PLANS to overhaul the FA Cup have sparked predictable – and justifiable – outrage amongst lower league clubs.
Which, in all probability, was the idea. In the US, politicians often talk about raising the flag and seeing who salutes.
Also known in the PR industry as a trial balloon, it is the process of intentionally leaking a controversial idea to the press in order to gauge public reaction before committing time and resources to a full-fledged plan.
One example came during the fag end of Donald Trump’s presidency. Rumours circulated constantly that Trump, facing potential criminal charges, would resign from office in exchange for a guarantee of immunity from his replacement.
What the Republicans really wanted to know was whether the public would be receptive to Trump’s departure and, ergo, whether he retained enough popular support to win a second term.
As to why this approach is required, consider the shambolic announcement of the European Super League.
The news dropped like a bombshell in the spring of 2021. No preamble. No equivocation. The nine clubs involved, led by Real Madrid and Juventus, simply told the world that they were taking their ball and f***ing off.
Denne historien er fra July 09, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra July 09, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CRAIG'S BOOSTS
MANAGERIAL stalwart Craig Edwards is back in charge of Barking – 23 years after he left!
LENNIE GETS THE LOVE
VETERAN caretaker chief Lennie Lawrence says he is “excited” to be handed the reins at Hartlepool United permanently – just a few weeks before his 77th birthday!
MOTORS FEELS LIKE HOLMES!
WHEN he was younger, Danny Holmes played video games that simulated being a football manager.
REES HITS FAB FOUR AS TOWN ROMP IT
RICARDO REES struck four times to help Merthyr Town maintain their spot at the top of the table with a dominant home win against play-off chasing Havant & Waterlooville.
DULWICH DISPLAY DELIGHTS COACHES
GOALS from Danny Mills, Luke Wanadio and Lorenzo’s stoppage-time finish fired Dulwich Hamlet to a comfortable win over fellow play-off hopefuls Potters Bar Town, though the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story.
ANCHORS A RAPID
ASHTON UNITED hit two goals in two minutes to come from behind to win at Stockton Town.
SEAGULLS KEEP THE HEAT ON ROMANS
BATH City were made to pay for their mistakes by high-flying Weston-super-Mare.
CLINICAL COLEMAN KEEN AS MUSTARD
CIAN COLEMAN’S hat-trick lifted Buxton to their highest league position of the season as they became the latest side to frustrate Scunthorpe.
KEV SEES RED IN REE PANT!
SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher hit out at referee Abigail Byrne following his side’s defeat to Yeovil Town at Roots Hall.
MARVEL MATTY DENIES MOORS
BOTH managers insisted their teams deserved more after Altrincham came from behind to steal a point in a six-goal thriller at Solihull Moors.
