Cod Almighty | Diary

The true meaning of tinpot

18 February 2014

Your Middle-Aged Diary is intrigued to learn of a UEFA stipulation that will force Hull and Brighton to replay their FA Cup tie on a Monday to avoid a clash with any European tie. There is probably a good word to use for an organisation which is so fearful of the impact of another competition that it shuts it down. How about "#tinpot"?

Bad weather happens, and having pitches that can withstand bad weather takes money. What is annoying is when a sporting organisation, in its delusions of grandeur, fails to take account of whether its members can afford proper provision to fend off the acts of God. A trip to Wembley for the play-off final would be lovely, if we make it. But then a trip to Old Trafford, Villa Park, even the King George V Stadium, would be just as compelling, if promotion were at stake.

Bad sporting administration also happens, at every level. However, the thin-skinned arrogance of the "Champions" League – with that tinny anthem bookending its matches, to remind you that what you are about to see is a triumph of style over substance – knocks into the shade anything the Conference can throw at us.

Tonight, UEFA are sufficiently unconcerned at the threat that they are allowing Barnet v Grimsby to go ahead, even as Barcelona visit Manchester City. In this, they are wrong. Whatever the relative quality of the football on display, it's a pretty fair bet that those who put on their coats and travel to Barnet, or Aldershot, or Tamworth, or Accrington, or Southend, or Yeovil, or their local cinema or theatre, will have a far more memorable night than those who stay slumped on their sofas.

Enjoy it, whatever you do (and I have to confess that with a Man City-supporting son, I will probably find myself on the sofa, checking Twitter every 20 seconds).