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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WRAGGY WILL BE SORELY MISSED
MACCLESFIELD FC have led the tributes to “colossal” former manager Peter Wragg, who has passed away.
BURY & RAMMY HIT BIG STAGE!
BRYANLY’S late penalty kept Bury top of the tree in front of another record-breaking crowd at Gigg Lane on Boxing Day.
BRAVE BERKO ARE ON TRACK
Ducks demolition maintains title tilt
OWLS THAT! CLEE GLEE ON TOP OF THE TREE
CLEETHORPES Town maintained their four-point lead at the top of NPL East with a hard-fought 2-1 derby win over North Ferriby at the Myenergi Stadium.
HAWKS SWOOP IN FOR DERBY GLORY
REUBEN AUSTIN hailed Havant & Waterlooville teammate Leon Maloney’s wonder goal as ‘a hell of a strike’ as the Hawks continued their promotion push with a 3-1 local derby success over Gosport Borough.
JULIUS DICTATES - BUT FANS MIST IT
JULUS Ndene handed Leek Town a famous victory in the mist – not that any of the fans got to see it!
GOLDEN BROWN BACK AT THE TOP
PHIL Brown gave his Kidderminster Harriers players Christmas off – and was rewarded with a climb to the top of the tree.
BRENNAN'S BOYS SALVAGED IN 'KAMIKAZE' YEAR END
STRAIGHT talking Dean Brennan lamented ‘kamikaze’ defending despite seeing his Barnet nick a dramatic late point to end 2024 at the National League summit.
FIVE-STAR PIRATES PUMMEL ROVERS
IN the final game of the year at the Ledger Stadium, second-placed Real Bedford faced off against fourth-placed Barton Rovers, who arrived as the league’s in-form side.
MOORE'S LATE GOAL SEALS BIG REDS WIN
GEORGE Moore was the hero grabbing a stoppage-time winner to sink Kingstonian and take Uxbridge to third in the table in what is becoming a fascinating promotion race in the Pitching-In Isthmian South Central.
