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SMITH ON SOCCER: Maybe Owls chief meant to rile rivals
"NEVER talk religion or politics," the old pub saying goes. Perhaps they should add: "Never talk about your football rivals' money worries."
Wednesday chairman Lee Strafford had the gall to refer to United suffering "a huge impact on and off the field" at Bramall Lane with the loss of the Premier League parachute payment this year.
If emails to starsport.co.uk are anything to go by, his remarks were about as welcome as a ferret in a rabbit hole.
He's a bright lad is Mr Strafford and he ought to have known that commenting on United's finances would rile their fans.
Maybe he did.
He's got the Blades beating their chests and Wednesday-ites lining up to have a laugh now the United parachute has a big hole in it after their play-off disappointment.
United have said they will have to cut their coat according to their Championship cloth but Wednesday don't have their hands on any pot of American gold yet.
It might turn out to be a crock.
It all passes the time until the new season starts. If you were cruel, you'd say their bickering is a bit like one neighbour having a go at the other over the old fridge in his garden while he still has a smouldering settee in his own.
But I'm not cruel.
Unlike some of the heroically anonymous letters sent from Blades and Owls fans whenever this column dares to be less than reverential about their team.
I'm a blue and white pig one week, a red and white pig the next; piggy in the middle you might say.
Unlike Mr Strafford.
It's A Funny Old Game No 165. Not so long ago they were together at Hillsborough. On Saturday Burton O'Brien and Madjid Bougherra faced each other at Hampden Park in the Scottish Cup Final.
Next season Madjid might be walking out to face Barcelona, Chelsea or AC Milan in the Champions League with Scottish-double-winners Rangers.
He'll be missing Sheffield though.
Got a view? Add your comment below.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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