Manchester United remain at the top of the Premier League after two goals from in form striker Dimitar Berbatov secured a relatively easy victory over Sunderland on Boxing Day..

Local and now title rivals Manchester City also enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 victory against Newcastle at St James’ Park. Gareth Barry scored after just two minutes and Carlos Tevez scored a second after five minutes, to give them a comfortable 2-0 lead. Newcastle continued to fight and scored with 20 minutes of the match remaining, when Andy Carroll headed a goal for the home side home, but Tevez scored again for City to put the game beyond doubt.

Tottenham Hotspur recorded a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa as in form Rafael van der Vaart scored twice. Although Jermain Defoe was sent off, Spurs held on for victory, which sees them keep in touch with the top four teams in the league, and they are now just one point behind Chelsea, who lost 3-1 at Arsenal on Monday night.

Chelsea had won the last five matches between the two sides, but their poor run of form continued as they continued to look out of sorts, lacking flair and inspiration. Arsenal were the deserved winners, and the result will give them a huge confidence boost in their pursuit of the title. Arsenal are now just two points behind United, although they have played a game more.

The race for the Premier League title is probably one of the most interesting for many years, as the dominance to the so called big four, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool seems to have finally been broken.

In the relegation battle Wigan secured a vital 2-1 victory over Wolves, who are now bottom of the league. As West Ham lifted themselves from bottom place when they secured three much needed points with a 3-1 victory against Fulham, who themselves now stand only one point away from the relegation zone.

Bolton’s good season continued after beating West Bromwich Albion 2-0 and they are now in 6th place in the league.

Manchester United eased past Sunderland in their Boxing Day fixture at Old Trafford, to stay top of the Premier League. Two goals from inform striker Dimitar Berbatov, strengthen their position at the top of the league as they are now unbeaten in their 17 league games this season.

The victory gives the Reds a five and six point lead over Arsenal and Chelsea respectively, having played the same amount of games. Arsenal now face Chelsea in the Monday night fixture, which will leave United in an even stronger position as one or both teams will drop more points, which could effectively put them out of the race for the Premier League title.

In a relatively one sided fixture, Manchester United never really looked troubled, as the Sunderland players looked to still be suffering the effects of eating too much Christmas dinner.

Berbatov now moves onto 13 league goals scored this season, as the much criticized Bulgarian looks to have shaken off past troubles, and he is now showing the sort of form that commanded his £30 million transfer fee from Tottenham Hotspur.

United were ahead after just four minutes and it was quite remarkable that they didn’t score several more before half time. The Reds piled on the pressure, hitting the goal posts twice and spurning several goal scoring opportunities, as first Wayne Rooney and then Ryan Giggs missed the chance to put United further in front. Sunderland failed to secure a single shot on target during the first half.

Berbatov scored 5 goals in his last start, and for a while it looked like a repeat performance may have been likely. As he hit the post and narrowly sent a shot into the side netting of the goal, on another day both efforts may have gone in.

Wayne Rooney, who hasn’t scored a goal in open play since last March, looked threatening as United pushed for a second goal to seal the victory. For a while in the second half, it looked as though United would regret those missed opportunities as Sunderland pushed for an equalising goal.

It was United, however, that doubled their lead after 57 minutes, when Berbatov’s shot took a huge deflection off Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand and into his own goal. Berbatov nearly completed his third hat trick of the season late on, but was denied by a good save.

The 2-0 victory was very comfortable for United and despite Wayne Rooney’s goal drought, the void is being filled quite nicely by Berbatov as United look firm favourites to secure another premier league title.

Football fans are extremely passionate and are obsessed with the beautiful game. For any true football fan, wearing their club or countries latest soccer jerseys are a popular trend. However the price of replica kits is now extremely high so football fans search online in the home that they can find great bargains to buy cheap soccer jerseys.

There are many stores who sell soccer jerseys for cheap towards the end of the season, but this is normally because they are soon to be replaced by a brand new football shirt for the following season. Another good way to get discounts on your football kits is to become a member of a soccer fan club or team, so you can get a discounted price enjoyed by their members. Often you can find cheaper prices on soccer kits by following this method.

Or you can search online for stores who sell cheap football shirts at lower prices. Here, you can save up to 50% on the price of replica soccer shirts by buying wholesale soccer items and factory second items. Here, you can find the newest released football shirts with great service, including custom soccer jerseys for both kids and adults.

These stores will ship the item direct to your door so you don’t have to spend time searching in shops. You can find kits for all the best teams including Barcelona, Roma, Sampdoria, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester City took full advantage of their Saturday fixture against West Ham United to move to the top of the Premier league, by beating the Hammers 3-1 at Upton Park. With Chelsea playing Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and Manchester United and Arsenal playing on Monday, City eased to victory thanks to a Yaya Toure strike and a Robert Green own goal, Adam Johnson added a third goal for City to ensure a 3-1 victory, after James Tomkins scored a late consolation goal for the hosts.

The defeat, leaves West Ham bottom of the Premier League, as City are level on points with Arsenal at the top of the league, Arsenal having a superior goal difference. After turbulent week for the Blues with rumours of unrest amongst the players, city fans were singing Roberto Mancini’s name for much of the game.

Aston Villa beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 in the West Midlands derby match, giving Villa their first victory in five games. Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey scored the Villa goals and Paul Scharner scored a late goal for the visitors, moments later West Bromwich could have snatched a dramatic equaliser, but they spurned the opportunity.

Blackpool continued their impressive start in the Premier league with a hard earned 1-0 victory over Stoke, as they moved into 9th place, DJ Campbell scoring the only goal of the game.

Everton and Wigan battled out a 0-0 draw, as did Fulham and Sunderland, which leaves Fulham dangerously perched above the relegation zone only by goal difference.

Saturday’s evening game saw Newcastle secure an empathic 3-1 victory over Liverpool. After a turbulent week on Tyneside, which saw Newcastle sack manager Chris Hughton and appoint Alan Pardew as his replacement, Newcastle fans protested against owner Mike Ashley before the game, the victory went some way to appease the fans, as Newcastle are now in 8th place in the league.

Sunday’s fixtures saw Bolton secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Blackburn. Bolton had Mark Davies sent off and as Blackburn looked to take advantage having the extra man, it was the home team that took the lead through Fabrice Muamba, Mame Diouf equalised but a few seconds later Stuart Holden secured the points with a great volleyed goal, in a pulsating end to the match.

Wolves earned three much needed points with a 1-0 victory over Birmingham, which still sees Wolves in the relegation zone, but Birmingham are now only three points above them. Steven Hunt scored the goal for Wanderers, as they went onto to keep a clean sheet for the first time this season.

Chelsea, who are experiencing their worst run of results for 10 years, drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea enjoyed more of the early possession with little result and they were punished as Spurs took a 1-0 lead through Roman Pavlyuchenko after 15 minutes. Didier Drogba, who had started as a substitute, first proved hero as he scored a second half equaliser and then turned villain as he missed an injury time penalty which could have sealed all three points for Chelsea, who now slip to 4th place in the league.

The Monday night game between Manchester United and Arsenal, sent United back to the top of the Premier league and they are now two points clear with a game in hand. Park Ji-sung scored the all important goal with a first-half header, which proved enough to win the game 1-0. United should have scored more and wasted a host of goal scoring opportunities, including a second-half penalty from Wayne Rooney which he sent over the cross bar. Arsenal were at best disappointing, and are yet again the Gunners are left reflecting on a missed opportunity

The 100th FA (Football Association) Cup Final was played at Wembley Stadium between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City on the 9th May 1981 and a replay was played on the 14th May. It was the replay that will always be remembered as one of the greatest ever FA Cup Finals and certainly be remembered for one of the greatest Cup Final goals.

Both teams had a mediocre league season with Tottenham finishing in 10th position and Manchester City in 12th in the First Division, the teams only being separated by four points. In 1980-81 league seasons league fixtures Manchester City gained 3-1 home victory over Tottenham, while Tottenham were victorious with 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture.

In theory the teams would be evenly matched, and so it proved as the first game ended in a 1-1 draw. The game was significant for Manchester City’s player Tommy Hutchison who had the unenviable accolade of scoring the goals for both teams.

Hutchinson had scored a great header for his own team, Manchester City to give them a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute of the game, but unfortunately he deflected a shot from Tottenham’s Glen Hoddle into the opposite corner of his own goal, eleven minutes before the end of the game, that Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Corrigan would probably easily have saved.

The first game went into extra time but finished 1-1 to set up a replay at Wembley stadium five days later.

The replay was a much better match, with both teams attacking from the start, and Tottenham scored after eight minutes, when Joe Corrigan saved a shot but Ricardo Villa scored an easy goal from the rebound. Three minutes later Manchester City’s Steve MacKenzie scored a fantastic volley to level the scores at 1-1, and the scores remained level at half-time. Glenn Hoddle nearly scored again for Tottenham when his free-kick hit the post, and Joe Corrigan made some good saves for City to keep them in the game.

Four minutes into the second half Manchester City were awarded a penalty, and Kevin Reeves calmly converted the spot kick to give City a 2-1 lead. Tottenham pressed forward in search of an equaliser and had their just rewards after 70 minutes when Garth Crooks slotted home Tottenham’s second goal to level the scores at 2-2.

Six minutes later Ricardo Villa scored the winning goal for Tottenham and possibly one of the best goals ever in an FA Cup Final. Villa collected the ball and glided past three Manchester City defenders in the penalty area as if they weren’t there and he then slotted the ball into the goal passed the out coming goalkeeper. There were six defenders in the penalty area and none could stop Villa scoring the winning goal. Several City players sat on the pitch despondently after the goal, knowing they had been beaten by an outstanding display of football.

The 3-2 victory was the sixth time that Tottenham had won the FA Cup, and it will always be remembered for Ricardo Villa’s outstanding goal.

Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur entertained Irish Premier League winners Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League group match at White Hart Lane and despite the anticipated gulf in quality between the two teams, Tottenham survived a scare after they fell a goal behind early into the second half, but Spurs regained their composure to secure a comfortable victory in the end, while Rovers dream of recording one of their most memorable victories was shattered.

The visiting fans were jubilant just five minutes into the second half when Shamrock Rovers took the lead, following a free kick which Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini could only parry the ball which then fell to Gary Twigg on the edge of the penalty area and his shot was helped into the goal by Stephen Rice.

The prospect of Rovers recording one of their greatest ever results and one of the biggest shocks in European football in recent times lasted for another ten minutes before Tottenham’s Roman Pavlyuchenko, who scored his first goal of the season, and then Jermain Defoe both scored with headers within two minutes of each other, regaining control of the game, Giovani dos Santos then scored a third goal five minutes later to ensure the victory for Spurs.

Tottenham had made ten changes to their team which beat Wigan on Saturday, probably with one eye on their weekend Premier League fixture against North London rivals Arsenal, although Aaron Lennon’s return from injury will have boosted the team. Spurs showed their superiority during a goalless first half and the home team were denied goals, firstly a save from Rovers goalkeeper Richard Brush saw a Jermain Defoe shot hit the crossbar, and then an effort from Danny Rose hit the crossbar as well.

As expected, Brush was kept very busy in the Rovers goal as he also made great saves from Dos Santos and then Pavlyuchenko, who also saw an effort cleared off the goal line, but despite their dominance, Tottenham were unable to secure an advantage.

Despite Spurs dominance, this was an entertaining game with the prospect of a huge European upset. The visiting fans certainly enjoyed their evening as they out shouted and out sung the home fans throughout the game. Former Tottenham player Rohan Ricketts to came on as a Rovers substitute with twenty minutes of the game remaining and he was given a good ovation by the home fans. Tottenham are now in second place in their Europa League group, while Shamrock Rovers await their first points of the campaign.

Sheffield United

Odds: 5000/1

Last Five Seasons

2005/06 – 2 (Championship, Promoted), 2004/05 – 8 (Championship), 2003/04 – 8 (Championship),

2002/03 – 3 (Championship), 2001/02 – 13 (Championship).

2005/06 Cup Progress

FA Cup Third Round vs Colchester United (h) – lost 2-1.

Carling Cup Third Round vs Reading (a) – lost 2-0.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Neil Shipperley (striker) – 11 goals.

Players In

Claude Davis (Preston North End – £2,500,000), Rob Hulse (Leeds United – £2,200,000), Mikele Leigertwood (Crystal Palace – £600,000), Chris Lucketti (Preston North End – £300,000), David Sommeil (Manchester City – Free), Li Tie (Everton – Free), Christian Nade (Troyes – Free), Ian Bennett (Leeds United – Free).

Players Out

Bruce Dyer (Doncaster Rovers – Free), Simon Francis (Southend United – Free), Luke Beckett (Huddersfield Town – Free), Gary Mulligan (Gillingham – Free), Phil Barnes (Grimsby Town – Free), Jonathan Forte (Doncaster Rovers – Loan), Kevan Hurst (Chesterfield – Loan), Ian Ross (Notts County – Loan), Brian Dean (Released), Gary Flitcroft (Released).

Sheffield United returned to the top flight after a 12 year absence, but manager Neil Warnock will have his work cut out to ensure their arrival lasts longer than just a single season.

The Blades have spent the most money of the three promoted clubs, buying in the best Championship talent money can buy, along with a few shrewd free transfers of players who have experience at Premiership level.

Warnock enjoys having a plethora of strikers to choose from and with five senior forwards already available, Warnock signed another two this summer. Leeds United striker Rob Hulse signed in a deal which could rise from an initial £2.2 million to £3 million. Hulse scored 14 goals for Kevin Blackwell’s side last season. French striker Christian Nade signed a three year deal at the club following spells at Troyes and Le Havre.

Following Preston North End’s almost watertight defence last season, they became the subject of a £2.8 million joint raid for duo Claude Davis and veteran Chris Lucketti, while Manchester City defender David Sommeil joined the club on a free transfer. Sommeil cost City £3.4 million three years ago but was restricted to just 17 appearances last season.

Sheffield United signed China international Li Tie following his release from Everton. After joining the club three years ago on a permanent basis he missed the past two campaigns through injury. Crystal Palace defender Mikele Leigertwood arrived in £600,000 deal.

Verdict

The Blades have invested heavily in new players but it will all be in vain. Back Neil Warnock’s side with confidence to go down at 8/13.

So with Christmas coming soon and the ever popular birthday presents, many people look to football as good source of gift ideas for their football mad children. This really is a good place to look for gifts as these kinds of gifts can be used regularly and are gift that your children will really love.

Find below what we think are three top gifts that can be bought for children who enjoy playing and watching football.

New Football Boots

If there is one aspect of football that gets children excited it is having the latest football boots and also the football boots that the best players from the team they support are wearing. So if you find out who their favourite player is and buy them the same boots as they are wearing then you are sure to have a sure fired hit of a gift. Try to make sure that you get them the correct size but if you get the wrong one make sure that you keep the receipt to exchange them.

If you want to get a nice stocking filler gift that is related to football boots, then you can get them a football boot cleaning kit with polish as this will encourage them to keep them clean which will make them last longer.

New Football Shirt

There is no better gift than getting your son or daughter a new football shirt of the football team they support. So if they support Tottenham Hotspur’s then you will want to buy them the official Tottenham Hotspur shirt, you just need to make sure that you get the right shirt or they will not be happy.

To make it a bit more personal to them you can also get their surname and lucky number printed on the back of the shirt as this can be a really nice personal touch to a great gift.

Football Match Ticket

A lovely gift that we are a big fan of is to buy two tickets to a football match of the team they support and to accompany them to the game. Traditionally for a father and son this can be a great gift, moreover it is a very good way to bond with your child as well. Live football creates a great atmosphere and it can be remarkable way to inspire your child to train hard in their football.

These are just some simple gift ideas but as long as you get the right team, then they are definitely going to be successful gifts for your children.

Stamford Bridge

Most soccer teams have an emotional link to their home stadium, but the history of few teams and stadiums are as intertwined as that of Chelsea FC and Stamford Bridge, their London home. Built in 1877, Stamford Bridge was an athletics track until 1905 when two brothers (HA and JT Mears) purchased it with the intention of attracting an existing team to play there.  When this plan failed, they decided to take the bull by the horns and create their own team – Chelsea FC.

And so began 100 years of soccer history with many ups and downs along the way.

The Story Of The Blues

Chelsea Football Club was officially formed on March 14 1905 in The Rising Sun public house opposite the main entrance to the current stadium. A few weeks later, the team joined the Second Division of the growing Soccer League, and they played their first game (against Stockport County) on May 29, 1905.

A long, uneventful period followed and it was not until 1955 that Chelsea won their first league title. Initially nicknamed «The Pensioners» after the nearby Royal Hospital (home of army pensioners), an early manager thought it gave the wrong impression – and ever since, Chelsea have been known as «The Blues».

The swinging 60s made Chelsea the fashionable heart of London, but the success of the surrounding area was not duplicated on the field at Stamford Bridge. The team did become known off the pitch for their fashionable clothes, accessories, and

celebrity lifestyles and the club enjoyed a certain celebrity in the media during this period. The trophy cabinet however remained largely empty, and although Chelsea came close with an FA Cup final loss in 1967, the only major success of the decade was winning their first League Cup in 1965.

Things Can Only Get Better

Matters did not improve during the 1970s and 80s, with the team dipping in and out of the Second Division and serious financial difficulties leading to the sale of star players.

At the club’s lowest financial point, the Mears family were forced to sell the club to new owner Ken Bates for a price of $2 USD (yes two dollars!). The passionate supporters of Chelsea stayed loyal however, and some of the players from this

troubled era ranked among the best in England. Notable among the players of this period are the team’s famous goalkeeper Peter Bonetti, who played for the team 729 times between 1959 and 1979, and striker Peter Osgood who scored 150 goals in 380 appearances between 1964 and 1979.

Although Jimmy Greaves became better known for his later career at Tottenham Hotspur, he started playing soccer at Chelsea, scoring in his debut game (a feat he repeated with every team he subsequently played for). In 1960, aged 20, Greaves became

the youngest player ever to score 100 English league goals, and his 1960-61 tally of 41 league goals remains a record at Chelsea to this very day.

Turning Point

The 1990s saw Chelsea slowly but surely establish themselves as a major force in English and European soccer as Ken Bates funded the purchase of several world-class players

including Dutch superstar Ruud Gullit (from Sampdoria) and goal-scoring supremo Mark Hughes (from Manchester United). With Gullit in his first season as player-manager, Chelsea won their first trophy for 26 years when they beat Middlesborough to win the FA Cup in 1997.

The shock departure of Gullit in 1998 led to the appointment of another player-manager, the Italian striker Gianluca Vialli, and the development of the squad continued to bring some success with an FA Cup win in 2000, shortly followed by Vialli’s dismissal. Consequently, his successor, Claudio Ranieri, was in charge of a squad that many commentators felt was of good quality and depth, but under performing, when the turning point in Chelsea’s fortunes occurred.

The new dawn for Chelsea broke when the club was purchased by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003. He immediately opened his sizeable check book  to the club management, who spent over $150 million on an injection of new talent including

Claude Makélélé, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole and Damien Duff.

Unfortunately, the investment produced no trophies, and new manager José Mourinho was drafted in from Portugal for the 2004 season. Mourinho made an immediate impression, not only on the Chelsea team but on English soccer in general, and his drive and ambition combined with Ambramovich’s fortune have transformed the fortunes of Chelsea.

Chelsea Today

Today, Chelsea boasts an amazing array of top players: Echoing the early popularity of Peter Bonetti, goalkeeper Petr Cech is rated by many as the #1 ‘keeper in the Premiership and one of the best in the world. Still aged only 23, he made his debut in his native Czech Republic when he was only 19. Captain John

Terry is respected as one of the most tenacious defenders in the Premiership and his dedication and consistency earned him the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) Player of the Year award. At only 24, Chelsea hopes he will be around to carry on the good work for a few years yet.

In the midfield, Frank Lampard is a massive favourite with the fans. A tireless midfielder of great stamina, Lampard plays 90 minutes of end-to-end soccer every game and opposition teams know he can pop up anywhere on the pitch at any time, moving the ball up field from defence one moment, then scoring goals – 13 of them last season – the next. Although Lampard has been with Chelsea since 2001, it is only in the last two seasons

that he has really developed into a world-class player – a change that manager José Mourinho can take credit for. While vice-captain Lampard narrowly missed out on the PFA Player of the Year award, he has had the satisfaction of being

Chelsea’s own Player of the Year for 2004 and 2005.

A Record Breaking Season

Hardly surprising then that 2005 saw Chelsea win only their second-ever League title, a mere 50 years after winning their first! But this was just one element of what was the most successful year in Chelsea’s history, with them also winning the League Cup and breaking a number of records for a 38 game season:

• Highest points total for a Premiership season (95)
• Most wins (29)
• Fewest goals against (15)
• Most games with no goals against (25)

While it will be very difficult for Chelsea – or any other team – to produce a season that can

rival 2004-5 in terms of trophy wins and records, there can be no mistaking the intention of the club’s owners, management team and players to stay at the very top of the English Premiership for as long as possible, and they have started

this year with the kind of passion and success that is likely to lead to another great season for fans of «The Blues».

A Force To Be Reckoned With

No matter how unsuccessful the team has been in the past, Chelsea has always enjoyed the loyal support of local fans, but the recent success of the team means that today Chelsea is an internationally recognized soccer team and a major business with many facets.

The Chelsea FC online megastore now ships Chelsea-related soccer apparel, leisurewear, souvenirs, books and videos around the world. Their multi-lingual ordering hotline is just one indication of how internationally successful the Chelsea

«brand» has become.

The club’s sponsorship deal with Samsung is even bigger than Manchester United’s Vodaphone deal, bringing additional income to a club that is already generously funded by its owner and benefactor. Indeed, some commentators are now expressing concern that perhaps the Chelsea squad is too dominant, that perhaps the team is too well funded. But after so many years in the doldrums, you can be sure that today’s Chelsea fans are delighted they have «The Blues».

About The Author

Imagine with me, if you will, the image of football’s future at a restaurant. Worry not, we are not looking at a fast food joint during a major tournament, the gaudy images of Disney characters doing scissor kicks is not welcome here. I am, of course, speaking metaphorically. Within our scene we see a top table, reserved for the best, the more sizeable contingent. Here we see our Real Madrid’s and Barcelona’s, our Manchester United’s and Chelsea’s, our Milanese giants. We look on as they stuff more into there already full mouths, chairs buckling beneath weighty posteriors, crumbs and excess falling to the ground around their feet. As we look down we see a sight that is unpleasant for anyone to view. The once great powers of Paris St Germain, Ajax and Celtic are scrambling to claim what they can from the slurry, enough maybe to see out starvation for just one more season. Is this the way our game is headed?

There is a gulf beginning to open; an expanse which will seemingly become harder and harder to bridge. The divide of which I speak is that between the various leagues under the weighty jurisdiction of the UEFA. As the big guns get fatter, those of lower stature become increasingly separated. The football associations of leagues such as Scotland, Belgium and Holland can only look on in awe as their bulkier neighbours enjoy increased sponsorship revenue, an influx of the cream of players from around the globe and as a result, greater worldwide coverage.

When the news of the English Premiership last week agreeing a television rights deal that will result in even the side finishing last at the end of the season pocketing £30 million, an equal sum to that which Chelsea received for their Championship winning term last year, the emphasis on the increasing gulf became all the more clear. So what does the future hold for side’s in leagues aside from the ‘Big 3’ of England, Italy and Spain?

Scottish football has now reached a juncture at which the league championship has become increasingly insignificant. Without doubt there will be fireworks, champagne and Tenants Super a-plenty at Parkhead when the inevitable occurs, but by many Bhoys supporters will concede that the ease at which their side continually win the championship does diminish the achievement to an extent. It now seems that Celtic and Rangers now focus their attentions more upon European competition than domestic.

This in itself creates a vicious circle. A cyclone that reduces the worthiness a various country’s domestic programmes, the upshot of this will ultimately render the teams effected occupying the unenviable position of having their finances, potential purchases and competitiveness marginalised. The effects of this, which many may argue we are already experiencing, could be catastrophic.

The richer the ‘big three’ leagues of England, Spain and Italy become, the harder it will become for those following to keep pace. Over the past decade this effect has become prevalent. Using the Champions League as an example, only twice in the past ten years have sides away from the ‘elite’ brought home the famous trophy. Taking this into consideration looking forwards, surely the chasm that divides will only widen, possibly to the extent to which long established leagues from countries like the Netherlands, Scandinavia and possibly even France become little more than feeder leagues to those who have established financial superiority.

The question that must be addressed is what can be done about this issue? Having recently succeeded UEFA stalwart Lennart Johansson, former France captain Michel Platini has many difficult tasks in his new role as president of the organisation, but I foresee this issue to be of huge importance in keeping the sport in the possession of the people.

The issue has been previously debated heavily in the Netherlands. At some point over the past ten years, all of the nations three most successful clubs (Ajax Amsterdam, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven have voiced their desire to potentially leave the Dutch Championship as, similarly to in with the Old Firm sides of Scotland, they feel that they can gain nothing more from this competition.

Although this has not yet materialised, talk has been apparent of a merger between such leagues. Using the working title of a ‘Northern European Superleague’ it was voiced that an alliance as the title confers could give teams in this predicament a new lease of life. The new league could theoretically be as strong as any other whilst simultaneously enabling the clubs involved to fulfil the potential they posses, a potential really only denied previously due to a geographical misfortune.

The Ajax’s, Celtic’s and Anderlecht’s from across the continent would welcome this with open arms. It would instantly grant the prospective clubs money making opportunities that they had never experienced before. It has long been the argument of many Old Firm supporters that their beloved clubs would be as big as any south of the border if the competition so allowed, this could be the chance to prove this bold claim to be true.

Overall, bigger games week-in-week-out would produce more media interest, in turn gate receipts could improve, sponsorship deals fatten, and those who are now forced to sell to survive could begin to buy into a galactico class of player. Basically, everybody’s happy.

Or so you would think.

On the other side of the fence, the side where the grass is lush and the lawnmower is shiny. The side of the fence onto which the ball has been kicked, on this side we will find that the current occupants would rather the status quo remains.

For starters, we must appreciate that the power in football is held by the mighty. UEFA remain the organising and decision making entity, but the English FA, the Spanish LFP and Italian FIGC and the recently formed G14 conglomerate of clubs hold many of the Aces.

If we look at the situation from this perspective, we can easily see why the fattest diners at the table would not wish for someone to cut in on the cake. A rival league such as the one mooted could claim a portion of what is essentially a market share that is currently held by the biggest leagues. With football clubs run today more with financial gain in mind than ever before, the big hitters will doubtlessly not wish to see what they perceive as being their money (money that is often already accounted for in these days of projective finances), as such it is unlikely that any such league will be formed without much protestation.

Also, and the key deciding factor from the perspective of the governing body, is the impact that a pan-European league could have upon the Champions League. The jewel in UEFA’s crown can justly proclaim itself as being (aside from the World Cup) amongst the finest competitions in football today. A league combining different nations could potentially throw the famous tournament into disarray, with qualification processes requiring instant and dramatic overhaul.

As highly unlikely as the idea is to get off the ground is, the thinking behind the theory is the key factor that we must acknowledge. Quite simply, the divide between rich and poor in football today is widening to an extent to which I fear that domestic leagues outside of our decided elite will serve as little more than to develop and groom players for their ‘superiors’.

Once proud leagues like Le Championat in France, the Scottish Premier Division, possibly even the German Bundesliga find themselves further and further behind and the struggle to keep up is not getting any easier. Surely the greed of the biggest will not destroy that which grants the stature initially? Without healthy competition at all levels, football will be an elitist pastime, further separating itself from the people. The fans who supply the fuel that powers our beautiful game could become yet further separated.

A pan-European league may not be the answer, but surely something should be done to prevent the bloated sides at the top table ultimately crushing the hand that feeds them.