iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Was in M&S the other day and couldn't help noticing they now sell custard cream biscuits..........but covered in chocolate! We are assuredly at the end of days.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

At extra cost to taxpayers too

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

"I prefer an apostrophe in 'farmers market' I'm afraid."

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Totally fair and I know little or nothing about auditing. But if an auditor saw in the accounts a contract which awarded £1.75m for four days' a year of consultancy work would they not feel obligated to challenge it? Or would they leave it alone as long as the balance sheet tallied? Genuine Q.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Well yes - there are clearly other measures that might be desirable, including the two you mention. Though both MCFC and NUFC would claim they're not state entitites (absurd though it seems)

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Well no. But they're certainly not saying: "You're right, these were sham contracts." And that's what would be immediately proven if those contracts hadn't been passed through regulation.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Yes, you may be right. But it would at least immediately prove that any other transaction discovered was illegal and fraudulent. Whereas City lawyer's have spent years arguing these shadow contracts are perfectly legal.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Dan - do you think it would be feasible for the football regulator to insist that all football club payments (transfers, commercials, agent payments) go through an independent clearing house? The audit model clearly doesn't work and this feels like the time to act.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Surely bear-baiting was made illegal?

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Really? I did not know that. Has a collective legal action been considered? (expensive I know)

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

God yeah but TV money probably made it inevitable. The irony is some Citeh/Newcastle fans claim financial regulation is there to stop them crashing the original 'Big Four/Five' party. Ignoring the fact the PL does exactly that to the other 72.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This is really about who owns football? City think they do not the PL. And in a way this is almost the inevitable conclusion of the model created when the Premier League was formed.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I don't entirely disagree but don't see how you could stop state ownership of football clubs. It would have to be a FIFA initiative (good luck with that!) otherwise PSG could continue while Many City couldn't. I'm a bit more optimistic than you - I think it could be repaired - with enormous effort.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Completely agree. And I suspect they may try and drag others down with them.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

As well as punishing City, the football authorities should take this opportunity to radically reform football governance. In particular, they should make ALL payments by clubs (tranfers, commercials, agents payments) go through an independent clearing house. The old system of audit is inadequate.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Spot on. They want to play in the league precisely because it's regulated so that winning it feels like a meaningful achievement. (But don't want themselves to abide by those regulations, obviously).

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Such an unusual (and beautiful) church.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Not vampires I don’t think? Stake through the heart is the only thing that works on them. (In my experience anyway).

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Yes. Think City know they’re bang to rights so their plan has just been to drag it out endlessly. It will be years but they’re going to have to pay the price eventually.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

No you’re right I think. I should have said multiple points of appeal. Money is endless for them of course. Hopefully the appeal won’t help them though.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I imagine Man City might try and cut a 'suspended sentence' deal with the PL now and threaten them with endless appeals if they don't get that. We have to hope that doesn't work for them.

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Reposted by Warwick Smith

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 25/09/2026

Breaking News from @theathleticfc.bsky.social: Manchester City have been found guilty on all but one of the 115 charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, according to people briefed on the matter. nyti.ms/4Azb7Wb

nyti.ms

Manchester City found guilty on almost all Premier League charges relating to financial breaches

City were charged by the Premier League in February 2023.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Agree. It would damage the experience of watching football and the sport has many more serious issues than this.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

England has treated migrants violently for over a thousand years. Even though this country (and many others) needs migrants to prosper. This is a really good read.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I'm lucky enough to have a season ticket for a PL team and much as I like a beer at games I know the atmosphere and attention to the game would deteriorate if this was allowed. Of all the things wrong with football, this doesn't feel like one of them.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Your last point clinches it for me - the endless procession of people heading for the bar/toilet during the game would drive me mad.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Your post made me wonder if Browning had a particular “thing” about women’s hair? I seem to remember another poem of his where a man strangles a woman with her hair. More disturbing than the Venetian poem but similarities maybe.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Looks to be next to a place called Waterloo and which has a John Deere tractor museum. I'm in.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Not the worst part of this infamous Mail story obviously, but the claim the Italians invented football is also outrageous.

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Reposted by Warwick Smith

Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation @bhafcfoundation.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

We're proud to announce that Guy Butters has been presented with the 2026 Jeff Astle Award, recognising his contribution to dementia care in football. 💙 A huge congratulations to Guy and the team that make our Albion Memories group what it is. @thepfa.bsky.social | #WorldAlzheimersDay

Guy is presented with the trophy, with Dawn Astle to his right, shaking hands with PFA director of brain health Adam White on his left

Guy holds the Jeff Astle award next to a blue BHAFC Foundation banner

Guy smiles and has Dawn and Adam laughing after receiving his award

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Did he now? Well I hope his mum wasn't watching...

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

He looks excellent- strong and assured in a crucial position. I’m not enough of a coach to understand how the midfield moves around though. At times today Pascal was in the 10 role, other times playing on between the centre backs. 😵‍💫

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Grow up. Are you seriously suggesting a German guy in a team of multi national and multi ethnic actors players owned by a Jewish man would deliberately give a coded salute in front of 30,000 people? I don’t know if you’re a conspiracy theorist or a bitter gooner but you’re being blocked.

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I know what you mean but I thought Diego Gomez was outstanding. Strong and relentless

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Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Hope you’re right. Just couldn’t understand it.

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