It's that time of year when thoughts should ineffably turn to those less fortunate than ourselves, 'tis the season of 'goodwill to all men' and all that jazz.

However, me being a stingy son of a gun, I felt the clamour to turn my thoughts to those far more fortunate than ourselves, and produce a list of some of the luckiest, gummy-grinned chancers the modern game has offered up to date.

Our second draw in 4 days. Yet another match in which we were expected to win, although we knew it would be a challenge from the moment the team sheet was released. Upon the completion of the game, the most common reaction to the starting 11 was how much it resembled a Carling Cup side and not one that was challenging for the biggest prize in Europe.

The what: FA Charity Shield – Chelsea v. Manchester United
The where: Wembley Stadium (90,000)
The when: August 8, 3pm local time (10am EST)
The how: Fox Soccer Channel (DirecTV 619, Dish Network 149)
The why: Because we desperately well, maybe not desperately need a positive result.

Dimitar Berbatov, the laziest man in football, only scored three goals against Manchester United's hated rivals, Liverpool, this afternoon. You might think this is impressive but it's nothing that hasn't done before. Stan Pearson bagged three goals against the dippers during our 5-0 win back in 1946, so, don't make out like it's a big deal, because it isn't.

It couldn't have been a better start to the new season for Manchester United as they lifted the FA Community Shield. Antonia Valencia, new boy Chicharito and Berbatov scored the goals for United and made it four defeats in a row for Chelsea. Last year, United had lost to Chelsea in this charity shield due to some bizarre refereeing by Chris Foy.

The Premier League season kicked off this weekend and that means that it is time for another edition of Premier League Winners and Losers.

Winners
Chelsea
Written off a week ago by many pundits after losing to Manchester United in the Charity Shield, the champions showed the sort of form on Saturday that won them the title last year.

Javier Hernandez has revealed that he has loved watching Manchester United since he was a little lad seeing Eric Cantona and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wear our jersey. They were his heroes and he wants to become just like them.

"It is like a dream," he said, a broad grin spread across his face.

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- On This Day: QPR Lose Charity Shield Final Replay to Manchester United!
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- For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, visit the ever-growing (and hopefully always improving!) QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Either offer your own perspectives on any of the topics (QPR and football only).

Face off!
First off allow me to begin the first Just Football post of 2010 by saying a 'Happy New Year' to you all. Here's hoping your year has got off to an infinitely better start than Gary Megson's.
Now, the first issue that needs resolving on here is our Pichichi poll from the back end of last year.

(Media Information by Football Association of Singapore)
SINGAPORE, 15 January 2010: The local football fraternity will come together for a good cause at the 2010 S.League Charity Shield next Thursday as the Football Association of Singapore seeks to raise funds for Singapore football legend Dollah Kassim, who has been in a coma since collapsing during the 2009 Sultan of Selangor's Cup veterans match between Singapore and Selangor last October.

Today is the two-year anniversary of this blog. 396 posts in two years, or a little over every-other day. That's better than I expected to do. I'm not sure how many people out there are still reading, but to those who are left, I hope I'm not boring you. ;)
Along with the anniversary news there was a bit of Rapids news today.

The Colorado Rapids will host the Seattle Sounders at 7 p.m. March 19 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park to raise money for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

The match will be the team's first Charity Shield fundraiser, patterned after similar games in England, where they are a longstanding tradition.

STARTERS
El D! LD! Lando! Landycakes! Landon Frickin Donovan! Call him what you want, he scored his first Everton goal today as they beat Sunderland 2-0!! Nicely done! See it here (scroll down.)
dN
We read today that over 30% of all World Cup tickets are still unsold.

Updates on two Rapids game came out today.

• The Charity Shield match against Seattle will be Friday, March 19th at 7pm. this will replace the Blue & Burgundy game. Tickets will be $10 - $20 with all proceeds going to Haiti relief. Season ticket holders will get one free ticket.

• The season opener at Chivas has been moved back from Sunday the 28th to Friday the 26th at 8:30pm Mountain.

The Rapids made the rumors official today. Besides training at the Dick the Rapdis will be taking tow trips in preseason. From February 21st through the 27th they'll go to where this blog started, the Valley of the Sun. Well actually Casa Grande, AZ. They are going to scrimmage against other MLS teams there.

Who: Sounders v Timbers
What: Charity Match, preseason friendly
Where: Qwest Field
When: 3/11 6PM
How Much: 10$ for Adults, 6$ for Children (U-6 free)

Yep, read that how much again. General admission for the whole dang thing, or however much they decide to open.

ABOUT YOU:
Your name?
Ben Sewell
Your age?
17
How many years you have followed Chelsea?
As long as i can remember.
Whats the best part about being a Chelsea Fan?
Having the best supporters in the land.

The Rapids have announced that tomorrow's Charity Shield match at the Dick against Seattle is canceled due to the expected storm. The Supporter's Groups kickoff party is also canceled.

Hopefully, the meteorologists got this one right, and the dreaded Colorado March storm is about to descend on the Mile High City. At least, that's all I can think after the Colorado Rapids announced Thursday the cancellation of the Charity Shield match against Seattle Sounders FC scheduled for Friday evening.

If taken in context this title may, I confess be a little misleading due to Chelsea's recent success in the competition. As holders there has been little FA Cup hurt experienced by Chelsea fans in the last few years.

I am however speaking from a personal perspective, since queuing up in the early hours of the morning as a 7 year old in 1994; I have been unable to get a ticket for a final since.

If taken in context this title may, I confess be a little misleading due to Chelsea's recent success in the competition. As holders there has been little FA Cup hurt experienced by Chelsea fans in the last few years.

I am however speaking from a personal perspective, since queuing up in the early hours of the morning as a 7 year old in 1994; I have been unable to get a ticket for a final since.

Michael Owen has given an exclusive interview with the FA inside Wembley stadium ahead of the friendly tonight in Ireland and Charity Shield at the weekend.

How's the training going?

I'm in full training now with the lads. It would be ironic wouldn't it, playing your last game here then coming back from injury and playing the next game here in the Charity Shield.

The annual Charity Shield – sorry, it's called The FA Community Shield these days, is nearly upon us again which usually means a nice day out at Wembley for Manchester United fans...and precious little...
Continue to the full story

It's Chelsea vs Man United in the FA Community Shield this Sunday. Or the Charity Shield as I still insist on calling it, even though I know better. For those unfamiliar, the Community Shield is the season curtain-raiser in England, pitting the previous season's Premier League champions against the previous season's FA Cup winners.

The next Premier League season doesn't begin until Saturday, August 14 but as soon as the first ball is kicked in the Community Shield, the English top flight football calendar officially opens.

Tomorrow we'll see Manchester United compete against Chelsea (10am ET, Fox Soccer Channel) to see who will win the Community Shield silverware.

At least these two won't be fooling about this year.

FA Charity Shield

Related posts:

1. Community Shield Preview
2. Poll: Will Man United or Chelsea Win the 2010 Community Shield?
3. Premier League Season Finale: Live Blog and Chat

On This Day In Spurs History: 10th August

1991 On this day in 1991, Spurs faced the league champions Arsenal, in the Charity Shield. Having won the FA Cup back in May after a run that included a 3-1 semi-final win over Arsenal at Wembley, Spurs could only draw 0-0 this time round.

On This Day In Spurs History: 12th August

1961 On this day in 1961, League and FA Cup holders Spurs won the Charity Shield with a 3-2 win over an FA XI, that included the likes of Bobby Robson, Johnny Haynes and Bobby Charlton. Tottenham's goals were scored by Les Allen (2) and Bobby Smith.

One of our first opportunities to scout out potential fantasy football selections from two of our title contenders Manchester United and Chelsea... They face off in just an hour or two in that pre-season contest formerly known as The ... Continue reading →

Part 1. The relegation also rans

Oh yes my footy crazed brethwen, it has been quite possibly the worst World Cup since I can remember but the wait is over, the Premiership Season is but 48 hours away and it's promises to be scorcher. So many new faces coming and going and the usual influx of overseas youngsters stunting our development on the international stage but hey ho, sh*t happens and whatever we say, the power of the Premierships Big Nobs Nelsons will always win against it's poorer FA brother.

You've seen how the EPL Offside, as a group, has picked the Premier League table. You've seen how I have it unfolding. Now witness how the those who participated in the EPIC post view Chelsea's chances at repeating. Good stuff, this.

Adding Ramires makes one of the best attacks in the world last season even more potent – they are solid at the back and can hurt you so many ways going forward.

Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles face off in second annual charity match

The much-anticipated return of the Supporters' Charity Shield match between Barra Brava FC and Screaming Eagles FC will be held this Saturday, August 21 on the RFK Auxiliary Field.

Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles face off in second annual charity match Tickets for the charity event cost $10 and are available both at the gate and online.

The much-anticipated return of the Supporters' Charity Shield match between Barra Brava FC and Screaming Eagles FC will be held this Saturday, August 21 on the RFK Auxiliary Field.

Chelsea have been simply formidable in their opening two games of the 2010-11 season. The significance of the mauling of Wigan at the DW, the very stadium in which their superb start to last season began to disintegrate after a 3-1 loss in September, must have Chelsea's title rivals quaking in their lightweight boots.

After drawing at Craven Cottage last week, United will be looking for a win at home to West Ham today. The International break is upon us and we want to go in to that with as many points as possible on the board.

Man of the moment, Paul Scholes, could sit this game out, giving Michael Carrick the opportunity to come back in to the team.

Kop That Fanzone: A post by Rohan Kalli- you can follow Rohan on Twitter @rohan_kalli

If there is a trait that characterises the fans of Liverpool Football Club, it is loyalty. Not only do they love their own, as illustrated by the tremendous support of Jamie Carragher's testimonial last weekend, but they will adore any individual who arrives in L4 and unreservedly shares their passion for the club.

Saturday was shaping up to be a thoroughly enjoyable day. Whilst the sun was pouring in Manchester, the sun was shining in Merseyside, and seemed to be shining down on our lads in particular.

After a first half where we had largely been second best, we managed to go in level at half-time. We'd enjoyed the better chances, forcing Tim Howard in to a couple of brilliant saves, in contrast to Edwin Van der Sar who had relatively little to do, but in terms of possession and ability to get a move going, Everton were far better.

The Ultimate Football Blog


Manchester United




If you haven't already heard, here's an interesting statistic for you: after the last three World Cup's, Manchester United have reclaimed (not just won, but reclaimed) their Premiership trophy, and the last three winners of the Charity Shield have gone on to win the Premiership that season.

The Ultimate Football Blog
Charity Shield Review
On a sunny Sunday at Wembley stadium, the two best teams in England lined up for battle. What followed was a Charity Shield with more fizzle than the usual drab affair. The game started with real bite as Paul Scholes set the tone for what could have been a dangerous game when he crunched through a Chelsea player, lucky not get a yellow card.