Pathetic. That is how I have to describe Graham Poll's latest tirade against our greatly loved Chelsea captain John Terry. So Poll decides to lambast Chelsea and England skipper Terry, one of the finest British footballers to appear in the premiership for the last six to seven seasons. In his autobiography titled 'Seeing Red', Poll turns nasty against 'Captain Fantastic', Terry, even going as far as suggesting that the Chelsea idol should be stripped of the England captaincy. Has Poll been struck by the latest bout of BSE or has he completely lost his marbles since retiring from the game? Good riddance to bad rubbish I declare solemnly. He should hold his head in shame for having a go against the popular Chelsea central defender who simply oozes class and is a complete joy to watch. Does not everyone lose his cool from time to time? John 'The Tank' Terry is only human after all. Last season's Tottenham vs Chelsea premier league game was a full blooded affair as are all London 'derby' games and one can expect a few over-the-top sliding tackles and stern body checks with abuse hurled from tongue to tongue for good measure. What's wrong with that? So perhaps, just maybe, Graham Poll thinks football is a game for pansies. If so, than may I suggest to him that he should take up refereeing Netball games. Stay rest assured that even the girlies would turn their backs on him in no time. Once again, good riddance to utter bad rubbish.
Tomorrow afternoon sees the curtain raiser to the much awaited new league season in England. Chelsea tackle Manchester United in the Charity-Shield at the new Wembley stadium. It's the second meeting at this wonderful venue between the two rival clubs. Chelsea triumphed over Manchester United in the first ever F.A.Cup final game at the new Wembley stadium last May with Didier Drogba's late winner bringing the glorious cup to Stamford Bridge for the fourth time in the club's glorious history. It's the competition which United completely ridiculed a couple of season's ago when they discarded it in favour of going over to South America to play in some poxy competitive game (nothing but a publicity stunt that totally back-fired). Had it been Chelsea F.C.that had pulled off such a tasteless manouevere, you can bet we're still being reminded about it. Now Fergie's at it again, blabbering his usual senseless triffle and referring to the Charity Shield as a useless and un-important competitive game. The mind-games he has been playing down all these years he's been at the helm at the so called 'Theatre of Dreams' seem to have taken their toll on the ageing one. It's now come to the point when only fools and probably donkeys too, are taking note of what he has to say. I'm sure Fergie can give us a wider view about Poll's hidden agenda. It takes two to tango and these two have been leading every one else a merry dance down the last couple of years. Thankfully, Chelsea had the balls to throw it in their face and now that Poll's out of the way, Fergie may well be targeting some other bufoon or two to be his ruffian/s.
As for Liverpool fans who take pleasure in taunting us that we've got no history. Sorry but you scousers should be pulling the other one. Chelsea have won three League titles, four F.A.Cups and four League Cups domestically. So if this isn't a bit of history, what's to be said of Spurs, Leeds and Newcastle and Man.City. Four massive clubs who have forgotten what success is all about. O.K., we can't even begin to compare our European credentials with those of the Anfield club. It's a non-starter and Liverpool, to their credit, are England's finest in Europe. But there's always a firing gun, there's always a start. Even Man.United, with all their great domestic success have in my opinion, failed miserably in Europe.
O.K. so for my final paragraph I will not even dare predict what's going to happen this season except for one thing, Spurs are going to be there this time round. Jesus, I've been saying this before a ball has been kicked in anger for the past seven to eight seasons and they go on and blow it. Yet, this time, Spurs have a fantastic team, they really have and I expect them to enjoy a truly remarkable season. Tottenham are one of Chelsea's biggest rivals but that won't stop me from saying that I hope they will do extremely well. Like WestHam Utd, they play some intricate stuff but are not consistant enough to strike gold. Maybe, that will all change this season and Martin Jol's team could take the Premiership by storm. I for one, would not be the least bit surprised. As for our own chances, we have bought well. Shrewdly. Mourinho has indicated he will not be quick to dive head first into controversial moments that are part and parcel of every league season and I really hope he can keep his cool. Mind you, I don't want someone like Sven Goran Erikson stuck on the bench like some kind of statue. He used to leave me fuming during England games. A manager who runs a few miles up and down the touch-line and does a few gymnastic moves along the way, shows his true passion for the club he is guiding along a rough and ardious football season. Giovanni Trapattoni was that kind of manager. Even in a club meeting at Bayern Munchen, a couple of seasons ago, the Trapp went berserk, making Nikita Kruschev look like a little toddler crying for his bottle! Chelsea should do alright this season but it's not just in the hands of the gaffer. There's only just about enough a team manager and his cocaching staff can do. It's up to the lads to prove they have the bottle to last the pace and go for the glittering silver-ware. No. It's totally up to the players, only they can do what is expected of them out there on the football pitch. As a music lover, I recall, in my teen-age years, an era in the late late seventies when punk-rock was still very much alive and kicking, thanks mainly to an incredible band from the West side of London, the Clash. A new movement known as Ska, appeared and captivated tens of thousands of youngsters in the U.K. and all over Europe. Bands like The Specials (later Fun Boy 3), Selecter, Madness and a host of other Ska bands left their mark on the British Music scene. From Coventry in the Mid-lands, Terry Hall was the front-man of The Specials, singing catchy tunes alongside his Jamaican music partners. 'It's up to you', was one of The Specials best efforts and Terry Hall's partcular tingy but well-constructed voice gives this number it's truly acoustic feel and there's a bit of good dub-dubbing in it too. A truly great song. By the way, Madness singer Suggs (Graham Mcpherson), is a true Chelsea fan. Another magnificent band were the boys from London. I particularly like their 'Mrs Hutchinson' track, it's witty and humurous and epitomises what these fine musicians were all about. They were truly magical. Here's to another remarkable season for the Super Blues from Stamford Bridge.
CHELSEA FOREVER
William V. Grant
Always Blue
