"Should I Stay Or Should I Go" - Clash, 1977

Fans of the English Premier League had spent a lot of time, over the past weeks, wondering who would get to stay in the top tier of clubs and which clubs would be "relegated" (i.e., demoted) down to the next lower division -- the Championship. (To my American readers, it would be as if the major league and minor league teams in baseball had to vie each season for which of them remained in which league from year to year.) This shifting up divisions and down divisions, at the end of each season, is one of the most interesting facets of "English football".

Yesterday afternoon, the final matches of the current season were played. There were four teams fighting for the one remaining spot in the Premier League for next season. And the other three teams would be relegated. Who would stay and who would go? It was drama on a grand scale!

No team who has been bottom of the Premier League at Christmas time has ever managed to avoid relegation. That is, until yesterday. And the Cinderella team was West Bromwich Albion! Good for them...what an amazing story!

Of course, though, there's poor Southampton. 27 years year in the Premier League. And they ended their season yesterday as #20, so they are among the three teams to be relegated. They will join Norwich and Crystal Palace in the Championship next year. Here's the BBC's story, if you'd like to read more.

It was an incredible afternoon for sports fans like John and me!

Meanwhile, how about the news that Malcolm Glazer, owner of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is buying Manchester United! The Man U fans are upset, and we'll no doubt see all sorts of protests before, during and after next Saturday's FA Cup Final in Cardiff. I just hope nobody gets out of hand and spoils a terrific annual event!

Janet

Listening to: "Language, Sex, Violence, Other?", Stereophonics