Mails: We have entered Mailbox-ception

Mails: We have entered Mailbox-ception

Right, let’s have a Mailbox over the weekend, eh? Send them to theeditor@football365.com…

Mailbox memories
Very interesting mail from Teejay, Lagos (Football365 is a lifestyle) earlier. It got me thinking about where your website and the mailbox has fit in my life.

I think I first found it in around 2005 when I was working a job I hated and didn’t understand back in Dublin. I used to go to Sky Sports first for all the transfer news and then one day I noticed that the headline transfer story on the F365 homepage hadn’t even been posted onto Sky yet. This stimulated my curiosity as I thought ‘how could another website beat SKY to the punch? Who are these guys?’. Then I started to read the opinion pieces etc and I fell totally in love with the content. I’d never had my intellect, love of reading and football all satisfied by one delivery device before if that makes sense. I just couldn’t get enough of mediawatch, big weekend, the F365 says pieces, the mailbox, winners and losers and even the winners and losers feedback piece that was around for a while which leads me to my next point being the writers.

I loved Pete Gill’s contributions. I was genuinely upset when I read about him moving onto the F1 coverage with Sky, something I thoroughly enjoyed (his football writing) was no longer going to be in my life. I remember reading a piece by him in 2007 about how Arsenal’s constantly swollen injury list was a source of curiosity and should be investigated further. This was insightful stuff, ahead of the curve. It still doesn’t get the attention it deserves today in media or, unfathomably, by the club. Anyways, I really enjoy Nick Miller, Matt Stead, JN and SW’s contributions too.. I mean the icons column: what a treat it is. This isn’t flattery. It’s still a big part of my day to log on and see what interesting articles are published that I can read to brighten it up. I absolutely have spent more time on F365 over the years than any other website bar none.

And just on the mailbox, the first thing I thought when I read Teejay’s mail today was how happy I was the day I had my first mail published. It was way back in 2009 and I’d had a dream (a dream!!) about being published the night before. There’s an element of sadness as I write that, my life is richer today. But I was genuinely elated when my contribution was included and have had a lesser feeling but still joyful experience every time I’ve been published since – I remember writing in saying that getting published in the mailbox was better than sex just so I’d have a mail included.. It really means a lot to me and obviously does to a lot of other people. I thinks it’s about feeling part of; connected.

The last thing I wanted to say to you F365 and to readers is: who are the most famous or decorated mailbox contributors ever? In my time reading I can quickly think of the following list who had spells as the top dog (kind of):

– Conor Byrne (Villa fan who was a mailbox obsession for some time and has disappeared)
– Stewie Griffin
– Chris MUFC (I still laugh at Chris Baxter’s response to you about Fergie mate.. I saved it somewhere)
– The guy who came up with Dimiflop Berbaflop – Morgan something??
– The literary ed quote the raven (or something)
– Jack, 18, London (older now one presumes)

So who actually is the greatest mailboxer ever?

Thanks for the memories all, they mean a lot.
Recovery Mark

…In response to Teejay (I am definitely getting published because I’m responding to someone’s email), you forgot a very important point.

Be either, Guy S, Stewie Griffin or Minty LFC. Write about the U.S presidential election and end it with any of those names and you are sure to get published.
A combined mail from Guy, Griffin and Minty

…I enjoyed Teejay, Lagos’ mail this morning about how to get published in the mailbox. He missed my favorite trick: which has been noticeably effective:

Send your mail to the editor within ~2 hours to when mailboxes are usually published. Writing in the night before vastly decreases odds of being published.

It’s also noticeably easier to get published in afternoon mailboxes than in morning ones.
Oliver (they used to seem to not publish emails written on mobile devices, but thankfully no longer the case!) Dziggel, Geneva Switzerland

Long one on West Ham, but a fair retort
Graham Simons, Norf London was indeed being provocative and patronising with his comments on West Ham and their tenancy at the London Stadium. So I’ll bite…

Before I get into the defence of my club and vast majority of fellow supporters, let me begin by stating that I think anyone found to be involved in the clashes the other night should be punished accordingly. The fact that seems to be ignored in all of it was Chelsea were as much to blame as West Ham seems to be flying under the medias radar at the moment but I’ll go into this more later. But the morons from both sides deserve to be punished and I hope they get life bans as we don’t need them at our ground. I will also say how abhorrent and embarrassing that leaflet asking other fans to sing homophobic stuff at John Terry was that was being handed out. I didn’t hear any of these songs in the ground the other night, but the fact some utter idiot was handing these out is a disgrace and again should be banned from the ground.

Moving on to the criticisms in Graham’s mail, why should West Ham not be allowed the opportunity to better themselves? West Ham have a massive fan base, shown by the sale of 52k season tickets, which is more than every other club in the country apart from Manchester United. As Karren Brady says we also have another 30k plus on the waiting list. This criticism boils down to jealously that West Ham have found themselves in a very good position to progress and also an attractive option for foreign investment, meaning we potentially in time challenge the likes of the Arsenal and Chelsea.

With regards to other options for the stadium (such as Grahams suggestion of making Stratford some kind of home to American sports) the fact remains that there is no other regular viable use for the stadium other than football. If people genuinely want West Ham to move out the stadium will be a waste-ground and a white elephant within 15 years maximum. West Ham have got a fantastic deal, there is no denying that, but the club did try on three separate occasions since the turn of the century to purchase the ground outright after the Olympics and were rebuffed every time. So other fans jealously about our ‘free’ stadium should direct their anger at the government for their short sighted planning.

The stadium has undoubtedly got problems. One major issue is the layout of the stadium. Due to the original design, there is no natural way to separate the home and away fans, and as a result makes it easier for idiots to breach the stewards both in the actual seating area and the concourse. Secondly, the vast spaces outside in the Olympic park make policing it a nightmare. With 4 stations within walking distance each in different directions, it’s very easy for people wanting to cause trouble (from both clubs playing there on the day) to find areas to cause problems. A third major problem is the stadium operators, who frankly aren’t fit or capable to do it. They seem to think you can secure a football match in the same way you do an athletics meet or a rugby match, which you clearly can’t. The stewards are inexperienced and underpaid, and have no connection with the clubs fans at all. At Upton Park, the stewards were in most cases supporters of the club, and built up a long standing rapport with the supporters in their specific area of the ground. Of the couple of hundred (out of 900 on duty each match day) that moved over, many have left already as they have been sidelined and given roles that didn’t match their experience, like looking after lifts and stairs rather than during the match itself. As I’ve listed here, there are problems that need sorting, and I am not downplaying them, but I think a lot of the glee in the media and from other supporters at these issues come out from West Ham getting a stadium on the cheap.

Going back to Wednesday night, the atmosphere and performance (for all those not there an actual game was played and it was bloody brilliant) were finally what the fans needed to show we could play in the stadium and make it our own. However the action of a few idiots have spoilt it for the other 50k supporters in attendance who supported their club impeccably. It finally felt like home, and is such a shame that the scuffle that broke out has taken the headlines. Incidentally, there have been 7 arrests relating to the night, which is exactly the same amount of people who were arrested at the recent Liverpool v Manchester United game (source: Liverpool echo). The met police released a statement listing the 3 of those 7 arrested they have charged so far, of which the 3 addresses indicate they are actually Chelsea fans who have been charged so far. Of course West Ham fans were being idiots too and the club will identify and ban those involved.

Calls for games to be played behind closed doors are a joke and and unfair suggestion by both fame hungry MP’s and sections of the media. The club did so much to avoid trouble the other night (reduced attendance due to having to have a previous booking reference and also extra police and stewards and the reduction in outlets around the ground selling alcohol) and would be unfairly punished by the actions of a few dickheads.

I also noticed Graham pointed out the minority of our fan base that are morons. Your right mate, but guess what, so are every club. Like the Arsenal and Spurs fans who had a massive ruck outside WHL for the league game last season, or the Arsenal fans who tore down seats and signs in the away end during the cup game at WHL last season. Or the Man City fans who smashed up the toilets in Old Trafford the other night. Or the Liverpool fans who had a full on punch up with Sevilla fans in the stands at the Europa League final that was barely reported despite being widely videoed and shared on social media. We’ve all got them mate, and just because ours are currently getting a lot of attention doesn’t mean other clubs have angelic fan bases.

Sorry for the long mail, I just felt the club and almost all of our fan base have been unfairly targeted this week (and this season in general but that’s another story) and needed defending. As a season ticket holder who goes with his 5 year old son at the other end of the stadium, I’ve found it a safe place to take him and much more accessible than Upton Park (admittedly our seats are not near the away section). It ain’t perfect and with us not having control of security and stewarding it is going to take a while to get right.

So as for there being no more bubbles at the London Stadium Graham, I think your way out of line. When it all calms down and our stadium capacity is increased to 66k to make it the largest club ground in London just be worried about where the club can go from there.
Mike (We’ve Got Payet), WHUFC, Upminster

And a pretty thorough dressing down, too
Ah Graham. Graham, Graham, Graham. You just couldn’t help yourself could you? Only Graham Simons, Norf London could begin a mail with a disclaimer that ‘this is going to sound patronising’ and still think he’s got something of value to contribute. I see the particular bee trapped under our Graham’s bonnet today is West Ham football club and their undeserving fans. Marvellous.

As with most of Graham’s contrarian mumblings, he fails to justify pretty much all of the broad conclusions he makes. Exactly what does “I think most Arsenal fans understand why we left and can see that it was the right thing to do” mean, and how is that any different from West Ham moving to a shinier, newer stadium they could make more revenue from in the face of increased competition, both in the marketplace and on the pitch? And whilst you’re at it, exactly how ‘big’ does a club have to be to try and improve their standing in the game? Why do Sunderland get to have a bigger stadium than Everton? What the hell have Middlesbrough ever done to justify the Riverside?

As if his general grumpy old pub bore schtick wasn’t tiring enough, it’s the relentless nods to football of yesteryore and the constant need to remind us all how many books he’s read on Arsenal’s history and Herbert f@cking Chapman that really makes me want to eat my own pancreas. No one cares what Arsenal were doing back when bola hats and cholera were in fashion Graham, especially when your dreary meanderings down memory lane have bear zero significance to the point at hand.

I don’t know if anyone else noticed (Graham appears to have missed it) but I saw two sets of fans making tits out of themselves on Wednesday night. What was the reason for this? Small club mentality. Ingrates. Not enough silverware. What’s the solution? Kick ‘em out, get the NBA on the blower. Jesus wept.

Working in housing I hear this same old sh!te spouted about people in social housing – they don’t appreciate what they’re given, they haven’t done anything to deserve it, this is coming out of my taxes. Get a grip Graham – it was just, as you say, a small minority of idiots (West Ham and Chelsea) doing what small-minded people do, no need to go full Ian Duncan Smith just because you’re annoyed the stadium went to West Ham in the first place. I might have imagined it but weren’t Arsenal fans the last one seen ripping up seats and tearing adboards off White Hart Lane in the cup last year? Pretty sure Arsenal don’t own that stadium.

Sure a lot of people think the Olympic Stadium deal stinks, sure most people are appalled by hooliganism in the game, but just because you woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning doesn’t mean you have to pollute the internet with your self-important guff. Don’t worry about the bubbles, it’s time Graham stopped blowing hot air. You really are the answer to the question no one asked.
Simon CFC

Best goals against your team
I’ve often had the same thought as Amo Singh. Just for the sheer pace and drive, mine would be Adebayor against Liverpool in the Champions League in 2007. He didn’t do much other than finish, but what a run by Walcott! Babel didn’t do too badly after though.
Miguel Sanchez, LFC Eire (Need to shackle Big Ben on Saturday)

…Crespo’s second goal against Liverpool in the CL Final 2005 was an utter thing of beauty from the sublime pass from Kaka to the deft dink over Dudek.

It’s hard to describe the feeling of witnessing such an undeniable piece of footballing brilliance whilst also feeling like you’re having your dreams shattered.

It obviously worked out alright in the end for Pool fans and I can now fully appreciate the goal with the comforting knowledge we still lifted the trophy at the end of the night.

But that feeling of both simultaneously wanting to applaud and cry as the ball went in was a most unusual feeling.
Bobby H

…2005
Liverpool v Spurs
Erik Edman has the ball about 40 yards out
Despite being Erik Edman, he has a shot
It flies into the top corner
A few seconds of silence
Involuntary applause from the home fans

Bastard.
Greg (watching old YouTube clips instead of working – it’s Friday!)

…In response to Amo’s Mail this morning there is only one goal against my team that left me applauding when I saw it hit the back of the net, Paulo Di Canio vs Chelsea https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu4mD-3vM8Y

The way he flicks the ball up to control it and then volleys it cleanly into the top corner is pure beauty, he is one of those true Premier League legends that brought some memorable moments, be it moments of pure class (Scissor kick vs Wimbledon, catching the ball when Everton’s keeper went down injured) or moments of madness (pushing the referee over vs Sheff Wednesday)
Mike Clewer

…Ah, Amo Singh, you made me think of goals against Aston Villa which I was unable to stop thinking about. Why would you do this to me? It is a cracking mailbox question, though. The three that spring to mind, back when teams had to earn their goals against us slightly more, were as follows:

Robbie Fowler – 1996
The ball is played into Fowler’s feet 25 yards out, back to goal. A quick turn to leave Staunton all at sea, takes aim, and fires a spear into the far corner. Fowler against Villa just didn’t seem fair in the mid-nineties.

Paul Scholes – 2006
One everyone surely remembers. A Giggs corner is cleared, but only as far as a poised Paul Scholes who smashes it in having fallen from a ridiculous height. Quite why no one had a watchful eye on Scholes in case of the ball being cleared is beyond me given his penchant for such strikes, but marvel at the technique.

Robert Pires – 2002
It’s the nonchalance of it. A cross field ball into space shouldn’t have been too dangerous, as George Boateng tracks Pires. However, with a touch one side before going the other leaves Boateng helpless to preventing Pires’ path to goal, only Schmeichel stands between the Frenchman and a 2-0 advantage, and with the Dane’s attempts to narrow any angles, Pires effortlessly lofts the ball over him. Sublime, if quite painful at the time.

Also, if no Newcastle fans write in to talk about ‘that’ Bergkamp goal, then you’re all dead inside.
Mike (AVFC), London

…This is a really easy one – Gazza at Euro ’96. I was only 10 at the time, and while I idolised him back then I would not have been jumping for joy after going 2-0 down to that muck from south of the border (sorry, England).

I do still love the man, and I can now watch that goal back in a whole different light. It’s one of those moments that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Del, Glasgow, RFC

…As an Arsenal fan, I am used to seeing some screamers being scored against us. It’s quite crazy actually how many players have scored amazing goals against Arsenal. Especially from outside the box. So here are my favourites:

Rooney (Everton) – his debut goal that put him centre stage.
Cheick Tiote (Newcastle) – left footed volley in the dramatic 4-4 draw
Kyle Walker (Spurs) – Scored a screamer from almost half pitch!
Cuco Martina (Southampton) – Thunderb*stard with the outside of his right foot. Insane goal.
Malcolm, AFC

…2010 or 2011 at Parkhead. Celtic v Hibs and I believe celtic were up at the time. Lennon made a weird substitution from what I recall. A few moments later and the ball fell to ex Celtic player and returning Hibs player, Deek Riordan who then lobbed Fraser Forster from outside the box.

I instantly forgot about it. I don’t think I have even saw it on film, I only this very moment remember sitting watching the ball float in the net and thinking ‘fair play’.

I don’t think I want to go and find it on YouTube now. It’s probably not as good as I remember it to be.
Danny, Glasgow

…I’ve seen a couple of crackers scored past us at Stamford Bridge, (James Beattie’s 30 yard volley after 12 seconds springs to mind), but I feel pretty confident that nothing will beat Ronaldinho’s goal in our Champions League win against Barca.

It was one of the rarest of moments: a piece of skill that you simply cannot fathom. To this day I have no idea how he got so much power, accuracy and curve out of nothing – no backlift, no forward momentum. It’s the epitome of a goal that defenders and goalkeepers are powerless to stop; there’s nothing that could have been done.

It’s not just one of the best goals I’ve seen live, but one of the best I’ve seen full stop. Viva Ronaldinho.
Ollie, London

Big weekend: York
I have this thing for odd football stories and this season I have become a voluntary follower of the events at York City Football Club. Since reading about their volatile owners in August I have gained an interest in York City and have not been disappointed.

The club owners established a particularly harsh ultimatum to the coach for a brief period at the beginning of October by telling him that the next game he lost would be his last in charge. This is not a welcome scenario for any manager in the world and after avoiding a loss for the first two games following that ultimatum, York were finally beaten and the coach was relieved of his duties.

As a sort of thank you, he was placed in the committee responsible for appointing a new head coach. For most clubs, this would never happen but that is not where the madness ends. Upon hiring a new manager, the sacked manager was promptly appointed as….Chief Executive Officer.

Yep, they actually fired him as a manager and made him CEO. They play Sutton this weekend and am just curious to see whether those appointments will have any long-term effect seeing as they haven’t won a game in 11 league matches.

Oh, and they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Curzon Ashton.
Greg Tric, Nairobi. City