Fo0tbaLlCreeD

A doodle is an unfocused drawing made while a person’s attention is otherwise occupied.

Over the years, doodles on the Google homepage have made searching on Google more fun and enjoyable for its users worldwide

In April 2010, young artists in 17 countries  created  Google doodles based on the theme “I love football.” Since then, more than 35,000 children in Australia, Germany, Ghana, South Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Kenya, UAE and Israel have created original designs for this first-ever international doodling competition.

From footballs to goalposts,  some truly creative designs were seen that proved just how much you can do with an “l,” an “e,” and a couple “o’s” and “g’s.” Have a look-

Its great to see young lads with come up all such ideas , some of them focusing on team spirit , sportsmanship and glory . This clearly shows how football will never go out of fashion . Young fellas, just remember one thing -”Football for life!” .Cheers

The  January Transfer Window has been  open since a while now . None of the big clubs have gone on a major shopping spree and we have seen mostly loan deals happen. The Tevez saga doesn’t seem to end and nothing shocking is happening , really . I do remmeber January 2011 though ,  the deadline day was indeed epic with a certain Torres grabing all the headlines , we wonder whom is it gonna be this time . But this post is not really about all the stuff that has been happening , it is about stuff that hasnt been happening . This post talks about bargains that nobody has thought of  .From the depths of South America to the France first team, via Tottenham’s reserves, I present to you few January bargains that have kept largely away from the papers…

Benjamin Corgnet (Dijon)      

Corgnet has been somewhat a revelation in France this season, attracting several suitors after his impressive performances for Ligue 1 debutants Dijon. Newcastle had a bid rejected at the beginning of January, and the midfielder would compliment their squad perfectly.Although he is listed primarily as a Defensive Midfielder, it appears that his club  are playing him primarily in an offensive midfield/withdrawn striker position . The 24-year-old didn’t make his professional debut until 2010, after prioritising his studies as an optician. He’s got excellent vision, a good eye for goal, doesn’t run down blind alleys, etc. With a £5.8million release clause, it would be a surprise to see Corgnet at Dijon for much longer.

“Yes. To stay with Dijon, that’s what I want, and that’s what the coach wants,” is what he said on transfer rumours. He is probably gonna be grabbed in the summer.

 Facundo Ferreyra(Banfield)      

There’s a lot of interest in ‘Chucky’(he has only a passing resemblance to the murderous movie doll,but somehow he is jsut stuck with the nickname) after his goalscoring heroics for Banfield and the Argentina under-20s. At 20, he’s still very much a raw talent, but there is huge potential for a Premier League team to work with. Ferreyra’s athleticism, workrate and ability to finish with either foot are certain to earn him a move to Europe in the near future. ‘Chucky’ is the type of striker who can conjure a goal out of half a chance – find him on the edge of the box with two markers and there is a possibility he will make space and slot home. He scores from tight angles and crowded goalmouthes , £3million isn’t much to risk on a player tracked by the likes of Juventus.

Gaston Ramirez (Bologna)

Despite Alexis Sanchez having already proved his talent by the summer of 2010, everyone waited a year before deciding to enter a bidding war. In the end Barcelona got their man, but they could have signed Sanchez for half the price only 12 months earlier. Given his current progression, the same rate of inflation will be applied to Ramirez unless clubs act quickly. Liverpool have been linked with a £7million move for the Uruguayan attacking midfielder and would be wise to follow up their interest. Ramirez is quick, strong, and has a keen eye for goal.He’s got a natural ability to anticipate how a move will pan out which enables him to arrive in the area at just the right moment where fortunately his heading ability is as formidable as his shooting and he has been compared to  the KAKA of former years . At 21- he is surely gonna grow more .

Eugenio Mena (Universidad de Chile)

Arsenal are desperate for a left-back, and Mena is the perfect player to fill the void. The 23-year-old Chilean international has just completed a remarkable season with La U, lifting the Copa Sudamericana and the domestic Championship. A quick and brave defender, Mena is confident on the ball and was often seen bombing down the wing during La U’s incredible 36-match unbeaten run. Mena has the strength and technique to make the step-up to the Premier League and would be a snip at £3million. His former teammate, Eduardo Vargas, recently joined the South American contingent at Napoli after being tracked by several Premier League clubs. It’d be a surprise if scouts hadn’t also noted Mena’s name as a potential signing.

Marvin Martin (Sochaux)

If Brazil do strikers and Italy do defenders, then France certainly do number 10′s. With two goals and an assist on his international debut, Martin has become the darling of Laurent Blanc’s new generation and is certain to play an integral role for France at Euro 2012. Dubbed ‘Little Xavi’ by his teammates,he glides across the surface with such pace and swagger, it’s difficult for defenders to draw the ball away from his quick silver feet.  The creative midfielder tallied a whopping 17 assists in 37 Ligue One games in 2010/11.  Martin still has lots to learn and big tests of his talent and attitude await, but the early signs are very promising indeed.

Jan Vertonghen (Ajax)
£10million may not seem like much of a bargain, but when you consider the value Thomas Vermaelen has offered Arsenal, the fee Chelsea shelled-out for David Luiz, and the fact that Vertonghen has Champions League experience, then he could well be a snip at this price. The Ajax captain is an imposing physical presence with superb positional sense. He’s both strong in the air and good with his feet; capable of playing the ball calmly out of defence. , the Belgian defender likes to chip-in with an occasional goal. Since the start of last season, Vertonghen has 13 goals in 74 matches (Fernando Torres has 14 in 68), including the odd free-kick with his howitzer of a left foot.The Amsterdammers boss has insisted that his side could be forced to sell the Belgian stopper if he denies renewing his ongoing contract.

“Perhaps Ajax will find it to be a good thing when I leave, I don’t know but I think that in the future I could have a very good transfer.” is what he says and he sounds very right.

Gary Medel (Sevilla)
Whatever price you put on Gary Medel’s head, he’s worth it. Sevilla grabbed themselves a bargain last January shelling out just £4million to sign the tenacious Chilean midfielder from Boca Juniors. Medel settled into La Liga instantly, putting on a man-marking masterclass against Messi in Sevilla’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona.  Medel never gives up, runs all the match, and hounds players till he gets the ball. ‘Pitbull’ is likely to cost around £8million  and would prove a bargain for any one of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool. Medel is a player who can nullify the opposition’s attacking threat; he’s happy to do the defensive dirty work and uses the ball sensibly.

Tomas Rincon (Hamburg)
Medel may be a bargain for Champions League-chasing clubs, but Rincon is a feasible option for most teams at £3-4million. His performances at the Copa America – where he was voted player of the tournament – have seen Rincon’s opportunities at Hamburg increase, but he’s still not deemed indispensable by the Bundesliga strugglers. In captaining the Copa America’s surprise-package, Venezuela, Rincon showed what he’s all about. The defensive midfielder lead by example; strong in the tackle and composed in possession. His style of play is suited to the Premier League and he would be a hit in any team battling for survival or fighting for a top ten finish.

Mathieu Debuchy (Lille)
In need of a marauding full-back? Perhaps one who’s a proven champion? And for a third of the price of Jose Bosingwa? Well look no further than fabulous French international Mathieu Debuchy. The energetic Lille right-back was one of the driving forces behind their league and cup double last season and has continued his impressive form this campaign, weighing in with three goals thus far. Always keen to support the attack, Debuchy is quick, powerful and has incredible stamina.Dubbed as ‘The Terminator’ because of his fearless style he’s a  player who puts his head where others wouldn’t put their foot.

“But pain… seems to me an insufficient reason not to embrace life. Being dead is quite painless. Pain, like time, is going to come on regardless. Question is, what glorious moments can you win from life in addition to the pain?” – Lois McMaster Bujold

In 2008 , A boy named Macauley Dempsey, 12, from Timsbury in Somerset won his football team’s Sportsman of the Year award. Nothing big , right? You may think that probably he’s going to make it to one of the big clubs or just being a fu**ing C*nt. Well, this  boy who had his foot amputated in 2007 . He had 44 operations to correct his club foot before doctors decided amputation was the best solution .

His mother, Sandra, said her son could not believe it when his name was called and he realised that he had won.Macauley said, ‘but I’ve just done what every child would do’ and that in itself was amazing for me.” What a proud mother she must be , and damn I love the lad.

In the recent years, amputees of the world with various disabilities, in accordance with their abilities, have been taking successfully part in very many kinds of sports competitions, and this made them feel even much closer to each other. Among these sports is footballIt has been over 30 years since amputee football competitions were initially established ,reportedly , in the USA and Brazil. In the last 20-30 years amputee football has spread across the globe rapidly and its the love of the game which drives the unfortunate to their goal.

Take for instance Africa-In January  many players of The Barclays Premier League as well as the other leagues are unavailable because of the ongoing African Cup of NAtions.But very few of us know that in November 2011 , The Cup of African Nations for Amputee Football (CANAF) tournament was held . AFRICA’S recent history is punctuated with nasty civil wars. Angola, Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan and others. Most are now over, leaving behind millions of survivors, many short of one or more limbs.The nimblest in several nations had banded together in football teams and  played  each other at a continent-wide tournament in Ghana .

This was the 3rd edition of the tournament  organized by the Amputee Football Federation of Africa and Ghana Amputee Football Federation, were participated by six teams from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger, Angola, Nigeria and Ghana.

The final was held betwwen hosts Ghana and last edition’s winners Liberia. In a nerve cracking match , Ghana went 2-0 up in the second half but Liberia drew level in the second. Extra time maade the teams toil hard but in vain .The scoreline  3-3 at the end of extra time. The match was then decided by penalties where Liberia won 4-2. What a turnaround .

But in Amputee Football all the players are winners . I believe.

Back in 2001 , Quentin Ranson, occupational therapist at the Glenrose, was working with the war-wounded at a refugee camp in Sierra Leone when he helped a group of young amputee victims of the war to start a lower limb amputee football team. Quentin mentioned “The team was incredible. For the first time, people were not staring at the amputees out of pity or disgust; they were staring with wonder and awe. Cab drivers, street vendors, UN military soldiers all just stopped their cars and stared. It is impossible to see these guys move with such agility and confidence and pity them. They had astonishing skill that nobody could deny.”

Quentin met British filmmaker Lindsay Maggs who , so inspired by the journey of a team born in a refugee camp which then went on to play tournaments in England, went on to make a movie on their journey titled- “Soccermen – Out on a Limb. ” which recieved much critical acclaim from across the planet . The commercial success should not even be thought of but it was the very mater of the movie which made Lindsay believe in the project inspite of a lot of technical difficulties. Cheers to them .

Amputee football shows how football can transform the lifes of even those who may feel life has nothing more to offer and all has been taken away. Football for the disabled is growing . The Turks have set a very good example for the others . The Turkish Football Federation contributes nearly €1m a year to support disability football in Turkey, organising training and tournaments in 81 cities for blind futsal, LD (learning disability) football, amputee football and deaf football. Special disability football centres, coaching programmes and leagues have also been set up.

I take pride in the these people’s efforts . I feel a sense of inspiration . What is to learn from them is that no matter what says ,you can still do it. Maybe you’re a fat kid who everybody thinks would just trip over the ball , or you’re that guy who  looses every Fifa game on Xbox live , or a supporter of a Npower league 2 team , who the Manchester United or Liverpool fans must make fun of because they have the money , or if you’re the regular working guy who still wants to take out time , half an hour or so,to play football with the his son , but works stops him- Whoever you are , you ought to be inspired by these lads . Football , I tell you , is magik .Be Inspired.

Here is a video that gives you an idea of how these people go about playing their game . Cheers.

Often at Practice , The Coach would tell you , Son , no matter what happens , don’t ever pick up smoking if you want to be a football star . I’ve met people from all places telling me how Smoking killed their football career . But here I have a list of footballers who not only smoke but have enjoyed great footballing careers as well

Socrates
The legendary Brazilian captain and World Cup winner got through two packets a day during his playing career and continued to smoke after he retired. Believe it or not- Sócrates was a doctor of medicine, a rare achievement for a professional footballer . Even rarer is the fact that he earned the degree while concurrently playing professional football. Sadly though , he died at the age of 57 .(19 February 1954 – 4 December 2011)

Gazza and Teddy Sheringham
In the run up to Euro ’96 both Gazza(Paul Gascoigne) and Teddy Sheringham were spotted with tabs on the go. I suspect the reason why they weren’t collared by the FA, or indeed the press, for this misdemeanour was because it occurred on the same night as the infamous ‘dentist’s chair’ incident.- before the Euro 1996, where England team players were photographed on a drunken night with Gazza, Teddy Sheringham and Steve McManaman shown drinking in a dentist’s chair, as well as, rather controversially, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to a Cathay Pacific first class flight cabin. Gazza , scored a spectacular goal against Switzerland in the first game of Euro ’96  After the goal Gazza lay on the ground as if he were sitting in the dentist’s chair, and teammates sprayed water from bottles into his open mouth. Now , thats some mocking celebration .

Teddy 'N" Gazza

David Ginola
The French love a smoke – if it was an Olympic sport they’d take gold in Beijing – which is probably why ex-Spurs head-turner and shampoo hawker David Ginola enjoyed the odd Gitanes during his playing career.He has also acted in two films since his retirement from football and In 2008 Ginola received a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge for a rosé wine produced at his vineyard in Provence. Who says smoking isn’t sexy?

Zinedine Zidane
Another Frenchie caught with a salmon between his lips was Zinedine Zidane who was snapped puffing away ahead of France’s 2006 World Cup semi-final against Portugal. The thing is Zizou fronted an anti-smoking campaign in 2002. D’oh!

Maradona
Maradona, one of the most prolific footballers in history, began to smoke after he retired from the game. He spent 10 days in intensive care in 2004 with breathing problems, which may or may not have been down to smoking. But probably was. Maradona recognised in 2005 that Wayne Rooney was a closely cut copy of himself, which may not have been a bad observation.

Johann Cruyff
Johann Cruyff was smoking 20 cigarettes a day, prior to heart surgery in 1991, at a time when he was coaching Barcelona. He was also often seen lighting up in the RFK locker room as he talked to reporters. Nowadays, the legendary Dutchman fronts a campaign by the Health Department of the Catalan autonomous government against smoking. And to think, it only took him a double heart bypass to see the error of his ways.Well, the great part about his career is that he smocked, yet rocked .

Fabien Barthez
Fabien Barthez was a high-profile smoker during his time in the Prem. After a game for Man United against Southampton in 2003, defeated manager Gordon Strachan was furious when he returned to his non-smoking office and found cigarettes stubbed out in an ashtray. It seemed that the injured Barthez had been in the room after being stretchered off in the second half. The Scottish manager later said that he “must have been taken off for smoker’s cough”.

Mario Balotelli

What else could have made him so crazy?Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed that controversial striker Mario Balotelli is refusing to give up a smoking habit thought to involve up to two packets of cigarettes a week.Balotelli has been photographed with a cigarette in his hand and seen smoking when out with friends in Manchester.But well , this is just one of the few reasons he is (in)famous for.