Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Aug. 24 2005,14:35)]
[b said:
Quote[/b] (shrimptastic @ Aug. 24 2005,13:59)]fitfyone hits the jackpot !
Indeed he does. Both of these stories are in today's Echo, and are taken from
www.thisisessex.com, with emphasis added to certain words which I doubt have been used accidentally...
<span style='color:blue'>
No regrets as FA up Fred ban
by Chris Phillips
SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin does not regret
his decision to appeal over Freddy Eastwood's sending off againgst Huddersfield Town - despite the FA consequently lengthening the striker's suspension to four matches.
Martin protested against the decision to dismiss Eastwood for pushing out at Terriers defender Andy Holdsworth last weekend, partially to enable the forward to figure in Monday's Carling Cup tie with Southampton.
But the FA commission were of the opinion that the claim was 'frivolous' and decided, for the first time ever, to increase a ban for that reason.
"It's disappointing news but I don't regret making the appeal because in my eyes it wasn't a sending off," said Martin.</span>
Knowing a little about journalism (since my missus is a journo), I know that journalists are extremely careful about direct quotes - Chris Phillips will have taken a verbatim manuscript note of that quote from Ron. The phrase "I don't regret making the appeal" is very noteworthy indeed.
In the second article on thisisessex (entitled Eastwood to misss next four games) I noted the following:
<span style='color:blue'>"Eastwood's three-match suspension was duo to start with last night's Carling Cup first round fixture with Southampton, which the Blues lost 3-0.
But the club's appeal to the FA left the striker free to play, although Southend manager Steve Tilson opted to start last season's top scorer on the bench. Eastwood was later brought on as a substitute.
Both the player and manager considered the red card was justified under the laws of the game.
But the club appealed on the basis that the card was unjust because it carried the same punishment as a player punching or stamping on an opponent."</span>
There's been a clear difference of opinion here; and Tilly appears to have benched Freddy against the Saints in order to show Ron who's in charge of football matters.
Looks like we've all ended up losers here - Tilly, Freddy, Ron and the club (and the fans, being denied Freddy's goalscoring exploits). I hope - but alas do not expect - that Ron will take this as a lesson to be learnt, namely not to meddle in team affairs.
I also hope it hasn't caused any rancour beyween Tilly & Ron. I'm sure it won't have done - they're both big enough to put this behind them and move on from here. But no question - it has been an entirely regrettable episode.
Matt