And so it begins
Posted by Nik Myles on Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Pre-season friendlies. Milk bottle legs in shorts, open-toed sandals, and a realisation that PSF's are all a bit disappointing.
Or, last night at the Bright Finance Stadium, rain coats, umbrellas, and a footballing education by Johnny Foreigner.
Sheffield never tire of telling you they are the Oldest Club In The World. Fair play to 'em. Although that does ignore Edingburgh's claim. Off the back of a not insubstantial PR effort around their 150th anniversary, they boast very healthy crowds, and in recent times have played some mightily impressive names. Witness tonight's game against Ferenvacaros (hereafter known as Feren, cos I can't be arsed) You'd think, then, that they might stretch to a social club or something. But nope. Instead, the only viable option is the Coach and Horses pub outside the ground. Not of itself a bad thing. In the normal run of things, you'd rou'd recommedn this pub as a wonderful thing. Except, it isn't a pre-match boozer, and anyone expecting the traditional spit n sawdust operation will be sorely disappointed. Not only that, but it is pitifully small to cope with the crowds Sheffield manage to pull. Which means that any seasoned visitor regrettably gives the place a wide bearth.
My last visit here, with Retford, was a rather feisty affair, as most derby-like affairs tend to be. Since then, Club have slashed their playing budget, and many of the familiar faces have moved on. But one thing that hasn't changed is the ground. Ridiculously laid out at the far side, with no route behind the dugouts, all traffic passes through the only covered standing area, leading to all manner of chaos at half time. Thankfully, it wasn't an issue tonight. But mark my words, it is a (mild) disaster waiting to happen.
For a team used to playing in an 18000 capacity stadium, the leafy backdrop of the Bright Finance Stadium must be a bit of a shock.This seemingly random fixture comes about because of a tie-in between Sheffield United, who play their reserve games at the BFG, and tonight's visitors. It also explains the number of not-particularly-Hungarian-sounding names on the team sheet.
It is a matter of much mirth for rival fans that Sheffield don't actually play their football in Sheffield, or for that matter, Yorkshire. The Bright Finance Stadium is actually in Dronfield, on the Derbyshire side of the country border. Thus, the choice of this season's shirt sponsor raised a smile with this correspondent at least.
Sheffield started the game quite strongly, and the contrasting styles were evident from the outset. Feren seemed comfortable on the ball, and passed it around nicely, whilst Club were far more direct, getting the ball upfront quickly. This method benefited them halfway through the first half, as the visitors struggled to cope with Club's physicality upfront, and took the lead. They continued to pepper the goal for the next five or ten minutes, before the class of the visitors came into play. By the time half time came, Feren were 3-1 up and coasting.
The second half was more of the same, and although Sheff kept the score respectable, this was as much to do with the obligatory glut of substitutions as it was stout defending. Had Sheff understood that giving the ball to a young lad called Jordan Eagers made them a much better side, who knows what might have happened. Remember the name. He may never play for England, but he'll play for better teams than Sheffield FC.
Or, last night at the Bright Finance Stadium, rain coats, umbrellas, and a footballing education by Johnny Foreigner.
Sheffield never tire of telling you they are the Oldest Club In The World. Fair play to 'em. Although that does ignore Edingburgh's claim. Off the back of a not insubstantial PR effort around their 150th anniversary, they boast very healthy crowds, and in recent times have played some mightily impressive names. Witness tonight's game against Ferenvacaros (hereafter known as Feren, cos I can't be arsed) You'd think, then, that they might stretch to a social club or something. But nope. Instead, the only viable option is the Coach and Horses pub outside the ground. Not of itself a bad thing. In the normal run of things, you'd rou'd recommedn this pub as a wonderful thing. Except, it isn't a pre-match boozer, and anyone expecting the traditional spit n sawdust operation will be sorely disappointed. Not only that, but it is pitifully small to cope with the crowds Sheffield manage to pull. Which means that any seasoned visitor regrettably gives the place a wide bearth.
My last visit here, with Retford, was a rather feisty affair, as most derby-like affairs tend to be. Since then, Club have slashed their playing budget, and many of the familiar faces have moved on. But one thing that hasn't changed is the ground. Ridiculously laid out at the far side, with no route behind the dugouts, all traffic passes through the only covered standing area, leading to all manner of chaos at half time. Thankfully, it wasn't an issue tonight. But mark my words, it is a (mild) disaster waiting to happen.
For a team used to playing in an 18000 capacity stadium, the leafy backdrop of the Bright Finance Stadium must be a bit of a shock.This seemingly random fixture comes about because of a tie-in between Sheffield United, who play their reserve games at the BFG, and tonight's visitors. It also explains the number of not-particularly-Hungarian-sounding names on the team sheet.
It is a matter of much mirth for rival fans that Sheffield don't actually play their football in Sheffield, or for that matter, Yorkshire. The Bright Finance Stadium is actually in Dronfield, on the Derbyshire side of the country border. Thus, the choice of this season's shirt sponsor raised a smile with this correspondent at least.
Sheffield started the game quite strongly, and the contrasting styles were evident from the outset. Feren seemed comfortable on the ball, and passed it around nicely, whilst Club were far more direct, getting the ball upfront quickly. This method benefited them halfway through the first half, as the visitors struggled to cope with Club's physicality upfront, and took the lead. They continued to pepper the goal for the next five or ten minutes, before the class of the visitors came into play. By the time half time came, Feren were 3-1 up and coasting.
The second half was more of the same, and although Sheff kept the score respectable, this was as much to do with the obligatory glut of substitutions as it was stout defending. Had Sheff understood that giving the ball to a young lad called Jordan Eagers made them a much better side, who knows what might have happened. Remember the name. He may never play for England, but he'll play for better teams than Sheffield FC.
Tags: "sheffield" "ferenvacaros" "psf"
