Spectator Sport
No Sky's the limit
As hard luck stories go, it might not be up there with Oliver Twist, but dammit last weekend my Sky went down. In that pathetic, fat-arsed nerdy way I had been planning the ideal weekend: bouncing happily from the climax to the 20/20 Indian Premier League, to Wasps and Leicester in the Rugby Premiership final, then the mid-point of the French Open on Eurosport, and thrumming along nicely in the background the second Test between Australia and West Indies.
So what I was left with last weekend was a rugby league quarter-final, and even my life’s not that sad, and some halfway decent racing with the effortlessly brilliant Ryan Moore steering home Major Cadeaux in a Group 3 at Haydock, despite his saddle slipping off.
Of course this weekend my telly-moored life would have been absolutely fine thanks to the far-sighted decision by the BBC and ITV to show all the European Championship matches live. Well done chaps, and please don’t be tempted to shove off Sweden v. Greece or Poland v. Austria to ITV3 or BBC3. The best news of all of course is that England aren’t there. Anyone who loves football must love the Euros. This is the purest tournament; much more fun than the World Cup — less bombastic, more compact, and no real rubbish like Costa Rica or the UAE. And, fabulously, no English fans wrecking the place, no insane jingoism on the back pages, and no endless twiddle about Lamps and Gerrard. And no bald fat blokes wielding St George’s Cross flags from every van and building site.
The BBC is running a rather naff come-on asking ‘So who will you support?’ as if the only way you can enjoy football is by being totally tribal. What nonsense. It’s a stress-free chance to see some great games and great players. I have a sneaking each-way feeling for Russia (at an agreeable 28-1 with Ladbrokes). Gus Hiddink is one of the last of the über-managers, and the way St Petersburg destroyed an awful Rangers team in the Uefa Cup final could be a good omen for Russian football.
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CG
June 8th, 2008 7:08pmYou've been at the Spectator a few months now and are still to come up with a decent article. I've learned my lesson and even I am not so sad that I will be reading your drivel in the future.
David
June 9th, 2008 1:44pmI presume Rugby League is considered far too working class for the esteemed ex-editor of the Observer Sports Monthly. Is this why you never referred to Rugby League in that misleadingly entitled publication? Horse racing is obviously far more de-rigueur. Please, in future, if you are unable to say anything nice about Rugby League then don't say anything at all. Stick with the inferior version of rugby, i.e. your beloved union. There are enough union bigots floating about the media without the need for your asinine comments.
John
June 17th, 2008 2:35pmI couldn't have put it better David. That drivel just made me throw up in my mouth.
PD
June 17th, 2008 2:36pmGood God, this is terrible.
Steven Davy
June 17th, 2008 3:14pmThe comments protesting at the humorous remark about rugby league may seem rather over sensitive. However, it is in the context of rugby league coverage being almost eliminated from The Oberserver, aside from a few snooty dismissals - most notably in the Observer Sports Monthly magazine.
This is rather petulent in itself and has generated some bad feeling. It is rather insulting when the snide remarks are personal, or be it against rugby league fans in general.
Where is Charles Nevin when we need him?
mark
June 17th, 2008 3:39pmDid you wife run off with a Rugby League player or did you run away from her with a Union 'player'?
Awfull article.
John
June 17th, 2008 3:41pmWhat a peculiar article that was. And not peculiar in such a manner as to encourage me to read another from the same author.
Peter Cooke
June 17th, 2008 4:03pmYou truely are a sad,inadequate man Roger.I shall never purchase your drivel again.
Mark Simpson
June 17th, 2008 4:29pmThis piece is awful, a crime against journalism, and that by standards these days is saying something.
Chris
June 17th, 2008 4:48pmSave your conceited remarks for your circle of establishment chums that share your views, and if you are planning on publishing these views at least do it professionally.
Those remarks are an embarrassment to yourself, the paper, and decent journalists everywhere.
Matthew
June 17th, 2008 4:50pmI used to purchase the Spectator. No longer after this article. It seems Rugby League types don't figure highly for your readership. Goodbye.
RJG
June 17th, 2008 4:53pmDon't fool yourself Roger - whatever you'd like to think, you really are a sad little man...
J-P Flynn
June 17th, 2008 4:56pmI cannot believe the cretinous comments in this article which are posing as'journalism'. I have heard a rumour that the author is due to join the Independent newspaper. I will be watching closely, as i buy it each day, and that will cease immediately I see the name 'Alton' in print.
Rhubarbtriangulist
June 17th, 2008 5:54pmGreat read that Roger; I had a good laugh at it. I think some of my fellow League lovers have been a little harsh on you. I’d be happy for you to accompany me to the next Wakefield Trinity home game so you could see the sport first hand and get into context how just wrong you are to dismiss such a fine sport. Whilst we’re at the game perhaps the RAF could be persuaded to carpet bomb your home.