Why this blog is called "Andertons Hotel".

The reason for the title of this blog goes back to the nineteenth century. The Andertons Hotel in Fleet Street, London is the place where the English Football League was first discussed and debated, at a conference of football chairmen from existing clubs. 

The invitations came from Mr William McGregor the chairman of Aston Villa to attend an event held on 23 March 1888, to discuss the formation of (what he provisionally called) The Association Football Union. Although not all clubs accepted Mr McGregor's initial invitation, this historic event was the catalyst for a period of discussion and debate that led to the formation of The Football League. 

In choosing the name "Andertons Hotel" I am deliberately harking back to a time and a place (both metaphorically and spiritually) when the game was up for debate. Andertons Hotel 1888 was a point where the game looked at itself and decided how to go forward together. Andertons Hotel 2012 is a point for us to look at football and say how we want it to go forward.

Some might say this is being either being pretentious or I am suggesting we hark back to a period of antiquarian Victorian values. I disagree. I am using the Andertons Hotel as a virtual thinking ground. It is a metaphor. In 1888 it was a conference of chairmen. In 2012 it's a blog. In both it's a place of ideas.