Two out of two – Tickety Boo!

Saturday 18th August

 CML North

Easington United 3 Thorne Colliery 1

 

So, the Olympics are over.  London – and indeed the country as a whole – can be proud of its part in staging what even the Aussies have acknowledged was possibly THE best Games yet.  Ah Sepp Blatter, look what you could’ve won!

The post-Olympics blues have been somewhat hard to shake off.  And I didn’t imagine myself ever saying that!

Still, the start of the domestic season has helped and especially so given our winning start.  There was also a chance for Roy Hodgson’s new young Lions to show how much England’s footballers had learned from the heroes of Team GB.

Singing the National Anthem appeared to be one lesson (although in fairness, the new boss had instilled this practice in most of the squad at the Euros).

The singing of “God Save The Queen” had become something of an issue during Great Britain’s Olympic matches; in particular, the reluctance to join in on the part of the Welsh men and the Scots women became the subject of much comment.

While it irritates me that someone willing to take an official honour from the monarch (as Ryan Giggs did) then admits to being unable to join in with her anthem I do feel the time has come for England’s sporting teams to now have a song of their own.

The rousing renditions of “Land Of Hope And Glory” from the Commonwealth Stadium in Manchester in 2002 nailed that as my choice.  However, I know many people prefer “Jerusalem”, the choice of the England cricket team.  Either way, surely we should now reserve “God Save The Queen” only for sporting occasions in which all four home nations are united?

Thankfully, the England boys appear to have picked up other good habits from the Olympians; winning being one and some proper humility in post-match interviews being another.  I wonder how long either will last!

 

 

The run-up to the first home CML game meant first programme of the new season.  Given the “feel-good factor” present since the appointment of the Sumo, a solid core of Holderness-based players in the squad and the opening day win, I gambled on a decent crowd.

With another BP sponsorship deal secured for the programme and access to the spanking new printer, I have to say this season’s issue looks the best it’s ever done.  And at two quid for 32 pages I think it is excellent value for money – especially as once again there’ll be no gate charged for entry to Low Farm.

With a cracking weather forecast, my only worry was that I hadn’t printed enough copies.  Hmm…

 



 

We buried my Uncle Ted on Saturday morning.  At 83 years old, I believe him to be the oldest yet of Mum’s nine siblings, although Frank and Peter could go on to claim that particular title.

Ted was a farmer all his working life and went out in style, being brought to Skeffling Church on the back of a “thractor an’ thrailor”.  The church was full, the Revd Heale entertained us by, among other things, chewing corn as part of his eulogy and Ted was laid to rest among family and friends.  As surviving son Keith and daughter Wendy wrote in their acknowledgement in the Gazette the following week, it was all “fost rate”.  Just the way Ted would’ve wanted it.
I was glad to swap my suit for something cooler before football.  With Mrs Slush taking the Slushettes to a friend’s party in the afternoon, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch with my mood darkened only by Five Live’s commentary of Becchio’s decisive goal for Colin Wanker’s side at Elland Road.

Before kick-off we had our “official” photo shoot, with the lads sporting the new strip sponsored by Hull-based Sure Powder Coatings Ltd.  With a frame for which our range of club merchandise doesn’t yet cater, the manager looked slightly out of place in his baby pink tee-shirt.  But I think he got away with it…

 

 

We had two changes to the squad from Glapwell, with Meddy away at a Festival and Neilo nursing sore nads following the midweek snip.  I had a feeling that his presence may be missed more, given his industrious debut at Hall Corner, and for the first 45 minutes I was proved right.

After a bright opening ten minutes we were rocked by a spectacular strike from Callum McCormack.  According to Charlie, the 35-yard free-kick “moved all over” en route to going in off the post.  Well, our new matchballs were “Euro 2012 Replicas”!
I stayed away from the changing rooms at half-time, spending the time instead in conversation with Thorne’s hard-working club secretary Joy.  She explained the lack of subs in the visiting contingent – five players were suspended; four as a result of the “feisty” game with champions Westella at the back end of last season.  This also explained the absence of the influential Darren Fell, here today in alternative employ as asst-mgr.  “He’s injured anyway”, added Joy.
Apparently, my absence from the players’ area meant I missed the first Sumo Rant of the new season.  Shame.  At least I got to see the results of it as the lads produced a much improved display to turn the game on its head.

 

Enjoyment at second successive win was enhanced by news of Jay Simpson’s late winner for the Tigers against Brighton.  It was just about enough to compensate for a very poor day on the financial front.

crowd of just 38 had seen the Sumo’s first home win and from that number only ten had bothered to buy a programme.  Alarm bells were starting to ring inside my head.

A full match report of the game, along with Burt Graham's pictures can be found here
Colin Brammer's match photos can be found here

 

Up and running...again

Saturday 11th August

 CML North

Glapwell 0 Easington United 2

Monday 13th August

Holderness Cup Winners Cup Final

Easington United Reserves 0 Brandesburton 1

And then here we are, back pitch-side at the start of another football season wondering where the two months have gone since the end of the last one.

Well that’s not strictly true of course.  The Euro's and the Olympics have ensured there has not really been a close season this year (Mrs Slush will testify to that!) while down at Low Farm we had the added distraction of wholesale management changes.

A couple of enjoyable trips into North Yorkshire meant I’d missed The Sumo’s opening pre-season games, which resulted in two-nil defeats at HPL outfits Crown FC and Sculcoates Amateurs.

Despite the defeats, I received good reports from both inside and outside the camp with regards to the quality of football played.  I finally got to see it for myself when the East Riding County FA Juniors made their annual trip to the Farm and again a week later when Sumo’s side concluded their schedule at Long Riston.

Comfortable victories were recorded in both games, with several players providing their manager with pleasant surprises ahead of the first league game.

Indeed, the only disappointment for me came in the Traveller’s Rest at Long Riston where the much-vaunted Aleympic Gold (from Great Newsome) had run out.  Grrrgh.  That was part of the reason for arranging this fixture in the first place!

So to Saturday’s CML opener and the first part of a weekend double-header, which on Monday would see the Stiffs hoping to double-up their South Holderness Cup win of May by retaining the Holderness Cup Winners Cup won by the First Team a year ago.

Glapwell endured a horrendous time of things last season, culminating in them travelling to Low Farm in May with just eight men.  Thankfully, things have improved somewhat since and they appeared to have twenty-two available for our visit to Hall Corner!

We too travelled in strength.  Fifteen players made the trip, all but one on the Pistol Pete Express, with Wilky Woo accompanying the Gaffer and me in car (Mrs Slush's new weekend working commitments ensuring I would not be on the much-vaunted first away day 'beer-bus' of 2012/13).

Surviving the scare of a “technical issue” that restricted its progress to 50mph for the last segment of its journey down the M1, all was shipshape come kick-off time.

Sumo handed full debuts to two new faces – Willo and Robbie – along with a “second debut” to the returning Neilo.  Completing a quartet of new faces (and a trio of ex-Withernsea men) was Nige Newton whose chance would come off the bench second half.

Jamie C has been appointed Captain Cousins for the season, although much more Michael Jackson blaring our pre-season and he’ll find the armband being removed as quickly as it was given him!

Hall Corner is a smart little ground, with a pitch that rises towards the cricket pitch behind the far end goal.  It also has possibly the most protective groundsman in the league.

“No warm-up in the goalmouths, only in the corners where I’ve placed the posts.  Goalkeeper can have ten minutes. Crosses only. No shots.  If I see any shots you’ll get this.”  At which point he drew his hand across his throat.  Nice.

As the game began I wondered whether our lads were continuing to carry out his instructions - we ventured nowhere near the Glapwell goal in the opening ten minutes!

The hosts dictated matters in this first spell and actually had the ball in the net but the lino had flagged.

Having taken a while to get into our stride, we then finished the half slightly on top.  Alex Malong – who surely has the biggest hands in the CML – was the busier of the two keepers and produced one exceptional save to deny Wilks.  Jimmy D and Fitzy should have done better, while a Glappy player also headed against his own post.  As we enjoyed the half-time hospitality of our excellent hosts, we wondered whether these misses would come back to haunt us.  Pistol Pete, meanwhile, was more concerned as to whether or not his repair kit of "scissors, fork and beer-can" would do the trip to enable the Express to get the lads home!

Thankfully we needn’t have worried - on both counts.  A majestic second half display, capped by two goals inside three minutes, ensured we would have a maximum points haul to take back home.  And Pete’s “handiwork” ensured they would get there.

Neilo and the Skipper were on target but the main plaudits were reserved for the hard-working Wilky Woo.  Elsewhere Sam Mac was almost faultless, Fitzy’s influence grew as the game wore on and Willo was solid on “dayboo” (as the Aussies would say).  But, in truth, all played their part in an encouraging first show.

An al fresco post-match pint was accompanied by the amusing sideshow of Coach Nicho accusing team-mates of having swiped his iPod...before finding he'd actually dispatched it to the bin alongside his waste pack-up!

One of the benefits of travelling by car came with me back home sober and in good time to catch another great night for GB at the Olympics.  I didn’t envy the lads on the bus, with their 48-can haul, struggling back up the M18. 

No, honest, I didn’t.
 

Monday night brought cooler climes and a chance to see Gav Thurkettle take charge of the Stiffs for the first time.

Withernsea was this year’s chosen venue for the annual meeting of north and south Holderness Cup winners, with Brandesburton of HPL Division 1 the opposition.

Brandes’ had ended Hornsea’s recent monopoly in the Tanton Cup by beating both the Seasiders’ first and second-strings en route to their sixteenth success in one of the oldest competitions of its type.

Gav retained faith with most of the lads who’d performed such heroics in May.  He also included Frosty (missing at Glapwell due to work), “Cousin” Mark, young Hoppy and the returning Darren Thompson.  The manager himself was among the subs in a 15-man squad but, disappointingly, was not to grace the field this evening.

And the locals could have done with him on there.  For despite shading matters in terms of possession, there was a distinct lack of quality in the final third and Brandes’ keeper Nathan Otley was rarely troubled.

The game’s defining moment came as early as the 12th minute.  And it arrived from Brandesburton’s first shot on goal, a crisp half-volley from Phil Skit that flew past Ben Akam from 15 yards out.

On chances, the Tanton Cup holders could have more than doubled their tally.  Skit hit the bar while Akam twice saved superbly from hapless sub James Barker who also rolled another good chance wide.

All in all it was a scrappy game, which wasn’t great on the eye for those of us spoilt by Saturday’s slick display.  Still, it’s early days and while the retention of the cup would have been nice, promotion back to the County League Premier Division has to be Gav’s priority.

For a full Glapwell report (with pictures) check here

For a full Holderness Cup Winners Cup report (with Colin's pictures) check here

For Colin Brammer's photography website check here

Thanks to Burt Graham and Colin Brammer for their efforts through the lens!



Happy and Glorious

Thankfully, memories of this summer won't be dominated by missed penalties

I passed a ‘Hullympian’ yesterday morning on my walk to work.  Alex Smith, Hull athlete who finished twelfth in the Olympic hammer competition last week, was just entering the gates at Centrica. 
For a split-second I thought about stopping him to shake his hand.  I didn't.  Not only because it’s probably a really dawkish thing to do but because the last time I'd stopped him near the same place, it was to admonish his car-sharing partner for driving through the village like a t__t!

Alex was one of two Hullensians representing the city at London 2012, the other being Luke Campbell, newly-crowned Bantamweight Gold Medallist in the boxing ring. 
On Tuesday evening Hull City Council threw a homecoming party for the pair, which attracted a reported crowd of 13,000 to Queen Victoria Square.  After taking the cheers of those assembled on the balcony of the City Hall, the pair were then treated to a Civic Dinner in the Guildhall, where they mixed with Hull’s great and good.  And John Prescott. 

The duo deserved every bit of the acclaim they received that night.  Throughout the competition Campbell, in particular, couldn't do more to promote his home city and came across as a ereally humble figure, the perfect role model. 
But the same could be said - and has been said - about all our Team GB competitors, successful or otherwise. 
For the medal winners, such homecoming scenes are being replicated to various degree across the length and breadth of the country (with the reported exception of Broxbourne where council red tape originally held up Laura Trott’s family’s plans to throw a street party!).

There appears to be a real feel-good factor sweeping the nation at the moment.  A BBC 5 Live phone-in on Tuesday morning suggested an increase in a feeling of British togetherness, except for one bitter and twisted Aberdonian who said we were misguided if we thought a “school sports day” would derail the march towards Scottish independence.  His view was a minority one – even among his fellow Scots.

For me the recent Olympics became an obsession.  From days spent in the office with the aforementioned 5 Live's superb coverage to late nights with Lineker, Logan and a remote control red button that’s never seen as much use.  Some observers criticised the Beeb for commentary bordering on the jingoistic.  I couldn't disagree more - and I normally jump at the chance to have a pop at Auntie.  Those commentators helped me feel part of each event.

For the past fortnight I've been running with Mo, riding with Victoria (ahem), punching with Luke and diving with Tom…well, maybe not the last one. 

I've also been mesmerised by the so-called minority sports and indeed now regard myself as almost an authority on them; in particular volleyball (in which Team GB was skippered by an East Yorkshireman), showjumping and taekwondo, although water polo still leaves me wondering!

I took special interest in those team sports in which we were expected to be poor.  I’m talking handball, basketball…football.
Ah, football.  So much had been written beforehand about the inclusion of Team GB in both the men’s and women’s competition it seemed they were doomed from the start.  All the brouhaha about the possible ramifications for the independent football associations; the cries of “foul” when star man Gareth Bale was ruled out through injury only to turn up in a friendly for his club on the eve of the competition; and then outrage at the non-singing of the National Anthem, by the Scots girls and Welsh men. 

As Olympians from other sports were lauded for their attitude, humility and grace - not to mention their achievements - football and footballers became the targets of choice.  Poor Powell and Pearce were on a hiding to nothing.

But then something changed.  Slowly but surely the country rallied behind our teams.  Decent crowds in Cardiff witnessed two wins out of two for Hope Powell’s squad before 70,000 attended Wembley to see Stephanie Houghton’s early goal beat Brazil.  As someone who previously regarded women’s football as something of a novelty item, that night blew away several misconceptions for me and, I suspect, many others.

Pleasingly, those on duty for the Team GB men also appeared to have bought into the Olympic ideal (especially Craig Bellamy – an unlikely unifying figure if ever there was one).  And if the atmosphere at Old Trafford for the opener appeared somewhat surreal, both Wembley and The Millennium Stadium rallied behind the team.

Before the tournament, Stuart Pearce had talked of creating a spirit in the country to match that of Euro 96 and getting the nation behind the team in order to carry them all the way.  And just for a brief moment – in Wales for the men and at Wembley for the women – it appeared to be happening.

But of course, these being teams with an abundance of English players, it was probably pre-ordained for things not to last beyond the quarter-finals.  And in the men’s case the exit just had to come via penalties.

Admittedly, when the women fell to Canada and the men followed one night later, it didn't deliver a blow quite as hard as when England exited the Euros in June.  But I'd be lying if I didn't admit to a feeling that something had just ended, the like of which I'm unlikely to see again.  I began to curse myself for not having had the foresight to apply for tickets.  Or even make an attempt to watch the pre-tournament warm-up at The Riverside where spaces were plentiful - but it takes a lot to tempt me to Middlesbrough.

Such feelings that I'd missed out on something unique were reinforced recently when, despite players of both sexes professing their desire to repeat the Olympic experience, the FA moved swiftly to rule out any prospect of a Men’s football team in Rio, while at the same time saying it’s “unlikely” there’ll be a women’s  one either.  Such a shame.

Some feel football has no part in the Olympics but the crowds for games at London 2012 would perhaps suggest otherwise.  And you can just imagine what they'll be like in Brazil!

Still, I shan't let the passing of one moment in history cloud plenty of other far more uplifting ones.  And as thoughts turn to another season on the domestic front, thankfully my abiding memories of this summer will be of two weeks in which the streets of London really were paved with gold. 
As for those other images - of Young, Cole and Sturridge missing penalties - well, they have already been gloriously erased...for now.

Bring me laughter

Sumo fronts the Farm's ‘Fun Boy Three’!

‘The Sumo’ is back! 
Six years after he last occupied the Low Farm “hot seat”, Sean McLaughlin returns to succeed the man who succeeded him.  And first impressions would suggest the natives are quite happy with the appointment.

Pleasingly, among those extending their best wishes for the future was the man he’s replacing; pleasingly too, these wishes were much appreciated and reciprocated by the incoming boss.  It’s no secret that there has been plenty of acrimony in the past between both so any potential thaw in relations is welcome!

It’s not only Dave with whom Sean hasn’t always seen eye-to-eye in recent times.  It took a party at New Year 2011 to help me and our "new" manager settle our particular differences, following several football-related disagreements.

Sumo's speech has Nige counting ball panels (Burt Graham)

But all that’s in the past.  It’s time now to look forward and from the feedback received after last Saturday’s first training session, it would appear we have reason to be cheerful.

Sean’s appointment was confirmed last Wednesday (4th) with the Committee opting for the former boss ahead of several other candidates, following advertising of the post locally and via the internet.

One of those losing out in the final reckoning, Nicho, had his disappointment cushioned by the alternative offer of a coaching role in the new-look set-up.  Meanwhile, club captain Andy Graham – seen by many as a future Eastenders boss – has taken his first step on the ladder by being appointed asst-mgr.

Sumo has been quick to set out his stall to the players, saying he wants them to begin enjoying their football again after what was a difficult 2011/12.  Not surprisingly this went down well - with the exception of an unnamed goalkeeper who, it would appear, would prefer to win while not enjoying himself!?  Or perhaps I’m being harsh. 

That's it...put a smile back on faces! (Burt Graham)

Anybody who interpreted Sean’s comments as a lack of ambition is greatly mistaken.  His previous honours at the club stretch way back to the ER County League Division 3 and 4 titles he helped win as a player back in 90/91 and 95/96.  Cutting his management teeth with the Reserves yielded success in the 2000/01 ER County League Junior Cup and immediate promotion to Division 2.  As assistant-boss to the legendary ‘Mickey Bo’ Wilson, he shared in the 02/03 South Holderness Cup and Withernsea Carnival triumphs, along with a hitherto unprecedented top five placing in the HPL that same season. 

Then came the coup de grace as Sean celebrated promotion to the role of First Team manager in 2003/04 by achieving a runners-up position in the league, alongside the HPL Cup and the two local trophies previously won as Bo’s number two. 
I think it’s safe to assume therefore that no team of Sean’s will simply be allowed to go through the motions!

A turn for the better? (Burt Graham)

There were some interesting faces on show for the first pre-season session at the Farm and, although history has taught me never to believe anything until there’s a signature on the dotted line, chances are that the appointment is already having an effect in terms of recruitment.

Whether we are blessed with new players will become more apparent when the lads take to the pitch for their first friendly in just over a week’s time.  This comes on 24th July when HPL side Crown provide the opposition on the impressive 4G surface at South Holderness School.
The first chance the Farm Faithful get to see Sumo’s side in action comes on Saturday 28th July when Sculcoates Amateurs, one of the leading sides in local football, are the visitors.  They are followed by the East Riding County Juniors Rep squad (Wed 1st Aug) before the locals wrap up their pre-season schedule a week later, away at Long Riston from HPL Division 1.
Why not come along for the ride - it promises to be an entertaining one...

Hats off to ‘Harry’

The departing Dave can leave with head held high

Mack: now watching from the sidelines (Burt Graham)

Having had little chance to blog in recent weeks (see previous post), it would be remiss of me to return to duties without a piece about Dave Mack’s resignation from the post of First Team manager at Easington United.

The most important thing to say is that Dave deserves an immense amount of credit for what he achieved during his six-year period in charge. 
Along with five pieces of silverware, he steered the side through several periods of reconstruction as well as what has proved to be a tough move from local to regional football.

Dave stepped up from assistant-manager to take the reins in January 2006.  It came in the wake of an embarrassing seven-goal mauling at Hutton Cranswick in the Humber Premier League and manager Sean McLaughlin’s subsequent resignation (due to overriding work and family commitments).

Despite an improved performance at home to Pocklington Town, the team failed to give Sean the send-off he deserved and so when Dave took charge of his first match, at Hedon United on Saturday, 28th January, the Eastenders had won just once in eight outings.  Ironically this - a rare success at Sculcoates Amateurs - had come under Dave’s stewardship while Sean was away.

Hedon's Drapers Lane ground was never the easiest of places to go but thanks to a Gav Thurkettle strike, the new manager got off to a winning start.   And despite a 0-1 defeat at Hornsea Town in the following week’s league cup clash, the run to the end of that first season proved a successful one.

Five wins and two draws in the remaining eight league games secured a creditable top six finish, while a resounding 4-1 victory over Withernsea at Saltend clinched the Eastenders’ seventh South Holderness Cup success.  Things were looking up.
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Pride of Holderness again - August 2011 (Colin Brammer)

In the following season Mack’s men secured a top five finish and retained the South Holderness Cup, thanks to Steve Harrod’s extra-time winner over Hedon Rangers. 

When pre-season then saw Tanton Cup winners Hornsea Town defeated on penalties in the inaugural Holderness Cup Winners Cup, hopes were high that another tilt at the HPL title could follow.  Instead, the 2007/08 season saw Dave confronted with the biggest challenge of his fledgling management career.

It had all started well enough and the Eastenders travelled to Sculcoates on 6th October as unbeaten leaders, having won six of their opening nine games.  However, a 3-1 defeat ensued and prompted a dramatic slide down the table.  Only five of the remaining 21 league games were won and United’s eleventh place finish was their worst in five seasons.  Defeat by Hedon in the South Holderness Cup semi-finals completed a disappointing campaign.

Dave’s cause wasn’t helped by the loss of several key players and he finished the season by blooding youngsters such as Anthony Barnett, Jamie Cousins, Chris Frost, James Mee, Paul Morrow, James Robinson and Luke Smith.  It was very much a case of "in at the deep end".

In a way, the manager thrived on such situations. One accusation that could never be levelled at him was lack of fight. Refusing to get downhearted, he simply regrouped and went again the following season, leading the Eastenders to an excellent fourth-placed finish in their final season in the HPL. Not surprisingly, it was some of those same youngsters who came to the fore.

In 2009/10 we came within one win of gaining promotion in our first season in the Central Midlands League and the following year we ended our recent barren run in the South Holderness Cup; victory number nine in the competition coming in front of a home crowd at the Farm.

Victory in last August’s Holderness Cup Winners Cup gave Dave his fifth piece of silverware but, much as it did in 2007, it proved something of a false dawn for what was to follow.

Last season was one beset by off-the-field problems that did much harm to First Team prospects. Indeed, just before Christmas it appeared possible that the team may even have to resign from the league. Thankfully, backed by loyal assistant Nicho, Dave again showed stomach for the fight and the tenth place finish – the club’s highest ever in terms of the Football Pyramid – proved testimony to that.

Like father, like son (Burt Graham)

So why did it all come to an end?

Well, the South Holderness Cup semi-final defeat at Withernsea (our first at the hands of our rivals in 21 outings) didn’t help.  But it was the reaction to it inside the Eastenders’ camp that really hurt.

Without wishing to open up old wounds, I was shocked by what I saw and heard that night, not to mention what was posted on a certain social network site later on.  We all knew there had been simmering resentment for much of the season among some members of the Second Team, and there had been distinct lack of communication at management level between both camps.  However, the apparent gloating at the senior squad's demise by some supposed clubmates was quite disgraceful.  It was enough for me to offer my own resignation as well as making Dave think long and hard about his own future. 
Having struggled to carry everyone with him during the campaign just gone and with plenty of whispers as to who would actually be there when the current pre-season came around, not only was Dave forced to question his position but it was also reviewed by the club's committee.
It was this uncertainty that prompted me to have a couple of long conversations with the manager, during which we discussed whether either of us wanted to face another nine months of not knowing just how many people were behind him.
For me it was a no-brainer.  My "revised" role meant I would no longer be directly involved with First Team affairs.  But for Dave it meant walking away from a job it was plain to see he cared deeply about and felt was far from finished.

In the event he tendered his resignation to the Chairman on Sunday, 10th June 2012.  It was accepted by a meeting of the Club’s management committee two days later.

The 1997 South Holderness Cup - where it all began! 

Mack’s resignation brought to an end not only six years’ involvement as manager but an association stretching back to 1997 when he made his playing debut in the club’s first ever South Holderness Cup Final success!  His last of 260 Easington appearances came as a second half substitute at Ollerton Town on 25th February this year.  

I have had many disagreements with Dave during the six-years we worked together at management level.  At times I thought he blurred boundaries between the position of manager and being "one of the lads", while there were other things he did that I would probably have handled differently.  But Dave knows this and we've always been able to talk through any such differences.  That's probably why we got on so well!  And what has never been in doubt through it all has been his willingness to tackle problems head-on in pursuit of what he saw as the right way forward for Easington United football club.  And for that he deserves the utmost respect of all with the club's interests at heart.

Player losses, fallouts over selection and an amazing turnover in backroom staff were just three of the issues that he was confronted with during his “reign”.  In addition, he had no shortage of personal matters to attend to, yet not once did he let these stop him performing his match day tasks to the best of his ability.  If there's some solace to be found in the split, it's perhaps that there should be more time now for Dave the dad to pursue son Cameron's weekend interests?

Pointing the way forward (Own photo)

To those players who stayed loyal to ‘Harry Hill’ (as they affectionately dubbed him) another thing they could be assured of was his determination to take the team as far as it can go.  This wasn’t surprising given that, as a player, he’d been one of the main cheerleaders behind the decision to enter the HPL.   Not surprisingly, Dave was also fully behind the move to the CML and would love to have been the man to take the club to the “promised land” of the Northern Counties East League.

Instead, he can only watch as the club enters another new era.  Ironically, this is under the stewardship of the returning Sumo, completing a full circle.  It's a mark of the man that Dave has set aside his own personal disappointment to wish Sean the very best.
It's to be hoped he doesn't become a stranger to Low Farm for Dave Mackay-Dundas really does deserve the gratitude of a lot of people involved with the club, some of whom should perhaps feel a tad uncomfortable with their part in his departure. 
I know I do.

Peaks and Troughs

Highs & Lows of a holiday in 'the Euro Zone'

These holiday flings never last

Mrs Slush couldn’t concentrate on her latest ‘must read’ (and before you ask, no it wasn’t 50 Shades Of Grey or some other similarly styled “clit-lit” offering).  Apparently, my “restlessness” was affecting her concentration.  I’d been like this for the previous two hours.
It had even been noticed by the Slushettes who’d both commented – en route to bed – “Dad’s in a strange mood tonight isn’t he Mum?”

But then it was over.  I suddenly stopped feeling all anxious and instead sat motionless, unable to speak.  Prompting this “calm after the storm” was Italy substitute Alessandro Diamanti who stroked his penalty past Joe Hart to confirm another competition quarter-final exit for England.  I could at last relax.  Again.
Don’t get me wrong.  It was still that same gut-wrenching disappointment I'd first really felt when Maradona’s hand had done for us back in ’86 and that has been repeated too often since.  But this time something was different.  It may sound daft but this actually felt more like the beginning of something rather than the end.  “In Roy We Trust” perhaps?  I think so.

Home from home

I watched the final chapter of England’s Euro 2012 campaign from the comfort of Lodge 16 at Darwin Forest Country Park, near Matlock in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District.  In the event, the coinciding of our Slush Family holiday with the quarters and semis from Poland and Ukraine proved a masterstroke.  For instead of having time to dwell on England's latest failure to compete with the best in international football, I was too busy having fun with the family (although I did manage to find time to watch the midweek semi-finals!).

Having arrived on the Saturday, our first stop-off on a week’s tour of the sights and sounds of the picturesque Peaks was Crich Tramway Village.  There, to my delight, I discovered it was “Rock ‘n’ Roll” weekend complete with a cruise past of Fifties cars and performing live bands.  Sadly we’d arrived a day too late to see the previous night’s headliners The Jets but I did catch the Sunday afternoon set from Rockin’ The Joint.  Ah, it took me back to those heady days of Hull’s Goodfellowship Inn in the early Eighties!  

Monday morning took us to the lovely little town of Bakewell for Market Day.  This included a first ever trip to a livestock auction and concluded with tea in The Peacock, mine being washed down by a glorious pint or two of Peak Ales "Summer Sovereign".
(Later Peak Ales to be enjoyed in bottles included "Chatsworth Gold" and "Bakewell Best Bitter" - both come highly recommended)

Chariot of Fire

Prior to this first real “taste” of the Peaks, we’d revisited the glorious gardens, the farm and adjoining adventure playground at Chatsworth; blessed - unusually for this summer – with pleasant sunshine.

The weather also behaved itself as we rode the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway from Wirksworth up to Ravenstor then back down to Duffield.  And it was of a positively Mediterranean variety the day we assigned to Alton Towers, while even the wet bits couldn't detract from an intersting tour of Caudwell's Mill!

We enjoyed drives to Buxton (which boasts "the highest elevation of any market town in the country") and dropped deep into Darley Dale, while regularly sweeping through Matlock (passing the neat Causeway Lane home of Matlock Town FC & Matlock CC) and its smaller neighbour, Matlock Bath – home to seemingly hundreds of motorbikes every Sunday and Wednesday? 

It was in Matlock Bath where we sat atop The Heights of Abraham and became part of the once-in-a-lifetime event that was the arrival there of the Olympic Torch by cable car.  It provided the perfect end to a near perfect week.

Reasons to be cheerful - parts 1 & 2

Arriving back on the Humber Riviera in time for the Euro's final allowed me to catch up on some of the post-England exit reaction in the media.  Some of it made me thankful I’d relied mainly on Ceefax for company throughout the past seven days!

Of course, the better hacks like the Telegraph’s Henry Winter offered his usual well-thought out advice on how England can learn from Spain's approach to international football to help them move forward under Hodgson.  In fairness, he wasn’t alone in this and while Rio Ferdinand chose the opportunity to bash the boss, Phil Neville offered a rather more upbeat appraisal of the National team on BBC 5Live's 'Sportsweek'. 
Unfortunately, I read and heard similar sentiments in the immediate wake of England's embarrassing World Cup exit at Bloemfontein two years ago…only for all interest to subside as soon as the Premier League resumed the following August.

Hopefully, this time will be different.  Certainly the new manager himself appears to have made an immediate favourable impression on both players and supporters – nobody could accuse the 2012 England of not playing for their boss.  The long-awaited opening of St George’s Park will also help, while the performance of some of the England age-group teams continues to offer hope (the U19s being the latest examples). 

Watching the defining stages of the Euro's aside, I just about succeeded in ensuring this summer would provide me with at least two weeks free of all football.  This was no mean achievement given that in addition to England and the arrival of Steve Bruce at the KC Stadium, there was the small matter of a management vacancy at my own club to occupy my thoughts...