Half a Century

50 up and over 8,000 views

And onwards to my age.

I can't really count China as a new visitor as they've shown in my google stats for some time.

Welcome also, Donnie, Friend or Foe, whoever you are, pull up a chair and have a biscuit or two.

Interesting to hear Ricky Hatton talking about depresion and suicide earlier this morning.
That's the effect of UPS

Hatton Interview this was BBC 5 live rather than BBC Breakfast this morning.

Also on a sporting front, Brendon Rodgers inciting his players to cheat

Brendan Rodgers has issued a veiled warning that Liverpool players could resort to unsporting means to win decisions having been denied "the rub of the green" from referees this season. The Liverpool manager believes Luis Suárez has been refused legitimate penalties in the past two Premier League games, against Sunderland and Manchester United, and claims major decisions have gone against his team since the opening day of the season at West Bromwich Albion. Rodgers phoned Mike Riley, head of Professional Game Match Officials, to express his grievances on Thursday and afterwards made the stark admission that, in the absence of legitimate fouls, players will be tempted to exaggerate contact to sway referees in future."I'm concerned that we've not had any sort of rub of the green from officials," Rodgers said. "We like to think we are a sporting team, I have always told my players to do the right thing, not to dive, to play fair. But the fairness we show, it seems the decisions pass us by because of it. There are so many decisions that have gone against us. "I spoke to Mike Riley and he admitted he expected me to call earlier. I didn't ring after the Manchester United game, I wanted to speak to the assessor first on that one, and he hasn't contacted us yet. But after the West Brom game, I had to call. Jordan Henderson got a horrendous tackle and the player wasn't even booked, while Andre Wisdom won the ball with a fair challenge and was booked. Things aren't going for us at all. "It would be a shame if players who respect the rules and managers who are asking players to stay on their feet and not dive are not getting the decisions because of it. I think it is important that referees understand that. It has been a criticism of the last few years of players going down too easy. It is not something we want to encourage but if you're not going to get decisions because of it players may do that." Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson admitted Suárez's reputation for theatrics preceded him after an appeal for a penalty against United, following a tackle by Jonny Evans, was denied by the referee Mark Halsey on Sunday. Rodgers added: "Suárez has had a couple of good penalty appeals, he hasn't dived, they have been legitimate, and he's actually got booked. He went down at Sunderland and it looked a clear penalty and he ended up getting booked for it. Last weekend in the Manchester United game there was more contact in his case than there was in Antonio Valencia's and Valencia gets a penalty and we get nothing other than a hard-luck story. "I'm not sure [Suárez's reputation is influencing officials] – you'd need to ask the referees – but he is a wonderful talent and irrespective of whether he goes down, if it's a penalty, it's a penalty. What I have seen, he certainly doesn't ever look like he is going to get a decision and that is something which would bother me going forward."

I watched MOTD 2 and if ex-Liverpool player Mark Lawrenson says the ref was correct on all the "questionable" decisions then that's good enough for me.

There was a sour note though concerning the treatment of match referee Mark Halsey, he has had to contact the police regarding his abuse suffered at the hands of what are most likely Liverpool fans, believing him to have had a poor game. The 51-year-old referee who was diagnosed with throat cancer back in 2009, came back to his profession after beating it in 2010, apparently those who are abusing him on twitter wished he had died from it or will die from it shortly, these and other abusive messages were sent to Halsey. This is a human being, merely a man trying to do his job, I don’t get how people can be this callous over 90 minutes of what is essentially, just a game. It baffles me that despite commentators, pundits and writers alike who all believed he made the right calls manages to get so much hate, I hope the police find whoever has abused him and they punish them to the fullest extent of the law.

Liverpool being picked on again?......They're just not good enough.

Longer bans for players cheating by diving, sorry, simulation, should be brought in.

And only a 4 match ban for Terry retially abusing Anton Ferdinand, disgraceful.

Finally good news for Graham and Tony

Ever since Ken Bates took over Leeds United, it seems to me that at least some fans have wanted him out, well it looks like they finally will get their wish. A Bahrain investment firm called Gulf Finance House, has confirmed that it has signed an exclusive agreement to lead a takeover of the Elland Road club. This for the members of LUST (Leeds United Supporters Trust), has been too long in coming, ever since it was revealed by Bates that he had granted exclusivity to a potential investor in June, they have had the champagne chilling on ice awaiting the day when he leaves the club. Gary Cooper the trust chairman had this to say, “It’s been a long, long summer for Leeds fans who have heard very little. We knew these talks were going on and with neither side willing to say anything it’s been frustrating. We’re hoping for investment in the team and for Leeds United to be glorious again. These people are first and foremost businessmen, hopefully sharing our vision, but expecting a return on their investment and the Premier League offers vast riches if the club can get it right on and off the field.” I believe that this will go through formally in the next few days and there will be some big smiles around Leeds when it does.

Looks like Ken's finished stripping all his playing assets, now he can sell