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Listed below are comments made by hard_to_beat between Thursday, 9th October 2008 and Saturday, 10th October 2009.

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Old Firm flight not so fanciful 12:45pm on 10 Oct 2009 Andy8659 -

The crucial difference is, if the economics of a 'Celtic League' play out properly, the OF and eventually Cardiff and Swansea and in probability one of the Dublin clubs would be able to keep and acquire good quality players and compete on the European stage regularly.

The OF's problem isn't their opposition in the SPL has such, it's that they can not afford to compete on the European stage because the current set-up does not have the economic capacity to allow them to keep and acquire players of the quality they need. If they, and by extention the other strong SPL clubs, were able to play against the Cardiff and Swansea, the investment from the Welsh economy - with the Welsh teams then being able to realistically aim for the Champions League and in Cardiff's case fill the Millennium Stadium - would have immediate positive effects for all. The television money they'd be able to demand would be higher, even if not at Premier League levels, because of the much wider potential audience.

I think that getting the Irish teams on board has more than obvious benefits, and Dublin as a city and central hub of the Irish economy has more than enough potential to rise one of their clubs - Shelbourne or Bohemians - into the highest levels. Imagine a quality Dubliner team that could keep the bulk of quality Irish players of today; Robbie Keane, Aiden McGeady, Kevin Doyle for example. NOT unlikely by any means.
Old Firm flight not so fanciful 11:43am on 10 Oct 2009 The failure, in my opinion, lies with UEFA for not seeing that, outside the big 5 leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1) in Europe, domestic football is suffering because of those leagues' dominance over the Champions League.

I think the solution is NOT to allow the biggest clubs in those smaller leagues to join the big leagues, but to MERGE those smaller leagues to create regional leagues with the same economic/market potential of the big 5 leagues.

In Scotland's case, creating a "Celtic League" would be the solution. Basically, the best 10 in SPL would be joined by Cardiff and Swansea, and the best 2 from Northern Ireland and 4 from the Republic of Ireland to form a 'Celtic League' in which the top 3 qualify for the Champions League.

Eventually, after say 5-10 years, I believe the Welsh pair would become very strong contenders for the title with the Old Firm, and a Dublin team (Bohemians or Shelbourne) would become a massive club as well. The economy is there, especially in Ireland, for at least one big club to exist.

There is more than enough potential for similiars merges across Europe - Austria+Switzerland+Hungary, Belgium+Netherlands, Scandinavia.
Football's international language 6:33pm on 24 Aug 2009 In addition to the failure to attract middle class fans, don't you also think Tim that since the Copa Liberatoradores does not offer such wealth to the clubs, this in turn prevents the clubs from developing their stadiums?

For the Big 4 in particular, or even more in particular Manchester United and Arsenal, continued participation in the Champions League has enable these clubs to invest in their facilities, as well as being able to tap into the markets in Asia and North America. Brazilian, and other South American clubs, can not hope to even begin to get near the Europeans without an internationally popular continental competition. Would not giving permanent automatic group stages spots for the Copa to the MLS help to address this?
Old Firm departure would be ruinous 5:18pm on 21 Apr 2009 Two solution Chick:

1) If UEFA have no problem with the Olf Firm moving to England's league, then it surely follows that they have no problem in principle with merging leagues. How about a 'Celtic League' of football? Basically, the best of SPL, Cardiff and Swansea, the best supported clubs in Ireland. Might not immediately strike as a great idea, but once the Welsh and Irish clubs, particularly in Dublin, then it would surely work. I should imagine that such a league would be able to generate better sponsorship and tv right opportunities.

2) As for the Olympic problem, why is it seemingly beyond the wit of the home nations' FAs to organise a special 'Home Nations' tournament in summer 2011, with the winners going on to represent GB? None of that merging rubbish.

Personally I think it's about time that the FAs, FIFA and UEFA signed a 999 year legally binding agreement to allow the FAs to be seperate.
Remember the first time? 6:03pm on 31 Mar 2009 The FIRST game of football I can ever remember watching as the USA 94 final, Brazil v Italy. My mum was asleep so I started flicking the channels and stumbled across this wonderful sport. Instant captivation.

However, I didn't support a team as such, so the first time I properly followed a tournament was Euro 96. I cried when England were knocked out, and so even though now I support Man United, England games and international tournaments are the most special footballing events for me.

As for whether the first time (Euro 96 I suppose) was my favourite, I suppose it still is BUT I regard World Cup 2006 (with the exception of England games!) as being the best tournament I've seen so far.
A game of two cliches 10:13pm on 06 Feb 2009 Steve, you have my mercy (or is that quarter?), I'm an English Language graduate and if I do not instantly know the etmology of a word I'm lambasted!
England set for tough 2018 battle 11:29pm on 28 Jan 2009 Surely we need to be doing whatever Germany did to beat South Africa for 2006, because THAT was an absolute steal.

People should remember this is FIFA, any concept of fairplay and honour is thrown out in the FIFA committee, and Blatter only cares for his own power - this is a tough negogiation.
But is it art? 11:11am on 14 Jan 2009 If this installation helps to make evident to each member state what the other thinks of them, or their worst characteristics, than it may prove fruitful.

It's no use having a mirror if you only see what you want to see, rather than the (sometimes ugly) truth.
Plenty to look forward to in 2009 5:45pm on 30 Dec 2008 Is there any word as to whether the BBC are bidding for the UEFA Under-21 European Championship from Sweden/?

England are in the finals, and are looking like hot favourites. The previous tournament in Netherlands, where the English lost on penalties to the Dutch in the semis, were fantastic and would be a welcome summer event for football fans.
39th-game could benefit Asian football 10:39pm on 09 Oct 2008 Having listened to the interview of Bin Hammam, he seems genuine and open to new ideas. This is understandble, given that if they can bring competitive English football to Asia, that will undoubtedly bring money and glamour to Asian football - something in short supply other than in the later stages of the AFC Champions League and A-League.

In my opinion, 'Game 39' or any form of competitive LEAGUE games should not take place outside of England.

However, I would welcome a new competition whereby the winners qualify for the UEFA Cup. I outlined a potential format for a 'Premier League Global Cup' tournament here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A39131264

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