[Rene Artois]

Awaywego wrote:

7 teams have now declined their invite for the NL cup, any idea why there must be reason.

“ A statement from the club confirmed:

Hartlepool United Football Club have declined the invitation to play in the 2025-26 National League Cup

Following thorough internal discussions, the Club have decided to decline entering this season’s National League Cup.

The focus and priority remain on achieving success in the league.”

Concerns surrounding the National League Cup centre on fixture congestion, the cost of staging games, poor attendances, injury risks, and the added pressure on already stretched squads – all against the backdrop of an already demanding schedule. “

Hartlepool Utd FC in the Nonleaguepaper 14/07/25

[Rene Artois]

How about – son of Rio?

Lorenz Ferdinand GK

Rio – Duran (for the benefit of our younger readers / posters)

[Rene Artois]

Vitruvian Keeper

If a Vitruvian Keeper covers 24% of the goal – then how ‘good’ does our keeper really need to be?

The ‘Rio’ Keeper:
‘With a step to your left and a flick to the right you catch that ball because your the best’ – Duran Duranish

Rio – Duran Duran

[Rene Artois]

It’s a rest day tomorrow – yet they’ll still be putting the miles in… or else their legs will seize up.

[Rene Artois]

Another amazing stage!
It’s obvious I’m the only person who has any interest in the TdF… however, I’d recommend watching the highlights.
Unbelievable – four and a half hours of cycling… I moan when I’m on a flight above four hours!

[Rene Artois]

Budget.

Match winners – Whitehall, CR10
Match saver – keeper

Take your pick.

I’m happy to have 2 match winners and a ‘development’ keeper.

A keeper won’t win you a game.

He’s big enough, he’ll grow in to it as the games go by.

[Rene Artois]

lesgeo wrote:

I refer to people going around the ground with a basket – or whatever – delivering snacks to the 90% who really don’t wanna queue.

Happens at footy games in Spain.

25 years ago, I was a season ticket holder for many years at the local Rugby Union club.
They did this (food) AND beer / lager way back then!

[Rene Artois]

lesgeo wrote:

I sent this to JM.

They trawl this site – many an ‘idea’ has been lifted & implemented from here.
It’s a powerful platform.

[Rene Artois]

8 categorised climbs today.
I wonder if Ben Healy (not one of mine) may end up in yellow tonight? He’s 3m:55s to make up.

[Rene Artois]

Italy 3-1 Spain
He’s like Spiderman of tennis!

[Rene Artois]

Sinner about to serve for the match.

[Rene Artois]

SODIron wrote:

“this is a make or break season”

20th or better will be success this season!
Let’s not over burden the players, manager, staff and directors.
We are rebuilding after the catastrophic dominionship of Swann & WHAM!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Sanfran49

[Rene Artois]

The Final

World no1 v no2

Sinner v Alcaraz

Italy v Spain

Heads or Tails?

I’m going to go with Sinner – he’s played half the number of games this year… so should be fresher.

Alcaraz; he’s like Borg, Federer… great player!

3-2 Sinner for me?

[Rene Artois]

Everest = 8,850m

TdF vertical gain = 51,550m

6 and a bit Everests ‘climbed’ over the 21 days!

I lost another rider today, João Almeida.
He was involved in a crash on Friday; he completed Saturday but abandoned today.
Why? – he broke ribs in the crash on Friday!

Proper men of steel.

[Rene Artois]

I’m sure they’ll bring in another keeper before the big off.
It’s probably most likely that he’ll be from the ‘bargain bucket dump bin’ to fit the budget?

[Rene Artois]

billpuntonsghost wrote:

The management team are to blame and should reassess their stance.

Or, is it the Directorial team?

Swann & WHAM left us as the Impecunious Iron.

Budget or Bust?

[Rene Artois]

Perhaps Stan’s hands are tied? The black piggy bank may be saying neigh.

[Rene Artois]

Good luck young un. Go for it!

2 users thanked author for this post.

Iron-awe, Deereyme66

[Rene Artois]

Time to back Campbell now then!

[Rene Artois]

MK Iron wrote:

He was the second best player on show on Tuesday night after Ewing.

Given the next best 2 on show were Frod’s 7 and 9 then he at least deserves another game or two. He has pace which is exactly what made Mo a good option.

Carlton can move but pace is not an asset for Whitehall, Beck, Beestin, Dawson or Howe.

Have a look at AF’s 7 & 9 in training with us?

[Rene Artois]

1 user thanked author for this post.

Iron-awe

[Rene Artois]

The gullible are easily led.

[Rene Artois]

After today’s little jaunt (2nd longest stage on this year’s tour); Van der Poel pulls on the Yellow again… he now has a 1 second lead in the GC over Pog.

At least they’ll get a cooling sea breeze during stage 7 tomorrow.

[Rene Artois]

Wow, what a great stage!
Congratulations to the Irish lad, Ben Healy… what a ride that was!
Awesome!

[Rene Artois]

It’s a hard stage today – or, did yesterdays TT take a lot out of some of the riders?

With 60 miles and 4 climbs still to go, they are currently in 6 distinct groups.
The last group currently being 10 minutes behind those at the head of the course.

[Rene Artois]

I also brought JOHANNESSEN in to my team in my transfer melee this morning.

[Rene Artois]

Awaywego wrote:

Butler has said he’s open to entering the NL cup, 5 others already declined “if there’s a grubby pound to be had our club will seek it.
We dont need them extra games with the thread bare squad we have.

Probably not the most reliable source (Reddit – Sept 2024):

“NL teams will get £10k for participating.
£8k for a group win.
£4k for group draws.
£15k for knockout round wins.
£60k to winners.
£30k runners up.”

4 group games, all at home v U21 teams.
QF, SF, F

So, if you are unlucky enough to play 4 and lose 4, then you only pocket the £10k participation fee.
Home team pockets all Att monies.

We’ve no reserve or U18 team, so why not. A few might need game time?

1 user thanked author for this post.

cassidystash

[Rene Artois]

Iron-awe wrote:

If I knew how I’d post Tour De France by Kraftwerk, that would get the legs pedalling faster.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Iron-awe

[Rene Artois]

Iron-awe wrote:

If I knew how I’d post Tour De France by Kraftwerk, that would get the legs pedalling faster.

Good call !

I’ve just shot myself in the foot.

After yesterday’s TT I decided I wanted to sell one of my big guns and bring a different rider in.

Unfortunately, I accidentally clicked on the wrong rider thus selling someone I wanted to retain.

I then tried to buy back the player I’d just mis-sold – but he wasn’t available for some unknown reason.

Cost me 150 credits (50 credits per sale/purchase) of my 400 game credit allowance to buy back the player I ‘didn’t want’ back.

I only wanted to make the swop as I wanted to bring the talented Vauquelin in to my team. I was prepared to sacrifice my 2nd highest points score in order to make the ‘transfer’ – the lad I wanted to ‘sell’ had a bright start last year and then dropped down the GC… I’m thinking the same will happen this year. He looked awful in the TT yesterday, hence my decision to hit the eject button.

Hopefully the lad I’ve accidentally sold has a stinker today. Then I’ll try to buy him back tomorrow. That’ll cost me another 100 credits… ouch!

NB – I need to retain some credits in case I lose a rider due to injury (already lost one), as you only score points for a complete team of 8 riders.

[Rene Artois]

A cod liver & olive oil diet for Muzzy?
Get them old bones amovin.

[Author]

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