HopeStreetWalker

Remember in the early 60's as a wee boy a guy walking about the Brockville terracing with a container on his back with Bovril and a burner underneath lit by god knows what. There was a splutter of steam every time the guy turned on the tap to pour a cup so it must have been scalding as well. Goodness knows what health and safety would make of it now. Does anybody else remember that?

Play badly and win. That's the sign of players and a team with the right attitude

Don't be sorry! you have a sincere opinion and that's respected. But the authorities are going to change the game to stop the onset of this terrible condition and that's a fact. I encourage you to look at the articles on the subject and the first-hand experience from sufferers and the families and health professionals who look after them, it's heart-wrenching. I had your opinion till I investigated the subject. respect as always

There is no reason to assume that the same dangers do not apply to players whatever the level. The tragic statistic of a defender being 5 times more likely to get Dementia makes change a certainty. That will come in with a transition period of a few years to get the sport to adapt to experimental rules changes in some competitions to come to a new set of Rules of the Game. Respect

If you look at the best football to play and watch it's what it says on the tin Foot-Ball. The genesis of this goes back to the Scottish Professors with the pass and move game. Look at the really great teams Real Madrid in the 50's Barcelona Cruyff era onward, Brazil WC 1970, Netherlands WC 1974 and on and on. All were ball on the deck teams and all the better for it. Think of the innovative plays and tactics at a corner kick for example. The game will be more skillful and enjoyable to play and entertaining to watch and more people will be spared the terrible affliction of Dementia it's a no brainer and should be welcomed not resisted.

Cycling accidents are different as no head contact is involved in the sport. The authorities have recognized that part of the way the sport is played will result in participants getting a higher degree of Dementia. That is not sustainable and change will happen and is happening. The discussion should be on the rule changes and tactics. Think it is an opportunity for a more watchable footballing experience.

The balls have not changed weight and although the weight when wet has near been eliminated the resulting higher velocity makes heading the ball just as dangerous. Have a read of the various articles on the subject. I thought like you but reading them changed my mind. Players now in defense are 5 times more likely to get Dementia that's thats convinced the ruling bodies change has to come. The discussion they are having is how and the best way to phase it in.

The medical reports and statistics are frightening and the authorities realise the game has to change. 5 times more likely to get Dementia if you are a defender it's just not sustainable. Parents will tell their children 'don't head the ball' It is in the pipeline to ban it and give a transition period to phase in the changes estimated to be in the early 30's I think the game will improve after all football on the deck is always better to watch rather than the aerial ping pong. Change is coming and the sooner we embrace it the better. Suggest you look at the various articles on the subject it was an eye opener to me and changed my mind. Respect

Head guards were found not to have an effect. The impact of the ball on the head still causes the brain to bounce off the skull. Plenty of data on the web and worth investigating Respect

Investigating the matter after the Off The Ball discussion. The reasoning is that change is coming. As for no heading just does not sound right a defender 5 times more likely to get dementia than a fan watching. That alone means change from the authorities, players unionn , insurance companies and ultimately from the parents who armed with that statistic will insist - you do not head the ball. The sooner we buy into the idea the better.

What surprised me is that the ball is still the weight, didn't know that before and as you stated the ball travels faster now so in fact it is even a bigger danger now.

Here is a good thread Former professional footballers are 3.5 times more likely to develop dementia. There was a discussion on Off The Ball a week last Saturday where the statistics were went through and it was sobering. For example if you are a defender your chances of being afflicted by this terrible condition increase from 3.5 times to 5 times while a Goalie who very rarely if ever heads a ball has the same chances as a fan in the stand. It looks like heading the ball will end in the early 2030's Heading the ball is on it's way out in the game and it's going to become sport described in its name - Football. It will transform the game benefitting the skillful, intelligent player. Tactics will change for example Corner kicks will become a whole new set play. The physical aspect will change for example a smaller mobile, quick-on-the-turn, positional defender will have the advantage over the traditional power defender. The teams that are brave enough and have the vision to transition first will benefit and reap the rewards. Thoughts?

Remember any new shares issued dilutes the % of existing shares held by any grouping or individual unless the shares issued are exclusive to them

It was the most miserable time mid 70's early 80's at Brockville some crowds were 500 odd

Correct! the true reflection on the team and management will not be known till 10 games in.

There is the rub for TFS as a venue -its location. Home or away fan it's a hike from the town center, taxi car or a bus not exactly a customer friendly location. What is needed is development around the stadium to encourage footfall. Same goes for the Kelpies, people turn up have a look at the attraction, there's nothing else to entice them to stay and they bugger off. Once folk hang around services will locate there to service them. But that is too much of a good idea for the Falkirk Council's liking

Wait till we are 10 games in then we will know where we stand for good or bad. New players are finding their feet with current players and vice versa.

If it was not for my humility I would be perfect so will refrain from commenting further on being a visionary.

Why not get Willie McGuire to do some diving coaching. Remember an Airdrie v Falkirk game not long after we signed him at Broomfield some of their fans held up numbers to give him marks for diving every time he went down. To be fair to Willie he saw the funny side, was a good player for the Bairns by the way.

Was talking about the way the game is changing and the direction it is going. That was the ethos of my post. The successful teams of the future will have players that can do a shift in whatever position they find themselves. No rigid team set up it will all be about flexibility with setups for different phases of the game. Football is competing with other forms of entertainment and if the product is not good enough.

It is the style of football of the future and will become the norm. Just as the day of the specialized winger or a sweeper is a thing of the past

That is the brilliant simplicy of the way Manchester City play, different formations for different phases of the game and everybody is comfortable in these different roles. But getting back to the obsolete term of Full back. We no longer refer to No 4 & 6 as Half Backs defenders now are just that multi-role defenders. Anyway lets hope we turn over Cove.

There is blurring now in the full back roll in fact the definition of a full back is obsolete. Manchester City with the Christmas Tree 3-2-4-1 formation is the future. 3 central defenders that can break from the back. 2 holding midfield players, 4 midfield players where the full back / wing back are. 1 center forward. By swamping midfield with 6 players the danger that the full-back traditionally dealt with is no longer there.

It was a good hangout, must have been a goldmine for the owners. Just shows you if you offer a product or service at a price people want and can afford to spend their disposable income on you will get the business.

Bet it took a while for the bruising to come out. The thing was all you needed was a soak in a bath, your sunday dinner and you were out on the raz till midnight at the dancing at the Leapark Hotel.