Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Chelsea F.C.

2010-04-07T00:43:19Z

AlanD:

[[Image:Chelsea-fc-logo200.jpg |thumb|300px|]]
'''Chelsea F.C.''' is a [[British]] [[football]] club playing in [[London]]. The team has a winning history in the [[English Premier League]], winning in 2004-05 and 2005-06. The team is known as one of the "Big Four" of the Premiership, along with [[Arsenal F.C.]], [[Liverpool F.C.]], and [[Manchester United]]. Chelsea has been considered the "[[New York Yankees|Yankees]] of British Football", meaning that you either love or hate them, there being no middle ground. The team is owned by Russian oil magnate Roman Abramovich, is managed by Carlo Ancelotti, and is sponsored by [[Samsung]].

==History==
Chelsea was formed in 1905 and placed in the Second Division. However, their first trophy came exactly fifty years later, when they won the 1955 league title under the leadership of Ted Drake. Soon after their FA Cup win in 1970, however, the team fell to the Second Division. They climbed back up in 1984 for four years, but in 1989 they returned to Division One and have remained since. Some of the club's greatest successes, however, came under the leadership of [[Jose Mourinho]], now the manager of [[Seria A]]'s [[Inter Milan]], who won their two Premiership titles in 2005 and 2006.

==Roster==
===Goalkeepers===
*1 [[Petr Cech]]
*30 Rhys Taylor
*40 Henrique Hilario

===Defenders===
*2 Branislav Ivanovic
*3 [[Ashley Cole]]
*6 Ricardo Carvalho
*17 Jose Bosingwa
*19 Paulo Ferreira
*26 John Terry
*33 Alex
*35 Juliano Belletti
*42 Michael Mancienne

===Midfielders===
*5 Michael Essien
*8 Frank Lampard
*10 Joe Cole
*12 John Mikel Obi
*13 [[Michael Ballack]]
*15 Florent Malouda
*20 [[Deco]]
*27 Mineiro
*44 Michael Woods
*46 Jimmy Smith
*47 Lee Sawyer

===Strikers===
*9 Franco Di Santo
*11 [[Didier Drogba]]
*21 Salomon Kalou
*39 Nicolas Anelka
*43 Miroslav Stoch

==Notable Former Players==
*DF [[Gary Locke]]

==Sources==
http://www.premierleague.com/page/chelsea-fc

{{nb sl english premier}}
[[Category:Soccer teams]]
[[Category:Premier League Teams]]

Portsmouth F.C.

2010-04-07T00:40:01Z

AlanD:

'''Portsmouth F.C.''' is a [[British]] [[soccer]] team currently playing in the [[English Premier League]]. The team is based in Portsmouth, on the southern coast of England. Known colloquially as 'Pompey', the club is managed by Avram Grant and became the first club to enter administration whilst in the Premier League. Their uniform consists of either blue, black, or white shirts, with blue, black or white shorts. They are sponsored by OKI.

==Roster==
===Goalkeepers===
*1 David James
*21 Jamie Ashdown
*31 Asmir Begovic

===Defenders===
*2 Linvoy Primus
*3 Younes Kaboul
*4 [[Lauren]]
*7 Hermann Hreidarsson
*16 Noe Pamarot
*20 Martin Cranie
*30 Armand Traore
*32 Djimi Traore
*35 Marc Wilson
*39 Nadir Belhadj

===Midfielders===
*6 Hayden Mullins
*8 Papa Bouba Diop
*11 Jerome Thomas
*18 Arnold Mvuemba
*22 Richard Hughes
*25 Glen Little
*26 Vitor Pele
*28 Sean Davis
*33 Angelos Basinas

===Strikers===
*10 David Nugent
*17 John Utaka
*27 [[Nwankwo Kanu]]
*29 Theofanis Gekas

==Notable Former Players==
*DF [[Noel Blake]]

{{Nb_sl_english_premier}}
[[Category:UK soccer]]
[[Category:Premier League Teams]]

Middlesbrough F.C.

2010-04-07T00:36:24Z

AlanD:

'''Middlesbrough F.C.''' ('Boro') is a [[British]] [[soccer]] team based in Middlesbrough, in north-east England. They currently play in the Football League Championship. The team is managed by Gordon Strachan and is sponsored by [[Garmin]].

==History==
The side was founded in 1876 by members of Middlesbrough Cricket Club. Between 1903 and 1995 its home ground was Ayresome Park but in 1995 it moved to the Riverside Stadium. Middlesbrough were winners of the League Cup in 2004.

==Roster==
===Goalkeepers===
*21 Ross Turnbull
*22 Brad Jones
*32 Jason Steele

===Defenders===
*2 Justin Hoyte
*3 Andrew Taylor
*5 Chris Riggott
*6 Emanuel Pogatetz
*14 Robert Huth
*26 Matthew Bates
*29 Tony McMahon
*31 David Wheater
*34 Joe Bennett
*36 John Johnson
*38 Seb Hines
*39 Rhys Williams
*40 Jonathan Grounds

===Midfielders===
*4 Gary O'Neil
*8 Didier Digard
*15 Mohamed Shawky
*19 Stewart Downing
*20 Julio Arca
*28 Adam Johnson
*33 Nathan Porritt
*35 Graeme Owens
*41 Joshua Walker

===Strikers===
*9 Mido
*10 Jeremie Aliadiere
*11 Marvin Emnes
*12 Alfonso Alves
*16 Marlon King
*17 Tuncay Sanli
*37 Jonathan Franks
*42 Tom Craddock

==Notable Former Players==
*DF [[Tom Mowbray]]

{{Nb_sl_english_premier}}
[[Category:UK soccer]]
[[Category:Soccer teams]]
[[Category:Premier League Teams]]

Hull City A.F.C

2010-04-07T00:33:42Z

AlanD:

'''Hull City A.F.C.''' is a [[British]] [[soccer]] team based in the east-coast port city of Hull. The 2008/09 season is the first that the team has ever played top-tier football. The club's manager is Iain Dowie and they are sponsored by Karoo.

==History==
Hull City was founded in 1904; they would've been founded sooner had it not been for the popularity of [[rugby union]] in the city. A history of disappointment has marred the team's past, but a fresh look has catapulted them to the top tier, where they hope to stay for years to come. They also hold the record for the fastest ascent from the lowest divison in [[The Football League]] to the [[English Premier League]].<ref>http://www.premierleague.com/page/hull-city</ref>

==Roster==
===Goalkeepers===
*1 Boaz Myhill
*12 Matt Duke
*26 Tony Warner
*43 Tom Woodhead

===Defenders===
*3 Andy Dawson
*5 Wayne Brown
*6 Michael Turner
*15 Bernard Mendy
*21 Samuel Ricketts
*24 Kamil Zayatte
*29 Matt Plummer
*30 Anthony Gardner
*35 Liam Cooper
*38 Joe Lamplough
*39 Steve Gardner

===Midfielders===
*2 Nathan Doyle
*4 Ian Ashbee
*8 Nick Barmby
*10 Deiberson Geovanni
*11 Bryan Hughes
*13 Ryan France
*16 Peter Halmosi
*17 Kevin Kilbane
*19 John Welsh
*20 George Boateng
*22 Dean Marney
*27 Nicky Featherstone
*31 Will Atkinson
*32 James Bennett
*33 Jimmy Bullard
*36 Jamie Devitt
*42 Nick McNamara

===Strikers===
*7 Craig Fagan
*9 Dean Windass
*14 Richard Garcia
*18 Caleb Folan
*25 Daniel Cousin
*28 Alberto Manucho
*37 Bill Law
*42 Ryan Kendall
*- Michael Bridges

==Notable Former Players==
*DF [[Ian Goodison]]

==References==
<References/>

{{Nb sl english premier}}
[[Category:UK soccer]]
[[Category:Premier League Teams]]

Real Madrid

2010-04-07T00:08:42Z

AlanD:

'''Real Madrid''' is a [[Spanish]] [[soccer]] club playing in [[La Liga]]. The club was founded in 1897 as Football Club Sky (translated). The team has won thirty-one Liga titles, most recently in 2007. The club is managed by Manuel Pellegrini and is sponsored by Bwin.

==Roster==
===Goalkeepers===
*1 [[Iker Casillas]]
*13 Jerzy Dudek
*26 Antonio Adán Garrido

===Defenders===
*2 Alvaro Arbeola
*3 Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira
*4 Sergio Ramos
*12 Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior
*18 Raul Albiol
*19 Ezequiel Garay
*21 Christoph Metzelner
*22 Miguel Torres

===Midfielders===
*5 Fernando Gago
*8 Kaká
*10 Lassana Diarra
*14 José María Gutiérrez
*15 Royston Drenthe
*17 Dani Parejo
*22 Xabi Alonso
*23 [[Rafael van der Vaart]]
*24 Esteban Félix Granero Molina
*30 Pedro Mosquera
*-- Rubén de la Red
*-- Mahamadou Diarra

===Strikers===
*7 [[Raúl González]]
*9 [[Cristiano Ronaldo]]
*11 Karim Benzema
*20 Gonzalo Higuaín

==Notable Former Players==
*MF [[David Beckham]]

[[Category:Spanish Soccer]]
[[Category:La Liga teams]]

Real Madrid

2010-04-07T00:06:31Z

AlanD:

'''Real Madrid''' is a [[Spanish]] [[soccer]] club playing in [[La Liga]]. The club was founded in 1897 as Football Club Sky (translated). The team has won thirty-one Liga titles, most recently in 2007. The club is managed by Manuel Pellegrini and is sponsored by Bwin.

==Roster==
===Goalkeepers===
*1 [[Iker Casillas]]
*13 Jerzy Dudek
*26 Antonio Adán Garrido

===Defenders===
*2 Alvaro Arebola
*3 Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira
*4 Sergio Ramos
*12 Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior
*18 Raul Albiol
*19 Ezequiel Garay
*21 Christoph Metzelner
*22 Miguel Torres

===Midfielders===
*5 Fernando Gago
*8 Kaká
*10 Lassana Diarra
*14 José María Gutiérrez
*15 Royston Drenthe
*17 Dani Parejo
*22 Xabi Alonso
*23 [[Rafael van der Vaart]]
*24 Esteban Félix Granero Molina
*30 Pedro Mosquera
*-- Rubén de la Red
*-- Mahamadou Diarra

===Strikers===
*7 [[Raúl González]]
*9 [[Cristiano Ronaldo]]
*11 Karim Benzema
*20 Gonzalo Higuaín

==Notable Former Players==
*MF [[David Beckham]]

[[Category:Spanish Soccer]]
[[Category:La Liga teams]]

Soccer

2010-04-06T23:52:47Z

AlanD:

[[Image:Soccer passing kick.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pictured is Salomon Kalou, a striker for top English side Chelsea FC. The player, from [[Ivory Coast]], is in a Premiership game versus Reading]]
'''Soccer''' is a popular [[football sport]] played with a round ball propelled mainly by kicks from a player's foot.
In soccer, players are not allowed to intentionally touch the ball with their hands or arms while it is in play, with the exception of goalkeepers in a restricted area. The goal of the game is to kick the ball into the opposing team's goal; each goal gives that team a point and the team with the most points at the end of the 90 minute game is the winner.

{{football meaning}} In many other languages, a [[phonics|phonetic]] equivalent to the English word "football," such as the Portuguese word "futbol" is used to denote the sport.

==Rules of the Game==
[[Image:Soccer pitch.gif|right|thumb|300px|left|Dimensions of a soccer pitch]]
The game is played between two teams of 11 players (10 out-field players and one goalkeeper each). In official play, there are two 45 [[minute]] halves separated by a break known as half-time which according to the rules of the game must last less than 20 minutes. Unlike most sports, the clock does not always stop when the ball is not in play. When the ball is knocked out of bounds or a penalty is committed, the clock runs continuously. If a player is injured then the [[referee]] makes up that lost time by adding minutes onto the end of the half. This is known as [[stoppage]] or injury time. If both scores are even at the end of regulation time, the game is usually declared a draw. However, in knockout cup games, there is often an additional period of play consisting of two 15-minute halves. In some competitions, the first goal in this period (golden goal) wins the game. If the scores are still level, the result is decided with a [[penalty shootout]]. The set of rules used in soccer are called the [[Laws of the Game]].

The game is played on a [[grass]] (or artificial grass) pitch with dimensions 90-120 m (100-130 yards) in length and 45-90 m (50-100 yards) in width.
<ref>[http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/laws/LOTG2006_e.pdf FIFA Laws of the Game 2006] ''Official FIFA website''</ref>
A goal is scored when the ([[spherical]]) ball is propelled into the opposition net. The side scoring the most goals is the winner. Infringements include playing the ball with any part of the body other than the feet or head; pushing or blocking an opposing player and stepping outside the playing area while the ball is in play.

Accuracy in kicking is very important to make sure that one can kick the ball around opponents, manage it in tight spaces, and make long passes to other players in better positions. Expert players have trained to kick from a variety of angles, both forward and back and to the side, and also to use their chests and heads to maneuver a high-flying ball.

==Origins==

The word ''soccer'' derived in England as slang for "Association Football", <ref>[http://london.usembassy.gov/rss/transcripts/worldcup2006a.html] ''US Embassy, London'' </ref>, much like "rugger" is slang for [[rugby|rugby]]. Football games have been popular in [[England]] since the [[middle ages]], but the modern game of soccer derives from formalisations of the rules during the mid nineteenth century. The [[Football Association]] (FA) was founded in 1863 and continues to be the game's governing body within the [[UK]]. "Association Football" (later shortened to soccer) meant the version of football approved by the Football Association's rules. The rules were published at [[Cambridge University]] in 1847, as many private schools were playing each other with different rules. In the middle ages the game had no rules. The match was played between villages and the goals were in each village. The game was often violent and was banned by [[Edward III]] and [[Henry IV]] not for its violence but as it distracted archers from military work. Medieval football is still played in the East Midland city of [[Derby]] on [[Shrove Tuesday]].

==Soccer Around the World==
[[Image:800px-Soccer goalkeeper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Goalkeeper leaping to make a save]]
It is the most popular [[team sport]] in the world, described by the legendary Brazilian player, [[Pele]], as "The Beautiful Game". Its governing body is [[FIFA]] (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). In most countries it is the most popular sport or at least among the most popular (the [[United States]] being a notable exception). Though it is often not a high-scoring game, its popularity comes from the often dramatic saves from goalkeepers and incredible shots from skilled players in attempts to score a goal. In the United States soccer was associated with communism during the Thirties, as several communist organisations used soccer in an attempt to recruit recent European immigrants to their cause.

Every four years there is an international competition known as the [[World Cup]], where countries send their best players to compete for the title of best national soccer team. Every four years in Europe there is the European Championship in June and July when the leagues finish which is a 16 team competition for members of UEFA, the European governing body. Each other continent also has a competition, such as the African Nations Cup, which is every two years in January.

Many soccer fans are extremely passionate about their favorite teams, travelling to other countries to support them. Several countries have had problems controlling over-excited fans, with the crowd sometimes spilling onto the pitch, fighting with themselves, disliked referees and even players. [[England]] once had a poor reputation from its soccer [[hooligan]]s who got into drunken fistfights with fans of other teams. This situation has largely changed, with much better behaviour at English football matches and considerably increased violence in several other countries, especially [[Italy]].

In most European countries each large town will have at least one football team who play in leagues, which last August to May in most of Europe but March to October in others. Unlike most American sports, the top teams in each league go up a league to be replaced by the last teams in the league above. The top teams in the top division of each European country enter the UEFA Champions League, a league and knockout competition played on Tuesdays amnd Wednesdays around the season.

==Great Players==

* [[Ferenc Puskas]], a forward for [[Real Madrid]] and [[Hungary]] in the 1950s, introduced 'total football' and destroyed the old-fashioned English team of the time.
* [[Lev Yashin]] of the USSR in the 1960s is reputed to be the best-ever goalkeeper.
* [[Pele]], [[Brazil]]ian player active from 1956-1974, often considered to be the greatest soccer player to ever kick the ball.
* [[Alfredo di Stéfano]], [[Argentinia]]n midfielder who played for [[Real Madrid]]. considered by Maradona to be the greatest.
* [[Bobby Moore]], captain of England in the 1966 World Cup Finals and one of the finest ever centre halves.
* [[George Best]], of [[Manchester United]] and [[Northern Ireland]] in the 1960s, was possibly the best player never to have played in the World Cup Finals.
* [[Franz Beckenbauer]] played for [[West Germany]] in the 1960s and 70s. Defenders rarely gain the limelight in football but Beckenbauer's performances against the great teams of England in 1970 and Holland in 1974 were exceptional.
* [[Johann Cruyff]], captain of Holland in 1974 and 1978: why his Dutch team's brand of Total Football never won them the World Cup is an enduring mystery.
* [[Diego Maradona]], [[Argentinia]]n midfielder of the 1980s, often mentioned alongside Pele as one of the greatest.
* [[Zinedine Zidane]], [[French]] player, retired shortly after the World Cup final match between France and [[Italy]] in 2006.
* [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], a [[Portuguese]] contemporary player for [[Real Madrid]].
* [[Lionel Messi]], [[Argentina]]n forward, currently plays for [[Barcelona]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Football soccer]]
[[Category:Soccer]]

Soccer

2010-04-06T23:52:11Z

AlanD:

[[Image:Soccer passing kick.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pictured is Salomon Kalou, a striker for top English side Chelsea FC. The player, from [[Ivory Coast]], is in a Premiership game versus Reading]]
'''Soccer''' is a popular [[football sport]] played with a round ball propelled mainly by kicks from a player's foot.
In soccer, players are not allowed to intentionally touch the ball with their hands or arms while it is in play, with the exception of goalkeepers in a restricted area. The goal of the game is to kick the ball into the opposing team's goal; each goal gives that team a point and the team with the most points at the end of the 90 minute game is the winner.

{{football meaning}} In many other languages, a [[phonics|phonetic]] equivalent to the English word "football," such as the Portuguese word "futbol" is used to denote the sport.

==Rules of the Game==
[[Image:Soccer pitch.gif|right|thumb|300px|left|Dimensions of a soccer pitch]]
The game is played between two teams of 11 players (10 out-field players and one goalkeeper each). In official play, there are two 45 [[minute]] halves separated by a break known as half-time which according to the rules of the game must last less than 20 minutes. Unlike most sports, the clock does not always stop when the ball is not in play. When the ball is knocked out of bounds or a penalty is committed, the clock runs continuously. If a player is injured then the [[referee]] makes up that lost time by adding minutes onto the end of the half. This is known as [[stoppage]] or injury time. If both scores are even at the end of regulation time, the game is usually declared a draw. However, in knockout cup games, there is often an additional period of play consisting of two 15-minute halves. In some competitions, the first goal in this period (golden goal) wins the game. If the scores are still level, the result is decided with a [[penalty shootout]]. The set of rules used in soccer are called the [[Laws of the Game]].

The game is played on a [[grass]] (or artificial grass) pitch with dimensions 90-120 m (100-130 yards) in length and 45-90 m (50-100 yards) in width.
<ref>[http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/laws/LOTG2006_e.pdf FIFA Laws of the Game 2006] ''Official FIFA website''</ref>
A goal is scored when the ([[spherical]]) ball is propelled into the opposition net. The side scoring the most goals is the winner. Infringements include playing the ball with any part of the body other than the feet or head; pushing or blocking an opposing player and stepping outside the playing area while the ball is in play.

Accuracy in kicking is very important to make sure that one can kick the ball around opponents, manage it in tight spaces, and make long passes to other players in better positions. Expert players have trained to kick from a variety of angles, both forward and back and to the side, and also to use their chests and heads to maneuver a high-flying ball.

==Origins==

The word ''soccer'' derived in England as slang for "Association Football", <ref>[http://london.usembassy.gov/rss/transcripts/worldcup2006a.html] ''US Embassy, London'' </ref>, much like "rugger" is slang for [[rugby|rugby]]. Football games have been popular in [[England]] since the [[middle ages]], but the modern game of soccer derives from formalisations of the rules during the mid nineteenth century. The [[Football Association]] (FA) was founded in 1863 and continues to be the game's governing body within the [[UK]]. "Association Football" (later shortened to soccer) meant the version of football approved by the Football Association's rules. The rules were published at [[Cambridge University]] in 1847, as many private schools were playing each other with different rules. In the middle ages the game had no rules. The match was played between villages and the goals were in each village. The game was often violent and was banned by [[Edward III]] and [[Henry IV]] not for its violence but as it distracted archers from military work. Medieval football is still played in the East Midland city of [[Derby]] on [[Shrove Tuesday]].

==Soccer Around the World==
[[Image:800px-Soccer goalkeeper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Goalkeeper leaping to make a save]]
It is the most popular [[team sport]] in the world, described by the legendary Brazilian player, [[Pele]], as "The Beautiful Game". Its governing body is [[FIFA]] (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). In most countries it is the most popular sport or at least among the most popular (the [[United States]] being a notable exception). Though it is often not a high-scoring game, its popularity comes from the often dramatic saves from goalkeepers and incredible shots from skilled players in attempts to score a goal. In the United States soccer was associated with communism during the Thirties, as several communist organisations used soccer in an attempt to recruit recent European immigrants to their cause.

Every four years there is an international competition known as the [[World Cup]], where countries send their best players to compete for the title of best national soccer team. Every four years in Europe there is the European Championship in June and July when the leagues finish which is a 16 team competition for members of UEFA, the European governing body. Each other continent also has a competition, such as the African Nations Cup, which is every two years in January.

Many soccer fans are extremely passionate about their favorite teams, travelling to other countries to support them. Several countries have had problems controlling over-excited fans, with the crowd sometimes spilling onto the pitch, fighting with themselves, disliked referees and even players. [[England]] once had a poor reputation from its soccer [[hooligan]]s who got into drunken fistfights with fans of other teams. This situation has largely changed, with much better behaviour at English football matches and considerably increased violence in several other countries, especially [[Italy]].

In most European countries each large town will have at least one football team who play in leagues, which last August to May in most of Europe but March to October in others. Unlike most American sports, the top teams in each league go up a league to be replaced by the last teams in the league above. The top teams in the top division of each European country enter the UEFA Champions League, a league and knockout competition played on Tuesdays amnd Wednesdays around the season.

==Great Players==

* [[Ferenc Puskas]], a forward for [[Real Madrid]] and [[Hungary]] in the 1950s, introduced 'total football' and destroyed the old-fashioned English team of the time.
* [[Lev Yashin]] of the USSR in the 1960s is reputed to be the best-ever goalkeeper.
* [[Pele]], [[Brazil]]ian player active from 1956-1974, often considered to be the greatest soccer player to ever kick the ball.
* [[Alfredo di Stéfano]], [[Argentinia]]n midfielder who played for [[Real Madrid]. considered by Maradona to be the greatest.
* [[Bobby Moore]], captain of England in the 1966 World Cup Finals and one of the finest ever centre halves.
* [[George Best]], of [[Manchester United]] and [[Northern Ireland]] in the 1960s, was possibly the best player never to have played in the World Cup Finals.
* [[Franz Beckenbauer]] played for [[West Germany]] in the 1960s and 70s. Defenders rarely gain the limelight in football but Beckenbauer's performances against the great teams of England in 1970 and Holland in 1974 were exceptional.
* [[Johann Cruyff]], captain of Holland in 1974 and 1978: why his Dutch team's brand of Total Football never won them the World Cup is an enduring mystery.
* [[Diego Maradona]], [[Argentinia]]n midfielder of the 1980s, often mentioned alongside Pele as one of the greatest.
* [[Zinedine Zidane]], [[French]] player, retired shortly after the World Cup final match between France and [[Italy]] in 2006.
* [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], a [[Portuguese]] contemporary player for [[Real Madrid]].
* [[Lionel Messi]], [[Argentina]]n forward, currently plays for [[Barcelona]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Football soccer]]
[[Category:Soccer]]