Monday 25 May 2009

On Newcastle going down.

So in the end my beloved Sheffield Wednesday will be playing the mighty Toon next year after a long long season. To be completely honest I am more disappointed to see West Brom and Middlesbrough drop out of the Premier League than the famous Newcastle United. 

This is principally because I am fed up of the attitudes of 'big team fans' who think they have a divine right to stay in the top flight. Personally I do hope they bounce straight back because a city the size of Newcastle deserves a Premier League team although there are plenty of big cities - notably Leeds, Sheffield and Bristol - that are not represented. However, unless they sort out their finances (and if they fail to come back up straight away) then the words Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest will be ringing in their ears.

However, I am also pleased Newcastle will be joining us in the Championship because it will continue to raise the profile of perhaps one of the most exciting leagues in the world. More people come to watch it than Serie A, and Hillsborough (currently the largest stadium in the league) will be absolutely dwarfed by the 50+ thousand St. James' Park. I hope that this does not play into oppositions hands who may treat it like a day out at Wembley. When we were promoted in 04/05 are away form was better than our home because teams such as Torquay(!) would raise their game in front of such a large crowd.


P.S. Come on Burnley today! Let us have the pleasure of taking another 6 points from the Blades next year!

Saturday 23 May 2009

Worship overflow

Spent this morning watching a Carl Medearis video and a bit of some of favourite Hillsong YouTube clips. Having now happily settling into the British charismatic church for a few years I wonder does our exuberant worship overflow onto the streets? Does it make us love our enemies and change this broken world as suggested by Carl? Sometimes I look at my own life and doubt it. But then looking at my own church and recent initiatives with running the 10k, a single parents fair and the ever popular Noise projects I think there is hope! Hope for my church to let our worship change us, but as an individual...? What does that look like?