That Is The Question … Bradford Away

Bradford is a place of many memories for me.

Our good friend and fellow Saddlers supporter, Stuart (a.k.a. “Snowy”) was at university there. At a conference up there Saddlers Widow and I saw our first I-Max film, the documentary “Yellowstone” (I had done some background work relating to it) that inspired us to actually travel to the States for the first, but definitely not the last, time. We were once on a Walsall coach trip there for a game – back in the days of prevalent football hooliganism – and escorted this bitterly cold December (possibly November) evening to a safe parking spot outside the police station, then walked by police to the then-very-different ground.

After the game we got back to the coaches to find that one had had bricks thrown through the front window. It was completely smashed. The attitude of the local police was of complete disinterest. So the driver stoically knocked out the rest of the glass and we set off for Walsall. Our coach driving just ahead in some probably highly irrelevant attempt to part the air. So we ripped letters from the ubiquitous newspapers and held them to the back window

“Ice Cold Drinks Available” being the one example that’s ticks in our minds. How we laughed as we watched the huddled up passengers.

Then, more poignantly Cully and I were there for a Saturday game. 1985. Nothing unusual, sitting in the wooden benches, walking on the wooden planked floors of the terraces, or visiting the toilets beneath the seats. Bits and pieces dropped by spectators would drop through the holes in the tiered flooring and collect on this ground. On this day I particularly remember discussing with Cully just how much junk there was: newspaper, tickets, crisp packets, chip wrappers, cardboard cups. All just left. How casually we wondered what it would be like if a cigarette end were dropped down, ignited the … Because these were the 1980s. Smoking was known as unhealthy, but remained fashionable and there was no ban on smoking in public places as there is now.

Then, inevitably I guess, we moved on to discuss more important matters (beer, women, films, concerts). And, just a few weeks later I got home from a home match to find my wife worried by reports and film on the TV of a fire in a stand at a (then) third division ground. She thought maybe it was Walsall (all grounds – when did we start calling them stadiums? – looking pretty much the same in those 1980s days. It was Bradford. Fifty six people died in the fire, which spread and destroyed the whole stand in less than ten minutes. A real pity.  People who had gone to see football, indeed to celebrate Bradford’s promotion season.

That was 1985, football grounds are such different places to be now, although Valley Parade is in its traditional setting, largely re-built but still surrounded by houses. Rather than the current trend to put grounds in out of town shopping centres (Reading is a super example of this). And there is something of the familiar and reminiscent about this. But the ground is improved, better safety standards we would hope. Although, once inside the toilets leave something to be desired.

We recall these things as we drive up the M1. Dismiss talk of promotion via the play-offs. Why talk about it, we can still be promoted automatically. Cross the bridges when we get to ‘em we sagely decide.

Bradford looks bleak. Once a town of thriving woollen mills some of the tall characteristic chimneys remain. The street we park in is cobbled: big proper cobbles too. It is a cul-de-sac and at the end of it, is the Job Centre. Appropriate? Back on the corner with the Main Street is the Bradford Arms. This is the pub nominated for away fans by the police, apparently. We go in for a beer. It is decently old fashioned. Small? Tiny, rather.  But I get the beers in (Tetley’s Bitter, a Carling and a Coors Light) and we sit under the big screen. The Derby Sheffield Wednesday game is on. But no commentary. Instead piped music blares out of the speakers set on the coach backs in the corner. Including a lengthy version of Purple Rain by Prince, American singer/musician who died this week. Sad indeed.

But the music has no real depth or tone; it is tinny and loud.

Until that is a whole shed load of Walsall fans enter. Unceremoniously as is normal. And start some serious drinking and er … what might be described as singing. But seriously good natured. The songs are non-stop, some old favourites (Alan Buckley gets a name call, as does Ray Graydon – and even the I.R.A). Then, patriotically there are renditions of Rule Britannia, God save the Queen (whose 90^th birthday was celebrated roundly last week) and a version of Happy Birthday …

One of the participants was costumed as a Crusader-version of St George. So I can now say I have had a beer with the patron saint of my own country.

And, so down the streets to an almost-hidden Valley parade, clinging on to the side of what is indeed a steep valley; so that when you are on the level of away supporters entry gates the town towers above you. Into the ground. It is tight at this end. A lower egg box section, staggered stairs to a better-view floor. Where we settle, right at the front.  Bars set at eye-level, meant to keep us safe. However a serious piece of angle iron, about eight feet long is completely loose. If dislodged could fall on to the seats below and … Recalling the what-if discussions in 1985 I report this to one of the stewards. Will she actually pass the message on? Honestly? I would love to say yes, but that wasn’t the impression I got.

The team are warming up. Tom Bradshaw not starting again. Rico Henry as winger, Taylor as left back. Matt Pennington has been recalled by Everton (playing man United in an F.A. Cup semi final today) so James O’Connor back at centre half.

There is very little to say about the actual play. We were poor, bossed out of it. Simple as …

Lucky to get in at nil nil after a fraught forty five minutes. Sure somebody would get it right in the half time talk, sure our fitness would get us through.

But no, no and no.

One nil down, then very quickly two. By the end big old-style, bustling centre forward James Hanson has a hat-trick and Bradford are four nil to the good. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly Burton have beaten Colchester three nil. So behind now on both points and goal difference.

We are downcast. Jon Witney is stirring in his after-match comments. How appropriate on Shakespeare’s birth and death day.

“It was not good enough,” said Whitney afterwards. “I am not going to stand here and insult the fans’ intelligence. “I have asked the players to have a look at themselves. I’m not going to stand there and lose my head like the old Jon would have done years back. “I want to look at it logically. I want the players to go home and ask themselves, did you really, really do enough to challenge Bradford? “Did you do enough to want to get promoted to the Championship? Were you willing to put your head on the line because sometimes that is what you have to do in football. “It’s not always about playing pretty football. We have to match them physically and we didn’t do it second half and then we lose heavily.

Now we wait – the short wait – until Tuesday’s home game against Shrewsbury. We hope the words stir something up! We need to see a stunning performance. The team need to come back from a “reet spanking”! by a strong Bradford team.

We discuss, as fans will, changes we would make to the line-up. But realise the manager has an unenviable job … but wouldn’t we each like to be giving it a go?

Whether Witney will be manager long term is a matter for the board, who have been supportive this season. If so, inevitably he will be on a steep learning curve. With players almost or already out of contract, who will be playing for us at the start of the next campaign. And, in the Championship?

Back at home: there is a fantastically varied programme on BBC 2 with snippets of Shakespeare interspersed with details of his life. So many famous actors and up and coming ones too. Dealt with seriously with moments of comedy and music. Wonderful to see even royalty getting involved: our very own Prince Charles in a Hamlet sketch.

“To be or not to be …”  where oh where to put the emphasis? (This should be the question the coaching team at Walsall are setting their minds to.

As I tap this out, TV is showing the London Marathon. Somewhere out in space Tim Peak, strapped to a treadmill is doing his own marathon.

Ice Cold in Donny: Doncaster Away.

I’m driving over to Rugeley: rendezvous point for our trip to Tuesday’s Doncaster League One game. It’s light and skies are blue and cheerful. The latter possibly, probably even, brought on by the fact that I have had a fine day at work – and that my football team are doing extremely well … and that we kept the team – mostly together – during the transfer window of January. Mostly? Well James Baxendale has moved on to League Two Mansfield after a successful short spell on loan there.

I can remember his grandmother being extremely pleased when he was offered a contract by Dean Smith, she felt he would come on, be looked after and prosper. Unfortunately these things don’t always go as we see them. He was overshadowed by other players brought in and spent some time in the reserves; never quite reaching that breakthrough point. I wish him well at Mansfield Town (it’s not like we have to play them this season is it?

That game at Reading is water well gone under the bridges now: it was good to be there … and The Royals were definitely the better team. Everybody is going to meet a team that’ll set ‘em back on their bums once in a while. Happily this game did not affect our promotion prospects … and on the way north to Doncaster we tell each other exactly these things.

We also talk about the sperm whales that have stranded themselves (or become beached) on the East Coast of England, the outbreak of another mosquito-borne virus in South and Central America (named the Zika virus after the forests in Uganda where it was first encountered). It is on the rise and in the media: causing an outbreak of birth defects apparently.

Refugees are still fleeing war torn Syria and British Prime Minister David Cameron is trying to seal a deal that will enable our government not to pay benefits to EU residents until they have paid into our welfare system for some time and, essentially earned some payback. The rights and wrongs are daily discussions and will lead up to the referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union.

Otherwise there is a review of the latest Leonardo DiCaprio film, The Revenant, based on a true story of a fur trapper in North America and, as is mentioned … “everything’s trying to kill him: the white men he meets, the animals, the natives, the countryside, the weather …”

By this time we are peeling off the M1 onto the M1 and can see the stadium lights in the near distance. Keepmoat Stadium, built as part of the regeneration of Doncaster sits in the middle of – another – out of town shopping and commercial estate. It looks impressive, feels new and is home to rugby league, football league and Doncaster Belles Ladies F.C.

It feels isolated; not part of the community in the way grounds like Crewe Alexandria’s stadium do (be there shortly too). But we spy out our parking options (limited) and cheekily creep past security onto the park next to the stadium. Bale out sharpish (though the child-proof lock on the back door frustrates a speedy SAS style hit-the-ground-running evacuation.

We stroll around feeling a biting wind and eventually find the ticket office (kind of hidden away in the Doncaster Academy doors). Buy the single ticket we need and enter the ground.

 Somebody gets the beers in (I offered but Jack was insistent) and I get a pint of Rovers bitter (it includes a date but I cannot remember it, presumably something to do with Doncaster Rovers history?). But, just what I needed on such a cold night: ice cold beer!

But I notice the sign over the bar that says :”The Lucky Pint”, the sign at the opposite side is “The Harry Gregg Stand” (former Man United star and, I now think son of er Doncaster perhaps?)

We end up with a great view of the pitch, standing right at the every back wall of the stand: the wind swoops in is collected by the roof and funnelled straight towards the spot where we stand. In the floodlights the drops of heavy rain are gusted back and forth and the cloths over the empty seats at the side wriggle in the strong wind. Snow is forecast for later, but this rain is cold enough.

Doncaster are good, they sweep forward, switch, are full of pace and with some neat moves and skilful players. We are rocking unsteadily, but defend steadfastly and with no little luck on our side ( a Paul Downing hand to ball or ball to hand moment could have been a penalty )… and then what?

 

We are playing with reserve goalkeeper Craig McGillivray. He is different in nature to Etheridge: steadier, less dramatic, more inclined to stay on his line … but a more accurate kicker of the ball. And he is doing a fair job, called into action time after time – and up to the task.

We manage to get in at half time without conceding – but also without scoring; Bradshaw has been doing his solid job up front, but with few real opportunities. Our shooting looks more on target, which has to be good.

After a coffee and Bovril break we notice the wind has dropped, the rain stopped and it feels warmer.

We kick off, the saddlers now kicking towards the three hundred and some travelling fans. We are more aggressive this half, move the ball faster. Downing has a header that comes back off the bar, Lalkovic one saved, easily enough by the keeper. But, breaking from the middle of the pitch Sam Mantom hustles and is hustled, keeps his feet, accelerates away, into and beyond a challenge, looks up and puts all of his pent up frustration into a shot that rockets from his boot into the net. The benefits of going in at half time at nil nil eh?

Belief floods into the few saddlers fans … drains from the Rovers fans. We step up, and there is a piece of sublime magical invention from Sawyers, who takes a pass from a short corner, dribbles past and unexpecting defender, leaves him for dead, crosses low and hard across the box and Andy Taylor rockets a second goal.

 

Play continues: Doncaster somewhat demoralised but time drags and the y recover and grab a goal, then move up and we manage to se it out.

What a pleasing result, what an amazing performance.

Millwall at home on Saturday, but we are already talking about getting a train to Crewe.

The Last Defender

So I have an appointment at the GPs on Friday: a flaccid lump on my elbow diagnosed as “bursitis” hasn’t cleared itself up and it needs to be drained and have a steroid injection. I am slightly nervous but have sensibly organised for my erstwhile brother to drive to the Ian Hunter concert.

The doctor – professionally and properly ignores my feeble attempts at flippancy – and gets the job done. He seems a little surprised that I am a) going to sit while he carries out the procedure and b) that I am happy to watch. He winds a tight bandage around the joint and I am driven home, then picked up and we are on our way to The Copper Rooms (a.k.a. the Student’s Union block at Warwick University. To save a little time, we don’t want to be late we use the M6 Toll Road, getting there in plenty of time: me tucking in to chicken sandwiches as the rain sodden miles pass.

Fine concert: packed, standing only audience, minimal fuss about the décor – low ceilings, slightly raised stage, darkness and bare stage, few lights and the bands (support band David R. Black impressive with the few songs they performed). Hunter never could particularly hold a tune, but his lyrics bite and he is in a good mood, though his voice is, even for him, a little strained.

Next morning and I am driving To the F.A. Cup tie at Championship Reading. Toll road again: scandalous? We decide that the worst possible result would be a draw – because this would mean a replay – and we have enough games and, arguably not enough players to go around. We have overcome other Championship sides and could do so again today, if …

We are soon passing what remains if Didcot Power station and discuss the merits and technicalities (and spiritual aspects) of cooling towers and the economics of energy production. We decide to go past Reading and come back on ourselves; the ground is apparently the far side of the town and we want to miss town traffic. But the ground is on some retail park (B and Q, Ikea, Acme Junk shops, blah blah blah) and there is a whole mess of islands and traffic flow lights. We park uphill of a big-puddled car park and stroll to the ground, which stands atop a rise. From one point of view there is a wind generator sprouting from it. It is also, incidentally the home ground of the London Irish Rugby Union Club.

On the way we pass an overturned portaloo. In good mood we laugh: surely an omen of the best sort. It reminds us, for some reason of the saga of Walsall fans back in the hooligan days of football fandom, who apparently got to Reading, seized a programme seller, nicked all of the programmes and left the lad upside down in a nearby hedge. the whole coachload were promptly rounded up by the local police, taken into the confines of the  then-home ground, Elm park, given a strict lecture about expected behaviour and left – inside the ground having paid no entrance moneys.

 

The present home ground, the Madeski Stadium, must be built on a former rubbish tip and the road and pavement surfaces are coming up, coming apart or simply treacherous. And periscoping out of the ground are vent pipes, presumably to leak out fumes and methane from underground conniptions. But no getting away from it: this is an impressive ground: made for the future with money the club perhaps does not have: ambition and risk in a single site. We walk around three sides of it to get to the away end, where two of our tickets are electronically scanned and passed and the third is rejected. It would happen to belong to the one of us who had just said how polite the ticket sales people were – to find out that the stewards were anything but.

The away end is definitely fan friendly: there are TVs showing Walsall goals from last season, a server selling burgers wearing a red tee shirt with Bescot Crescent printed on it and plenty of room to stand, enjoy a pie, beer or, in my case a coffee. We had eaten salmon sandwiches in the car park – I took salmon sandwiches to the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff when we beat Reading in a play-offs final to get promotion – hmmm, what year was that now?

     Kind of weird that anyone would want to swap children, but if you do, there are opportunities at Reading it seems.

 

We climb the stairs and enter the seating area: it is quite wonderful: well tiered seating, great, unobstructed view of the field, single all-round roof that covers all of the seats and floodlights set into the edges of this. The sky we can see has  a few wisps of white cloud, and, could easily be a summer sky … it is 12 degrees here after all.

The usual and enjoyable singing banter: we have sixteen hundred fans there: strategically the noisy ones are under the lowest roof where the acoustics will swell the sound.

Same team as last game. But from the kick off we are made aware that this is definitely a higher league team. They are faster, fitter, bigger and topple over with amazing regularity and drama – even when only merely touched by a Walsall player. Sadly professional.

We, on the other hand, playing those neat little passing moves struggle to get any momentum, though for a while we dominate possession. Demetriou will run forever, but is doing so toady for little purpose. Likewise Rico henry; a great player with the ball, effortless control in stick situations normally … but today getting crowded out.

We go a goal down. Then another, Reading using the wings well and having forwards up and active.

We have Tom Bradshaw. Starved of the ball and having to drop back further and further.

I am now incensed of course! I am in that near-berserker rage: never mind what we thought in the calm cabin of the car: I want to take this game here and now and either win it or force the draw and … er … go to  a replay?

Hell yes! Whatever it takes!

But it will not be. We finally crumble and lose four nil. Driving back, after negotiating the crammed, jammed and nobody giving way islands ( the people going west were all parked in car parks to the east and vice versa it appears!) we are organising the trip to Doncaster on Tuesday night. We are, once again, calm and rational, wanting only to get back to winning promotion – automatically if possible. Results in league one have gone our way: the other “contenders” losing and putting us in a strong position to move on.

#	Team	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	Burton Albion	28	18	3	7	37	23	14	57
2	Gillingham	29	16	6	7	55	36	19	54
3	Walsall	27	15	8	4	45	26	19	53
4	Wigan Athletic	29	14	10	5	48	29	19	52
5	Coventry	29	13	9	7	48	32	16	48

But can we do it?

Maybe we have lost some momentum? Some motivation? I don’t doubt that the players we have are putting everything in to every moment but around about now those players are responding to Sean O’Driscoll, no longer running on what Dean Smith and Richard O’Kelly had … and, though I like what O’Driscoll brings (more tactical nous and better interviews for example) he doesn’t seem to think we need another striker/ another up-front outlet. And that is a little worrying.

We have picked up a loanee: Middlesbrough’s   Morris (of England under 19s and with previous loan experience at Burton Albion and York) is a midfielder. He may be needed to preplace George Evans who has, ironically moved on to – who else but Reading. Both are Cup-tied so neither could play today.

Also of concern is the fact that towards the end of the game Neil Etheridge was stretchered off*. That could be a big blow!

But by the time we set off to Doncaster (weather permitting the game to be played) we will know if O’Driscoll managed to keep the squad together. None of them particularly shone in today’s rout, though there were a couple of sublime moments from Sawyers: the first when he slipped easily past a Reading full-back and left him for dead down the wing, the second a break on goal, the glimpse to see where the goalie was and then the shot … which beat the keeper and came back of the angle of post and cross bar.

Elsewhere an iconic vehicle, Land Rover’s Defender is going out of production: the last one rolling off the closing down production lines this very week. Amazingly this vehicle has been in production since 1948 and 75% of them remain in use as I write.

The very last defender indeed … and Stuart Pearce one time “Psycho” full back is joining a team in Gloucester: best wishes to this fifty seven year old warrior!

• the injury was actually a couple of gashes that required a total of twelve stitches: wish you well Neil.

Seconds Out: Round Three {F.A. Cup: Brentford Away)

Last week we were walking from the car to the ground when my mobile phone went. It was tucked away under several layers of clothes, but I managed to dig it out and answer before it rang out. Cully was in the queue to get tickets for the F.A. Cup game at Brentford. Would I like one? Not half!

But, even before we had finished a short conversation the card had gone up: all allocation sold, no tickets left.

So we satisfied ourselves by getting tickets for the Tuesday game at Coventry.

But that is truly amazing: we will be taking about sixteen hundred fans down to Griffin Park! To this “showdown” against the team now managed by our former manager Dean Smith (one time “Ginger Mourinho”)

Between then and now Ben Stokes, England cricketer has absolutely smashed some records in a test match against top class opposition: South Africa in Capetown. Some of the records that, amazingly, fell:

Fastest Test double century by an England batsman

• Highest score by an England batsman at Newlands, beating Jack Hobbs’ 187 in 1910

• Most sixes by an England batsman (11), surpassing Wally Hammond in 1933

• Most runs scored in a day of Test cricket in South Africa (453), beating the 450 made by Australia in Johannesburg in 1921.

While I find it hard to become too involved in cricket (perhaps because I was never very good at it at school) this is a wonderful story and speaks volumes for an obviously talented player. Worth a mention, too is his partner at the stumps: Yorkshire’s Bairstow who would almost certainly have made his own headlines on any other day, displaying impressively powerful hitting of his own. The 26-year-old Yorkshire wicketkeeper hit five fours and a six in the space of nine balls and now averages 104 in three matches against South Africa.

 

Back to football and, at work we were discussing this weekend’s F.A. Cup games. This is the third round: the one where Premier League teams join the draw. So, after the early stages we now have all the teams in action. The time for historic giant killings? But over the past few years some upper echelon teams have played weakened teams and been knocked out, because, essentially the F.A. Cup has lost its prestige.

So my oppo, the Blues supporter reckons that in the Blues vs Bournemouth game both teams will play “lesser” teams. We cannot decide whether this means there will be more goals or less – and how about the quality of the game?

Will we see weakened teams in the Bees v Saddlers game? Both managers are in the media saying that, in each case the next games in the leagues (Championship for Birmingham, League One for us) are more important. But is it bluff or true? Psychological rambling?

The BBC, meanwhile is all over the F.A. Cup; one of the few major events it now televises. So there was a game on – and live on TV on Friday night. League Two Exeter playing Premier League Liverpool.

 

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale was one of the people allegedly considered for the Walsall job a month or so ago. the game is played on a very soggy pitch it is an intriguing game. Either out of faith in his younger players, desperation because of injuries or disrespect for the team from the lower league Liverpool governor Jurgen Klopp plays a team with few, if any recognisable names in it. Exeter go ahead; early on. Liverpool equalise. Exeter go ahead again with a sweet goal scored direct from a corner (unbelievable!) and Liverpool scrape another equaliser. Credit to Exeter, of course. Also to the young Liverpool players for their grit and determination.

 

So now the big question: it is, of course, super for Exeter to have the replay at Anfield financially, but will Klopp play a similar side at Anfield? Will he dare to … in front of the home fans?

 

What if we introduce a new rule: Premiership teams that only draw with teams from leagues one or Two forfeit the game. Should do away with the need for bothersome replays, and add spice to the F.A. Cup ties. Which do not get the respect they deserve from some clubs. Speaking of which Aston Villa manage to score in a one all draw at Wycombe ( a League two team). And I have a secret fear that, while hoping we play brilliantly and win, it will be an opportunity for Brentford staff to cast an eye over our players. And I don’t like that! (Our manager Sean O’Driscoll is quoted as denying the rumour about an offer from an un-named (perhaps Brentford?) Championship team already for Tom Bradshaw.

So, tinkering about at home pre-Walsall game, I discover that I can actually either watch BBC WM live (interesting) or get a full match commentary on the game. It is not a question: I go for the commentary: Rob Gurney and former Walsall player James Chambers. Fair team out for Walsall and seems we are playing two up front: Bradshaw and Lalkovic. Kinsella is in for right back and Rico Henry is back in to play down the left wing. According to the commentary (with the down to earth comments from Chambers) it seems we are not disgracing ourselves, then getting on top …

Then, with Downing moving forwards into the Brentford half Sam Mantom gets off a shot that fizzes into the Brentford net after thirty five minutes. I am impressed; Dean Smith perhaps less so.

 

In the second half Brentford boss the game, but we are stubborn and they cannot get past. It is raining heavily. Some substitutions made by both teams and, near the end there’s a tremendously powerful header from O’Connor (so we’re clearly not backs-to-the-wall defending) that comes back off the Brentford post

… and we are into the next round.

A couple of clearly delighted Walsall fans are on air, and asked about Dean Smith they say his departure from Bescot felt like “if your girlfriend leaves you for a midget …” An interesting analogy even if I am sure it is not how most of us see the switch.  Sean O’Driscoll was far more generous, giving Smith and O’Kelly praise for putting together a squad with such a fine spirit. Now our former manager can get on and concentrate on trying to get into the Premiership. I wish him well with that.

Meanwhile I am guessing/hoping we have all got Dean Smith out of our systems and the team we support is now well and truly Sean O’Driscoll’s.

Round Four: now, who do we fancy?

Be good to get a home game!

Post Script: Blues end up losing to Bournemouth; Wolves also go out.

 

•  

Bond, Boogie and the Bees.

7th December, 2015

Friday evening; we decide to go to the cinema. James Bond’s new adventure: Spectre. It is a dark film, this series with Daniel Craig as Bond are all brutal. But the action is good, the story credible and the baddie truly villainous in a twenty first century way that makes him seem to be helping society while planning to rule the world.

I was always struck by Sean Connery as the best Bond. Back in the days when this was a new genre of film. And, as with who is your favourite Doctor Who, loyalties lie deep. Craig is excellent; I can imagine his Bond going toe to toe with other action hero  types (John McClain for example in the Die Hard franchise or the Liam Neeson (come on what is the character’s name?) in the Taken series (how many more can there be?)) and not embarrassing himself (or Her Majesty’s Government).

Getting back tour house we remember that our central heating boiler has gone kaput – and snuggle up until tomorrow, hoping that the unseasonably warm spell will continue until it is repaired. The sensor window keeps flashing a “F13” fault message and I need a Walther PPK to wipe the grin off it’s face.

Elsewhere Lenny Henry is knighted for services to charity (co-founder of Comic Relief) and comedy (I think). Never could stand his younger, brash persona, but he has matured into a wonderful person: local –ish lad from Dudley done well.

On Saturday Walsall are the highest ranked team in the Second Round of the F.A. Cup (sponsored this year by Emirates Airlines). We are  away at Chesterfield. I am not going. While it is not so far I have a date to keep with Status Quo at the NIA in Birmingham.

So I curl up and turn on the radio. BBC WM. But they are only flickering to and from the Walsall game with “up-dates”. And they report that Tome Bradshaw is not in the team. Was the injury at Shrewsbury so serious? Is this just a precaution? Jordan Murphy has been recalled from his loan spell at Kidderminster Harriers so …

… watch this space.

I don’t have a good feeling about it all, but after eighteen or so minutes the news comes in that we are one nil up. A Jason Demetriou goal. By full time we are one – one, because Lee Novak scored a ninetieth minute equaliser. So a replay … and we are still in with a chance to get into  the next round. A good thing?

I decide not to worry about it. Neither will I worry about some of the names being linked with the manager’s job. Somebody will sort it all out. And there has rarely been a better chance to take over at Saddlers.

Skilful players, good league position – and still in the cup with a chance to raise money and enhance reputations.

I use my sat nav (Birthday present: Thanks kids!) for the first time to get to the NIA. It takes us a different way and we get snarled up in traffic, but are in our lofty seats in time to see a short (thirty minutes) support set from the Wilko Johnson Band … then the mighty Status Quo. Very smooth, great sound, lot of favourites and we spin home – contented.

 

I have just enough energy to watch one game on Match of the Day: Bournemouth winning one nil at Chelsea … it is a goal if the referee says it is (that’s the rule) but this one , to me,  was scored from an off side position.

Monday morning I drive to work. Thinking that we are still in the F.A. Cup. Wondering whether I actually meant the thing I said in the pub before the Shrewsbury game. (I said it would be great to get Brentford after we’ve beaten Chesterfield, to show Dean Smith what he left behind!)

There is heart warming news from the Carlisle F.C.. team. Their home ground – and the town – are inundated with record breaking rainfall (the crossbar of the goals is below water level!) and their players have volunteered to help anybody who needs it in the resulting clear up operations. real community stuff. Commendable!

… and, sure enough, at work I’m asked “who would you like in the next round?”

One of my colleagues is a Blues supporter so I tell him I’d love to get Birmingham City – at their ground!

“Better for me if we were at your place,” he smiles, “we are not so good at home!”

Or Everton; there are Everton supporters there too.

But when the draw comes up on BBC Two I watch the big teams (Championship and Premier clubs) come and go. The non-League teams (like Eastleigh, nicknamed “the Spitfires” as this was the home of Supermarine who designed the iconic World War Two fighter).

But I am not surprised when Brentford comes out of the draw … followed  by ball 60 “Chesterfield or Walsall”.

Aren’t there times when you should have kept your mouth shut ?

The irony is lost on the TV pundits; but this could be a game of games …

… if we can get past Chesterfield of course.

Fireworks, Poppies and The F.A. Cup: Fleetwood at Home

The aftermath of the Russian airliner which disintegrated after taking off from Sharm-al-Shaikh in Egypt rumbles on: the Advice from the British Commonwealth Office is against travelling to the resort and civilian flights have been halted. This leaves a whole number of British tourists stranded there, with rumours about how – and when they will get home. Arrangements are broadcast, then changed. Was it a terrorist bomb? An accident? Mechanical failure? Nobody actually knows – yet! But two hundred and twenty four innocent people were killed instantly!

But, either way, in some insidious fashion, the terrorists are gaining ground. One, tourism in Egypt will take a knock, the country may become more isolated, the extremists will find it easier to influence what is happening there. Two: the whole economics will disappear, leaving Egyptians unable to continue the same standards of life and living.

I believe the British government is doing what is necessary: seeking to protect the lives of British people. It seems, from rumours and the very active media circus that security systems in place, or at least the people manning, them are insufficient, poorly trained or corruptible. Most tourists will be returning with hand luggage only, so the suggestion is that hold baggage was improperly checked – or worse.

In British politics the recently elected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has upset many people (including me!) by suggesting the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal celebrates war, and as such, is dishonourable. I find this absolutely shameful. The poppies are not sold to celebrate of glorify war but to offer some financial assistance to the very ordinary people and families who suffer from needing to do extra-ordinary things. It ought to be possible, surely to separate the actual war from the people who take part in it. People who made this nation – indeed, the world – what it is today, gave us our freedoms and responsibilities. There is some question as to whether Corbyn will actually lay a wreath at the Memorial service at the Cenotaph In London on Armistice day (11^th November).

 

That wars are not started by ordinary men is obvious; wars are the product of politicians: Corbyn may be correct in his anti-war stand as a modern politician, but must re-think his stance on the poppy.

Walsall face the First Round F.A. Cup proper today, November 5^th (my brother’s birthday and Guy Fawkes Night too). Doesn’t seem so long ago that new_ Fleetwood manager Steve Pressley was sitting enduring some banter from my brother and I in the HomeServe Stand, having lost his manager’s job at Coventry. Now he’ll be back again, trying to knock us out of the only Cup we are still in.

Fleetwood are simply struggling – and their opening performance tells its own story. Only a few fans have made the trip … and they are very quiet. We have not been good this season at imposing ourselves from the first whistle: but today we do – or Fleetwood are just that poor.

Indeed, during the first sixty minutes or so we control the game. George Evans, who must be one of the best-ever loan signings at Bescot has tucked away his third goal of the stay. We are one nil up and they have little to offer. Their goalkeeper and manager are two of their most animated characters – to little effect until we make some changes.

Lalkovic goes off, so does Etheridge and Tom Bradshaw. On come Forde, McGillivray and Jordan Cook. We miss Bradshaw’s steadying presence up front. When the ball is cleared Tom is usually able to hustle, control, steal or take the ball on. He is constantly putting defenders under pressure. Cook is just not able to do this – or not as well as Bradshaw. This, I guess is why Bradshaw has had his first full wales international l call-up (more of this later).

 

And Fleetwood get some serious possession, set up (and miss) several good chances. We are sitting back in our own half, unable to get away, relieve the pressure. But Fleetwood cannot take advantage of it. And into the three minutes of added time we get a throw in. It is well taken, worked to Forde, who has a short run, cuts inside … and I watch him, with time and space, look up, pick a spot and curl the ball into the Net. Two – nil ad we will be in the draw for the next round. Some guy outside the ground wanted to be playing Wolves at Molineux in the next round. Me? Not too fussed at the moment: I want this team to do well, but am concerned that, with the squad size we need to avoid injuries … and seriously/

Would prefer to get automatic promotion! Or at least be in the play offs again.

Tom Bradshaw has been picked by The Wales manager, Chris Coleman to join the training before the next international games. Gareth bale is not bale to play and there are some other first-names-on-the-list missing, so Super Tom gets the nod. Whether he will play or not is a different matter. But it does mean that our away game, next week at Shrewsbury is postponed.  How fortunate for me: I will be going to Durham for the weekend with the Saddlers Widow and, depending on the rearranged date will not miss this local away game.

Back from the game, I scurry with boxes of dry paper and some wood left over from re-cladding the garden shed to mom’s. For the annual bonfire, beer and food-at-our-hose. Traditional. Our home-made one isn’t as big or as glamorous as Thursday’s Star Inn bonfire (thanks Great Wyrley Parish Council, great show!). It does however contain a couple of pallets that I liberated from the enormous pile! As usual, we all toddle out of our houses and watch the magnificent display of aerial fireworks: fascinating colour combinations!. But ours is  a great chance to get spread-out members of our family together. The night is dry, skies clear and the food welcome.

But, in the country darkness, with people walking about I am sure, once o twice that Stewart Staples, long-time friend (and Walsall fan) is the one making the footsteps.

Sadly this is not so: he died last year, buying fireworks as he always did for our annual celebration.

Miss you, my friend!

This morning, being Remembrance Sunday we stood with refreshingly large  numbers of scouts and local people at the memorial Gates on the A34 in Great Wyrley: poppies were laid and sacrifices remembered.

We Will Remember Them.

“… this Lad on the Roof …” Colchester Away

27th October: home

So, after denying “any knowledge” of the rumour that he had two games to save his job – and a home defeat to Swansea City Tim Sherwood is sacked by Aston Villa. I am not sure whether to be sorry or shrug and say

“Hey-ho, should have done better” … “and, where are you going to get a better one from, Villa?” while whistling Dixie and hoping they don’t look our way – at least while we are putting this little run together.

Meanwhile, my own team don’t seem to know just when to quit.

Take Saturday. Away at Colchester. Two goals up at half time (a re-directed shot from Romaine Sawyers and a deflected Lalkovic power-driver) they are pulled back to two all in the second half. George Evans fires us in front again. Three all, then we go behind. But in extra time O’Connor slips the equaliser in – and, before the final whistle Kieron Morris nearly steals all the points.

Four – all !

 

Keeps us in second place, two points behind Gillingham … and we play them on Saturday. At home (gulp! Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad one; but I’ll take it anyway. Until this Colchester game we had shipped only two goals away from home – a key to winning games – or at least not losing them. What happened to that defence in this game? Letting in only two in seven away games … they allez oops! – four in forty five minutes? Will it happen again? That’s what football is all about really. The record that stands – and stands us in good stead – is that we are still unbeaten away from home.

I wasn’t there, a journey too far – and some dollars (no, I mean pounds sterling, but dollars is more poetic!) short.

When all the dust has settled, however, we are still sitting in second place, two points behind Gillingham … and we play them on Saturday. At home (gulp! Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad one; but I’ll take it anyway).

The Gillingham home game will feature a guard of honour and a British Legion Poppy Appeal collection. Poppies, being one of the first flowers to grow in the churned up mud and debris of the World War One battlefields, quickly became a symbol (here in the U.K. anyway) of remembrance and the hopes for peace.

I will be donating – and wearing a poppy with pride!

This evening, while I was catching up on a TV programme (The Last Kingdom, adapted from Bernard Cornwell novels) we have been drawn at home in the F.A. Cup against Fleetwood. Games to be played in/around Bonfire Night weekend (my brother’s birthday – and excuse for a big party usually). Might be we have to get the fire built early.

And from the Express and Star football columnist Matt Maher – on the joys, perhaps – of being a Barnsley supporter:

“… the most bizarre story of the weekend, however goes to the Barnsley supporter who fell asleep on the stadium toilets at Oakwell and had to be rescued by the fire brigade.

The man, believed to be in his early 20s, nodded off during half time during the Tykes 1 – 0 defeat to Fleetwood.

Waking, seven hours later, he found himself locked inside the ground.

“Usually it’s a false alarm,” said a spokesman from Barnsley’s fire station. “but we turned up and saw this young lad on the roof trying to get our attention.”

“he had no shoes on and had lost his mobile ‘phone and his hat. He was more bothered about his hat.”

The questions are, of course, many. Either way it quite the scathing commentary on the home side, who have lost five out of their last six.”

Enough said?

F.A. Cup Surprises.

My good wife was not happy yesterday (Friday). One of her favourite programmes (the Musketeers, BBC1) was replaced by a live broadcast F.A. Cup match. Cambridge United versus Man. Utd.

“Why,” she wanted to know “is there not a channel that shows just sports so I don’t have to have my favourite programmes messed about?”

I was thinking several things – the way we can all do, right?

The first: that this version of Alexandre Dumas’ musketeers – plus one – is simply using the four characters to eke out well-written but completely new, episode length storylines … I am puzzled why it was not deemed possible to invent new characters and make something new. We seem to be in a loop of recycling old plots, ideas and characters, rather than taking a chance on new …

Secondly: there are many channels that show only sports. We don’t have them and I don’t think I need them, but they are there. The BBC – God bless all who sail in her – are desperately trying to hang on to sporting events and the F.A. Cup is one they still hold. The playing timetable has been stretched out over three days to allow games to be shown on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday. Beyond that BBC is losing big sports events to other channels – sport is becoming, sadly, more about the stay at home audience than the attending spectators.

Thirdly I was wondering, just wondering if the game would be any good; could Cambridge, massively underdogs, beat the mighty Manchester United team?

So I started to watch it. I was only going to watch until Man Utd – s would predictably and inevitably would happen – scored their first goal …

But they didn’t! Managed by Richard Money (our manager from 2006 to 2008) they outplayed, out thought and out manoeuvred their Premier league opponents. Man Utd looked short of fire, commitment and skill. I watched the whole game. A proper F.A. Cup game. A nil-nil result with a replay at Old Trafford is arguably the best result for all involved from Cambridge: the players will get to play in one of the world’s most iconic stadiums, the fans can say they went to Old Trafford to watch their own team play there – and the money the club makes will provide a genuine, well won foundation for the club to build on.

   

No game for the Saddlers – we were knocked out by Shrewsbury in the very early stages: another story (briefly told at https://saddlersfan.wordpress.com/tag/shrewsbury-town/) .

The media are peddling the fiftieth anniversary of the funeral of Winston Churchill. It was televised, live and had a massive world-wide audience. Churchill’s great grandson, interviewed says he feels his great grandfather should be remembered for far more than just his war-time role. He was involved in the last great cavalry charge, a war correspondent, a sponsor of science, an artist, a writer, and flew in held-together-with-string planes in 1912 as founder of the Royal Naval Air Service. There is newsreel footage of his funeral procession which includes the touching sight of the dockside cranes lowering their jibs in respect. It escaped attention at the time, but the crane drivers would not normally have been at work on this day – and got paid over-time, allegedly, for the act.

Sixty years ago in another land a truck driver named Elvis recorded a song for his mother and, arguably changed the world. The producer of the record, Sam Phillips recognised something in the voice and – the rest is history.

This afternoon, more shocks in the F.A. Cup: Chelsea roundly beaten by Bradford City (at home!) and Manchester City beaten by Championship side Middleborough. Aston Villa, who have not scored for nine and a bit hours must be nervous: they play free-scoring Bournemouth tomorrow.

The crowd at an Everton game recently became extras in a Sylvester Stallone film. He appeared on the scoreboard screen in an Everton shirt and asked the crowd to “act the part of the crowd” in a Rocky spin-off film he is making.

Walsall have managed to sign Michael Cain on a season long loan (from Leicester City) now; initially he was filling in for Sam Mantom, recovering from injury. But Mantom’s  injury is on-going – and Cain has been so influential. Glad we have him for the rest of the  season! Because there is a lot going on at the moment: our second leg Northern Area final is on Tuesday. Two nil up isn’t feeling safe at the moment, but Wembley ?

Bescot will be hosting another international game in March: the England under-18s game against Switzerland.

Bradshaw, Blades and Christmas Coming Up …

So … that convincing home win against Barnsley stretches an unbeaten run and puts us four points off the play off places. For those of you unsure about the system: top two teams in the league get automatic promotion to the Championship and those placed three to six enter a play-off with home and away games aggregated score deciding which two teams play in the final for the third promotion spot. To qualify we have to finish better than sixth. That is real progress after a very poor start to the season and, I will reluctantly admit goes some way to vindicating the outwardly calm, no-panic approach of the management team. 

Walsall Football Club always seems to be run on a shoestring budget: if we cannot afford it we ain’t gonna risk it kind of approach. I’m all in favour of that, especially since we have a fine system of scouting that turns up gems like Tom Bradshaw (below right) and get some superb loan players in – Michael Cain (below left)  from Leicester is a current example. It must also be about the relationship between players and staff of course – so I guess something is going well. It certainly felt like it watching the Barnsley game!

 

But our next three games pit us against quality teams who are above us in the league: Sheffield United away, Swindon at home on Boxing day  followed by MK Dons away.

Sheffield United, the Blades, fresh from knocking Premier League Southampton out of the Capital One Cup are managed by Nigel Clough. They play at Bramall Lane. Sheffield, once the knife and cutlery making capital of the world: once the home of the mighty British Steel and the sought-after “made in Sheffield” mark meant quality all across the world. Certainly my grandmother had some of it, set, she always said in whalebone handles.

 

Before the game we take a trip to Cannock Chase to buy a Christmas tree. Choosing a five footer that is now decorated and set up in the corner of the living room. Sentimental attachments to many of the decorations that are reminders of our daughters growing up and of places we have visited. And, so pleasing when the lights come on …

Dreadful news from Peshawar, Pakistan, where a hundred and forty one people, including a hundred and thirty two children have been killed during a so-called terrorist raid. It seems inconceivable that any religion can claim that educating children is wrong but this seems to be the twisted logic behind the raid. Outrageous! Cowardly! The future can only be poorer unless everyone gets and education – surely? Although many students in the developed world may not see it as such – learning – and learning how to learn – is a privilege. The fact that  there are regions of the world that do not have this yet makes us all poorer. That a culture would try to prevent it is feudal and ignorant. Thoughts with the families there – for the very, very little that it is worth.

As a result the Pakistani prime minister has reinstated the death penalty.

Back to sport, where there is some degree of sanity. Rugby Union team Wasps have played ther first game at their new home, the ricoh Arena in Coventry – a long-running saga this one. One-time F.A. Cup giant-killers Hereford United have been declared bankrupt – after ten  court winding up hearings.  While in this year’s F.A. Cup lowly local team Worcester City, having forced a gallant draw in their  first game at Scunthorpe went out in a dramatic replay with a new record number of shoot-out penalties before resolution: thirty in all. Hope it brings few new fans to the Aggborough club.

BBC has had its annual Sports Personality of the Year, reflecting the highs, lows and dramas of sport. Lewis Hamilton (Grand Prix driver) won the overall people’s vote: Cristiano Ronaldo the international player of the year and the first ever GB team from the Invictus Games getting a fine award, with a marvellous tribute from Prince Harry who when asked how he felt gave credit to the athletes but added “like a proud dad!” with a  big, genuine  smile. I am really proud of how far sport for the disabled has come and how that label “disabled” carries no stigma in my country.

We have had no really cold winter weather yet. It gets dark, it is wet, sometimes windy and grey, but cold? Not yet.

So Saturday dawns and I get to the afternoon radio. BBC WM as is traditional for me. Better than BBC Sports Live as it concentrates on local clubs. I am reading with an ear open for the “goal horn” but the  irregular “catch up reports” from Sheffield are not exciting for either side. The commentator makes it sound dull – perhaps it actually is, but that’s not what I want to hear.

Neither some minutes into the second half is that Sheffield have scored. Better news shortly afterwards that Tom Bradshaw has equalised: a splendid header I later see as I watch highlights. That’s eleven goals for him this season so far …

A draw at Sheffield? Tom Bradshaw getting another goal? A run of seven unbeaten games? and Michael Cain’s loan period extended? Keeps me happy.

Merry Christmas!

Tranmere: Johnstone’s Paint Trophy

We’re in the car. On a ramp of the South Car Park of the now-to-be-called Barclaycard Arena. In a queue waiting to get on the road and heading for home after a tremendous show from The Who.

It’s not about counting the number of times I’ve seen this marvellous band, or the memories their music wakes in me … but about that actual show. Stunning! Musically. Visually. And the banter between audience and band (tonight mainly Pete Townshend) and the sheer joy they have of playing over two hours straight-off of their enormous repertoire.

Townshend: articulate, cutting, perceptive and aggressively fragile. Daltrey: almost pitch perfect, solid, dependable, full of humour. Playing with humility and passion. And that classy ending; not doing a pre-planned encore (“that’s Bullshit, that is,” Daltrey explains:” we’re doin’ this one, then we’re finished.”)

But now, we’re stuck in traffic. And not even off the car park.

If all goes to plan I will be back here for the Status Quo show on Saturday.

But after talk of the concert Cully mentions the chance to go up to Tranmere (struggling in League Two) for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game on Tuesday.

I am already committed (and wouldn’t have it any other way, especially with the way Walsall a re playing at the minute). A meal out on my wife’s birthday! Already arranged.

So it happens: two daughters and partners, she and I at the Trooper (Wall, just off the A5). Fine atmosphere, great service, good choice (though the pigeon (which the menu warns “may contain shot”) is not available.

We have had a few frosty nights, but it is generally still warm. Very windy tonight … the media is dubbing it a “weather bomb”.

No games this weekend: F.A. Cup games. Worcester City managing an away draw against Scunthorpe might just get through into the third round: good luck to ‘em. But we are out!

It is also a weekend when at football grounds all over the country teams posed together to remind crowds of the Great War Christmas Truce and impromptu football games in NO man’s Land between the trenches. Did that really happen?

 

Elsewhere Christmas, 2014-stylee is in full flow: the German Christmas Market in Birmingham is drawing in sightseers and pickpockets. TV is flooded with advertising: turkey, beer, toys, gadgets. Scotland has introduced a lower limit for alcohol in the bloodstream for drivers. So, for the first time you could drink to  legal limit in England, drive over the border and be breaking the law … or get breathalysed and have points on your licence (or disqualified from driving) in Scotland and be punished here in England. I have lived long enough to understand the need not to take risks with drink and driving but this seems crazy. We should adopt the same levels: in line with what, it seems most of mainland Europe has done for many years.

I do seem to recall a couple of years ago pubs would provide free soft drinks for designated drivers. Great idea! It could work again I think.

And so, so many tributes being paid by sportsmen all over to Phillip Hughes the Australian batsmen killed in the most freakish of sporting circumstances: the bowled ball striking a blood vessel in his neck during a game.

So very, very sad. And what were the chances …?

We get back. From the Birmingham car park. From the Trooper.

I get around to checking out the Tranmere score: 2 – 2 at full time is all the initial Google search reveals. We came back from two nil down at half time. Great spirit then! But the penalty shoot-out? We didn’t lose in normal time then I’m thinking. Noticing that Antony Forde and young Michael Cain scored. A few moments later I get to the penalties result: Walsall won with a sudden death Downing winner after sterling work from O’Donnell.

So we are through to the Northern Area final. We will be playing wither Preston N.E. or Notts. County (over two legs) in January. Winners go to Wembley to play in the Final and, er, Walsall have never been to Wembley (either the old one or the new) in their history.

That’s setting things up nicely for the home game on Saturday then: the I.C.A.D. sponsored game against Barnsley.