Modern Day Football

[Wilson 358]

Was having a conversation today with a mate talking about how football has changed. Is football more competitive now, or was it more competitive in the past? In the 1900s there was not a lot of money involved and all the teams were similar within the same resources. Now, football teams have different players from different countries in the same team with different playing styles. Also as the game became more popular, the rules changed and became more complex. What do you think, is football more competitive now, or in the past?

[Madmax 9,219]

I suppose the biggest change would be the money and all the good and bad things it brings along.

But one more thing that changed European football forever - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosman_ruling

[BlueLion. 21,491]

That's a good question. I think that the game has developed since I've been born, at least - obviously I can't speak for the 50s/60s/70s/80s, but I think the addition of newer technologies in the sport (boots and balls and all) and improved training techniques has seen players become more refined athletes. That being said, I think this has meant the sport is now much more of a 'flair' game, and you see a lot more fancy tricks and so on these days as opposed to even ten years ago, when flair players were a commodity as opposed to being commonplace. I think that has meant the sport is a little less competitive in a team vs team sense, but at the same time the fact teams are a lot more even thanks to the financial side of the sports means there is still a level of competitiveness in a league, for instance.

[zolayes 14,489]

so many changes since I started watching ...for a start ,,,televised games ,,,even in colour ,,,first televised match I saw was Blackpool v Bolton ..

..watched in a darkened room on a 14inch black and white ... then came floodlights and evening games ,,,then colour Tv...

teams kept the same strips for years ,,,no replica shirts ...fans wore scarves and rosettes,, little crowd violence except for the old firm ,,,

ticket prices so low about the price of a loaf of bread..almost all fans stood on the terraces ,,, no substitutes or yellow and red cards ...players sent off

were just told and pointed to the dressing rooms.. players numbered 2 to 11 ...keeper had no number and usually wore green jersey.

games were just as competetive then as now ...domestic football and International games were of equal importance ....first friendly European

games were a great novelty. The big difference I think in terms of competivity was that the leagues and cups werent completely dominated

by 4 or 5 teams ...some of the top teams of the 40s and 50s are now in the lower leagues ...

overall the passion was just as great ,,,but the game has moved on with the times ,,,as with all change ,,,some has been for the better but

not all. the maximum wage and unbreakable contracts had players virtually as slaves . Bosman changed all that and now I believe excessive

wages are a blot on the game .Greed has replaced loyalty .. The only true loyalty left is the loyalty of the fan.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

One thing, or man, that ruined football.. The one and only, Rupert Murdoch.

He is the sole reason why football is in a financial bubble which is very close to bursting. I'm looking forward to it. When this ridiculous amount of money leaves our true love for the game.

[- 25 - 167]

I suppose the biggest change would be the money and all the good and bad things it brings along.

But one more thing that changed European football forever - http://en.wikipedia....i/Bosman_ruling

Incredible that he is apparently an alchoholic living on benefits now.