Happy? New Year! Rochdale at Home

3rd January: home

So Christmas, the commercial juggernaut has been truly upon us. Twenty four seven TV (and this year, for the first time I notice the preponderance of war films; some of them black and white and inspirational-type ones (The Dambusters), others a more simple glorification of war with heroes and villains easily distinguishable, and others that can be read at a deeper level; or indeed many levels such as Kelly’s Heroes (so far one of my all-time favourite films of any genre).

But also the episodes that have become staple fare (the Dr Who Christmas Special) and so on.

But in addition this year there has been a David Beckham (as UNICEF ambassador) documentary. The concept was to play a “game of football” on each of the Earth’s seven (7: the shirt that Beckham is famously associated with wearing) continents.

I didn’t catch it all, but what I did see has me thinking many things.

First what a great personality this talented footballer is. Both humble and generous he has developed from a shy, awkward TV character to a commanding presence (practice of course) always remembering his roots, his family, apparently keeping his feet on the ground and using his fame for good cause. The concept was to play a “game of football” on each of the Earth’s seven (7: the shirt that Beckham is famously associated with wearing) continents.

Secondly – for me, inevitably – how much did it cost to make this programme? Flying people and kit across the world and all of the additional costs: the trip to Antarctica for example, though stunningly filmed, would have set somebody back a pretty penny. And does the subsequent marketing justify this expenditure? The cause, undeniably brilliant and worthwhile was launched in 2015, 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund, is David’s personal commitment to use his voice, influence and connections to raise vital funds and rally for lasting change for children.

Did it do that? His visits to places? The publicity it generated? Or was it just some kind of Hollywood stunt that everybody got carried away with?

From the blurb comes the following: “The first stop saw David visit the highlands of Papua New Guinea where he spent time in a traditional village and learnt about the challenges facing children in the country. In Papua New Guinea, malnutrition is a leading cause of death in children under five. UNICEF, with the support of David’s own 7 Fund is providing treatment for children suffering malnutrition as well as working to educate communities on improved nutrition.

Next, David visited Nepal, where he saw the devastation caused by April’s powerful earthquake. In Kathmandu, David met children at a temporary learning centre established with support from UNICEF. The school is one of 1,500 temporary learning centres that UNICEF has helped to set up after the earthquake destroyed over 34,500 classrooms.

In Djibouti, the third of seven countries, David spent time at a refugee camp meeting children and families including those displaced by conflict and violence in neighbouring countries. In Djibouti, about 1 in 15 children die before their 5th birthday, often from preventable causes. At the Ali Addeh camp, which is home to over 10,000 refugees from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, David saw how UNICEF is providing life-saving vaccines to protect children from preventable diseases such as polio and measles.

The amazing journey, which also took in Buenos Aries in Argentina, Antarctica and Miami in the United States, culminated 10 days after departure at Old Trafford with the unforgettable Match For Children, which raised vital funds and focus attention on UNICEF work for children in danger around the world.”

The game in Antarctica involved a fortunately sunny window of weather and, reportedly the first ever “international game” of football played in full Arctic gear on a scuffled-flat packed snow pitch.

In the U.S.A Beckham played on each side in a rooftop, artificial pitch game between two women’s teams. The game we call football is usually termed “soccer” in the States and rose to prominence first as a game for women. This also gave the chance for an equality message: much needed across the world.

But, taken as entertainment the programme was well worth watching: not least because the “tour” ended with a bona fide Great Britain against the Rest of the World (with Sir Alex Ferguson returning from retirement to manage the G.B. team) This game was played at Old Trafford on the weekend of the terrorist attacks in Paris. This meant that a number of French players, understandably, dropped out of the game. This was the week we were in Durham ( featured in my own post at https://saddlersfan.wordpress.com/2015/11/22/paris-silences-and-the-blades/ )

But after Christmas the bitter-sweet end of another year, a cracking Rock Big Ben show on TV from Bryan Adams (great duet with Beverley Knight (Wolverhampton lass) and the release of the New year’s Honours List.

This usually features a number of sports personalities and this year includes cyclist Chris Froome. Also there are John Surtees, who won seven world motorcycling crowns before claiming six Grand Prix victories and the 1964 world drivers’ title, was honoured with the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his considerable contribution to the field of motorsport. Jockey A.P. McCoy also became a knight.

From football Denis Law (most famously of man Utd and Scotland) and Francis Lee (man City and England) are honoured, not only for their sporting prowess but for their contributions to sport and to charity. Recently asked whether the man United team who played in would beat the currently struggling and embattled man united law said his team would have won one nil. Asked why the score line would have been so close he quipped that “most of the team I played in are in their seventies now!”. His sense of fun has clearly not diminished.

 

 

Women’s football was also recognised: two England stalwarts Steph Houghton and Fara Williams being honoured. Genuine recognition and well deserved. How long, I wonder before women are actually playing in mixed teams in an official league? Watch this space!

Before heading out to pick up my brother on the way to the home game against Rochdale I have time to watch some of mid-day football programme Football Focus. It concentrates, sadly, on the Premier league of course, but there is a spot where Gary Lineker is at St George’s Park (half an hour’s drive away and close to the village of Rangemore where I worked once upon a time).

England Under 19s are training in the background … and there, for a moment is Rico Henry. This is January. There is a very good chance that he will be one of our players snapped up during this transfer window where bigger clubs can buy players like, well, like young Rico.

It is one of the sad facts of being a supporter of a league one team that we see talent on its way to bigger and better things … and, occasionally talent going in the opposite direction (Paul Merson being a super example of this).

Tom Bradshaw is only on the bench (bit surprising that) and Henry too. Within the first three minutes the other surprise is that mid-table Rochdale have had three shots and one of them has gone in.

Nobody expected that – and the team settle down to pull it all back. Not looking particularly flustered until Rochdale pack the spaces and we cannot get past their busy players. Lalkovic seems out of sorts up front and Cook is disappointing today. Sawyers seems tired and playing, for me, too far back.

… and we just don’t look to have the energy, the urgency, the invention … for the first time this season.

It is disappointing and frustrating. During the whole game I don’t think we had a single shot on target (I am of course bound to be wrong!); even the late introduction of Morris, Bradshaw and Henry don’t make the required difference and Rochdale are all over us. Their few – loyal – supporters are ecstatic as we file out having lost three –nil.

Despite this Neil Etheridge is the sponsor’s man of the match. Honestly he would have been my choice too. O.K. he let in three, but kept so many others out!

But, let’s hope that’s the blip out of the way: next week we are at Brentford. Ticket allocations sold out, so I wish the lads well … but, look after the squad and back to league business as soon as possible please.

“International Break”: Peterborough, home.

Not feeling too good when I wake up. Bit of a cold from being outside on Wednesday perhaps. But my brother is picking me up to get to the game. So no real worries. I get involved, in an off-hand way in a Facebook discussion about England manager Roy Hodson. It follows the typical football fan wandering diatribe with prejudice, banter, red herrings  and real points (sometimes ignored, sometimes dealt with) in equal measure.

There’s no Premier League games this weekend: an “international break”. England playing Slovenia at Wembley – and time for the critics to take a pop. A serious point I try to add is the dearth of English-born players in the Premier league linked to the financial need to qualify for prestigious (a.k.a. financially rewarding) European club competitions making fans and corporate-clubs trying to buy “instant success”. Perhaps because of the international game there is a five thousand plus gate: brilliant. How would it be if we could manage this every week?

We get to the game good and early.  Find out that Dean Holden – sometime player/coach is heading to Oldham to join the management team there. He had some injury problems and, shortly after he joined us (July, 2012) his daughter tragically died of a rare blood disorder. Wish him and his family well.

 

The scoreboard is replaying highlights of the mid-week game … and, actually edited as it is looks as if it were a better game than it actually was. The scout is back again (he said he would be) and so is Kenny Jackett.

And, in front of us sits a man who, throughout the game is earnestly taking notes and drawing diagrams in a professional looking notebook. Perhaps he is a reporter, journalist; whatever he must be a statistician … but I wonder how he can keep up with the game and take good notes.

(This blog is not intended as a detailed  match report, though hopefully it contains some details … but hopefully flags up trends and some of the dramas –not all big ones and not all connected to football – of the games).

Bradshaw is not playing. Manset is on as lone striker. He was industrious on Wednesday, but is not so effective in this game, struggling to reach long balls and to carry the ball while waiting for support. Cain, hope we can extend his loan is again very busy and complements Chamber’s physical presence in midfield. Forde is involved in some fine moves. Both full backs working well and getting forward frequently. Peterborough (“the Posh”) are managed by Darren Ferguson and a rumour goes around that Sir Alex Ferguson (former Man. Utd. Manager) is at the game – but I don’t see him.

Refereeing is, frankly, poor. Decisions given too late, players being spoken to repeatedly (why not just the one warning, then a card?) and some overacting after minor trips and fouls goes on during the whole ninety minutes (plus stoppage time). Two penalties are not given – one each.

Peterborough seem to sit back during the first half – they are high riding promotion hopefuls and have vast cash resources at their disposal (apparently), but do not look the better team

As usual we pass well enough, penetrate often (getting better at this as we have “momentum”) but fail to create real chances. We cannot score!

Crowd gets behind the team in the second half, adds a little spice and aggression to the activity on the pitch. But, when the whistle goes neither the game has gone neither one way or the other, but gone absolutely nowhere.

 

Oh, but as I am reminded, we haven’t lost!

On the way out I buy tickets for Tuesday evening’s F.A. Cup replay on Tuesday at Shrewsbury. (if we can beat them we have an away game at Preston) to look forward to. Non-league Worcester City are on a roll, having beaten Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena.

When I get home all thoughts of the England game have gone from my head, but I remember and click on the TV channel to find “we”, that is England are winning 3-1. Slovenia went ahead. Wayne Rooney, picking up his ne hundredth cap, scores a penalty (great penalty by the way) equaliser, and then it’s fairly comfortable with Danny Wellback getting a good couple of goals.. Facebook rants put behind us –as the manager does a reasonable job.

Wales, meanwhile earn a creditable draw in Belgium. There is an outside chance that Tom Bradshaw could get a game for Wales – if he can stay injury free – if he can carry on playing the way he has done so far this season.

Gillingham: Home

Strange how days seem to merge and blur over the Easter break. With the game at Carlisle on Good Friday the day seemed like a Saturday with me typing on the computer, listening to the radio commentaries and actually expecting there to be a Match of the Day on TV (there wasn’t of course). Saturday seemed strange with Premiership matches going on (including Sunderland beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge handing Liverpool a good chance to establish a real challenge for the title in Sunday’s game (they took it, beating Norwich City fairly convincingly)).

And today’s bank Holiday home game against Gillingham adding to the confusion.

Or was it only confusing for me?

The people at the booking office have been great this season, courteous, efficient and helpful. I will not be needing this service next season as I now have a season ticket (apart from advance buying away tickets and – ooo-er – tickets for our –we can but hope – Cup run). My thanks to them all.

Bright, sunny journey. Birds singing, my car freshly cleaned inside and flowers springing up everywhere. Gossip on BBC WM is that David Moyes will be sacked by Man United (this is the way that rumours start, I’m thinking, start, build up credibility and become fact). I am deeply jealous of the resources that man Utd have (or apparently command) but aware that behind that is the spiral-drive for success and then success-plus. I had hoped that a club like United would stand against the trends. Moyes was reasonably successful at Everton after all and, in my opinion deserves a longer bedding-in period. Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to be a tricky act to follow; he managed the football and commercial aspects of the job well – the pressures too!

Meanwhile – it could all be rumour and supposition a la radio – in local place and time I am parked and marching to the ground, past loitering supporters on mobile phones and deep in desultory conversations I head for the seat that will have my name on it next season.

Westcarr’s back from suspension, Lalkovic recovered from his hamstring strain and Gillingham, on paper, poor opposition.

We start strongly, rattle the Gills defence then settle back a little tamely. Febian Brandy is, typically, keen to do well, so too is Lalkovic. They might both be playing to attract attention from Championship scouts, hoping to get deals for next season. I hope we can keep Brandy, but also sensibly think he may cost too much for our means. Lalkovic too.

Paul Downing appears to lead a charmed life today, the referee not penalising what looked like fouls and at least one penalty, eventually and predictably getting booked for a fairly innocuous one later in the game. No appeals from the Gillingham players either, who are starting to look direct and capable. Mal Benning meanwhile, playing at left back is raiding up the wings like a good ‘un, full of pace and ambition and tricky ball skills taking him into some good positions. He rains crosses into the penalty area. Too bad no Walsall player can get on to the end of them.

There is a good following from Gillingham, it’s a long way to travel (a hundred and sixty something miles, translates as three hours or so of travel) at this stage of the season, so fair play to their faithful (a.k.a. noisy) supporters.

Not so many Walsall supporters here. Busy gardening? Decorating? Lost interest? Out of money?

We talk about the November stag night. Venue fixed. Tallin. Flights and hotel to be organised. Leaving Stansted at seven a.m. doesn’t sound too bright but gives us more time in the city I guess. I am looking forward to it – fly out on Friday, back on Sunday … but hope there isn’t a home match that weekend.

Half time. Inside for a coffee. Talk about families, work. Almost forget we are at a football game and kick off has been taken and play is under way as we saunter back out to our seats. Nearby a man is scribbling notes on to a paper. I guess he is a scout for one of the teams we have yet to play. What an interesting task and I wonder how they actually do it? Some pre-arranged format?

Good open play from both teams, but Westcarr tried a couple from long range (unusual for Walsall this season) and from one of them the ball came back off the keeper’s outstretched hand to Brandy, running in to blast into the back of the net.

Some minutes before the end Gillingham are level. The umpteenth team we have helped avoid relegation in the last few weeks … and we have won only two of the last sixteen games. Good job we put a shift in early on in the season.

Elsewhere, tensions are still going on between Russia, the Ukraine and the rest of the world.

It’s Queen Elizabeth’s eighty eighth birthday. She celebrates with a rare “private day” at home with the family, while all over London there are military gun-salutes. We do pageantry so well.

It is also the fiftieth birthday of BBC 2.

Across the pond Boston is extremely security conscious about its annual marathon, following the harrowing scenes at the finish line last year, when terrorists exploded a bomb as runners were finishing. Dreadful!

We were in Boston in October of last year. Having been on an escorted “leaf Peeper” tour of New England and out in the rural parts for many days, Boston seemed intimidatingly cityish as we drove in, but soon took on human proportions as we walked out across the Common.

match images; saddlers.co.uk and Walsall Advertiser