it strikes me as being slightly strange that (as far as i can see) there is no listing of what leagues have match data (cards, lineups, goals etc.) available. i presume that match data is a feature unlocked by subscribing, but do you really expect people to subscribe blindly? what if they do so and there is only 10 or so leagues with data! i am trying to compare playerhistory to other sources to see which is better, but this is difficult when everything is locked and there is no information on what exactly is unlocked. for instance, if i subscribe will i be able to see lineups from 2003/04 in the Bosnian league? the site implies that i will, but i would be pleasantly surprised if this was actually the case

the lack of information leads me to the conclusion that there can't be an awful lot of subscribers (unless i'm mistaken and people are happily taking the risk and diving in with their credit cards) which is a shame because of the hard work your researchers must put in.

thanks for any information, and please don't take this in the wrong way. it is intended as constructive criticism.

If I am not mistaken, the focus here is on PLAYER history, not LEAGUE history. So while there are some seasons with full lineups, this is an exception rather than a rule.

unless i'm mistaken and people are happily taking the risk and diving in with their credit cards

I wouldn't dive in with my credit card either, that's why I applied to become a contributor - you can do that as well (mail Haakon, because there is no Web form on the main page anymore).

In former times the focus was on player HISTORY. Today you add a lot of players with a very short player history (only one season).

yes, i was aware the emphasis was on player history, and that is undoubtedly the site's forté. it's just impossible to know from the outside looking in whether it also has a considerable number of lineups as auxiliary information or whether this is very much in the background for the time being, so i thought i'd ask.

and, yes i knew about the possibility of contributing, but i am afraid the cost in time and resources for me to make any useful contribution would probably be at least equivalent to that of simply paying normally!

zola wrote:yes, i was aware the emphasis was on player history, and that is undoubtedly the site's forté. it's just impossible to know from the outside looking in whether it also has a considerable number of lineups as auxiliary information or whether this is very much in the background for the time being, so i thought i'd ask.

and, yes i knew about the possibility of contributing, but i am afraid the cost in time and resources for me to make any useful contribution would probably be at least equivalent to that of simply paying normally!

Its a perfectly reasonable question - and now you've asked it I'm surprised it hasn't come before now to be honest.

Like silvermane I'd suggest you consider contributing yourself because your posts certainly suggests you take enough of an interest.

Also I'd say the lineups and auxiliary info are definitely not in the background, but as you'll understand there are a hell of a lot of matches to get round to. What's the rush

You can start with Bosnia 03/04 :p

chris wrote:In former times the focus was on player HISTORY. Today you add a lot of players with a very short player history (only one season).

Imagine if 10,20 + years ago someone had been good enough to record the details of all the contemporary youngsters: our job of researching obscure players might be so much easier.

Don't forget they will all go on to have player histories even if some do better in their careers than others.