Football Daily | It never ends: football’s equivalent of the Hobbits’ return to the Shire

1 day ago 10

YOU SHALL NOT PASS

Like The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, just when you think the football season has finally been wrapped up and you’re waiting for the closing credits to roll, along comes another clatter of matches to leave you in serious doubt that this hamster wheel of ours will ever stop turning. In recent weeks the climactic (and often anticlimactic) battles have been fought, the subsequent coronations have been staged and now in what seems like the perfect time for a nice refreshing break in which to recuperate, recalibrate and prepare for the nonsense that is the Club World Cup, Football Daily finds itself forced to contend with the football equivalent of the Hobbits’ return to the Shire that is the latest international break. Oh to be Frodo, sailing off into the unknown of the Undying Lands.

While Football Daily likes to think it has its finger firmly placed on the football pulse, it behoves us to admit that we’d completely forgotten that England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are all due to play this weekend. And it is a good thing the respective governing bodies of all five teams were not similarly absent-minded for fear they might have been forced to spend the coming days scouring the bars and beaches of Ibiza trying to find players willing to represent their national sides in their imminent double-headers. Truth be told, a quick trawl of any random beach in the UK would probably yield enough decent English players to see off Andorra in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier but that hasn’t stopped Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad selection for that game and a subsequent friendly against Senegal being taken very seriously indeed. Predictably overwrought has been some of the wailing and handwringing over various inclusions and omissions from a 26-man group that is ostensibly in Barcelona to take on a ski resort.

In Liechtenstein, Wales host similarly exalted opposition in the first game of their qualifying double-header that concludes with a trip to Belgium, but you can be sure Craig Bellamy will not be taking the minnows lightly. Famously intolerant of international teammates who didn’t pull their weight during his time as a player repeatedly failing to qualify for major tournaments – or simply colleagues refusing to sing – Bellamy has brought the intensity of 10,000 TV dramas starring Stephen Graham to his role as head coach. “From his first meeting you could tell how much he wanted to achieve here – big things – and straight away he wanted to drill things into us,” trembled Swansea’s Ben Cabango of his gaffer, who has yet to taste defeat as Wales boss. “I feel like he’s not laid off that one bit. We’re not here for a large amount of time so it’s quite intense when we are here.”

Proceedings are likely to be considerably less intense in the other camps, with only friendlies looming in the short-term for all three nations. The big news from an Ireland camp preparing for summer kickabouts with Senegal and Luxembourg has been the tardy arrival of Caoimhin Kelleher due to him having to cough for the doctor at Brentford, while Northern Ireland have recalled Kelleher’s former teammate Conor Bradley for their games against Denmark and Iceland, after he missed the last international break through knack. And finally, having just checked to see if Steve Clarke is still the manager of Scotland, we can reveal that he very much is and will be hoping his side can avoid the potential embarrassment that comes hand in hand with friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein, before an eminently winnable qualifying campaign that kicks off in September. Now you know as much as we do, so make like Frodo and go away.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We had a backpack with snacks and we played around on our phones to kill time. The lights were on all the time and the sitting position was uncomfortable, so sleeping was almost impossible. That made it physically and mentally difficult” – Neal Remmerie explains how he, along with fellow Belgian TikToker Senne Haverbeke, spent 27 hours in an Allianz Arena bog before watching the Bigger Cup final for free. “We looked carefully at which security guard was paying the least attention,” whooped Remmerie. “While on the phone and with food in our hands, we just walked on, and suddenly we were inside.”

I’ve just read your recent article regarding the York City owner’s push for three promotion places from the National League to League Two (yesterday’s Football Daily). I wanted to write in full support of her position – and to thank you for highlighting this vital issue. As a supporter of Dorking Wanderers, a club that finished sixth this past season and fell short in the playoffs, I can say with confidence that many clubs and fans across the National League share her view. The idea that a team finishing sixth or seventh – often 15 to 20 points behind second or third place – can leapfrog into the Football League while stronger teams miss out is increasingly hard to justify. You questioned whether York’s owner would feel the same if her club finished seventh. I genuinely believe she would, as would many other club owners, including the management at Dorking. This isn’t just about individual clubs – it’s about fairness, progress, and ensuring that ambition is matched by opportunity. The National League has become increasingly professional and competitive, and its clubs deserve a pathway that reflects that. I hope the EFL takes note of this growing movement. Thank you again for covering this important topic – and please keep the conversation going” – Stephen Parrott.

It’s probably worth pointing out that the 3UP campaign is supported by all 72 clubs in the National League, including the North and South leagues, of which my team, South Shields, is part, although we certainly weren’t troubling the playoff contenders this season just gone” – Phil Gibson.

I’m sure I will be one of 1,057 pedants to point out that in the 2021-22 National League North season, Brackley Town finished second on 87 points, seven points ahead of the side that finished third and a whole 21 points ahead of the team that actually ended up being promoted through the playoffs. The name of the side in question … York City” – Andy Riddell (and others).

Forget 3UP (yesterday’s Football Daily), I’ve long thought 8UP to be the answer. A straight eight up and down across all divisions. It would take real commitment to spend 10 years in the same tier. Loads of different teams to play each year and different grounds to visit. You’d have an interest in matches through to the end of the season. And it would level the financial playing field nicely with so many teams yo-yoing. What’s not to like?” – Dave Lambley.

If you do have any, please send letters to [email protected]. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Dave Lambley. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here.