Football in the Media

What is it with the media these days and the way that football is reported.

When I was younger, the sports reporter would come on the screen and say for example, "Match of the Day is on after this programme. If you don't want to know the results then look away". They would then display the results in complete silence. Once the results were removed, they would begin talking.

Now I've noticed some of the reports saying the same thing, "Match of the Day is on after this programme. If you don't want to know the results then look away". They would then immediately tell you the results and give you information about the game. This doesn't provide any sort of service to the general public.

The other issue is that I believe that the Football League is made up of 4 divisions with approximately 92 clubs playing week-in and week-out. This fact seems to be forgotten by the majority of media outlets in the United Kingdom. Every outlet, both television and national newspapers concentrate on the clubs in the Premier League.

I admit that these clubs have large followings and prima donna players who are in the public eye all the time, but sometimes there are other issues affecting the lower league teams that seem to get passed over with a matter-of-fact attitude.

Today for example, the outlets all seemed to concentrate on the battle of the Premiership title. It's a big decision as to who will win the league, but providing you've got enough money you will be able to win. When was the last time someone outside London/Liverpool or Manchester won the title. I can remember when the title was won by Nottingham Forest and Leeds United. That won't happen again for a long time.

Today there was a major game being played at the foot of the Championship for two clubs that shouldn't be there. One unfortunately has had a lot of bad results, and the other was docked 10 points due to in-efficient financial management and overpaid players. Depending on the result, one of the two teams were going to be playing in League Division 1 (the old 3rd division).

The teams in question were Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace. Neither of these clubs should have been in this position, but it didn't rate a lot of exposure on any of the main news channels. OK - it might not have the pull of Chelsea v Manchester United, but there were 37,000 at the game, and numerous fans at home all hanging on this game.

Come on BBC/ITV & Sky. Look outside the Premiership some time. The passion is there in the lower leagues. You just need to get outside your bubbles and have a look for it.