Buzzin Football

I enjoy listening to football fans ranting about how this player or that manager should be sacked on radio shows such as 606 on Radio 5 (at least when Ray Stubbs or Mark Lawrenson are presenting the show). How it is time to get rid of Alex Ferguson because United have started the season so badly or whether Alan Curbishly and Martin Jol know what they doing because they are dropping Dean Ashton and Darren Bent to the bench. This is part of football and what makes it such an enjoyable game. The fact that it is run by people, played by people and watched by people; all of which have different views and opinions on every single aspect of the game.

But who the **** thought it would be a good idea to change the name of my local football team?

Gravesend & Northfleet are a good conference league team with a colourful history. For the past few seasons they have been moving in the right direction and last year finished just outside the play-offs. This year they started the season as Ebbsfleet United, named after a train station NOT a place. How rubbish is that?

Ok, so Wimbledon changed their name to MK Dons when they moved to Milton Keynes; and who could argue if Manchester United were to change their name to Stretford United – that is where they are from! But a train station!?

Fans can still sing the slow chorus of “Come on you Fleeeeet!” but no longer the more upbeat “Come on Gravesend!”

As I am from Gravesend, I now feel this isn’t my local team anymore.

I wonder why the chairman, a young local businessman has allowed this to happen. Here’s a clue. This year the Ebbsfleet shirt sponsor is Eurostar!