Match-debating everywhere

By: Shaun | August 5th, 2008

Right now its about just over a week until the new Premier league season starts, so thats about a just over a week of sanity left then. You see, on the 16th August the Sky Sports bandwagon will roll back onto our screens with phrases such as “its back bigger and better than ever before” and “all the football you’ll ever need.”

Now, i appreciate that many of you are from America and might not receive Sky but for many subscribers in Britain and around the world we have to put up with Richard Keys smug face every weekend. And the smugness of the presenters isn’t the main problem. One word springs to mind when Sky go on about the league. HYPE. Yep, every so often there is a weekend when the ‘big four’ play each other. Strange how the fixture computer produces this scenario every season. Oh, no wait, thats the work of Sky. Usually, these so called ‘big four’ meetings prove to be dour stalemates but yet they are treated like royalty by Sky.

It is common knowledge that the big television corporations that own the rights to the league have immense control over the clubs. The clubs may be happy with the millions they earn off the t.v rights but some fans aren’t. How must some Manchester United fans feel when they’ve spent hundreds of their hard-earned cash on a season ticket to find out that Sky are going to show 11 of their home league games on the box? A subscription to Sky or a season ticket? Thats the decision facing many.
Being a supporter of Wigan (who are hardly ever on t.v) it is not as bad. You’re hardly likely to see Wigan v Hull on Sky because Sky think it will be boring and won’t attract the millions of fat bastard subscribers who sit on their arses watching the football, which a game like Manchester United v Hull would.

So, i could argue that the low attendences of some football clubs is due to the monopoly that companies like Sky and Setanta have on the league. The Championship, Leagues 1 and 2 are largely ignored while the likes of Andy Gray, Richard Keys and co drool over Ronaldo’s new boots. There is also never a bad game on Sky. Even if Bolton v Sunderland was completly woeful, the boys will sit in the studio and try to brainwash us into thinking it was a thriller. Listen Sky, i’m not stupid and neither are the many football fans who tune into your coverage. I don’t want to know what Sir Alex Fergeson does when his team scores. What a waste of electricity that is, by the way- a single camera pointed at the manager so we can see the way in which he jumps from his chair, runs down some steps and chews his gum while clapping his hands. Facinating, i’m sure you’ll agree and no doubt in the studio, Sky will analyse the way his jaw moves up and down as he chews.

Many fans subscribe to football so they can watch more of the game they love. They don’t need to be told what shape the ball is or who Martin Tyler showered with last night. They want quality football and insightful opinions from pundits who can actually speak properly and know what they are talking about.

So, Sky and the other T.V companies, give us a season of coverage to remember. For the right reasons…