Category Archives: Sport

Oct 25 2013
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Daily Post, Sport

CSKA Moscow fans — shirtless and non-racist

Wednesday 23rd October 2013, 9.45pm (day 790)

CSKA fans, 23/10/13

I am a Brighton & Hove Albion fan but I am also a football fan, I just like going to games whoever is playing. When the work colleague with whom I’ve come to Moscow pointed out that we would be there when CSKA were hosting Manchester City in the Champions League, we decided we would go. She is a City fan but I was neutral in the matter. I just wanted the experience of going to a big game abroad, which I have only ever done once before (Benfica v FC Porto, December 1990).

Experience it definitely was, and a good one. It was also a cold one, below zero for most of it, including the last 15 minutes during which these 200 or so CSKA fans bravely took their shirts off. I apologise for the technical deficiencies of the shot but bear in mind this was taken at an angle, with a very long zoom, through plexiglass.

I should also point out that I have seen stories on my return regarding alleged racist chanting by the CSKA fans. As someone who was actually at the game, neutral, and understands basic Russian, I have to say that these allegations are at best dubious. In my informed and objective opinion there was no ‘racist chanting’ whatsoever evident at this game.

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Feb 19 2012
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Daily Post, Sport Gallery

You’ll Never Walk Alone

Sunday 19th February 2012, 4.25pm (day 178)

The Kop, 19/2/12

I’m not a fan of Liverpool FC – this is obvious from this blog. I do not believe they have some divine right to success, or to be better thought of than other clubs. And today’s result, which I forebear from mentioning here, was disappointing – to say the least.

However, you would have to be a total cynic not to feel a little moved by the sight of the Kop End while ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is playing. I am glad I was able today to pay a visit to one of the truly legendary venues of world football, still here, not yet torn down to be replaced by some identikit stadium on an out-of-town site, better for the moneygrabbers who now determine the course of the sport, but with no history, no soul. Anfield might be cramped, and rather old-fashioned these days, but it definitely has soul. There is no denying it.

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Feb 11 2012
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Daily Post, Sport Gallery

Elland Road

Saturday 11th February 2012, 4.45pm (day 170)

Elland Road, 11/2/12

Twenty years I have lived in Yorkshire. And much as I like the place, and like Leeds as a city, I have SO developed a complex about the fact that my team (Brighton) have not won here since I arrived. Twenty years I have had to put up with last-minute equalisers and condescension from the local Leeds fans. Twenty years I have had to live in the midst of an arrogant fanbase who despite several recent seasons in the third tier still seem to be living on the fact that in the 1970s they may have won a title or two.

Well – NOT TODAY. Today we WON, 2-1 with a last-minute goal – which as this photo is taken, has just gone in. And yes, you could say I’m rather happy this evening.

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Dec 04 2011
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Daily Post, Landscape, Sport Gallery

Reindeer run, Bramham Park, near Wetherby

Sunday 4th December 2011, 11.10am (day 101)

Reindeer run, 4/12/11

So called because all contestants were supposed to go round in a pair of novelty antlers and a flashing red nose. Except that anyone taking it remotely seriously, like these two guys (who finished 3rd and 4th I believe), ditched the accessories before they even started: though the guy in front does appear to still have the nose strapped to his forehead. Maybe it’s even still flashing.

It was damn cold today. And muddy. I know I am in no position to criticise, having spent Friday 3,000 feet up in the first snowdrifts of the winter, but you’ve got to be pretty dedicated to have run round 10km on this rather fierce December Sunday morning. Joe & I said ‘sod it’ after about 15 minutes and waited it out in the car. It was the wife (and assorted in-laws) who took the plaudits today.

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