Whilst much of the focus of this summer’s transfer activity has been on Manchester City and their lavish purchases, their predecessors as Europe’s biggest spenders have hardly been shy with their cheque book either. Mesut Özil’s arrival at the Bernabeu yesterday took Real Madrid’s spending in this transfer window to €88 million and signals a very real intent to wrestle La Liga title back off Barcelona, as well as to re-establish their Champions League credentials following last season’s second round exit.
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The 2009/2010 campaign will surely be one of the best remembered in the history of Blackpool FC, no matter the outcome of their first season in the Premier League. Ian Holloway led the Seasiders to unlikely promotion via the play-offs in his maiden season at the helm, after being given just a one year contract by the board, and won over the fans and the media with his spontaneous and quirky quotes and personality.
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For many, the phrase “its just a game” is an adage to live by when dealing with football. After a major disappointment, like a relegation or a heartbreaking loss, we are often told that, in reality, football is not the most important thing in life, even if that late goal or that blatant handball may make happiness seem a distant memory. But football is, in many cases, more than that; football can be the impetus for change in society, and can create social opportunities beyond a joyous group of supporters enjoying themselves in the post match pub. Football to many is not just a 90 minute distraction, but a way to change one’s life.
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Whilst everybody basks in the warm afterglow of the World Cup, it’s perhaps important to put a bit of perspective on things and not paper over the cracks of some of the less positive aspects from the tournament. For example, the need for video technology has been particularly well documented, particularly in this country, following Frank Lampard’s ‘goal’ against Germany. However, equally pressing for the game’s governing bodies to address should be ‘player simulation’, or in other words, diving.
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As the sun sets in South Africa, this summer’s World Cup has answered many questions about the world’s top footballers whilst raising some about others.
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