PILLARS OF THE GAME TODAY

As Europe searches for drama, the Eredivisie’s title race rises

With seven games remaining in the Eredivisie the destination of the championship is no clearer than it was at the beginning of the campaign. At this time of writing four sides are in contention separated by three points making this the most eagerly anticipated climax to any of Europe’s major leagues. Like the season finale of a gripping television drama series, its one not to be missed.

How this has come about is attributed to a new economic reality, one that has slowly weakened Dutch clubs, as a result the gap between the traditional old guard (consisting of Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV) and majority of the division isn’t as wide as it once was. You get the feeling this season won’t be a one-off.

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So, what is exactly is Ball Street?

Many of you have been asking the same thing.  What is Ball Street?

Ball Street is an idea, a vision, where the size of a club, and the league it is playing in doesn't determine the quality of insight and the level of coverage that the club gets.

We understand that more people are always going to watch Top 6 games, and that things aren't going to be solved overnight, but if we #ClubTogether believe we can change things.

  The start

Ball Street started as a small collective of football fans (including Luton, Huddersfield, Forest, Leeds and Rangers) who shared the view that most proper football fans are missing out.  With a few skills and experiences in production and sports media, we reached out to Ian Wright to see if he wanted to be a part of it.

Fans of most teams would have admired the passion he showed on the pitch, but most important to us, Ian knows the value of all clubs and the role football plays in our culture.

Before our meeting with Ian, he sent this tweet.  The response was fantastic and like he said to us, "we gotta get something done".

Serious question peeps - Who do you support and do you get what you need in terms of media coverage?

January 21, 2013

THANKS 4 amazing response.Most fans not happy with their teams coverage. Me and @ball_street are gonna take this on. Will need help tho!!

January 21, 2013

Having Ian Wright on board is huge for the cause.  He has profile; he has experience; he has contacts; and he wants to be part of something that benefits the game he loves.  But he can't do it alone, and neither can we. We need your help.

  Where are we heading?

It's too early to say exactly what Ball Street will become.  You're with us here on the ground floor as we start out on this journey.

At the very least, we're going to create a digital football show with Ian Wright that provides a platform for, and can be shaped by, fans of all teams. 

Consider our first production a pilot; a co-production created with your help and contributions.  We can shape something that we all want to see.

We don't have the funds of resources of the big boys, just a few quid that we've cobbled together from friends and family.  

We have many ideas about how we can work with fans, bloggers, established media companies and other organisations, and judging by your tweets and emails so do you.  So keep them coming, keep believing and please look out for, watch and contribute to our first show.

Ball Street is looking for talent

Ball Street is passionate about giving all teams the top six treatment.

To start with we're gearing up to launch our first digital football show, initially focusing on the 92 English league clubs.  Ian Wright will be the co-host and contributions from the fans will be driving our agenda.

As well as this, there are other shows and exciting opportunities in the pipeline, so we are looking for a whole host of aspiring on screen talent to join the team. 

You might already be an established presenter or looking for a break, a podcaster, blogger, YouTuber or a fan who thinks you've got what it takes.  Most of all, you've got to have a passion for football.

Sounds like you?  then get in touch with Ball Street with your credentials.

How to apply?

Using the title "Ball Street presenter" send any show reels or links to your content to ClubTogether@ballstreet.co.uk.

Alternatively shout us on Twitter (@ball_street) or give us a nudge at Facebook.com/BALLSTREET

The Beast - aka Ade Akinfenwa! - was released by Northampton Town today.  We've been covering him through the playoffs - here's the 3rd and final episode of BEASTCAM this season...

Real football fans club together to save Bath City.  Subscribe to Ball Street on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/Ballstreetchannel

Here's the intro to our new show 451 over at www.youtube.com/ballstreet

Episode 3 of Ball Street's 451 show with Ian Wright.

Which of these feet did the 239 league goals come from?

Ball Street's first YouTube football show with Ian Wright - here's the promo for 451.