Football Memories

Football isn't a matter of life and death. It's more important than that.

So said Bill Shankly all those years ago. Okay, so that's a bit of an exaggeration, but for me, football has been a major part of my life, giving me joy and grief in equal measures. Here, and in future blogs, I will pick out matches I've been to, or seen on the telly, or in extreme circumstances not bothered to watch at all!

This is very much an 'audience participation' blog, so I welcome, nay, DEMAND the input of my readers!
I have to remind you that these are MY memories, which may be inaccurate, or coloured by time, so if you have different memories, or feel the need to correct ant historical inaccuracies, I give you the POWER!!

Oh, and before I forget, these are not going to be in chronological order!!

First in the series is the Shrewsbury vs Everton game in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. If my memory serves me correctly, it was January 2004. I'd already queued up for my ticket at some ridiculous time of the morning and been one of the lucky ones. So now, fresh from a domestic argument with my now ex-wife, I attended this game with an air of hope (for the game) and relief (at getting away from home). The Everton side included a certain Mr Rooney. The Shrewsbury side contained a certain Mr Wilding. Mr Rooney spent pretty much the entire game in Pete Wildings pocket. I certainly don't recall any incidents where Rooney caused the Town any problems.

It was bloody cold, and I was stood in the Riverside, snugly wrapped up in scarf, warm coat and gloves. Cigarette and Cigar smoke mixed with stale aftershave and pies and beer.
The first half was marked by the shouts of "get into them, fuck 'em off!" and a positively superb free kick goal by Nigel Jemson. (I can't remember if this was pre- or post-argument with the fan).

Half time came, and I munched on a sausage roll, drank my coke and read my matchday programme. The Golden Gamble draw was done (I never did it myself, but it was like an institution). Then the second half started and things went a bit awry. Everton equalised through Alexandersson and then Everton looked a bit happier about the whole thing. Time ticked away without much to talk about, until the last few minutes. Town got a corner (or was it another free kick?) down by the clock (where Riverside and Wakeman End meet). Ian Woan took it, and Jemson got his head on it, sending the ball into the net, and about 6,000 Shrewsbury fans, me included, mental!!

I can't remember how much more of the game was left, but a remarkable 2-1 win was ours! Good coverage on Match of the Day (or was it the ITV equivalent?) followed, as did a 4th round tie against Chelsea. Led by Zola, they won 4-0 in front of the TV Cameras (thinking about it, I'm pretty sure it was BBC). Town went on to end the season as the strongest team in the Football League (ie holding the others up) and their 50 year stint in the league was over. Kevin Ratcliffe left the moment relegation was confirmed and took alot of well-earned stick.

Now, readers (if there's anyone out there?), it's your turn...

Controversy Time!!

We all know the World Cup is not far away now. Just three months from now, we'll all have our head in our hands as England go out of the tournament either on penalties, because of an individual error for which the culprit will be hounded, or both!

In the meantime, there will be the endless debates about who should be in the squad and who should book themselves a holiday to the Bahamas or something. Here, then, is MY suggestion for the final 23.

Goalkeepers
Paul Robinson
David James
Joe Hart

Defenders
John Terry
Rio Ferdinand
Matthew Upson
Glen Johnson
Leighton Baines
Wes Brown
Ashley Cole (if fit) / Stephen Warnock

Midfielders
Steven Gerrard
Gareth Barry
Fat Frank Lampard
James Milner
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Aaron Lennon
Theo Walcott
Michael Carrick

Forwards
Peter Crouch
Wayne Rooney
Jermain Defoe
Gabby Agbonlahor
Darren Bent

This is purely my opinion, based on my own knowledge of English players at this moment. No doubt there are cases for those I've left out, and I'm happy to encourage lively debate!!

Here's to a World Cup semi-final defeat on penalties!!!

Why are we waiting??

My second child is due on the 8th March, but why do I have to wait so long? Because nature, and my newest offspring is laughing at me!!

Lateness seems to run in the genes (much like diarrohea) in my family. Both myself and my brother were late, as was my son. He was originally due to share my birthday, but held on another two weeks to ensure no sharing of birthday (true proof that he is my son lol).

Not more than three days ago, we were facing the prospect of an induced labour due to a 'slightly higher than normal' glucose test. In a strange way, despite my girlfriend having nightmares about it, I didn't mind - it meant the arrival was sooner rather than later! But now, after a perfectly normal reading (much to the joy and satisfaction of Marisa) we are back to waiting for nature to take effect.

So, now all the wisdom and wives tales are being trotted out... pineapple, steady movement, curry and sex, none of which really bother me, I happen to like pineapple. Marisa heard a new one the other day - Castor Oil (??!) Suffice to say, we won't be trying that one in a hurry.

I remember a Michael McIntyre routine from a few years back (remember him? I wonder what happened to him?) where his pregnant wife was searching for things to bring on labour. She happened on advice to 'ingest sperm'. Michael got excited about this - a blowjob for her own good, every man's dream - but she suggested he just wank into a cup!!!

So, anyway, hopefully the next blog will be a celebratory one, with little Anthony or Helena somewhere in the background keeping everyone busy. Fingers bloody crossed!

Or at least I will have had an exhausting weekend... know what I mean? wink wink, nudge nudge... say no more...

A Good Moan

It must be down to me approaching 30, but I'm just finding loads of stuff to moan about. At the moment, I'm digesting the following:

1 - Why is it that Football Clubs are treated different to normal businesses? If a run-of-the-mill company had debts of £70 million, they would be shut down in a flash. Not Portsmouth. No, they get chance after chance after chance. And while the current owner tries to make headway through the mire he has taken over (purely because the previous owner defaulted on a loan), what of the previous management that actually plunged the club into such a mountain of shit? Probably sunning themselves on a beach somewhere. Bastards!
And it's not just Portsmouth. The list of clubs with huge debts is almost never-ending: Red Scum United, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth spring immediately to mind. Then there's the Notts County situation, the Chester problem, and the Glasgow Rangers conundrum. They all have money troubles, all down to over-extending themselves.
Then there's Peter Risdale. He virtually ruined Leeds, now Cardiff are struggling for money. He should have been banned from football for the abject misery he brought to Leeds United. Let's be honest, that's what happens in the real world.

2 - The Iphone. It's a rip off really. What do you need all those applications for? Really? It's an Ipod with internet that coincidentally allows you to make the odd phone call. Don't see the point.

3 - The bizarre music phenomenon that calls itself 'RnB'. This is bollocks. It bears no resemblance to the actual origination of R and B - for all you young un's thats Rhythm And Blues. I suppose it's like BP - it no longer means British Petroleum, it's just two letters.

That's enough for now... the ironing calls. That's right, I do my own ironing.

Cor Blimey, how fings 'ave changed!

It's been a while since the last post. I'm enjoying my new job and that's gotta be good. Baby number 2 is now less than 2 weeks away and I'm in no way nervous. Seriously.

I've now got writers block, so this is a bloody short post.

But before I go, I would like to say how much of a shame it is that Millennium Insurance have completely disappeared. Well, it's a shame for the people who worked there, not for the people who ran it.

See you when I've got something to say!!