Martin Lipton. Daily Mirror. Anyone read this crap? I’ve now seen the article. I’ve also seen a friend’s response on another board and have taken his text & pasted it below, paraphrased some, and added some more.
Let’s take a look at his main comment on the ‘Roman’s 10-year’ subject… and let’s run thru’ it all. And then we can look at some facts, summarise and comment accordingly. Yes, let us respond to the ignorant flippant comment thrown by the Daily Mirror’s ‘star’ writer.
10 years ago today…
…Roman Abramovich signed a cheque which was to change English football in general, and Chelsea Football Club in particular, for ever.
One could note that many supporters and fans have sometimes wondered what Roman was up to. On at least two or three occasions (Pre-Mourinho – Part 1, the sackings of Ancelotti and Di Matteo), have left many questioning whether or not Mr Abramovich was using our beloved Club like a Play Station game.
“Time to fukk off, Roman”, some said. Were they ungrateful? Were they being harsh? I don’t know. They’re entitled to an opinion, of course. And let’s not just chuck in the ‘won lots of silver’ defence argument.
There are two things which are utterly indisputable. One is what most will point out, the other some flippant crap:
1. His financial input did indeed take the Club to another level. In every way. Agreed.
2. The assertion from opposing supporters, and the likes of the obnoxious Martin Lipton that Chelsea was a Club “…transformed from nowhere into a global powerhouse…” (The Mirror, Saturday… now judiciously edited). That, frankly, is absolute utter bollocks.
Yes, this second point gives me the raving hump.
Let’s examine Martin Lipton’s ignorant and flippant “nowhere” comment with some real facts.
1. In 1996-97, Chelsea finished 6th in the League and won the FA Cup.
2. In 1997-98, they finished 4th, and won the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup
3. ’98-’99 saw the Super Cup added to a third place finish. By today’s rules, these last two seasons’ achievements would have meant Champions League qualification.
4. In 1999-2000, the Club did indeed qualify for the Holy Grail of Europe, being just some 7 minutes from beating Barca in the 1/4 final to earn a trip to the semi final; finished 5th in the League; and won the FA Cup.
5. 2000-01 was relatively lean… only the Charity Shield and a 6th place finish.
6. 2001-02 – 6th and FA Cup Runners-up.
7. 2002-2003 – 4th in the League… and Champions League football. THEN – Summer 2003 – Enter Roman.
If this was all being “nowhere”, I am very grateful I was there in “nowhere”, and enjoying it.
Ken Bates, love him or hate him (many of us think he did a superb job at Chelsea – saving the club from ground-sharing at Fulham in the first place, then turning it all round) was quite right in his programme notes regarding the work put in by the incumbent staff, and supporters.
But yes, the Club have achieved another level under Roman, and those of us who are real supporters will always be thankful to be able to remember the: League titles; The Double; all sorts of numerous trophies; lots and lots of European away trips; and, of course, “That Night In Munich”.
In Roman’s [only] programme notes back in August 2003, he said he wanted us all to have some fun. Well, we’ve had that. And some pain, I will add.
Few footnotes:
a) I still think he surrounds himself by people who know little about football in general and fukk all about Chelsea Football Club in particular.
(b) I still want to hear him talk (!).
(c) I still want to see him get himself a decent watch 😉 .
(d) I still don’t know the words to “Klinka” (but am pleased it was soon stopped being played at the Bridge).
(e) I will still be here when he’s long gone.
10 years – Happy Anniversary. And thank you.
And to Martin Lipton? – he’d be better off standing on his head and teaching his arse to speak. Or do some homework before he spits pro-scouser, anti-Chelsea bile. “Nowhere”, he said. “Bollox”, I say.
Up the Chels’.