It's been a good eight year run but as of today (April 25, 2013) I am no longer updating Albion Road. I just do not have time to keep it updated and do it justice. If that changes anytime soon then I'll get back on it. But if not please be aware that the site is not actively being updated.

Thanks to everyone who has visited over the years, and to everyone who has written stories, commented on stories, or got in touch with ideas and corrections. I greatly appreciate all of it.

The site will remain up indefinitely. I hope you still find some enjoyment from it as I hope you all still find the beauty in the beautiful game.

Jeremy

With Rangers winning the third division title, but the future structure of the Scottish leagues still undecided, this month’s article has a Scottish theme.   A vote on the league structure is expected by mid-April and if clubs endorse a 12-12-18 structure, Rangers will not get promoted.   Hence their renewed interest in leaving the Scottish competition.

Rangers boss Charles Green has returned to his argument that Rangers (and probably Celtic as well) will be playing south of the border within five years. He claims that two English clubs have approached him and offered their shares in the Football League if Rangers were prepared to take on all their liabilities.

Not surprisingly, he is not following this route as it is doubtful whether the Football League would allow the 'golden share' to be transferred in this way and there would be a storm of protest from the fans of the club concerned who would have backing from across football.

Spring is a time for new beginnings, for new life springing up after the ravages of cold and snow. And so it's proven for the USMNT and some of the less-fancied sides in Major League Soccer. But clarity? Ah now clarity, she is in short supply…

The Klinsmann Conundrum

The knives were starting to be sharpened for the USMNT's ebullient German boss after the first round Hex loss in Honduras and Brian Strauss' damning SI piece. Now, with games 2 and 3 in the books and four points in the bag, they seem to have been sheathed again. But should they be? Yes, a point in the Azteca is huge, but Mexico were denied a solid penalty claim and spurned numerous chances. Also, Jamaica earned a point there in the first round of play, so the El Tri fortress doesn't seem to be what it once was.

Before kick off last night there were two games left this season which mattered for Newcastle United fans. The home Derby against Sunderland and the second leg of the Europa League game against Anzhi Makhackala.

Given that the Sunderland game is still a couple of weeks away and Newcastle face a struggling Wigan in the Premier League on Sunday everyone was expecting a strong starting line up and that's exactly what we got. Gouffran and Debucey are both cup tied but aside from that the Newcastle starting eleven was about as strong as it can be.

The latest six monthly results for Arsenal show that profits are down year on year but cash reserves are up. This will increase the pressure to spend money on players in the summer, although Arsene Wenger still claims that the club can finish 2nd in the Premiership this year.

Most clubs would be happy to break even or make a modest loss, let alone record a profit of over £17m in six months. But the latest figures show the club's dependence on player sales and the Arsenal Supporters' Trust have pointed out that fans pay some of the highest prices in the world to watch football at the Emirates.

Profits fell sharply from £50m a year ago for the six months to the end of November to £17.8m in 2012 despite the sale of Robin van Perisie for £24m. But cash reserves were up from £115m to £123m. This in part reflects the success of the Highbury Square development where all but one flat has been sold.