The Olympic Stadium, London

I understand that 'if that had gone in, it would have been a goal' is advertised as a football blog, and that my readership (a fella named Dave) demands that it remains so; therefore I must open by informing you that this piece will eventually stumble upon the topic (a bit).

In the meantime...
Reports last week revealed that London's mop topped mayor, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, has been in talks with the National Football League (NFL) over the potential for the London Olympic Stadium to host the most un-Olympic of sports - and I don't mean Boris' much championed 'wiff-waff'. The proposal from Senior NFL officials (seen below) provisionally includes the staging of NFL regular season american football games at the Olympic Stadium, with exploration into the formation of a London franchise to be undertaken (presumably named 'The Allies'). Before you grab for the brown paper bag, I must clarify that though discussions have been "encouraging", they are still very primitive in nature and described only as "exploratory".

(presumably taken during negotiations -
Boris can be seen 3 from the right)

Still, the whole affair baffles me... I mean how on Boris' glistening wet otter ridden, picaninnies inhabited, zoink of an Earth did the NFL officials have any idea what was actually said during these liaisons?  and furthermore, does BoJo actually know what he's signing his beloved capital up for? The glitzy and brash 'Gridiron' would have been somewhat usurped by rugger, fives, pony club trails, and homoeroticism, during his Etonion and Balliol days.

I appreciate the interest from State-side: to expand the global audience, and generate obese quantities of dollar - much as the Premiership has been doing over there. Afterall, it's been a disappointingly successful experiment at the home of football (no, not the Sports Direct Arena), in which on all six occasions, NFL match-ups have sold out Wembley; something the national association football team regularly fails to do. In fact, such has been the popularity of these events, that London has even been touted as "the natural home of American Football outside the United States" - the UK being the obvious choice given our appreciation of US culture, lack of domestically developed sports, proximity to NFL HQ, and overall aptitude for the game - Clearly, Canada doesn't fit the bill. Overall though, where does this proposition, or unguarded economics in general, fit into the British legacy of the games?

(Barry Hearn: Leyton Orient Chairman
  & agent provocateur to Ronnie O' Sullivan)

It has been well publicised that securing the Olympic Stadium's future has, and continues to be, fraught with trouble; however have politicians become so desperate they we need to sell(out) abroad? THE beautiful game, a game which we Brits actually shared with the world (stupidly), has been desperate for a new facility in London for a number of years. Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, and Leyton Orient (famed as one of the biggest clubs in Leyton; and something to do with their owner), have all expressed a desire to take up residency.

I am not endorsing any particular football club's bid, however I do support the overall ideology. Football is much more in keeping with the Games' legacy than 60 overweight men, laden with pads and paychecks, chasing a peculiar shaped ball for 60 mins; but at 20 second intervals. Let's be frank, nothing is more steeped in modern British culture than football, and as the Olympics were presented as the essence of contemporary British-ness (thank you Mr Boyle (not Frankie)), there's an argument to say they should stay that way. I appreciate that this intangible notion of national identity is dated, but many, as I do, believe this summer's games captured 'it' (what ever 'it' is) - i'm hoping Russell Brand's eccentric performance was the exception.

Opinion will doubtless be divided on this subject (it may apply to both aforementioned items but i'm currently referring to the Games' legacy, not Russell Brand), but the Olympic stadium has the chance to remain a sanctity of sport, quintessentially British, and opposed to yet further bland corporatism (I appreciate the World's biggest McDonalds was/is sited in Olympic Park) - A national treasure in the mould of Dublin's Croke Park perhaps? Wembley, the Millenium Dome, as well as countless other venues, have all bowed to financial might; hosting gigs, concerts, NFL and so on... and I see no reason for this to discontinue, afterall I do understand the financial necessity in doing so. But surely this market is saturated now!? can there really be sufficient demand to support a further globalised arena in London? There must be a risk the Olympic Stadium would only be stealing business away from incumbent facilities that have become so dependent on it; and thus there MAY even be an economic argument for limiting the Olympic arena's additional usage.

West Ham United's proposal as a multi-purpose sports facility is favourite to win out when the final decision is delivered in December; and given correct additional usage and sanctity of the stadium name (no one wants to see the 'Mates Condoms Arena'), this could be an appropriate outcome. A club that represents East London would be guaranteed it's base in the East-End; and, in addition, the retention of the athletics track would provide a high-profile athletics arena going forward, as well as retain an ounce of the spirit of the games...

BUT I do not think it fitting, or in keeping with the legacy, to see this diluted by nightly performances from P-Diddley & his hippedy-hop cronies, or by Janet Jackson exposing her wobbley bits.. and as for NFL, "there's a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know whether we're ready, are we ready? No we're*insert profanity* not!".

I would appreciate your feedback on this self-indulgent splurge... please provide writing to the details below.

BC
Twitter: @BobbyCowsill
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/262906063816351/

Team GB

German cuisine, canned laughter, Sergio Busquets, the Euro, the Isle of Wight, consistent weather, people who push in, Skoda, modern ‘music’, foreign languages, re-branding, health and safety regulations, foreplay, and Olympic football; are all facets of life that the average Britain has turned his/her back on.

Certain factors have tried to entice the Brits round - Bratwurst, Friends, Las Ketchup, Rosetta Stone, and Aviva’s ‘Greeeeeeen Arrrrrrrmy’ adverts to name a few - but it is likely that only the splendid victory over the French in the bid for the 2012 Olympics will ultimately succeed.

The entry of a Team GB into this summer’s Games, the first appearance since 1972, is sure to provide the English with an antidote to their Euro 2012 failure; and present the Welsh with a rare chance to challenge for international honours - in an event that doesn’t involve an all male choir. For these reasons alone, expect Olympic football to move into the realms of ‘mildly interesting’.

(For those non-Scots...)

Sadly this may not apply to Britain’s most northerly third, whom following Andy Murray’s withdrawal for a severely ruptured ego, have no representatives within the Team GB Olympic football squad - another summer of caber-tossing, golf and Buckfast in the park awaits then.

Stuart ‘Psycho’ Pearce’s omission of any Scottish players is bewildering on a number of levels; namely the alienation of a huge slice of Britain, and the further expression of the Anglo-centric opinion that Scottish players are inferior goods - Bannan, Forrest and Rhodes can all feel rightly aggrieved about their non-consideration.

Still, this potential flash point pales into insignificance against the exclusion of former footballer, full-time celebrity, and soon to be Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, David Robert Beckham.

(Left - Capello, Right- Postman pat)

Following the announcement in early June that Beckham had been included in the provisional squad of 35 players ‘going for gold’, I think many, including myself, felt his inclusion was a mere formality. Beckham had been a focal point of both the 2012 Olympic bid, and the unsuccessful World Cup bid, and thus the Games was billed as the perfect swansong for the former England Captain – having been somewhat unceremoniously dumped by Postman Pat double, Fabio Capello, in 2009.

Stuart Pearce however, being the man that took the helm for a solitary England game and selected his own captain (I’m not saying he’s egocentric), thought otherwise; choosing instead to take Craig Bellamy, Ryan Giggs, and Micah Richards as the over 23 year old contingent.

There is clear logic behind the inclusions of Welsh duo Bellamy and Giggs - nationality, availability, and their ability to play on the left-hand side all contributors – but man-mountain, Richards, place is more contentious. Not many parties doubt his ability (despite a hideous tackle in Team GB’s defeat to Brazil), and he could be considered unfortunate to have missed out on a place in the senior squad for Euro 2012, but he has a promising international future ahead of him... Beckham’s last chance is now.

With David Beckham you don’t just get a footballer, you get a brand... It’s that sprinkling of stardust that makes the Olympics so captivating; think Bolt, Phelps, Cavendish, and Eric the Eel. Although there is no ‘footballing reason’ why ‘thunder thighs’ shouldn’t attend, economically it is nonsense.

On 18 July 2012 the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games withdrew 500,000 tickets for the football; with only 250,000 to be redistributed. Based on the fact the majority of removed tickets are for the ‘cheap seats’, at a price of £20 (and not including associated consumer expenditure), that’s a revenue loss of circa £5 million. With ticket purchase so slow, the Olympic football tournament is crying out for a crowd pleaser like David Beckham, and frankly I doubt even Micah Richard’s family will bother turning up to witness him in the lavish new Team GB strip.

Beckham is a ready-made billboard, and the Olympics will suffer from his exclusion... not to mention all 5 tax paying members of the public.

It should be noted however, that despite all this talk of finances, David Beckham should not be written off as a footballer; in fact, his argument for inclusion on ability alone is compelling. Tournament football is about moments - Welbeck’s back heel against Sweden, Balotelli’s stunning 2^nd against Germany, and Alba’s lung-busting run and strike for Spain; all key to their team’s success in Euro 2012 – and what better dead ball exponent in the world is there than Beckham? (bar Juninho Pernambucano, Pirlo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rogerio Ceni (GK), Sneijder... Ian Harte (apologies’ for the display of pedantry)).

In addition, whereas the rest of the GB squad is betwixt fixtures, David Beckham is in the height of LA Galaxy’s ‘regular season’... meaning fitness is unlikely to be an issue. His form has been strong too, having scored three times in the MLS in his last two outings (granted, even Heskey could score in the MLS); the pick of the goals coming against the Portland Timbers (see below). 

As a final thought, will Giggs and co be giving it their all? Will they be over exerting themselves? Piling into 50/50 challenges? I very much doubt it given that the new Premier League season is on the horizon. David Beckham would doubtless have given everything for the cause, and that may well have made Team GB a more formidable outfit; at least more steely – something that Friday night’s performance, be it in a friendly, severely lacked.

Still, putting disappointments aside, the 18 men who will represent Team GB in their quest for a bronze medal will be as follows: -

Jack Butland (Birmingham), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough);

Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham), Craig Dawson (West Brom), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Neil Taylor (Swansea), James Tomkins (West Ham);

Joe Allen (Swansea), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Southampton), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Scott Sinclair (Swansea);

Craig Bellamy (Liverpool), Marvin Sordell (Bolton), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)

Let’s see if their performances can change the British mind-set towards Olympic football for the future. 

Thanks for reading

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BC

@BobbyCowsill

Facebook Group 'If that had gone in, it would have been a goal' (don't mix up with a similar fb page)

Links: -

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/9405536/London-2012-Olympics-500000-football-tickets-removed-to-ensure-full-stadiums.html