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For over 83 years, Boy Scout Troop 11 has served the youth in the community of Alameda.
Troop 11 offers Scouts fun and adventure in the Great Outdoors with activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, and climbing.
Scouts learn camping, pioneering and problem solving skills in outdoor based activities. They also develop leadership skills through interaction with peers and adult leaders.
Since September 2005, Troop members have constructed a "kiddie" safe play area for a local pool; re-roofed a storage building for a local museum; and constructed planters and painted railings for a local child service agency..
During the 2004-05 school year, Troop 11 members participated in community service projects including:
Congratulations to new Eagle Scouts Eric Kim, Vincent Morgado and Jamie Levi.
Click here for a list of Troop 11 Eagle Scouts.
Troop 11's annual Christmas Tree Pick Up/Recycling is underway. Scouts are knocking on doors throughout the island of Alameda selling recycling tags to residents. Click here to find out more.
Click here to purchase a Christmas Tree Pickup/Recycling Ticket
| home | join troop 11 | contact us | christmas tree pick up | members site |


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French McElroy has 1 News online.
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Introducing MSN Money & Politics
In step with Super Tuesday, MSN launches new section looking at intersection of money and politics
Just in time for Super Tuesday, MSN Money is launching a new politics section today. Visit MSN Money & Politics to find daily political news updates, great election-related features and timely video.
Today, we have feature articles on the spending spree by Super PACs, Obama's problem with rising gas prices, and the two political issues that could bring down the U.S. economy. Of course, we also have up-to-the minute coverage of the Super Tuesday races. Be sure to take our poll and check out our curated feed of some of the most thought-provoking headlines on Twitter.Why a section dedicated to money and politics? As election 2012 approaches, we've found readers are clamoring to learn more about how campaign proposals could affect their own personal finances. Will income tax rates rise? Will the U.S. budget deficit spark higher interest rates? Will the economy slow if the government cuts back on Federal stimulus?
The stock market has rallied so far this year in anticipation of a stronger U.S. economy, but many forecasters remain doubtful that robust growth is ahead. The actions of the upcoming election season could dictate if the US economy continues on a pace of recovery or starts slowing once again.
To stay on top of all these developments – and track the progress of candidates -- check out MSN Money & Politics daily. You can also follow us on Twitter @money_politics.
- - Amey Stone, MSN Money


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- News
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- Obituaries
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- Jobs
Faculty art exhibit now underway
The Minnetonka Center for the Arts is holding its annual faculty art exhibit through Sept. 19, with an opening reception scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The Minnetonka Center for the Arts is at 2240 North Shore Dr. in Wayzata. Call 952-473-7361 for information.
Sunday's Open Streets at Penn Fest seeks volunteers
Volunteers are needed for three-hour shifts during Open Streets at Penn Fest on Sunday, in which Penn Avenue will be closed to vehicles from W. 62nd St. to W. 76th St. and bikers, walkers, dancers and festivities will take their place.
Penn Fest runs from noon to 5 p.m. and will feature music, games, a farmers market and sporting events. Volunteers are needed between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. to direct participants, manage intersections and count people. Materials and training will be provided before the event.
People who want to volunteer can contact Ann Hoffer, Richfield recreation supervisor, at 612-861-9361 or at firstname.lastname@example.com.
For more information about Penn Fest, visit Penn Central of Richfield website at www.penncentralofrichfield.com.
Edina set to provide Richfield 911 service at year's end
The Edina City Council last week approved an agreement to begin providing 911 dispatch service to Richfield sometime around Dec. 1.
Richfield will pay Edina a base charge of $14,058 per month through 2014. Richfield also will pay one-time transition costs of about $49,000.
Meeting at 50th and France to talk parking
Parking at 50th & France is the topic of an open house on Sept. 18 in the lower level banquet room at Mozza Mia, 3910 W. 50th St., from 5 to 7 p.m.
The city and consultant Kimley-Horn and Associates are working on plans to make parking more efficient, update streetscapes, evaluate the expansion of the North Ramp and study improvements for the two other parking ramps.
The session will be informal, and business owners, customers and neighbors are encouraged to give their opinions, hear about the project and come and go as they please.
For more information about the project or the open house, contact Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf at 952-826-0407 or email@example.com.


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League of Legends' incredible new art style!
Less than a year after its launch, League of Legends--the explosively popular free-to-play online arena game inspired by DotA--is getting a complete graphical overhaul, and we've got the world's first reveal of it in our latest issue! The game's current cartoonish look is giving way for a sharper, more realistic style that makes the heroes look like hand-painted miniatures duking it out in a tabletop world.
Check out the before and after shots below, and be sure to pick up the November issue of PC Gamer US (on newsstands 9/14) for:
- More details on the complete graphics overhaul
- First look at the brand new 5v5 map being developed
- Exclusive reveal of the next hero after Miss Fortune
- Our massive guide to help new players get started in our favorite free game on the planet!
Before and after comparisons
(click the images for full-sized versions)
Terrain and shrubbery
We love Gragas' real wood barrel and Mordekaiser's new metal look. What do you guys think of the changes?
Tags: Featured, League of Legends, Riot Games,


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- Product Details
- Click Here to View All Houston Rockets Kitchen and Bar
Houston Rockets 16 oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug - Show off your pride by drinking from this Officially Licensed Stainless Steel Travel Mug with hand-crafted metal team logo. Fits in your vehicle cup holder, keeps drinks hot or cold and features a no spill lid.
Additional Information
|This Item Usually Leaves The Warehouse In
|3 to 5 Business Days
|Estimated Delivery Time Map - Based on Your Shipping Zones
|Click to View Map of Estimated Delivery Times to Your Location
The Houston Rockets Kitchen and Bar Collection
Houston Rockets Travel Mug - 16 oz Stainless Steel
Houston Rockets Bar Set - 15 oz Tankard 15 oz Ceramic Mug & 2 oz Shot Glass Set
Houston Rockets Can Holder - Set of Two
Houston Rockets Coffee Mug - 15 oz Black Ceramic Mug Set of Two
Houston Rockets Mug Set - 16 oz Travel Mug & 15 oz Ceramic Mug Set
Houston Rockets Mug Set - 2Pc 15 oz Gameball Ceramic Mug Set
Houston Rockets Toaster


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Room to Improve: Do You Want to Improve Your Kitchen?
We were interested in this piece in the NY Times Home & Garden section today: "Room to Improve," where they answered a reader question on how to update his kitchen without gutting and remodeling it.
It made us wonder about our readers and your kitchens - how is your kitchen working for you and your cooking? Do you have any plans to update it soon?
Here is our favorite quote from the article, which does have some good ideas for updating your kitchen on the cheap:
The fastest and least costly way to update your kitchen is by removing clutter. "Do you really need the canister set, breadbox and all of the appliances out on the counters?" Mr. Grubb asked. "Put things away and leave out a bowl of fruit for color, a tray of oils and other beautiful bottles you cook with or use. One chic spice set and a plant is always a great way to add life to a kitchen."
Later this month we'll kick off the 2008 edition of our Smallest Coolest Kitchen contest. We'll be looking for the smallest, hardest-working kitchens out there. It won't just be about pretty design - no, these kitchens have to cook!
How is your current kitchen working for you? Are you in a rental or do you own, and either way, do you want to improve or strengthen anything in your kitchen this spring?
• Read the NY Times article: Room to Improve
14 Comments
I'm trying to scheme up ideas on what to do with my kitchen, especially the "blank wall" opposite the "functional wall" where the actual kitchen is. I can't build anything permanent against it because the AC vent is right above it, and I need to keep it accessible. I'm also pulling my hair out about what to do with a deep, deep, blind corner cabinet that I basically have to crawl my body into just to reach its furthest corner. A lazy susan isn't practical, and installing a door on the other side of the cabinet would cause some lost space issues. I'm also dreaming up some storage and lighting ideas, since both are lacking ...
I own my house and I want to renovate my kitchen so so much. I can't afford to gut the place, though, so I need to find a cost effective way to spruce up the cabinets. And no, just getting new knobs isn't enough. The cabinet surfaces need to be cleaned up (refinished maybe). Obviously, I'm not sure where to begin. And frankly, articles like this one in the NYT don't help because all they do is regurgitate the obvious.
Last summer I pulled all the kitchen cabinets apart cleaned and sanded them, then primed and painted them. It was a much bigger job than I thought it would be but I did have a friend to help. The cabinets are now a crisp white with new black hardware and it was totally worth the effort. Now I want to replace the countertops but have no idea where to start or what to replace them with. I am of course limited by budget and would like to do the work myself but it is intimidating.
I own a four bedroom Cape Cod and the smallest room in the house next to the bathroom is the kitchen. It's located in the back of the house so I want to gut it and add on so badddddd...but with baby#2 on the way that isn't feasible. I try to keep the counters clutter free, most of my appliances are stored in my china hutch. My next plan is to re do the cabinets much like what acushla did and get myself a new stove. I wanted to wait until I gutted the kitchen but since I don't see that happening any time soon I'm gonna just go ahead and get a new stove now with a new hood.
I updated my kitchen a bit last summer, too. :) I rent and am a student, so my options were limited quite a bit. I ended up painting the walls a nice cheerful yellow. I also bought from Craigslist a Norden Occasional Table to serve as a wall length counter and added some open shelving above that for additional storage. You gotta store those 7 different types of flour somewhere, you know!
Some before and after photos are here.
There's still a lot I want to tinker with in the kitchen, but it's all a matter of what I can afford to do.
@laetitiae, that's totally a workhorse kitchen! Thanks for sharing your photos! I like that buttery yellow paint. I really like your Norden occassional table solution, particularly because I have the Norden gateleg table in my front room! I just wish it weren't so long--I need one that's only about 4 feet long. I'd go for a butcher block or small island, but they're too wide and would jut out too far into the kitchen.
I own a condo with a galley kitchen and there isn't much I can do to change the layout. The basics work, though the appliances are 11 yrs old and we just replaced the dishwasher. I would LOVE to have a freezer on the bottom fridge (seems so much more practical) but the one we have is still humming away. I don't have the counter space but I would also love to have a stand mixer since I do a lot of baking and break making (and if I visit your house and you have a stand mixer please don't tell me you never use it because I will dislike you very very very much).
I just added custom rolling drawers in my two under counter cabinets and it has made things much easier to find. I got the drawers here and love them http://www.shelvesthatslide.com/
I have a tiny kitchen in my rental, and although I do quite a bit of cooking, it has the potential to be much better. I don't have any counter space and no room to add it!
I'm so limited by size and layout...I can't figure out a way to move the only free-standing items (fridge and stove) and make more room.
Although my brother changed the way the fridge opens and that was pretty much the best thing that has ever happened in the apartment!
Our kitchen is very small and we rent. The one thing that we really, really need is more storage. We have 5 shelf wire rack next to the fridge where we sort of just pile everything up that doesn't fit in the one cabinet we have. We're thinking about getting a pantry custom built, but are still trying to figure out what it should look like.
Onewallkitchen - How about a bookshelf for your blank wall? It would be narrow enough and provide extra storage, and if you wanted you might be able to put a butcherblock counter on top - like a section of countertop from IKEA or something. You could use it to store cookbooks and/or canisters. Or what about putting up a pegboard or some other sort of wall-thingy that you could put hooks into and hang things from (they have this sort of set up at the container store, among other places). I don't see any pictures of your kitchen on your blog (maybe I'm just not looking hard enough), so I don't know if these suggestions actually make sense for your space, but I thought I'd try!
Well, there are plenty of things I'd love to change, but I live in a rental so most of them are not in the cards - for instance, I'd love a new stove because the one in my apartment is pretty ancient and heats very unevenly, so using the oven requires careful placement and attention. It's also pretty tiny, but that is not so bad - I'm usually the only one using it and there is enough room for me.
I'd also love to replace the basic cabinets with something gorgeous (in an ideal world, something like these: http://www.3luxe.com/best_ofs/Kitchen_Cabinets/Wm_Ohs), but I'll settle for adding a new spice rack and some gorgeous stemware and bottles on display. At least my kitchen is mostly white with a black and white tile floor, so it is really easy to add colorful touches and change things up!
ps. Acushla - I'm so impressed you redid your cabinets yourself!
Thanks for the advice, Rosie!
At the moment, I have a little bookshelf and an IKEA cart against the wall--both functional, but not the most efficient or attractive. You can see that setup here and here. There are additional photos of the kitchen throughout my condo set here.
I've seriously been considering pegboard. There was a post about stainless steel pegboard on the main AT page, and someone told me I could find a good-sized length of it at Home Depot or Lowes. I'd just have to work out the design and mechanics.
Thanks jazspin! It totally helped that my friend spent every summer of her childhood on her Dad's paint crew, I really had no idea of all the prep work involved in something like that.
You can also look into gel stain and do less prep work. It's a cross between stain and paint--sits on top of wood and still lets grain show through. The getting rid of clutter will make a huge difference, though. We had an Ugly Kitchen Contest and 100 entries. About 20 of them were truly ugly, but 80 or so were just clutter hell. Scared me, in fact. My kitchen is pretty tidy, but that contest taught me to keep it CLEAN. No magnets on the fridge, etc.


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Preston Hartwick, Class of 2012, captured this image during Asian Cultural Week on campus. A Photo of the Day contest is under way, with an iPod touch as prize. To vote, visit the first-ever online edition of the College magazine.
Back to previous page
Submit photos | Photo of the Day Archive | Gettysburg College on Flickr


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A few things to look at while listening to Guyography Episode 2: Beards. Guys scroll down for charts and graphs, images and inspirations. Episode Streaming available at the bottom of the page 1. (Gals Welcome Too)
Marvin Gaye to his beard: "Let's get it on." Me to Marvin Gaye: "Glad you did."
(Source: madeincharlie, via beardedandblack)
An interesting observation on the Trustworthiness of Beards. Take a look and tell us if you agree.
(via plateiasemacentoficaempe)
(Source: still--meadow)
Rollie Fingers. (For Jaryn Bunney)


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Tempered Glass Shelves
Hardy enough for heavy food and helps to contain spills for easy cleaning.
Moist Balance Crisper
Maintain the Moisture - Moist Balance Crisper does exactly what the name suggests – it maintains the moisture in the crisper. The lid of the crisper has a lattice structure that retains evaporated moisture from fruit and vegetables, allowing it to be re-absorbed thus keeping them fresher for longer.
An antibacterial agent reducing bacteria build up and ensures door sealing is not compromised.
Design, features and specifications subject to change without notice. Screen images simulated and/or dramatized. Some features in videos may not be available on all models. Please refer to the TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS tab for a complete list of features by model.


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"I am born in the year of the rabbit and loved the whimsical bunny designed on this label. It has simple lines and almost cartoonish in appearance. Love it."
"We love our new address labels. They arrived quick! We look forward to ordering more products from Tiny Prints in the future."
"I picked this design for a winter shower because of the brown. It's almost like a rustic brown (not grey) in color as described for some reason. The fun colors in the baby girl are all the colors being used in the shower. Can't wait for Savannah's arrival!"
"My 12 year old son did not mind having labels on his belongings this year because this design is understated and adheres nicely to surfaces."
"I bought these to coordinate with the Sketched Sweetness invitations... since they are both listed as the color Aloe I was hoping they would match, and they do. I used the same fonts as were used on the invitation and it came out great."


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You can bask in options aplenty at Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall, thanks to its great size. All the luxury is offered that you can expect with a 5 rating. Transport connections are easily accesible via the nearby Hamburg Central Station. Miniatur Wunderland can offer fun and entertainment in the near vicinity. During your stay in Hamburg, a visit to either Brucerius Art Forum or International Maritime Museum is more than worth it. Nearby Congress Center Hamburg hosts numerous events throughout the year.
Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall also has a bar/lounge and a library on-site. The presence of both an indoor swimming pool and a pool bar proves a big draw. The hotel's health and wellness facilities include a sauna, a spa/wellness center and a steam room. To give you an idea of the services offered here: a baby-sitting service and a bell boy service are offered, and a late check-out option is another useful one. Visitors on a business trip will be happy to know that a conference space is present here and is complemented by a business center. The property counts 241 rooms. Attached to your pet? It's welcome here. If you want to come by your own means of transport, you could be interested in paid parking.
Air conditioning is available throughout Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall. A housekeeping service is also one of the services provided. The whole world is at hand with wired high-speed Internet access (surcharge). Bedding options include a hypo-allergenic bedding set (upon request). This hotel's rooms are fitted with a bathroom amenities set and a designer toiletries set in addition to a separate bathtub and shower.
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Paid parking is available at the hotel.
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|Pets allowed Free of charge
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Please provide this reference number to our customer service center representative on request, so we can help you better


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This Just In
Horrific 100 Car Pileup Leaves 2 Dead, 80 Injured & Many Others Stranded (VIDEO)
Thanksgiving morning turned tragic for plenty of motorists who were traveling on I-10 in Texas, when just after 8:00 a.m., well over 100 cars were involved in a massive pileup accident.
The crash occurred on a stretch of the interstate between Taylor Bayou and Hampshire Road in Jefferson County, which is approximately 80 miles east of Houston.
Two people, a man and a woman, have been reported dead after the accident, and at least 80 other people were injured. And understandably, plenty of other travelers were left shaken, scared, and in a state of shock over witnessing the entire scene.
Ok, so how exactly did this happen, and why were so many vehicles involved?
Well, according to Deputy Rod Carroll of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department:
The cause of the accident was a heavy fog bank rolled into this area this morning, which caused nobody to be able to see and caused one accident that triggered another accident and then a chain reaction. Even as the deputies were pulling up we still had a continuous chain of accidents.
Take a look at this video to hear more about what happened, and also see the extent of just how terrible the accident was.
OMG. Those poor people! It's just so awful that something as simple as traveling to visit loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving can turn tragic all in a matter of minutes. I guess it just goes to show you that no matter how careful you are on the road, sometimes the circumstances are out of your control. (So scary.)
Honestly, it's a miracle that more people didn't lose their lives, considering just how many vehicles were involved. But my heart goes out to the family of the two who were killed and all those who were hurt. I can't imagine hearing worse news on Thanksgiving.
Have you ever run into fog so dense you could barely see a few feet in front of you?
Image via ABCNews
Piping Hot Posts
In the Mix
- --
quinn007November 23, 2012 at 9:11 AM
A similar incident happened to me 10 years ago, that one was black ice on an exit ramp. You couldn't see the cars flying off the freeway until it was too late. I crashed into 3 other cars, thankfully I was able to get out before another car came. The police had everyone standing as far away as possible and all we could do is stand there & watch with dread as car after car came around the bend. My car was totaled but I was lucky, 1 person died and many, many were injured. To this day I do not know why the police did not put up flares, close the exit, or do something to warn drivers. It took a few years for me to be able to comfortably drive in cold weather.
- -- Nonmember comment from
MollyNovember 23, 2012 at 10:52 AMThis is definitely tragic... but some of those cars are DEMOLISHED... if the fog was so bad, WHY drive fast enough to be smashed that hard?? I feel like careless driving had as much to do with this as the fog
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PinkmaniNovember 23, 2012 at 12:04 PM
I spoke with a Texan friend of mine, and according to her Texans always drive crazily no matter what the conditions are.
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keversoleNovember 23, 2012 at 12:18 PM
I hate driving in TX bc they drive very fast and very close to each other. This very sad but it does not suprise me at all.
- -- Facebook comment from
Tammy SimpsonNovember 23, 2012 at 4:48 PMyes about 11 years ago now i came into a type of fog that youcouldnt see throigh what so ever the semi that was in front of me was going to the side of the road pulling over to stop the semi in back of me came barreling through and before we got all the way over she hit me into the one in front of me and then anotrher semi hit me and drug my car under neath his trailpor for a quater of a mile so it then started a pile up of 4 semis my car and 4 other's my child was killed and i was left in a cxoma paraylized and that was after work on my way home after picking up my child at my mom's on my way home to my other 2 kidsthat was nov,15 so this time of year people get stupaid on the roads and the weather gose nut's so i do know it dose happen.
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Bradyboy2005November 23, 2012 at 8:17 PM
I live in Florida and the drivers down here go 90 on the freeway and fly around you if you are going the speed limit, the semis do it to. It does not matter what the weather is they all drive very crazy on the freeway. I am terrified to drive on the freeway so I try never to unless I abosloutely have to I will take the Highway instead of the Freeway.


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Number of ratings 23 / Average Grade: N/A Submit a correction
She is one my best chem teacher! I had her for both orgo I and II. She know her materials, very clear, helpful, and very encourage. Actually, I decided to go for chem major because of her.
Awsome teacher, will go the extra mile to help you understand if you have difficulties.
loved her! As long as you STUDY STUDY STUDY, you'll do okay! I rarely studied and was pretty much failing but for the last two tests I pretty much read through the notes from powerpoint and I got high 90's...and brought my grade up to a B+. You need to dedicated, the material is a little boring at times and even she admits that.
I would highly recommend this professor. She is very fair in her grading, and really wants her students to succeed. I hadn't had chemistry in over five years, but I still aced the class!
Best professors I have had in seven years. Cares deeply and is always willing to help her students. She makes OChem easy compared to other professors.
very patient, thorough, extremely nice
awesome teacher.very helpfull
she is an awesome teacher. very helpfull
She is the best che teacher I've had!! Organic II hard but she make it a lot less pressure. Strongly recommande.
Professor Doubleday is an amazing teacher. She genuinely cares about her students learning Chemistry.
great teacher
Dr. Doubleday has been one of the best professors I have had during my 3 years of college. I would HIGHLY advise taking Chemistry with her!
Dr. Doubleday is extremely helpful and courteous. Her teaching seems a little speedy at times, but other than that she is a great prof. She wants us to succeed and is very willing to spend time either before or after class for people who need extra help. I went into this class with fear of Chemistry and having her helped me a lot. I recommend!
Great teacher. If you go to class, pay attention, and put your time in, it is very a easy to get an A. She explains everything and does not play around with trying to trick students. I give this teacher an A+
Dr. Doubleday is very familiar with the material and goes out of her way to make sure everyone knows the material. Provides LOTS of practice problems.
She is the best professor I ever had. She wants you to learn and she wants you to succeed. She is always available for help whenever you need it.
sucks very dry and boring
Great teacher. Very interested in having her students understand. Very accessible. Highly recommended.
One of the best professors at this school. Unlike a few teachers I've had, she WANTS you to succeed - doesn't set you up for failure. She met with me before class x2/week to help me understand the material. Very friendly, compassionate and cares about her students. She is HIGHLY reccommended.
Dr Doubleday is great! She is always willing to explain anything and lots of examples. Very accessible as well. Highly recommended.
More Chemistry professors at Montgomery County Community College (all)


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Sunday 5th September, 20104 years ago, at the start of September
When there's no end in sight…
The Team
- Jon McLaughlin | Lewis Hunt, Shane Duff, Luke Oliver, Robbie Threlfall | David Syers, Tom Adeyemi, Tommy Doherty, Luke O'Brien | Jake Speight, Gareth Evans | Louis Moult (for Adeyemi), Leon Osborne (for O'Brien)
The Byline
More Information
Bradford City 0 Port Vale 2 At Valley Parade in League Two, 2010/2011
Part unfortunate, part self-inflicted. Bradford City's fourth consecutive defeat carried greater meaning and misery than a mere glance at the fledgling League Two table.
Commentating on The Pulse, Michael Flynn – oh how he is missed on the field – perceptively summed up the home crowd's inevitable discontent at 2-0 down as more than just unrest over a fourth league defeat in five, but because it caused further prodding of the open scar that is ten years of dismal failure. A decade ago City were facing Manchester United and Arsenal in the space of a week; no one needs reminding of the subsequent bumpy fall, and there's a lot of baggage that will only be released when overdue success eventually occurs.
But until then, that baggage weighs heavy on this current crop of players.
This was a much improved display by City, easily their best performance in the league to date. Yet the confident visitors ultimately deserved the three points after narrowly holding the edge in most areas of the pitch. Those who write off Port Vale as an average side arguably miss the point of what it takes to succeed at this level.
Sure they were ungainly and a succession of physical challenges perhaps deserved greater punishment – both Marc and Justin Richards deserved second yellow cards – but those who succeed in escaping this division upwards are invariably as good at battling as they are putting the ball in the net. Four years on from Stuart McCall noting City needed bigger players to better compete, the Bantams are still some way off possessing the resilience that grinds out regular victories.
Back in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, City made an excellent start and for once managed to set the tempo of the game; but the narrow way the midfield was lined up and lack of pace in the wide areas limited creativity. Peter Taylor does not seem to favour out and out wingers and, although left midfielder Luke O'Brien and right midfielder David Syers acquitted themselves well, no one seemed able or willing to run at people.
It was all a bit predictable.
The main battle was fought between the two Richards and Luke Oliver and Shane Duff. City's centre backs stood up to the physical challenge for much of the game, but criminally the whole team switched off from a Port Vale corner on the half hour and Marc powerfully headed home to give Vale a crucial lead in a game where the first goal felt so vital.
City argued strongly that the corner shouldn't have been awarded following a Vale handball in the box during the previous attack, but that doesn't excuse the lack of marking. And the decision was evened out minutes later when O'Brien appeared to haul down Gary Roberts inside the area, only for a free kick on the edge of the box to be awarded. Referee David Coote and his assistants gave bizarre decisions against both sides all afternoon. This was his Football League debut and one questions whether appointing him to officiate in front of such a large crowd at this stage of his career was a sensible one.
Although Vale's goal rocked City for a five-minute period, they regained composure and were unfortunate not to equalise before the break. Jake Speight, making his full debut, continued to impress and one jinxing run from the corner flag to penalty area saw home defender Gareth Owen hit his own bar. Seconds later Speight missed an open goal when he unnecessarily handled trying to control the ball – he just needed to poke it home. Any half time boos were drowned out by supportive applause from other fans for the effort.
But while the atmosphere was much improved following Southend, limited patience meant in the second half the crowd again turned on the team when it needed to stay positive. Listen to opposition managers talk before they bring their team to Valley Parade and without fail they mention City's crowd. All appear to use it as part of their tactics – how can we get them to turn on their own players? We supporters are being used against our own, and it's time we wised up to it. As attacks broke down, the groans got louder and when Taylor made a double substitution he was booed for taking O'Brien off.
It can't be a coincidence that, having got the visitors on the back foot and unable to get out of their own half for a spell, the sloppiness and uncertainty to City's play returned when frustration from the stands was allowed to fill the air. Though there was no excuse for the craziness of the second goal which killed the game and could have a major effect on City's season.
It was a comedy of errors. All afternoon Jon McLaughlin and his centre backs had attempted to play the ball out from the back, but the high pressing of the Richards' usually saw it abandoned. This time the keeper rolled it out and a risky ball was worked up to Doherty, who was quickly closed down. The cultured midfielder attempted a woeful chipped backpass that McLaughlin failed to control under pressure, presenting Justin with a tap in.
The boos understandably rang out, but as the game kicked off and Doherty's every touch was also greeted with boos a line had been crossed. I've no time for people who think it was right to boo City's number 8, no matter how heat of the moment it was. It was disgusting, it was moronic and frankly it's time such people found something else to do on a Saturday afternoon.
We cannot allow a culture where mistakes are booed, because every player will simply retreat into their shell and only play safe passes – and City will not prosper.
As I walked back to the car at the end I had a lively debate with a guy I know from the pub who reckoned Taylor should be sacked and Doherty is a waste of space. The Doherty-bashing is growing and I don't understand it. Our problem is not that we have a player like Doherty in the side – but that we don't have enough players as good as him.
Some of his passing during the game was stunning, he picked out balls that no one was capable of spotting or producing so accurately. He misplaced some passes and his mistake for the goal – which McLaughlin was hardly blamelessly for -was bad, but City need to build the team around him rather than get rid.
And that's where the main problem left over from the Southend defeat remained. If 4-4-2 is to be used, a ball winner has to be deployed in the middle of the park so Doherty can do what he does best. But his partner Tom Adeyemi is, at this moment, badly struggling to adapt to this level. He looked poor in possession and incapable of winning the ball back. Dropping Lee Bullock was highly questionable and, until Flynn is fit, he or the impressive Syers should be starting alongside Doherty as they can do the defensive work that then frees Doherty to hurt the opposition with his obvious ability.
City battled to the end, but over the course of the 90 minutes the amount of decent chances on goal was worryingly low. Omar Daley, away on international duty, was badly missed and Taylor must contemplate signing a winger this week to replace Neilson. Gareth Evans struggled to make an impact and James Hanson – officially, at least, injured. Though there's a whisper his off-the-field behaviour has angered Taylor – was missed. If 4-4-2 is continued, a Hanson-Speight partnership looks the best option.
And as the final whistle blew and an impressive Vale following loudly celebrating a win that keeps them fourth – but only seven points above City – it was the greater team ethic that had won the game, and which City must replicate. The uncompromising Jon McCombe and Owen at the back, the close tie up of full backs and wingers and the clever inter-change between the two Richards up front – Port Vale were a team of intuitive relationships, which City are not yet close to matching.
Right now the players look too unsure of what each other will do, and only when they begin to feel and look like a team will fortunes improve. It will take time.
But in the midst of louder calls for Taylor to go and criticism towards Chairmen Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn – the latter the subject of worrying rumours that he's fallen out with Taylor, which he would be wise to publicly address this week – it has to be remembered this was an improvement. Good enough? No. But something to build on and take into next week's game at Stockport.
The doom and gloom descends again, the pain of the last 10 years remains at the forefront of the mind. But the calmest people at Bradford City right now need to be Taylor, Rhodes and Lawn. As for us supporters, an atmosphere akin to Rochdale away last season has to be produced at Edgeley Park. It's not just on the field where City need to become more of a team.
The Team
- Jon McLaughlin | Lewis Hunt, Shane Duff, Luke Oliver, Robbie Threlfall | David Syers, Tom Adeyemi, Tommy Doherty, Luke O'Brien | Jake Speight, Gareth Evans | Louis Moult (for Adeyemi), Leon Osborne (for O'Brien)
The Byline
More Information
33 Comments
I would like to take an alternative view on the mentality of fans at the moment, as much comment has been made on the negativity and to some, how we are the worse supporters in the league as a result. (Michael Wood note: I'm not sure how it was reported elsewhere but my article of the other day – and Dave Pendleton's reflections – concluded that City did not have the worst fans in football.)
After yesterdays defeat I totalled up the number of wins, draws and losses since the 2001-2002 season and found that out of 419 league games we have only won 133 (31.7%) and lost 175 (41.8%). Importantly, we have not won 68.3% of games in that time period.
Therefore, when Flynn offered his analysis on The Pulse he could not have had his finger more on it.
But OK, I understand that percentages, figures and statistics do not represent the whole experience. So what has the human experience being like since then?
Two relegations, no play-off excitement or promotion, two administrations and a league finish no higher than 9th. Worryingly, our descent has followed a striking pattern of relegation after a couple of seasons of mid-table mediocrity, which I'm sure every City fan has picked up on.
Despite all this, we have one of the largest away followings in the league, one of the largest home followings in the lower divisions, invest our money on merchandise, our time on Saturdays and to many, the whole week thinking about our football team.
So when the players emerge from the dressing room on matchday, we expect them to give 100% to the cause in the same way we have invested time and money following them.
At the moment there is not enough fight or passion in the team. Stevenage, Southend and Port Vale all dominated the midfield and were first to every ball. There has been nothing flash about their performances – they have just put in more effort. The players are not working hard enough for one-another and quite frankly, they don't look like they want it enough. This also impacts on our attacking play. The reluctance to overlap, run forward into space when in possession amd bust-a-gut to get into the box for crosses is indicative of their overall effort. The fact that every play needs to go through Doherty, who tries to play 50 yard killer balls from deep instead of doing the basics correctly, does not help matters either.
The sooner they are told that effort will always be applauded (look at the example of Speight), and that we are not a one man team (Doherty), the sooner we will get back on track.
The above comments illustrate why I don't believe Omar Daley was/is missed at all. Yesterday Speight/O'Brien/Evans/Syers were chasing balls out wide that Daley would have not only given up on, but berated the man who passed them.
I agree that a Speight/Hanson partnership seems like a good prospect, but equally a trio of those two and Evans would be enticing in my mind, and allow Doherty as part of a 3 man midfield to have a bit of space, and time on the ball to make the plays.
I would also be happy to see Williams in ahead of Oliver (I thought Duff was decent yesterday), and with Ramsden back at RB, it just leaves O'B or Threlfall (who seems pretty off the boil at the moment) and things might not be as bad as they seem.
All that said, it does need to get better soon.
Chicken/egg = good victories/atmosphere. (?)
Echoing my previous comments on here, in the chicken/egg and results/atmosphere debate, I still truly think the support issue is a fairly simple one. You can't simply make fans forget season after season of failure, and the only thing that will do this is results in matches and seasons.
On the flipside fans still do have responsibility to aid their side, and I think we as fans must wise up as Jason astutely points out – don't let ourselves become part of the opposition plans.
When (hopefully not if) we start to put together goals and results at home I think we will see vociforous support – maybe not even the first time we win a match, but after a series of credible results. Bradford fans are not naive to the fact that the club should be better than this league, so even winning a couple of matches will only be the start.
One thing I would emphasise – hopefully everyone knows that the answer is not losing yet another manager.
Sacking Colin Todd was a mistake. Let's remember that….let alone all the others.
Maybe it's because we were starting from a low base, but I actually enjoyed yesterday's game (up to a point). We seemed to have a bit more fire and wanted it a bit more than the 2 previous dreadful league games.
OK, so we switched off at a corner, but we had shown a bit more endeavour in the first 45 minutes than in the whole of the 180 minutes that preceded it. Vale probably just edged the first half and deserved the lead, but there wasn't much in it. As has been commented on, we just didn't quite have the strength in the middle of the park – Doherty isn't a ball winner and needs someone alongside him to make the tackle & give him the ball – on current showing, that isn't Adeyemi.
We came out with purpose in the 2nd half & certainly seemed to rattle Vale, who kept up with their niggling trips & handballs. One particularly cynical foul when we broke from defending a corner didn't even merit a talking to, let alone a yellow card.
But we can't blame the ref for the 2nd goal, which was bizarre in the extreme – Doherty got a hospital ball, but played it far too casually back to Jon Mac, who just made a complete hash of it. Apparently, Taylor blames him, rather than Doherty, which perhaps shows who are HIS players & who aren't?
I couldn't believe it when he was being booed immediately afterwards & stood up to applaud him & berate the moaners. However, it does demonstrate that the players that Taylor has made a big play of bringing to the club are seen as HIS men & I think their failings will be picked on quicker than say Evans'.
Syers was man of the match for me – intelligent runs & no little skill either – certainly offered much more than young Tom in the middle of the pitch. Speight has the look of Cadamarteri (or dare I say our Brazilian Edinho) and will win over the doubters if he keeps running & annoying central defenders like he did yesterday.
It's not all doom & gloom – Doherty made some great passes yesterday & will only improve with matches under his belt. Duff looked pretty solid, but I can't agree about missing Daley – I didn't know he was on international duty & had automatically assumed that after his appalling display against Southend he had just been dropped!
So, to Edgley Park & with just the committed going hopefully the moans won't appear?
Come on you Bantams!
I stick by my 100% agreement with David Pendleton's claim -even if he might not have truly meant it- that we have the worst supporters in football. It's not all the supporters of course, but it is a very significant number -Accy Stanley would be well pleased to be getting the number as a home attendance -but not that type 'support'. I would rather 100 or so City fans travel away and encourage the players from start to finish of a game -like in the 'old days'- than 1500 of whom approximately a third to a half are going to boo or abuse their own players. No, I don't have any thesis or scientific study that I can point to that supports my opinion, only my own experience of watching City home and away. What the hell is the benefit of having a large home support -apart from the obvious financial benefit, but even that is debatable at our season ticket prices- or large away following if a very sizeable number of those are effectively a greater benefit to the opposition than their own team? I find myself cringing and worrying at what response will be dealt when a player mis-controls or plays a bad pass. I am one of those supporters who has had to endure the last 10 years of watching City as well, but I don't boo or shout abuse because I am not stupid enough to believe it does my team any good. Would it do me any good? well, say I felt better for the next 10 seconds then what? would my booing fill my team with confidence and result in them suddenly playing fast one touch Arsenalesque type football? or would it have a much longer than 10 seconds negative effect on the team?
Jason says 'We cannot allow a culture where mistakes are booed'. But I fear this culture has been been gradually acquiring strength over the last 2-3 seasons and has set down some deep roots. The supporters that booed Doherty on Saturday are the pits, they should be doing something more worthwhile with their £110 or £150 a season -or whatever it is they pay to throw their rotting fruit in the faces of the City players. I have run out of patience with many of the disgraceful 'paying public' visitors to VP. They are not part of my 'Team of supporters' they are alien to me, I don't understand their behaviour, their thought process,their logic I don't fit in with their culture and they don't fit with mine, we are Oceans apart.
"The Doherty-bashing is growing and I don't understand it. Our problem is not that we have a player like Doherty in the side – but that we don't have enough players as good as him.
Some of his passing during the game was stunning, he picked out balls that no one was capable of spotting or producing so accurately. He misplaced some passes and his mistake for the goal – which McLaughlin was hardly blamelessly for -was bad, but City need to build the team around him rather than get rid."
I couldn't agree more Jason. I heard someone yesterday say "Doherty's not a footballer, get rid". Comments like this prove a percentage of our fans simply don't have a clue what they're talking about. Doherty is the most naturally gifted player we have, and a midfield 3 of him (sublime distributor), Bullock (the ball winner) and Flynn ( the link between midfield and attack) is mouthwatering…
Another excellent match report from Jason.
Having not been able to make it to a game since Stevenage at home, I was looking forward to yesterday's game. As Phil states above, I too, actually enjoyed the game up to a point. I thought that we got better towards the end of the first half and when you're struggling towards the bottom of the division, the deflection by the Port Vale player that hit the underside of the cross bar usually comes back out on the wrong side of the goal line.
I'd heard from people who'd been to Toquay away and Southend at home how poor we'd been. So to come out in the second half and play the way that we did was encouraging. Up until the errors that led to their second goal, we were certainly the better team.
Today sees us in our lowest league position since I started supporting Bradford City over 22 years ago. (I remember been 21st in Divison 4 under McCall.) However, as a club we must stick together; players, supporters, the manager and chairmen. If Lawn has had a bust up with Taylor this needs sorting out very quickly indeed. When a club is struggling for results, it's easy for eachother to point the finger at somebody else.
As Jacob points out above, I too would rather see Williams partner Duff at the back. But Peter Taylor picks the team and all this talk of another sacking is utter b**locks. It f**ks me off. And yes I stated my support for McCall to stay as our manager on this website last season.
I am proud to say that I stayed to the final whistle yesterday and applauded the team off the pitch. Speight, O'Brien and Syers all had good games.
Let's all stick together during these dark days.
I have so far seen three league games this season: Torquay, Southend and Port Vale. What concerns me most is that we have rarely threatened scoring in these games and, had the opposition been more clinical, we could easily have conceded four or five in each. For all McCall's failings and his supposed 'tactical naivety', his sides played attacking football and even if the team lost, it was still usually possible to reflect that they had enough chances to get a result had our strikers put them away or had more luck. Yesterday, Vale were the better side and could have been out of sight by half-time. Whilst I do not agree with booing the players, it is difficult for the crowd to get behind them if they don't look like scoring.
Taylor generally likes his teams to play defensive, percentage football. This approach was undeniably effective at Wycombe where Taylor had a group of quality defenders at his disposal including Mike Williamson who is now Newcastle's first choice centre half. The current City starting lineup has no defenders of his quality and has an inexperienced goalkeeper. We have kept one clean sheet so far this season and, by all accounts, we were fortunate against Stevenage.
What worked at Wycombe doesn't seem to be working at City. We lacked penetration up front yesterday – the ball doesn't stick with Evans and Speight up front; Syers and O'Brien are not wingers. There clearly are good players in the squad like Doherty but they don't seem to be performing. I am confident that Taylor will get to know how his players like to play and find a system that gets the best out of them. However, it could take months for that to happen and the likes of Shrewsbury and Torquay are already quickly pulling away from us.
As I said to Michael on a different website this weekend, I spent my dinner at work writing a comment on his article about "the worst fans in football" but ditched it at the last minute as I couldn't quite articulate my point with the clock ticking to the end of my break. So I just want to say that John Loxam said exactly what I was trying to say. Thanks John!
Furthermore whilst I've only been to the Forest game this season and have been spared the depressing league games, I thought Doherty was a class act, and the fact that he was booed and described as "not a footballer" just illustrates the other point I was trying to make on Friday lunchtime – lots of football fans (or perhaps 'paying spectators') know f**k all about football and wouldn't know intelligent play if it bit them on the a*se.
As some others have said, here's hoping Flynn returns soon to get on the end of some of those passes…
Obviously we've got a lot of 15 year-old pillocks in the crowd and, for that matter, a fair smattering of older idiots as well, but the 'worst fans' tag has been eating away at me.
These are the fans who gave time and money to save their club twice. Fans who have supported City through what has been a lot more thin than thick. Fans who turn out in their thousands to watch division four football, be it at the reasonable season ticket rate, or the extortionate matchday rate.
These are fans who have stuck by a club even though the quality of the players we have had has progressively declined, the realistic ambitions of the club have become more modest, and the standard of football has hit rock bottom. Fans who have bought a new shirt or two every season, gone whenever they could and purchased the city live subscription service on the off chance that they can't make it.
Yeah it annoys me when the fans boo and it frustrates me that anyone who shows any amount of flair (Doherty, Colbeck, Daley) is instantly not 'one of ours'. But worst fans?
Let's not lose sight of the fact that we lost 2-0 at home to Port Vale in division 4 on saturday in a game that we never expected or looked likely to win, leaving us in what must be the lowest position we've ever inhabited in the football league (90th).
It's early days and booing still doesn't help, but notice that the boos are louder, earlier, and more consistent than they ever were under Stuart.
Saturday was indeed an interesting game. Turning on and critisising fans isn't really the point, some of those involved may not be the worst in football but many are frequently the drunkest! For the players and manager to take such umbridge at alcohol induced rantings seems a little ill-informed and churlish. Fans always seem to get the rough end of a poor performance on the pitch for instance at Taylor's second game versus Accrington last season. I first went to city in 1967 and have never observed worse, whatever abuse the hopeless wasters who donned the shirt on the pitch received was richly deserved.A number of them have been retained for reasons I fail to understand. City seem to have the ground, big support and loyal leadership in Lawn and Rhodes (They saved the club after all). Only a team worthy of all of that appears to be missing. Many of us will be at Stockport, an average day out now assumes a huge air of importance this early in the season.
There was much to be positive about yesterday and in many ways we deserved far better than what we got. BUT…. we seem unable to find a way of getting the best from what is somewhat mistakenly called our "midfield". I see a lot of promise in Tom Doherty and thought he was well supported by Luke O.B. on the pitch and by most of the fans around me at least. What was worrying however was the way he was forced further and further back until he became part of the back line rather than driving the team forward from midfield. This is not the first time this has happened and most opposition seem to know that pressing Doherty stifles much of what City can offer.
The key to solving this problem seems, to me at least, the two other midfield players. O'Brien did his job well and still can make a case for this as his best position so I can not fathom why he was taken off.Tom Adeyemi however looked woefully out of his depth and offered nothing to the other two – I think it was almost 15 minutes into the game before he touched the ball and most of the play went on around him. He seems to lack the strength for the job when tracking back or closing players down.(Luke O.B has all the attributes whether at full back or in midfield.)
Bullock is best when playing the deeper role so why did he have to watch from the bench as Doherty was pressed back?
Taylor's style does not appeal to me but I am prepared to accept he has far more knowledge and experience of the game than I have.That being the case, why are so many of his selections and substitutions so bewildering and seem not to address the problem that most fair-minded supporters can see all too easily?
I wont boo. I wont call for Taylor's removal. But I will call for the sort of managerial change that removes the blinkers, or is it bloody mindedness? that has characterised substitutions in all our home league matches this season.A manager of his experience should see situations that need changing and act positively. But the puzzling three man half time change last week and the inability to bring on the on field support that Doherty had every right to expect yesterday will only serve to alienate many fans (to say nothing of players).
He may admit to not knowing his best team yet but will he also admit to his mistakes that seem to cost us just as much as those of the players – whether they are "his" players or not.
As fair minded supporters we accept there is inexperience in our team and that there will be mistakes. Most of us don't get on players' backs when they slip up. But, as we are forever being told how Experienced the manager is, fair minded supporters have the right to expect more from him in terms of addressing on field problems during games.
I may not put it as well as Jimi Hendrix but the question is the same….."Are you Experienced?"
All I can say is I totally agree with you Dan – 90th even in an early version of the league two table is diabolical. I only hope Bradford dont become the next 'Luton' although didnt they have 30 points to make up to start with ?!! Scsre mongering I know, but Ive seen no evidence of a prominent striker emerging – we need another Thorne. Also the defence seem nervous and prone to outrageous errors. Both traits need rectifying soon or things WILL get serious.
I didnt see the performances against Forest or Preston , but whats has happened to the passion that must have been evident in those games – im bewildered!!!
As for the fans – I know the only way is to get behind the team come rain or shine but surely fellow fans turning on fellow fans is no better then the boo boys. These fans wouldnt be booing if they werent passionate about the club, surely – what would be the point?
At present Taylor has failed to live up to his hype and in my opinion is trying to sort out problems that should have been addressed pre -season. Stating that some of the players may not be as fit as the opposition (after the Stevenage game) is no excuse- this is professional football – the players should be hitting the ground running in August.
I hope I can start feeling good about the club sometime soon.
The cretins that boo are doing oppositions work for them,if they can't see that they must be thicker than the earths crust.I certainly don't think BCFC fans are the worst in the country but they are the most frustrated.
I'd like to see Taylor play Hanson and Speight up front as a smash and grab type duo in a 442 formation…i'd still like to see Daley given a run on the right wing..i don't think he's lost much pace since his horrific injury..just confidence.Syers looks a good player..maybe try him in central midfield as a ball winner.
Saturday saw us seamlessly move from the 'worst fans in football' to the 'worst pass in football'. That moment when Tommy Doherty threw the game away seemed to sum up the last decade at VP. Doherty was probably heading for the man-of-the-match award and then… he's the 'worst player we've ever had'. Or so I had screamed in my ear.
Like the majority I sat in silence. Too stupified to react. Frustration, sorry I mean FRUSTRATION. The type that wants to make you scream out loud (and many did), or go to the pub for several hours (and many did). One fan near me shouted for Taylor to be sacked, Doherty to go with him, the ground was cursed, resign Lawn, get rid of the entire team, he was really getting into his stride, what next 'sack the fans'?
We didn't quite get that far, though since I've seen calls for the cheap season ticket deal to be scrapped on the grounds that it attracts 'chavs' and that they are responsible for the negative atmosphere at VP. Apparently the ability to pay will improve the support – someone should have pointed that one out to Roy Keane. If the cheap tickets really do attract the wrong kind of support, then God help the Bradford Bulls with their £60 season tickets. Of course, it's utter nonsense. How many times have we heard the 'I've paid my money' or 'I've been a season ticket holder for 200 years' defence for abusive behaviour.
Sacking managers, players and chairmen will get us nowhere fast. Haven't we learned that from the last decade? What we need at Stockport is the 'best supporters in football'. Like those we took to Rochdale last season. Our backs are pressed hard against the wall. If we fall apart now Bradford City will be doomed – and this during the 100th anniversary of our finest hour.
The supporters who do boo often defend their 'right' to boo by saying they are entitled to express their opinions (normally because they have paid their money). I was always brought up to not 'cut my nose off to spite my face' which is all that the booers are doing.
It's my right to stab myself in the leg with a pair of scissors too, but it wouldn't achieve much. Nor will booing the players…
Perhaps anyone who usually boos could just have a quiet moan after the game and make sure they encourage the team during the game?
Disappointed on Saturday but we played better than we have done, especially v Southend.
Lot of reports suggesting Taylor has lost the dressing room and Lawn and Rhodes have fallen out because of it. Can anyone shed any light on this at all? These comments worry me, think if we play like we did on Sat without the shocking ref and a couple of bad decisions, we will do ok this season but maybe not promotion standard.
By definition a supporter is a person who supports a team, accordingly anyone who boos is NOT a supporter. But I am afraid we are stuck with this element until results improve and they retreat into their shell – unfortunately they wont dissapear. For me the performance was much better, and I think it was a collective improvement, yes still a couple of players below par, but we support the team not seperate parts of it. Regarding the ref, I could not understand why the No11 did not get sent off for deliberate handball – he got booked for it in the first half, but committed at least 3 more similar offences which were completely ignored. Hope to be at Stockport to support!
Is the answer to get everyone who wants to contribute to a positive atmosphere and match day experience in the same place, for example the North West Corner? This would of course have to relay on allowing standing, curbing the over zealous stewarding and having a vocal enough following to get behind the team no matter what the scoreline throughout the game.
If the management is so critical of the current atmosphere, they need provide the platform on which to create a positive one.
I know the standing issue has been mentioned before, and talk of a Ultra-type following has mainly fizzled out in recent seasons, but the club needs to act in a positive way now, starting with standing areas for those who want get behind the team.
I think this is the only way to drown out the boos, as it is not desirable or even possible to kick it out
Some interesting points from people above; most of whom I expect are football supporters and not football fans. Everyone can be a fan but supporters support their club during the difficult times which is what we are experiencing at the momemt, and not just in the good times.
I consider myself to have supported Bradford City for a reasonable length of time (over 22 years) and have obviously witnessed our slide down the league tables in the past decade. But what % of our existing home attendances witnessed City in Division 4 during the 60s and 70s? Maybe less than 25%? Was the atmosphere, in general, as poor then as it is at the moment? Or is today's poor atmosphere a reflection of today's society, most of whom demand instant success?
I'm old enough to answer Richards question above about atmosphere in the 60′s compared to todays match day experience,it's like chalk and cheese it's like watching football on a different planet nowadays.Put it this way,if my Dad had taken me to the Stevenage game first up i'd have never got the BCFC bug.I was born in Bradford but brought up in Doncaster so although i was always reminded that i was a Bradfordian my experiences of VP were limited until my family moved back over here in 67 but i always remember how much better the match day atmosphere was at VP than at Belle View,Bradford City was a proper football club with passionate fans who supported the club after 30 plus years of nothing,i was so proud to tie my claret and amber scarf around my neck and join my mates in the Bradford End for two hours of fun win lose or draw.I used to look forward to supporting my team down a VP and at away games but that isn't the case any more,i still support the football club and will until the day i die but the match day experience is far less enjoyable,there doesn't seem the same connection between fans and the players,the world's a far more cynical place and football grounds are not immune from that cynicism.The "i've paid my money" brigade are killing the club slowly in my opinion and are the most selfish opinionated set of (feel free to add an expletive of your choice here) i've ever had the misfortune to listen to.It seems to me that my right to support the team is being hijacked by people i have nothing in common with.I'll sum my attitude to supporting the team up,if we are losing i encourage the players more,my thinking is that if i encourage the players we might turn the game around,BCFC might get a point,BCFC might get three points.I seem to have a totally different mentality to some fans down at VP who seem to want to destroy the one thing all Bradford City players need to defeat the opposition,confidence.I don't understand the thinking behind the abuse,it's plainly self defeating.
Well put Michael, I always try and take a balanced view and would never want to impinge on anyone's rights.
I guess my point stems from mebeing a positive person, I like to see the good rather than the bad. If the negative atmosphere somehow spurred the team on, then of course I would accept it, but it doesn't. It's catch 22 – we're caught in a negative spiral at the moment which only goals can reverse.
You don't have to go back to the 60′s to see that we've had quality support and atmospheres at Valley Parade. I mentioned earlier somewhere that you only have to look at seasons like promotion from league 1 or the championship, or even when we struggled to survive in the championship and did by winning on the last day vs QPR – that match was a terrific atmosphere despite a relatively poor season of results.
This tells you that there's nothing inherently wrong with Bradford supporters!
Big difference is that ultimately we were still sharing a degree of success (even in the poorer seasons) so fans just didn't feel so hard done by – now they certainly do. It could also be argued that the ground was a better ground design-wise for atmosphere in those days. I agree with some suggestions about more grouping of fans who like to actually support the side. I certainly wish more fans would actually sit close to the pitch in the kop for example – it is easier to support when you are massed close to the pitch. That was the power of the old standing 'kop' support we had.
I'm seriosuly considering moving seats. I love sitting on the Kop, and have sat and stood their since the ground reopened in 1986, but I'm fed up with the negative abuse that pours from the mouths of some of our supposed supporters. Problem is I'd just end up within earshot of some other lame brains. Booing at half-time during the Vale game? I hope it was directed at the ref, but sadly I don't think it was. It is good that we are having this debate. If we are going to change the culutre of this club this debate needs to take place.
As Andy says it's probably better if we try and drown it out and hope that our positive lead will be followed. The Bradford End was surely opened up to bring together our more vocal supporters, so perhaps that's where the lead needs to come from? Being twice the age of most of the folk in there I'm not sure if it's the place for me. Perhaps we should designate a section of the Kop to become the place for the non-teenage vocal fans to gather, then we could have fun trying to outsing the Bradford End? Upper or lower tier doesn't matter we need to be together somewhere and from there at least enjoy ourselves.
Hi David, 'me en't wife' moved into the Bradford End to add our vocal support to the Team, we had had enough of singing and clapping on our own in the Sunwin. I am in my early 50s and can say I feel 'comfortable' when I look around me. It's not all spotty teenagers in there. I think what bridges any age(ism) gap anyway is a common purpose and that purpose being one of encouragement for the Team -although there is the odd negatron it is an improvement on the moron that used to sit behind us.
All together now: Come and join us, come and join us, come and join us over here. If you come into the Bradford End your sure of a big surprise, if you come into the Bradford End you'll hardly believe your eyes, Cos Jeremy the sugar puff Bear has got some boots and cropped his hair, today's the the day that Jeremy joined…. oops, sorry getting a little carried away there.
Thanks for that John. You managed to make me smile. The first time that's happened in relation to Bradford City for some considerable time!
I still think the Kop idea has legs, so to speak…
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text: Webber turned down Ferrari to stay with Red Bull 16 November, 2012 Nov.16 (GMM) Red Bull's Mark Webber has revealed that Ferrari was interested in signing him for the 2013 season. Ultimately, the Australian decided to stay with the energy drinks owned team, despite confirming suggestions that the team's driver manager Dr Helmut Marko is keener on Sebastian Vettel. "Everyone can see where Helmut's allegiance lies," Webber told CNN. "But there are two cars and I have the opportunity to drive one of them." Previously, Webber and Ferrari had played down their reported links of earlier this year, but the 36-year-old is now more willing to reveal the extent of the talks. "Ferrari approached us first," he said. "We made the decision just before Silverstone when both teams seemed pretty interested. I'm happy with that decision." Subbed by AJN. Tweet Related NewsSilly Season: Alonso and Vettel future uncertainWebber thinks Vettel lacks feeling for carMarko: Mr Vettel is one of our most expensive itemsSilly Season: Vettel and Red Bull deny Alonso swapVettel buys a Ferrari California for father NorbertAlonso: Ricciardo was very, very smart – a great fightRed Bull and Ferrari considered protesting MercedesRaikkonen manager says problems similar to VettelEcclestone: Vettel needs to go where the best car isMarko: Ferrari made Newey an absurd offer Greg F2 Either team would have been a good choice for Mark for a one year contract. Either way he would be seen as a super talented # 2 driver capable of pushing the #1 and a reliable points scorer. In addition, Marko is a bit of a dick with his attitude to Webber. His absurd comments after the Turkish GP crash between Webber and Vettel , caused by Vettel as the video transcript shows, lost him credibility with fans and competent insiders alike. Why does Red Bull keep paying this guy?? Apparently he must add value that we fans don't readily see.


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Advanced Therapies For The Diabetic Foot: Are We Getting Our Money's Worth?
- Allen Jacobs DPM FACFAS
- 3019 reads
- 2 comments
In a recent issue of Diabetes Care, Kahn and Anderson examine the issue of diabetes care as a model for healthcare reform.1 The authors point out that the prevention of diabetes and the prevention of complications associated with diabetes are seldom cost-saving. This is contrary to many arguments that suggest preventive care is ultimately cost-effective and reduces expenses associated with the management of diabetes.
While no one would argue that the prevention of diabetic foot complications is certainly "cost effective" with regard to human suffering, such as the prevention of amputation in a patient with diabetes, the question of financial realities surrounding the prevention of amputation is a different matter altogether.
In regard to the issue of comparative effectiveness of various interventions, I would like to specifically address an analysis of technology associated with the evaluation and management of diabetic foot pathology.
Podiatric CME meetings are heavily dependent upon corporate sponsorship. It is not a coincidence that corporations listed as platinum, gold or silver sponsors at these meetings provide speakers who endorse various products, many of which are quite expensive.
In some instances, entire programs appear to be industry supported and the lecture content of these programs seem to be substantially or entirely controlled by corporate sponsorship. As a result, various products are promoted and endorsed, and they come to be accepted by those in attendance as the "standard of care."
As noted by Kahn and Anderson, some technology "has gained widespread adoption without much evidence that it is cost-effective for all persons with diabetes." I would like to explore this concept with readers this month.
Raising Questions About The Cost And Long-Term Benefits Of Advanced Modalities
Examples of technology, which have been accepted, would include the use of bioengineered products for ulcer management or the utilization of external fixation for reconstruction of Charcot's joint disease. We frequently do not hear much regarding alternative methods of treatment for ulcers because there is no corporate sponsorship for non-weightbearing and casting in the management of Charcot's joint disease. Instead, corporations are more than happy to provide speakers to endorse the utilization of large external fixation, orthobiologic materials, bone stimulators and other technologies that physicians can employ for the treatment of Charcot's joint disease.
The question, however, is whether such technologies provide any clear advantage to the treatment of these problems over alternative methods that do not involve the application of expensive advanced technologies. Traditional management may take longer to achieve a result but is the expedited effect of advanced technology worth the cost?
Many of us who treat patients with significant pathology, such as Charcot's joint disease, have patients who have refused surgical intervention. I would argue that the outcome in such patients has been essentially no different than those who have undergone surgical intervention.
Granted, surgical intervention offers the opportunity to reconstruct anatomy and provide the patient with a more normal looking foot than the patient who declines surgical intervention. However, it is also true that surgical intervention in the patient with Charcot's joint disease is associated with a variety of possible surgical complications. This is not to suggest that advanced technology is not useful in the management of Charcot's joint disease. However, there are no clear studies that indicate a distinct long-term advantage to the treatment of Charcot's joint disease with a variety of expensive technologies in comparison to more traditional, minimally invasive, limited surgical or non-operative treatment of the same problem.
The examination of advanced technology in the treatment of the diabetic foot must also include bioengineered products. All of these products are quite expensive and, in my opinion, are frequently utilized at the urging of corporate representatives rather than patient need.
Somehow, over the years, I had been able to heal the majority of patients with diabetic wounds in my practice without the need for hyperbaric oxygen or advanced wound care products. However, the corporations producing such products as growth factors and various skin equivalents dominate the educational sessions at meetings where wound care is discussed. As is the case with Charcot's joint disease, the alternative viewpoint is not discussed because there is simply no potential profit to any corporation in discussing more traditional approaches to wound care.
Somehow, I have had great success in the healing of venous ulcerations by utilizing in-office debridement, appropriate topical agents and old-time Unna's boots. Of course, I will utilize advanced wound technologies when necessary. However, I do not believe that the majority of patients that I have cared for required such technologies.
My complaint is we have started to utilize expensive technologies without any firm basis of significant long-term benefit that would justify the cost. I would not argue that the use of certain bioengineered products might expedite the resolution of ulcer but at what cost? I would not argue that the utilization of external fixation might speed the resolution of a Charcot's joint deformity or provide a more normal anatomical presentation of the foot following such surgical intervention but at what cost? Where is the long-term data to suggest that these patients are ultimately better served than those patients who were provided more traditional conservative management?
Are We Getting The Education We Need At These Conferences?
We are now facing healthcare reform. The frequency of diabetes is increasing dramatically in United States and throughout the world. Podiatrists are increasingly providing preventative as well as interventional care for patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
The late James Ganley, DPM, once referred to the "technological imperative," examining the proposition that newer is always better.
Given the strong dependence upon corporate sponsorship, the content of many of these meetings is severely limited and provides the practitioner with only those educational objectives that can be encompassed within corporate sponsorship. When a speaker receives support from a corporation, he or she may be ostensibly "neutral, fair and objective." However, he or she is not likely to continue as a speaker for a corporation unless a certain message is delivered to those attending that meeting.
The next time you receive a brochure for a "scientific program," look at the contents and correlate this with the listed corporate sponsors. You then begin to understand why certain advanced technologies have become accepted without any firm evidence of long-term benefit.
Are Unrestricted Educational Grants Truly 'Unrestricted'?
I am not certain how to change our current corporate influence on CME provision. I constantly hear the argument that without such sponsorship, it would be financially difficult to provide CME programs. However, with such sponsorship, post-graduate education in our profession has become limited to just a few topics such as wound care, bone growth stimulators, external fixation, fixation devices and various pharmaceuticals.
At times, many of these CME programs remind me of the movie Groundhog Day, as it seems we are seeing the same topics over and over and over. There are exceptions such as the annual scientific meeting of the American College Of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). To their credit, the ACFAS provides a lecture program with little corporate sponsorship.
The solution is to make an unrestricted educational grant truly unrestricted. Somehow, when I look at programs "provided by an unrestricted educational grant from … ," it appears to me the content of these programs is anything but "unrestricted."
Perhaps we can eventually have forthright discussions regarding the proper place for advanced technology in the treatment of the diabetic foot and determine the true need for, and effectiveness of, such technologies. Until this happens, you will see the same speakers giving the same lectures and discussions of the same limited topics.
I welcome responses to this commentary.
1. Kahn R, Anderson JE. Improving diabetes care: the model for health care reform. Diabetes Care 2009 Jun;32(6):1115-8.
Dear friend I applaud you, as I always have, for saying what needs to be said without fear of the consequences. You are perhaps THE ONLY PERSON IN PODIATRY who does so!
That said, I would offer this additional information and ask for some information from you:
Some universities around the country currently have created a blind fund into which these unrestricted grants go. They are then doled out to requesting groups. That is one solution but I do worry about where podiatry might fit on the scale.
In 2003 Margolis did a study* predicting whether or not expensive, advanced therapies should be used to treat diabetic neurpathic foot ulcers or if standard of care would do the job. He computed the probability of complete healing based on the percentage of healing at week four. This number was the marker he used to justify bringing out the big guns. I believe it is as valid a marker as there is today.
Lastly, my question. You mention that ACFAS provides a lecture program with little corporate sponsorship. What is their secret? How do they exist without corporate support? I thought their exhibit hall was flush with supporters and last time I saw my many friends who were lecturing there, their names were followed by "supported by XYZ corporation." So I don't fully understand your statement. Please explain.
Kathy Satterfield, DPM
*Margolis DJ, et. Diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers: predicting which ones will not heal. Am J Med. 2003 Dec 1;115(8):627-31.Reply to this comment »
With all due respect my learned friend, you correctly recognize the problem with Continuing Medical Education but you apparently don't understand it.
The problem is that money is the heroin of the CME industry and that industry, and its participants, are addicted in a really big way. And unless and until the industry decides to go "cold turkey" and take money out of the speaker equation, the problem will get worse and not better.
Let me explain.
The sad truth is that professional organizations are businesses. The bigger the organization, the bigger the business. All of them give lip service to the notion that they are non-profit eleemosynary institutions but the truth is that they all have to bring in more money than they spend each year or they go out of existence.
All of these organizations generate their income, in theory, by charging "dues." In theory, each of the member's dues pays his or her fair share of the group's overall operating expenses so that all may benefit from the advantages which membership in the group provides. That's great in theory but in practice it simply doesn't work any more. There isn't a professional organization in the world which can operate and pay its bills using only dues revenues. The name of the game in the association "biz" these days is "non-dues income." You have to have it because you simply can't charge your members high enough dues to pay all of your bills.
That's where CME comes in. Every health care practitioner has to have a certain number of continuing education credits each year or they cease being health care practitioners. Most of them buy those credits from someone and the professional associations long ago recognized that CME was a cash cow waiting to be milked. In fact, every professional organization figured that out and the competition for CME dollars has become fierce. To attract the audience and its CME bucks in this market you have to put on a better CME show than your competitors. Putting on a CME show with enough "sex appeal" to attract a profitable audience means big stars and hot topics and all of that costs money.
The "hot topics" part is, admittedly, mostly a function of human nature. To use your examples, $10,000 worth of gleaming antiseptic stainless steel (ex-fix) is a lot sexier than $1.50 worth of gauze and zinc oxide (Unna's boot). But you can even sell a lecture on Unna boots if you have Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt deliver it.
So how do you attract the "big stars?" In today's market you pay them a big honorarium. And that's a big factor in the addiction to the heroin of money in the CME business.
The money to cover the expenses of the speakers can drastically reduce the income from the program to the sponsoring organization. Reduce it so far, in fact, that the particular CME presentation in question might, God forbid, not make a profit. Since we obviously cannot allow that to happen, someone came up with the bright idea of sponsored speakers. And the problem with sponsored speakers, as you so brilliantly demonstrate, is that they are almost always there to sell something on behalf of their sponsors. That, after all, is what sponsors do.
The problem you folks are having with the CME business is very much like the problem the government is having with the heroin industry. And you are failing in your efforts to eliminate the problem for the same reason that the government can't eliminate the drug traffic: You're attacking from the wrong direction. Instead of trying to eliminate the supply of the money/drug why don't you eliminate the demand?
I would suggest that the problem could be solved rather simply. The effect would be extreme, at first, but the CME industry would survive and be the better in the long run.
How would I do it? I would require the medical profession to pass a rule making it unlawful for a speaker at a CME program to accept an honorarium for his or her presentation. The speakers could be reimbursed for their expenses, at a fairly Spartan level, but they couldn't be directly enriched for their efforts. Further, the new rule would require all of the reimbursement for expenses to come from the attendance charges for the presentation and not from corporate sponsors.
That would end the "sponsored speaker" game "cold turkey."
For what it's worth that's what happens, for the most part, in the continuing LEGAL education industry. Few CLE speakers ever receive honoraria and most even pay their own expenses. The CLE programs continue to be excellent. The Bar Associations and other groups who put on the CLE programs continue to make obscene profits from the programs. Better still, lectures tend to be stuff that the average practitioner can actually take home and use without bankrupting himself, the client and the economy as a whole.
I think it might work for the continuing MEDICAL education industry as well.
Richard W. Boone, Sr.
Health Care Attorney