worst post of the year

To do with almost everything EXCEPT football. Try doing a bit of research before you pour out that gash.

I take it you've got some sort of chip on your shoulder regarding Barcelona then, I think I remember you saying something about this on the La Liga thread.

First of all I'm a big admirer of the continuing philosophy of Athletic Bilbao to select only Basque born players, even when it basically precludes them from winning major titles in modern day football.

OK, but Barca have still never had a shirt sponsor until now, and its better for them to pay UNICEF than say Manchester United with AIG, which has become a by-word for capitalist greed.

The heart of the club is Catalan with Valdes, Pique, Puyol, Busquets and Xavi. Yes thats five Catalans expected to be in the starting XI for tomorrow's Champions League final. I'm sure Laporta and the board are delighted at the clubs commercial success, why should the club not want to make money in this day and age, especially when saddled with the debts of the previous regime.

Mes Que un Club sums Barca up for me. They were always a beacon of hope for the Catalan people during the oppressive years of the Franco regime. The Nou Camp for example was pretty much the only place where Catalan could be spoken without reprisals, and each victory over Franco FC (Real Madrid) made their plight a little more sufferable. Nowadays, while the country may be fully democratic, Barca remain a symbol of Catalan nationalism.

When the Glazers were taking over Man United their fans had all the Not for $ale banners etc. Thats what Barca are, a club in essence owned and run by its members.

I don't really see what's not to like about them TBH.

Bojan on bench and don't forget the manager and assistant.


one of the best posts of the year on this thread

Owen Coyle for the Celtic job? Something not right about a Catholic club trying to install a Coyle.

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/8069299.stmSunderland 'want Bruce as boss'[/url

Thanks for the history lesson, there's no doubt Barcelona have some very good players, a brilliant style of football and are a successful global brand, trading largely off the back that is seen as trendy to follow them.

Go to Barcelona and Catalonia, and Bilbao and the Basque Country wander round and go watch some football there, then tell me who really represents their region, and people who suffered through the civil war and dictatorship, as a football club. Barcelona doesn't even come close to Bilbao in that respect, but they don't win much nowadays so they are not quite as trendy to follow.

As someone who lives in Catalonia and has been to Bilbao I can soundly say you're miles off.
That bad experience in Catalonia must have really affected you. Looks like it goes deep

Mike Ashley has issued a statement apologising for all his mistakes that he has made.

Good for him to apologise, but a bit too late.

I've spent plenty of time in both.

I've never seen a city where the streets are dead because their team is playing like Bilbao, I've never been in a city where just about every shop, bar and household has some sort of flag, pennant etc regarding their team on display.

You can't whore yourself around the world then claim some great regional ethos, not without being hypocritical, but thats the people of Barcelona all over, they're not Spanish - until Spain win the Euros, then they're out on the streets.

Barcelona sympathisers like to play the victim and underdog, but it is they (along with Real) who are largely responsible for preventing a more even playing field in Spanish Football

They are the Scousers of Spain with their self-pitying, hypocritical attitudes.

A very large proportion of Barcelona city residents aren't Catalan at all. Catalan is one of the languages you'tre least likely to hear in the city centre. English and Spanish are far more commonplace.

Try looking outside of Barcelona at the region that the club represents.
When Barça beat Arsenal in 2006 I was in a small town in Lleida and as I rushed home to watch the game there wasn't a single person in the street.
When they won there must have been at least 5,000 people blocking the main road celebrating.
Now I live on the Girona coast and when Iniesta scored the winner versus Chelsea you could hear the screams ringing out from the bars. Within minutes cars and motorbikes were going throught the town sounding their horns, people running around waving Barça flags.
The town is covered in Barça colours and good luck messages. The local sports centre is anticipating around 2,000 people to watch there game there tomorrow evening.


Again, if you're looking for Catalanism then Barcelona isn't the best place. I was in Murcia when they beat the Germans and it was mayhem down there. When I rang my girlfriend in Catalonia she didn't even know the result. the only person in her house who'd watched the final was her dad and he'd missed the last 20 minutes. I was in a bar when France knocked Spain out of the world cup and towards the end every French touch was greeted with cheers.

Barça, Catalans, Scousers... anyone else you want to have a go out?

I am sure the geordie masses will all huddle together and give him a big hug. Although they have to shoulder some of the blame too.