An amazing end to 2011 2012 Football Season

I commenced to write about the Football Association Premiership Championship on the first Saturday of May 2012 and when the weekend was forecast to be cold with a ground frost inland threatening to destroy hundreds of thousands of bedding plants and continued to ruin the cricket season where Durham had another disastrous day and already looked doomed for relegation to Division two of the First class Championship.

It was the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool in the afternoon with ESPN showing in 3D and with Chelsea knowing that irrespective of the result of the Champions League final they will have a place in the Europe League Competition, similarly Liverpool already have a place having won the League Cup. Liverpool have won the FA Cup one more time that Chelsea so the incentive for the teams, unlike Sunday’s clash between Newcastle and Manchester City is no more than a great day out at Wembley for their supporters and for Chelsea some silverwear with both potentially finishing outside a Champions League place next season, the first time that this has happened for yonks.

It was not a memorable game although there were moments of excitement and great tension for both sides. Chelsea appeared to take a commanding 2.0 lead and Liverpool played badly during the first half but came into the game as the second half progressed and when the score became 2.1 all looked possible. The key moment was a header by the former Newcastle centre forward Andy Carroll when he had opportunity to head the ball into the left and nearest side of the upper goal only for the goalkeeper to punch down rather than out at a slight angle and the TV frame by frame evidence revealed that the ball was on the line when handled by the goal keeper and outside the line when it hit the ground with no one available to push the rebound into the net. Chelsea therefore won their first major trophy of the season and has the opportunity of a double with the European Champions League final game next Saturday at the time of writing.

On Sunday everyone’s attention turned to the Premiership. I had intended to travel to Newcastle by Metro train but discovered that my annual pass had expired and this year I do not remember receiving a renewal notice. I therefore elected to travel by bus which doubled the length of the journey from half an hour to one hour. In fact because of the absence of traffic on a bright and warm Sunday morning the journey could have taken less time but published timetable had to be adhered to so we stopped for a few minutes several times.

The first part of the journey through South Shields and Jarrow covered familiar routes but then the bus made a considerable tour of Hebburn, first travelling to the Father Walsh multi disability centre, the background story of which is worth repeating in that the centre was first established in a redundant school building which was expanded through extensions and became a very popular facility among a host of different interest groups. Then the members pressed for the a new facility given its success coinciding with a Ministerial visit. The local politicians were advised to press for the project to be included in the capital programme which eventually agreed through the local and then national system and too considerable surprise permission to build a new establishment of a substantial size, matching a similar centre which had been one of the first in the UK to be built by the former local authority of South Shields.

I mention this because of the way such projects tend to go in cycles. In the early 1970’s there was a considerable momentum to  increase public awareness and services for the range of adults and children with disabilities and where responsibility had previously been divided between the local Education service for children and the National  Health and Local Authority Health services for Adults. These were now brought under the umbrella of the new Local Authority Social Service Departments and there was considerable priority within the new departments and again in 1974 by the new local authorities to meeting they to the needs of disabled individuals than ever before.  A brilliant campaign had been led by Jack Ashley, himself deaf; whop became Lord Ashley and recently died with Members from all sides and both Houses remembering his contribution.

I had the good fortune to meet Baroness Masham, who interest in the disability issues is internationally recognised on two occasions. I organised a day long seminar for Members and officers of Cheshire County Council for her to advise on issuing which the local authority address and then she also visited South Tyneside a decade later. One of her interests has been Riding for the Disabled and she remains involved with  a score of  disability charities to this day where she continues to serve in the House of Lords as a cross Bencher.

In the new local authority of South Tyneside which brought together the distinct and separately government communities of South Shields, Jarrow and Hebburn together with the Boldens there was understandably considerable tension and rivalry that resources over the distribution of resources between the participating areas. South Shields had its John Wright disability centre which was a pioneering facility nationally and later become more significant in having a bar lounge adjacent to the chapel, in which he Bishop of Durham was to take a Sunday service and commented that it was the first time he had been able to move from presiding over a service to then drink a pint before lunch.

On visiting the brand new purpose built Heath centre, one of at least three in the Borough I noticed that the John Wright centre was closed. There had always been differences between the Shield’s groups concerned with the visual and audio disability and the visual had developed their own centre through charitable means and recently I noted a similar facility with hearing disabilities, Two purpose built centres for those with mental disabilities had been provided together with a range of centres for the elderly so that the primary role of John Wright was to provide occupational activity for those with physical disability.

Then a new generation of those with physical disability wanted to be given the opportunity to participate alongside the able bodied rather than restricted to specialising centres.  In Jarrow the movement as for a centre covering both the disabled and able bodied outside the direct management of the local authority although considerable funds in support were to be provided. Thus there had been three multi purpose centre within what had been the smallest of the metropolitan authorities and where most authorities  were willing only to provide one facility within the authorities with under  a population of half a million. Given the existence of other centres providing occupational and social activity it was inevitable that there would be some rationalization when the pendulum swung from public to private service management and then private funding.

The bus continued passed the new Hebburn Health centre which looked as splendid as the two in South Shields, the one I use at the bottom of the hill and the other on the way out of Shields towards Cleadon Village and only a short distance from the General Hospital services site.  The bus had passed by the Palmer’s Memorial Hospital Service which had been retained and developed despite the pressure there had one been to concentrate all the institutional and residential hospital. services in one complex. I assume there is a similar enhanced community medical and nursing facility within the Boldens (East West and Bolden Colliery (although the colliery is long gone) and which reflects in my view the original understanding and commitments of the politicians about the nature of the communities in this unique area.

The bus then passed the remaining major bone of contention for the Hebburn community, the absence of a local shopping centre and supermarket. As I frequently mention there are three major supermarkets (Morrison, Asda and Tesco) in South Shields as well as a number of small units.  There  is a full size Asda Wallmart supermarket, multiplex and restaurant area (Burgers, American diner and Pizza restaurant with an English style Pub 2 for 1 restaurant) at Bolden and Jarrow has a  huge Morrison attached to the pleasant and expanded Viking Shopping centre which includes a Wilkinsons and had a Woolworths before the chain closed. The Hebburn was small and dilapidated given the size of the community. There is now a small to medium size supermarket but the community are second class citizens compared to the rest of the Borough in respect of shopping facilities.

The bus then went in the opposite direction passing the Civic Centre where I noticed the adult centre for those with learning difficulties was also closed and  then had a long tour of the housing estates to the south of the this former borough including the impressive Catholic Secondary school. Hebburn is distinct for having a substantial homogenous Catholic community and there is some truth in the belief that in the old days political decisions were taken at the Catholic Labour club after mass on Sundays. The old dilapidated Conservative Unionist Protestant club as been done up and renamed the Conservative Protestant club dropping the Unionist, I suspect the name rather than the political allegiance.

With the closure of Reyrolles and the ship building yards Hebburn remains a strong vigorous local community under considerable economic pressures. I did notice a welding apprenticeship centre attached to the further education and training college once separate but now part of the South Tyneside College network where marine technology and training has been an internationally recognised specialism and where there is now also a strong relationship with the contemporary Art courses   provide by Sunderland University. As we travelled through Hebburn and then into Gateshead I noticed the extent to which other passengers greeted each other.

In one instance an adult daughter and grandfather talked with the grandfather appearing to lead an active life visiting social clubs and entertainments centres as an regular part of his life and proposed to visit the central Labour Club/Irish club (I cannot remember which) in Newcastle before the match because it was possible to take in the grand son (both facilities are near each other on the walk to the stadium).

Gateshead has been to Newcastle what Hebburn remains to South Shields. Since the demolition of the famous Get Carter  multi story Car Park the new supermarket and shopping centre and residential units  structure has sprung up and looks to transform the centre adjacent to the impressive Metro and Interchange bus centre, the Borough boasting two such centres with that at Hewarth including the railway line to Middlesbrough.

I got off the bus in the city centre rather than the terminus which was a mistake as after the watching the match I considered returning by the bus I could not find the departure point on either of main areas of bus stands. I had left the ground early deciding not to witness the walkabout thank you by the players and their families. I was able to walk into the Metro station without the usual queue out of the station and decided to invest in a £3.10 one way ticket which was a good decision given how tired I commenced feel as South Shields approached.

I have written extensively about other things than the match itself because of its disappointment. I had an excellent seat to one side of the goal mouth although there were several regulars in the row who had evidently been on the beer before the game started, arriving late and then went to both the toilet and for refills throughout the game. This made have the caused by the tension of anticipation and the drowning of sorrows as it appeared evident the most which could be expected was a draw.

Newcastle with their win away against Spurs and with Arsenal and Chelsea also slipping up were in the driving seat for a fourth place in the Premiership division. They had to face would be champions Manchester City, arguably the best British team on a par with Barcelona for individual talent and organisation and then away to Everton who as with previous seasons was ending the football year on a strong note. If Newcastle won both games they succeeded.  However beating the would be champions was a big ask and I had placed bets for a draw as well as win.

On Sky bet I had made a £5 bet after joining for Norwich and Arsenal to draw at 6.1. They did and I was £35 in credit placing the £10 free bet for Newcastle to also draw their game. Alas Manchester City were exceptional and although Newcastle concentrated defence and had occasional opportunities they were no match for the individual brilliance of the opposing players who appeared able to pass balls to feet with amazing accuracy. The two goals scored by the visitors were exceptional; the latter as the game ended although from my perspective the result was never in doubt. All the other results went against me and having ring fenced by recent winnings at £40 the amount I had originally invested in the Grand National, all my latest bets went negative. I now relay on the free bet of £20 made on Chelsea to win the Champions League at 10 to 1 next Saturday evening to end the venture on a good note.

Liverpool gained revenge on Chelsea who fielded a weakened side mid week and attention changed to yesterday when all the games were to be played at 3pm. The plan was listening to the Newcastle game at Everton while watching the split screen of the games between Manchester City at Home to Queens Park Rangers who needed a draw to be certain of avoiding relegation and between Manchester United away at the Stadium of Light. I had no doubt that the progress of the other games would be announced with each goal achieved. It all went wrong very quickly.

There were few games on the day of no significance. Chelsea following their loss against Liverpool if they won could only finish in sixth place a point behind Newcastle if Newcastle lost. While Blackburn were already relegated to the Championship. Chelsea was likely, as they did, to field another weakened team although they had a number of top players in the side because these were ineligible from playing in the final because of yellow cards. Chelsea won the game nevertheless 2.1.

Pride was also only at stake for Norwich who hosted Aston Villa. The Villa has gone downhill since the departure of Martin O’Neill and the 2.0 loss against the Canaries was not a surprise. If QPR beat Man City and Bolton also won the Villa could have been relegated, I fancy Villa to face the prospect of relegation next season unless there are significance changes to the playing squad. Their manager is the first end of season casualty as his resignation with immediate effect has been announced.

Norwich in contrast have shown that with a great team spirit and good organisation by the manager plus the ability to attack without fear a newly promoted team can do well and they finished in 12th position in mid table having expected to be in the lower half and in threat of relegation at some point in the season.

Swansea is the other newly promoted team who have done exceptionally well despite their own expectations. They finished in 11th position with a 1.0 victory against Liverpool, Andy Carroll proved that his temper has not been harnessed and it was brilliant business of Newcastle to sell him.

Wigan was also safe even if they lost against bottom of the table Wolves who have had a disastrous season ending six points adrift of Blackburn and 13 points from safety. Wigan has shown what can be done winning the majority of games in the last quarter having appeared destined for the drop at Christmas. In a closely fought game they won 3.2. This left six games where the Premiership, Champions League and relegation was in question and some outcomes were not known until the dying seconds.

The most interesting of the games was that between QPR and Man City. Man City went ahead in the first half to the ecstasy of their fans and groans from the United fans at the Stadium of Light who had gone one up against Sunderland early on. The score line remained so throughout the rest of the game although United had several good chances. If they had scored more it would still have been in vain because of what happened at the City.

QPR not only scored to equalise but went ahead 2.1 and remained in charge as the game progressed towards its conclusion. The stress among the supporters of Man City was evident just as the excitement at Sunderland. Then incredibly City scored twice in the extra time of the game. The previous swings in emotions were such with switches by camera between the two games that no one who witnessed could remain neutral and as in my case I contradictory felt for both sets of fans although pleased that Man City had won the trophy after a gap decades. It will be argued that the trophy has been bought with Arab funds but the closeness of the result on goal difference shows that money alone is not sufficient. The selection of a manager who had previously won championships for other European clubs was one important feature. It is also important to mention the gulf between these two giants from one City in Lancashire and the rest with some 19 point difference.

With Man City winning QPR became at risk of relegation dependent on the result of the game between Bolton away at Stoke. Bolton has an excellent manager in Owen Coyle and the team achieved considerable public support when one of the team suffered a heart attack and stoppage which lasted close to an hour. The player was resuscitated and has recovered sufficiently to appear before the crowd at a recent game, intended to inspire the team and its supporters. Unfortunately while Bolton managed to draw with Stoke 2.2 they needed a win to have survived. I am sorry about this. I have nothing against London Clubs and have visited QPR on one occasion and found the club friendly and community based. My concern is the imbalance which is developing between London and other parts of England and Wales.  London now has Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Fulham and QPR in the Premiership with only Crystal Palace and Charlton in other divisions. If West Ham wins their play off game against the excellent Blackpool on Saturday afternoon the position will be further changed so I will be supporting Blackpool although my instinct is that West Ham will win.

Now I come to the issue which affected Newcastle. Disaster in that within a short period of the beginning of matches Arsenal went one up and so did Spurs and so did Everton. Everton were 2.0 up at half time and 3.0 shortly after the interval. I ceased paying attention. And the gamed ended in a 3.1 defeat.  In fact things became very difficult for Arsenal who like Manchester United was in danger on ending the season without one of the five trophies that had been open to them when the season commenced. However they won their away game at West Bromwich 3.2 and therefore finished third in the table with a guaranteed Champions League place. Spurs finished fourth after a 2.0 win a home against the London club Fulham. They now rely on Chelsea losing on Saturday to keep the Champions League Position.

Wear Bromwich in 10th became the highest placed of the Midland clubs and with once leading clubs. Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham Forest and Notts County, Derby, Leicester and Chesterfield all in lower divisions, the region as with Yorkshire remains in the doldrums. Yorkshire of Leeds and the Sheffield clubs have none in the Premierships although Sheffield Weds have made it into the Championship, Sheffield United have made the play off final on Saturday to join Weds along with Huddersfield who tomorrow have a 2.0 lead in their second game leading to the play off final in they win.  Rotherham and Bradford are in the second divisions, while Doncaster is down from the championship to one.

On match of the day on Sunday the best goals for each month were replayed to establish the best of the season.  Sunderland had two and Newcastle three with those from Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse considered two of the three best with that of Peter Crouch. Alan Shearer and Alan Hansen agreed, for once, that the Cisse’s goal was the best while Gary Lineker put in a word for Crouch.

It has been agreed by everyone that this has been the best and most exciting of Premiership seasons in its short twenty year history with the finale breath taking and unpredictable as the best of thrillers.

My final word goes to the behaviour of Joey Barton of QPR who appeared to have conquered his violent and irresponsible behaviour. On Sunday he made I can only describe as two vicious violent assaults for which he has now been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association. In my view his behaviour should be investigated by the metropolitan Police.