Is the FA Cup the root of all evil?

by OWAIN THOMAS

Has this world famous trophy been responsible for bringing a pair of finalists to their financial knees in just two years?

David James seems to think so.

The ex-England and current Portsmouth goalkeeper believes the club's FA Cup win in 2008 resulted in their spectacular financial meltdown, suggesting that win resulted in bonuses being paid that could not be afforded, and a European campaign being fought that the paper-thin squad could not sustain.

Maybe that explains the near identical scenario facing Cardiff City, the team they beat two years ago.

As I wrote about earlier this year, both clubs have faced several dates in court with the tax man in an effort to reclaim unpaid debts.

Although the methods in its near downfall appear different, the economic fallout looks remarkably similar in south Wales.

For many clubs outside the Premier League, an FA Cup final appearance would be seen as a one-off event to be celebrated for what it was, to certain extents, a fluke.

However, at Cardiff, it appears the Chairman Peter Ridsdale and the board's ambitions were already out growing the club and its purse, but the day-out at Wembley may have given them all the encouragement needed to believe this was a significant glimpse of the future.

The merest hint that they could replicate the big four of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in their near annual trips to the home of football for one of the big finals was too much to resist.

Paying the price

Instead of continuing the general path being taken of low-budget player signings using manager Dave Jones' transfer market experience, (putting aside the huge contracts given to high profile but aging strikers Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink), the purse strings were loosened, including a £4m return to the club for now record transfer Michael Chopra.

Granted, a much needed new stadium was also a vast expense to be paid, but knowing that this project was in the motions, and that these things never come cheaper than advertised, a policy of financial prudence elsewhere within the club would have seemed preferable.

Sadly, this was not followed, and now Cardiff and its fans are paying the price, wondering if they will still have a team to support come next season, let alone which division they will be in.

In the end Pompey could not avoid the ignominy of becoming the first Premier League club to enter administration.

Their relegation to the Championship has since been confirmed, but Cardiff's fate still lies in their own hands.

So far, the Bluebirds have only avoided following the south coast side into administration by the skin of their teeth, but the potential of replacing Portsmouth in the top division is still too tempting to ignore.

On this occasion though, there is no possibility of reinforcements.

Barring a collapse greater than the one witnessed this time last year, Cardiff will finally make the Championship playoffs, to battle with three other sides for one last promotion spot.

Victory in a different Wembley final would take them to the Premier League “promised land”, and a certain degree of financial breathing room, if not security.

Losing out would mean another term in England's second division, and probably result in a significant sell-off of players, but maybe the avoidance of administration, although the potential of Malaysian investment still, apparently, remains a possibility.

All this shows that maybe those presently among the smaller members of the football community should learn from Icarus, and not fly too close to the sun, or their wings may fall apart.

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To add an ironic twist to this tale, Portsmouth have once again reached the FA Cup final, with reports escaping the club that some players may not be able to play in that game unless they waive contractual bonuses that would be due to them.

In this circumstance it is the administrator ensuring only that which can be afforded is spent, and the players are left with the decision – loose a bonus they probably won't get anyway, or take the opportunity to play in the final of the greatest knock-out cup competition in the world.

For once, most of the players seem to have the right idea.

Afghanistan cricket gives country beacon of hope

by David Arnold

When a 21,000-strong army of British and Indian troops led by Sir John Keane marched into Afghanistan in 1838 they brought with them playing cards, polo mallets and bottles filled to the brim of whiskey and rum. If nothing else, these inflictions would only help in creating a society of maverick gamblers, public schoolboy toffs and no-good pillaging pirates. Not a fantastic model as far as building a cultural identity goes but we also brought with us something else – the great game of cricket.

Over 170 years later and the world’s most civilised sport has returned here, to one of the most volatile and unruly places in the world. The national team are flying high, with qualification to the World Twenty20 secure and leading the table in the Intercontinental Cup – they have been transformed into one of the world’s strongest associate nations.

Their latest victory came against Canada and it was a stunning one at that. With a final day total of 494 for the Afghans to reach, that they would even be in a position to draw the match seemed unlikely. But star-in-the-making, 18-year-old Shahzad shared two century stands, first with Captain Nowroz Mangal and then Mohammad Nabi, to set up and all-but seal the victory which came with 2.2 overs to spare. Beating Canada by six wickets, they also achieved the ninth-highest fourth-innings run-chase in first class history.

So, have they peaked already? I seem to remember Nepal being in a similar position some years ago, only to quickly fade back into cricketing obscurity. It might be compared to watching a British figure skater at the Olympics – you can’t help wondering when they’re going to fall flat on their backsides.

Let’s hope, however, that this will not happen.

If Afghanistan is a country filled with gloom, its cricket team is a ray of light in the disappearing darkness.

During its occupation of Afghanistan, the Taliban regime had banned cricket along with all other sports. Only in neighbouring Pakistan could Afghan cricketers exercise their desire to study the game, as well as to showcase their flair for it on the field. Since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 and like a breath of fresh air, Afghan cricketers have stepped up to the mark of golden boys in the cricketing world, turning heads along the way.

In scenes reminiscent of the Beatles stepping off the plane to a rapturous ovation, the Afghanistan team returned home to be greeted by a large crowd of supporters at Kabul's airport waving the national flag and singing patriotic songs. When did the English national cricket team last receive a reception like this after returning home from a tour? If nothing else, it shows that even though the home of cricket may lie here, the heart might be found in a small landlocked country, far away in the Middle East.

Williams win brings British respect and pride back to Olympics

by OWAIN THOMAS

Fifty-four seconds after leaving the Whistler sliding centre’s summit for her fourth and final skeleton run, Amy Williams had re-written more than just record books.

Becoming the first individual British athlete in 30 years to claim a Winter Olympic gold medal was impressive enough – she also added the track record along the way - but re-writing the national press was an even greater achievement.

And compatriate Shelly Rudman’s rapidly improving times meant that had the competition continued for another slide or two, the country could have celebrated a pair of athletes atop the podium.

However, the silver medalist from four years ago was forced to settle for sixth after producing the fastest descent down the 1km long course in the final round.

It’s noticeable that the events of that Friday night in western Canada marked something of a sea-change in the coverage from the vast majority of the UK press towards these Vancouver Games.

Prior to that, and indeed as long ago as the days leading up to the opening ceremony, much of the reporting had been negative and belittling, with backhanded criticisms ranging from the organizing committee, the (unfortunately) unseasonably warm weather, to even the sports on show.

This last one is perhaps the most concerning, as by showing a flagrant disregard for the merits of ski-jumping, luge, or cross-country skiing, the press are illustrating an equal contempt for the athletes, coaches and significant others who dedicate their time to the training and hard-work that winning a gold medal takes.

This is unfortunately a distasteful trend for the media which must be un-learnt before the Olympics come-a-calling to London in 2012.

Significant criticism has come towards the host nation’s “Own the podium” aim, but there has been little outcry at the calls from various prominent politicians and athletes for a similar strategy to provide a record haul of British medals two years hence.

Indeed, contrarily this is often supported by the press as something that is needed to make the games a success.

There is no doubt that aspects of every major event, including this present one in British Columbia, require scrutiny and criticism, but just to do so because your country has limited success in the disciplines involved is simply not a good enough excuse.

Why not try fostering an atmosphere of support and pride helping the athletes to succeed, rather than making it appear against the odds or as a silly novelty that will be forgotten about for the next three-and-a-half years.

Testimony to a man you admire.....and then forget.

BY IAIN TURNER

While ITV’s status in TV land becomes ever smaller, it can boast a mini renaissance in the quantity of its football coverage. It will always draw familiar criticisms regarding the quality of pundits Andy Townsend and to a lesser extent Robbie Earle, but the same cannot be said of its presenter, Steve Ryder. Unlike Arsenal’s tepid performance last night, Ryder gave us a masterclass in understated live TV presenting.

Watching Ryder is like watching a ghost. When the programme finishes you do not remember him or his words. He fully acknowledges that the sport is the main event and he is a means of complementing it. He is simply a facilitator where any introduction of opinion or his personality are not necessary; in fact they would be a distraction. This is in complete contrast to many of his contemporaries: how many times do we need to know that Gary Lineker and Alan Hanson go golfing together, or that Adrian Chiles is a West Brom fan, or that Adrian Chiles is a Brummie, or that Adrian Chiles is dreadfully ugly.

(For those wanting to know , Ryder is a Charlton Athletic fan, and he’s not ugly).

Ryder can be considered to be the last all-rounder in British sports presenting working today. His is a link to a different era, rising through the ranks of regional sports coverage in the 70’s and all the way to Grandstand in the mid 80’s. For most of his career at this iconic programme he played number two to Des Lynam. Like a pre-car-crash Carlo Cudicini – a safe and more than adequate back-up.

He was Watson to Lynam’s Holmes.

In the 90’s Ryder came in to his own, becoming the mainstay of Grandstand, golf majors and the Olympics. For a time, in American Football terms, he was the BBC Sport’s ‘go-to guy’. He was Lynam, without the sexual potency.

When Lynam left the BBC, sports coverage on the channel started to fragment. Ryder was no longer heir-apparent. He found himself surrounded by the rising star of Lineker, the dogged determinedness of Hazel Irvine and the varnished tan of John Inverdale.

In the end, Lineker , not Ryder, inherited the lion’s share of Lynam’s roles, while B-listers such as Ray Stubbs and Sue Barker lurked like hyenas to fight over the remaining scraps. Ryder was now a bit-part player, seemingly overtaken and undervalued.

A move to ITV, presenting Formula One, resurrected his career and coincided with a resurgence of interest in the sport, thanks mainly to the success of Lewis Hamilton during his debut season. In the paddock, wearing a crisp white shirt, Ryder’s cool and effortless delivery proved to be still intact as did his winning smile. He was once again Lynam, without the sexual potency.

Now the face of ITV Sport, Ryder’s unassuming demeanor and well-timed delivery show beyond doubt that past sporting achievement is not the integral qualification needed for a quality sports presenter.