From White to Wet...

Saturday 19 December - FC Brimington (away) Match postponed

 As I type this it's not looking good for the prospect of any action at Low Farm this coming Saturday.  Although the lovely Festive scene depicted above has now disappeared, the moisture associated with it has not!  Instead it has transformed parts of the main pitch into a a series of ponds (see below) and with the forecast for more rain and/or snow by the weekend the chances of our game against Thorne Colliery going ahead must be remote.

What frustrates me even more about such situations is the fact that I'm almost certain to finish the week with 50 copies of a match programme that will be then rendered out-of-date for whenever the fixture is rearranged.

Of course you try telling a player that a game scheduled for the following weekend is already in doubt and it's as if you've gone out and p~ssed on the pitch yourself!  I always feel myself having to justify the decision to countless doubting souls who've conveniently chosen to only notice the bits of recent weather they want to: "Off? Why?  We haven't had any snow since last Saturday!"  Try telling them that snow eventually turns into good old water and you can still see the disbelieving look on their faces.

Thankfully Sunday's surprise 30th birthday bash for club captain Andy Graham in The Granby allowed the players a chance for a further bit of bonding ahead of the return to action.  This was especially welcome after the inclement conditions the previous week had restricted attendance at the "Sunday Sesh" down Princes Ave.

AG's "Do" allowed me to sample more of the Great Newsome Brewery's Festive tipple,  "Yule Do", and very nice it was too.

 Sadly, postponement of my attendance at another function, set for the Haven Arms on Monday, means that this is the only cask ale to have passed my lips this Christmas...something I shall certainly be looking to rectify before the return to normality next Monday!Even funnier/more annoying than members of your own club doubting your call on a pitch's fitness is when members of an opposition team do it.  Especially when they get in touch beforehand urging you to defy the conditions and get the game on.  This happened on the weekend prior to Christmas when heavy snow on the Friday afternoon all but accounted for both the following day's County League games.  No sooner had I contacted the opposition manager of the Casuals' opponents, Withernsea Thirds to tell him things looked grim but we'd give it until the following morning before making a final decision, so as to give it every chance of "a miracle", than I was fielding calls and texts from his players asking me what the chances were and could anything be done to ensure the game went ahead.  Indeed, one text message simply read: "Make sure it's on".  Oh to have such power!  Anyway, as the photo of groundsman Brim below shows, it was a snow-go.

Of course the reason why our opponents were so keen for the game to go ahead was their confidence of victory.  Predictably so in view of the respective league positions of both teams and the fact that they'd already whipped the Casuals backsides on their own ground back in September.  And as we enter 2010 the situation concerning both County League teams is one that requires an upturn in fortunes.

Here's hoping that by the time both return to action - Saturday, January 9 - the weather has improved sufficiently to allow them to at least give it a go.

Ooh, get in there - as I finish this piece Stephen Hunt has just rescued a point for The Tigers at The Reebok.  There's an omen in there somewhere...

Merry Christmas Everybody

Making mince pies with the kids this morning, socialising with friends this afternoon, dining with family this evening.

Frank, Nat and Bing crooning in the car, Sir Trevor and the troops caroling on the box, The Black Dyke Band brassing it up on t'radio.

Presents wrapped, Santa's nibbles prepared, daughters tucked up in bed. Snow outside.

A couple of pints of Great Newsome "Yule Do", a couple of glasses of Wolfblass Red Label Shiraz and a Balvenie Double Wood night-cap...a perfect Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas everybody.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Saturday 12 December - Bentley Colliery (home) Won 4-2

Bloody hell! This time next week I’ll be up to my knees in wrapping paper and relatives. Christmas Day will be upon us again and at the risk of sounding like my grandparents when I was younger, “it seems to come round quicker every year!”

At least the weather is playing its part this year. Having gone to do a pitch inspection round at the Farm early this afternoon, I was caught by the start of what eventually turned into heavy snowfall. To such an extent that both tomorrow's games now look in serious doubt. A final decision will no doubt be made after consultation with "Head Groundsman" (& indeed some-time Father Christmas himself) Brim Biglin...Whilst round at the ground it gave me the first chance to check out the latest section of pitch-side barriers. These stretch from the home dugout down to the "Farm End" goal and are equipped with socket-type attachments that will enable removal in the event of any cricket being played on the neighbouring track. The latest stage now means three-quarters of the pitch is barriered off, further enhancing the feel of the place as a proper little ground.

Back to Christmas and I can’t exactly pretend it’s crept up on me this year. Especially so as the kids have been playing Festive CD’s since the beginning of September! Despite this, yet again I’m about as prepared for it as Gordon Brown is for a change in economic climate.

As previously posted last week witnessed the first of my social events for the current “Party Season”, courtesy of the aforementioned “Curry Night” on Thursday. Earlier that same day my two girls were part of the Nativity at our local primary school. Refreshingly in these changing times it was based on the traditional theme with just a few additional “modern” touches. While my eldest, Emma, had bagged herself the part of Mary (to my knowledge the first time the Blessed Virgin has ever been depicted wearing Hannah Montana glasses) it was 3-year-old Katie’s debut appearance as an angel that had her mum and me most apprehensive. These feelings were reinforced when most of her fellow angels came out in pristine costumes purchased from the local supermarket - Katie’s was very much a home-made affair which by the start of the show was already looking dishevelled with bits of tinsel hanging off and the headgear (“I’m not wearing THAT!”) already cast asunder!

In the event, aside from a few minutes spent with her hands down her pants, our youngest came through unscathed; as did the family name. Although Emma – who threw herself into her “female lead” part with gusto – was prompted to chastise us both at the end for laughing too much (“it’s not supposed to be funny y’know?”).

Christmas events always have a knock-on effect on the football calendar – sometimes disastrously so as with our visit to Sculcoates in the HPL a few years ago. Having been one of few teams to elect to play on Saturday 23 December (i.e. the day after “Mad Friday”) in an attempt to catch up on lost fixtures we were punished by several members of the squad either failing to show or turning up in a clearly distressed state. We were walloped 6-1.

I therefore approach this Saturday’s trip to Worksop (above) to face FC Brimington with slight apprehension. Today will see several of our squad break-up for the holidays and therefore be out “on the lash” from lunchtime until…well, who knows? It’s to be hoped they’re disciplined enough to make sure they turn up fit and raring to go tomorrow. Should the Sandly Lane pitch beat the big freeze tonight that is.
The weekend before Christmas also brings with it the annual Sunday Sesh, which this year takes place down Hull’s “Prinny Ave” (Princes Avenue). It’s traditionally a laid-back affair and involves bumping into many players from various other clubs – and even referees – all out enjoying the impending break. If we can do that on the back of three wins tomorrow then all the better.

The First Team go to Worksop in good heart following a fine win over Bentley at home last weekend. The lads again had to work hard for the points and Bentley looked a very good side at times, particularly first half when their movement off the ball was as good as anything I’ve seen this season.

Farny blasted us in front from a controversial free-kick (above). I must confess I didn’t see what it was awarded for as I was in Arthur Luckup’s paddock retrieving a ball. Our joy wasn't long-lived; the South Yorkshire side levelled from the spot five minutes later.

Bentley were good value for a point at the break but thanks to the three goals shown below - a piece of individual quality by Mozzer (top) and two in three minutes from Gav (middle and bottom) after coming off the bench we eventually cruised to victory.

A little aside from last weekend was the use of the blue FBT kit, due to Bentley having logistical problems with their change strip. Because the aforementioned kit doesn’t get that many airings these days, I’d forgotten that we’ve had it for some seven years now and indeed have picked up plenty of trophies while wearing it. It was therefore quite amusing to hear the lads come in last week and say, “Wow, a new kit!” And when looking around there were very few players who’d ever donned it before – such has been the squad turnaround in the last couple of years.

Bentley’s visit marked our last home game of 2009 and one of the most pleasing aspects of our first season in the CML has been our solid form at ‘The Farm’. Ten league and cup matches at the Easington Rec. & Sports Ground have yielded five wins and three draws. This compares with five wins and three defeats in the eight games played during the second half of the 2008/09. It’s an overall calendar record that shows signs of recovery after a couple of years of disappointing home form.
Elsewhere last Saturday the Reserves and Casuals both went down to defeat but again there were positive signs to be taken from both.

For the Stiffs it was their second game under the temporary stewardship of John Clarke and his return to the management fold does appear to have had a beneficial effect on the players and morale as a whole. In addition, he’s encouraged previous manager Lee to have more of an input and has benefited from club captain Andy’s decision to “help out” for a few weeks – a nice riposte to those who accuse the club of being a one-team band.

His first game back (above) yielded a point at home to Holme; two Joni Purse goals (the second is shown below) helping us come from 0-1 and 1-2 down. And although Saturday saw a somewhat predictable reverse at high-flying Hodgson’s, JC was again impressed by the effort on show. Indeed the home manager reportedly told him that that was the best game anyone had given the Beverley side at home this season. Something to build on there then. 

Tomorrow - weather (or miracle) permitting - the Reserves entertain North Cave, while the Casuals play host to local rivals Withernsea Thirds. Although not quite carrying the significance of any meeting between the two clubs’ senior squads, it’s never nice to lose to the Seasiders and Maccer will have his lads fired up for a tilt at avenging September’s defeat in the away game. It’s also quite amusing that Maccer has 18 players available for the game, including the returning Pasha Brown. He may well have some difficult decisions to make before announcing his final fourteen.

Talking of the Casuals, veteran defender “Awd Threv” Biglin (above) clocked up his 500th appearance for the Club on Saturday. In doing so he became the fifth member of the current squad to have achieved that particular milestone and my congratulations go to him.

As I look outside now, the chances of "Threv" extending his tally by one more tomorrow would appear increasingly bleak. But, should all three games somehow beat the “sner” (as they call the white stuff in ‘Ull) here’s hoping for a fine hat-trick with which to end the year - now that would have us all “Walking in a Wilson Wonderland”.

A Don Deal

A few words on the England 2018 decision and I’m not bitter…unlike a certain Mr. Wenger!

In-between wondering whether the weather was going to put paid to any/all of this weekend’s fixtures, the main thing occupying my mind football-wise during the past week was Wednesday’s decision on potential hosting cities should England win the right to stage the 2018 World Cup.

And sure enough, as feared beforehand (despite my optimistic previous posting on the subject) when Lord Mawhinney announced the fifteen winners, Hull was one of only three cities to miss out.

Now unlike some of the irate posters on the various message boards in the days since the decision, I’m not particularly bitter about any of those cities/venues which appear to have prospered at Hull’s expense. That said, some posts by supporters of the various victorious cities simply serve to reinforce the outdated, stereotypical view of Kingston-upon-Hull portrayed over the past few years by the media.

It is times like this when you really wonder whether anybody outside the area has actually bothered to look at just what has happened in recent times.

The only other grievance I have is that some of the successful bids are based around stadia not even built yet (and in the case of Nottingham Forest’s proposed new ground, one that is by no means certain to even get planning permission). Should funding for these new grounds be secured centrally then this would provide a double kick in the teeth; especially given that Hull’s bid was one of the soundest financially.

But forgetting the merits or otherwise of those that have won the right to be considered, I’m just very disappointed that Hull has been passed over for something which would have provided the city and the whole area with a huge shot in the arm.

In his presentation and subsequent interviews, I’m yet to hear Lord Mawhinney give any reasons as to why the likes of Hull, Derby and Leicester failed in their bids. I’d be surprised if we ever get to find out.

Some have suggested the lack of hotel accommodation in Hull itself and the fact that Beverley and York had been included as possible alternative bases. I didn’t see this as a weakness. Sunderland’s bid included the whole of Co Durham and was very much a “North-East” bid (although separate to that of Newcastle-Gateshead). Similarly, Plymouth and Bristol both angled theirs around a South-West regional bid. Hull’s was a “Hull & Yorkshire Bid”.

Having mentioned Plymouth, I’m pleased for them as – similar to East Yorkshire – it’s a part of the country sadly neglected for so long (“since the country stopped relying on the Navy” as one Argyle fan put in on a City posting board!). And Bristol also, in view of the relationship struck up with Brizzle City fans during and after the Wembley play-off. Good luck to ‘em.

As for the others, aside from the eyebrow-raising choice of Milton Keynes, the FA have gone “safety first” in choosing tried and tested football cities/stadia. I just wish that for once the Authorities had taken a gamble on this neck of the woods – I’m sure they wouldn’t have been disappointed.

Thankfully my disappointment at the 2018 decision was soon lifted when I awoke on Thursday morning to hear the latest tripe spouted from the mouth of Arsene Whinger. Poor old Arsenal have had to play one more game this week than their opponents this Saturday – the mighty Tigers – and it’s all so unfair.
Hmm, only two weeks ago City were one of only four Premier League clubs involved in midweek matches when they beat Everton at the KC before heading off to face Man City the following Saturday. Did anyone grumble then?
Poor old Arsene also slated Mick McCarthy’s fielding of a “Second XI” in Wolves’ defeat at Man Utd the previous night; insinuating that it was unfair on United’s rivals at the top and that it devalued the competition. This from a man who has consistently played under-strength teams in the League Cup and who only the week before had fielded one in the UEFA Champions League at Olympiakos – without any thought for its effect on qualification from the group.

As with the aftermath of last season’s controversial FA Cup quarter-final at The Emirates, Wenger has once again been shown up for the blinkered hypocrite he is. In the words of Kevin Keegan “I would love it” if he’s still whinging come the post-match interviews this Saturday evening. A repeat of last season’s Saturday night encounter would be nice!

Up The Tigers!

Mild & Bitter

Saturday 28 November - South Normanton Athletic (away) Won 3-1
Saturday 5 December - Welbeck Welfare (away) Drew 1-1

I have for some time been of the opinion that I'm getting old and last night - or rather this morning - further reinforced this view. This follows the annual 'Curry Night' enjoyed in Hull with the lads from work (past & present).
The signs weren't good as I sat in the Hackney carriage that cost over a fiver to simply transfer me from the city centre to Pave bar on Princes Ave. That was on top of the bus from Hedon at £1.75, a cost that would have been considerably more had I not benefited from a lift that far in the first place. The best part of an hour and a half, plus almost a tenner in cash, and I'd not yet tasted my first pint. And to think I used to mount this military style logistics operation every weekend back in my dim and increasingly distant past.Four pints set me up nicely for the main event of the evening - a meal in that finest of restaurants, Raj Pavilion on Beverley Road. Unfortunately, by the time the Cobra and a Chef's Special Mixed Balti were doing their business my body was already beginning to warn me that Friday would be anything other than a day to TFI for.

At least when the first pint arrived it was a decent one. Pave stocks up to five cask choices among its array of ales and the two I sampled - Deuchars IPA and Great Newsome Sleck Dust - were both on exceedingly good form.

Why am I telling you all this? Well mainly because as a result of my lethargy throughout most of today's waking hours, the Club web site has been sadly neglected and none of this week's blog has been put together. My only part of the day that wasn't a complete write-off was the printing off of 40 match programmes for tomorrow's game against Bentley Colliery. Even that was 20 less than the normal run - that's how bad I felt!

We go into tomorrow's game on the back of two away matches that yielded 4pts. The trips to South Normanton Athletic and Welbeck Welfare also proved hugely contrasting in terms of the quality of grounds visited.


Lees Lane, home of South Normanton Athletic, is easily the best ground seen thus far on my Central Midlands League “journey”. This is perhaps not surprising given the Derbyshire club’s pedigree but it's still a very useful reminder of the reasons why we opted to leave the Humber Premier League.

South Normanton have attracted a lot of praise on the CML Message Board from teams for their approach to the game. I would certainly endorse this given the two games we enjoyed against them (thankfully this time around there could be no complaints about the result).

The trip typified everything behind our reasons for wishing to join the CML and Lees Lane is the type of ground that cannot fail to whet players’ appetites for more of the same.

It’s not only a smashing venue at this level but it provides everything you could wish for as part of the match day experience…well, perhaps with the exception of a good cask ale (I mean, John Smiths Extra Cold smooth on a bloody freezing afternoon in November!!).

A decent game played in good spirit by two teams wanting to knock the ball about was eventually won by us, despite having gone a goal down inside the opening minute. Thommo, Jamie and Moz scored in a 3-1 win that kept us in touch with those at the top. And despite their disappointment at the defeat, Normanton manager Phil Bailey and co. proved the most convivial of hosts.

The excursion to Derbyshire was the first bus trip of the season so far without our regular driver, Pete, who had prior commitments. Thus the legendary Burt-on-Bus emerged from retirement along with son Andy (“Trotter”) to ensure the Ezzie Fun Bus was ready to roll. There were also new faces among the passengers with a later departure time allowing Chav a rare car-free day and even ‘The Stumo’ managing to arrange himself a pick-up near Goole.

We had the by-now obligatory music to accompany our journey and pre-match banter; although this week’s choice ('The Best of Rod Stewart' courtesy of Smalls) didn’t prove universally popular. The strains of “If you want my body and you think I’m sexy…” provided something of a rather surreal backdrop to the sight of fourteen blokes getting changed!

The floodlights at Lees Lane that permitted a return to 3pm kick-offs were not in evidence at the following week's Elkesley Road Sports Ground home of Welbeck Welfare. Unfortunately the contrast between the two venues - and trips - didn't end there.

In fairness, the Nottinghamshire club proved no less welcoming than their neighbours from across the borders. Sadly, however, the aforementioned Elkesley Road defines the term “run down”. It no longer boasts even a stand – only the concrete base remains – nor even a dugout, while the pitch was in desperate need of a roll. And as for the showers…

The disappointment in the surroundings (save for the evocative view of a working pit as backdrop to the venue) was matched by our performance in a 1-1 draw.

It should be said that had Thommo bagged either of two very presentable early chances or Jamie's effort not come back off the bar, we may well have had things wrapped up long before the hosts scored with their first meaningful attempt on 32mins.

Second half we survived the sending-off of Mozzer and belied our numeric deficiency to dominate proceedings, eventually salvaging a point thanks to another confidently taken Chav penalty.

During half-time I enjoyed a cuppa in the company of a couple of Welbeck's "backroom staff" and it was hard not to sympathise with them as they listed a catalogue of woes to have affected the club including loss of players, constant vandalism at the ground and no support from the local community, business or otherwise. Another blow will come in March when the Colliery from which the club takes its name closes.

Apparently the local authority has decided to rebrand everything “Meden Vale” (after the nearby river) in an attempt to attract new investment. A glance across the “man-made mound” between the football ground and the home of Meden Vale RUFC shows where any local sponsorship currently goes. Despite this and all the adversity currently being faced, the football club and those nearest the pit are determined that Welbeck Colliery Village will not disappear from the map. I for one hope they succeed.

As a final aside, the Meden Vale “rugger” lads get first choice of room in the post-match Welfare Club, enjoy a better offering of post-match fare and provide the only chance of having a decent cask ale on...even this little bonus was denied me on my visit. Faced with either Worthington or John Smiths smoothflow, much to the amusement of the barman I opted for a pint of Mitchell & Butler Mild...which was interesting!

Thanks to Burt Graham for some of the photography used above.