Stadium San Mames
Freakishly, whilst in the museum about the history of the club, there was a pendant on display that was given to them by Newcastle United when they played each other in 1994. It was quite spooky to find a link between the two clubs!
Now you may remember Athletic Club from last season when they knocked Manchester United out of the Europa League. They ended up going all the way to the final before losing to Atletico Madrid. Along with that they were runners up in the Copa Del Rey against Barcelona. Last year was a very good season for the team and they are hoping that they can build on that success in the forthcoming season.
However the crazy thing in all of this is that all the players who play for Athletic Bilbao come from the Basque region of Spain where the club is based. For a team that only allows Basque players to compete for them they have done extremely well, they have a group that actually want to play for the shirt because they come from the Basque region.
It got me thinking, what would the Premier League be like if it was divided into regions? Or if it only allowed players from an area such as the North-East? There would be a limited pool of players that teams could choose from and teams wouldn’t be dominated by foreign imports. Of course this really wouldn’t happen in the current age of football but it does make for a thoughtful debate. It would see the Premier League have more English players in the squads and perhaps these players playing for the shirt because they come from that region. In terms of the North-East, both Newcastle and Sunderland would be fighting for players from that area but if you think about it, if regions were used in Premier League football Newcastle could have had players such as Michael Carrick and others play for them because that is their native county.
Athletic Club are unable to compete with other teams in La Liga because they only employ Basque players but for a club that uses this tradition they have been extremely successful. It highlights that only with the Basque players in their squad they don’t need to use a massive influx of money to sign quality players such as the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. This system does have it’s limitations but indicates that how a regional based club can be successful in La Liga.
Would it ever work anywhere else though?
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It sounds like a nice idea but we definately wouldnt be top if we just had Northumbrians, Liverpool and Everton would be fighting it out at the top all the time with Arsenal and WH finding loopholes because of London being so diverse.
I’ve always(over the last 3 years) had a soft spot for Bilbao and I like how they operate so always find it interesting when they do well.
The answer is “no” because such a system would be in breach of EU Law – in fact Bilboa no longer officially have an all Basque policy because it’s illegal.
Whether or not it would change the nature of the game if it were possible is open to debate. However, looking at the current pool of local talent I would say that our team would be undoudtedly worse for the absence of Cabaye, Ben Arfa etc.
Of course it’s tempting to think that this is a new problem, but a quick scan of our 1950s successfull squad throws up Simpson, Mitchell, Brennan, Robledo & Harvey, none of whom would have qualified to play for Newcastle.
All I ask is 100% effort on the pitch and whilst I loved seeing local lad Shearer lead the line, Nolberto Solano is one of my favourite alltime players despite coming from deepest, darkest Peru.
Guy
I understand what your saying but could you clarify for me(and I assume others) why it would be illegal?
Bit quiet tonight, where is everyone?
8 days 2 hours 15min till NUFC next kick off
Zoe – to be fair, if you look at our current squad we have the largest amount of regional players for a long time. That said, they are not our top players, and in fact none of our ‘top’ players are even English.
As a club though I do think that in recent years we have put more focus on finding local young talent, and if we can bring players like Campbell through the ranks, that should encourage young talented players to stay put.
national teams writ small. It could be like a “National Cup,” rather than a world cup. Another competition!
Bilbao and the Basques are an exceptional case really. They are essentially a people and small nation unto themselves. Spain is a very decentralised country economically and politically anyway, I know people here might hate people from london but the Catalan/Madrid thing is massive, probably because there’s still such recent hostility with the whole Franco era. Anyway, many Basques want complete independence and they have a proud tradition in either case soo…
Not quite sure how true the reports were, but apparently Bilbao fans have been/were burning Llorente stuff already, even though he’s not been sold but just wants to move somewhere else next year. You can’t argue with him being comitted before and he’s been at the club his whole life, but for whatever reason he wants to leave. The cynic in me would say money, and that’s exactly why nobody would ever really solely play for their hometown club simply because it is their own club.
We could have had Carrick if we just had a better youth scouting network, and its nothing new-we missed out on plenty of players throughout our history-including the best ever English player Bobby Charlton, so there ya go
Besides, Carrick wouldn’t get into our first team anyway, even as a CB 
Newkie
.
I’m procratenating the conclusion to my history essay on just that point. Lol. Ah it’s always good when Newcastle talk can intertwine with school work
I think with Llorente he just wants to be able to test himself on a bigger stage, I don’t just believe its just for money. Professionalism has to be in front of romanticism. Whilst it would be lovely to be committed to your hometown club your whole career would that benefit you if you don’t further yourself to win titles and CL trophies.
I think we should scrap the traditional football strip and all players should play in basques.
The way some players pull their socks up over the knee these days I’m sure it’d be welcomed.
…on a serious note, yeah Zoe, interesting article. I always used to think it’d be ideal if teams were built up from players from within that specific area. After all that’s how it all began. Never gona happen though nowadays. The Basque policy at Bilbao is highly politically charged.
I cycled through Bilbao in 1993 and there were ETA posters and graffiti left right and centre. I couldn’t get out of there quick enough to be honest.
…it reminded me of a Spanish North Shields. Every other city we went through we got ignorance at worst, but the kids in Bilbao preferred to chuck stones at the moving targets.
…bless.
Andy-I don’t know, ask Shearer
Although I suppose he did already win the PL before he joined us…Anyway yeah I’m not saying its all about the money, I guess it really depends on where he goes. If he came to City it would definitely be money, because he’s not better than Aguero or Tevez and depending on the Baloteill situation he’d find it tough getting games. Plus, little bit harsh that he’d leave after one of his clubs most successful seasons now that he’s a household name after knocking out Manure eh
Newkie
, I knew about Llorente years ago, from FIFA 
True
Was part of my ‘untouchables’ team
.
Ruiz Llorente Bale
Was my forward line, and we’re talking about 3/4 years ago when no one (except their clubs/fans) knew about them. Quite possibly the coolest front line, add that to a CB duo of Subotic and Piqué and now only was I solid at the back I’d score a headed freekick pretty much every time. Enough about virtual reality though
A Spanish North Shields
It was that bad Rod?
Andy-Aye
I just find it funny that the average Englishman in the pub, and all the pundits were screaming for Spain to play Llorente, a striker, rather than yet another midfielder or some such. Generally the same lot that pipped Germany to win because Spain were overrated or something
Athletico Geordienation
Graham-Carroll-Shola-Campbell?
Kaz Lua lua?-Carrick-Sammeobi-A. Johnson?
Ramage-Staylor-
————–Harper/Forster———
Right, so I had to adopt some people but what are you gunna do. Kaz and Shola are basically adopted Geordies, Johnson well, he was, before he actually joined the scum….
Little top heavy aren’t we?
Zoe nice idea but would never happen there is more chance of a wage cap being implemented .
I think the influx of foreign players has been a plus and made the Prem so much more supported and watched.
but a few less foreigners would make it better but same thing again never going to happen
Newks@16, I noticed a few similarities apart form the mini-charva element; it being a run-down port area also tweaked my association glands. Admittedly I only went through it, and didn’t hang around. Don’t want to knock Shields though. Maybe I should have emphasised the Meadowell factor.
…bizzarely, I can remember riding past a little club painted in red, gold and green with a massive Lion of Judah mural on the outside walls.
The last place I’d expect a rasta element. We were tempted to stop for a ‘coffee’, but it was getting dark and we were on expensive bikes.
…not to mention they were also our transport and home.
Yeah, foreign players make the PL exciting. Says a lot about our national football philosophy and it would be nice to have our own technical players, but really the only way would be getting rid of the foreign ones, and that would make the PL far less competitive. Would be good for the national side, but I’m not too fussed, I’d prefer Newcastle to just be a better side
Rod
I’m impressed you made it that far, most people seem to have all their stuff stolen in Barcelona before they get anywhere else
Newks@23, this was nee poncy holidy lark. Plus, am too cautious to get robbed. I got the Plymouth to Santander ferry, then rode to San Sebastian to meet up with mates, then straight down to Almeria. Took 2 months. Nee campsites. Fully panniered up like.
More chance losing yer belongings through some daft twart misplacing them before you even arrive at your destination. I lost 3 out of 8 panniers (over 2 journeys) once. Dickfuck McDoodlewit had obvioulsy been relocated for my return journey.
What are the chances of that happening?
I WANNA FUCKING BLUE PETER BADGE!
Newkie@9;
The Nufc scouts did not miss Michael Carrick.
He played at Wallsend Boys Club and was regularly watched by Nufc scout Peter Kirtley.
Like other WBC players, including Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Steve Bruce, Carrick had trials with Nufc. All four mentioned were deemed not good enough and not offered contracts. The scouts did their job in getting these kids to the club but the then coaches could not see their potential
Fortunately, coaches at other clubs did see the potential and all four had good careers.
If there had been a system where you could only play for your local club then we would not have seen any of them playing professional football.
Zoe ,nice article and a lovely idea but it would never work sadly. If we made it home grown players only and got shot of the overseas lads tommorow the PL would go bust in a year. Sky wouldn’t find it half as easy to flog games without all the overseas talent on display ,cause lets be honest that’s where most the fancy skills originate from. Also other countries like to see players from their country on display in British teams and that in turn brings in money to said clubs from the far East etc .Without the huge cash cow that is Sky the PL would struggle, and I also think it could be deemed a tad insular to only want local players a bit too tribal possibly. Maybe in the perfect world it could work ,sadly our world and the world of football is far from perfect.
…sorry, yeah, er football and stuff, YYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
If you know what’s good for you.
(The Weetabix)
Bollocks, I’m making a curry.
1, 2, 3…SWARFEGA
I was under the impression that Carrick was in our reserves, then Keegan got rid of the reserves and told Carrick he wasn’t ready for the 1st team so he went elsewhere.
Coldplay doin a grand job at the closing ceromony tonight.
Andymag;
Carrick went from Wallsend Boys Club to West Ham aged 16.
Andy ,he didn’t play for the reserves cause KK got rid of the reserve team .Because there was no way for Carrick to progress into the first team his parents took him to West Ham to have a better chance of first team action on the advice of Carver ,least that’s what he said in an interview once.
Sidekick-Aye my fault there. Basically what I’m saying is, our club is shite at getting/developing talent, even when some of the country’s best players are from/have been in the area, and apparently always has been
Newkie; I’ve seen a lot of good kids playing at WBC and I managed five teams there in different age groups over a ten year period from 1982. .
A good number of kids from this club got trials with Nufc and quite a few got taken on, with some making it through to the first team and others being released. Anthony Lormer, Lee Clark, Robbie Elliott, Alan Thompson and Steve Watson all played in the first team.
Other kids , who were equally as good ,went elsewhere whilst others just did not want to play football as a career.
I remember one kid had a trial with Seville, then in the Spanish second division, and another ( who played for one of my teams ) won a soccer scholarship in the US and played for Columbus Crew.
Bollockz this like
…were Columbus Crew one half of 2 Unlimited?
Marc, any more of that an yaroot
BTW is ET CORGI registered?
Kim
Aye that’ll be it.
Closing ceremony started off a bit weird for my liking but overall I enjoyed it. Lets see Rio top that
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19536060
Tell you what, I don’t think much of this. I might be wrong, but it smacks of Bellamy just trying to get himself in the headlines, bit of a fucking sob story if you ask me. I actually kind of warmed to dyer a bit after the interview with him after SBRs death, but this?
Surprised if speedo had any time for him either…even if he was just nice to everyone
the Basque region extends into France too – I recall Lizarazu turning out for Bilbao back in the day
That ’94-’95 UEFA Cup tie (NUFC vs Athletic) was a cracker too…. 3-0 up at SJP, conceded twice late… then lost 1-0 in a rocking San Mames to go out on away goals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzI1-6iBXtQ 1st leg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU31HuVdgY4&feature=related 2nd leg
Turning football regional, scrapping the January window? Zoe, are you on a crusade to change football?
I actually like regionalism – would love to see the Aussie political system based on it, rather than unwieldy States, but I don’t suppose anybody is interested in that. Many many years ago, when the EU was still newish, I wondered about scrapping national competitions and going European – for eg a North Sea league, open to clubs whose home ground is within 25 miles of the North Sea. You could have an Atlantic league, including French, Spanish and Portuguese with England; a Mediterranean league, including African sides; a Central Euro league for countries without a coastline; a Danube/Rhine league – that’s an interesting one.
The EU didn’t pan out like that, though. Brits continued to be an insular lot
Newkie – a bit cold don’t you think?!, granted he may be a little shit at times but he’s still only human and grief and bereavement will affect him in the same way it would do you or I. Good on him for being honest I say and I hope he’s given the help he needs to cope with it.
I see Colo is returning home due to a muscle injury with fears he could be out for up to 4 weeks
Then we have Krul injured elbow too. So that’s Simmo ,Perch, Raylor ,Colo and Krul all crocked our backline is crumbling away man. 
I wonder how clever the lack of defensive signings seem to our owner now. 
One down-side of the current strategy (and a price worth paying, imho) is the loss of our local feel. Even three seasons ago I remember being proud of having about seven of our players on the pitch English at any one time.
One match I remember thinking: Shola, Sammy, Saylor, Harps, Carroll all on at once – half the team on the pitch Geordies. Nobbad. (And yes, I know the qualification for ‘Geordie’ could be questioned, but all of those are as far as I’m concerned.)
I do miss that a bit, but as the FFP rules kick in and the new youth system starts to crank out more players, we’ll get back to it.
Kim @45 – don’t worry – at least we’ve got Saylor, and he never gets inj… oh, wait…
Kim@ 45
Ashley won’t care. He saved money and he’ll say we still have Good and Streete for cover.
Whumpie & JJ , Aye and that’s the sad truth.
JJ there was a few supporters that thought we were good to go and were glad that Jabba didn’t have to spend too much of his hard earned cash.
But never fear the club are allready onto it as they are allready drawing up a jan sales wish list for defenders
Looking at going over for the man u match in the league cup. Tickets £45 for a midweek game with second string teams, and an extra £25 to but tickets in the away end. Rip off
going to the villa city game the day before and only £22 i think
Just had a look (off topic I know) at the Cisse header. Wow! A 25 yard header! There’s something unreal about this guy. He just seems to score truly magical goals, again and again.
“But never fear the club are allready onto it as they are allready drawing up a jan sales wish list for defenders”
@Big Dave
Sounds like they are following the ‘keep the fans off our back till January when we can bullshit them again that we tried’ manuscript to the tee.
“Mike wants to know when we are buying a defender” – sounds a bit of a cheek now that Pards said that two seasons ago doesn’t it.
Sharpy mate, I’m not so sure. I’ve known people in real life to make out that a friend’s death was a massive deal to them when quite frankly it meant fuck all to them and they weren’t even close. People like that just make me sick.
Newkie – it would sicken me aswell mate, but how well do you know Bellamy?. My understanding was that they were quite friendly and Speed helped to straighten his head out abit. Who knows how true it is or how close they were, but I’d sooner give him the benefit of the doubt. Footballer generally are Billy big balls and won’t admit to stuff like this or admit that it has broke down his marriage – usually that’s another bird that does that.
I don’t know if you’ve read Gazzas autobiography, but the death of his friends and grief at a young age screwed him up, and he was never given the support he needed. Bellaz has admitted he’s messed up, so I’d hope hes offered support with it.
Sharpy-True enough, I don’t know him and maybe he does feel like that. Personally though I think not only what he said and how he said it, but the fact he said it were all mistakes. If something like this is messing with you fairplay, you go to therapy, you get yourself sorted out however you can. It doesn’t mean going to the press a year later and saying “oh the reason my marriage failed is because of Speedos death.”
I can’t see how those words are any comfort to Speed’s family, especially his young kids, I’d imagine it would have been a much harder year for them that it was for Bellamy.
Newkie – I cant imagine anyone is doubting that like, and I’m sure Bellamy hasn’t said what he said as some kind of lip service to Speeds family. But if he’s asked a question my a journalist, he’s answered it honestly. He hasn’t went running to the press and for all we know he could well be seeing a therapist.
Don’t get my wrong mate, I’m not suggesting you should change your opinion of the kid. Just think it’s unfair to say he’s full of shit when we dont really know the lad or what he’s gone/going through.
Sharpy-Yeah don’t get me wrong I’m not 100% convinced he’s lying, I just don’t really see how his words are appropriate. Fair enough, maybe he wants to deal with his problems by telling the nation about it and getting everyone on side, personally I can’t see much of an advantage to that. I don’t know what the journo asked him, but I highly doubt it was “so how has Speed’s death contributed to your marrige breaking down Craig?”
There’s a difference between being honest and what Bellamy said imo.
Newkie – the journo may have asked him how he was coping with the death of Speedo as it would be his 43rd Birthday this week. Lets be fair, we posted an article about it, so it’s not unrealistic to think a journo would have asked as Bellaz was clearly emotional at the time of Speedos death. Then, having been asked he answered honestly, not for popularity points or to out do speedos family but just coz that’s how it is for him. He’s put himself in a position now where his wife could come out and say he’s full of shit – if what you believe is true, or him being pap’ed in a nightclub enjoying life and contradicting what he’s saying. If he is lying it will bite him on the arse is what I mean, if not, then I hope he gets help, cox it’s not a nice place to be.
Sharpy-Aye maybe, it might come back to him. Then again, depending on what his wife is like, I doubt she’d come out to the press and say its bollocks right out like that. She might appear a bit heartless (like maybe I am at the moment, although i’m not trying to be ha) if she used no details. If she did go into details, well, I doubt her three young kids would appreciate it. Sometimes things are better dealt with behind doors imo.
I dunno, maybe Bellamy is being genuine. I just didn’t really like some of the stuff some of the “professionals” were coming out with at the time of his death. Might look like i’m being a cynical bitter toon fan but he’s honestly one of the only ones I remember. Michael Owen tweeting after Speeds death was something like “We waved at each other a couple of days ago dropping our kids off at school. I’m numb.”
Fair enough, you can counter that its owen’s twitter so if you don’t want his opinon don’t go on his twitter. I just don’t get/like the apparent necessity for some people to put themselves at the heart of a story or event that isn’t about them.
If Bellamy is really suffering then I hold my hands up and apologise and wish him and his family all the best.
Lads don’t be too hard on Bellers we don’t really know what the score is I have lost several family and friends some effect you more than others, and some times you can keep it to yersel then other times you just open your heart and afterwards you can regret it.
I haven’t even read the story but will later when I get home. I just don’t see what benefit Bellers would have got out of it, so I tend to think he has just been at a low point when asked and it’s just flowed
Get this lad signed up > http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19522021
He used to be mint on FIFA!!
If we don’t lose to Everton on Monday it’ll be a bloody miracle. Any word on how bad Krul’s injury is?
TC
Would be a great signing but he wants 1st team footie. We could sign him on the condition that he gets loaned to Hartlepool for the season.
Andy@63 Given our horrendous injury list I can’t see anything other than a loss at Everton ,would be gobsmacked at a win or a draw even.
Newkie – I have nowt more to say about Bellaz
TC – wasn’t there an unnamed trialist against Berwick the other night for the reserves?!, I’d defo give him a crack like if he’d be prepared to wait for an opportunity, he’d be a fairly low cost gamble I’d have thought.
Andy – of the injuries we have, Krul worries me the least to be honest. I’m quite confident in Harper providing decent cover. Colo would be my biggest concern I think. We could do with keeping the rest wrapped in cotton wool now tho
Kim
If we win then we are genuine top 4 challengers.
Sharpy
True that.
Andy-Nah, if we win then Everton have slipped back into their shite early start mode
If Cisse and Ba and Cabaye miraculously hit form, we could win. If we’re completely reliant on Benny magic again then we’ll get pounded.
No reason too think we wont win against Everton ,at some point our lads will hit form and after his brilliant goal the other day Cisse must be on the up . If Collo misses the game then we have Perchino too cover with Tav to step in for Simpson ,if colo makes it then Perchino to fill in as RB . Just hope Tiote is back for the game he will make the difference.
Axel even with a full squad I think Everton would give us a good scrap but the way are squad is atm I wouldn’t be as hopeful
Axel
I think perch is out too.
@69. Haning Tiote back would be key as that would free up Anita to play RB. A back four of Santon-Willo-Staylor-Anita witht he rest of the starters intact isn’t bad at all. If not, play Jonas at RB and Anita at DM
i agree with dave @70 cos he is the man
I agree 100% with Batty @ 73 he is always right.
sure its not as if he heads much 
Andy @ 71 is he still out I thought it was just a twinge in his neck
I heard that Fellaini is wanting away from Everton. I have a vision of that giant Euro-fro running around in black & white stripes…
So Pardew is forced to sit in the stands whilst the chuckle brothers get a free reign at SJP. I bet he feels silly now.
dave fb if your still around
FSOTC
Fellaini cost Everton over 12mil and he has improved in stature and ability since then. He would cost around 18-24mil pounds.
Not a chance in hell we’d sign him.
Aussie you always seem to bring the best out of people.
Batts sorry I missed you but will check it out later mate.
Thanks Dave, I try my best
Aussie it must just come natural to you, no matter what Richie and Ice say about you, cause I don’t think your that bad. But I have been known to be wrong but it’s not that often.
BD, Don’t listen to Richie and Ice mate…. Seriously, would you buy a used car from them
I wouldn’t even buy a raffle ticket of them
now now you two gits,i have nowt second hand except the bullshit yous spout on here,all my gen is first hand unlike your crap
Ice
It’s all original bullshit, thank you very much 
Aussie wheres that landing net i’ve just caught mesel a big Dog fish
Meant to ask anyone know when the acon 2nd leg is
You won’t need a net BD
not with a bite like that 
DAVE@89 not going to tell you,go fishing for it
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