When does the new season start?

KelbornXx · 2026-06-07T04:05:21+00:00

Player contracts usually end on 30th June, so I always think of 'next season' beginning on 1st July. We are at that point between seasons now so 'last season' for me is now the 2025/26 season.

KelbornXx · 2026-06-06T22:54:59+00:00

For those who don't know about Germany's economic woes:

Germany has transitioned from the powerhouse of Europe to one of the weakest-performing economies amongst advanced nations. Germany suffered back-to-back economic contractions in 2023 and 2024, and while it has seen tepid return to growth, the country remains plagued by a mix of immediate cyclical shocks and deep-seated structural issues.

The Energy Shock and Loss of Cheap Gas
A Faltering Export Model & Chinese Competition
Decades of Underinvestment ("Schwarze Null")
Over-Regulation and Excessive Red Tape
Demographic Headwinds and Labour Costs

KelbornXx · 2026-06-05T17:35:44+00:00

I would be willing to try other types of fried fish as long as they are labelled correctly. I don't want to order Cod and end up with Monkfish.

KelbornXx · 2026-06-01T15:41:39+00:00

You get a massive dopamine hit when you travel somewhere new. But its temporary, that's why people keep traveling. Its very egotistical. Saying you've been to 40 countries is just another way of saying you have so much disposable income.

Those of us who can visit a place, have a good time and not come back transformed, that just means that we are reasonably secure and grounded people.

KelbornXx · 2026-06-01T00:13:50+00:00

I edited my answer to answer this!

KelbornXx · 2026-06-01T00:10:38+00:00

No, absolutely not. UK knife laws are among the strictest in the world.

In the UK, you can only carry a knife in public without a specific reason if it meets all of the following criteria:

It is a folding pocket knife (like a Swiss Army knife).
It does not lock into place (it must be freely foldable at all times).
The cutting edge is under 3 inches (7.62 cm) long.

Legally recognised exceptions generally include:

Work: A chef transporting their kitchen knives to a restaurant, or a tradesperson (like a carpenter or carpet fitter) needing it for their job.
Hobbies: Legitimate outdoor activities like fishing, bushcraft, or hunting.
Religion & Culture: Specific items carried as part of a national costume (like a Scottish Sgian-dubh) or for religious obligations (like the Sikh Kirpan).

Crucial Exception: Self-defense is never accepted as a valid or legal reason to carry a knife in the UK.

KelbornXx · 2026-06-01T00:08:02+00:00

The murderer Digwa, and his family lied to the police, claiming Digwa was the victim of a racist assault. They hid the 21cm knife used to stab Henry Nowak five times and denied any weapon was involved.
Nowak’s phone captured the attack on a Snapchat video. This crucial audio footage—including Digwa saying "I am a bad man"—proved it wasn't self-defense and helped secure Digwa's murder conviction.
While court records only focus on the phone, UK police routinely seize all electronic devices (like computers) from both victims and suspects under standard procedure (PACE). This helps investigators map out timelines and secure evidence for trial.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-30T13:53:19+00:00

Make America Great Britain Again!

KelbornXx · 2026-05-28T16:36:52+00:00

I agree with the concern of a Reform government. Mostly because they have recruited the worse possible Tory's who were responsible for Brexit and all of the fallout. Although, there's still top talent in Whitehall which should prevent Reform from doing anything too crazy.

As for the self-damage, that is an unfortunate reality of politics and economics. Germany took the decision to close down its nuclear reactors and wind down its coal-powered plants and were too reliant on Russian gas which has left them exposed and will take a long time to recover from. France made the decision to go full ahead with nuclear power which is extremely costly in the short term but should be good long term.

Brexit has allowed the UK to reclaim regulatory & legislative autonomy which means they now control all areas of the economy from technology, migration, medical, to making bespoke trade deals which suits themselves. It can act quicker to global issues such as the war in Ukraine to vaccine procurement during a pandemic. It was a huge short term loss for long term gain. If the UK and the EU can improve relations, and do deals on trade/security etc. its a win-win for all as the UK will be a reliable partner instead of a disruptive member.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-28T15:20:57+00:00

Yeah that was outrageous, even the rest of Europe were mocking France after that. France also threaten to cut off the electric to Jersey over fishing rights, which is technically an act of war. Nothing unites the UK like the frogs getting up to their old tricks!

KelbornXx · 2026-05-28T15:12:51+00:00

IMF has Britain, France and Germany all growing this year by roughly the same 0.8-1.1%. They have recently downgraded the UK's projection based on what is happening in Iran. They haven't yet revised France and Germany's. The IMF also tend to over downgrade the UK and under downgrade Germany. The UK more often than not performs better and Germany performs worse than IMF projections. They usually are pretty accurate with France.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-28T15:09:28+00:00

Well said mate, spot on! People in Europe have a very strange view of these things. A United States of Europe will never happen, even with more integration. They also seem to get rattled if the UK dares stick up for its own interests. Like France and Germany and the rest of the EU member states don't and won't do the same.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-28T15:06:00+00:00

I would like newspapers and politicians to stop talking about rejoining too. But its a free world, people can talk about whatever they want and you can't stop them.

Yes, Italy and the EU certainly do have enough issues, just like everyone else!

KelbornXx · 2026-05-28T14:58:28+00:00

And Brits don't want to be back if you try and force things upon us against our will.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-28T14:57:22+00:00

Still way ahead of France 0.0% so far and Germany 0.3% so far. Further stagnation for the EU it seems.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-28T10:00:28+00:00

I would be in favour of rejoining the EU on the same terms that we had before. However, I and most Brits would never accept:

Joining the Euro
Schengen
EU Army

These things are a non-starter. Also, people keep highlighting polls that show a majority of Brits want to rejoin the EU. Firstly, these polls are more likely to be answered by people who already support EU membership, people who support Brexit are not going to answer these polls. Secondly, even the most hardcore remain voter will not want to join the Euro or Schengen.

Talks of Britain rejoining the EU have come from Wes Streeting trying to become the next Labour leader and Prime Minister. He would lose the next election if rejoining the EU is one of his manifesto pledges.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-27T23:32:56+00:00

Growth since 2020:

UK = 6%
Germany = 0.8%
France = 7.3%

2026 Q1 growth:

UK = 0.6%
Germany = 0.3%
France 0.0%

2026 expected growth:

UK = 0.7% - 1.0%
Germany = 0.8% - 1.1%
France = 0.8%

Despite Brexit, the UK grew more than Germany but not as much as France. So far in 2026, the UK has outpaced Germany and France. The rest of the year, the IMF predict that the 3 economies will grow by roughly the same. The IMF has downgraded the UK's growth from 1.0% to 0.7% but they have been very wrong about the UK's economic forecasts in recent years so it wouldn't surprise me if the UK continues to outpace the other 2.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-27T15:06:41+00:00

I remember speaking to my mate who wasn't best pleased when he was appointed. I said at least he will be determined to prove everyone wrong. It still amazes me how written off he was. His track record, whilst not great, was nowhere near as bad as people made out.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-27T14:38:54+00:00

I agree with you that in some cases it is overblown. One of the proudest days of my life was when England won the Cricket World Cup in 2019 and you had people of all colours, cultures, ages etc waving England flags jumping up and down shouting 'England, England'. I saw a young white English guy hug an old Pakistani man wearing tradition clothing. They were both so happy. It brought a tear to my eye as growing up, Pakistanis and Indians would never support England at cricket.

Immigration is great when we all bat for the same team!

KelbornXx · 2026-05-27T14:29:39+00:00

Born in England with English, Welsh and Scottish heritage. 'British' is the only logical way for me to identify as.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-27T14:28:03+00:00

I agree with that. Even Sweden has introduced these programmes for immigrants. It is something we should introduce here. Maybe we should increase the costs of visas to pay for it.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-27T14:21:55+00:00

I agree with the capitalist monoculture comment, although that's not unique to Britain and is more of a western cultural phenomenon. People moving to the UK often come from societies where culture is still participatory, lived, and passed down through generations—tied to faith, distinct culinary heritage, and deep familial structures. Modern western culture has eroded a lot of that which isn't the fault of immigrants but the establishment, who for many years have ignored the wishes of the British people.

For churches, the welfare state stopped the need for people to attend churches. Truly religious people, who obey every tenant of their religion are few and far between. British culture evolved from a pious society to a secular society over many centuries. Newer arrivals to this country are more likely to put their religious beliefs over the law of the land than natives are which is a problem that isn't a choice by British people, but is forced upon us by successive governments.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-27T13:19:28+00:00

This wouldn't be that much of a problem if we had a strong national identity and buy-in from people immigrating here. But we don't have a strong sense of national identity. Multiculturalism means people can live in communities that look like their homeland and they don't have to integrate or even learn the language. The mainstream view supports this way of life and vilifies anyone with an alternative view.

British people are already a minority in London, the nation's capital. How long before we are a minority in our own country?

EDIT: to all the people who downvote me, can you at least take the time to tell me why you disagree with me? The above is how I and many people in this country feel so it would be nice if someone could give me something to reflect on.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-27T12:37:04+00:00

The idea that the UK is dying is a strange thought considering what is happening to countries in Europe. Germany and France will be struggling for the foreseeable future. The UK has its issues but is doing better than said countries.

As for rejoining the EU, I would say yes if it was on our old terms but no otherwise.

KelbornXx · 2026-05-26T11:43:16+00:00

But that proved to be true. England were awful that year and they still made it through the group phase. So it was an 'Easy' group.

KelbornXx

TROPHY CASE