This was printed in the Bolton Evening News, back in March. There has been something of a "black hole" around the Bolton/Blackburn areas, whereby pubs showing "illegal TV" haven't been prosecuted. Bolton News. Pub bosses win TV soccer legal battle Pub bosses win TV soccer legal battle By Paul Keaveny TWO landlords have won the right to show live Premiership football in their pubs on Saturday afternoons. The Bolton licensees were taken to court after Sky accused them of infringing the Copyright Act. It followed a ruling by European football's governing body, UEFA, that outlawed showing Saturday afternoon football, in line with wishes of the Premier League and broadcaster BSkyB. The licensees argued that they had not broken any laws, saying they legitimately subscribed to a broadcaster in another country which shows live Premiership football as games are beamed across the world. The first victory came in February at Bolton Magistrates Court and involved pub manager Ian Moss of The Saddle in Farnworth. Earlier this month, Enterprise Inns tenant Eileen Flint also appeared in court for showing a match at the Original Bay Horse in Horwich using a decoder and foreign subscription card. Both denied dishonesty and were cleared of a breach of copyright. Sky and the Premier League fear fans will stop watching matches live at football stadiums if they could watch the game in the comfort of their local pub. A "closed period" had been set up, barring pubs from showing live 3pm Saturday matches. Now, following the court rulings, Westhoughton brewery Anchor Inns Northern Ltd says pubs which buy a satellite signal legitimately from abroad are not breaking any law if they choose to show the games. And it is calling on other licensees to fight any prosecutions brought against them by the Media Protection Services (MPS), which investigates illegal screenings. Jim Powell, managing director of Anchor Inns, said: "We feel MPS, which is acting on behalf of Sky, is just using bullying tactics. "In my view hundreds of licensees have been frightened by the thought of facing huge legal costs. We just feel that their ruling is not relevant to us because we buy the signal from another source who have paid Sky for it. Licensees need to know they no longer have to lie down and accept it, they can fight it." MPS takes licensees to court for infringing the Copyright Act. But Bolton solicitor Joe Egan, who represented both licensees, said a second defeat for the Premier League brought the whole issue of screening Saturday foreign TV transmissions into doubt. He said: "I don't think these decisions are aberrations, I think the magistrates have got it spot on. In order to be guilty of this offence, you have to intend to avoid the applicable payment." He said pubs are paying for the signal legitimately and so cannot be found guilty of dishonesty. "It's just nonsense, you cannot be found guilty of avoiding a fee you cannot even pay in the first place," he added. Dan Johnson, a spokesman for the Premier League, said: "There are no rights for the general bar trade to show football games at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. It's illegal and if people transgress we will take them to court." He said the two court rulings in Bolton were "rogue decisions" and just because a licensees had paid a foreign broadcaster for a signal it did not give them the copyright to the games. "It's a breach of copyright. If those rights have been sold abroad then they are only for use in that region." Mr Johnson added that there was lots of anecdotal evidence which showed attendeces at football games fell when the matches were being shown in pubs and that it also led to a fall in the number of people playing football on a Saturday.

You could have been writing a book. Chapter one. "Blackburn Rovers legend Ronnie Clayton wore the number 4 shirt." Chapter two. "Blackburn Rovers legend Bryan Douglas wore the number 7 and number 10 shirts" Chapter three. "Don Revies' dirty Leeds and their deep lieing centre forward adopt change in tactics" Chapter four. "Alf Ramsey claims credit for wingless wonders, when it was Revies idea all along" Chapter five. "How Blackburn rovers fell from grace because they changed to 4-4-2" How much material did you need? You can't kid me Mr Fleming. Anyway, back to the topic. I already got told off for railroading your review.

So Mr Fleming, why do you want to know? Writing a book?

Also, something BRISA discussed in the LET a while back. Pub fiction

Brett

Hmm, you're right Ozz. How do we get away from this then? Come on guys, some discussion?

Well, as long as I've watched rovers, the fans have always had their knives into one player from every team. I bet we can all think of dozens. As for Bert, you're right to a point. In many fans eyes the guy can do no right. All I would say is that he's not as bad as some make out. He does have some qualities. He certainly gives the tired legs a rest when he comes on as a sub. Remember, Kuqi is reveered for his performances as a sub. It doesn't get mentioned when Bert does the same.

Yep, I accept that. I didn't see the other forward lines, but the point still stands to these whippersnappers. From this forward line, how many had defensive duties of any kind? - Douglas, Dobing, Dougan, Vernon, McLeod

Well if you look at rovers best ever forward line, it consisted of: Ferguson, McEvoy, Pickering, Douglas, Harrison. Every one of them an attacking forward. Not one of them capable of a single tackle. That's how it was folks. Fabulous to watch. Remember '63 season? Spurs beaten 7-2 at Ewood and West Ham beaten 8-2 at upton Park. Can't think of adjectives that fit the occassion. We wont see anything like that again.

Dinosaur calling Tugay, - Dinosaur calling Tugay. Righty-ho. The forwards used to play in the "W" formation. [don't know if this will work.] Left winger[MGP]----------------------Centre Forward[Jason Roberts]---------------------------Right Winger[super Brett] ---------------Inside Left[benni]----------------------Inside Right[steven Reid/Bentley] NB: Forwards weren't expected to defend and defenders weren't expected to attack - ever. Full backs didn't go over the half way line, they were only expected to "stop" the winger. Nothing else mattered. Wingers were allowed to idle their time away on the half way line, even when the team were 7-0 down. Keepers were allowed to bounce the ball around their area, for ever. Keepers could be hammered into the back of the net, with or without the ball - they were fair game. Centre halves were generally left to their own ends.

I wouldn't say it was just at the end of his playing career. I watched Duggie [the best rovers player I ever saw], from 1962 onwards and he always wore No 10 from then on. Did he retire in '66/67? Not sure.

Maybe another chance for Jon Douglas?

It will work if you right click on the "not work safe" link, then click "properties", copy the www. address and paste into the address bar.

Bentley played at least part of the game, in Tugay's position, just in front of the back four. The fetch me, carry me man. Did it very well too. Benni was completely different to what I had expected. I thought he was a strong fast player who played right on the back four. I couldn't have been more wrong. Real quality.

No, that's two of us. McCarthy's gold boots was a clue, but having said that, I asked Baz if one of the rovers shots was from Benni or Roberts. He replied "Mokoena" Benni and Roberts seemed to be doing quite a bit of cuddling, even when there was nothing to cuddle about.

Must say that I just don't think he will be good enough. I've no idea why. Maybe it's because he seemed delighted at getting a three year deal, tied with the fact that no-one [OK FLB?] else seems interested. I thought this before Perth Rovers post.

That's the crux of the matter, Rev.

That one legged sweep against Man U wont work too often. MGP could be the man. For all his faults, he hits a ball sweetly.

--> QUOTE(ste b @ Aug 11 2006, 12:33 ) 434200[/snapback] Paul as in the Paul off this message board ?? I never knew that No - Paul McCarthy, latterly of the Beatles.

Not sure about Fred O'Donoghues. Fred died - could it have been for his family - anyone? I don't remember that particular testimonial. Surely Duggie had one? I went to one in the 60's but can't remember anything about it.

Fred was chief scout at Ewood and very much liked. He came to visit Jim Smith at Preston Royal when he was in the next bed to my dad.

Two bits of "news". First, I've just been down for my NZ tickets. I haven't recieved a new card, just an empty wallet like some of you. Girl said not everyone would recieve a new card, some would be reactivated. When I said it would be a tense time at the turnstile wondering if the swipe card would work, she assured me that it would. Secondly, I asked a VERY pretty ticket office girl, as you do, how many season tickets we have sold. "Quite a lot", she said. I said " less than last season"? She said "no - more than last season - definately. The people buying ST at Christmas seem to have renewed". So there you have it. Girl at ticket office says we've sold more than last season. Don't know whether to believe her. Might go back and ask again.

Apparently a good shot stopper, but does have the unfortunate nickname of "the flappy taffy".

Jenni McCarthy Bob - that's JENNI McCarthy. Sister of Paul.

rovers 2 NZ 1