Sunday, July 31, 2011

F**K La Opinión

I was so annoyed at this paper for an article they published on Saturday, that I wrote them a letter. The managed to criticise the club, the fans and the stadium, all in the same ill conceived piece. It was the blatent massage of numbers, deliberate and hipocritical criticism, a clear mission to get people to watch other teams on the telly rather than Real Murcia......this from a local rag. Beyond belief.

""""
Estimados señores,
Les escribo en referencia del articulo “Abonados y Televisión: Un difícil ajuste” aparecido en vuestro periódico el día Sábado 30 de Agosto. A mi parecer obedece a una clara política de desprecio hacía el Club Real Murcia. Articulo tras artículo, día tras día, La Opinión en su sección de deportes, nunca tiene nada positivo que decir sobre el club, y el día de ayer ya me cansé, que ya fue inventar y tergiversar los hechos para volver a menospreciar al club. O eso, o tengo que dudar seriamente de la profesionalidad del periodista quien lo ha escrito (que viene sin firmar en la edición online).

Vamos a analizar unos datos. Dice el artículo que el Real Murcia “sobrepasa escasamente los 4.000 abonados, cifra aceptable si la comparamos con los números de otros equipos, pero sospechoso, si tomamos la base de lo que tenía en otras temporadas”. No entiendo como un supuesto profesional puede ignorar unos datos publicados en la misma web del club, que el mismo viernes anterior a la publicación, confirman que el club cerró con 5.181 abonados, para ser exactos, justo tras el día en que mas abonos (renovaciones y nuevos) había vendido. ¿“escasos” 1.181 abonos? Luego está el comentario sobre la comparación con años anteriores, que en todo caso sería favorable si no hablamos de campañas en primera división. Pero lo que toca la moral es luego la hipócrita critica a la Nueva Condomina, que según el artículo es “difícil vía del senderismo encubierto que es la Nueva Condomina. Con los peores accesos, con fáciles embotellamientos, múltiples ramales....”, comentarios falsos y malintencionadas, mientras que a la Vieja Condomina “llegaba uno, paseando, a la hermosa Condomina, la de siempre”. Otra vez obvia los datos para servir la política de menosprecio. ¿Ha investigado cuantos abonados viven a 300 metros de la vieja condomina? ¿A qué no? Pues se llevaría una sorpresa. Y, de nuevo, los datos dicen que el Real Murcia ha aumentado sus abonados EN MAS DE UN 50% como mínimo desde que se fue de la querida pero decrepita Vieja Condomina, a la flamante y magnifica nueva. Sus argumentos no soportan en más mínimo escrutinio. ¿Cuántos partidos jugó la selección absoluta en la Vieja Condomina? ¿Por qué será? Pasar 10 minutos para salir de la zona…¿en qué estadio no pasa algo similar?

También molesta el menosprecio a los aficionados jóvenes del Real Murcia, los “todavía no indignados” como los describe. ¿Es tan difícil de entender que hay una creciente afición joven e incondicional que solo tiene los colores del Real Murcia y no los de otros equipos ajenos a varios cientos de kilómetros? Evidentemente ustedes no entienden que el apoyo de la grada puede influir en lo que pasa sobre el césped. Ustedes solo alimentan aquel “eterno descontento del Murcianismo” que tan bien describió otro periodista en otro periódico. Con vuestra política estáis alejando para siempre aquella afición joven, posibles lectores de vuestro periódico.

Yo no pertenezco a ello, he pasado ya ampliamente los 40, pero he tomado la decisión de no comprar nunca más vuestro periódico y borrarlo de mi lista de favoritos de internet. La credibilidad es muy importante en una información, y entre Ángela Moreno y Ernesto Fernández, cuyos artículos raramente corresponden con una información equilibrada y creíble, más bien a rencillas personales y una evidente aversión hacia el Real Murcia, no soporto cabrearme más con sus artículos.

Saludos cordiales.
""""


""""
Dear Sirs,

I’m writing to you in reference to the article “season tickets and television” that appeared in your newspaper on Saturday 30th August. In my opinion, it’s part of a slur campaign against Real Murcia. Article after article, day after day, La Opinión sports section, never has anything positive to say about the club, and yesterday I decided I’d had enough, as it was a case of inventing and distortion of the facts in order to again scorn the club. Or that, or I have to seriously doubt the professionalism of the journalist who wrote the article (it is unsigned in the electronic edition).

Let’s look at some facts. The article says that Real Murcia “barely passes 4,000 season tickets sold, an acceptable number if compared to other teams, but suspicious, if we take the base of those sold for other seasons”. I don’t understand why a supposed professional can ignore the figures published on the club’s official website, where, on the Friday before publication of the article, confirmed that the club had 5,181 season tickets sold to be exact, the same day they confirmed that Friday was the day most had been sold (both renewals and new). “Barely” 1,181 people? Then the comment on previous seasons, which is favorable if we don’t talk about seasons in Primera. But what really annoys is the hypocritical criticism of the New Condomina, that, according to the article is “a difficult hike to reach, with the worst access, easily bottlenecked, too many branches”, these are false and ill-intentioned comments, whilst painting the old Condomina as “reached by foot and beautiful”, again ignoring the facts to serve the campaign of disdain. Have you even investigated how many season ticket holders live within 300 meters of the old ground? Have you? You could be in for a big surprise. And, again, the facts say that Real Murcia have increased the number of season tickets sold BY MORE THAN 50% minimum since moving from the loved but decrepit Old Condomina, to our magnificent new Condomina. The arguments do not stand up to the minimum of scrutiny. How many games did the Spanish national side play in the old stadium? Why would that be? Having to take 10 minutes to leave the stadium area…..in which stadium doesn’t that happen?

Also annoying is the contempt towards the younger Real Murcia supporters, described as “not yet indignant”. Is it so difficult to understand that there is a growing unconditional young supporter who only have Real Murcia’s colours and not those of completely alien sides many hundreds of kilometers away? Evidently you don’t understand that support from the stands can influence proceedings on the pitch. You only serve to feed the “eternal unhappiness of murcianism” that another journalist so well described in another paper. With your policy you are distancing forever this young support, who could be your readers.

I’m not part of that Young support, I’m passed forty, but I’ve taken the decision to never buy your paper again, and to remove it from my internet favorites list. Credibility is important in information, and between Angela Moreno and Ernesto Fernandez, whose articles rarely correspond to even and believable information, more to personal quarrels and an evident loathing towards Real Murcia, I’ve decided not to get mad or upset any more with their articles.
""""

Friday, July 29, 2011

Summers End



I love summer in Spain...I mean the whole of it, the sun, the heat, the cloudless sky day after day after day, spending the weekend regulating one's temperature with one foot in some water (be it sea or pool) and one hand on a huge "pozal" of gin and tonic with plenty of lemon. The chance of free time and to press OFF on the mobile and laptop, of the BBQ's that start with lunch and end up being dinner too. It's the weather equivalent of supporting Barcelona.

But in footballing terms it's horrible. Little or no action, worthless uniteresting U-21, U-17, U-19 internationals, and the realisation that year after year it is money pure and simple that rules every move, and that players, agents and clubs (with very few exceptions) display a lack of scruples and a greed that surpasses even your worst expectations. It's like being frozen and wet on a gloomy thundery day watching Grimsby Town v Macclesfield holding a cup of cold bovril.

But today has provided me with a couple of the biggest (if somewhat ironic) laughs of the year, both caused as the scramble to spend petrodollars, gaspounds or oileuros hots up.

Firstly.....Money doesn't buy you intelligence or an understanding of football, as Sergio Agüero's semi illiterate utterings on signing (39 million) for Manchester City demonstrated....his reason for joining? The lovely weather? Carlos Tevez's recomendation? No..."It felt right" (and just maybe the obscene 200,000 per week pay the poor lad will be picking up). Now this creates a problem, as City's other massive ego's think they are now underpaid at a measly 150 large a week. I'll be happy to see them fail.

Secondly, hahahha...hahhahaaaa.....Chelsea's new boss Villas Boas comment that Manchester City's recruitment policy was "unfair"...hahhhahhahahahaaaa.....hahahahhahhaaaa. Now that's hilarious. Brilliant. I think we have a new comic talent on our hands. Either that or in Portugal ones own bully boy loadsamoney tactics are simply not on when a new bigger meaner bully is in the class. Pot. Kettle. Black. (and let's not forget this is the club who spent 75 million quid in one day last January, on the same day they conviniently hid the news of a 75 million pound loss for the preceeding year).

On a more serious note, it all makes UEFA's financial fairplay regulations look more and more ridiculous and ineffective. The clubs seem to be thinking that if they all flaunt these rules, they will all get off without punishment. Will Platini and co stand up to the bigger clubs and their TV audiences in favour of smaller, better run clubs? I think not.

Now.....I'm off to put my trunks on and find a big glass....

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Orihuela 2 Real Murcia 3

Real Murcia came back to win after being 2 - 0 down at half time.

Line up :

Dani Hernández
Mario Marín - Luciano - Nandi - Óscar Sánchez
Isaac - Juan Aguilera - Emilio Sánchez - Luis Carlos
Pablo - Chando

So a mix of second string and reserve players, plus Oscar and Chando as regular first teamers. In the second half Molinero, Oriol Lozano, Rubén Párraga, Iván Amaya, Nico Varela, Pedro, Richi and Molino came on.

Our goals were scored by :
2 - 1 Richi 55'
2 - 2 Nico Varela 73'
2 - 3 Aguilera 77'


Real again wore a kit supplied by new sponsor Joma.....but according to the club this isn't the new kit and is only being used for pre-season, the proper new strip will only be worn for the first league game against Recreativo in Huelva on 21st Ausust. Good job too.....don't like the badge in the middle.

Next match is another friendly against Almeria at Lorca next Wednesday.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Friendlies....

Tonight (8.30 p.m.) Real Murcia visit Orihuela at the Los Arcos Stadium in Orihuela.

After then we have :

Wednesday 3rd August at the Artes Carrasco in Lorca (time TBC) : ALMERIA

Saturday 6th August at Campoamor 19:00 : HERCULES

Tuesday 9th August at the Artes Carrasco in Lorca Artés (time TBC): TRIANGULAR LORCA - CARTAGENA - REAL MURCIA

Saturday 13th August at the Campo Municiapal in La Roda 19:30 : LA RODA

Wednesday 17th August eat La Arboleja in Cieza 20:30 : CIEZA

Transfer news.....Real have confirmed the signing of full back Ruben Parraga (Corboda 2/9/84). from Granada on a 2 year contract.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Olimpico Totana 0 Real Murcia 5

First warm up match of the summer. I didn't see it, naughtily preferring Eric Burdon and his Animals at San Javier.

First half we lined up with :

Fernando
Juanjo - Luciano - Oriol Lozano - Óscar Sánchez
Mario Marín - Juan Aguilera - Richi - Luis Carlos
Samuel López - Isaac

In the second half there were plently of substitutions, with players like "Saint" Alberto, Molinero, Iván Amaya, Migue, Nandi, Nico Varela, Pablo, Emilio Sánchez, Pedro and Kike coming on - so many reserve team and youth players involved.

The first half finished 0 - 0.....then a goalfest by Kike who scored 4, and Pedro with the other.

Real Murcia also unveiled their new away kit : Yellow shirt, black shorts and yellow socks. I'm not against the colour scheme - but the club crest should always be on the left, over the heart. To me it just looks like new club supplier Joma have taken a stock shirt and bunged a Real Murcia badge on it....rather shoddy for a centenary club. Let's home the new home shirt is a whole lot better than this.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Barcelona. No Class. No Money.

You can admire their football......but dig a little deeper and Barcelona's off field behaviour and dealings leave a lot to be desired.

A report came out last month by the University of Barcelona's football-finance expert, José María Gay de Liébana, that exposes the Barcelona myth. They are always going on about how they are more than a club and that player loyalty is down to a love of the club. I think we all know that 99% of modern footballers will pull on the shirt of the highest bidder - so it's no surprise to see that the player wages that took up €234.8m in 09 / 10 were the highest in world football.

It's a fantastic example of success at any price...or, to put it another way, financial doping....or just plain and simple cheating. This is a club that, according to the report, was burdened with €548.6m of debt in 09 / 10, this is (I believe) before the €150.0m loan they took out in order to pay player wages that were outstanding in the last post season (but admittedly also before their sponsorship deal with the Qatar Foudation for €150.0m - and have you seen how tacky and amateur the logo looks on their shirts?). Gay de Liébana starky says "That Barcelona, the Liga champions and Champions League semi-finalists in 2009-10 and winners in 2010-11, are technically in a state of bankruptcy is alarming for the entire football sector".

This is the same club that are this very day offering over €40m for Chile and Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez. Is it any wonder their disgraceful fake persuit of Cesc Fabregas includes any number of pathetic and absurd attempts to lower the price. Emotional blackmail, illegal approaches, shit stirring.....how can a serious, respectable club, publish an article on their official website, where Xavi accuses Arsenal of making Cesc "suffer". A player who is under contract until 2016.....and who didn't have a gun held to his head when he signed said contract.

The truth is Barsa a very deep in brown stuff. I am longing for the day when the rest of la liga put an end to the unfair share they get of the TV money in Spain, and they (and Madrid) come back down to earth with a thud.

It's about time they stopped lying and admitted they have a serious problem. Forget the dirty tactics. The transfer market they created by paying inflated transfer fees for players can't all of a sudden not be applicable because the player in question was a youth player at the club, or because others with deeper pockets have trumped them. Fabregas is one of the best young players in the world.....the same world that said Fernando Torres was worth 50 and Andy Carroll 35 million quid. So his price is his price. They can't afford it, and Arsenal are right not to bow down to the dirty tricks. And why should Arsenal accept a bargain price and payment in promisory notes (not cash in hand) when they took three of four seasons to pay up on the deals for Alexander Hleb and Thierry Henry using the same method? It would give Barcelona immediate access to a world class player, but would leave Arsenal unable to reinvest the money...until Barcelona finally cough up....and who knows when that would be?

In's and Out's.....

Out the door is Ander Gago. He came in from Lemons last summer and was our first choice right back for most of the season. But with Mario Marín looking such a good prospect and with the arrival of Molinero, plus the fact that Gago is untried in Segunda, the club decided to let him go. Also out on a season long loan is Urzaiz who will be at Ponferradina.


In comes central defender Oriol Lozano from Aris Salonica in Greece. He had previosely player 116 games in Primera for Racing Santander, so he will add class and experience at the back.


Also in is Emilio Sanchez from Recreatico de Huelva. More of a risky signing as he hasn't sent the world on fire down at Recre.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Molinero


Francisco Molinero Calderón (Ontígola, Toledo, 26th July 1985) became our first signing for next season last week. He plays at right back and has put pen to paper on a three year contract. Last year Molinero played at Huesca, where he played 37 games and scored 1 goal. He came through the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid, where he made 25 apperances in Primera. He then went on to play at Málaga, Mallorca, Levante and Dinamo Bucarest in Rumania, so he brings a lot of experience to the side. Good luck!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Campeones!

Yes! Finally, 39 days late, we received our well earned pot as champions of the 80 teams that participated in Segunda B.


Photo : Here we see Juan Antonio Samper (jeft) collecting the champions trophy from RFEF president Angel Maria Villar (right).

What should be a happy event brings into focus a lot of what is wrong with the lower levels of Spanish football, and how it is viewed by officials and fans alike. How on earth can Villar and his ilk think it's a good idea to present the trophy at a general meeting, over a month after the players had gained the title? Is the third level's title considered so insignificant, and it's winning such a minor achievement, that it carries with it a certain shame? I know that for english readers this is a bit unfathomable, but in Spain, where 99% support either Madrid or Barcelona (with their European Cups and Liga and Copa del Rey Titles, yes, all presented on the pitch after the title winning game, to the club captain), any smaller trophy is almost accepted with a blush. So do the RFEF think that (for example) Real Murcia fans aren't bothered about the cup we have won fairly and squarely, after a great effort by the squad? Do they think the players are happy to have no pot to parade to their happy fans after the win against Sabadell? They need to start to realize that there is life after Madrid/Barsa.

And for those in Murcia who hide behind those big clubs ahead of Real Murcia with the typical "oh Real Murcia don't win anything"......we are 9 times (NINE!) champions of the Spanish second division. So shove that up yer hole!


Photo : Majority shareholder Jesús Samper (left) and director Victor Alonso (right) proudly show off the silverware. The champions of Segunda B group IV trophy (right) and the segunda B Champion of Champions trophy (left). We should be rightly proud.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Season 2011 / 12 fixtures....

The dates, as usual depend on what the TV companies want to do - but they are on the weekend of the dates shown :

21/08/2011 Recreativo Huelva - Real Murcia

28/08/2011 Real Murcia - Celta

04/09/2011 Elche - Real Murcia

11/09/2011 Real Murcia - Almería

18/09/2011 Real Valladolid - Real Murcia

25/09/2011 Real Murcia - Numancia

02/10/2011 Las Palmas - Real Murcia

09/10/2011 Real Murcia - Xerez

16/10/2011 Huesca - Real Murcia

23/10/2011 Real Murcia - Villarreal B

30/10/2011 Cartagena - Real Murcia

06/11/2011 Real Murcia - Deportivo la Coruña

13/11/2011 Hércules - Real Murcia

20/11/2011 Real Murcia - Barcerlona B

27/11/2011 Sabadell - Real Murcia

04/12/2011 Real Murcia - Alcorcón

11/12/2011 Guadalajara - Real Murcia

18/12/2011 Real Murcia - Alcoyano

08/01/2012 Nástic - Real Murcia

15/01/2012 Real Murcia - Córdoba

22/01/2012 Girona - Real Murcia

29/01/2012 Real Murcia - Recreativo Huelva

05/02/2012 Celta - Real Murcia

12/02/2012 Real Murcia - Elche

19/02/2012 Almería - Real Murcia

26/02/2012 Real Murcia - Real Valladolid

04/03/2012 Numancia - Real Murcia

11/03/2012 Real Murcia - Las Palmas

18/03/2012 Xerez - Real Murcia

21/03/2012 Real Murcia - Huesca

25/03/2012 Villarreal B - Real Murcia

01/04/2012 Real Murcia - Cartagena

08/04/2012 Deportivo la Coruña - Real Murcia

15/04/2012 Real Murcia - Hércules

22/04/2012 Barcelona B - Real Murcia

29/04/2012 Real Murcia - Sabadell

06/05/2012 Alcorcón - Real Murcia

13/05/2012 Real Murcia - Guadalajara

16/05/2012 Alcoyano - Real Murcia

20/05/2012 Real Murcia - Nástic

27/05/2012 Córdoba - Real Murcia

03/06/2012 Real Murcia - Girona

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Seven Crowns


Since 1922, our club crest has featured 7 crowns at it's centre. These signify the seven crowns given to the kingdom of Murcia, that also appear in the city's flag.

The crowns were originally 5 - and were given to the city and realm of Murcia by Alfonso X. They were 5 signifying that Murcia was the fifth kingdom, after Castilla, León, Galicia and Córdoba, that this monarch incorporated into his dominion. The sixth crown was bestowed to the kingdom of Murcia by Pedro I "the cruel" (XIV century). The 7th and last crown came from the hands of Felipe V, in thanks to Murcia for their support in the war of succession against Archduke Carlos of Austria at the start of the XVIII century - it is said that 400 Murcians along with 700 regular soldiers saw off over 6000 of the Archduke's "europeans".

The large crown sits on top of our crest since 1923 when king Alfonso XIII awarded Murcia Foot Ball Club (sic) the title of "Real" (Spanish "Royal"), hence the club's name, Real Murcia (Royal Murcia). This crown was removed, and the club again called just plain and simple Murcia, when the republican government of 1931 prohibited anything that made reference to the monarchy. After the civil war, in season 39-40, the crown was reinstated along with the Real Murcia name, and remains to the present day.

Monday, July 4, 2011

One Soul.....Two Halves.

There are 2 very distinct sets of supporters at Real Murcia.

Group 1 : The most numerous. Tend to be the older generation, and are always harping on about how long they have been supporting the club, or a younger aloof inteligencia who look down with distain on group 2. Criticise only Real Murcia players, never the opposition. Regard owner Jesús Samper as an outsider, who is only here for business and to thieve from the locals. Use what would normally be hate figures as their examples with which they berate the club. Unlikely to wear any club colours, lest we lose and they be confused with the mugs that support the club. Conversation with them usually leads to an admission of unfaithfulness with either Madrid or Barcelona (never any other bunch of losers). Demand expensive and immediate signings, regardless of the clubs financial plight. Confuse support of the 11 players on the pitch with support for Mr. Samper. Grumblingly renew their season tickets after threatening not to do so in protest at the clubs perceived inactivity in the transfer market. Are convinced group 2's blind faith is ultimately counterproductive and damages the club.

Group 2 : The minority. Tend to be a younger crowd, have Real Murcia as their only team, and defend them "in sickness and in health". Vociferous. Sometimes perhaps blindly accept all our sometimes inept directors business and football decisions. Transmit confidence from the stands and help the team recover from any setbacks. Renew their season tickets as soon as they can, regardless of transfer comings and goings. Wear club shirts and scarves to games. Are convinced group 1 are a millstone around the clubs neck.

There is a deep seated issue here - trust. 2's trust that the players, officials and management are actually trying to do their best, even if thing's don't turn out as intended. 1's deeply mistrust everyone concerned, and think that the only way to get them to run faster or try harder is to call them a dog. Everyone's motives are in question.

All I know is that, from my "English fan" perspective, I have rarely seen the crowd win a game for us. Occasionally, yes, but more often I've seen the group 1's make the players nervous and blow a lead or concede a last miniute winner. And only chirp up to sing as one when it's to ask for the manager's head. I also know that good players become bad ones if they lose confidence. And mediocre players can have good games, given support.

1's and 2's need to agree to disagree on all other matters - but when 11 men come out with all those crowns on their chests, I can see no other way but to get behind them 100%. Anything else, just doesn't help.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Friendlies.....

Schedule of pre season friendlies:

V. Olimpico Totana in Totana on 22nd July

V. Orihuela in Orihuela on 27th July

V. Hércules in Campoamor on 6th August

V. Cieza in La Arboleja on 17th August

I can also reveal that to add to these the first pre season game will be against Hereford United on 20th July at a venue to be announced.

Friday, July 1, 2011

In Sickness And In Health......

Yesterday was the last day clubs in Segunda B and had to settle their accounts with players or face "administrative relegation" to the division immediately below them. Usually this means last minute fixes and clubs saved at the bell. So how bad have things got when all these clubs have been relegated :

From Segunda B to Tercera :
Alicante
Castellón
Cultural Leonesa
Poli Ejido
Palencia
Rayo Vallecano B
Universidad de las Palmas

Teams that were already relegated from Segunda B to Tercera, and have been descended a further category for non payment (So will play in Preferente):
Benidorm
Cerro Reyes
Estepona
Jumilla
La Muela

This is terrible for cities like Castellón and León, Palencia or El Ejido, and makes very clear to the lazy and inept suits at the RFEF that serious reform is need of both the segunda B and tercera structure, along with the rules by which clubs are run. It also makes plain the fact that in Spain there is little or no life after Madrid and Barcelona. Unless you are in Primera and to some (minimum) extent Segunda.....your stadium will be empty and your coffers too. Zero TV money, zero sponsorship......can you imagine not seeing goals from the Coca-Cola Leagues one and two each weekend on Sky? Unthinkable. In Spain.....third and fourth levels are unmarketable. If that is due to no demand or no ability to create a demand...is a chicken and egg question.

The possible relegations aren't finished yet. Primera and Segunda clubs have until 30th July to solve their money troubles with players.