NJS

A cynic might point out that the total amount matched the Beardsley fee.

Barton made his debut at Chelsea when we lost 4-0 in 1980 I think - he was nicknamed Dick after the private eye rather than for being shit. He was a typical player of that era - second division was his level.

Was a bad time to float the club that. IIRC it wasn't a proper floatation. Fans were invited to buy stakes in the club rather than the club being floated on the stock exchange, it was around 1990/1991 and iirc was the country not about to go in to a recession? Not only that a Northern club had never at that point had such a similar scheme and such was the fans lack of faith, eroded by years of shit, in the club that it flopped. Hall also mis-sold it by saying that businesses were ready to invest millions - they fucking weren't. Plenty people were willing to stump up £100 but even a few thousand times £100 was way short.

Every one a capital crime against music imo - at least you left out his most heinous piece of dross - Passengers. I had to stand on the train last week and a bloke next to me with cheap tinny earphones was belting out most of that list - it was fucking torture. I can only think of Phil Collins of the top of my head who has actually commited more crimes.

I've said before that their cynicism is pretty similar to mine which is probably why I defend them (as well as knowing Biffa). The only drag nowadays is that the "on this day" section is too familar year on year. I also used to say that Biffa's attendance record does warrant respect which I still think is true but the fact that I've almost given up going myself makes me less willing to use that as much as I used to.

The abysmal crowds in the top division mentioned by Howman lasted from about the mid 80s till the premier league started (and don't forget the day it started we had the top crowd against Southend) - I've always pointed out that Villa singing "Where were you..." really bugs me as I remember watching Gazza destroy them at Villa park in 85 in front of 12k.

Play-off hangover, shitness and boycotts.

He was on my Easyjet flight to Stansted after the 1-1 derby the year before last so the cheapskate thing isn't new.

I watched it on a stream of Fox where they kept calling him Par-doo - I was waiting for Warren Barton to correct them but he said nowt and I'm sure once or twice just followed their lead and pronounced it that way.

I've always thought the schizo idea of him as a "fan" who did buy it for enjoyment and the bastard business man out to make money were both true. Doesn't stop me finding the sight of him celebrating hard to stomach though.

Unused sub. I was a bit ambivalent early on yesterday, trying to decide whether my pessimistic/take the long view in getting the FCB out meant I did or didn't want them to win. However my hatred of the utter vermin in red (big shout out to Torres and Rodriguez for epitomising the cheating cunts) won out after about 30 seconds. One of the great sights in football for me is a fucking shit divine righters team - knowing how much pain it causes the Irish/Norwegian/Asian glory hunting cunts makes me very happy.

I never use people titles - I admired Bobby as much as anyone but using something used by so many absolute cunts is more disrespectful than missing it off. Niall does live in Brum - I've only met him once and did tell him I'd always thought of him as Biffa's invisible friend. When I last spoke to Biffa for any longer than an "alreet" he lived in York but that was probably about 5 years ago. I also think their take on the sacking/Pardew saga is absolutely spot on.

When we went to Sofia in 99 for the game we got a taxi from the hotel into town from the hotel after arriving and he took us by a route which looked increasingly dodgy. One of my mates who's a fanny was panicking thinking we were going to be killed which I actually started to think as well. Then he stopped and asked us if we wanted women as his brother's place was just around the corner. We replied that we just wanted beer so he shrugged and took us straight to a great bar in the centre. The fare was only about £2 anyway so we didn't bother complaining about the diversion. He had a snide Lacoste t-shirt on that an alligator about the size of the planet across it. Happy days.

Bit of a near miss on big ears - serious damage to him and a few students shot by his bodyguards would have been a win/win as far as I'm concerned.

If he doesn't bottle it of course...

The second one was a lot better than the first - that thing taking the piss out of famous five type stuff with the woodland creature was the first decent sketch. The second Harvey joke was a bit strong but its his game - don't see the point in people being offended apart from Price herself. Having said that, as someone on the SMB had jokingly suggested, nobody would be surprised if she pitches shows about him in the future.

Just got an email from a lad at work who goes to every Charlton game:

A lot of the press seem to have shifted to a "give him a chance" agenda. I don't really care about Pardew - it's the fat cunt we need to focus on - the club is fucked while he's there - doesn't matter who is manager imo.

I think the Chron or some other paper should send Stevie as their bloke to the unveiling - might liven it up a bit.

We probably should have noticed the bit in history when he upset "the city" after the SD flotation with what amounted to two fingers saying "I run my business my way". Might have seemed good in that context but it also shows his attitude to the fans. We are just like the mugs who buy his cheap SD tat.

Relegated and no difference - Hughton is a decent man and I'd prefer him to Pardew but only one person will/would have got us relegated anyway imo. The shit I've read about him and his weasel sitting down with Hughton to interfere in selction/tactics (via Caulkin) means we were always doomed imo - and that's not counting another typical transfer window.

The key word in the statement is "needed" - needed for what? - to stop up - most people think we would have done that. To finish top half? - a lot of people thought that was feasible given a bit of luck. To push for Europe with the fat cunt's transfer funding? taking the piss. If it's about medium/long term progression then having a bright. youngish manager gaining experience much like Moyes when he came to Everton and Coyle now obviously makes too much sense as well. If they do appoint Pardew I hope they get absolutely slaughtered - and I'd be happy to see him booed on arrival.

Judging by that statement, they haven't got anyone lined up which means the usual suspects in a shitlist. Feel really sorry for Hughton but if this is the catalyst for getting the fat cunt out of the club, I can see it being good in the long run.

Attempt at the sad/gay as fuck title: Full of Grace by Sarah McLachlan - meaning only known to any fans of Buffy.

Decent gesture but one of their sponsors/paymasters will pick up their tab.