BritBill

I think it's time to re-brand the "Champions" League. Liverpool haven't been champions of England since 1990 and Spurs since 1961.

I was a product of the youth set up of a professional soccer club here in England as a teenager and also represented my city as in the schoolboys (the best players from schools in the York area). Man, I loved it for the first 3 years. Top level coaching twice a week. Travelling the country playing games on a weekend and the team we had were a great, tight knit bunch with whom I'm still friends with these days. However, I fell out of love with it all at the age of 16. It became more of a cattle market scenario the closer it got to it being decided if you were to become a professional at the club. The individual coaching stopped and the club quickly stopped caring once it was clear I wasn't going to be a professional (I just wasn't good enough). I could have easily made some money from the game playing semi-pro but the desire to do so had gone. My boy is now 8. We took him down to the local grass roots club I played at for some training sessions a couple of years ago. I was set watching him and his team mates train when another of the parents sat next to me shaking his head and he said "our lad is never going to make it". I just looked at him and said "but he's having fun?" A few sessions later we were walking back to the car and my son whispered to me "Dad, I don't want to go football training anymore". His poor little face. I had a feeling he'd wanted to tell me for a while but was building his confidence to tell me. Oh and a story for you all. As i mentioned above I represented my city. There were also trial to play for my county. I wasn't that bothered about this as I was already playing 2/3 games a week plus training. However, I wanted to go for my coach who was a good man and was proud of his team. I did alright in the trial but nothing special. I wasn't picked to represent the county but a few of my city team mates were. After the first game they played they told me they were in the changing rooms before the game and the coach of the county team did the pre-match team talk with no clothing on the bottom half of his body. Had his wang out. For some reason, they struggled to get a squad of 11 players for the next game. This coach phoned my Dad up to see if I wanted a chance to play.My old man didn't snap very often but he did on that phone call. I wasn't surprised when there was a flood of child abuse in soccer scandals a couple of years ago. Child safety is unrecognizable these days though. The only problems seems to be the parents.

I was a product of the youth set up of a professional soccer club here in England as a teenager and also represented my city as in the schoolboys (the best players from schools in the York area). Man, I loved it for the first 3 years. Top level coaching twice a week. Travelling the country playing games on a weekend and the team we had were a great, tight knit bunch with whom I'm still friends with these days. However, I fell out of love with it all at the age of 16. It became more of a cattle market scenario the closer it got to it being decided if you were to become a professional at the club. The individual coaching stopped and the club quickly stopped caring once it was clear I wasn't going to be a professional (I just wasn't good enough). I could have easily made some money from the game playing semi-pro but the desire to do so had gone. My boy is now 8. We took him down to the local grass roots club I played at for some training sessions a couple of years ago. I was set watching him and his team mates train when another of the parents sat next to me shaking his head and he said "our lad is never going to make it". I just looked at him and said "but he's having fun?" A few sessions later we were walking back to the car and my son whispered to me "Dad, I don't want to go football training anymore". His poor little face. I had a feeling he'd wanted to tell me for a while but was building his confidence to tell me. Oh and a story for you all. As i mentioned above I represented my city. There were also trial to play for my county. I wasn't that bothered about this as I was already playing 2/3 games a week plus training. However, I wanted to go for my coach who was a good man and was proud of his team. I did alright in the trial but nothing special. I wasn't picked to represent the county but a few of my city team mates were. After the first game they played they told me they were in the changing rooms before the game and the coach of the county team did the pre-match team talk with no clothing on the bottom half of his body. Had his wang out. For some reason, they struggled to get a squad of 11 players for the next game. This coach phoned my Dad up to see if I wanted a chance to play.My old man didn't snap very often but he did on that phone call. I wasn't surprised when there was a flood of child abuse in soccer scandals a couple of years ago. Child safety is unrecognizable these days though. The only problems seems to be the parents.

We're in Toronto for about a day in September and we've booked CN Tower and the aquarium on a dual ticket.

Fantastic. Keep a look out for us and don't be afraid to say hello.

So, as it turns out, I'm now visiting Buffalo with my son. Who's 8. So the chance of a night of solid boozing has gone. However, we still intend on having a man night of some diluted fashion. A wings and beer (root beer for the little one) evening will be perfect. Does anybody have any recommendations for a place to have this? Obviously need somewhere who allows children. Thanks again

I've got tickets in 226. Row 2.

There are plenty of tickets available on StubHub. In anyone's experience will I be able to get 2 for the Patriots game through official sources when they go on sale in May or shall I dive in and get some from StubHub now? Cheers.

Thanks, Gunner.

My son and I are all booked up to come over to Buffalo for the New England game in Week 4. Honestly, it is a dream come true.

It's been known for months.

A week later is Panthers v Bucs at Spurs. 10/27 is Bengals v Rams at Wembley 11/3 Texans v Jaguars at Wembley

I'll just be getting home from an NFLUK Live event. An evening with Willie McGinnest, Cliff Avril, Michael Irvin and Kurt Warner. Not a bad night at all.

Thank you, Harold. I appreciate your reply.

There's a possibility of a change of plan with my trip over to see a game this year. My 8 year old son might be coming with me. Don't get me wrong, the chance to travel and spend some amazing times with him is great. However, I'm not sure of where would be the best part of the stadium to try and gets tickets. If I was on my own or with a friend I wouldn't really mind where we'd go in the stadium. I've travelled all over the world watching soccer so there isn't any in stadia behaviour that bothers me. Where would you guys suggest is the best place at New Era Field for a child to watch the game? Thanks.

Thank you all. I'll have a google map search of Elmwood Ave to get my bearings.

The good folk of Buffalo - talk to me. If I had say, 6 hours to go on a good old fashioned pub crawl in downtown Buffalo, what would you suggest? I'm open to any type of bar, no prejudices here. I'm an easy going kind of chap. Would just like to have a few pints and a laugh. Thanks.

I've had a bet on Jon Rahm. Nice start. Playing with Tiger is always tough.

I was just about to post the same thing. if you're going to beat them, it'll be during the first month or so.

Well thighed up those Rugby boys. He'll be well adept in drinking a pint of bitter from a worn sock too.

I'm no Rugby Union fan but I do know if you've played for the British & Irish Lions you're a top athlete and professional.

Caspian will probably be shortened to Cas. When I see a male "Cas" I think Cassius. Which is very manly. At the very least your son's name will have a strong meaning and you put plenty of thought into it. We did the same with our son but went more biblical despite not being overly religious.

I concur. I'm not Jones's biggest fan but to knock his TD output for last year seems odd. When I read he had 7 TDs I was flabbergasted. With the receivers and TE ( I suspect we'll see a TE early in the draft too) brought in over free agency he'll do well to match that next season even if his catch % and yards increase.

"Fluky 7 TDs" is something I'll never get tired of reading. How can something that happened 7 times be a fluke?

Very much a quote you'd read from a typical British article on a soccer player. I find myself using different words when composing a post on here as opposed to posting on the NFL UK forums. I have to think would I be able to get my point across using British terms and if not I Americanize (note the "Z"!) what I write the best I can.