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Conference trucks::football;1

Title: Soccer Football Conference
Notice:Don't forget your season ticket.....
Moderator:MOVIES::PLAYFORD
Created:Thu Aug 08 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:608
Total number of notes:85903

287.0. "Winter Break?" by ARRODS::OHAGANB (Hail Freedonia!) Fri Feb 19 1993 16:18

    What I've always thought would be a great idea is now
    beginning to attract interest from certain managers and
    that's the idea of having a winter break. 
    
    In one of last weekend's papers George Graham gave some
    positive views on this subject, they being prompted, no
    doubt, by Arsenal suffering the loss of key players over
    the last few months. Some might argue that's the whole
    reason why the big clubs buy talented squad players and 
    therefore no break, by right, should be needed. 
    
    However, two halves to the season, seperated by a month
    (January) of rest and rejuvenation would serve to improve
    the fortunes of smaller clubs as well. The likes of Norwich
    and QPR who started the season impressively as possible
    contenders will probably fall by the way-side from now on
    in (in QPR's case that started just before Christmas). For
    them to resume playing in February with fresh legs would only
    benefit their chances of keeping up and head of the big boys 
    and their talent rich squads. Admittedly, Arsenal, Leeds and
    Liverpool appear to offer evidence to the contrary at the
    moment but in at least two cases there are reasons to explain
    their lack of success (Leeds: defending the title/Euro disaster,
    Liverpool: Graham Souness).
    
    The break would also be beneficial to the national side. Anyone
    with an ounce of sense knows that we play too many matches at
    club level and that the Premier League is at least 4-6 teams too
    full. Introducing the break and reducing the League would be an 
    England managers dream come true.....and a greedy chairman's 
    nightmare. 
    
    Selling the idea to them would be the hardest part as they 
    would see it as a blow to their revenues. However extending 
    the season by two weeks, under the current size of 22, at the 
    beginning and end might make it more attractive. Kicking off in 
    early August and hanging up the boots at the end of May might 
    bring them (chairmen) around to it. It would also mean 4 weeks 
    of football in better conditions. 
    
    barry.
    
    
    
     
    
    
    
    
     
    
    
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287.1ECCGY4::HAIGHOh God.Mon Feb 22 1993 09:346
    
    	Strange you should bring that up Barry. Because in Germany at the
    moment the discussion is about reducing the winter break, quite
    measurably too. 
    
    		Steve
287.2ARRODS::OHAGANBHail Freedonia!Tue Feb 23 1993 09:251
    How long is the German break? 
287.3HAMCL3::SCHARNBERGfind the misspelled sybills !Tue Feb 23 1993 09:543
    Dec 14th - Feb 19th
    
    Heiko
287.4ARRODS::OHAGANBHail Freedonia!Tue Feb 23 1993 09:585
    re .3
    
    A bit excessive that.
    
    barry.
287.5SUBURB::ABSOLOMTPaaaaaaattchTue Feb 23 1993 13:376
    I think it would be an excellent idea. And also why not make that
    period + close season the only times when transfers are allowed.
    
    Tony
    
    
287.6Good ideaJGODCL::SHERLOCKL.U.F.C. The phoenix has risenTue Feb 23 1993 15:0322
    I think it would be a very good idea. However, here on the continent
    ..at least in Germany and Holland, they do not have as many games
    as they do in England, therefore there *is* room for a break.
    
    I reckon that if they scrapped a few of these silly cup games that nobody's
    interested in anyway, that this would allow ample time for a winter
    break.
    
    Here in Holland, the winter break is from just before Christmas until
    mid-January. The Dutch F.A. assert that during this period the weather
    is unsuitable to play anyway. This is of course rubbish, as the worst
    of the weather is usually in February, and there are always loads
    of postponements during this month. 
    
    It seems to me to be more of an excuse *not* to play during the
    Christmas/New Year period. Obviously they have different ideas 
    than us about earning some extra revenue. 
    
    Tim 
    
    
    
287.7Winter break spent usefully...KBOMFG::KOEPPEThink Imaginary...Wed Feb 24 1993 10:0822
	I also consider the winter break a good idea.
	It gives injured players the opportunity to recover under less
	frustration of missing important games and under less pressure
	of having to be fit as quick as possible to get back into the squad.

	Here in Germany the teams take part in indoor tournaments, which
	is getting increasingly popular and also creates revenue.
	The teams also can play friendlies against teams in some of the
	warmer countries, giving the manager the opportunity to try out
	younger players and players with few games without any risk.
	Those players have the chance to prove themselves and to get back into
	the squad.
	Most German teams (i.e. Bundesliga) spend a week or two in training
	camps in warmer countries like Portugal, Teneriffe, Florida USA , etc.
	where the training conditions are ideal.

	The winter break is also used for transferring players, recent
	example here being Matthias Sammer, who changed from Inter Milan
	to Borussia Dortmund.

	Eduard
287.8Like clockwork.....GYMAC::DCASSIDYThu Feb 25 1993 16:1419
    
    As would be expected in Germany the Season is 'very' symmetrical in
    most instances....
    
    Season start....W1--W16 (16 Weeks 17 matches including only 
    			     1 midweek fixture) 
    Winter break....W17-W26 (10 Weeks)
    Season 2nd half.W27-W42 (16 Weeks 17 Return Fixtures)
    Summer Break....W43-W52 (10 Weeks)
    
    Of Course the Bundesliga plays all Cup fixtures up to and including
    the quarter Final before the Winter break. This is interspersed with
    the UEFA competitions (not that many German teams are left this year )
    and occassional International matches.
    
    Regards,
    
    Dezzz.
     
287.9How about byesICS::KETTWed Mar 03 1993 16:3210
    If you can't take the prospect of no football at all over a winter
    break, how about giving clubs weeks off by introducing byes. Cut the
    number of teams in the Premier league by 2 and free up 4 weekend for
    each club in the season. That way, on any given weekend there's
    football to watch, but each team gets a rest. I believe they follow
    this practice in the not-round-ball NFL in the U.S., and the clubs rely
    on those breaks to get unfit players ready to get killed again.
    
    Just a thought,
    Alan