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Football Quiz - Answers

Q: Arsenal can't do it unless Arsene Wenger leaves, Manchester United have done it more times than any other British club, and Liverpool have done it once but not in the usual way. Everton, Oldham and Charlton have all done it once, but Wimbledon can never do it unless Crystal Palace go bankrupt. What is it? (This question comes from 2002.)
A: ?

Well, I'm afraid that I'm still working on an answer for this one. I'll get it eventually, assuming that the question really has one and that the above is worded correctly.

There are several possibilities - for a start Arsenal have a manager whose name begins with the same first four letters as the club name, and Wimbledon are currently tenants at Crystal Palace. So if I can find an answer for all the other parts of the question, I can add at the end "whilst having a manager whose name does not begin with the first four letters of the club name, and whilst owning your own ground". However, this seems a bit forced, and obviously the bit about Wimbledon "never" being able to do this isn't correct, as in theory they could eventually get a home of their own even if Crystal Palace do not go bankrupt.

The following answers have been suggested, although none work exactly:
(a) Play home games "away" whilst owning your own ground
(b) Beat a side managed by Arsene Wenger on your own ground
(c) Host rugby league
(d) Play reserve matches at a rugby league ground
(e) Stage an international for a home nation

Some comments on these answers:

(a) Play home games "away" whilst owning your own ground -

Arsene Wenger said that as long as he was in charge Arsenal will not play any more home games at Wembley Stadium.
Manchester United played their home games at Maine Road from 1941 to 1949 and have also played a European tie at Plymouth Argyle. They might have managed to play more "home" games in this period than Charlton did between 1985 and 1992 but it seems unlikely.
Liverpool took over Everton's old ground, Anfield, which might be "not in the usual way".
I don't see how Everton or Oldham fit the answer at all.
Charlton played home games at Upton Park or Selhurst Park between 1985 and 1992
Wimbledon don't own a ground so can't play away from it.

(b) Beat a side managed by Arsene Wenger on your own ground -

Obviously Arsenal can't do that as long as Wenger is their manager.
Manchester United may well have done it most but I'm not certain.
Liverpool, Charlton, and Everton might have done it (and perhaps there was something unusual about the Liverpool victory) but I don't see when Oldham could have done so.
Wimbledon can't do it because they don't have a ground.

I have heard it said that Arsene Wenger refused to allow a Rugby League Challenge Cup semi-final to be staged at Highbury, but I don't remember this at all. It could only have been in the season that London Broncos reached the final, as the Rugby Football League would not even have considered playing a semi-final in the South otherwise. (It might be a Great Britain international instead, I suppose.)
Manchester United have staged Premiership finals, Grand Finals, international matches and the World Club Challenge at their ground, but I can't believe that they have staged more rugby league games than anyone else, particularly given that there are clubs who host rugby league on a weekly basis.
Liverpool have hosted a Charity Shield and a World Club Challenge, but I don't see how that can be described as "not in the usual way".
I can't remember rugby league ever being played at Everton.
Oldham share with Oldham Bears.
Charlton share with London Broncos.
I have heard a story that Wimbledon invited London Broncos to share with them, forgetting that they had no ground to offer, but this just sounds like rubbish.

(d) Play reserve matches at a rugby league ground -

Manchester United play at Gigg Lane, which also stages Swinton rugby league games, but I don't see how this can count as more times than anyone else
Liverpool play at St Helens, I think, but there's nothing unusual about it
Everton play at Widnes
Oldham may well play reserve games at a ground used for rugby league (even Boundary Park would fit the bill)
Charlton play some reserve games at The Valley which is used by London Broncos.
Arsenal and Wimbledon don't seem to fit, unless it's based on the factors I mentioned right at the top of this page.

(e) Stage an international for a home nation -

I have heard it said that Arsene Wenger has said that England are not allowed to play at Highbury, but I don't remember that myself.
Manchester United have staged England internationals, but I don't think it's more than anyone else.
Liverpool have hosted three Wales "home" games, and given that Liverpool is not in Wales that would qualify as "not in the usual way"?
Everton have certainly staged England games. (In fact, I think they may have staged more than anyone else.)
I don't know about Charlton.
I am fairly sure that Oldham have not hosted any England internationals.
Wimbledon obviously don't own a ground on which to host a game.