own pain, game over,easy exit and a taxi back to the hotel for a pint of disappointment,a shot of resignation and a final round of squad improvement.My involvement; a fan of the team
Forward three more days, my role changed from fan of the sport, via fan of the team to a Dad providing a kid with what should have been one of those important and long lasting childhood memories of seeing his team (United) in a Cup semi.
First big shock, a weakened Unitd team, the boy felt cheated.Rotation rules.
Second,the naked aggression between both sets of fans on the transport system as we made our way to the stadium and to our seats;not actually United v Everton but city v city, Manchester versus Merseyside. Nasty,cruel, bitter, uncouth and crudely expressed. Not by any means exclusive to these teams but striking as they are not sworn enemies.
I had a few very uncomfortable moments with behaviour and vocabulary as far the the boy was concerned, he was frightened a few times by big scary men screaming and banging in his ear and I questioned the wisdom of exposing him to naked, foul mouthed bigotry based on football...he did however enjoy my discomfort at the songs that our united neighbours were, somewhat incongurously, singing about my team, you know the one, nick knackpaddy whack why don't City bob along home now>>>>. Everton had similar songs about Liverpool.
I was temporarily drawn into the classic cliche of a question, why do rugby fans enjoy the sport, the social experience and the game in a relaxed, beer fuelled camaraderie when football fans become beer fuelled foul mouthed bigots....? Why am I exposing a 9 year old boy to every swear word and sexual imagery I've ever heard and a few more, to a bitterness that has all Liverpudlians as thieves and hopelessly unemployed and all United fans as arrogant Northern boors or Gay Southern Tourists?
I quickly regained my senses, avoided all the cliches about tribalism, socio economic classifications, theories of footballers as Saturday afternoon Gladiators for the Industrial age, and realised that I knew what I was letting myself in for when I aggressively sought out the tickets.
The differences between the two sports and how they are "consumed" and enjoyed are fundamental,and rooted in social history and culture.
Would I like to enjoy a football match....there is no better sport on the planet..in the rugby style , yes indeed but "Our way" of watching football is totally ingrained in this society and no matter how much money goes into and out of the game, that's how we do it in these islands and it will never change.
Firstly the rugby, a great competition, a brilliant day out, easy access, fantastic atmosphere, friendly, warm, respectful, fans of both sides intermingling,fantastic cheerleaders,a couple of beers and a nice chat with the people around me,followed by an incrediby close game with a huge physical encounter on the pitch,and happily the Irish team squeaked it. An easy experience as a fan, a spectator and importantly as a parent as I had my 9 year old with me. My involvement; a fan of the sport
Fast forward to Manchester for City's biggest European game since the 1970's (sad, frustrating but true), no beer on site to help the nerves as City lay siege unsuccessfuly to the Germans' goal due to a quaint Uefa ruling re beer sponsorship ( I'm sure they sell beer at Uefa Chapions League Games??),jumping up and down at key moments, occassional team hugs with all and sundry, raucus screaming and chanting, criticism of players and management decisions, tearing out of hair,gnashing of teeth,(that was just me and my brothers) followed by a quiet resignation that goes with this job. Visiting fans were largely ignored as we focused on our own pain, game over,easy exit and a taxi back to the hotel for a pint of disappointment,a shot of resignation and a final round of squad improvement.My involvement; a fan of the team
Forward three more days, my role changed from fan of the sport, via fan of the team to a Dad providing a kid with what should have been one of those important and long lasting childhood memories of seeing his team (United) in a Cup semi.
First big shock, a weakened Unitd team, the boy felt cheated.Rotation rules.
Second,the naked aggression between both sets of fans on the transport system as we made our way to the stadium and to our seats;not actually United v Everton but city v city, Manchester versus Merseyside. Nasty,cruel, bitter, uncouth and crudely expressed. Not by any means exclusive to these teams but striking as they are not sworn enemies.
I had a few very uncomfortable moments with behaviour and vocabulary as far the the boy was concerned, he was frightened a few times by big scary men screaming and banging in his ear and I questioned the wisdom of exposing him to naked, foul mouthed bigotry based on football...he did however enjoy my discomfort at the songs that our united neighbours were, somewhat incongurously, singing about my team, you know the one, nick knackpaddy whack why don't City bob along home now>>>>. Everton had similar songs about Liverpool.
I was temporarily drawn into the classic cliche of a question, why do rugby fans enjoy the sport, the social experience and the game in a relaxed, beer fuelled camaraderie when football fans become beer fuelled foul mouthed bigots....? Why am I exposing a 9 year old boy to every swear word and sexual imagery I've ever heard and a few more, to a bitterness that has all Liverpudlians as thieves and hopelessly unemployed and all United fans as arrogant Northern boors or Gay Southern Tourists?
I quickly regained my senses, avoided all the cliches about tribalism, socio economic classifications, theories of footballers as Saturday afternoon Gladiators for the Industrial age, and realised that I knew what I was letting myself in for when I aggressively sought out the tickets.
The differences between the two sports and how they are "consumed" and enjoyed are fundamental,and rooted in social history and culture.
Would I like to enjoy a football match....there is no better sport on the planet..in the rugby style , yes indeed but "Our way" of watching football is totally ingrained in this society and no matter how much money goes into and out of the game, that's how we do it in these islands and it will never change.
Friday 17 April 2009
I really shouldn't be a Manchester City Fan
But I am , because as an 8 year old I was seduced by the colour of the kit, sky blue, white and maroon, and the brilliant play of players called Bell, Lee and Summerbee.... pure and simple..that is why I have had almost 30 years of pain. It all started off so well, FA Cup winners, league cup winners,European Cup Winners Cup (for younger readers ..that was a cup for the winners of national cup competitions ), runners up in the League, and then it all went Pete Tong in 1977...and it has been a southerly facing roller coaster ride ever since.
I was born a Belfast Catholic, we are born into supporting Celtic as our Scottish team...it's just the geo-political reality, no options, no choice involved, which is fine, it still works for me...and Cliftonville as our Irish team.....again no choice.
I did get to choose my English team, my Dad was a Man United supporter and George Best was my hero and remains the only man I ever loved other than my Dad, I cried when he died....but for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to choose Man United as my team....why Manchester City ?...God Knows, it would have been so easy, my three children are now all United fans, (They'll get their payback at the reading of the will)...I have lots of United friends, I worked for them as a consultant/supplier for 6-7 years but City are MY team. The blue shirt still makes my heart beat a little faster
I thought of the reasons for my choices as I sat with two of my brothers watching City beat Hamburg 2-1 lat night in the Uefa Cup quarter final, rich young athletes, international standard who can't shoot straight to save their lives... close but no cigar and I questioned again why City..?
I thought of the City "brand" as I watched our new owner's representative in the Directors box, photographed relentlessly by the snappers below, undoubtedly wondering about the strength of the business and the brand and the opportunity, when I spotted a little cameo that tied it all together. Mike Summerbee, one of the causes of my support was hosting a group of new fans from the UAE pitchside before the game, like a good matchday host, ensuring that the club photographers captured the guests' big moment and saw the excitement on their faces as they formed a team line up for photo...all good stuff, I hope they're still fans in 30 years. Part of me wanted to shout at him...it's all your fault!!!
Suddenly, the pre match hullabaloo finished, and event management hangers-on,self important tv production crews and girlies with clipboards and official jackets cleared and the whole fan thing became a reality.....it's about the guys in blue against the guys in red, on a beautiful green background and ahuge noise and the roller coaster ride begins again..
I wouldn't change it for the world.
I was born a Belfast Catholic, we are born into supporting Celtic as our Scottish team...it's just the geo-political reality, no options, no choice involved, which is fine, it still works for me...and Cliftonville as our Irish team.....again no choice.
I did get to choose my English team, my Dad was a Man United supporter and George Best was my hero and remains the only man I ever loved other than my Dad, I cried when he died....but for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to choose Man United as my team....why Manchester City ?...God Knows, it would have been so easy, my three children are now all United fans, (They'll get their payback at the reading of the will)...I have lots of United friends, I worked for them as a consultant/supplier for 6-7 years but City are MY team. The blue shirt still makes my heart beat a little faster
I thought of the reasons for my choices as I sat with two of my brothers watching City beat Hamburg 2-1 lat night in the Uefa Cup quarter final, rich young athletes, international standard who can't shoot straight to save their lives... close but no cigar and I questioned again why City..?
I thought of the City "brand" as I watched our new owner's representative in the Directors box, photographed relentlessly by the snappers below, undoubtedly wondering about the strength of the business and the brand and the opportunity, when I spotted a little cameo that tied it all together. Mike Summerbee, one of the causes of my support was hosting a group of new fans from the UAE pitchside before the game, like a good matchday host, ensuring that the club photographers captured the guests' big moment and saw the excitement on their faces as they formed a team line up for photo...all good stuff, I hope they're still fans in 30 years. Part of me wanted to shout at him...it's all your fault!!!
Suddenly, the pre match hullabaloo finished, and event management hangers-on,self important tv production crews and girlies with clipboards and official jackets cleared and the whole fan thing became a reality.....it's about the guys in blue against the guys in red, on a beautiful green background and ahuge noise and the roller coaster ride begins again..
I wouldn't change it for the world.
Monday 6 April 2009
A weekend of sports madness in Portugal
I have just returned from a short break in Portugal's Algarve, the usual fine weather,food and hospitable people.
I was struck by the planning madness or lack of it, that saw The Algarve host, on one weekend, the WRC Rally Of Portugal, the UIM F1 World Championship GP Of Portugal,a leg of the International Triathlon Series and an International Show Jumping Event.
Add to this The Portuguese Open Golf being played in Estoril in Lisbon and one had to question the co-ordination and planning that saw all the events converge.
Events that extend a tourist season and that avoid the busy summer season when hotels are full and selling at near rack rate makes perfect sense , but to have them all in one weekend, closely followed by the A1 GP the weekend after?
I'm not sure there are enough locals or tourists to go around...and the media can only cover so many events.
A little co-ordination would spread the load and the benefits
I was struck by the planning madness or lack of it, that saw The Algarve host, on one weekend, the WRC Rally Of Portugal, the UIM F1 World Championship GP Of Portugal,a leg of the International Triathlon Series and an International Show Jumping Event.
Add to this The Portuguese Open Golf being played in Estoril in Lisbon and one had to question the co-ordination and planning that saw all the events converge.
Events that extend a tourist season and that avoid the busy summer season when hotels are full and selling at near rack rate makes perfect sense , but to have them all in one weekend, closely followed by the A1 GP the weekend after?
I'm not sure there are enough locals or tourists to go around...and the media can only cover so many events.
A little co-ordination would spread the load and the benefits
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