Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Has the whole world gone mad?
Friday 9th October 2009, 9:10AM BST.
It has been a frustrating week in and out of the footballing world for Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.
Firstly I will warn you, this blog is not completely football related, but I need to get some things off my chest.
This week has had me scratching my head in bewilderment, it began with an incident which is not football related. I run a recruitment agency based in Birmingham and earlier this week I was struck by political correctness gone wrong.
A consultant who works for me had spent the day at the job centre recruiting for a number of positions he had available at a local company. Having selected up to 25 suitable people, he instructed them all to start work the next day and told them he would even be there to greet them and help them get started.
The next day two of the people did not attend, they did not contact us and when we attempted to contact them they both switched their phones off.
We contacted their local job centre, where they were collecting their Jobseekers Allowance, and explained what had happened. In the past the employment services would cease their allowance or at least investigate the reasons for them not attending as they should be “actively seeking work.”
But, we were told, under new instructions for them to be able to stop their ‘dole’ money we would have to prove beyond any doubt we had offered them work. No longer was our word good enough, we had to provide evidence we had offered them the job.
So we told them we interviewed them at their job centre and the offer was made face-to-face for a start the next day, we could supply phone records that confirmed we contacted them later that day to confirm details, but again this was not suitable.
In other words they got away scot free and have carried on claiming their allowance. It not only baffled me, it angered me, which leads me onto this weekends situation were England’s World Cup qualifying game against the Ukraine is only available to watch via the internet.
The decision has caused a bit of a stir amongst the media, but just imagine how much worse it would have been had England not already qualified for the finals in South Africa next summer?
The fact is we have all become accustomed to our football being disrupted by the haggling of satellite companies over the purchasing of rights to air games, but this seems a step too far.
We are told that there was only one company prepared to pay the asking price to air the game. The ins and outs of the situation as ever are complicated, but I would suggest that this weekend’s game sets an unwanted precedent.
And just when I thought things couldn’t become anymore bizarre, I hear that the Albion has held preliminary talks with Sol Campbell about a possible move to the Hawthorns. That in itself is not unusual, but when I then carried out a small amount of research I found that the same story had appeared on at least a dozen other clubs message boards.
His agent is obviously a very busy boy, and the media just lap up any gossip.
My final rant is related to the Express and Star’s online story about the Sol Campbell connection. As I read the comments below from fans, I read two comments by my old mucker Hilltop Baggie and instantly thought that it didn’t sound like him.
A quick telephone call later established that some loser had thought it funny to impersonate him. If it had been funny I could have seen some point to it, but it wasn’t and I don’t.
Anyway as we do not have a game this weekend I have taken the opportunity to have a general rant, I am already missing the boys in stripes and cant wait for the next game.
I am just glad I have a season ticket and its not only available on the internet!
Sponsored Links
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Jarrod.
I hope you’re not going to carry on widening your scope beyond football or I’ll never get off here. Your first point makes my blood boil. Especially as it comes within days of politicians of all persuasions telling the rest of us that we have to work beyond 65 to keep these lazy b****rs that refuse to work in the luxury they’ve become accustomed to.
On your ‘Hilltop’ point, I’ve just posted a long and probably very boring rant about the same thing on the Sol Campbell story.
Report abuse
Very silly to impersonate someone, but Terry pretends to be SOUTHBANKLAD on the dingles page! Personally I think those 2 places you had spare at that employment should be given to the lazy, uninterested Brunt (I would say Zuivy but he’s too tired!) and Bednar as a wake up call. I cant believe he’s moaning about being wound up by players after what he has done. The world has gone mad but we do seem to have quite a few lazy, spoilt brats within our squad at the moment.
Report abuse
Hi Bomber. As you know, i was in the same line of work for many years and got accustomed to being let down by work shy people who would just not bother to go to work…. and I always made a point of reporting this to the benefits office and took some satisfaction when their (fraudulent) “job seekers” benefit was stopped. I am so glad that I no longer work in recruitment as I don’t think I could put up with that kind of response – its immoral.
On the hilltop postings – I was also sure they were fraudulent and posted a reply to that effect – but the boards have become so full if this type of childish behaviour that I often don’t bother posting (no loss there I know).
Anyway – i hope Pete “bumps into” whoever was impersonating him and shows them just what the real hipptop baggie thinks of it. all the best mate.
Report abuse
Jarrod – agree with you on so many points, but want to get back to the footie.
I have to say that the Campbell link leaves me a bit undecided. I know quite a few of the regular posters have made the comment about him being at the wrong end of his career, and particularly about how (unmaintained) muscle soon heads south at that age – but, like the Phillips saga, I fall into the camp of “you can’t buy that kind of experience”.
Watching the Albion this season, we seem to lack that cutting edge up front & steel at the back – and I can’t help but wonder, if we had Phillips and or Campbell in the squad, not only would they be useful additions (maybe only bit part players), but also the younger, less experienced players would have someone to look upto.
Personally, I think this is a quality that we have underestimated. I know we’ve been down the Staunton, Phelan route before – but we’re talking about a different Albion now.
On another note – I can’t help but think how dingle-esque we’re becoming on these pages. I’m the first to admit to the occasional groan, but to openly, and in some cases, quite venomously, criticise players has to be counter productive.
I for one, am quite happy to see the likes of Brunt, Zuiverloon, Bednar & others in the Blue & White – and over the moon that big Ish is back running.
Report abuse
very daft behaviour by a seemingly adult crowd, i’m guessing it might be one of the 2 job shy’s that failed to turn up following their silver plate offer who are sat at home bored out of their minds whilst updating their facebook status’s every 2 minutes about how unfair the world is to them. i’d love to spend more time on here but given the current climate theres a lot mroe to do in a job now, especially as i’ve got to earn my wages to pay into the tax pot for these losers, after all we wouldn’t want them thinking that they owe the world anything would we…
as for old sol i’d be chuffed to see a man of his stature in the squad, but i’ll trust your judgment on the mini frenzy mr andrews is trying to create.
Report abuse
morning all, firstly it is me !!!!!!!!!. I’m quite flattered that someone wants to impersonate my goodself, your only problem who ever you are is that i’m quite unique, brains and brawn, and equally adept at both. Thanks for spotting the intruder, happy, forever and bomber. My points this season have not been to run the club or any one individual down, in fact quite the oposite, but my points are also realistic, and my worries are not that we wont get promoted, more that under megson we knew we were going up as an organised squad, with weakness’s granted. Under mowbray we knew we were going up as a footballing side, also with weakness’s. As yet i cant see what type of game plan we are preparing under rdm. One of the things as a supporter i need to feel is confident that the squad are pulling together, of which i had no doubts at all, im worried with so much frustration from players out of position that we will end up with a fractured squad and although we achieve the ultimate goal we will always be in danger of losing key players unneccesarily. Any way great blog bomber, as always thought provoking, and bring on the next game
Report abuse
If there are two jobs still going then please let me know how I can apply, not for me you understand as I have a job. My brother-in-law is deperate for a job and has been since he got made redundant.
Footie stuff…..not convinced about Sol.
Report abuse
If Mr Andrews can create enough rumours about Sol, then someone will offer him what he wants. It’s the oldest trick in the book.
It just isn’t JPs style because whilst as a player he would be a great addition, as a financial burden to undertake it could well upset the rest of our squad.
While the rest of us work to earn in a year what they earn in a week for playing a game, only to see our tax spent propping up these lazy ****s who when offered work switch off everything except the Xbox and X factor.
Jarrod totally with you mate and can’t wait to see football back in blue and white with us against Reading next week.
Report abuse
3. Although pete appears to be a big bloke you cant imagine him going to a Wolves game looking for trouble! We would have to have them in the cup for that to happen.
The Campbell link is positive but lets be fair at times Homer Simpson would improve our defence. I think that we have to get rid of Bednar if things do not improve, does not seem bothered.
Report abuse
2.
Go away Shadrag. You’re just becoming very tiresome and pathetic.
PS. How is the financial advice business?
Report abuse
Hi Jarrod,
I did some time in construction recruitment a few years back and can understand the frustration of someone not showing up on their first day.
However, having been on the wrong end of some very shambolic customer service from recruitment agencies (not from your good self I might add), I can also sympathise with anybody that looks after themselves and seeks out further opportunities through other avenues at the same time. Who’s to say these two didn’t have a start elsewhere? This isn’t to say they shouldn’t have told you if they had, as there’s nothing worse than a DTU!!
I do however, agree with your sentiments re: their benefits (should they still be ‘seeking’ work). It does seem that in many cases, bureacracy and several aspects of our legal system favour those will ill intentions, at the cost of the rest of us.
Despite differing opinions, I think most of us are united in accepting there could be positives and negatives in the extreme with signing Campbell. I don’t think we will sign him now it’s been made public (that’s if we were ever interested), but if we did, hopefully a short-term deal would eradicate any huge risk to upsetting confidence, fleecing the club etc.
Hilltop, I apologise. I tried to argue with ‘your’ sentiments yesterday that Dennis Wise would be a good appointment. Sometimes when it comes to the Albion, I’m too quick to bite without using my head and considering it may not be you, and I’ll be more careful when responding to regular posters in future given the imposter epidemic!!
Report abuse
Jarrod, may I suggest that the two miscreants already have ‘moonlighting jobs’, no tax, money in pocket? Back in the 70s we had students who would only sign for one-day week TV courses but we knew were picking up dole money. Sadly, they were allowed to get away with it because I tried all ways to stop it. We had honest youngsters doing full-time who worked their guts out to get qualified.
Report abuse
2 & 9.
You’re now becoming a cereal offender Shadrag, you cornflake.
Report abuse
I’m not bothered about the England game being on TV . What does concern me are the constant disruptions to the Premier League and Championship with no games to go to or watch this weekend. It’s only early October but this the third break since August. Going to a football match is partly a habit and these interuptions help to break the habit. Not only that that players return jaded after all the travelling and also get injured. Attendances tend to decline in the run up to Christmas and we have now missed three sets of weekend fixtures at a time when interest and consequently gates should be at their highest. It’s time for clubs to insist that world cup and European qualifiers are played in the close season and meaningless friendlies are scrapped.
Report abuse
2 – You’re Shadrag, you know it, I know it, and the rest of the world knows it, so I think it’s ridiculous that your loosely veiled pretence of being an Albion fan named bluenwhitestripes is actually quite pathetic!!
9 – Another Dinglet (probably my favourite little Shadrag again) proving Bomber’s point straight away by impersonating me……what a numpty!!
To be honest, I’ve stopped commenting on here as much as I used to because of that reason.
Bomber – as you know, I’m in recruitment too and unfortunately we live in a world where we are almost powerless to prevent people from sitting on their behinds and picking up cash that we’re all working 60 hour weeks to put in front of them.
Report abuse
Shadrag, Nedball’s far too articulate and knowledgable for one of your posts to accurately impersonate him. Sort your life out.
Report abuse
What really annoys me is when people post under my name and my posts don’t get posted.
Bomber, I sympathise with you on the 2 lay abouts from the job centre. Working in recruitment myself unfortunately it’s the way that our beloved country has become.
Report abuse
Im with you on all the points raised Bomber!
It drives me crazy that someone has to stoop so low that they have to ‘fake’ being someone else. I mean can anyone really have such little about them that they need to do this.
Albion/Wolves banter and arguments will run forever long and thats how it should be, without the need of some mindless, sorry pointless person resorting to that
As for Sol Campbell, been there and done it, will be invaluable on and off the pitch, so id say lets get ot wrapped up, red tape permitting.
And finally, I know some people dont care about watching their country but I love it and this will be the 1st game I can ever remember not watching it in any shape or form. I always watch the games whether live or if ive recorded it and this is ££ gone mad
Least a trip to Wembley on Wednesday will soften it a little. Good weekend all
Report abuse
Blimey…. reading these posts there are enough of us with experience to start our own agency. What would we call it ???? And would we get off here long enough to place anyone ???
My suggestion would be AAA recruitment (All About Albion) – we would get that coverted 1st spot in the phone book !!!
Report abuse
Am I the only Albion fan that hasn’t or doesn’t work in recruitment? Along with the fact that I’m the only one not to be impersonated by Shadrag, I’m feeling really left out.
Report abuse
I wouldn’t like to go back to the days when I was 8 and my Dad ended up with a ladle full of molten cast iron in his boot. (The blackout was overdone in the foundry in 1939). No money for 18 weeks and 3 kids to keep. Certainly we have gone too far the other way and the few are keeping the many. Puts a different interpretation of Winston Churchill’s “Never was so much owed by so many to so few”. ‘Owed’ being the operative word in these days of huge debt. No football for two weeks and we’ve gone all political. Was football actually invented by the Government to keep the masses from getting restless? Were the Unions formed by people who hated football? Will Shadrag ever stop being a mince spy?
Report abuse
WHO THE HELL WANTS TO WORK?
I worked in a factory for 4 years packing
components into small boxes picking up about
£150 a week,Iam now on benifits due to a nervous
break down collecting a fantastic £250 a week
while doing bugger all.
I went to a B&Q superstore yesterday morning
and the car park was absolutely jam packed,
It then made me think as to how many people
are actually out of work and claming benifits.
People come over to this country without a pot
to urinate in and get given all the best jobs
and claim off the state just for having 10 kids to care for ,so is it any wonder as to why people
dont want to go to work when we have a
goverment paying thousands of pounds to people
who shouldn`t even be in the country.
DO PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO WORK?
NO NOT REALLY!
Report abuse
if them two jobs r still open ill have one please
Report abuse
22 DLB.
While I agree that people that come to the country having contributed nothing should not get a life of leisure, being born here doesn’t entitle the lazy b*****s that have no intention of working to do the same thing. Cyril is right, we don’t want to go back to the bad old days but unemployment benefit ought to keep you body and soul together until you get a job. Not money for beer, fags, betting shop and computer games while the rest of us slog away to pay for it.
In answer to your question. No of course I don’t want to work but neither do I want to be a leech on society.
Report abuse