October 19 2008

Shefki Kuqi

Jamesey enjoyed CPFC's emphatic 3-0 win over Barnsley but reflects on real fans' losing battle with TV and the fluctuations in footballers' fortunes.

My steward friend, Pamela, told me that 105 away tickets had been sold for our televised game against the Tykes.

Well, with a 5:20 kick-off, probably no return connections for rail users and, of course, the option of watching the match on TV at home or in the pub, who could blame the most fervid Tyke for staying away?

The truth of the matter is that the old-fashioned "live" supporter is of no account any more and hasn't been for some years now.

The money we cough up to go through the turnstiles is a drop in the ocean compared with the big cheques for TV coverage rights. So the long-suffering fan who wants to be at the game in reality - not virtual reality - is increasingly marginalised by match timings that are tailored to suit the armchair brigade.

It is difficult to see who would be interested in watching Palace v Barnsley on TV at 5:20 except supporters of either side. However, a neutral audience must exist or comparatively minor games like this one wouldn't be screened.

Perhaps people who want to watch real football and be involved in a local club will have to watch teams in the third tier and below who carry on unaffected by big money and ballyhoo?

Returning to the match, it was remarkable to see the issue being settled by goals from two players who until very recently seemed to have no future at Selhurst at all.

Ben Watson's brace and Shefki Kuqi's late lob firmly heralded a return from the wilderness of a former want-away and a derided failure, until now lumbered by a hate relationship with the supporters.

We are, of course, well aquainted with the talents of Ben but the Kooch's recent performances and goals have been a revelation. He now looks lean, hungry and skilful and probably what poor old Peter Taylor expected to see when he sploshed out all that dosh a couple of years back.

For this columnist, another bonus in the rehabilitation of our Kossovar Finn has been the re-appearance, near where I sit and in the Players' Lounge, of the delectable Mrs Kuqi. Her tall Latin presence is always a pleasure to observe.

But I had better be careful here because the type of Mediterranean culture from which Shefki comes is very protective towards its womenfolk, and even the wrong look from an outsider could be an insult.

I would not relish a confrontation with a few of Shefki's brothers and cousins, all blue of jaw, multi-tattooed and clanking with bling.

They know where I sit....

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

In Depth Jamesey's Veteran View Index