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Tam
GET A LIFE!!! |
     
AT last, a result the Scottish Football Association can celebrate. Bertie
Ahern's
antic ipated victory in the Irish general election should provide massive
momentum to Scotland and Ireland's bid to co-host Euro 2008.
Had Ahern's Fianna Fail party performed poorly at the polls, Stadium
Ireland, the proposed Dublin sports complex which is central to the bid's
success, would never have been built.
However, Ahern's enhanced political strength means construction of the
stadium, dubbed the 'Bertie Bowl' because of his enthusiasm for the project,
is almost certain to go ahead.
Without the new ground, which will have a capacity of between 60,000 and
80,000, Ireland could have forwarded only Lansdowne Road as a potential 2008
venue and would have failed on its pledge to contribute two venues for the
joint bid. Because of political opposition to Stadium Ireland, most notably
from the Progressive Democrats, had Ahern not been returned to power, the
bid would almost certainly have collapsed.
'Mr Ahern has been a supporter of the Euro 2008 bid and the partnership with
Scotland,' said Simon Lyons, the project team's marketing director. 'He has
worked very closely with First Minister, Jack McConnell, and it would be
great to see that partnership moving into the next government. It is easier
to develop new policies at the start of a term in government than at the end
of one.'
The likely result from Friday's election completed the most rewarding week
the bid team have had so far. Uefa were impressed by Glasgow's efficient
handling of Wednesday's Champions League final, which was savoured around
the world because of Zinedine Zidane's exceptional winning goal for Real
Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen.
'I was always convinced that Scotland would deliver in the Champions League
final,' said Lyons. 'I think a realisation and expectation developed during
the week of what it would be like to have the third biggest sporting event
in the world, the European Championship, here as well. Scotland looked
tremendous for the final and Uefa, and the visiting clubs and supporters got
a terrific welcome.'
Implausibly, given the negativity and defeatism which has surrounded much of
the reaction to the bid so far, Lyons warned against the danger of
complacency after the successful Champions League final.
The rival bidding nations will also have their chance to impress. Uefa
executives were courted at a dinner to mark the centenary of the Norwegian
FA last month (the Norwegians are involved in a joint Scandin avian bid) and
other Uefa representatives will be in Switzerland (bidding with Austria)
until May 28 for the European Under-21 Championships.
'I wouldn't want people to think 'we'll win the Euro 2008 bid now',' said
Lyons. 'Scotland has done well, but we must recognise the robustness of the
competitors' bids as well. We have had a marvellous Champions League final
but there will be opportunities for the other bidders to show themselves
too.'
The next deadline in the bid process is May 31, when the Scots and Irish
must submit a list of stadiums from which at least eight will be used at the
final. Bidding nations will be visited in October and Uefa will make their
decision in December.
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Note: All opinions expressed above are that of the author and in no way respresent any club, organisation or disorganisation
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Total Posts: 648 | Joined Sep. 2001 | Posted on: 4:05 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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macpele
Fresh ideas |
Good news...look forward to seeing the final proposal at the end of the month.
Hope those Tartan Army in favour of the bid can get right behind it from there...t-shirts, flags, banners, etc...
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Total Posts: 30 | Joined Dec. 2001 | Posted on: 7:56 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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sonny
GET A LIFE!!! |
Macpele,
I'll demostrate my enthusiasm once UEFA choose our bid. Meanwhile I'll be trying to sort the hard facts from the press-releases and campaign literature.
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When up they gat, and shook their lugs, Rejoiced they were nae men but dogs; An' each took aff his several way, Resolved to meet some ither day.
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Total Posts: 2462 | Joined Jan. 2002 | Posted on: 8:39 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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macpele
Fresh ideas |
sonny...I think you must be on the hard-stuff!!...
Anyway it's my thinking that this bid will be successful and great for the country.
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Total Posts: 30 | Joined Dec. 2001 | Posted on: 10:27 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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Tam
GET A LIFE!!! |
Sonny,
there are only 14 guys in Europe who need to worry about the facts and figures.
You are not the only sceptic, not by a long way.
However, when the bid document is submitted in two weeks it, then all becomes real.
When its a 'real' bid, Scotland/Ireland Vs Austria/Switzerland, who will you back.
If you won't support it till after December, till you know its definately going to happen, then don't bother.
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Note: All opinions expressed above are that of the author and in no way respresent any club, organisation or disorganisation
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Total Posts: 648 | Joined Sep. 2001 | Posted on: 10:33 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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HebridesBarEdinburgh
GET A LIFE!!! |
Here Here, Tam
Whats the next step in promoting our once in a lifetime chance Tam? Are there any plans to include the TA in any shape or form, that you know about?
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John.
As long as a hundred of us remain alive.....
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Total Posts: 571 | Joined Sep. 2001 | Posted on: 10:43 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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Tam
GET A LIFE!!! |
John,
in the pipeline yes.
Will let the everyone know in due course but I don't imagine you will be too surprised.
Suggestions always welcome, and if anyone has any plans, share them with the board.
The bid is about SCOTLAND!!!!.......(and Ireland...ssshhh! )
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Note: All opinions expressed above are that of the author and in no way respresent any club, organisation or disorganisation
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Total Posts: 648 | Joined Sep. 2001 | Posted on: 10:54 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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sonny
GET A LIFE!!! |
Tam,
I've already said I'm behind our bid in principle. This black vrs white simplistic rhetoric is for politicians and idiots. Everyone in between has the right to be sceptical to some degree and I realise I'm by no means the most sceptical. I guess I should take that as a compliment?
I want our bid to win and shouldn't have to continually repeat that fact as though I should pledge allegiance once a day.
What you will not see me doing is barking like a performing seal everytime I'm told that it's the correct thing to do. Our bid will undoubtedly be weaker by all the shenanigans that have gone on under McConnell and a wee bit of honesty about the facts to date and a honest appraisal of the bid to date might convince some sceptics to be more enthusiastic. The garden is rosy approach just makes things worse....
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When up they gat, and shook their lugs, Rejoiced they were nae men but dogs; An' each took aff his several way, Resolved to meet some ither day.
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Total Posts: 2462 | Joined Jan. 2002 | Posted on: 10:56 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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Tam
GET A LIFE!!! |
The garden's mibbees no that rosey Sonny, but its the only garden we've got.
The McConnell thing has been analised and talked to death. what is done is done but not forgotten, should the need arise, i.e. us NOT getting 2008.
For someone who is behind the bid, you come out with a lot of negative stuff.
No-one can tell YOU what to think or do Dude, and I don't for one second think that you are anyone barking seal.
alls I'm saying is it would be nice to hear positive slants on some 2008 postings for a change 
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Note: All opinions expressed above are that of the author and in no way respresent any club, organisation or disorganisation
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Total Posts: 648 | Joined Sep. 2001 | Posted on: 11:05 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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sonny
GET A LIFE!!! |
Tam,
Ok, I agree that it's the only garden we have! I wish you and the guys all the best and hope for us all that it comes off!
If we get a balanced diet of information you'll get more positivity from me!
I promise
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When up they gat, and shook their lugs, Rejoiced they were nae men but dogs; An' each took aff his several way, Resolved to meet some ither day.
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Total Posts: 2462 | Joined Jan. 2002 | Posted on: 11:10 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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Tam
GET A LIFE!!! |
If I get a balanced diet of you'll get more SENSE out of me!
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Note: All opinions expressed above are that of the author and in no way respresent any club, organisation or disorganisation
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Total Posts: 648 | Joined Sep. 2001 | Posted on: 11:12 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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HebridesBarEdinburgh
GET A LIFE!!! |
If we get 2008 there will be plenty of and then that will lead to plenty of 
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John.
As long as a hundred of us remain alive.....
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Total Posts: 571 | Joined Sep. 2001 | Posted on: 11:19 pm on May 19, 2002 | IP
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Mazzy
GET A LIFE!!! |
We bribed voters with irn bru and pehs when we were in Dublin so can we take a wee bit credit for Berti`s bowl?
Had a wee wurd in Gerry Adam`s shell like to see if he could turn the monsoon type rain aff in O`Connell Street but he wanted 10 mock chop suppers an videos of all Take the High Road episodes from 2000 to date so we didnae vote for his lot.
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oooo sha lala
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Total Posts: 259 | Joined May 2002 | Posted on: 12:28 am on May 21, 2002 | IP
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Tartan Army Message Board
Ireland to fulfil stadia pledge
