Most football fans became aware of the vuvuzela at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. The whole world became aware of the plastic horns and the noise they make at this year's World Cup. But World Cup Blog reader Marcamps has emailed in to point out that The Simpsons featured a vuvuzela way back in 1997, when Bart got his hands on a "long plastic horn" in the season eight episode "Homer vs the Eighteenth Amendment".

I wasn't all that impressed by Avatar, but I suppose it's better than the realism of Vietnam. Japan, on the other hand, were impressed, so they've blown their attempt for World Cup 2022 into the 'Avatar' of World Cup bids, though that title may be unofficial, and they may not even want it.

Since there have been lots and lots of comments elsewhere on the progress of our club, I would just like to post an article by Tomkins, which I am sure took a very very long time to produce. Hence it should be given its due respect. The article is at his membership site but this one is free, so I thought I would just copy and paste the whole thing.

When Jamie Carragher made his Liverpool debut more than 13 years ago, he could only dream of one day being spoken of in the same breath as Alan Hansen.
As two very different defenders, it is unfair to compare them.
What is clear, though, is that they've both produced the quality required to join an elite band of players who can say they've played over 600 times for Liverpool.

We have an unlikely hero at Newcastle this morning, whose personality is so much different from those other heroes at the club like Jackie Milburn, Malcolm MacDonald, Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson. Chris Hughton - has calmed everything down on Tyneside 51 year-old Stratford, London-born Chris Hughton is an experienced coach, having spent 13 years [.

Liverpool boss is hoping to make a successful move to bring in Marseille striker Mamadou Niang to Anfield. Rafa Benitez is counting on prospective new owners will hand him a cash boost in the summer so that he can correct his faltering squad. If he can't get cash injection he is looking to offer players in return for the Senegalese international.

Today, we will chew on the curious appetiser that is the Third Place Playoff Game, before gorging on the feast of the final tomorrow, a feast that often underserves, but that nevertheless will be utterly compelling however poor the play. That fact illustrates the point of the World Cup, I feel.

After 13 years in Europe with top clubs including Barcelona, Porto, and Chelsea, Deco is now finishing things up with Brazilian giants Fluminense. Deco has done it in Europe winning league titles in three different countries and lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy with both Porto and Barcelona.

If there was one road to redemption for the Jari Litmanen/Sami Hyypiä generation, it was avenging the bitter loss of 11.10.1997, but it wasn't to be. I guess it couldn't have ended any other way. What started exactly 13 years ago ended in identical fashion. Finland had their throats slit by the Hungarians yet again.

The FA Cup is a competition that is synonymous with Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. The great man has already lead Arsenal to 4 FA Cup triumph for the last 13 years, the last coming in a penalty shoot-out against Man United. Patrick Vieira scored his with his last ever touch in an Arsenal shirt. Another journey [.

Tim Howard and Everton stare down Arsenal while Jozy Altidore and Hull head to Stamford Bridge this weekend amid England's worst cold spell in 13 years.

So Man Citeh have signed one of our hero's from the last 13 years.. Old Paddy, but not the Paddy of old..

I don't want to tell the Man Citeh fans that he won't be anything like the Paddy we knew and worshipped, I told a Citeh fan that Ade was a lazy tosser and give him six months he would go back to his lazy offside ways.

Arguably the best ever player to play for Stevenage has rejected the chance to re-join the club nearly 13 years after he left the club for Bristol Rovers. Hayles went on to play in the Premier League with Fulham as well as successful spells at Millwall, Plymouth Argyle and Leicester City. He is currently with League 2 side Cheltenham Town, as the 37 year old veteran striker begins to wind down his career.

Opening a blog with a picture is a very rare occurrence on Arseblog. This morning is different though. Firstly it's as quiet as Helen Keller doing an impression of Anne Frank and secondly you very rarely get a picture quite as awesome as this:

What can you say? The club are celebrating 25 years in the Community and I doff my cap to whoever thought up this particular idea for a photoshoot.

Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed he turned down a move to Juventus earlier this year.
The 71-year-old claims he was sounded out about replacing Ciro Ferrara, who was sacked at the end of January after a poor run of results, before the Turin club appointed Alberto Zaccheroni until the end of the season.

It took a couple of days, but we got there in the end. The Labour Party' proposals on the state of football may have been largely welcomed by supporters, but they were not going to pass uncommented upon by those that still, in spite of everything, claim that the "free market" can save the world in some way.

It's going to be a busy but hopefully an enjoyable time for Newcastle hero Chris Hughton this summer. Chris and Colin the dynamic duo Chris has got his first chance at being number one, after spending almost 13 years learning his trade as a football coach, and what he's done this season could hardly have been [.

You are invited to participate in the U.S. Soccer 2010 Fan Survey. For the past five years, we've used the results from this survey to help us evaluate ideas for better servicing your needs as a soccer fan. Since the inception of the program we've implemented a number of programs as a direct result of fan feedback.

A 450 mile round trip is not the best preparation for a European semi-final, but Fulham have already proved capable of rising above obstacles placed in their path this season.
The cloud of ash belching out from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland means the Fulham squad will have to travel to Germany the old fashioned way, in a coach with frequent rest stops to keep the poor lads fresh and alert.

Barça's neighbours waited 13 years to have a stadium of their own again, and it hasn't taken long to settle in.
Espanyol make their new home a fortress to derail Barcelona.

So one part of being overseas is that today I actually was able to catch some WPS action, that's the Women's Pro Soccer League. Unfortunately not live, but through Fox Sports World's broadcast. So my thoughts after watching an entire game? Well it's pretty damn similar to Australia's own W-League.
I caught the Round 4 game between Sky Blue FC and FC Gold Pride, the team that has the best women's player in the world - Marta.

Anfield manager sets sights on Ligue 1 star.

Win the Club Shirt Of Your Choice Simply by Speaking Your Mind!

Liverpool boss is hoping to make a successful move to bring in Marseille striker Mamadou Niang to Anfield. Rafa Benitez is counting on prospective new owners will hand him a cash boost in the summer so that he can correct his faltering squad.

That's right, boys and girls, it's time for more "curt, weird, dismissive answers to bizarre, insane, overly personal questions." Starring our favorite diminutive Russian. As usual, sexism and the overuse of emoticons abound. This week, Arshavin weighs in on death, Barack Obama, chemistry, and (of course) female footballers.

Milan's convincing win over Juventus was a great way to end another disappointing season. For Leo, who now leaves Milan after 13 years of loyal service, it could not have been better. It is rather unfortunate to see Leo move on. Though it may have been a disappointing season, both Milan and Leo have defied expectations [.

Well after August and September comes October and November.

13 years is all it takes for a man to be immortalized in stone. Arguably Arsenal's greatest ever manager (or second greatest if you fancy an argument) celebrated his 13th anniversary in charge of this institution. In the meantime, Chelsea and Tottenham have seen approximately a dozen managers come and go.

It has now been been 13 years since Eric Cantona played his last Premier League game for Manchester United yet the mere mention of his name still sends shivers down the spine of fans who were...
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After thirteen years of valiant service to our league, it was announced today that legendary New York Metro/Bulls defender Mike Petke will be retiring at the close of the 2010 season.
"After many months of contemplation, I know that this is the best choice for me and my family," Petke said.

According to James Hunter at the Evening Chronicle, 20-year-old Leicester City striker Martyn Waghorn admitted that he was happy to move on from Sunderland this summer. Waghorn said,

"It wasn't that much of a wrench having to leave .

We know Sidney Crosby is one of the world's best hockey players. But did you know he used to play baseball? While hitting batting practice at PNC Park, Sidney Crosby proved that fact by hitting a homer. You can see video of the Sidney Crosby home run at the end of this entry.

In the video you can see the lefty's nice swing and watch as he hits a homer measured at 370 feet.

As some of you may have heard, Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco was on FSC's Soccer Talk Live recently where he stated his desire to play pro soccer, maybe as early as next season. He even went so far as to compare himself to Didier Drogba. When asked about his foot speed, Chad said that there "is not one person in soccer right now who would beat me running," including FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Two U.S. legends reunite: Akers and Lilly

Yesterday afternoon, 15 U.S. players and head coach Pia Sundhage took a short trip (just 30 minutes from the team hotel) to the horse rescue farm of WNT legend Michelle Akers. The USA's all-time greatest player (just ask Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly), is still bringing her farm back into form after some terrible flooding last September (as chronicled on ESPN's E:60).

More photos » Jonathan Daniel - Getty Images

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Oh what a sweet sweet birthday indeed. The Chicago Fire honor the badge and look brilliant in defeating long-time rival Columbus Crew 2-0.

Chris Klein and Ugo Ihemelu vie for the ball during a U.S. Open Cup clash (AP Photo).

The club made the announcement today that the 34-year-old midfielder who has found it difficult to break into the team this season will hang up his cleats at the end of the season, joining fellow veteran midfielder Eddie Lewis who made a similar announcement earlier this season.

C.J. Brown will wrap up his MLS playing career tonight as the Chicago Fire face off against Chivas USA. While Brown did not get a 'proper' last home game, the opening night of the 2011 season will no doubt be very special.

For 13 years, C.J. Brown has been the Chicago Fire. There have been 6 team presidents, 5 head coaches, 3 shirt sponsors, 3 uniform manufacturers, 3 stadiums, but only one preference for starting CB year in and year out.

'Hugol' Sanchez's goal scoring record in Spain stands up to very close scrutiny. 234 goals in 347 appearances makes him the second highest goal scorer in La Liga history. Post war, only Alfredo di Stefano has a better goals to game ratio in the Spanish top flight. 29 goals in 58 appearances for Mexico cements his standing as one the greatest goalscorers of his, or any era.

Arsenal's title shot is pretty much under a serious re-evaluation after they tragically beaten 3-2 at Emirates stadium by their city rival, Tottenham Hotspurs, this Saturday.

The Gunners' uncharacteristically throw away a two goals lead that they hold until the first half ended and went sleeping in the second period allowing Spurs overturn the deficit by scoring one more in the end, securing the Lilywhites' first away victory against their London rival in 13 years.

"Anyone would love to play here for a lot of reasons and one of those reasons is the fans. It is a phenomenal fan base. I'm already looking forward to playing there," he said. "It doesn't get any better than in Seattle. I've been a professional for 13 years, playing in France and England, and I've never seen anything like it.

It just had to be didn't it? Newcastle United will visit Broadhall Way and Stevenage again in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, 13 years after that 4th round tie captured the nation back in 1998. Boro haven't reached the 3rd round of the Cup since that infamous battle, but they will be going all out to go one better this time and complete what would be a historic giantkilling.

LONDON, England Newcastle United named Alan Pardew as their 12th manager in the last 13 years on Thursday in place of Chris Hughton who was controversially sacked this week. The former West Ham United boss signed a five-and-a-half year contract to take on the challenge of restoring the famous Premier League club to former [.

Derby day and the form book goes out the window. It's a cliche to even quote that cliche now. But maybe it's true.
Hibs need it to be. Because right now Hearts look prohibitive favourites as the traditional New Year's Day derby returns to Edinburgh for the first time in 13 years tomorrow lunchtime.