A Game In Four Quarters

Sunshine on a cloudy day

2012-01-26T23:40:00.005Z

Saturday 21st January

CML North Division

Parkhouse 1 Easington United 3

The trip to Mill Lane is always an enjoyable one if only because of the post-match watering hole, The Woodthorp Inn. However, this most recent visit proved possibly the best of the season so far.
My account of it, which will touch on not only the game itself but Morland Golden Hen beer, The Temptations, a slow-cooked stew, Rebecca Ferguson, Ian Beharrell and cricket in the desert should be up sometime midweek. Possibly.

With pictures courtesy of Burt Graham & Chris Marsh

More Welwick Relics

2012-01-24T13:02:00.018Z

A photo in last Thursday’s Holderness Gazette prompted to me to contact the paper...

I was fascinated to see the picture of the 1922 Welwick AFC team sent in by Bill Patrick. I came across mention of a team at Welwick during research into my ongoing 'The Story of Easington United & Football In The Back Of Beyond'.

Many years ago, I interviewed Gordon Clubley, former player & Chairman of the Easington club. During a discussion about pre-War football in Holderness he said: “Welwick had a team back then and bah they were a hard lot, with 'Cam' Connor and Frank Hill in their ranks. Games again’ them used to be a fairly rough affair”.

This was a view endorsed by Cam's nephew, Tom Graham. He told me that Cam was "a keen footballer of some repute, having played for Sunderland in his younger days" (although I'm not sure to what level) prior to moving to Holderness in 1921. Tom remembered standing next to him watching a game at Thorngumbald where Cam constantly harangued friend and foe alike, urging a "more robust" style of play. When Tom reproached him about this, Cam replied, "You've got a lot to learn about the game young 'un!" Robert Campbell Connor later went on to be President of the South Holderness Football League.

Such recollections are also backed up in Don Rowland’s 1997 publication celebrating Withernsea AFC’s centenary. Therein he quotes a 1925 Withernsea Gazette report of: “…a very rough house in the cup-tie between Patrington and Welwick last Saturday, for the bill of damages was…one broken leg, one broken collar bone, one displaced patella, one strained muscle and sundries”!

In addition to the above anecdotes about Welwick AFC, I also have in my possession the attached South Holderness League match report cuttings, which I believe are from either the ‘Gazette’ or the former ‘Hull & East Yorkshire Times’. They are included in an old scrapbook given to me several years ago by my great-aunt Dorothy Webster. They are undated but given the dates on the other bits and pieces in the scrapbook, would appear likely to originate from about 1919.

Report 1:

More interesting was the second team engagement with Patrington. This was Withernsea’s first engagement in the Holderness League. Throughout, the match was stubbornly contested, and although Withernsea won by 2 goals to nil, Patrington had an equal share of the game. That they did not score was due to the splendid exhibition of the Withernsea backs (R. Woodhouse and Medforth). These two players kicked with judgement and time after time checked the rushes of the visiting forwards. Gallagher scored in the first half with a fine shot, and Dickinson, following a fine run, scored the second point. For Patrington Meadley played a fine game, as also did Lockwood, Coates and Walker.

Report 2:

A WITHERNSEA WATERLOO

Patrington met Withernsea 2nd at Patrington on Saturday in connection with the Holderness League. For a number of years there has been a keen rivalry between these two villages in the football circle and this rivalry remains to this day. Patrington were easy winners by a margin of three goals. Had not Dame Fortune been against them the score would have been about twice as large. The Sandjumpers only looked like scoring about twice in the first half.

Thorpe and Houlden scored for the “Pats” in the first half, and the latter placed another two goals to his credit in the second half. Rawdon scored the only goal for the Sandjumpers. On the whole Withernsea were completely outclassed by the “Pats”, who really played a fine game right through.

The players who deserve mention for the winners are Leary (full back) who was easily the best man on the field, Bolderson and Marritt, of the half-back line, who played a magnificent game, and all the forwards, the three inside men deserving extra praise. If it had not been for Gallagher, the visitors’ custodian, the score would have been considerably larger. The only other shining light was Carr. Patrington are no longer at the bottom of the league and it is to be hoped that they will win every match now and finish up mid-way of the league table.

Report 3:

PATRINGTON FOOTBALL – Although the Patrington football team failed to gain a victory at Paull on Saturday, they delighted their supporters by giving their best display of the season. Paull are an admittedly clever side, and in Alderson, the inside left, have a forward much above the average of the South Holderness players. He was responsible for both the goals which Paull obtained, and throughout played a grand game. Patrington put up a good fight, and Cressey netted the ball, but unfortunately the point was not allowed. Stephenson in goal was in brilliant form, and stopped several hot shots in masterly fashion. Walker at back and Holden at centre-forward both distinguished themselves, whilst they received every assistance from their colleagues. On Saturday a good match should be seen at Patrington, when Hedon pay a visit to fulfil their South Holderness League fixture.

Report 4:

SOUTH HOLDERNESS FOOTBALL

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

The South Holderness League match between Withernsea 2nd and Burstwick produced a lively encounter. The match was played at Withernsea but Burstwick (who, by the bye, have five Withernsea players in their ranks) proved the victors by 2 goals to 1. The match was stubbornly contested, always keen, and at times rough. Smith (for Withernsea) and Spreckley (for Burstwick) scored in the first half, and Manson scored for Burstwick in the second half. The play in the second half was very keen, and Smith (Withernsea) was ordered off the field. There was not much to choose between the teams, but Burstwick accepted the chances on offer.

At Patrington, the South Holderness League match between the locals and Hedon was productive of some excellent football. Hedon, in the first half, were the superior side, and well deserved their one goal lead at the interval. Casson was the scorer, and a rare good goal it was. In the second half matters were far more even, but Hedon increased their lead by means of a goal by Andrews, who converted a well-placed centre. Although beaten, Patrington played a good game. Leary, at back, being especially fine, and throughout played a splendid game. Stephenson kept a goal, and stopped several hot shots. The Patrington halves were also in good form, Balderson, on the left, and Marritt, in the centre, being on their best behaviour.

Note the reference to both Patrington and Withernsea as "villages", along with the nicknames of "The Pats" and "The Sandjumpers". Perhaps Gazette readers will recognise some of the names and possibly be able to confirm that my estimated dates for the reports are correct.

As stated at the end of my attachment, when cross-referencing with Don Rowland's 1997 publication, the Withernsea club referred to in the reports is probably "Withernsea Juniors", who became "Withernsea United" in November 1919 and were certainly members of the later South Holderness League (1946-1953).

Withernsea United were one of two clubs in the town (village?!) between 1919 and 1925, the other being "Withernsea North End" (the present day Withernsea AFC). In his book Don didn't seem to think that either were members of the South Holderness League but the attached match reports would suggest otherwise. Or was there a third Withernsea Saturday team at the time? (Don does list a third team, "Withernsea St Matthews", but they played in the Hull Sunday School League)

Another can of worms opens perhaps...

Here's a modern take on some of the sounds those old boys of Welwick might have listened to...

Freshly squeezed

2012-01-21T00:42:00.112Z

Saturday 14th January

CML North Division

Easington United 0 Dronfield Town 1

Ours wasn’t the only cup progress to please me last Saturday. For as we cruised past the hapless Welbeck in the CML cup, the 'Barmby Army' ensured their place in the 4th round of the slightly more prestigious FA Cup, courtesy of a 3-1 win over Ipswich. My cup certainly was over-flowing that night…

Or rather it would have been had not a pint (bottle) of Wold Top bitter set me back a staggering £3.60! Bloody ‘ell, thank God Mrs Slush didn’t want one.

We were at the new Hull Truck Theatre (how long is it before it loses the “new” tag?) to see “The Flint Street Nativity”. It’s the first of two planned visits to the venue in the early part of 2012; the second one will see us attending Mick Martin’s acclaimed Northern Soul-based production, “Once Upon A Time In Wigan”. Might have to pack a hip-flask in for that one!

Sunday brought a live FA Cup game on ITV that had actually bucked the trend by filling the ground as Citeh hosted United in the Manchester derby. Of course the main talking point for the pundits afterwards concerned the tackle that earned Kompany a red card. However, for me it was the performance of Rio Ferdinand – Lord help us at the Euros if Fabio still fancies him and Terry at the heart of the defence. And how Micah Richards can’t get in the squad, well…

After Sunderland had breezed past Posh we were treated to the 4th Round Draw, which is a bit of a novelty for Hull City supporters. Somewhat disappointingly I already knew that the Tigers’ ball was number 11 (why do they have to tell us that? It surely removes some of the anticipation?) but a home tie with everyone’s favourite (!) former Non-League club Crawley Town should at least prompt hopes of only a second visit to the fifth round since 1989!

Staying with the Tigers, James Greenwood and Les “Amber Nectar” Motherby’s new Hull City Kits site is proving a real hoot for kit geeks like me. And the duo excelled themselves this week when publishing an insightful interview with Tigers kit-man John Eyre. Fascinating stuff…if like me you go in for that sort of thing of course!

The prospect of a run in the cup, along with Papa Allam’s promise not to let Nasty Nigel have any of his former players, was enough to persuade Nick Barmby to shed the word “Caretaker” from his Manager title the following Tuesday. Here’s wishing him the very best of British.

That local delicacy - The Patty

Of course best of British is something we may not be wishing each other for very much longer if Scotland’s First Minister (& Jambos fan) Alex Salmond has his way.

Given my mother’s maiden name (Douglas) you’ll perhaps not be surprised to learn I’m quite a fan of the Union and therefore strongly opposed to the current calls for Scottish independence. However, when listening to the likes of Nicola Sturgeon bleating on as she did on Thursday’s Question Time, I do begin to sympathise with those south of the border who favour letting the “troublesome Scots” go their own way (i.e. the people referred to by Philip Johnston's excellent piece in the Telegraph a few days later); that and the fact that it would show the fallacy of Gordon Brown’s original theory that Devolution would strengthen the ties between us!

Hodgy (left) lines up a spare for when Ben's is returned with interest!

Back to football and our own Baris League Challenge Cup third round draw took place at Monday night’s League Committee meeting. It gave us a home tie against CML South Division opponents in either Bilborough Pelican or Southwell City. The teams had drawn 1-1 on Saturday and would meet again at the War Memorial Ground on Wednesday week to decide who’s to make the trip out to the Humber Riviera. Bet they can’t wait!

The first signs of man-flu were beginning to show as match day approached. I was in a foul mood with work mate Mike whose refusal to stay at home (typical contractor!) had allowed him to spread the lurgy.

“Might not be able to do the dance class run tomorrow”, I told Mrs Slush on Friday night.

“Well you won’t be fit enough to go to football in the afternoon then?” came the reply.

“Ah, I’ll have a hot toddy and see how I go…”

I felt a bit better on Saturday morning – good stuff that Balvenie Doublewood - and what a glorious winter’s morning it was. A white sheen covered the ground but when I dropped the kit off at Low Farm at half past eight, there appeared no danger of our game being off.

In the event it was a good job the game was at home. Opponents Dronfield reported a temperature of -4C overnight, which would have left Stonelow Road in serious doubt, while the match officials were also prompted to call me before setting off from Lincoln, such was the severity of the frost down there.

Liam does his "floundering" impersonation but all's well

This was to be our first real test since the ‘Festive Makeover’. Dronfield arrived in second place in the table thanks to an outstanding run of form. Ten straight wins had been halted only by the Christmas draw at “derby rivals” Parkhouse, a game in which the visitors had come from 3-1 down with ten minutes left to earn a share of the spoils.

Such form made our draw there in October look a decent result. The feeling was that both Mack and Nicho would settle for a similar outcome this time round.
The afternoon was perfect for football – bright and still. Dronfield boss Craig Butler described it as “like the Riviera”. That’s what I’ve been telling people for ages!

There was a bit of controversy beforehand when Biggy Smalls was omitted from the squad, having completed a 14-mile run that morning before duly posting the fact on Facebook. There’s no doubting that Craig’s probably the fittest member of the current squad but the management were certainly not impressed that this had formed part of his “pre-match preparation”. Not the start to the afternoon that was required.

Luke’s continued absence on a skiing holiday and Perry’s decision to take up the offer of regular HPL football elsewhere meant the total number of new faces in the squad was five – Mr Matongo being joined in the starting eleven by new keeper ‘Patty’ (signed in midweek from HPL side Hedon Rangers) while Robbie, Alex and Tom comprised the bench.

Can't see a foul there myself?

Dronfield’s official website would later inform us thay had “eight first team regulars” missing. Considering they named a 23-man squad for the programme, I’m not sure that was such a blow!
Still, they started like a team who were confident of maintaining their title aspirations; neat and tidy approach play, good movement, confidence on the ball but, thankfully, no end product – at least for the first half.

‘Patty’ was forced into just the one real save, and that originated from his own error. And although we didn’t create much, half-time arrived with most in the disappointingly small crowd feeling there were some points to be had.

Sadly, such thoughts would be dispelled just before the hour mark when Karl Hobson scored in an incident that also saw the unfortunate Nicho carted off to hospital with suspected knee ligament damage.

As our official report says, we twice came close to levelling matters, while at the other end sub Jamie Wallis should have increased the visitors’ lead. But his finishing was, to quote a saying familiar to the aforementioned Alex Salmond, “pish”. It remained one nil.

Although beaten, I took a lot of positives from the day – nobody expects to bed-in seven new players in such a short time and there were plenty of encouraging signs on show...despite what our opponents' report said ;-)

Holy (All) Saints - another one gets away!

My mood was further lightened by news of a much better display (despite defeat) by the Stiffs and a fourteenth consecutive win for the Casuals, Robbie Koren’s spectacular winner against Peterborough and a twitter-feed full of Leicester fans demanding Pearson’s head. Bitter? Moi?!

As I performed the Saturday evening clearing away duties, to the accompaniment of a glass of sloe gin and the sound of Henry’s Jukebox on local radio, with his fine mix of “classic blues, swing, rock & roll and soul”, I was once again convinced that we were on the up...for now!

Postscript: Given the title of the post it would be remiss of me to leave without posting a couple of gems from those lovely guys at, wait for it, Freshly Squeezed. Ha, get it?
Aw, it's ferkin seamless this blog...

Happy New Year!

2012-01-12T23:45:00.008Z

Saturday 7th January
Baris CML Challenge Cup R2
Easington United 6 DFS Welbeck Welfare 0

Less than a fortnight into 2012 and it would appear I've already fallen down on one of my New Year resolutions, namely that of ensuring I keep on top of this blogging malarkey. Anyway, better late than never...

Christmas was a fairly low-key event in the Slush household this time around; Mrs Slush’s latest bout of tonsillitis helping put something of a downer on any wild partying she (and I for that matter) might have had in mind.

Not that it wasn’t enjoyable, thanks to fact that both the Elder & Younger Slushette are still of an age to completely buy into the idea of Father Christmas.

Hutton Cranswick’s resignation from the league meant we were one of few teams not in action on the Holiday Tuesday. According to CML Chairman Frank Harwood, it proved a cracking day for the league with “crowds of over a hundred reported at five games and attendances in general up on the norm”.

Lack of a game meant Mack and Nicho were quick to push for decent attendance at the three training sessions between the back-to-back games against Welbeck. They weren’t disappointed and as 2012 arrived it did so with a genuine belief on our part that things may just be on the up again.

The Comeback Kid (with three new followers)

Mrs Slush’s inability to do much socialising over the time off had allowed me to catch up on my reading and I ended 2011 with an absolute belter in Dominick Sandbrook’s “State Of Emergency(Britain: The Way We Were 1970-74)”.

Being born in 1966, the period covered by the third instalment of Sandbrook’s historical series evoked many memories of my boyhood years living up Turmarr Villas, the small cul-de-sac of council houses adjoining the original Easington School. And while too young to appreciate Prime Minister Heath’s dealings with the TUC, IRA and EEC, I could fully relate to the author’s accounts of what was on the BBC and ITV.

As such his chapter detailing the children's telly of the time brought back to some great memories, as did the pieces on the "classic" sitcoms of the era - The Good Life, Rising Damp, Are You Being Served, Love Thy Neighbour and Til Death Us Do Part. Oh 'eck.

For me, ‘State Of Emergency’ provides some excellent background to events that would come to dominate later life. Indeed, some of the parallels with recent events are quite staggering – public sector pay disputes, racial tensions and arguments over Europe. Never mind 1981 (from which several Official Papers have just been released), a lot of what’s happening now is very reminiscent of Britain in the early 1970s.

A new Starter (sorry!)

Back in January 1972 as they prepared to entertain the likes of Humbleton and Thorngumbald, if someone had told people involved with Easington United that some forty years later they'd be hosting teams from north Nottinghamshire, they'd have been accused of sampling some of the recreational “aids” that, although associated with the “Swinging Sixties”, according to Sandbrook really came into their own during the early Seventies!

But here we are and, thanks to the work of the management over the Festive Break, here is hopefully where we’ll be staying. This despite the rumours circulating on the unofficial CML message board that suggested we have resigned from the competition. We haven’t and we have no immediate plans to do so.

An apt cover as it turned out!

A Christmas/New Year accompanied by weather in marked contrast to that of twelve months earlier ensured there was never any doubt that our return to action would go ahead as planned. And so, at five to two on 7th January 2012, the latest incarnation of the Eastenders First Team emerged from the home changing rooms ready to do battle for a place in the last sixteen of the league cup.

Due to Bezza’s work commitments, Ben “Killer” Killingsworth became the second of the new recruits to make his full debut; deputising at left-back (or “left-half” as regular supporter Ted Roberts later termed the role!). Elsewhere, Messrs. Roberts, Shortland and Start were handed slots on the bench.

The result was never really in doubt from the minute the skipper headed home on 12mins. A superb second followed just past the half-hour only for AG to then blot his copybook when striking a second half penalty that is still rising. No hat-trick for Graham then.

Aside from striking the woodwork at 2-0, Welbeck rarely threatened a comeback and when Nicho slotted home a second penalty our progress was assured. A Frost goal and debut strikes for Start and Shortland capped a fine afternoon.
Dare I say the future is bright again?

Thanks to Burt Graham for the photographs

And as this song has irritated me for the past few weeks I might as well inflict it on you all too...

Ram Raided

2012-01-06T23:29:00.004Z

Monday 2nd January

Football League Championship

Hull City 0 Derby County 1

Having only caught my first City game of the season a few weeks before, via the midweek win over Birmingham, I might have known my second wouldn't prove anywhere near as enjoyable.
As some sort of good luck charm I took the Elder Slushette - well, she boasts a far better record over her first few City games than I ever did.

Coming into the fixture on the back of two solitary goal away defeats in which the Tigers had reportedly been the better team in both, it was almost predictable that Nigel Clough's "Dawby" would complete a miserable Christmas period for St Nick. Ah well...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-24T14:35:00.005Z

Friday 24th December

Seasonal Tastes

I sampled some decent brews over the Festive period, beginning on the 'Works Do', which began with a very respectable meal at the Hallmark Hotel (North Ferriby) before slipping into something far more degenerate around Ye Olde Towne of Hull.
Some of the more favourable beers tasted included: Great Newsome 'Trial By Chocolate' (Lion & Key), York Brewery 'Guzzler' & Timothy Taylor 'Golden Best' (Ye Olde Black Boy) and Rudgate Viking in Walters. From there the memory became a little hazy.
The works 'Team Night Out' was a good old Beer & Curry night, basically involving aperatifs in Pave on Prinny Ave before adjourning to the Raj Pavilion for fodder. I was slightly disappointed by the choices on offer in a usually top drawer bar, although the Deuchars IPA was on its usual fine form. And unlike 2010, I actually arrived at Raj in good form, good enough to enjoy a couple of pints of Cobra and an excellent Bhalti Mixed. A good night was had by all.
Out on the Humber Riviera, the Granby and The Oss continue to trade solely in Tetleys as their hand-pulled offering; in fairness, both are well maintained. Meanwhile, a couple of trips to the Crown & Anchor at Kilnsea ensured some Timothy Taylor Landlord of the highest quality.
With a decent enough selection of bottled brews to keep me going until the much-anticipated away trip to Parkhouse on 21st January, things are definitely on the up. Oh, and I mustn't forget to enter the Great Newsome Brewery's "Message In A Bottle" competition. Mine's a drop of Line & Length if you would be so kind...

The first shoots of recovery?

2011-12-24T09:45:00.009Z

Saturday 17th December

CML North Division

DFS Welbeck Welfare 0 Easington United 3

As it says on the official match report, not exactly a result to set CML opponents quaking in their boots about an Eastenders revival but by 'eck did we need it.

The Kiveton defeat hit everybody hard. Without taking anything away from our visitors, we should not be shipping six unanswered goals at home to teams like Kiveton. Things needed to change - and quickly.

My mood was lightened with the help of some Timothy Taylor Landlord ale which accompanied tea for some fifteen of us at The Crown & Anchor the following day. Even the blackest of moments cannot fail to be brightened - even ever so slightly - by a pint or two of this perennially fine Yorkshire ale.

Alcohol would continue to play a healing role; further recuperation being aided over the next couple of days by the bottle of Gordon's Sloe Gin I'd bought to help introduce some Festive spirit into the Slush household.

Meanwhile, Wednesday 13th December brought a double-dose of Slushette Nativity plays in the afternoon; the Younger depicting an angel in her offering about a star that was struggling to shine, while my eldest threw herself into her role of singing sheep in the older ones' ditty, 'Bethlehem Bandits'. Suffice to say, both girls stole their particular shows...ahem.

Just the TWO sugars Dave?

The evening brought a different type of production, courtesy of Bad Apple Theatre Company's tale, A Yorkshire Christmas Carol, being staged in Easington Community Hall as part of a tour of village halls across the North and East Ridings.

At the same time as I was enjoying an updated regional version of Dickens' famous tale, the club's weekly training session at Hull's Soccer Sensations centre was being attended by four members of the now defunct Hutton Cranswick club and a fifth new face, previously with fellow CML club Westella & Willerby.

The quintet's attendance was thanks largely to a week or so of intense ringing around conducted by asst-mgr Nicho on the back of tip-offs from other local managers and players. So impressed was our No.2 and Mack by what they saw that come the end of the session we had four new names registered with the club and an official notice of approach going in for the other. Things were finally beginning to look up...

The Pistol does a fine impersonation of a twat in a hat!

For the foreseeable future, hosts DFS Welbeck Welfare are using the excellently named “Clod”, home to the now-defunct Forest Town FC. And what a wonderful ground it is.

Although immediately apparent where the pitch gets its name from – for most of the game I thought they were playing with a pudding instead of a ball – the cycle track around the pitch and the steeply banked terracing/seating on the Welfare Club side almost lent itself to the feeling we were in a UEFA Cup tie behind the former Iron Curtain. Indeed, central defender Biggy Smalls later said he’d expected us up on the bank to be letting flares off. Unfortunately, the effect of doing so may well have been lost – aside from The Pistol and I the “crowd” consisted of two Lancastrian ground hoppers and half-a-dozen semi-interested punters watching from the Academy decking.

Pistol packing 'em in

Although I was frustrated by Welbeck’s no-shows last season, I’ve got to admit to having real respect for the way they continue to plough on regardless. Despite sitting some 11 points adrift at the foot of the table without a win or point all season, facing a constant turnaround of players, having seen their previous manager depart for pastures new on the eve of a game and currently being forced to lodge elsewhere while the impressive new ground development at Meden Vale takes shape, those in charge continue to grin and bear it.

Before the game, manager Chris Bennett and assistant Iain Peet (who’s also the treasurer) highlighted some of the problems the club has experienced and continues to experience. What drives both men – and their fellow committee members – on is the superb youth set-up that should eventually see Welbeck Welfare FC restored to its former status as “a very strong Club serving the community of Warsop and the surrounding villages of North Nottinghamshire”.

The big kick-off

An FA Charter Standard Community Club (an award it received back in 2009) Welbeck are not the only club in the area to fall on hard times - neighbours Church Warsop having recently “gone to the wall” just two seasons after winning the CML Premier Division title.

I enjoyed the hospitality immensely and just hoped it would extend to the pitch. It did. We were ahead on 10mins courtesy of a sweet left foot strike from Gav. By the break we’d doubled our lead, new boy Shawn marking his debut in style.

As I gradually began to lose all feeling in my feet second half, a third goal to effectively wrap things up helped offset the numbness; Frosty’s surging run and cross being drilled into his own net by hapless centre-half Malcolm Redford.

Despite a spirited showing by the hosts, they rarely looked like registering at the other end and 3-0 was a very welcome scoreline in view of recent events.

'Mini Mack' prepares to step into dad's shoes

The spacious Forest Town Academy offered a comfortable place to retire to (shame about lack of any cask ale – I opted for a pint Chestnut Mild given I would be driving later that evening) and news of a battling performance by the nine-man Stiffs against leaders South Cave, along with another fine win for the Barmby Army helped put a very satisfactory smile on my face. It had been a long time coming…

Where do we go from here?

2011-12-18T08:40:00.002Z

Saturday 10th December

CML North Division

Easington United 0 Kiveton Park 6

I'm not quite sure where to start with a posting about the lowest point yet in the First Team's CML North season; perhaps even the lowest point in their CML career? I might simply leave you this link to the official match report, which seems to wrap things up nicely enough.
Leave it with me...

Barmcelona!

2011-12-18T08:39:00.001Z

Wednesday, 7th December

Football League Championship

Hull City 2 Birmingham City 1

It's December and I've just made my first visit of the season to the KC Stadium - that's a fact bordering on scandalous! At least after seeing the new "Barmby Army" at first-hand I have no reason to make the wait for a return trip such a long one. They were bloody good to watch.
There's no point in adding my own version of events on here. There are far more capable efforts, both official and unofficial, to render my own view somewhat pointless.
However, I did enjoy the fact that one of those accompanying me on the night was a Smoggy workmate who returned to his digs convinced that both The Tigers and his beloved Boro would be in the end of season shake-up for promotion.
Oh, here's hopng...well at least for half of his opinion to be proved right!

By the time I get to Phoenix...

2011-12-18T08:32:00.000Z

Saturday 3rd December
CML North Division
Phoenix FC 5 Easington United 2

Take out one potentially match-winning midfielder, add an unsettled goalkeeper, a confused skipper and a youngster with a chip on his shoulder before finally throwing in a pinch of pissed-up goalkeeper and you have the perfect recipe for a first ever defeat at Pavilion Lane.
And that's what happened.

It had been shaping up to be a decent week, given my participation in the East Riding County FA Cup draw and the prospect of several cask ales awaiting my attention in the Phoenix Sports & Social Club post-match at the upcoming trip to Rotherham.

Then events conspired to put the mockers on things.

First up came the news that goalkeeper Charlie Holden was on the verge of finally completing a move to Hall Road Rangers, something that had been touted for several weeks.

Then, on Wednesday morning (date of the aforementioned cup draw and a day I'd set aside for a football-free Christmas shopping day in Beverley) I was informed that both Mozzer and Blounty had trained the previous night with Bottesford Town and were set to join the NCEL Division 1 strugglers.

Hmm, the Christmas spirit was suddenly sadly lacking.

By Friday things were looking slightly better. Although Moz had decided to make the move to the South Bank, both Blounty and Charlie had both pledged their immediate future to us and Fitzy had been tempted back into the fold. It was a fairly strong-looking 12 for the game at one of my favourite CML venues.
But it was only tea-time...
By the time we departed Easington on match day, we weren't looking so strong. Conduct by Charlie and Fitzy the previous night that was deemed "completely unacceptable" by Mack left him no option but to inform both that their services were not required that day.
A frantic search for a replacement keeper proved fruitless but at least Jammo was roped in to give us a "doughty dozen" players in total. Charlie actually arrived at the meeting point to try and ensure we took thirteen but, backed by his players, Mack stood firm and the somewhat worse-for-wear looking netminder was prevented from getting on the bus.
As we headed off down the M18 I did wonder what else this season could throw at us?

Smalls - our very own Little Boy Blue

In the event it threw us a chastening 5-2 defeat. A pre-match discussion resulted in Smalls being the one to don the gloves in Charlie's absence. He would be largely inactive save for picking the ball out of the net.
The first half was particularly dire - although things may well have been different had Jamie Hartley not stayed on his feet when tugged at by the "last man". No penalty, no red card.
"So I'll tell him to go down next time shall I?" asked Mack.
"You telling me you'll get your lads to cheat?" came the asst-referee's reply. FFS!
Nicho's pre-match talk had been spread over four sheets of A4 paper. It was a commendable effort, packed with calls for pride, passion, belief - "I'm firty-free an' I still think I'm gonna be the nexct Stevie Gerrard" - that sort of thing. It also included a rather high quota of expletives, particularly the 'F'-word. As Jamie Cousins observed later, "Y'know if Nicho had deleted all the "fucking"'s from that speech it would've fitted on a post-it!"
Coming in two down at half-time prompted another Mike Bassett-like performance from the asst-boss. Frosty stuck his head in the tea hut on his way back to the pitch: "He's got Tourette's that lad". We knew immediately who he was referring to.
In a way, however, it worked. For despite shipping three second half goals we were actually the better team. No, honestly; Nicho from the spot and Frosty late on giving a slight air of respectability to proceedings.
The usually extensive range of real ales in the Clubhouse was limited to Bombardier, Black Sheep and my choice, Jem's Stout, from back home at Great Newsome Brewery. and very nice too, its taste enhanced by news of Robert Koren's dramatic late winner for the Tigers against the returning Pearson's Leicester.
On the way home it was heartening to receive several texts, all very supportive of the day's stance. This was further in evidence when I slipped in for a sneaky post-trip pint at The Granby on our return to Easington.
Sometimes you've simply got to make a stand for what you believe to be right...even if the short-term result is a bloody good hiding!

Oh the irony

2011-12-01T21:47:00.004Z

On the same day that the strength of football in this area was being lauded on local radio, it was confirmed that one of the more progressive grassroots clubs had ceased to exist. Local football stinks at times...

During last night's live East Riding County FA Cup draws on Radio Humberside's "Sports Talk", presenter Gwilym Lloyd asked ERCFA Chief Executive Adam Lowthorpe whether he had ever known such a breadth of leagues as that in which East Riding clubs are currently involved and, partly on the back of this, the strength of the local game was quite rightly lauded.

However, within a couple of hours there was a reminder to us all just how dangerously misplaced such views can appear, with the news that Hutton Cranswick United Football Club is no more.

According to an official statement released last night, the Rotsea Lane outfit will resign from the Central Midlands League with immediate effect.

It's a sad end for a club that progressed from the Driffield & District Football League to Step 7 football in the CML in just two decades.

From 'whipping boys' in the inaugural Humber Premier League of 2000/01 they were crowned league champions three season later.

Frustrated by what they saw as the HPL's lack of progress off-the-field, the club then successfully applied for membership of the CML Premier Division in 2008.

Their approach to the game at Committee and playing level has run very similar to ours and I can only extend sympathy to Jim, Denis and Ollie on this saddest of news.

Unsurprisingly, the reasons cited for the club's demise are mainly financial (including one that also takes a swipe at over-zealous officialdom - a source of much irritation across the board given the fines now imposed for even the most minor of indiscretions).

Lack of support in the local area has proved a major factor. Despite a recent showpiece occasion against Hull City in the ERCFA Senior Cup, which managed to pull in a crowd of just under 200 to Rotsea, the wolves weren't kept far from the door for long. And as Denis explained to me this morning, when the two league games either side of that tie brought in 14 each (with 7 and 6 away fans, from Glapwell and Parkhouse respectively) and the cost of the match officials is over a hundred quid, it doesn't take a genius to work out the difficulties.

That aforementioned Senior Cup tie saw City win 2-0 but had Tigers Head of Youth, Billy Russell singing the praises of their opponents. Under different circumstances, such good press can kick-start a season. Instead, just a fortnight later, Cranny struggled to fulfil a game at Thoresby, travelling there with less than a full complement before - in typical fashion - putting on a terrific battling display. They lost 2-0 having played more than half the game with ten men (goalkeeper Leon Sewell being rather harshly dismissed) and finishing with nine following a second red card.

My league season will not be the same without the trip to Rotsea, where the post-match hospitality was quite rightly lauded as the best in the league and where, whatever the result, the likes of Denis and Jim would always be on hand for a pint and a chat afterwards.

When I express my disappointment at the loss of this club, I speak for many at Low Farm past and present (it was no surprise that both the current and previous First Team bosses were among the first to get in touch to express their sadness at the news). Not for them or me the "told you so" smugness that may well emanate from certain quarters of the East Riding at what may be seen as another club that got too big for its boots. Always "better to have tried and (ultimately) failed than never to have tried at all". And as Denis is keen to point out, it was bloody good while it lasted.

FOOTNOTE: Since posting the above, the following piece with club chairman Jim Ezard appeared on the HDM website. An interesting read.

Up for the Cup

2011-11-30T23:01:00.001Z

Wednesday 30th November

East Riding County FA Senior Country Cup R3

The Draw

I really enjoyed it tonight. Having been invited to take part in the the draws for the quarter-finals of both the East Riding Senior Cup and the Senior Country Cup, which was broadcast live on Radio Humberside's "Sports Talk" programme (Mon-Fri 6-7pm), I also got the chance to give a bit of publicity the way of the club. Which was nice.

And we got a home draw as well. Which was nicer. A good result all round then.

However, perhaps the most pleasing thing was that the final twenty minutes of a programme that is usually - and quite rightly of course - dominated by the professional clubs in the region was insted given over to grassroots football.

In fairness to host Gwilym Lloyd, he showed plenty of interest and no shortage of knowledge about the local game, while Scunthorpe United chief scout Lee Turnbull was, in the absence of Pete Smurthwaite, probably the perfect co-host given the close nature of his job to football at this level. Throw in Hull Daily Mail sports Editor Paul Baxter, responsible for raising the profile of the East Riding clubs in the CML, and it was a decent group to give ERCFA Chief Executive Adam Lowthorpe and co a decent platform from which to preach to the masses...well, the "Sports Talk" listenership!

All in all I really enjoyed the experience as I'm sure did Pete Bilsdon of HPL side Hessle Rangers, also represented on tonight's programme. Hopefully members of other clubs will get the same chance to gain some much-needed publicity for themselves in the future.

As for the draw itself, a side from a lower division at home - in the form of Division 1 outfit Driffield Rangers - is probably the best you can ask for. It's also probably the most dangerous of draws as well...

FOOTNOTE: The full ERCFA Senior Country Cup Round 3 draw can be found here

FOOTNOTE 2: For a brief period (i.e. until 6pm tomorrow) you can listen to the programme on Radio Player. The draws kick-in from about 39mins onwards...

Everything's gone green

2011-11-28T21:32:00.005Z

Saturday 26th November

ER County League Premier Division

Easington United Reserves 2 Wawne United 1

In the absence of any First Team or Casuals action last Saturday, the footballing folk of the old East End - and me - flocked to Low Farm to catch a resurgent Stiffs side in action against those lovable rogues from Wawne Ferry (or 'United' as they're now known).

In the event the masses, all 22 of us, were well rewarded as Meddy's Men proceeded to make it four games without defeat courtesy of a hard-earned 2-1 win.

It was a game that saw:
- Shane sporting a ridiculous Hitler-style "Movember" number;

- but also scoring with a header for the first time in 34 attempts;
- the manager throw down his lino flag for the fourth time this season;
- Burt manage ten photos of players looking into space (believe me, that's the best above);
- and Blanny claim a new club record for 12 sausages consumed post-match in the Granby.

There's not much more to add really.

On thin ice

2011-11-28T21:12:00.009Z

Sunday 20th November

Elite Ice Hockey League

Hull Stingrays 3 Fife Flyers 2

So what's the best way to erase the memory of a poor performance on the football field? Why, take yourself off to the ice hockey of course. And when, thanks to the local school, you're getting a "family ticket" for just a tenner (a saving of £34) then it's even better - especially when you see a home win.
Often overlooked despite their status as one of Hull’s four professional sports club’s, Hull Stingrays have had something of a chequered history since ice hockey first arrived at the brand new “Hull Ice Arena” back in 1988.

The first club to bring the new sport into the city were named Humberside Seahawks and played in Heineken League Division 2. I saw them a couple of times that season as Canadian coach Dale Lambert led them to the title (and promotion) in their inaugural season.

The Division 1 crown followed in 1990/91, resulting in promotion to the Premier Division and a place alongside the “household names” of the British game – Durham Wasps, Nottingham Panthers, Whitley Warriors. Herein the Seahawks became the first seventh-placed club to reach the Wembley Play-Offs before a sponsorship tie-up with British Aerospace prompted change of name to Humberside Hawks.

It has been said that ice hockey in Hull has never captured the imagination of the city’s public since the demise of the Seahawks. It’s a fact that I never got to see any of their successors – Humberside Hawks, Kingston Hawks or Hull Thunder. Indeed, when co-owners Mike & Sue Pack were forced to put the club up for sale in August 2010, I appeared destined never to have seen the Hull Stingrays either.

Thankfully, just six days after it appeared that the game would disappear from the city, the Stingrays were bought by the owners of Elite League rivals Coventry Blaze. Top-flight ice hockey in Hull was assured for another year at least.

And so, taking advantage of the aforementioned deal, Mrs Slush and I, the Elder Slushette and mate Leah rolled up at the ice arena for some Sunday night entertainment.

Can't speak for the others but I found it very entertaining, even if it was into the final minute of the final period before we got the first real fisticuffs of the evening!
All in all I'd guess there were perhaps 6-700 inside the Arena and I'm not sure how that matches up with season's average. At least all except the dozen or so hardy followers from Fife went home happy courtesy of a 3-2 home win - some highlights of which can be found here on the F Block Blog (we're behind the goal to the left, back row in case you're interested).
I'd like to think it won't be another ten years before I make my next trip to a "harkey game".

To Bilsthorpe bearing gifts

2011-11-25T16:38:00.065Z

Saturday 19th November

CML North Division

FC 05 Bilsthorpe 4 Easington United 2

I had the idea to submit the following headline to the Holderness Gazette to describe Danny Blount's first game as skipper of the First Team - Blounty's big day goes as pear shaped as Charlie's tool. That probably tells you all you need to know about our latest disappointing trip to Eakring Road...

For the first time in a long while, events at Easington United were not dominating my sporting agenda in the days leading up to the trip to Bilsthorpe.

This was partly because Hull KR had unveiled their 2012 playing strip; partly because England were playing two friendlies in which Capello was actually trying out new ideas; and mainly because the managerial situation at the Tigers was finally reaching a conclusion. After Nigel Pearson’s protracted return to Leicester was finally confirmed, City unveiled Nick Barmby as their new caretaker boss. It had originally been anticipated that former boss Warren (“The Great Escape”) Joyce was to be Pearson’s replacement with “Sir Nick” as assistant. However, for whatever reason, Joyce decided against the move leaving The Tigers to unveil their first Hull-born boss. Here’s to the success of the “Barmby Army”…

Even Sir Nick's at a loss as to who comes in for Frosty

Monday brought with it our latest Development Group meeting (and a nice pint of Wentworth Imperial) wherein we had our biggest attendance since formation! It’s night like this that have me thinking positively about the club again, although I’m sure there’s something just up around the corner that’ll knock that out of me before too long.

The following night saw a major shock in the East Riding Senior Cup when North Ferriby United – winners for the past five seasons – were beaten by Humber Premier League strugglers Hessle Rangers. The same night another HPL side, St Andrews, dumped beaten 2010/11 finalists Hall Road Rangers out too. Well I never.
The draw for the quarter-final of the Senior Cup and its Senior Country equivalent are to be made live on Radio Humberside’s Sports Talk programme on Wednesday 30th November. I know this because the following day I was invited along to the event as representative of one of the clubs in the hat for the Country Cup. I’m already rehearsing my, “Anyone at home” cliché!
Thursday brought the latest monthly meeting of the ER County League, at which Minutes Secretary (and Bridlington Town Chairman, Pete Smurthwaite) was in buoyant mood. I wonder why??!!
By Friday I was back fully focussed on the trip to Bilsthorpe. And suffice to say, we were back to the fairly familiar tale of counting bodies ahead of an away trip. With Fitzy unavailable for the forseeable, Farny working, Gav not wishing to be considered for selection and Frosty “not right”, Mack and Nicho were already four down as well as left with some positional conundrums. Potential replacements AJ and Stumo soon extended the list of absentees to six before the returning Brettles and former skipper Nige manfully volunteered for the trip despite neither being in the peak of full fitness.
Despite the slightly depleted complement, everyone was in good heart when we finally pulled out of Hull at just after 11am. Nicho took up a place in the front for the first time and was given a new insight into the workings of the Pistol’s mind. Not sure he’ll ride shotgun again.

I'm a Celebrity lookalike, get me out of here...

An amusing game of ‘footballers lookalikes’ was conducted in the back. Apparently I’m Antonio Doncel. Hmm, reminds me of the song to the tune of Y Viva Espagna – “He came to City on a plane / An-ton-i-o Doncel / He was shit so we sent him back again / An-ton-i-o Doncel”. He's a good looking lad though...isn't he?
Nicho was equally unimpressed with his apparent Stuart Ripley likeness - although even that was infinitely better than when the rules were extended to include lookalikes generally and he was suddenly tagged Corrie actor Anthony Cotton!
Meanwhile, highlight of the lot was The Pistol – or Frank Worthington as he’s now known!

Separated at birth

Having passed (and being passed by) several members of the “Barmby Army” en route to Pride Park, we pulled into Eakring Road at just before one o’clock.
The kit – which this week comprised first team shirts with reserves’ shorts & socks to avoid a clash – duly laid out, I invested in a cuppa and bite to eat just in time to see CML Chairman Frank Harwood coming across the car park.
It’s the first chance I’ve had to have a good chat with Frank since he attended our Presentation Evening at the end of our first season in the league and as on that night he was in good form.
Sadly we weren’t on top form when the game kicked off. I shouldn’t be surprised. In both previous trips to Eakring Road we’d struggled, losing the first by the odd goal and being denied by an injury time equaliser last year. In addition, our opening day win over FC 05 at Low Farm had been our first against them in five meetings.
Even so we started relatively well and Nicho passed up a good early chance. JC then saw one cleared off the line and I was feeling better about things. Then they scored. And what a fluke. Jordan’s attempted pass cannoning back into the net off Michael Knight from fully 35-40 yards out. Bizarre.

As good as it got

Just before half-time we levelled thanks to a Mozzer header from Nicho’s corner and I was quietly confident we’d go on to make it back-to-back wins. Frank departed during the interval in order to collate the night’s results – putting a serious dent in the attendance figure in the process. In total I counted twelve people who could loosely be classed as spectators and four of them were supporting the visitors. The lack of programme was disappointing but the hospitality of new FC 05 boss Wayne Savage and his backroom staff wasn’t.
Sadly, it was our hospitality on show at the start of the second period. First Charlie came for a free-kick he was never going to get then Blounty – skippering the side for the first time – showed that he’d learnt well from predecessor AG by heading powerfully into the top corner…of his own net! Afterwards it was decided Charlie should have called...which went down well as you'd imagine!
And we were dead and buried. Until that is Jamie H superbly volleyed Bezza’s cross back across keeper Darren Milnes and inside the far post. Game on.
We did everything but score in the remaining twenty minutes. Milnes was excellent, his defenders were brave – and lucky, no more so than when the ref and assistant missed a blatant handball just five minutes from time. The assistant’s mitigation of, “It’s dark” had to be heard to be believed – the aforementioned FC 05 gaffer saw it and he was thirty yards further down the touchline!
In the final minute AG clipped Sam Clary who duly got up and converted the spot-kick. 4-2 and our 'Bilsthorpe Blues' go on.
Thankfully, the restorative effects of The Riding School Express soon worked their magic, along with a couple of crates of booze, making it an enjoyable trip home. Meanwhile, some happy Hull City fans returning from a winning start to the Barmby reign were delighted (ahem) to be the latest people to see Mozzer’s naked arris at Donny North Services. I do hope they recover.
A neatly timed stop-off at The Crooked Billet in Ryehill (don’t tell the missus) enabled a few of us to chew the fat over a lovely pint of Oxfordshire’s finest, Brakspear Beer, and by the time I rolled in it hardly seemed we’d lost at all. Roll on next week...

If only…

2011-11-25T16:30:00.003Z

Saturday 12th November

East Riding CFA Junior Country Cup R2

Easington United Casuals 2 Driffield E. I. Reserves 2

(After Extra-Time; Driffield won 7-6 on pens)

A week after the Stiffs had safely negotiated their passage into the last eight of the County Cup, it was the Casuals’ turn to try and emulate them. And with the Bentley game postponed, it afforded me the chance to watch them do it.

Their task was somewhat more difficult given that their opponents – Driffield Evening Institute Reserves – play their football in the Premier Division of the Driffield & District League. Since reorganisation of the ERCFA competitions a few years back, the Junior Country Cup does seem to cover a wider divisional range of clubs. For example, the Casuals could have faced teams from as high as Division 2 of their own league in addition to those from the upper echelons of the Driffield, York and/or Scarborough leagues.

Not that manager ‘Maccer’ was unduly worried. Since this blog last visited his boys, they’d extended their unblemished start in the league to eight wins out of eight, establishing a 10pt lead from nearest rivals Haltemprice in the process.

Up for the cup

In addition, the previous Saturday they had dumped hitherto unbeaten Division 4 leaders Nafferton Old Boys out of the League Cup. After several barren years the Casuals were finally having a season to remember.

In the event they came within a whisker of making it even more memorable, as the match report here explains. It was a magnificent effort by Maccer's men and one that further reinforces the view that this season will at last yield some silverware. But of course people went home thinking about what might have been had Lewis not dallied with the goal at his mercy; or had the referee seen the goalkeeper holding Hoppy back in the final minute of extra-time; or had DC just hit the bloody thing instead of taking a touch; or had either of the two earlier missed spot-kicks gone in... If only.

Oh Bugger

2011-11-25T16:17:00.000Z

Saturday 12th November

CML North Division

Easington United v Bentley Colliery

Match Postponed

I’d predicted this would happen from the moment I read Chris Toyne’s comments on the unofficial CML Message Board, late on Thursday night.

As I browsed his self-penned reasons for resigning as Bentley Colliery manager and glanced at the pile of match programmes sat neatly awaiting final collation by the side of my desk, a little voice inside was saying, “You won’t be needing them then!”

Sure enough, the call came at just after ten the following morning; CML Secretary Mark Senior informing me that due to the upheaval caused by the resignation of their manager, Bentley Colliery felt unable to fulfil Saturday’s fixture.

“Gutted” is I believe the proper term for such moments.
However, it wasn’t the first time during the week I’d felt such deflation. Nor was it the first time I'd second-guessed an event that would prompt such feelings.
That had occurred whilst listening to Nigel Pearson’s post-match interview with local radio's Burnsy in the immediate wake of City’s home defeat by West Ham the previous Saturday. “That’s it, he’s off”, I said to my brother-in-law as we awaited the fun, games and excellent fodder that constitutes the annual Cooper family fireworks night. He wasn’t convinced. “What’s he supposed to say? The club hasn’t been approached yet so why should he speculate.” A good point perhaps but I still thought the opportunity was there to lay all rumours to rest and pledge his future to the Tigers. He didn’t. And by Monday it was clear he was on his way back to Leicester.
Reaction to the news was mainly a mixture of sadness and bitterness, with the likes of Amber Nectar and regular Tigers blogger Marcus Dysch offering some of the more thoughtful analysis. Those filling the comments threads on the Hull Daily Mail site and/or ringing Radio Humberside's Sports Talk programme, less so!

Going?

Much closer to home, another individual apparently on his way out of a club was youngster Fitzy who, according to Coach Nicho's interpretation of the text he'd received, was making himself unavailable for us for the foreseeable future.
At with any level of football, this isn't unusual, especially when a player feels - rightly or wrongy - that he's been dealt a harsh hand selection-wise. It usually translates as a way of ensuring the manager soon comes calling, almost begging the player to reconsider. Not sure if that was the intention in this case but if so he's likely to be disappointed. Nicho’s played under Dave Start at Reckitts and learnt a lot. There’d be no phone call – at least not this week!
Not that I didn't feel some sympathy with the plight of the lad. Ever since it was agreed between management and players that this season would see us adopt a more "ruthless" approach to team selection, I could foresee problems - everyone will agree to a manager picking his "best eleven" when they all think they're in it! And so, when it dawned on Karl he was no longer a shoo-in on the left side of midfield, a feeling that his Saturdays could be better spent elsewhere crept in. He's not the first to make himself "unavailable for selection until further notice" and I've no doubt he won't be the last.
Similarly he's perhaps another player to suffer from having "smoke blown up his arse" by other people, namely those who tempted him along to Bridlington Town over the summer. Perhaps the fact you're on the books of a Northern Counties East League side should ensure you a place at CML level? Perhaps without having to put quite the same effort in as others? Not according to Mack and Nicho.
I don't know, maybe I'm doing the lad a disservice. On his day, Fitzy is certainly a very destructive presence for opposition defenders, either down the flank or through the middle. Hopefully, he'll realise that there can still be some good times to be had with the lads at Low Farm. We'll see.

Going?

Finally there was the storm over FIFA's refusal to allow the England players to wear shirts with the poppy sewn-in for Saturday's friendly international against Spain. Crikey did this create some headlines. As with the England 2018 World Cup bid, the Prime Minister and Prince William threw themselves into the fight. And as on that occasion FIFA simply ignored them. Well, almost, for despite the tabloid press saying it was the Prince what swung it, the Governing Body's eventual decision to agree to a compromise of a poppy sewn into the black armbands to be worn by the England players was actually largely down to the efforts of a backbench Tory MP. But, hey, don't let the facts get in the way of a good story an' all that.
My own personal view is that a sensible compromise was eventually reached but how the hell did it get to that stage in the first place. Once it had been ascertained that nobody was likely to be offended by what is - despite some people's protestations to the contrary - a non-political, non-religious symbol, then surely FIFA could have allowed it. So what if it opens the floodgates? Why not treat each case on its individual merit? Had this been done in the first place then there wouldn't have been such an outcry.
As for those who point out that having a poppy emblazoned on a shirt is a recent phenomenon, so what? Does that make it any less significant? The 21st century conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have, quite rightly, brought the sacrifices of those serving in HM Forces again to the fore as well as helping educate people about the significance of countless conflicts past and present. Surely anything to help this - such as the wearing of a poppy at high-profile international matches - can only be good, can't it?

Gone

Friday was Armistice Day. Ninety years since formation of the Royal British Legion, there was extra poignancy when at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year, our office – along with thousands of other establishments the length and breadth of the country – paused for thought.
As opposed to Remembrance Sunday, the observing of the silence on Armistice Day itself seems to have come back into fashion (for want of a better term) more in recent years; again in line with the increased profile of our Armed Forces. And not before time if you ask me.
In our office we observed the marking of the hour in the company of Radio Humberside, who broadcast the commemorations live from the Cenotaph in Hull. It proved a deeply moving occasion.

But not forgotten

Mrs Slush had chosen this weekend for her annual expedition to Meadowhall, which involved an overnight stay. And so while she and a friend “shopped ‘til they dropped”, I picked the Slushettes up from school and headed off to Newton's in Patrington for a fish supper, stopping en route to plant a Remembrance cross at Skeffling (as mentioned in the previous post).

Back home the girls were allowed the treat of watching both Corrie episodes before being dispatched to bed. I know, I spoil them.

After a lengthy discussion on the phone with affable Bentley secretary JP Tooth, which helped shed further light on the reasons for the following day’s postponement, I settled down to the riveting contest that was the Bosnia v Portugal Euro 2012 play-off. I think I woke up in time to see Ronaldo fall over. Again. Bed couldn’t come soon enough.

"Lerrem 'ave it!"

2011-11-11T06:58:00.086Z

11-11-11: We Will Remember Them

Every year I am sent a small wooden Remembrance cross from the Royal British Legion. Usually I either pass it to the mother-in-law, whose father was killed in Burma during the Second World War, or I take it to the small war memorial in the village on Remembrance Sunday and hand it to the Elder Slushette to plant alongside the numerous others.

This year I shall plant it alongside my maternal grandfather's grave in nearby Skeffling.

The inscription on the headstone can be found on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site and reads:

In Memory of
Stoker 1st Class ALLAN DOUGLAS
P/KX 98815, Royal Navy
who died age 46
on 08 December 1944
Son of Edward and Harriet Douglas;
husband of Maggie Ann Douglas, of Skeffling.
Remembered with honour

On the Naval History website, in its list of casualties for Friday, 8th December 1944, it states he died of illness at RN Auxiliary Hospital, Sherborne.

Up until recently, I tended to concentrate mainly on the military members of Dad's family. These include my great grandad, Frederick, who enlisted in the Army and saw service in the Boer War and then against the Kaiser's Turkish allies in Egypt. Then there was grandad Charles who was evacuated off the beaches at Dunkirk only to return to France in the wake of the D-Day landings. Even dad was a volunteer, joining the RAF as opposed to being forced in through National Service, only to then come out early in order to take up farm work back in the East Riding. It's a decision he's often regretted. Had the requirement for a chest operation not scuppered my own attempts to follow him I could have become the fourth generation of the Lusmore family to have chosen a military way of life.

Overlooked in all this was Grandad Douglas. Ironic really, as Mum's dad Allan is the only member of my immediate family to actually have died in service during armed conflict. My ignorance of the man even stretched to his precise cause of death. I'd grown up believing it to be down to an accident involving hot coals being dropped on his foot while stoking and Grandad not then getting the injury treated properly. I'm now led to believe this not to be the case.

All I grew up knowing for a fact was that because of the timing of his passing, Granny Douglas despised Christmas. And she never indulged my childhood interest in "what Grandad did in the war".

From the snippets I've heard from others, Allan had a typically Douglas down-to-earth approach to the war (and life in general). He must have enjoyed shore leave - Mum was one of ten children! And he liked a tipple in the old Sun Inn; a tale goes that the local bus driver once had to come in to the pub and practically drag him out to ensure he didn't miss his connection to Hull for re-embarkation.

However, my favourite tale is one recounted to me by a neighbour and was told him by my uncle Jack: "While on shore leave, your grandad was asked what his ship had been doing. Your grandad said, 'We've been patrolling off some foreign place or other, mekkin sure the Germans dayen't gerrit. Having layked at the place, ah'd lerrem 'ave it!'"
But he did his duty. As did countless others.

And so today, while pausing for thought at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (of the eleventh year) to remember those who have made - and continue to make - the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country, I'll reserve special thought for Grandad Allan who might well have come to some other arrangement with the Germans had he had his way!

Remember, Remember...

2011-11-08T22:32:00.053Z

Saturday 5th November
East Riding Senior Country Cup R2
Easington Utd Reserves 4 Beverley Town Reserves 1

Some nine hours after the official changing of the clocks, I dismantled the Slushettes' trampoline - summer was officially at an end (something that could be in doubt given some of the weather we'd been having in recent weeks).
In the afternoon, we made decorative pumpkins. This went very much against my natural instincts I might add, which are to loathe the whole Hallowe'en carry-on as another unwanted intrusion of Americana. That said, I do feel I made quite a decent fist of this year's...

Well, maybe not then.
On Hallowe'en itself the Slushettes, suitably attired, headed out with Mrs Slush and friends, returning an hour or so later with a veritable swag bag full of goodies. My good lady couldn't believe the amount of stuff people had ready for the "Trick or Treat" knock. She then backtracked quite spectacularly when realising the paltry offerings she'd left behind for me to "treat" potential visitors with. And I plenty had come knocking, including one mixed-up soul wearing a ghoulish mask but saying "Merry Christmas"! But given the measly "treats" at my disposal I decided against answering the door for the remainder of the night. Well, it was Monday - Corrie was on.

Midweek saw City's nine-match unbeaten run draw to a close with defeat at Barnsley. Ironically, manager Nigel Pearson described it as the best the Tigers had played in some time. Mack and Nicho know how he feels!
Not that those two had any concerns the following Saturday - no First Team game instead offered another chance to catch up with the Stiffs as they bid for a place in the last eight of the County Cup. And with Bonfire Night to follow, the hopes were high of some corny puns to accompany the weekly match report. A "firecracker" perhaps, or maybe a "sparkling performance", or if things went belly up, how about "For Fawkes sake"?!
Oh, the possibilities were endless...

In the words of David Coleman... "One Nil!"

In the event there was plenty of fizz in a Stiffs' performance described by skipper 'Nige' as "our best of the season".
After a slight delay due to refereeing issues - the appointed one didn't show (desptie messages of confirmation left on both her voicemail and at home) with the replacement arriving ten minutes after the designated kick-off time ("I've had a nightmare trip, I set off just after one from University!") and five minutes before the local qualified volunteer replacement who I'd managed to recruit some five minutes beforehand. Grrrgh!
Anyway, two teams and referee in place it was off we went and by the break we were two up; "veteran" striker Wilks twice benefitting from lax defending by The Beavers.

A pocket battleship

Midfield pocket battleship Tony Everitt was enjoying himself in the middle of the park, setting up Wilky for his second and stinging the tips of Town keeper Brown with an effort of his own.
The best opening Beverley enjoyed was when Pagey was somewhat harshly penalised for handling a backpass. The wall held firm.
The visitors came more into it at the start of the second half but young Josh Price added a third to calm any nerves on the part of those in the "Farm Shed".

They shall not pass

Tom Proud reduced arrears with fourteen to go but - to the delight of the home crowd - a fourth goal arrived for the locally grown number 10, Keyworth, on 85 minutes. A place in the quarter-finals - to be drawn live on local radio - was assured.

Pictures courtesy of Colin Brammer.

A Skip And A Jump

2011-11-08T22:25:00.068Z

Saturday 29th October
CML North
Easington United 4 Ollerton Town 1

The latest enjoyable series of DCI Banks mysteries has just finished on ITV. Pity. I could have done with Peter Robinson's Yorkshire-based copper to come across to the East Riding and try to solve the mystery of why we're usually so shit in October.

We came into the fifth and final Saturday of the month on the back of four defeats. A "clean sweep" at the hands of Nottinghamshire visitors Ollerton Town would be unthinkable.

The setbacks at the hands of Yorkshire Main, Westella and Clipstone all came against sides challenging for the title; as did the ERCFA Senior Cup exit against HPL leaders Chalk Lane.

But a reverse against opponents currently undergoing wholesale changes in the wake of their previous manager's departure would really have got the "Farm Faithful" grumbling.

I started the morning with a cup of Lancashire Tea. I know, it's bloody sacrilege and all that but it's also bloody good tea. Anyway, to balance the books, when I confessed to this particular guilty pleasure on Twitter, that well known Hull City fan of Lancastrian roots, Mark Gretton (or @INDEPENDENT_MG to give him his Twitter title) admitted his favourite tipple was Yorkshire Gold. Ah the irony.


In the line of duty...for the last time

Unbeknown to most of the lads, this afternoon's game was to be the last one in which Andy Graham would lead the team out. After much agonising, AG has decided to relinquish the First Team captaincy "for personal reasons". I actually think it's more to do with being sick of his old man Burt pointing an extended lens in his face every time he emerges from a changing room.

And one become two...

A fine if somewhat blustery afternoon helped attract a decent crowd of over seventy to The Farm. Gawd, if only we could charge a gate. Still, programme sales were very healthy thanks to the Chairman's persistence, helped also by a decent contingent of travellers from Ollerton.
I spent the second half within decent earshot of one particular band and very entertained they kept me...though I expect the young referee's assistant was gald he was on the far side of the pitch given the amount of flak he copped for.

...becomes three!

By this time, though, the damage was done. Ollerton found themselves three down at the break, courtesy of a Nicho brace and a well-deserved strike from Jamie Hartley.
Enjoyment of the second half was enhanced by Farny's late fourth and news of Aaron McLean's winner for the Tigers at Forest. Oh, and the continued witticisms of the band from north Notts.
Some consolation for the visitors came courtesy of Carl Russo's impressive late hit (which Charlie was keen to tell me afterwards took a deflection of Blounty's boot). But, overall they were well beaten as you may well gather from the official report.

Pictures courtesy of Burt Graham

Maroon Drive

2011-11-05T08:04:00.023Z

Saturday 22nd October
CML North
Clipstone Welfare 2 Easington United 1

I must confess to being somewhat surprised by Clipstone Welfare's rise to the top of the CML North Division. But there's no arguing with the stats behind it. Ten wins and two draws in fourteen games, 51 goals scored and only 19 conceded. And when I looked back at my account of our 1-1 draw in early September, although we'd more than held our own, Chaz had had a blinder i'nets.

So, overall, a trip to the Lido Ground was just what was required after three straight defeats. Not.

The Westella defeated had really knocked the stuffing out of people. Partly as a result simply of its magnitude and partly because there was never three goals' difference in quality between the two sides. It had certainly put me on a downer - and that was before I received the sad news about Betty Driver.

One of the finest sights in local football...

It's on the back of results like our 1-4 defeat that the working week can appear to be a very long one. Especially when, as in this particular case, it also throws up several other challenges - an official approach from Withernsea for young Thom McGeachy, an unofficial approach from Hall Road Rangers for Charlie (in the wake of an official notice regarding Blounty) and a piss-poor turnout at training.

Thankfully, there was one bright light on the horizon, in the form of the return of Pistol Pete & The Riding School Express. After what had seemed an eternity, The Pistol was back in the saddle and the wagon was ready to roll.
Destination Clipstone in north Nottinghamshire - "a small working-class ex-coal mining village built on an old army base" according to the font of all knowledge that is Wikipedia! To The Pistol it's basically another place you reach by "heading for Clumber Park then guessing"!
Clipstone is split into "Kings (or "Old") Clipstone" and "New Clipstone". The camp referred to, on which the village was built, was erected in World War One to train the men of Kitchener's New Army. It was closed shortly after the end of hostilities.

Big Buggers

The sight that immediately hits you on entry to Clipstone is that of the Grade 2 listed colliery Headstocks, "the tallest in Europe and more recently the third tallest in the world". The very definition of "evocative". The colliery closed in 2003.
Clipstone Welfare FC was formed in 1928 as Clipstone Combine. I found this from the excellent "History" section of their otherwise needs-to-be-updated club website.
Their Lido Ground home is a tidy affair and, as it turned out, a very welcoming home. From the moment we arrived, those of us not directly involved with the action were really well looked after. A pre-match cuppa and meat pie of decent (if not quite Bentley Colliery) quality was followed by a half-time welcome in the "VIP" lounge and some excellent banter with the locals.

Words of wisdom

This sort of banter was also to be found in the stand that runs the full length of the pitch. A decent crowd of around sixty-odd was comprised mainly of local elders who in between shouting "Come on Clippo!" would constantly berate their favourites for "messing about at the back".
In fairness, this was down to the efforts of our lads who, particularly up to the break, hassled and harried every Clipstone move.

Maroon (High) Five

Whether it was a feeling that a season's low had been reached these past few weeks, or a nothing-to-lose approach, or Mack & Nicho's pre-match pep talk, or the return of The Pistol, or even the new Royal Mail Sports Foundation kit (!) but we really seemed up for this one.
And we deservedly took an early lead. Only to concede shortly afterwards with another of the Skipper's OG's that one day would form part of a brilliant DVD for aspiring young centre halves!
It remained level up to the break and we retired for our aforementioned half-time hospitality. My mood was further improved by news of a "magnificent seventh" win for the Casuals and a win of my own on the half-time raffle. Oh yes!

We didn't all come home empty-handed

The game could've been won in the first few minutes of the second half but both Sam and Frosty were just off target. No matter, we were the better team. We were asking all the questions. We were the more likely winners. Then they scored.
They nearly added a third afterwards before we mounted a frantic spell of late pressure that saw Frosty come within a whisker of salvaging a point right at the death. The players' reactions on Burt's photos say it all.

Aaaaaarrrrgh

Afterwards, our hosts were magnanimous in victory and very complimentary (as they had been at half-time). And in truth, they showed the mark of a good side by winning a game in which they were largely playing second fiddle.
The post-match watering hole was the local Welfare Club, which again was warm and welcoming. I was beginning to like Clipstone Welfare FC and may well root for them to win the title once our chances become mathematically non-existant!

The Pistol's apprentice

It's on away days like these that The Pistol and his vehicle swing into action - literally in the case of his entry into the Welfare club car park! For some of the new lads - Jordan and Sam - it was their first taste of a post-match bevvy bus ride home. I think they enjoyed it...I know I did.

Thanks to Burt for the action pics. Match report can be found here.

A "Macnificent" achievement

2011-11-02T09:11:00.005Z

Saturday 15th October
Iain McNaught is 700 not out

Mack & Mick

Saturday 15th October 2011 saw Casuals player/manager Iain McNaught make his 700th appearance for Easington United. I wrote about it in the programme for the CML game against Westella & Willerby but such a feat really deserves wider exposure. So why have I put it on here then...guffaw, guffaw!

At the time I wrote that I "believed it to be" his 700th appearance when Maccer led his Casuals side out at Eastrington Village Reserves.

I used that term just in case I’d made a slight miscalculation - well we are talking nearly thirty years' worth of stats here. And at time of typing this I've still not had chance to complete a thorough check. But I'm fairly confident we won't be more than an appearance or two out either way!

What I do know for certain is that ‘Maccer’ made his official Eastenders debut away at Etton United in ER County League Division 3 on 12th March 1983 and has remained a one-club man ever since. He completed his first century at home Hessle Rangers in October 1987 a milestone that would no doubt have come somewhat sooner had an altercation with the ERCFA Disciplinary panel in October 1985 not seen him banned for the remainder of that campaign!

1991: With hair - front row, third left

During his 28 years at Low Farm, Maccer has shared in each of the triumphs and the tragedies that have accompanied our rise from the County League basement to Step 7 football. He was skipper of the 1990/91 Division 3 title-winning squad and that same year became first recipient of the Melvin Douglas Memorial Shield for Man of the Match in the South Holderness Cup Final, despite being on the losing side (pictured).
Iain remained a fixture in the senior squad until the move into the Humber Premier League in 2000/01. The last of his 445 first team appearances came off the bench at Chisholms on 2nd September 2000.

Since then, over a century of appearances apiece has been clocked up at both Reserves (120) and Casuals (134) levels where playing has also been combined with management. It should also be said that this central defender has also amassed a creditable 50 goals along the way.

2011: Without hair - front row, fourth right

Much of Iain’s playing career was spent under the stewardship of current vice-chairman Mike Wilson and in the same Westella match programme, the latter was quoted as saying this about his former skipper…

“I’d like to congratulate Iain on his fantastic achievement. He progressed from boys football through to the men’s First Team, showing great promise as a centre half along the way, and has never looked back since.
Iain has been an excellent player throughout his career - how many Man of the Match’s Maccer?! I cannot thank him enough for all he’s done for the club in the past and the effort and commitment he continues to show." "Initially he had a few disciplinary issues (!) and at one time he also tried to convince me he’d make a decent centre-forward – I don’t think so Maccer!

Bringing up the rear

"However, his loyalty to Easington United has been outstanding. After moving from Welwick he could have played for several Hull teams but has instead remained loyal to us throughout.
"As manager for most of his playing career I’d like to say 'Well done'. You have achieved so much throughout your career and deserve to stick your chest out today in true Maccer fashion!"

Thankfully for Iain his latest milestone appearance yielded a sixth straight win of the season, 4-1 at struggling Eastrington Village Reserves. It was a result that maintained the Casuals' charge for the Division 5 title.

Although not their finest performance of the season, the Casuals were rarely in danger of losing the game. As such, when they were awarded a penalty at 3-1 up it appeared only fitting that the main man be allowed chance to cap his own big day...

...Oh dear! Still, at least he got the man of the match. Hmm, I'm not sure who nominates the award?!
Anyway, it would have been remiss on a blog about "a sporting life along the Humber Riviera" to have failed to mark such a significant feat by a fellow local. When the professional game is justifiably under fire for the actions of so many of its participants, it's reassuring that at grassroots level there are people still in the game purely for the love of it.
Here's to the next seven hundred Maccer!

Photos courtesy of Doug Clubley and Ian Akam.

Oh 'Ella!

2011-10-26T21:22:00.010+01:00

Saturday 15th October
CML North
Easington United 1 Westella & Willerby 4

I don't do nights out anymore. Every once in a while I try kidding myself that I'm still "pub fit" and can cope with a trawl of the Old Town's hostelries as easily as I did some twenty years ago. Well I can't. And if I needed reminding of the fact, this particular Friday morning at work did just that.

Having been tempted out into the big city once more the previous evening by a 'leaving do' arranged for a fellow real ale afficianado, I'd somehow convinced myself that a few pints of proper beer, steadily consumed over a few hours, couldn't do any real damage.

Initially, things went well. A fine selection of Saltaire beers in The Burlington (I opted for the Blackberry Cascade) was followed by a pint of Barnsley Beer Company's "Shut Thi Gob" in the recently opened Bar Exchange before Walters Bar had me spoilt for choice.

But of course it was too good to last. After a couple of lovely little numbers, we were moving on - to spend the remainder of the night in Jaz, one of the countless cafe-bar style venues in the Old Town that do not count any "proper beer" among their otherwise extensive drinks range.

So, add together three hours in one place (during which the only respite from drinking came when either walking to the Gents to empty one load or walking to the bar to take on board another) and supping draught Peroni and you perhaps get some idea of just why my bonce was banging the following day.

Of course I came out with the usual "Never again" sentiments to anyone who would listen (Mrs Slush not being amongt them!) and promised myself it would be some time before I allowed a headache like that to descend on me again...

Just two days later I had a similar feeling of wretchedness. But this time the cause wasn't copious amounts of alcohol; my soreness was solely sport-related courtesy of a second "derby" defeat of the season.
Easington United v Westella & Willerby now constitutes a "derby"? Cuh, that used to be a term that reserved for games against Holmpton and Patrington when I first got involved at Low Farm. Indeed a trip to Westella's home on "t'other side of town" would have been regarded as one of the longer away trips. How times have changed.
Bridlington Town chairman Pete Smurthwaite is one of the more knowledgeable voices on local football and is always a good listen on Radio Humberside's "Sports Talk" show. He went up even further in my estimation on Friday's programme when listing Easington United as one of the clubs people might like to check out the following day. And although he didn't go so far as to say he had us down for a home win, I'd like to think he was rooting for us...
Although the league table suggested otherwise, I was quietly confident beforehand. I knew we hadn't done ourselves justice in the game at their place and this alone should be sufficient to avoid any repeat. In addition I felt squad-wise we were stronger than that night in August.
So as I ambled down to the Village Square early on Saturday morning for an impromptu meeting with the estimable Graham Stuart, my local MP (I kid ye not) I didn't mind telling all who enquired that I had "a good feeling" about the game in store. I made the same mistake in Withernsea an hour or so later.
I wish I'd taken the advice of the Barnsley Beer Company brew I'd been sampling just two nights earlier!

That's close...

In fairness the first half saw us dominate for large periods and how we came to be two down at the break was beyond not just me but most of the sixty-odd spectators present, including the opposition management.
Sadly we once again paid the price for being unable to turn our superiority at one end into goals while paying dearly for the occasional lapses at the other.
Having hardly had a whiff of our goal in the opening 25 minutes, 'Ella took the lead when Fitzy lost his man at a corner.

That's closer

Then, with the referee already checking his watch for half-time, our impetuous young winger dropped another clanger - barging through the back of the returning "Man Mountain" inside the area. Charlie saves a lot of penalties - but not on this occasion.
Half-time brought good news from Eastrington where Casuals boss Maccer had marked his 700th Eastenders appearance with his side's sixth win in as many games to remain well clear at the top of Division 5. Amusingly, he'd also passed up the chance to mark the occasion with a goal - missing from the spot in a 4-1 victory.
Unfortunately the next phone call didn't bring such positivity - the Reserves had gone down six nil at Park Athletic. It was a real tale of woe from the 3G surface at South Hundley, with Jimmy D having seen red and another four players yellow carded in a game in which the Stiffs had trailed by five at half-time - while hitting the woodwork three times and passing up four one-on-ones at the opposite end. Anybody telling manager Meddy that "it's a funny old game" would probably have been given short shrift on Saturday night.

Pitch looks well!

Not that the events at Low Farm were particularly amusing either. Only briefly did we look like salvaging something from the game. When Frosty seized on a defensive mistake to make it 1-3 there was a small window of opportunity but it was one that was slammed shut a few minutes later when Jonny Slater slotted home goal number four. To make matters worse the goal came in similar frustratingly easy manner to that with which fellow sub Mike Thompson had earlier made it 3-0.
The final whistle blew and my head felt no better. Perhaps I need another night out...

Thanks to Burt Graham for the photos. Match report can be found here. Colin Brammer's photos can be found here.

Threshed

2011-10-15T00:19:00.099+01:00

Saturday 8th October
East Riding Senior Cup R1
Easington United 0 Chalk Lane 2
ERCFL Premier Div
Easington United Reserves 2 Viking Raiders 0

The "Welwick Heritage" weekend is in its 22nd year and despite the loss of its driving force, Bernard Blashill (aka "The Welwick Relic"), it continues to pull in the crowds.

Easington United's involvement in The East Riding County Football Association Senior Cup stretches back half the length of the aforementioned event, to which it is connected by the date on which the first round is usually played.

Unfortunately, in recent times our interest in said competition has lasted no longer than the time it takes the threshing team at Moat Farm to shift a trailer full of wheat.

T'wasn't always so. Elevation to the Humber Premier League in 2000/01 prompted a first ever entry in the East Riding's most prestigious cup competition and initially it was one we enjoyed.
The semi-finals were reached in each of the first three years. The first of these was lost to Hull City (usually represented in this competition by their Juniors) and the other two to Bridlington Town, with the 2002 fixture proving one of the most amazing Eastenders matches I've ever seen live.
Since Town's repeat semi-final success the following year, our record in the ER Senior Cup hasn't been great. Aside from a run to the quarter-finals in 2008 we've failed to get past round one on more than one occasion.
Making this poor run harder to take is that in the past two years defeat has been experienced at the hands of Humber Premier League opposition - giving rise to much derisory comment from those who mocked our decision to "jump ship" in 2009.
And so we came into this year's competition determined to arrest the slide. Unfortunately, we failed to do so.

Along with the Welwick Heritage weekend, the other event that normally accompanies County Cup round one weekend is the start of Hull Fair. In addition our weekly trips to Verity Lee's School of Dance were resuming following the annual show and this time we also had the Younger Slushette enrolled. Yikes!
Finally, to further fill what already looked like being a busy weekend, two of our national teams were in action; the footballers on Friday evening when a single point from the trip to Podgorica would see Capello's team through to Euro 2012, the rugby union players the following morning where an equally unconvincing France barred progress to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
It therefore promised to be a weekend of ups and downs - and I don't mean "Fair" (I wasn't planning on going - I left that to Mrs Slush and our older daughter).

Our demeanour says it all

Having missed both the Bentley Colliery and Yorkshire Main games, I was looking forward to seeing the First Team in action again. Reports from Edlington Lane had suggested we'd perhaps been a touch unfortunate to come home empty-handed and with opponents Chalk Lane going well in the HPL, Saturday's game promised to be a decent one.
Of course, before then we were subjected to the never-straightforward-affair that is watching England in competitive action. And even though the main aim of qualification for Poland & Ukraine was achieved, I was left feeling as if we'd actually lost. Perhaps it was a premonition...

A corner - no longer cause for excitement among the Farm Faithful

...It was. And it was one reinforced by events the following morning when having been forced to listen to Barbie Disco 8 en route to the Slushettes' dance class (don't ask) and thus having missed the first half-hour of England's World Cup quarter-final, I got the Leisure Centre TV switched on just in time to find us 16-0 down and the game as good as lost. This weekend was going from bad to worse.

One bright spot was the surprise appearance of Adelphi goer, ale afficianado, Hull City fan and author (his "Kissing the Badge - How Much Do You Know About 20 Years Of The Premier League" is a must-read for any football fan) Phil Ascough - or @audaciouschip as the rest of the Twitterati know him.

Taking advantage of another 'International Break', Phil decided on a trip out east for his Saturday afternoon footy fix and arrived at Low Farm. Excellent. Even better, he decided to blog about the afternoon's events for the estimable Two Unfortunates website and the results can be found here.

Thankfully, Phil's diligence means I don't need to recount the precise details of another early cup exit here. Nor do I need to introduce you to our opponents - you just need to read the aforementioned piece to learn they are a quality side.
Perhaps the only thing I could add to Phil's piece is that before the game I enjoyed a cuppa and a chat with the "legendary" Johnny Whiteley MBE. Ah, we get all the local celebs down at the Farm these days.

THe Stiffs go Raiders-Ramming

Anyway, rather than go over the same ground, I can instead mention the rather more pleasant events unfolding simultaneously across the ditch where the Reserves entertained Viking Raiders in an ER County League Premier Division game.

It's unusual for the Stiffs to be asked to "slum it" on the Casuals' pitch - not that the surface is poor, indeed it's perhaps better than the main arena. No, it's the rather basic portacabin changing facilities and lack of showers which ensure not many games at this level are allowed to go ahead while the main changing block is otherwise engaged.

Packing 'em in across the Ditch

Still, Manager Medforth and his players will certainly be happy that this one took place. For after weathering some terrific pressure from the Goole side, the Reserves wrapped up a highly satisfying 2-0 victory courtesy of second half goals from Jimmy Dawson (whose cousin Billy had successfully boxed at Hull City Hall the previous night - a topic I discussed with the aforementioned Mr Whiteley) and Sam Mac.

When Casuals' assistant-boss DC rang to tell me of his side's fifth win in five, a superb 2-0 success at title hopefuls Shiptonthorpe, the pain of another early ERCFA Cup exit had dissipated.
Unfortunately though, not for long.

The grim realisation of another year without a trip to the KC.

Thankfully, the following morning's trip to Welwick helped lift the darkness. And the bacon butties were on their usual top form. The murky weather - quite disappointing for an event that is traditionally accompanied by warm sunshine - helped keep the crowds down slightly but there was still plenty to see and, more importantly, part with your cash for. Even I was persuaded to spend three quid on the Second Edition of the East Riding Dialect Dictionary - a "getherer's" (collector's) item if ever there was "yan"!

A bonus this year came in the threshing machine being put to use without the traditional hiccups; another followed in the forme of tea down at the Crown & Anchor, Kilnsea where the Timothy Taylor Landlord was "ageean fost rate" (eeh, that "beeak" (book) is already proving a superb acquisition).
All in all it was a very enjoyable day - and who needs a cup run anyway?

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Lance Corporal Jones will explain just how a thresher works...

On the beach

2011-10-15T00:06:00.001+01:00

Music For An East End 'Indian Summer'

Hull Fair is just around the corner, to be followed all-too-swiftly by the changing of the clocks, Halloween and Guy Fawks. Autumn is in the air and to mark the time of year, Great Newsome Brewery have brought out a "Back Endish Bitter". Long, dark nights are just around the corner...

Yet here we are, on the second day of October, sat on the beach at Spurn Point enjoying temperatures that for the fifth day in a row are approaching the mid-twenties.

Of course it's a bit late. For the second successive year we were told that we were set for a "barbecue summer". We got a "barbecue spring" instead. We're now being warned that within weeks of the recent heatwave temperatures are set to plummet to well below freezing. And we wonder why the weather forms such a big part of everyday conversation.
Given that we're having another "mad" year in terms of the weather, it was perhaps apt that two days prior to our day on "Spon 'ole" beach, I unearthed a gem of an old C60 cassette, compiled over twenty years ago and entitled "Mad Mix For A Mad Summer".
It provided the perfect soundtrack to an afternoon spent lounging in the garden catching some very unexpected late season rays.
From the track-listing I'm guessing I originally compiled it in the summer 1990. Most of the tracks thereon are from the two year period leading up to that year, with a few old classics thrown in for good measure.

As I played it again - for the first time in well over a decade - all manner of memories came flooding back and I was immediately transported to a different age. In particular I could feel the pull of a balmy spring evening on Hull's Beverley Road, strolling towards De Grey Street and the Adelphi Club where local faves The Penny Candles would have the regulars lapping up their fine if at times twee melodies - not too dissimilar to some of those you'll find on here...

Side 1
The Lotus Eaters - The First Picture of You (1983)
The Lightining Seeds - Pure (1989)
1000 Violins - A Place To Surf (1988)
Jay & The Americans - Got Hung Up Along the Way (1967)
Van McCoy - The Shuffle (1976)
The Primitives - Secrets (1990)
Inspiral Carpets - Find Out Why (198*)
1000 Violins - All Aboard The Lovemobile (1989)
The Ventures - Hawaii Five-O (1969)
The Soup Dragons - Hang Ten (1986)
The Wedding Present - It's Not Unusual (1989)

Side 2
The Wedding Present - Kennedy (1989)
The Primitives - Sick Of It (1990)
The La's - There She Goes (1988)
Jay & The Americans - Livin' Above Your Head (1966)
Bobby Goldsboro - It's Too Late (1966)
BOB - Convenience (1989)
The Driscolls - Julie Christie (1988) no link
The Sundays - Can't Be Sure (1990)
The Lightning Seeds - Joy (1989)

I maintained fairly comprehensive diaries around the time of these recordings and when flicking back through them I'm reminded just what a "lad about town" I was. In addition to sporting jaunts with City and Rovers, much of the working week was also taken up in the pubs and clubs of Hull. I really did use home as a hotel!

The Adelphi was one of several regular haunts - the others for gigs being Hull Uni and The Tower and I clocked up an impressive tally of live bands during the period covered by this tape, including many of those on it; clubbing was done at Spiders and the "New" Silhouette on Park Street - not forgetting the shortlived Thursday "Rock 'n' Roll Nite" at Gatsby's (under the Paragon Station Hotel).

I was young, earning and still living at home so there was money to spend on "socialising". In addition, losing Mum in April '89 also triggered a need to get out more, probably as an antidote to simply sitting at home to wallow in self-pity.

I seem to recall I'd intended this compilation as a sort of soundtrack to a new start as well as a new summer. A year on from bereavement and having just about survived the first Christmas without the full family, there was the need to finally move forward and the advent of summer always helps with that. Plus, there was a World Cup just around the corner. Little did I know at the time that Italia '90 would provide me with a level of excitement that I am perhaps unlikely ever to experience again if recent World Cup flops are anything to go by.

In short this little musical gem, discovered as part of one of my (in)famous "clear-outs", captures a part of my life that despite the tragedy preceding it, was one of real fulfilment. As the final track on it proclaims, "I never realized the joy til the joy was gone."
I wonder if in twenty years time somebody will be sat poring over some old iTunes they downloaded from the summer of 2011 and reflecting on that heatwave that lasted for, ooh, five days in late-September and accompanied an inglorious World Cup experience in another sport. Probably not.

Of course if I were to bring out an updated "Mad Mix" compilation now, I'd have to have this Tape Five corker on it - the perfect music to watch the sun go down over the Humber.
Now, where's that pint of Backendish Bitter...

'Awd Times' remembered

2011-10-08T11:58:00.003+01:00

From the Holderness Gazette 6th October...
Saturday 1st October
A trip down Memory Lane

It is hoped that a piece of local football history can be restored to its former glory some 57 years after it was last played for.

The South Holderness League Championship Shield was the third of three trophies originally competed for back in the days of the post-War competition, which ran from 1946 to 1954. It has been reunited with its former stable mates following its unearthing in a store room at Withernsea High School.

Two current employees at the school (and members of Easington United football club) Craig Foster and Phil Page came across the Shield but it was only on closer inspection that Craig realised he’d stumbled upon a piece of his own club’s history, a fact later confirmed by Richard Lusmore.

Richard, who is General Manager at Easington United as well as a member of the present South Holderness Cup Committee, already knew of the Shield from previous research into local football.

Donated by Robert Metcalfe (described in surviving Committee records as a local businessman and a director of Hull City AFC) it was originally awarded in 1949/50 to the new South Holderness League Division 2 champions. Patrington United ‘B’ were the inaugural winners.

When the League reverted to one division two years later, the trophy was renamed the Junior Shield and was competed for by the bottom six teams in the table. In this new format it was won by Easington in 1951/52 (when they shared it with Withernsea United) and then outright in 1953/54.

The 1954 final proved to be the last game ever played under the jurisdiction of the League, with the competition being dissolved the following summer as clubs opted to join the Hull-based Amateur, County and Church leagues.

Fittingly the Shield, which is in urgent need of repair, was on display at Easington’s Low Farm ground on Saturday, where two of the 1954 winning side - Arthur Piggott and Tom Robinson - took the opportunity to be pictured with it.

While neither man can remember much about the game itself, Arthur does recall the post-match celebrations: “We had a dance in the Church Hall the night we received our commemorative shields. I remember that because I was outside ‘legless’!”

For the record the final was played at Patrington and saw Easington beat Ottringham 2-1 in extra-time with goals from Bill Beadle and Brian Bromby. A match report appeared in the old Hull & East Yorkshire Times of 8 May, 1954:

“Easington last-minute goal wins shield”
Easington United snatched a dramatic goal with almost the last kick of extra-time in their match with Ottringham to win the South Holderness Junior Shield played at Patrington last Saturday. The rivals had been drawing 1-1 but Bromby, coming up from defence, kicked the ball hard and true to see it flash past the Ottringham defenders to land safely in the back of the net. Heavy rain during the course of the game made conditions difficult and the game, as a whole, never reached high standards.
Ottringham had the better of early exchanges and Robinson missed a chance of giving them the lead when he sliced his shot with only Cuthbert to beat.
Easington, however, were determined in their efforts and gradually wore down the opposition. Close on half-time Attenborough, the Ottringham centre-half, saved a certain goal when he headed off the line after the goalkeeper had been beaten.
Soon after the restart Easington had the ball in the back of the net but were given offside. Full time came with the score at 0-0.
In the 14th minute of extra-time, Dunn gave Ottringham the lead but Beadle put Easington on equal terms on the turn around.
Then Bromby scored the winning goal when a draw seemed certain. There was little to choose between the two sides but Easington got the goals.

The two other pieces of former South Holderness silverware are still in use and both are currently held by Easington. They are the South Holderness Challenge Cup, which has been competed for on an annual basis since 1956, and the old South Holderness League Championship Trophy (now the Holderness Cup Winners Cup) which is played for yearly between the winners of the aforementioned South Holderness Cup and its North Holderness Tanton Cup equivalent.

Long-time South Holderness Cup Committee member Arthur Brummitt has no idea how the Shield first came to be in possession of the school. However, he too is delighted that it has been saved from the scrapheap. With the School having kindly granted permission for the Shield to be handed back, the decision will now have to be made as to what the future holds for this magnificent artefact.

Photographs courtesy of Colin Brammer

Fun in the sun

2011-10-07T08:29:00.002+01:00

Saturday 1st October
East Riding Senior Country Cup R1
Easington United Reserves 3 Riccall United 1
ERCFL Div 5
Easington United 6 Withernsea Thirds 0

It's supposed to be October. Not only does that mean the start of long, dark nights and cold, murky mornings but it also usually coincides with an early exit from the East Riding County FA cup competitions for our three teams.

Well, in pretty much the same way that nobody thought to tell the weather we've moved on to autumn, somebody in our Stiffs' set-up forgot to read the preceived script when it came to their first round tie in the ERCFA Senior Country Cup tie. So as the Low Farm Faithful basked in the unseasonable temperatures, the red-hot Reserves romped to victory against their much fancied opponents.

Meanwhile, across the ditch, our third-string were putting it up their local rivals from Withernsea big-time. Six unanswered goals ensuring a fourth straight win and the Casuals' best ever start to a County League campaign. All-in-all it's what Saturdays were made for.

"You've only come to watch the Riccall"

As soon as the draw for the opening round of the Senior Country Cup threw up a tie against Riccall, I decided to eschew whatever fixture the First Team might have that same day. As it was, lack of The Pistol and his Riding School Express again for the trip to Yorkshire Main ensured I would not be Edlington-bound.

The village of Riccall lies just north of Selby and 9 miles south of York. Despite its location in what is now North Yorkshire, "it is historically part of the East Riding". Hence its football club, Riccall United, enters the East Riding County FA cup competitions.
Riccall was the site of the base camp of Harold Hardrada, the Norse king who landed on the banks of the River Ouse in 1066 as part of his ill-fated attempt to wrestle the throne of England.

One for Wilky

Riccall United Football Club was founded in 1919 with a Junior section added some ninety years later. They boast a long history of success in all competitions including the aforementioned East Riding cups. (Unfortunately their club website is in desperate need of updating - something manager Liam Bradley said was "in hand" when I spoke to him ahead of the game).Among the ERCFA Cup wins are two in the Senior Country competition, 1974/75 and 2009/10. Last season they reached the semi-finals. They thumped us 4-0 en route (the same margin of victory as achieved on their only previous trip to Low Farm - en route to a place in the 1997/98 ERCFA Junior Country Cup Final). In 2008/09 they lifted the ERCFA Intermediate Country Cup. In short, Riccall do not exit County Cup competitions early doors...until now.

I'd produced a programme for the game. I don't usually bother for the Reserves or indeed the Casuals but saw this as an opportunity to try and attract new customers as it were. Not sure I succeeded. No matter, the Stiffs did. You can read details of how here.

For once Riccall's cup run ends before it has begun...

Meanwhile, on the famous "Pitch Across The Ditch", the Casuals were intent on maintaining their one hundred per cent start to the ER County League Division 5 campaign against Withernsea, a side they'd lost to pre-season. Hmm.
They say revenge is a dish best served cold don't they? Well it was anything but as the Seasiders were effectively put to the sword before half-time.

That'll be in then

Twice inside the first half-hour we heard cheers from across the ditch, both times seeing the teams form-up again ready to kick-off after a goal for the team in white. Therefore it was a pleasant surprise moments later when a supporter wandering across from the Casuals game in search of a cuppa informed us it was actually 4-0 to the locals.
However, more amusing was the reply from the first guy I'd asked for an update, some twenty minutes earlier:

"What score is it over there mate? Are we one up?"

"We aren't playing mate, it's Patrington v Withernsea over there."

"Er, no, it's our Casuals v Withernsea...'Patrington Garage' are the shirt sponsors."

"Oh, right. Well, yeah, we're winning one-nil then."

Excellent stuff.

And so will that

And it got better - as you can read about here. Young 'Hoppy' the new goal scoring sensation took his tally to 11 in four games, prompting his manager to wager a bet already that nobody will pip him to the Golden Boot. Hmm, perhaps I ought to suggest to the Reserves manager that the youngster might be ready for the step-up...

A couple of pints of Tetleys were enjoyed in the Granby, washed down nicely by news of Nick Barmby's goal which sent the mighty Tigers back into the Championship top six. If Maccer wants to make small bets about his goal scorers, may I commit myself to one that sees big things ahead for Nigel Pearson's young charges?

Hope for the future

Unfortunately, the day wouldn't be a complete success. A final text from stand-in reporter Pete B brought confirmation of a solitary goal reverse for the Firsts at the pre-season title favourites.

I wouldn't let that get me down and as I sank a few bottles of fine ale at my old mucker Fuller's house (Badger's England's Gold, Wells Bombardier Burning Gold) it was safe in the knowledge that at least one of our teams would be in the hat for the second round of their very own "FA" cup.

To the beach tomorrow...it must be October!

Thanks to Burt Graham and Colin Brammer for the photos

Call of Duty 3

2011-10-06T21:25:00.000+01:00

Saturday 1st October
Official Reserves/Casuals Photograph 2011/12

Not perfect but a damn sight smarter than the First Team effort!

Easington's own Jeff Stelling

2011-09-30T23:13:00.001+01:00

Saturday 24th September
CML North
Bentley Colliery 1 Easington United 2
ERCFL Premier Div
Sculcoates Amateurs 4 Easington United Reserves 1
ERCFL Div 5
Brandesburton Academy 3 Easington United Casuals 6

Saturday was a first for Easington United Association Football Club as all three clubs went live on Twitter. Well, almost.

In truth, two out of three went live (I didn't have a mobile contact at the Casuals game).

Actually it was more one and a bit out of three (my lines of contact with the Reserves appeared to be affected by Scully's second-string's goals and referee Brett Foster's issue of cards!).

But at least the coverage from the First Team's first ever win at Bentley Colliery was comprehensive, given that I had Mozzer, Pete B and Burt on the case!

And so, in between cutting the grass and attending all those put-off jobs at home for the afternoon, I manned the mobile and updated the club's official twitter feed. And I enjoyed it immensely. No, honestly I did.

Can't wait to get back to some live action this week though...

Call of Duty 2

2011-09-30T22:57:00.000+01:00

Saturday 17th September
Official First Team Photograph 2011/12 - Take 2

That's better...er, who's that bloke snuck in at the back?

Call of Duty

2011-09-30T22:50:00.000+01:00

Saturday 17th September
Official First Team Squad Photograph 2011/12

Er, if I might just say, I'm not sure they were quite ready Burt?!

Five in a row

2011-09-30T22:45:00.007+01:00

Saturday 17th September
CML North

Easington United 1 Harworth Colliery Institute 1

It’s Saturday in the Slush house and the kitchen is a scene of mayhem. I’m preparing a light lunch for the family while enjoying one of three CDs that arrived through the door this morning. And as stunning Dutch vocalist Caro Emerald belts out ‘That Man’ from her mega-selling “Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor” the Elder Slushette and I cook up a dance routine straight from the Morecambe & Wise kitchen. It’s a sight to behold…but I suppose you had to be there…

It had been a big week for the Elder Slushette. Her first full week back at school also saw the return of Brownies (Monday) and Junior Youth Club (Wednesday) although that had to be sacrificed for the greater good this week – the greater good being the annual production from Verity Lee’s School of Dance at the nearby High School in Withernsea.

Entitled ‘Louder’, it was scheduled for Thursday and Friday, with a dress rehearsal on Wednesday; three late nights for our eldest daughter then. And three “fraught” days for her mother! But it all passed off swimmingly in the end.

I’d had a hectic week too. In addition to a visit from our leader at work, I was scheduled to attend two meetings connected to my extra-curricular activities as well as produce a match programme ahead of the visit of Harworth Colliery Institute. Still, at least I came into the week in good form…

A week earlier, news of the First Team’s fourth successive 1-1 draw – which ensured an unbeaten Saturday for all three of our teams - came through moments after I’d left the Granby bound for a party at friends. The pint of Tetley cask I’d managed to squeeze into a window of opportunity, between end of the Reserves game and the time I was expected at said party, tasted slightly sweeter thanks to news of Aaron McLean’s winning goal for El Tigres on his return to former club Posh.

The timing of the aforementioned soiree meant I had to pass up an invitation to watch Hull KR’s do-or-die play-off decider at home to Castleford. Instead, I had to keep popping outside and phone a friend for updates on the Robins’ nervy win. It was no consolation being told afterwards that it was one of the best games seen at Craven Park all year.

Given that the morning had begun with an opening (if unconvincing) success for England in the Rugby (Union) World Cup and Yorkshire’s cricketers had managed an all-too-rare win in the County Championship, it hadn’t been a bad day all round on the sporting front.

Fortified by a few “cheeky ones” and buoyed by the day’s successes, I was in just the right frame of mind and voice to fully partake of the ‘Last Night of the Proms’. I’m sure the neighbours appreciated it. Ahem.

Baby Chav completed his move to CML rivals Westella & Willerby during the week. For all the criticism he attracted from certain sections of the Low Farm crowd, I had a lot of time for Craig and was sorry to see him go. I said as much in the programme.

Thursday brought with it the final double-parter of The Killing on Channel 4. Although panned in some quarters as a poor substitute for the Danish original, I’d found it very watchable and was as convinced as anyone I knew the perpetrator of Rosie Larsen’s murder. I was therefore sitting feeling very smug when Councilman Darren Richmond was hauled off to jail, allowing Detective Linden to finally board that plane for California...only for the final twist in the tail to set the scene for “Season Two2 to follow next year. Goddammit!

The end of one cop show was followed by the start of another as ITV launched its new DCI Banks series on Friday. Brilliant. I’ve become an avid fan of Peter Robinson’s Yorkshire Dales-based hero since stumbling upon him following ITV’s previous dramatisation last year. I’m four books into Robinson’s **** mysteries involving the ex-Met man thrust into a new life “oop north”. Incidentally, the author himself was in town this week, as fellow guest alongside the BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew at a literary lunch at the Willerby Manor. I didn’t go.

But I did manage to get to “Louder” and thoroughly enjoyed it too. As did the Elder Slushette who certainly makes up for any lack of finesse with a bundle of enthusiasm!

And so to Saturday and another entertaining affair in the CML North. A day that began in inauspicious fashion - courtesy of the works printer going "kerfunkenschaften" (as I believe they may say in Germany) after just 16 match programmes - threatened to end that way as Tom Pick's 53rd minute goal for Harworth looked like being the winner.
But then with just six minutes left, Nicho latched onto a ball over the top and lashed home an equaliser. 1-1. For the fifth successive game.
If I was a proper blogger I'd tell you all a bit about our opponents, Harworth Colliery Institute, rather than just directing you to their website (which, incidentally, appears more angled towards their Under-19 setup). However, I'd like to save that for the away game. Suffice to say I bet I'm not the first person who actually thought we were entertaining a South Yorkshire side - before I read Christopher Rooney's informative Nottinghamshire Football site. Anyway, I'm not a proper blogger, so I won't.
Instead I'll direct you to a full report of the match, which can be found here and Colin Brammer's excellent pictures from it, which can be found here.
As for me, I'm out of here.

Top picture courtesy of Burt Graham, the other two courtesy of Colin Brammer

Steaming

2011-09-23T00:18:00.037+01:00

Saturday 10th September
ERCFL Premier Div
Easington Utd Reserves 4 Beverley Town Reserves 3
ERCFL Div 5
Easington Utd Casuals 5 Howden AFC Thirds 3

The kids went back to school last week. You could hear the collective cheers of thousands of parents (mainly mums) around the East Riding and beyond.

Just prior to the Slushettes' return on the Wednesday (which it would appear was at least a day behind every other school in the country) we shot off up the coast for a final family "mini-break" of the year - sandwiched in-between the draw with Clipstone and the Moverley Memorial win of course.

What do you mean it's cold?!

Scarborough was our eventual destination on the Sunday, with a nice stop-off at Flamborough thrown in for good measure. Despite the temperature being a few degrees cooler and conditions much cloudier than the previous afternoon, it didn't deter the Slushettes from finding much to amuse them in the small part of beach left by an incoming tide.

Having completed the testing ascent back up to the cliff-top (you want to try carrying the Younger Slushette up however many steps it is!), we headed off to our "home" for the night, the Clifton Hotel in Scarborough.

Prime real estate

Owned by the English Rose group the Clifton had recently gone into administration, which is so sad when you see the place itself and, in particular, the superb location it commands overlooking North Bay.

After an enjoyable and very comfortable stay (although we did eschew breakfast in favour of the superb nearby Watermark Cafe) it was to Thornton-le-Dale and a rendezvous with "Grandma & Grandad Slush" for a trip aboard the Pickering to Whitby steam train.

A bloody good way to start the day

I'v had some cracking trips on these classic old coaches, setting off from the evocative surrounds of Pickering Station and heading off across the splendid North Yorkshire Moors through Levisham, Goathland and Grosmont. One particular snowy New Year's Eve trip stands out - it included copious amounts of Camerons Strongarm in 'The Adensfield Arms' of Heartbeat fame (or The Goathland Hotel to give it the proper title). Last year I'd bought Mrs Slush a seat on the NYMR's annual 'Murder Mystery' special, along with several friends and we all had an absolutely belting evening.

This latest trip was somewhat quieter but none the less enjoyable and following an hour's stop-off at the aforementioned Goathland it was on to Whitby.

"Won't that confuse the spotters?"

I love Whitby. I'm particularly fond of the way it manages to combine tourist destination, resort, fishing town and place of historic interest - not to mention home to numerous real ale hostelries. Not that I would get chance to sample any (the nearest I got was lookingly longingly at perhaps the best "Specials Board" I've ever seen...in the superb Hadleys Fish Restaurant).

A breezy trip into the bay aboard the Esk Belle II was followed by a hugely enjoyable musically nostalgic jaunt on Charlotte The Charabanc before, alas, it was time to head for the station and the start of the journey home. Work (and school!) awaited us on our return. Still, I had a football match to look forward to the following evening.
The last midweek game of pre-season (see previous blog post) always smacks of the end of summer to me. And the weather conditions that accompanied it certainly bore more than a hint of the oncoming autumn.

The best ride I've had in ages

Thursday brought news I'd feared but had expected - The Riding School Express was still off the road. There would be no Pistol for Dronfield. It appeared that we may also be short of players. The first weekend of the new East Riding County League season was threatening to be fraught with last minute selection headaches.

I smiled at Meddy's initial reaction. I had tried to warn the new 'Stiffs Supremo' in the summer that Second-string management was fraught with problems and you had to be extremely lucky to win anything with a Reserve team (as I was back in 95/96 when some, ahem, over-generosity from the then first team boss allowed my side to lift the County League Division 4 title in its first season!).

The Stiffs - packin' em in!

If Thursday set the alarm bells ringing, Friday signalled a full blown siren wail. Another late First Team drop-out had prompted another pull on the Stiffs' already stretched resources. At this point I imagined having a management resignation on my hands before the season's even started!

Thankfully, matters were eventually resolved and having met up with the First Team Skip in Patrington to ensure he set off for Derbyshire with the correct kit aboard his vehicle, I returned to the Farm to settle down for an afternoon of County League action.

Where there's Hope there's goals it would seem

Having the Reserves at home on the same day as the Casuals is a bit like having a "Red Button" at your disposal - which game shall I watch?
I opted initially for the "main feature" in which Beverley Town Reserves provided the Reserves' oppo in the Premier Division opener. Table-toppers for much of the 2008/09 season, the Beavers had lost out to Howden Amateurs in the championship play-off and had struggled to reach such heights since. Indeed, the previous campaign had seen them finish below us for the first time since promotion.

Town secretary Gary Proud is a fellow member of the League management committee and always good for a natter. As the game got underway we exchanged pleasantries and views on how both teams may shape up in the coming weeks.

The optimism I expressed appeared justified as first the returning Shane Keyworth then 'Thommo' put us two goals to the good.

However, before the break Beverley - who lost their goalkeeper with injury on the half-hour (extending what Gary explained had been a terrible run of injuries through pre-season) - gained a foothold in the game. It set the tone for what was to follow.

A Casual affair

I'd actually missed our second and Town's first due to popping across the ditch to catch-up with the Casuals.

Arriving at this one with Chairman in tow, we found the sides all square at one apiece. That soon changed. Within minutes of taking up our place on the "home" touchline, new boy "Hoppy" had scored goals two and three of a debut hat-trick. Impressive stuff.

It must be said that the Howden defence looked dreadful. When confirming the game their secretary had told me, "Their (the players) enthusiasm perhaps exceeds their ability". It certainly looked that way - particularly at the back. "Hoppy" set up Kris Akam for 4-1 before completing a memorable first 45 minutes league action for the Ezzie by bagging his own fourth before the break.

5-1, game surely won and time to pop back for a coffee and the Stiffs' second half. But what's this? Just as we left a quite entertaining bout of handbags erupted in the far corner, which soon involved three or four players from both sides. The young referee quickly calmed things down before issuing...a yellow card to each of the main protagonists! As Tommy Trinder would no doubt have said, "You lucky people!"

Could go far this lot...Goole, Beverley, Little Weighton...

The second half of the Reserves game proved hugely entertaining, with the Stiffs never quite able to convert their undoubted superiority into enough goals to shake off the resilient Beavers. In the event, Shane's second and a goal from returning strike partner Jimmy Dawson helped secure a 4-3 win.

With the Casuals holding on to record a 5-3 success following a "below-par" second half performance over the ditch (and another spot of handbags, this time between two members of the same "enthusiastic" Howden team!) it had proved an enjoyable first afternoon for the thirty-odd spectators dotted between both games. Next up for both teams were two tricky-looking away games. We'd perhaps know more about their prospects after these...

H.A.P.P.Y.

2011-09-10T07:45:00.007+01:00

Tuesday 6th September
Barney Moverley Memorial Trophy
Easington United Reserves 2 Roos AFC 1

According to a survey published at the beginning of the week, Yorkshire is "the happiest place in the United Kingdom". Apparently almost six in ten people living in the Broad Acres are happy with their lot, compared to a national average of 50 per cent.
Hmm, those questioned are obviously not big fans of Yorkshire County Cricket Club then!
The Tykes went into their final Championship game of the season with only the slimmest mathematical chance of avoiding relegation to Division 2. And this only a year after coming into the corresponding fixture with genuine hopes of the title. Where did it all go wrong?
None of us discussing the matter at a blustery Low Farm on Tuesday evening had the answer. But we knew something - had the people at Mintel asked this particular bunch of Yorkshiremen whether we felt "happy" to be inhabitants of God's County at this precise moment they may have struggled to find one never mind six. There's not many times it feels a burden to be associated with the White Rose but September 2011 is certainly one of them.

It would certainly appear more advantageous to be associated with the new White Shirts of Easington at the moment! Having been used to good effect by the First Team to earn results against Welbeck and Kinsley, the same uniform would accompany Stiffs' boss Danny Medforth's claim of a first piece of silverware.

The Stumo heads us ahead

Okay, so the annual Barney Moverley Memorial trophy fixture against a side from two divisions below in the league is by no means the Champions League of East Riding or even Holderness football. But it's a start. And against this particular Roos side, it was bloody hard-earned.
Now in its seventh year, this pre-season fixture was set up in memory of the former Youth Leader, local politician and all-round larger-than-life figure whose connections with both villages remain strong.

Perhaps not surprisingly given the gap in status, the trophy has previously come our way on five of the six meetings. However, aside from once, the game has been keenly contested and this was to be the case again on this occasion. Indeed, Roos could count themselves very unfortunate to be going home empty-handed.

Given that it was his last chance to cast an eye over players beofre the season starts at the weekend, it was perhaps not surprising that Meddy opted to use EIGHTEEN players. Not only did this involve a near farcical use of substitute options, particularly second half when it became increasingly hard to see who was on and who wasn't, but it also put considerable strain on our kit resources (which was quite embarrassing given my recent criticism of Hall Road Rangers on such matters!).

That'll be one all then

As it was I only arrived some ten minutes before the break but still in time to find a far from happy Reserve team boss chuntering about how poor his side had been. Having taken an early lead from a Stumo header, not only had the Stiffs gifted their opponents an equaliser ("Stef tried doing a Cruyff turn in his own penalty area" allowing Sam Huteson to set up Matty Dixon for 1-1) but the visitors had then enjoyed much the better of things up to the break. "Woody's kept us in it" said a clearly unhappy Meddy. This was going to be the first half-time bollocking he'd yet had to deliver.
The second half proved more even, with Roos finding it as difficult to play with the wind behind them as we had done. Chances came at either end, with Woody's feats at one end being matched by those of Danny Collinson (Roos keeper and skipper of Patrington CC, newly-crowned East Yorkshire Cricket Alliance Premier Division champions for the second successive season) at the other.

The right Price

With barely two minutes left, young Radley - perpertrator of that costly first half mistake - created the opening from which Josh Price marked his "debut" with the winner. The trophy was ours; the plaudits were theirs.
Both teams retired to the Granby where England put us through the mill again, limping to victory over Wales just days after suggesting renewed hope via their win in Sofia. Another set of white shirts earning a rather fortuitous result perhaps?

The first of many?

As for Manager Medforth, he was far better humour than had been the case at half-time. And despite news of impending absentees for the weekend's opening league game which, coupled with First Team withdrawals and the obvious knock-on effect, were about to bring home the harsh realities of second team management, for the moment he was another of those six in every ten happy Yorkshiremen.

Thanks to Colin Brammer for the pictures

Take Hart

2011-09-09T06:58:00.001+01:00

Saturday 3rd September
CML North

Easington United 1 Clipstone Welfare 1

It's becoming increasingly difficult to "blog" about our home games without simply going over the same ground (no pun intended) as is already covered on the official club website. Therefore, apart from saying that Saturday's fixture against second-placed Clipstone Welfare was...

(a) our first ever against the Nottinghamshire side

(b) the long-awaited first airing of the full new First Team strip

and (c) another very encouraging performance

...there's really not that much to add.

A full match report can be found here and Colin Brammer's excellent photos from the game here.

A busmans (Bank) Holiday

2011-09-09T06:44:00.003+01:00

Saturday 27th August
CML North

Glapwell 1 Easington United 1

Monday 29th August
CML North

Kinsley Boys 1 Easington United 1

When you've just about survived a hectic pre-season of meetings, training sessions and matches the one thing you hope for is that the fixture schedule is kind to you once the "serious stuff" gets underway. Two away games over the Bank Holiday weekend is NOT what was required for peace and harmony in the Slush family household.
To compound things, The Pistol's usually reliable Riding School Express was off the road, we had a distinct lack of willing drivers and, even more worryingly, for the second of the two games we were also faced with a chronic player shortage!
But we came through it all unscathed. I think.

Our first destination was Glapwell, the Derbyshire village of some 1,500 residents situated between Chesterfield and Mansfield.

It’s a place I’ve visited previously in order to attend Central Midlands League general meetings, held in the local Community Centre, also home to Glapwell Parish Council – more of which later.

Up until the end of last season, the local football club were proud members of the Northern Premier League. Not anymore.

According to the club website, football in the village originally came on the back of the local colliery. When this closed in 1974, the community had to wait until 1985 for its first taste of the game at a senior level, with the formation of Glapwell FC, thanks largely to the “infectious ambition of local businessman Roger Caton and his wife Ellen”.

Success, first in the now-defunct Sutton & Skegby League then the Central Midlands League eventually brought promotion to the Northern Counties East League in 1996/97.

The Derbyshire CFA Senior Cup was lifted in 1997/98 and was followed two years later by promotion to the NCEL Premier Division. Glapwell finished runners-up to Goole and were also beaten in the final of the NCEL Cup.

"Dear Mrs Slush, I know you think it cruel that I've abandoned you this Bank Holiday..."

Several ups and downs were experienced in the NCEL top-flight before 2007/08 yielded a runners-up spot and with it promotion to the Unibond (Northern Premier) League South. The second season therein saw Glapwell narrowly miss out on promotion to the Premier Division when they were beaten 0-1 by Staffordshire club Chasetown in the Play-offs.

It was then that off-the-field events took precedence. An agreement to share Mansfield Town’s Field Mill ground for 2010/11 was curtailed when the Stags were locked out of their home at Christmas. The subsequent return to Hall Corner was not without its own problems, however, and at the end of the season, an ongoing dispute over the licence of the ground prompted Glapwell to resign from the League and drop down to Step 7 for the current campaign.

Despite the fallout from such a move – wholesale changes at management and playing level being just one of them – it was a fairly upbeat welcome that greeted our arrival on a sunny August afternoon. Perhaps the hosts felt they were in for a repeat of their most recent outing against East Riding opposition - a 6-3 win over Hutton Cranswick in which the hosts had led 6-1 at the break!

Hopes of a smooth operation were hampered by warning from our hosts that the ground faced an 11am pitch inspection following heavy overnight rain. Pitch inspection. In August. Someone was having a laugh...weren't they?
Thankfully, on arrival in Patrington I was informed by phone that all was now well and the game was on.
Considering we were without The Pistol (or perhaps because of this?!) our journey down was near flawless; our fleet of five cars arriving more or less in convoy a good hour and a half prior to kick-off.

"One day son, this will all be yours..."

Ushering the players out onto the pitch for a first feel (although only where the rather officious groundsman would allow them to go) I embarked on the task of laying out the day’s kit. Today this involved unveiling the new First Team home shirts, as sponsored by Holderness Tyre Services Ltd following their success in the first ever Eastenders kit sponsorship raffle.

Unfortunately, Glapwell’s black and white home colours meant no airing for the full strip and instead I’d been forced to dip into the old green shorts and socks to avoid clashing. It actually didn’t look a bad combo when put together. Kit porn indeed.

The kit sorted and team sheet written, the smell from the nearby barbecue hut determined where I headed next. Two and a half squid bought me the tastiest of burgers, although there was a considerable feeling of guilt moments later when the very affable Glapwell club sec, Debbie, pointed Burt and me in the direction of the “Boardroom” where a decent hospitality spread had been provided for us. Oops. Still, we did our best to make inroads into it.

Unfortunately printer problems (what are they?!) meant no match programme although I was assured that one could follow on by post…er, I'm still waiting Debbie!?

Skip & Frosty (left) look on as Brett (right) perfects his "Thractor Dance"

Hall Corner is a neat little ground although without the sort of small main stand one would perhaps expect at this level. All the amenities are situated at one end, with both sides offering a limited amount of covered seating and/or terracing.

The pitch itself seemed to slope down from both goalmouths towards the centre-circle, giving it an almost bowl-like air.

From casting my eye around the place just prior to kick-off, it was safe to assume that Glapwell versus Easington hadn’t caught the local public’s imagination. A conversation at half-time with a member of the club’s backroom staff convinced me that Manchester United could have been at Hall Corner that afternoon and the club would still have struggled to pull a crowd in. “Nobody in the village supports us” was the complaint; most of the twenty-strong crowd “come up from Bolsover or Shirebrook”. A sad state of affairs indeed when there is this facility in which to watch a decent standard of football.

Nobody appeared too keen to go into details regarding the current impasse between the club and the Parish Council, owners of Hall Corner, but it’s clear that those involved with Glapwell FC feel very let down by those they feel should be supporting one of the village’s major assets. Hmm, rings a few bells that.

I can't believe the pitch slopes that much!

As to the game itself, well, the major details are recorded here. Suffice to say it was entertaining fare with Gav’s early goal being quickly cancelled out by Yogi Depasse’s equaliser following an awful Chav error.

Both sides went on to have good opportunities to win the game, especially when things really opened up after home defender Jamie Goodacre saw red for a foul on Frosty. But it was Charlie who was called upon most in the dying moments. At the final whistle the view was that this had been a good point, well earned.

Whilst appreciative of having a clubhouse within the confines of the ground, one usual drawback is that such places seldom stock real ale. There was to be no pleasant surprise at Hall Corner. No matter; I settled for a shandy before we bade our farewells at just before six o’clock. I was back in Easington before eight. Part one of the weekend had been a success.

For you Mr Goodacre, the game is over...

My "Brownie Points" quota was bolstered by Sunday's participation in the annual East End Bogie Race, which formed part of the local Youth Club's Fun Day held to mark its 50th anniversary.

I formed part of the "Grumpy Awd Men" quartet, along with two other Ezzie Committee men and "man for a day" Carol, wife of the Groundsman. Age ensured we were never going to win the race but a first prize in the seniors best costumes category cushioned that particular blow.

As I returned home that evening, following an enjoyable session in The Neptune's beer garden (only Tetley Cask but on decent form) I picked up several messages from the Mack which suggested we would not be at full strength for the trip to Kinsley Boys. Indeed, we'd be some way from it. Not what I wanted to hear.

Having arranged the logistics around a lift to Hedon and a hop-in with the Chavmobile from there (accompanied by the Elder Slushette - a Bank Holiday bargaining tool) I arrived at the Embassy rendezous on Hedon Road to find I was the only one who had the faintest idea of where exactly we were heading. A second worrying development to accompany that of lack of players...
I must confess I made a bit of a pig's ear of getting the four cars to the Wakefield Road venue but at least our 12 noon departure ensured we were still there in good time despite a tour of most of the amateur rugby league grounds of West Yorkshire!
Kinsley Village football club began life in 1962 in the Fitzwilliam U18s League. Exactly when the name changed to Kinsley Boys isn't apparent from the otherwise informative history section of the club's website. However, it is apparent that they are a club with a proud tradition and no shortage of honours.

An afternoon away with the Boys

Their ground is affectionately known as the "Cabbage Patch". That term was not the first to spring to mind when the lads ventured onto a bone-hard, bobbly playing surface just before two o'clock that Monday afternoon. This was going to be a game in which you couldn't trust your first touch (I had a career of those).
In Mack's absence, Nicho promoted youngster Jordan Hart from the Reserves to making his full debut. He informed the teenager as part of a fairly rousing talk delivered shortly after arrival. Lord only knows what his pre-match pep talk was going to be like if that was just his "quiet word before you get changed"!
But we needed to be psyched up. Kinsley are among the favourites for honours in CML North although they would have to improve on Saturday's 4-4 home draw against struggling Harworth if they're to stake a realistic claim for the title.
From a chat over a cuppa with genial home secretary Andrew, I soon learned that the hosts were also depleted for today's clash. But how depleted? And how would our relatively inexperienced line-up cope with (a) big, uncompromising opposition; (b) the pitch and (c) a sizeable home crowd that didn't give the impression of being anything but totally partisan? I needn't have worried.

Ah. Not the start we were hoping for!

Things didn't look great when skip for the day Blounty gifted Kinsley an early opener but gradually we came more into things and Frosty deservedly levelled matters right on half-time.
With a strengthening wind in our faces, the second half soon became Alamo-esque with Charlie being called upon for a second game in succession to preserve parity. Further details can be found here.
A decent crowd seemd to be engrossed in the game as much as I was. Or at least that's what I thought until one bespectacled spectator came by me to return a match ball recently hoofed into the adjoining car park: "Two poor teams these", he said, "Makes me want to get my boots back aht an' ahm 40. Reet set o'wankers aht 'ere!" The fact that he looked like he'd never kicked a ball in his life made the quote even more amusing. Perhaps you had to be there...
The final whistle brought a huge sigh of relief from Nicho, and no doubt pride at a job well done. Two points from two away games in three days is not to be sniffed at at this level. I was happy - I'd had a good Bank Holiday!

Pictures courtesy of Burt Graham (Glapwell) & Paul Kingston (Kinsley Boys)

Looking down on things

2011-09-06T22:54:00.063+01:00

Monday 22nd August
Friendly

Easington Utd Reserves 4 Hall Road Rangers U20 1

Thursday 25th August
Friendlies

Withernsea Reserves 2 Easington United Reserves 7

Withernsea Thirds 6 Easington United Casuals 4

One of the good things about this busiest time of year - pre-season - is the chance it affords to catch up with our "other two teams". And the week leading up to the August Bank Holiday allowed me to do just that.

Having kicked-off their pre-season with a home win over HPL side St Andrews, the Reserves had been forced to wait for their next outing while new manager Meddy enjoyed a family holiday in the Florida sun.

Thus a schedule of four matches in two weeks had been arranged to enable him and incoming coach Lee to decide on who would be figuring when the "serious stuff" starts on 10th September (in the event, one of these - the away trip to Bridlington Town's new Academy side - would fall by the wayside).

First up for the Stiffs (and first chance for me to see them live) was Lee East's Hall Road Rangers U20s, members of the newly formed East Riding CFA Under-21 league competition. As one of only four semi-professional clubs in the area, Hall Road Rangers have pedigree and their start to life in this year's NCEL Premier Division would suggest manager Billy Heath is on course to repeat the sort of success he enjoyed up the coast at Bridlington.

As such, it was thought the Under-20s would consist of some of the East Riding's brightest young talent and therefore provide a decent test for Meddy's men. They did.
What perhaps wasn't expected was something of a ragtag and bobtail look in the kit department, which involved one of their number playing the full game in grey marl t-shirt (an obvious drawback of the "take your own kit home and wash it" policy).

As often the case for evening matches, I was a late arrival at Low Farm (accompanied by the Elder Slushette) but I got there just in time to see Frosty - again deputising between the sticks in the absence of a "regular" goalie - produce an absolutely stonking reflex to stop to preserve parity at 0-0.

The lone Ranger's choice of shirt is usurped only by our keeper's combo!

Returning Ezzie old boys Shane Keyworth and Jimmy Dawson were again leading the line for the Stiffs, accompanied tonight in a 4-3-3 line-up by yet another "prodigal son", Paul Wilkinson. There's some goals in that trio, I thought.
And true to form it was from one of them that we took a first half lead, Daws firing home at the second attempt. Chances would come and go before the visitors drew level on the stroke of half-time.
The second half wasn't quite as one-sided as the scoreline would suggest. In particular, both Andy Milbank and the aforementioned Wilks benefitted from "borderline" offside decisions at crucial times, with Shane's late goal (or was it an 'og'?) completing the 4-1 win.
Meddy again reiteretated that "there's nowt to this management lark" and whilst things will get decidedly more difficult once the league campaign gets underway, there is a growing feeling that the Stiffs are building a very competitive squad this term.

A goal on Wilks' return prompts much, er, indifference among the Faithful

This was reinforced three nights later at the Hull Road home of "rivals" Withernsea, where both our County League squads were matched up against the second and third strings of their Seasiders hosts.
I arrived in time to find us up in one, down in one and this is how the games would finish, albeit the "up" being somewhat more convincing.
Trying to combine watching both games with sorting out a suitable toilet for the Elder Slushette meant I missed out on some top quality goals. However, I did happen to stood directly in line behind young rising star Jordan Hart as he floated in a free-kick from 40 yards that somehow ended up in the home net.
As it was a pretty convincing 7-2 win was completed by the Reserves; Shane adding a hat-trick to his impressive pre-season tally, with partner Dawson and the aforementioned Hart baging a brace apiece.
As for the Casuals, a spirited rally from four goals down to 3-4 and then again at 4-5 couldn't avert eventual defeat by six goals to four. Still, I'm sure Maccer and assistant DC would take this in exchange for a repeat of last season's league double against the same opposition.
It would be back to the serious stuff come the weekend but for now I could rest assured that the future of the club looks in pretty good shape.

Thanks to Burt Graham for the photos

Wrong turn, white outcome...

2011-08-21T10:56:00.003+01:00

Saturday 20th August
CML North

Easington United 3 DFS Welbeck Welfare 0

It was one of the most relaxing Saturday's I'd known. The programme had been printed the night before, Mrs Slush had taken the Elder Slushette off to town for the day and the Younger daughter was a master of the ability to amuse herself without much input from Dad.

Thus, as Aggers and co described England's inexorable march at The Oval and the power of Twitter kept me abreast of events on a potentially season-defining day in the County Championship, I took in the warm August sunshine while reading David Starkey's passionate defence of his comments on what has become one of the most talked-about editions of Newsnight in recent times.
It was the calm before the, well, navigational storm if you like!

"They've ended up where?..."

Picture the scene if you can. It's 2.20pm that same Saturday afternoon, forty minutes before kick-off of our home game against Nottinghamshire side DFS Welbeck Welfare in the Central Midlands League North (note the last word!). I'm sat in our grandiosely titled Hospitality Area, chewing the fat with opposition secretary Graham Hall, when in comes visiting Coach (and manager-for-the-day) Chris Bennett, immediately followed by the three match officials, all looking somewhat perplexed.

"Slight problem gents" says the aforementioned Bennett. "(delete expletive) for brains Tom Chambers and (delete expletive) for brains (followed by two other names that escape me) have just rung to say they're near Sunderland. They're heading to the wrong Easington and won't be here until half past five..."

Then came the best bit: "...and they've got the kit!"

You couldn't make it up. And I haven't.

And so began a hectic half-hour of panic phone calls, rejigging colours and amending team sheets before football could begin - ten minutes late - but with another satisfactory outcome for the Farm Faithful.

If in doubt...point!

In the event our lads loved the mix-up as it allowed a first wearing of the new away strip, sponsored by the local Patrington Garage. It's white, well at least the shirts are, which as you can imagine has really pleased our laundry lady!

Gav proves he's all-white with his right an'all

Anyway, despite a stubborn effort from our visitors, the new kit was christened in winning style, courtesy of two Gav Thurkettle goals and a first for Jamie Hartley. Further details of the game can be found here.
You could say, it turned out all-white in the end...

Photos courtesy of Burt Graham

Gubbed

2011-08-20T08:57:00.004+01:00

Tuesday 16th August
CML North
Westella & Willerby 6 Easington United 0
Wednesday 17th August
Friendly
Easington Utd Casuals 0 Patrington FC 5

The morning after our opening win dawned bright and there was a definite spring in my step as I cruised through the normally onerous task of cutting the grass and strimming the edges.

The day got better, courtesy of an afternoon/evening spent in the company of friends at a nearby party as well as news of a first ever Super League win at Odsal for Rovers. As I retired for the night, even missing out on Matthew Rudd's Q Radio 80s show couldn't detract from what had been a first-rate weekend.

And there was so much to look forward to in the week ahead. Tuesday's first CML game under lights would see us travel to new "local rivals" Westella & Willerby, while on the same night The Tigers - buoyed by a first win of the season at the weekend - were at "strife-torn" Leeds. The following evening I'd have my first chance to catch sight of some of the new faces at the other end of our three-team set-up when Maccer's Casuals entertained Patrington in a friendly. And on Thursday there was a rare bit of national TV exposure in the offing for my adopted Scottish club Hearts as they entertained Spurs in the Europa League. I was almost giddy with anticipation...

The warning signs began to appear on Monday with news that both Blounty and Frosty were set to miss the 'Ella game. Two big players. Two big misses.

A trawl through the footy message boards set the next round of alarm bells ringing - City fans almost falling over themselves in predicting not only a comfortable away win at Elland Road but indeed the start of a long struggle against relegation for "TWS". I hadn't seen such over-confidence since Rovers' trip to play Hull at the KC Stadium in July 2010.

Thus there was a certain trepidation coming over me as along with Groundsman Brim and the Elder Slushette we headed off for the swanky new Sports Village facility at Bishop Burton College. Burnsy confidently predicting a good night for the Tigers on Radio Humberside's Sports Talk only reinforced my feeling that the night would hold some unpleasant twists...
Westella & Willerby were the third club in the East Riding to attain FA Charter Standard Community Club status. They did so in 2003 and now boast 23 teams.
Officially formed back in 1920, it's thought the club actually originates some ten or so years before that date.
The club were long-standing members of the East Riding County League, wherein they enjoyed success in the 60s. A lean period in the 70s was followed by a move towards youth development and it is the results of this that have been shown so strikingly in recent years.
Founder members of the Humber Premier League in 2000, 'The Friesians' (a nickname originally earned due to their traditional black & white kit and their founder's favourite breed of cattle) made the switch to the CML in 2008/09. Therein they gained promotion to the Supreme Division at the first attempt, finishing runners-up to Louth United.
Last season saw them in the mix for honours until a poor run-in evenutally cost them.

Despite having a spanking new(ish) facility at the Hill Top complex, 'Ella are unable to use it to accommodate their Central Midlands League side as the ground does not meet regulations. Thus, for the past three years they've "rented" grounds at Blackburn Sports in Brough and, since last season, Bishop Burton College.
And at first viewing, the venue looks impressive enough. A 4G pitch, two full-size grasspitches and all floodlit. Streamlined buildings housing a nearby gymn and the not so nearby changing rooms, with the pitches themselves bordered on one side by trees and barriered off by wooden fencing, giving them a rustic feel in keeping with the setting. Very nice - but at £3 entry, you'd perhaps want a bit more shelter come the winter months.
As it was a crowd in the region of 40 were present on a nippy late summer's evening to watch the first of the CML North Division's six East Riding "derbies". Unfortunately, this one was to prove something of a one-sided affair, as my official match report explains.
If events unfolding in front of them weren't disappointing enough for the large contingent of Ezzie folk present, those of us with Tiger tendencies also had to stomach regular depressing updates from Elland Road as City crashed to a 4-1 defeat. Bad Day at Black Rock sprang to mind!
Having the Elder Slushette with men meant I couldn't partake of the post-match hospitality on offer at the nearby pub, The Altisidora. Shame as I've know it have some fairly decent guest ales on whenever I've called before.
Instead, we headed straight home to the accompaniment of the usual morons who call Radio Humberside at times like this. Still, as bad as we were feeling, news of a 5-0 reverse for Grimsby Town in the Conference at Braintree put things into some sort of perspective.
The following evening it was a more laid back affair on offer at Low Farm where the Casuals entertained Sunday League side Patrington FC, a team that included several of our first and second-strings.
To their credit, Maccer's men gave a decent account of themselves up to the break and were a tad unlucky to walk off a goal down.
Unfortunately, the usual chopping & changing that accompanied friendlies meant a more disjointed Casuals display after the break and only some desperate defending and a string of excellent stops from the new triallist keeper kept the score down.
But if I thought that Wednesday would see the last of my week of drubbings I was mistaken. No sooner had I parked myself in front of ITV4 the following evening, cushions plumped, glass charged and the first strains of, "H-E-A...R-T-S" ringing round the living room than Spurs had put this Europa League tie to bed. A second 5-0 home defeat in as many nights. Just what had I done to deserve this?

Thank Gav for that!

2011-08-20T08:49:00.005+01:00

Saturday 13th August
CML North
Easington United 3 FC 05 Bilsthorpe 2

A red line. An annoying red line, running the full length of every page towards the back end of the programme. If that wasn't frustrating enough, the soundtrack to the hour or so spent copying them was the internet commentary of the Dullers strolling to an all-too-easy victory over Les Catalans in Super League.

It was Friday night. Friday. Night. At one time - admittedly many moons since - I wouldn't have been anywhere other than in a public house on a Friday night. And even though those times have gone, I still wouldn't normally be seen anywhere near my place of work at such a time.

But here I was, shuttling between two deserted offices, taking freshly printed copies of our superb (even if I say so myself) 2011/12 match programme from the printer in one and collating them in another. Yes, dear reader/supporter/player, this is the sort of commitment I currently give to Easington United Association Football Club. Sad b______d.

As such, to have the finished copy carrying such an unsightly "scar" running through every issue really did leave me in something of a foul mood ahead of our season's opener the following day.

Thank Gav it didn't last.

In our short time in the CML FC 05, or FC 05 Bilsthorpe to give them their new, official moniker, have become something of a bogey side for us. Three draws and a defeat in our four meetings thus far, meaning we had something to go at on a fine summer afternoon at the Farm.

Personable manager Neil Whitten and his lads were there in good time, enabling us to exchange many a pleasantry prior to kick-off. Meanwhile, the new-look management set-up clicked into gear, with Nicho putting the lads through their paces, while Mack and Ian went to work plotting an opening day win.

To add to my dissatisfaction with the programme, our new kit was also taking that bit longer to arrive than first hoped. Therefore, the trusty old Gazette number was once again laid out - to universal disapproval from the boys!

Our opponents were also unhappy with our colours - a potential clash had meant they too were donning a historic number (or "shit kit" as such items are generally referred to by players who believe they deserve better).

And so, at 1.55pm on Saturday, 13th August 2011 the players of Easington United and FC 05 Bilsthorpe emerged from the changing rooms to make their debut in the new Black Dragon North Division of the (Provisional) Step 7 Central Midlands Football League. Ooh, what a mouthful.

Never mind AG's header, Farny's down...penalty ref!

Unfortunately, for 45 minutes, it was difficult to interpret what we were watching as something "new". As our lads huffed and puffed against well-organised opponents, a fairly turgid goalless half unfolded; with the notable exception of Frosty striking the bar, Chav missing a(nother) penalty and the problems caused by the visitors' new-look striking duo of Black and Prudance.

Half-time brought many of the healthy-sized opening crowd to the Tea Hut, where Judy began her nine-month-long impersonation of Private Hook fedning off the Zulus at Rorke's Drift. Not surprisingly the main topic of conversation appeared to be the penalty. I hoped this wouldn't be so at the end of ninety minutes.

Oops!

Thankfully it wasn't. Further details of the action can be found here but, suffice to say, an entertaining second half was capped by a sublime winner from the boot of Gav. In keeping with the quality that had gone before? Probably not. Harsh on the visitors? Perhaps. A good 3pts to win? Oh yes.

As I waited to settle up with our three match officials, news of the 3pts that Super Matty Fryatt had earned for The Tigers at Portman Road further fuelled the "feel good factor", as did a fine pint of Tetleys in the Granby.

It was just after 6pm when I arrived home, to be greeted by Mrs Slush, the Younger Slushette and a fish supper courtesy of Newton's of Patrington. The unsightly red line on the programme was a distant memory. Fish & Chips and 3pts at football. Ee, life doesn't get much better than this...

Thanks to Burt Graham for the pictures

A Sunday stroll

2011-08-19T00:31:00.010+01:00

Sunday 7th August - "The 20/20 Vision Walk"

I like walking. In years to come when the Slushettes have flown the nest and Mrs Slush and I are looking for ways to spend a weekend (outside the football season of course!) I'd like to think we'll don our boots and rucksacks and head off to explore on foot some of the beautiful countryside this country has to offer. With the prize of a pint or two of real ale available at journey's end of course.

In the meantime, events like this year's Club sponsored activity help sate my appetite for the great outdoors, albeit briefly.

Two years after we assembled in Market Weighton for the start of the "Million Metre Meander", a smaller but similarly committed group of walkers (and one runner) met at the Country Park Inn, Hessle for another stroll along part of the Wolds Way.

As with the previous walk (and ideed the "Hugging The Coast Bike Ride" of a year prior to that) proceeds from the exercise were to be split between club funds and a worthy cause of our choosing. For 2011 this was the Emily's Computer Appeal, set up in aid of Leven teenager Emily Bickerton who suffers from a genetic disroder known as Rett Syndrome.

As Emily's site explains, our thunder had been slightly stolen by news that the family's initial appeal target had already been reached. This could have made things quite embarrassing given the publicity we'd already attached to it. Thankfully, a quick chat between Fozzy and the Bickerton family and we had a new goal - to purchase one of the special stands which would enable the Tobii Eyegaze system to be sited at Frederick Holmes School without all the hassle of moving the one from Emily's home.

A slight hiccup on the funding front was not the only thing. Patrington Cricket Club's clinching of a place in the Trident Cup Final and the unexpected early arrival of Kev Appleyard's second daughter meant both organisers were now scheduled to be away on the day of the walk!

In the event, thirteen of the original party were available for duty on the official date, with another six or seven pencilled in for a second date of Bank Holiday Monday, 29th August.

It was cool and dark as we assembled in the shadow of the Humber Bridge ahead of our venture. Start time was 11.05am with an anticipated finish of "about tea-time".

Off we set with "Litvinenko" lookalike Smalley, who'd opted to run the route, soon disappearing into the distance...to return a few moments later: "I can't remember whether I've locked me car!"

Aside from a mix-up in North Ferriby, where the high tide meant the planned stroll along the low water path to join Long Plantation had to be aborted, the walk proved largely uneventful and very enjoyable. The Beverley Twenty, as it is known, from Hessle to the Minster taking in Welton and Skidby en route, is a long-established walk and it's easy to see why it's so popular.
"Moderate" seems a fair description given a few steady climbs along the way. However, aside from the inconvenience of crossing the A63 and the reported existence of a "troublesome" bull near Model Farm, there really is little to spoil one's enjoyment of this particular stroll.
Not that the weather didn't have a go. Several squally showers did their best to dampen spirits, particularly around Skidby. However, all this did was force us to seek temporary refuge in the Half Moon where a very nice pint of Copper Dragon Golden Pippin was quaffed while perusing the amount still left to cover.

In not the only improbable-looking sight of the day, as we set off again for part two of the walk one member of the group - Pasha - decided to partake of an ice cream from possibly the smallest ice cream van in the East Riding...and in steadily increasing drizzle!
Thankfully, the rain had stopped by the time we neared journey's end. Indeed, when the Minster came into view it was amid the beginnings of a fine summer's evening. We arrived at its doors at 5.27pm, which allowing for the half-hour spent in the pub and the number of five-minute supply stops taken en route, meant we'd completed the actual walk in just over five-and-a-half hours which wasn't bad going at all. I later learned that Smalls had covered the route in just over three hours. Top effort.

After the obligatory photocall we retreated to the Monks Walk where a couple of pints of Black Sheep passed my lips. Nice. Due to a mix-up on the logistics front, I was able to follow this with a fine The Young Rev (Brains) offering in The Green Dragon and a superb Tunnel Vision (Box Steam Brewing Co) in the Hare & Hounds at Burstwick. A cracking way to end a cracking day.

A photo record of the walk can be found on the official club website.

Back from the brink

2011-08-19T00:28:00.002+01:00

Friday 5th August - Holderness Cup Winners Cup Final
Hornsea Town 2 Easington United 3 (After Extra Time)

So, you plan a game so as to avoid the opening fixture of the "proper" football season (i.e. City's first match in The Championship), smile when that first fixture is an attractive looking home game against relegated Blackpool, then "bloody Sky" go and shift it to the same date as your aforementioned match. Grrrr.

Having got over that initial frustration, you find that the venue you've originally selected for your game (which is deemed of decent distance between both teams so as to be able to be called "home" by our opponents whilst still being easily accessible for you) is made available only on condition that you prepare it yourselves! Double Grrrr.

Finally, you're then told by a member of one of the committees responsible for your game that you can't actually play it as your opponents' participation in it has been called into question by other parties. Triple Grrrr.

You're confused aren't you? Well then, in a rather large nutshell...

Who needs Hull City v Blackpool?

The Holderness Cup Winners Cup is the meeting of the South Holderness Cup and Tanton Cup winners. It takes place annually as part of pre-season and, even in its relatively short life, has already established a reputation for being a bit of a "last minute job" arrangements-wise!
This year I therefore decided to grasp the nettle (given that our participation in it meant it would have a bearing on our whole pre-season schedule) and fix a date for early August that would avoid a clash with the Tigers. That was Mistake Number One.

Secondly, as there had been no Tanton Cup competed for at the end of the 2010/11 season (for reasons we won't go into) it was automatically assumed that Hornsea Town - as holders of not only the Tanton Cup from the previous year but also the Holderness Cup Winners Cup by virtue of their 2010 win over Hedon Rangers - would be our opponents. That was Mistake Number Two.

And finally, given the fact it was the turn of north Holderness to host the fixture and given the identity of the two finalists, what more obvious venue than Aldbrough thought I? None. That was Mistake Number Three.

I needed some solutions.

Men on a mission

Date - nothing doing. Both teams were happy with it and let's face it, I miss enough Hull City matches as it is nowadays, one more wouldn't make a difference.

Opponents - sorted. While I was in Glapwell attending the CML pre-season meeting, back in Holderness the Tanton Cup Committee were holding a Special General Meeting at which Hornsea's place in the final was rubber-stamped.

Finally the venue - switched to North Frodingham. In fairness to the people at Aldbrough it appears that had we pursued the use of their ground everything would have been prepared for us beforehand and free of charge. For that I can only say thanks. Unfortunately, lack of clarification over this matter had prompted a switch to a ground used by Hornsea for their third team games and - perhaps more significantly - the venue for our only previous meeting in this particular final back in 2007.
Thus, as the saying goes, "all's well that ends well". A cracking evening, picturesque venue, superb game of football and - from an Easington perspective - the right result all combined to ensure the day went well. You can catch the match details here.
Unfortunately, certain aspects of the game ensured there was bitter aftertaste among some of our opponents, both at the immediate post-match presentation and in the excellent post-match confines of The Blue Post pub (where I enjoyed a fine pint of Wold Gold while tucking into a fine post-match buffet which even the Elder Slushette appeared to enjoy...and she doesn't do "savoury things").

Some people are (almost) on the pitch...

From a couple of conversations I had with Town players, I think (hope?) that deep down it was the letting slip of a game of which they were in complete control rather than the non-brandishing of a red card that was the real cause of frustration among their ranks. Perhaps I'm wrong.

On the short drive from the ground to the Blue Post I'd flicked on Radio Humberside at the most inoppportune moment - Burnsy's commentary of a stunning Gary Taylor-Fletcher strike that would eventually prove the difference at the KC Stadium. Hmm, perhaps scheduling the games for the same date wasn't such a bad idea after all...

Photos courtesy of Colin Brammer & Burt Graham. Further shots of the final from Colin are available here

What happened to pre-season?

2011-08-19T00:10:00.003+01:00

Wednesday 27th July - friendly
Easington United 2 East Riding CFA Juniors 1
Saturday 30th July - friendly
Easington United 2 Long Riston 0
Monday 1st August - friendly
Easington United An.XI 2 St Andrews 0

It's quite ironic that as the pre-season programme shifted up a gear, I shifted out of the area. A mini-break "darn sarf" meant I missed out on the annual meeting with the East Riding County Juniors Rep side, while attendance at a CML Meeting ensured I passed up a first viewing of the new Stiffs management's first game in charge.

Having been heartily encouraged by the opening game effort against HPL champions Sculcoates, I set off to Old Windsor ("home to the Anglo-Saxon Kings of England") buoyed further by news of a couple of possible "new faces" in the side for the midweek meeting with the County Rep side.

And as I retired to the superb Beaumont Estate Hotel - accompanied by Mrs Slush, two very tired Slushettes and a KFC Bargain Family Bucket following a fantastic first day at Legoland - it was with spirits further lifted by confirmation that both had played in the night's 2-1 success.

All thrills & spills when the County Juniors come calling

I took a more detailed account of the night's events over breakfast the following morning; it had been the usual fast-tempo affair against some of the brightest young talent in the County. Steve Harrod - back in an Ezzie shirt for the first time in three years - had netted a fine first and after the Juniors had cashed in on a Charlie error late on, Andy Martin had snatched the win with a very late penalty.

Both the aforementioned "King Harrod" and fellow new face "Sammo" had enjoyed the game and hopes were high that both would decide to sign for the coming campaign. I departed for a day on the Pirates Landing, the Viking Rafts and the Atlantis submarine in extremely good spirits.

The King is back...but for how long?

By time I'd returned to the Humber Riviera, things had moved on a touch. For a start the "King" had since decided against a return to Low Farm, while our other possible new recruit had cricket, a wedding and holidays to occupy his thoughts before turning attention to what his winter sporting pursuits would be.
And so it was a relatively familar side that took to the field against HPL Division 1 side Long Riston for our final home friendly of pre-season.

It's like playing against the Argies...

On a glorious afternoon the visitors provided just the sort of stubborn test required to bring everyone back down to earth after the fine performances that had preceded it. Indeed it wasn't until Bezza and Frosty struck inside the last five minutes that Riston's spirit was broken.
Monday saw Stiffs management duo Danny Medforth and Lee McGeachy get their first taste of dugout action as the "Reserves" (as if you can term them that before the season actually starts?) entertained newly promoted HPL Premier Division outfit St Andrews.

Back home - the "dynamic duo"!

As with the previous midweek fixture, I was unable to attend due to other commitments; which in this case involved sitting in a sweltering Glapwell Community Hall for the CML Special General/Pre-Season Meeting. Not my first choice of how to spend Yorkshire Day!
A phone call to Meddy at conclusion of the meeting gave me a brief report of what had been a very heartening night for the Stiffs' new boss.
Shane Keyworth and Jimmy Dawson had made their anticipated returns to the ranks following a spell at Withernsea and shared a goal apiece in a 2-0 win.
So, four friendlies, four positive results. Next up, the Holderness Cup Winners Cup Final...

Most photos here courtesy of Burt Graham

A touch of the Continentals

2011-08-05T07:28:00.001+01:00

The European Cup Winners Cup may be long consigned to memory but the Holderness Cup Winners Cup is alive and kicking - in North Frodingham!

After three "friendly" run-outs we go to the edge-of-the-Yorkshire Wolds village of North Frodingham this evening to contest the fifth Holderness Cup Winners Cup Final, against Hornsea Town. However, this year's annual meeting of the Tanton (North Holderness) Cup winners and their South Holderness Cup counterparts almost didn't happen. Check back next week for further details of why, but in the meantime why not get down to the North Frodingham Playing Fields tonight to see what should be a decent game of football...

Happy Yorkshire Day!

2011-08-01T12:07:00.000+01:00

I, Slush of Easington, being a resident of the East Riding of Yorkshire declare: That Yorkshire is three Ridings and the City of York, with these Boundaries of 1135 years standing; That the address of all places in these Ridings is Yorkshire; That all persons born therein or resident therein and loyal to the Ridings are Yorkshiremen and women; That any person or corporate body which deliberately ignores or denies the aforementioned shall forfeit all claim to Yorkshire status.These declarations made this Yorkshire Day 2011. God Save the Queen!”