Mobile CCTV Cameras

On the way to work this morning I saw one of those Mobile CCTV vans (operated by Cleveland Police who say they are "Putting People First") which stated it was "Watching out for you" below the phrase "Caught On Camera". Am I the only one who finds the double-meaning behind this somewhat ominous?

Mobile CCTV Cameras

On the way to work this morning I saw one of those Mobile CCTV vans (operated by Cleveland Police who say they are "Putting People First") which stated it was "Watching out for you" below the phrase "Caught On Camera". Am I the only one who finds the double-meaning behind this somewhat ominous?

Scrumthing For Thought

When Rugby League's Super League was inaugurated some twelve years ago, the teams for some reason adopted silly names like the Warrington Wolves (my personal favourite, obviously) and the Wigan Warriors. Alliteration was no limit as a new era of rugby was born: buoyant, exciting and marketable.

Whether this adoption of mascots into their team names was done to mimick the NFL in the States in an attempt to increase the marketability of a "franchise" I'm not sure. Either way I cannot see in what way wolves can be associated with a small town in the north-west nor am I aware of a spate of extremely tall people living in Huddersfield, thus justifying their Giants moniker. Perhaps they're all shy about their height and just don't go out much. But I've been to Huddersfield and was struck with how average people were there. Ho hum.

Not wanting to fall foul of the Trade Descriptions Act (1974) and various other spurious laws I have a suggestion. I believe that the fifteen who start for these teams should play the game dressed as their respective mascots. Not only would this make rugby far more interesting, it would also keep the lawyers at bay.

There are issues however.

I can imagine the Castleford Tigers becoming less interested in the ball and more interested in eating the oppositon when playing the Bradford Bulls. Furthermore the cumbersome nature of a male cow would suggest a complete bloodbath within ten minutes and we don't condone Spanish bull slaughtering. The same could be said when the Warrington Wolves met the Bulls - a pack of fifteen wolves could quite easily take down some glorified cows - and again the same result would ensue.

Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Wildcats would either descend to a scrap to the death for territory or an overly vein yiff-fest. In an era when rugby is seen as a family sport, neither scenario would be suitable for the youngsters. Rugby may all be about men grappling in the mud and grunting at each other but  there are standards that need to be upheld. Bradford Bulls v London Broncos would be a far together more masculine affair - with bulging biceps and hard pumping action. Excuse me...

Widnes Vikings v Wigan Warriors would turn into the tedium that is one of those historic recreationalist battles you often get at places like Warwick Castle. It'd be one of those contests where you wouldn't beat the opposition through pace, you'd do it through mace.

Another fear would be the Leeds Rhinos - the charge would just be too high. Football is much maligned for astronomical ticket prices - we can't have rugby going the same way.

When added to this the potential for the Huddersfield Giants to knock themselves out when trying to score a try underneath the goalposts and the thought of a Halifax Bluesox game with the players almost entirely exposed to the elements I think, you'll agree, we have a recipe for disaster. But it would be great fun to watch. Particularly a Bluesox game ;-)

Scrumthing For Thought

When Rugby League's Super League was inaugurated some twelve years ago, the teams for some reason adopted silly names like the Warrington Wolves (my personal favourite, obviously) and the Wigan Warriors. Alliteration was no limit as a new era of rugby was born: buoyant, exciting and marketable.

Whether this adoption of mascots into their team names was done to mimick the NFL in the States in an attempt to increase the marketability of a "franchise" I'm not sure. Either way I cannot see in what way wolves can be associated with a small town in the north-west nor am I aware of a spate of extremely tall people living in Huddersfield, thus justifying their Giants moniker. Perhaps they're all shy about their height and just don't go out much. But I've been to Huddersfield and was struck with how average people were there. Ho hum.

Not wanting to fall foul of the Trade Descriptions Act (1974) and various other spurious laws I have a suggestion. I believe that the fifteen who start for these teams should play the game dressed as their respective mascots. Not only would this make rugby far more interesting, it would also keep the lawyers at bay.

There are issues however.

I can imagine the Castleford Tigers becoming less interested in the ball and more interested in eating the oppositon when playing the Bradford Bulls. Furthermore the cumbersome nature of a male cow would suggest a complete bloodbath within ten minutes and we don't condone Spanish bull slaughtering. The same could be said when the Warrington Wolves met the Bulls - a pack of fifteen wolves could quite easily take down some glorified cows - and again the same result would ensue.

Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Wildcats would either descend to a scrap to the death for territory or an overly vein yiff-fest. In an era when rugby is seen as a family sport, neither scenario would be suitable for the youngsters. Rugby may all be about men grappling in the mud and grunting at each other but  there are standards that need to be upheld. Bradford Bulls v London Broncos would be a far together more masculine affair - with bulging biceps and hard pumping action. Excuse me...

Widnes Vikings v Wigan Warriors would turn into the tedium that is one of those historic recreationalist battles you often get at places like Warwick Castle. It'd be one of those contests where you wouldn't beat the opposition through pace, you'd do it through mace.

Another fear would be the Leeds Rhinos - the charge would just be too high. Football is much maligned for astronomical ticket prices - we can't have rugby going the same way.

When added to this the potential for the Huddersfield Giants to knock themselves out when trying to score a try underneath the goalposts and the thought of a Halifax Bluesox game with the players almost entirely exposed to the elements I think, you'll agree, we have a recipe for disaster. But it would be great fun to watch. Particularly a Bluesox game ;-)