It’s Saturday, and although I no longer have a local football team to support since the demise of the mighty Rushden and Diamonds (which has been made worse by the fact that Kettering now use ‘our’ Nene Park ground – although they do have the good grace to keep up their tradition of losing there) it is difficult not to think of the beautiful game – at least until National Hunt racing really gets going.
Because this week we have spent some time thinking about mergers, alliances and new kids on the wildlife NGO block I couldn’t resist allocating some wildlife NGO ‘clubs’ to their positions across the English leagues. This is just a bit of fun – but may have scattered through it the occasional truth that always hurts. You see which make you laugh and which make you wince. And do comment to add your own thoughts – there is endless scope.
Premier League:
RSPB (Arsenal – always likely to be there at the end of the season but sometimes playing a bit poorly. Lots of promising youngsters. Have the ability to play any other team off the park – but don’t always do so. Increasingly wondering how much of their time to play in Europe)
The Wildlife Trusts (WBA – in this division at the moment but not always deserving of a place. Great history. And nick-named after wildlife (the ‘Throstles’ who play at the ‘Hawthorns’), but sometimes seem to be playing to the crowd (often the wrong crowd). Huge squad of mixed abilities. Always looking to the referee for help despite a large fan base)
Championship:
National Trust (West Ham – are they really interested in the game any more or is the prospect of a new stadium somewhere nice the biggest thing on their minds? You always get a nice cake at their nice ground. Lots of nice groundstaff but not so many players on the pitch)
Marine Conservation Society (water polo stars – the only people really playing their game at the moment)
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (want to be in the top league – and, like Swansea, may get there eventually)
Division One:
Plantlife (a classy team who, in an all women’s league, would play everyone else off the park. Looking for a rich Arab to inject the necessary cash to allow them to bloom fully)
Butterfly Conservation (good on the wing. Football is a winter game and that doesn’t suit these sun-lovers. When looked at closely they are the most perfectly adapted creatures and should be running the world)
Buglife (dance like a small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly (no, they’re taken!), sting like a female large ichneumon fly/wasp. Always buzzing. Can be slightly annoying to government)
Grasslands Trust (one to watch – won’t let it grow under their feet?)
Woodland Trust (maybe it’s the nature of their mission that means that they are always hitting the woodwork rather than scoring goals. Big crowd following but still looking to see the wildlife for the trees)
Pond Conservation (water-logged pitch)
Hawk and Owl Trust (a mixture of Kidderminster (harriers), Sheffield Wednesday (owls) and Crystal Palace (eagles))
Bat Conservation Trust (cricket is what they are into. Very nicely mannered and sporting, may need to get their flannels stained by a bit more diving around)
WWF (still wrestling with the issues. Finding it difficult to get the fans behind the chant ‘Put a tiger in your sustainable building regulations’)
Division Two:
Friends of the Earth (Plymouth – sad to see their demise and they should at least be languishing at the bottom of the table in a higher league. In this game they have a great history in front of them and behind them. Wildlife conservation is not a friendly.)
Greenpeace (Swindon – are they really in this league, I thought they played a better game than that? Much higher in the ice hockey leagues – and that is probably where we want them to excel)
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (AFC Wimbledon – they didn’t even exist a while ago but can kick a ball around with some of the big boys)
Badger Trust (on their home ground they play very well but away form is non-existent. No-one likes coming to their place but home form isn’t enough to be top of the wildlife leagues)
On Monday I will treat this issue more seriously again.
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National Trust are more like Fulham. You find them in a well-heeled area, frequented by the wealthy. And they have an embarrassing Chairman.
Songbird Survival are like Leeds United. They have a history of playing the dirtiest game, have a very unpleasant Chairman, and it’s never altogether clear what they spend their money on.
And Countryside Alliance? Ipswich Town. They’re crowded with farmers, and are looking forward to playing Leicester City this season, as it will provide a rare opportunity to kick the Foxes all over the park.
And BASC. Man Utd. They shoot a lot and are generally on target. But their supporters are very reluctant to relinquish the lead. Do you see what I did there?
Glad to see nobody like Leeds. We have our ups and downs with one of the world’s largest fan base and usually getting the publicity for the wrong reason especially with their chairman now facing a new BBC documentary about his life. One word not used in your leagues was ‘Dedication’! Not lacking in any real supporter.
PS. Swansea have actually made it to the premiership!
Natural England = Preston. Used to be the team everyone looked up to but now PNE stands for Poor Natural England
It’s actually Norwich who have the best cakes, courtesy of their Chairwoman, who is not averse to an embarrassing gaffe or two. Not as bad as Fulham’s, who built an inappropriate and ill-conceived statue at Craven Cottage. Almost as inappropriate and ill-conceived as the airport that NT’s Chairman wants to build in Kent.
Forestry Commission are like Rushden and Diamonds. They ought to merge with Kettering (Natural England) in order to save themselves and keep their excellent ground, but they’re too prioud and stubborn to do it!
I think Caperkylie has slightly missed the point ! R&D certianly have not merged with Kettering and no R&D supporter will ever forgive them for stealing their ground !
It’s true FC’s finances aren’t much better than Rushden & Diamonds – but as mark’s suggested in the past (and perhaps its time to raise it again ?) why not cpaital;ise on FC’s exceptional land management skills by creating a Forest and Wildlife service for England (or Wildlife & Forest if you like – I’d want both to win together, not either or) ?
BTO are like Liverpool, the most dedicated fan base all over the country and all the best songs (mostly described as surveys!)
Greenpeace are like Notts Forest, sadly their best days are behind them, will they ever find another Cloughie?
My local team are Grimsby Town, never had any glory days, kicked out of the league and struggling amongst amateurs, is there a conservation NGO that bad?
Songbird Survival must be Sunderland, cos they hate Magpies! 😀
Spike – spot on!
Excellent, very funny! I’d like to put the League Against Cruel Sports in, but I don’t know enough about football. What team has all the advantages that should allow success, but continually trip over their own feet anyway? 😉
Jess – welcome. Well it sounds a bit like Man Utd although for Mr Rooney kicking out is how he trips up.