No Chance!

Sitting in a queue of traffic at the Forwilliam roundabout on Tuesday night, I thought to myself this is completely unnecessary. Here we all are attempting to get into a real traffic ‘bottleneck’, when we could’ve been rolling into either Windsor Park or the Showgrounds, both miles better as regards spectator comfort and accessibility. I refer of course to the offer from the County Antrim F.A. to the two clubs, United and Linfield, to toss a coin for choice of venue. United thought this a good idea and agreed while Linfield for some reason known only to themselves, refused. Now there has been much speculation as to why Linfield refused, did they think that if they refused to toss the coin, the game would be played at Windsor Park anyway? Or did they think to themselves, which is the more likely in my opinion, that the match will at worst be played in or near Belfast and it would mean less travelling for them and their fans? We will probably never know the reasoning behind this non-decision, but surely the County Antrim F.A. should’ve taken the initiative and brought the match to the Showgrounds or threatened to do so and then maybe Linfield would’ve had a change of heart. Having said that Ballymena Showgrounds is not the easiest place to get in and out of, although if the Borough Council had delivered on at least one of it’s ‘famous or infamous’ promises, we would now be entering the ground through the Ecos centre. To stage what is probably the second biggest final for this ancient and historic competition on a ground which has been badly neglected over the years was to say the least a ludicrous decision. But I suppose the County Antrim F.A. who let’s face it are mostly ‘townies’ anyway, came up with the best they could with the continued unavailability of the Oval. Glentoran who own the Oval are of course ‘huffing’ because I.F.A. chief executive Howard Wells said their ground was unsafe and are refusing to provide it for a neutral venue. The chief exec’s comments came after the infamous riot last April when Linfield fans and Glensmen fought a ‘pitched’ battle. Of course the I.F.A. in their wisdom has still to take action over that incident. I wonder is their any chance of a twenty point reduction being applied to both clubs, it would certainly tighten up the league race, wouldn’t it? Of course it will be swept under the carpet, they’ll both get a rap on the knuckles and things will go on as before. As much chance of them taking punitive action as there was of the County Antrim F. A. bringing the final to Ballymena, not a ‘snowballs chance in hell!