Farewell to an Old Friend ...

... that's been with me pretty much since I started "having a go" at this photography lark just over three years ago. It's been rained on no end of times; it's been to Wembley (and plenty of other less salubrious places as well !); it was even left under a pub ("John O'Gaunt") table in Lancaster for over an hour before its owner remembered about it; it's "bottom end" gave up the ghost a while back and was never replaced; and now, the top locking mechanism has "just had it" (it keeps "slipping down" at inopportune moments - ooo-errr!) and no end of gentle tightening can sort it out. It has pretty much ceased to be - it's expired and gone to meet its maker - bereft of life - it is an ex-monopod.

So it's time to say "Goodbye" to the Manfrotto 679B and, thanks to some overtime this week, it's "Hello" to a Giottos 3270B. Apart from the fact that it folds up a couple of inches smaller, one big bonus with this newbie is that, fully extended, it's about 3 inches taller than the old one - so it's a "healthy option" for my back as well ! I give you "Something Old (left) Something New (right)" ...



First outing - tomorrow at Bower Fold for the Stalybridge Celtic v Alfreton Town FA Cup tie ... until then I shall enjoy the rest of my "day off" (so far - bought monopod, bought theatre tickets - Doctor Faustus at Royal Exchange next Thursday - sorted out washing (pots and clothes), ironed work shirts and trousers - plenty of other stuff to do if I put my mind to it !) before taking Mrs Smiffy down to Stockport Bus Station this afternoon to catch bus to Belper. In work early tomorrow - so hopefully might catch Wozza and the rest of the Alfreton crew at Stalybridge Buffet Bar before the game.

Good to see - Glossop beating Blackstones in the FA Vase on Wednesday night (with a little help from Mossley "loanee" Anthony Dorney); and also Mossley Youth beating Northwich Vics Youth in the FA Youth Cup on Thursday night. Fingers will be suitably crossed for Mossley's trip to Dunston UTS in the FA Cup - aiming to get one step nearer a "big club", plus £4,500 in the bank.

Now - off to do something else ...
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Mossley v Trafford - League Cup

Well the road to wheever the League Cup Final is being played this season ended early for Mossley (and Belper Town too I see !) with a 2-1 home defeat at Trafford - and despite a cracking opening goal from Sam Hare to put Mossley one up, the Lilywhites got what they deserved in the end viz. nothing ... and yes I noticed the phrase "experimental side" DID crop up on the official report !! Some pictures from last night at

Mossley 1 Trafford 2 (League Cup)

Experimental side maybe - but there's still a lot of problems with putting the ball in the back of the opposition's net - something that needs sorted soonest. All very well winning games in the FA Cup - but we need to look at the league with a bit more urgency. Have to admit though - young Sam Hare is looking to be a bit of a find (notwithstanding the goal, he had an excellent game - I notice he got official MOM as well). It will be interesting to see how last night's game affects team selection for the FA Cup game up at Dunston - there have been a few tricky games "up there in the north east" in the past, so it has to be right for the day. As I mentioned before, I ain't gonna make it to this game (work commitments), but let's hope it all goes to (whichever) plan, and Mossley get at least a replay next Tuesday.

Meantime - where to go on Saturday ... Stalybridge; Hyde; Ashton United; or Curzon Ashton - an embarrasment of riches - much will depend on what time I finish work on Saturday of course. Until then - fingers crossed for Glossop North End tonight in their Vase replay against Blackstones - winners away at Gedling Town.

Enough for now - more O/T been worked today - early morning and late afternoon - need a break (and they've even asked me to work my day off on Friday - gut reaction was "No" - and it'll probably stay that way ... weighing up 5 hours O/T now against physical "knackerdness" - and poss time off later y'see ...)
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Tonight's match Tomorrow ...

... I'll sort the Mossley v Trafford stuff out from tonight - suffice to say, we lost 2-1 ... and didn't play particlarly well ! Time for phrases like "experimental Mossley side" and "Mickey Mouse Cup" I feel ... until later.

(Football365 Forum is back up by the way ... now leave me alone !)
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Latest Scams ...

... today ... a couple of e-mails offering jobs "delivering funds to a certain location" - yeah right - seen them before haven't we !!!

However a couple of others today entitled "Facebook Password Reset Confirmation" (with a .zip attachment) - wording as follows:

Hey,

You have recently requested a new password.

You can find your new password in attached document.

Please notice that this message has been sent to all contact emails associated with your account. If you did not request a new password, it's likely that another person has mistakenly tried to log in using your login.

For more information, visit our Help Center at http://www.facebook.com/help/?topic=login

Thanks,

The Facebook Team

Usual advice - IGNORE/DELETE ... better still why not wander down to Seel Park to watch Mossley take on Trafford - there might be football, there might be "other stuff" as well - well worth a night out !! Don't expect much in the way of pix later on - I've done 3.5 hours O/T today which, together with normal duty, probably equates to a 10+ mile walk (with weights !!) - we'll see ...

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Why is Football365 Forum Down ??

Once again I am getting a lot of hits due to problems with the above bloody forum - and all they're seeing is a message I put on here back in February when I tried to join the bloody thing. Well - to keep people happy - the reason it's down is this:

Warning: mysql_connect() [function.mysql-connect]: Lost connection to MySQL server at 'reading initial communication packet', system error: 111 in /home/pubdyn/vhosts/forum.football365.com/html/index.php on line 19

Warning: mysql_error(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL-Link resource in /home/pubdyn/vhosts/forum.football365.com/html/index.php on line 19

Warning: mysql_errno(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL-Link resource in /home/pubdyn/vhosts/forum.football365.com/html/index.php on line 19

Fatal error: SQL Error has occurred, please contact the administrator of the forum and have them review the forum's SQL query log in /home/pubdyn/vhosts/forum.football365.com/FUDforum/include/core.inc on line 188

Looks like they need an SQL programmer to get it sorted - not that I care about the bloody forum anyway, as all they want are work e-mail addresses or student e-mail addresses - implying that they are probably a big reason for this country's industry and education going down the pan because people are stealing time from their employer, or students are wasting their time talking about football instead of studying ...

... and I bet it's all about that so-called Premier League rubbish - rather than real football ...
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Suggestions to anyone from Football365 as follows:

1) You need to check the bind address variable in the my.cnf file. It defaults to localhost hence localhost works but not 127.0.0.1 or connection from other hosts.

2) Check your /etc/hosts.deny. I bet the IP address of the host is in there.

3) Remove the "---'port'=>(number)' from the dev config - or change the number to 3306

Just some thoughts - might be absolute cr*p - sounds impressive though (you have to remember - I'm not a computer geek any more - I'm a postman) ...
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Anyone Noticed ?

Something old ................................Something new ....................

The change to the logo at the top ? Yep - I've finally got round to putting the "new" Hyde FC badge - resplendent in Man City blue (!) - in place ... all I need to do now is go and see them at their newly refurbished - resplendent in Man City blue (!) - stadium ...
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The First Points Deductions of the Season

I suppose it's a bit like the "First Cuckoo in Spring" ... anyway it's Warrington Town and Durham City who look set to lose three points and one point respectively for playing unregistered players on the opening day of the season - although neither deduction will affect Mossley (or Curzon Ashton for that matter). Once again though, it's off-field activities that start to affect standings - all we need now is someone to go into administration I suppose !!! Must go and buy a "Non-League Paper" soon - waiting on a plumber at the moment - yawn !
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Mossley v Skelmersdale United

Mossley MOM - Ben Richardson

Five late minutes of madness turned what was looking like a 1-1 draw into what looks like a 4-1 thrashing - but it couldn't be further from the truth. After conceding an early goal, you could argue that Mossley should have been out of sight by half-time - a bit more composure and confidence in front of goal was all that was missing - and unfortunately Mossley were made to pay when Skem scored three very very late goals. Some pix at

Mossley 1 Skelmersdale United 4

A game that needs forgetting about quickly ... can't complain about the effort put in by Mossley at all - they more than matched their high-flying opponents all the way - well almost all the way ... it was just a bit of a come-down after the midweek exploits at AFC Fylde. Still - no need to panic - it's coming.

Cup week next week - a League Cup game against Trafford on Tuesday (wonder if our "old friend" will be turning out for the visitors ...I'm sure many of you know who I mean !!) followed by a trip to Dunston UTS in the FA Cup next Saturday (I have a note from my boss regarding next Saturday - it says "No chance !" - that's me going - not Mossley losing ! £4,500 is up for grabs as well next Saturday - not to be sniffed at.

Enough for now - 0530 until 0140 equates to rather a long day ...
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Successful Spaghetti Night ...

... of the SCART variety !!

For months now, we've had a VHS recorder sitting proudly in our TV/Sky/DVD cabinet - and I mean just sitting there - unloved, unplugged, unused. So ... I "went for it" tonight - found an unused (and unopened) SCART lead knocking about and - probably more by luck than judgment - managed to plumb the lot in together - so everything now works - even the Freeview on the telly (handy that as we're getting shot of Sky at the end of this month - at least we can say we're not subsidising the bloody Premier League any more !).

Flushed with success, I fished out a few dusty VHS recordings - and am at present watching a video of "Live Aid 1985" - I made a couple of tapes off the TV all those years ago - and they're still in very very good condition (remember - Is it Live ?? Or Is it Memorex ?? Bought a couple of new tapes especially for that day) - Bryan Adams has just finished (together with all the technical problems on the day !) and Knopfler/Sting version of "Money for Nothing" is playing as I type. Probably won't watch it tonight (gotta be up at 0530 for work - "money for something" it's called), but I will always remember the Queen set on that day at Wembley all those years ago - in my mind probably the finest 30 minute live set of all time - if you've never seen the full set - you've never lived - absolutely brilliant. Here's just a sample - Freddie Mercury in total control ...



Now - bed - work - football (well once George Thorogood has finished anyway !!!)
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Tameside - Hot-Bed of Crime ...

Just been reading the "Tameside Citizen" - basically some kind of propoganda mag from our local Council. Amongst the adverts and the "Aren't We Good" articles, I perused with interest the "Criminal Prosecution" section (always worth checking to see if there's anyone you know !). Anyway the 26 "high profile" cases broke down as folows:

Dropping a cigarette end - 15
Dumping controlled/household waste - 4
Benefit fraud - 2
Dropping a paper bag -1
Dropping a McDonalds straw wrapper - 1
Selling pirate CDs - 1
Not clearing up doggy-doos - 1

So ... if you fancy moving into the Tameside area - these are the type of murderous cut-throats you might come up against. I remember seeing the similar "Court & Social" page in the local free paper a while back - and noting that the total fine for dropping a cigarette end was something like £300 - whereas driving a car without insurance and using a mobile phone whilst driving was only worth about £150 - you can see where the priorities lie in this neck of the woods ...
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They'll be Dancing in the Streets of Thessaloniki Tonight !

Javito (Aris Salonika)

... what with PAOK Salonika getting a useful 1-1 draw away at Club Bruges - but more outstanding was Aris Salonika beating reigning Europa League Champions Athletico Madrid 1-0 at the Kleanthis Vikelides Stadium with a goal from Javito (ironically ... a Spaniard !!) Mrs Smiffy used to work in a small town just ouside Thessaloniki, and she remembers a Rory Gallagher concert in big town being such a success, the natives wrecked the place - apparently their idea of "having a good time" !!

(Noticed also the ref at the Aris/Athletico game was one Mark Clattenburg - so hopefully the ball DID cross the line for the goal - ho ! ho !)

So there you have it - a bit of non-non-league football for a change !!

(LATE SHOCK-HORROR UPDATE - Jo scores for Man City !!)



"That's paid about this much off my transfer fee"
(Pic from "Manchester Evening News")
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Joined-up Transport - NOT !

(This post is dedicated to John Major, who, in a parting gift to the nation back in the early 1990s, broke the country's railway system up into over 100 separate companies ... thank you John.)

Small boy has started college again - previously he was at Salford College, which of course is in the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) area and so was eligible for reduced rail fares using a GMPTE Student Card - that was handy ... He now finds himself at Kirklees College in Huddersfield - which of course is in the West Yorkshire Metro area - which is where the problems begin....

Some Figures:

Mossley - Manchester - Takes 25 minutes - Day Return £5-20 - Seven Day Season Ticket £20-30

Mossley - Huddersfield - Takes 25 minutes - Day Return £8-80 - Seven Day Season Ticket £32-80

Checked out for student reductions by e-mailing GMPTE, West Yorkshire and also the local (Tameside) Council. West Yorkshire got back to me almost immendiately - only available stuff is for West Yorkshire residents only - no cross-boundary options available. Tameside Council contacted me within 24 hours - only help they could give was for students up to Year 11 (i.e. 16 years old), therefore no joy there. Ten days on, I'm still waiting for a reply from GMPTE - although I'm all but certain we'll draw a blank there as well !

So - for wanting to improve his chances, we get hit by a 50% increase in his travelling costs ... thanks Mr Major.

(By the way - can't you tell I'm not working today ... it's not raining !!!)
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The Secret Diary of Postman Smiffy aged 53 and a bit

Monday

Went to work - it rained a lot ... did some afternoon overtime - it rained even more. Came home - hung postie stuff up to dry a bit. Went to football in the evening - it rained second half - came home - dried camera tackle out.

Tuesday

Went to work - it rained a helluva lot - and I mean a helluva lot (feet squelching etc etc) - went back to do afternoon overtime - sun came out for a bit and dried certain parts of body - feet still squelching though. Came home - stuffed newspaper in Magnums (boots) - hung rest of stuff up to dry a bit.

Wednesday

Went to work one hour early (one hour O/T prepping walk) - it rained all day - did some afternoon overtime - it rained even more - came home - wrote this - took photo of gear drying out (A-Z of Oldham is suffering badly - especially with all this overtime in places I do not know !) - click for big (and wet !) - broken radiator just out of picture to the left - carpet now nearly dried out !




Tomorrow

Day off - I don't care - I'm staying in if it rains - cooking nice fish dinner for Mrs Smiffy and small boy (oops forgot - will need to go out to buy "stuff" - will attempt to avoid rain ...)

Friday

Back to work - maybe overtime (don't yet know). Weather-wise, not yet looked - bet it rains though ...
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Saturday

Work - no car (aargh !) - hopefully finish on time for Mossley v Skelmersdale in the afternoon - wonder if it will rain ??
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Ashton United v Prescot Cables - FA Cup Replay

Starting to feel like changing my name to Rob McKenna (if you've never heard of Rob McKenna read about him here !). So - rained on all day Monday at work (it got worse during my overtime - aaargh - karma !) - home and dry and up to Hurst Cross to see which team would pick up the lucrative home gig with FC Halifax Town in the next round. Prescot Cables, it has to be said, operated a pretty efficient offside trap - and Ashton struggled to get round it ... until they got a free kick in a tasty spot. Ben Smith stepped up, and scored a tasty opener. Once this "solution" had been sorted, there was only going to be one winner in the game. A second goal from a similar position (but not a dead ball) was followed by a third from a similar position (a dead ball again !). The fourth goal was very nicely worked indeed (by now the offside trap had been binned in search of goals at the other end). You could say 4-0 flattered Ashton a bit - Prescot kept going throughout - but 4-0 means three grand in the bank (always welcome), and as I mentioned earlier a tasty home tie against FC Halifax Town on 25th September.

Some other highlights from the FA Cup draw see Hyde FC at home to Droylsden (tempting !), Stalybridge Celtic at home to BSN leaders Alfreton Town (I know Wozza from Alfreton will be happy with that draw - and so will Stalybridge Buffet Bar !!), and Mossley away at Dunston UTS (ex Dunston Feds). With me working that Saturday, a trip up to the North East is out of the question, so it's prbably perm 1 from the other 2 !

Pictures from last night are a little bit late - couldn't finish them off last night - too late - and when I got home from work today (having suffered rain of monsoon proportions around lunch-time - I think a Rob McKenna rain type number 17), I find a radiator has fallen off the wall at home and there is water everywhere (including dripping through the floor, into the cellar rather adjacent to the electrical control box and meter - eek !!) Sorted that out - in a temporary sort of way (thinking "there goes the overtime money !" - and then sorted out the pictures ...

Ashton United 4 Prescot Cables 0

Looking outside - it's raining again - Mossley are away at Fylde - no updates as yet (and it must be half-time by now) - and I've an early start in the morning (more O/T - will need it to pay upcoming "repair bills" !) - off to check the weather forecast ... with pessimissm in my heart ...
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Mossley Youth v New Mills Youth

... from yesterday. Bit of a rush job this I'm afraid (sorry no captions) - but Mossley won 6-3 - and there's some very useful looking players out there - Joe Heap was my MOM anyway. Here's the pix

Mossley Youth 6 New Mills Youth 3

Tonight - on to Hurst Cross - 3 games in 3 days - it's all go innit !!
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Sneaking one in ...

... as mentioned yesterday, Mrs Smiffy is down in Belper and not due back until late this afternoon ... so ... why not ?? Tea all prepared and ready to cook - me (and gear) all dried out from yesterday...

... Mossley Youth v New Mills Youth it is - kick-off 1430hrs ... bet it rains !!!
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Glossop NE v Mossley - FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

Today was sponsored by that well-known beat combo "Wet Wet Wet". This morning I got very wet - I got semi-dry - I got wet again - I got semi-demi-dry - I got wet again. Home for a quick towel down and a change of clothing before whizzing down to Glossop in the car and leaping out at Tesco, leaving Mrs Smiffy to continue down to Belper.

Game started well for Mossley and after a series of corners they took the lead when Glossop captain Yates put through his own net under pressure from Andy Watson. This early goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side, and Mossley bossed it until half-time, but with only one more goal to show for it - a belter from Chris Rowney. Second half continued as before ... and then the heavens opened - quick rain cover for the camera (usual stylish DIY thing - carrier bag and postie elastic band !) - and I proceeded to get drenched for the fourth time in less than 7 hours. Never mind - two more goals for Mossley made it a comfy 4-0 win - and in all honesty it could have been double that, such was the dispirited opposition I'm afraid. Glossop are a team running low on confidence at the moment, and poor old Garry Kharas cuts a lonely figure up front - no support around him - very little service to him - and very few chances created. They need what Mossley got today - a few goals and a confidence-boosting result - remember, it's only September !! Today's pictures at

Glossop NE 0 Mossley 4 (FA Cup)

The win will certainly help Mossley, who now face a trip midweek to AFC Fylde - one of several alleged "moneybags" teams in the Evo-Stik Division One North - and unfortunately a game I cannot attend. I was hoping to go and watch Curzon Ashton take on Skelmersdale United on Monday night, but Curzon have now got an FA Cup replay after their 1-1 draw at home to New Mills today... HOWEVER - another FA Cup draw today (2-2) sees Ashton United playing Prescot Cables at Hurst Cross in a replay on Monday night - that'll do nicely !

(Meanwhile the house is awash with bits of Royal Mail gear drying out from this morning - and camera gear (and me !!) drying out from this afternoon)
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Ilkeston Town Wound Up

... at lunchtime today in London's High Court - check out this excellent article for more details ...

Ilson Town wound up

... and yes it's strange isn't it that the "rich" (in this case Sheffield Wednesday) can STILL get away with it, while the lesser lights are forced out of business. OK, people will say that if you pay your bills whether you're a football club - or just Joe Public - you'll be fine ... but when the sums involve equate to little more than 40 trips to see a "high class lady" in a "high class hotel" (allegedly), you can see the damage that companies such as Sky TV have done to football in this country, helping to concentrate the cash at the top and causing untold damage to attendances countrywide in their own greedy pursuit of the "football pound". You get the FA wobbling on about "grass roots football" - yet you still end up with 95% of the money going to 5% of the football clubs in this country (those figures aren't official - but I bet thery're not far off the mark).

In the same way that Hyde United stayed afloat recently - I hope Ilkeston Town do as well - I've some good mates down Ilson way, and I've always enjoyed my trips down to the New Manor Ground. I suppose it's now up to the real fans to organise - whilst it might only be half-a-weeks wages to many Premiership players, £50k IS a lot for mere mortals to raise - and they've only seven days to do it. An appeal has gone in as far as I'm aware - a Facebook page has been set up - it would be nice to think there is a knight in shining armour out there (Robert Lindsay - "Citizen Smith", "My Family" etc is an Ilson boy, and I believe Spurs' Jermaine Jenas has connections as well - I may be wrong) ... but the problem sometimes with a lot of these these KISA type people is that they walk away - maybe the way forward is to regroup at a lower level and work your way back up - I believe the local Erewash Council own the ground and are fully supportive of football continuing one way or another.

Good luck to all at Ilkeston Town - my fingers are firmly crossed for a positive outcome to this whole sorry affair.
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Mossley v Radcliffe Borough

... aaahh the luxury of a midweek day off (and the sun is out !).

After all the apparent promise of Saturday's performance at Warrington that I'd read about, I was looking forward to the season kick-starting last night. However - I talked to some others who'd gone to Warrington who'd seen a completely different game to that reported elsewhere ... so I watched with a now slightly more open mind.

Mossley got off to an awful start when Shaun Connor (brother of Mossley's Mark Connor) got behind a totally static Mossley "defence" to put Radcliffe 1-0 ahead after only 3 minutes - and after that Mossley struggled - and I mean struggled - to put anything coherent together. The "one touch build from deep" might look nice at times, but it just wasn't snappy enough, and by the time the penalty area was approached the Radcliffe defence had got itself well organised leaving space at a premium - too many final balls were going astray, and there was no width at all.

Still - looking at the subs bench, I wasn't overly worried - a couple of wide players who could get in behind the defence were sat there warming their butts ready for action ... however these two never made it onto the park and the second half was a continuation of the first. Then with 20 minutes to go Mike Fish conjured up a bit of "cheeky genius", curling the ball round ex-Man United keeper Nick Culkin to square the game and give hope for the final period - whilst Mossley upped the pressure late on, it just wasn't forceful and incisive enough and few - if any - clear-cut chances were created. Obviously not a night for wingers - in fact more for whingers when I got in the club afterwards !!

Some pictures from the game at

Mossley 1 Radcliffe Borough 1

Saturday sees the FA Cup returning to the fore with a trip to Glossop North End for what should be a keenly-contested local derby - let's hope last night's "formation" is kicked into touch - it just didn't look right at all to me (or ... maybe it was a ruse to confuse any Hillmen scouts who were "out and about" last night !).

Anyway - I'm off to do "stuff" - still learning how to make the most of this midweek day off - one definite jobbie though is the cooking of a nice Greek Stifado later today !!
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Karma for Kats ...

... you should remember this story about the crazy woman who threw a cat into a wheelie bin ...



Well ... Tiddles fights back ...



... worthy of an Oscar !!!
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Dry So Far ...

... no rain in Oldham today - but it chucked it down here in Mossley about an hour ago (AFTER I got home !) - fingers crossed for tonight - and I might get the pix up very late tonight, as it's my "day off" tomorrow.

(And for those aiming to sit on their backsides and watch a team of overpaid prima-donnas take on the Toblerone Boys - why not check out a local non-league game near you ?? They need the money far more than the FA ... or Sky TV - and you never know - they might have it on the the Social Club, so you can kill two birds with one stone - and financially benefit those who need it most ... just a thought).
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Sunday Pix - plus an "exclusive ?" ...

Me and Mrs Smiffy took a trip up to Lancaster on Sunday to see eldest boy and lady in their new abode - took 'em out for Sunday lunch - a good old fashioned roast beef dinner with a mega-Yorkshire Pud involved ! Twas at the "Plough" in Galgate (just outside Lancaster), and then we "walked it off" with a trundle up the Lancaster Canal - some babycam pix ...







It looks like Hurricane Bernard (or whatever) appears to have hit Mossley and the surrounding areas - very very windy last night (tipped over the "top patio table and brolly" amongst other stuff) and very very windy today out in the postal jungle that is Oldham ... and believe it or not still very very windy when I got back to Mossley - a post-work "lemonade shandy" in an adjacent hostelry saw me watching the new floodlights at Seel Park "rocking a bit" (and wishing I had babycam to video same - don't take it to work - it's a weight thing !!) and praying that they'll still be upright tomorrow night for the game against Radcliffe Borough ...

Oh yes - the exclusive - you may (or may not) remember that last Friday we were off to Longsight for "free meal and natter" - well whilst driving down - in fact on the Denton roundabout above the M60 - I spotted this lorry with a strange payload - excuse the crap quality of the pic but:

a) I was driving at the time ...
b) I had to get babycam out of pocket, turn it on and zoom in a bit ...
c) ... whilst still driving at the time

Yes it's our local "rocketeer", Steve Bennett from Starchaser - I believe this is the "Skybolt" rocket (there's better pix on the website), but anyway ... it must have been going somewhere ...



Different eh ??

Still windy - and wet too - so work might be fun tomorrow - and football too !!
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Droylsden v Stafford Rangers ...

... or "Stadfford Rangers" (on the Sky ticker tape at lunchtime today) or "Stafford Ramgers" (in the programme).

All I can say is that there were only two goals - rather than the 8 (eight) we got in the corresponding fixture last season. Might have been a lovely afternoon, but it was a pretty drab game I'm afraid - some pix at

Droylsden 2 Stafford Rangers 0

... and as it's 0200, I'm going to leave it there for now ...
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Football Tomorrow ...

... off to Longsight with Mrs Smiffy tonight - tea to be cooked for us - yum yum - and staying over. However - does mean an early start in the morning to get back for work - hey ho ... so - football - first thought was to go and watch the only one of the "Six Tame Sides" I've not seen yet this season - as in Curzon Ashton. They're at home to ... Witton Albion (last seen at Mossley 7 days ago !).

Or should I go to Droylsden ?? They're playing ... Stafford Rangers - last season when I took in this very same fixture, Droylsden battered the Boro' 7-1 - looking at current form, it surely can't be that bad again this season.

We'll have to see what time I finish work - Warrington v Mossley is a definite no-no though.

Starting to get tempted with a trip to the Butchers Arms - hang the expense (well I have done precisely one hour of overtime this week so ...) !!!

England game tonight ... anybody bothered ... really ? (At least they've got a nice new "designer strip" to wear - same old over-paid prima donnas mind !)
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Glossop NE v St Helens Town - FA Cup Replay

Yes, a truly dramatic end to this one - 93 minutes gone and it looked like Mossley would be visiting St Helens Town in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup on the 11th September. However one last gasp push by the Hillmen and Glyn Barker managed to silence the "boo boys" (or at least the one in the hat just behind me !!!) by snatching an unlikely equaliser - and to be honest, extra-time was a formality for Glossop who ran out comfortable winners in the end. Pictures from the game at

Glossop NE 3 St Helens Town 1 (after extra time)

The midges were out in force as well last night ... a lot of scratching going on - and afflicted people looking jealously at the "hoodies" !!!
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It's Glossop ...

... who will entertain Mossley in the next round of the FA Cup after their dramatic 3-1 extra-time win over St Helens Town last night ...

... and I'll sort my piccies out tonight - the extra-time kind of buggered up the evening's transport plans ...
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Patio Project - Finished ?

... well - sort of - still a few odds and sods to tidy up, including the old path (on the right going down - made of flagstones taken out of our cellar when it was converted - a few gaps need filling in a "crazy paving" sort of way - started on that yesterday), plus the area above it around the pond - at the moment two paths of earth (maybe more slabs - aargh !). S'pose now that the earth-moving has finished, I should clean all the slabs as well ... Oh, and there's also the "top patio" that STILL needs pointing ... anyway, as Michael Jackson said on the telly last night - "This Is It" ...





Off to work soon - looks like a lovely day for walking round with heavy bags on my shoulder as well ... and if all goes to plan (!?!), Glossop v St Helens Town tonight.
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Stalybridge Celtic v Harrogate Town

... Bank Holiday football - decent weather - what more can we ask for ??

But first some "home work" - I was up with the lark because I heard the lifting gear on the dustbin wagon - and thought "bugger - not took the bin round !" It may be Bank Holiday but Tameside Council are obviously still paying O/T to some - despite cuts elsewhere ... Now up, it was time for a bit of a tidy after last night's barbie to commemorate the "opening of the patio" - strange really, as I was still mixing sand and cement while the burgers and kebabs were burning not yards away !! Anyways - tidied up, and then got the paint out to continue to disguise the breeze blocks (OK OK I'll do a piccie tomorrow - promise !!) Then - and only then - did I venture forth to Bower Fold to see the football (Mrs Smiffy had disappeared to the garden centre to buy more stuff to fill the flower beds) ...

The match - in my eyes it should have finished 0-0 - but it didn't. "Mugged" would be the word to sum it up - in more ways than one - Harrogate nicked one via a penalty, and "toughed out" the Celtic attack (who were missing Jody Banim - certainly a key player in my mind anyway). Cetic still looked good though - the patient passing play I saw during the friendlies was still very much to the fore - and it's good to watch, especially as it remained the main way forward even when they went one down. There's certainly no need to panic just yet (witness Runcorn Linnets ... and Southampton - crazy !!), and like many have said, they might not get promotion, but if the effort is going in - and there was plenty of that today - then people will still come to watch - although I thought today's crowd of 365 was poor - especially when you think there was no "big" football to watch - even taking holidays into account ...

Anyway - maybe it's pictures you're looking for ... and they're here ...

Stalybridge Celtic 0 Harrogate Town 1

Day off tomorrow (more garden action if weather is OK !!)- and maybe - just maybe - a trip to Surrey Street, Glossop on Wednesday night to check out Mossley's opponents in the next round of the FA Cup (it's the replay betwixt GNE and St Helens Town) - hope it's Glossop (cus it's away, and with working Saturdays, the away games WILL be a struggle at times) - we'll see ...

(Suppose I shouldn't let tonight go without remarking on the result from Hurst Cross - on my way home I happened to bump into some FCUM fans at Stalybridge Buffet Bar who told me of the 1-0 win by Ashton United - and were gracious enough to accept it as well - big up to them !)
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Mossley v Witton Albion - in pictures ...

... on the "Road to Wembley" ...

Mossley 2 Witton Albion 0

... now enjoy that Bank Holiday Monday "day off" ...

(The B&Q visit has been done ... and the sun is coming out - off to the garden ...)
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Mossley v Witton Albion - Quick Update

... we've had visitors tonight (and guess who made the food - in the style of a vegetarian !!), so the pictures from today's game are still (mostly) untouched. A good win in the end - a well-worked goal by Connor Hampson just before half-time gave Mossley the edge, and some good rearguard action in the second half (together with Witton spurning some good chances) and a late late (controversial ??) goal from Matty Kay saw Mossley trouser £1,500 and an away trip to either St Helens Town or Glossop North End on 11th September. I've got this far ... the two goals (double-click for big I suppose) ...



Connor Hampson finds the gap for 1-0



Matty Kay makes the game safe at the death ...

It's Bank Holiday weekend - so no work on Monday (Mossley game is "off" as Woodley Sprouts got a draw in the FA Cup) - a trip to Bower Fold looks likely - and it's my "day off" on Tuesday ! Before all that - apparently the weather tomorrow (Sunday) is meant to be "not bad", so possibly the final touches (??) in the garden may have to take place (look out B&Q - I'll be in early for some breeze blocks !) followed by a barbie in the afternoon ...

(Watch it hammer it down all day !!)
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Home ...

... and ready for work and FA Cup - in that order ... the walking days, the wet days (i.e. holidays) are over for now - came back today via a 7 miler near Wenlock Edge. Yesterday's attempt to do the last couple of miles of the Malvern Hills was eventually rained off - here's a pic taken at the "British Camp" - sums it up really !!!



The Great British Summer - ha !

Got loads from the rest of the week mind - including lots of stained glass windows believe it or not - but they need looking at first - anyway, need sleep before work - then it'll be time to check out what's been going on at Mossley when they take on Witton Albion on the "Road to Wemberlee" ...
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Malvern Town v Highgate United Pictures ...

... now up and running at ..

Malvern Town 0 Highgate United 3

Struggling with cr*p weather at the moment - but hoping to "finish off" the Malvern Hills this afternoon - meanwhile, suffering daytime TV - aargh !!
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Malvern Town v Highgate United

It was bottom-but-one club versus bottom club tonight - with only only league goal between them before tonight (Malvern had lost their last two games 5-0 !). I'll keep it brief (as this internet connection is not a world-beater) - suffice to say Malvern were well beaten 3-0 ... and very lucky to get as many as nil !! Obviously early days in everybody's season (yes I've heard about Mossley's 5-0 tonking at Clitheroe tonight as well - eek !), but Malvern have a bit of work to do - Highgate were marginally better, but looked that little bit more organised - quicker to the ball, with a bit more fight, a bit more urgency. You could see heads drop amongst the home team as the goals went in. Here's my efforts on the three goals (I'll sort a JAlbum out when I get home I guess) - MUCH LATER - pix don't seem to want to play tonight - as in upload. Will try again later - looks like the piece of wireless string just ain't wet enough ...

(0900 the morning after) ... better (click for big)...



Goal Number One - scored by "Junior" ?



Number Two from "Doyley".



... and the third - no name unfortunately ...

Weather looking poor today - off to Gloucester for a "day in the city" ...
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Up and Running ... Finally !

... took a few days - and much fiddling around - but internet has finally arrived at Chez Smiffy, near Malvern ! Much walking and drinking done so far - a few miles on Saturday, 9.5 miles Sunday, 5 miles Monday (mostly wet and mostly round town !) and another 5 round the hills this morning.

Got the bad news about Mossley's first game defeat at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday afternoon - and caught up with the Blue Square North and Evo-Stik Premier yesterday afternoon via a "Guardian Sport" supplement in a Cafe Bar ... still more to check out - but we're going out again now !!!

Tonight ... Malvern Town v Highgate United beckons ...
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Mossley "Training Night" - 19th August 2010

First Team played Reserves in a bit of a training sesh tonight - reduced pitch, smaller goals, three "period breaks", p*ss poor weather (rainedmost of the evening !) etc. "First Team" won 3-1 - but I think it's been more useful as in giving "Boss Shaun" the final few pointers as to his preferred team selection for the first league game of the season at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday. A few pics from tonight on here (usual double-click for big) - I'll do a proper album much later - one more day at work and I'm away for a week - missing the first two games of the season as well - well you've gotta go when the time is right ! The upside is that where we're going, there is apparently free wireless internet, so instead of "patio updates", you may well end up with "holiday updates" ... certainly no football (unless Malvern Town are at home next Tuesday !!!). Live with this for now - pictures include a "new signing" (as in "Who is Number 6 ??") and a sock-eating left-sided defender...













A "muted" Forum after the game (few questions asked) was followed by "Quiz Night" - and the less said about that the better (with regard to "our" team !!).

(STOP PRESS - Malvern Town ARE at home next Tuesday night - playing Highgate United in a Midland Football Alliance Div 1 game - might require some "negotiations" with Mrs Smiffy first mind ...)
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Mossley Reserves v Lancaster City Reserves - Part Two

... well the pictures anyway ...

Mossley Reserves 4 Lancaster City Reserves 1

Next stop is the "Thursday Night Bonanza" - 1st Team v Reserves; Manager's Forum and (maybe) Quiz Night after that - I say maybe as Mrs Smiffy returns to Mossley off her travels on Thursday ...
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Mossley Res v Lancaster City Res - Part One

An excellent game of football last night saw Mossley Reserves open their Galaxy Football Lancashire League campaign with a well-earned 4-1 victory over Lancaster City Reserves (who I understand are based out of Myerscough College in Preston). Two quick goals 15 minutes into the second half from Aaron Chalmers knocked the stuffing out of the youthful opponents (although our guys weren't that old either !) - all round it was good to see two teams knocking the ball about with purpose - and it was great value for £2 !! Sadly no pictures ... yet. I made a start when I got home last night (seemed to struggle a bit in the half-light of the first half !), and will "finish off" when I get back from work this afternoon/early evening - watch this space !!

Here's one to whet your appetite however - Aaron Chalmers scoring goal number 4 (double-click for big) ...



Back later - there's letters (and bloody parcels !) to deliver first !!
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Sorry Folks ...

... never made it to Hyde tonight - after getting home from work I ended up - yes you've guessed it - in the damn garden "doing stuff". It was a question of making the most of the decent weather to be honest - it looks rubbish for the next few days so ... that was it until late ... too late ... it'll keep Mrs Smiffy happy though !! (By the way Hyde lost 3-2 after being 3-0 down at half-time).
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Patio Update - Sunday 15th August

Took advantage of the weather - and used up another batch of sand and cement and began sorting out the retaining walls on the right-hand side near the old path ...



(Note scruffy old garden chair used for "testing purposes" !!)

.. and that's that - don't want you all falling asleep too early tonight ...
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Mossley v FCUM

Useful Crowd + Barbecue + "well known linesman" (!!)

Well the weather stayed nice !! Finished work in good time today despite having no car - having done Saturday's "D2Ds" earlier in the week certainly helped (it's a postie thing - D2D or "housholds" = those annoying "flyers" - Sky, Virgin etc - that 99% of you immediately consign to the (recycle hopefully) bin, but add just over £12 - before tax - to my weekly pay !!).

Thought the game was a strangely muted affair personally - livened up a bit in the second half when Mike Norton came on (dunno why !), but I reckon there were more than a few eyes on the "real thing" that is the start of the season next Saturday - fairly warm as well this afternoon which probably contributed to the "easy-paced" feeling. A fair turn-out from the FCUM "army" as well probably put a few pennies in the Mossley coffers (once FCUM take their cut - they do you know !!). A 2-1 win for the visitors but, looking at the Mossley pre-season campaign as a whole, I'm happy - and I know many others are as well. My pictorial efforts are in the usual place - as in ..

Mossley 1 FC United of Manchester 2

... but it's usually worth a peep on the FCUM Message Board to see how the "pros" do it - a couple of their snappers were there today.

One last "do" up at Mossley before the season begins - next Thursday sees a First Team v Reserves "match/training session" followed by a bit of a Forum followed by Quiz Night. However if you can't wait that long, Mossley Reserves get their Galaxy Lancashire League campaign under way on Tuesday night up at Seel Park when they entertain Lancaster City Reserves. Also, with Mrs Smiffy still being "away" (moved from Hereford to Cornwall this weekend via Belper !), I might be tempted to pop over to Hyde on Monday night to see their Conference North game against Workington - they had a bad start to the season today losing 5-0 at AFC Telford United, so I guess they'll be looking to put that right rather quickly (Wukkie beat Gloucester City today 2-1 by the way).

Other news from the start of the Conference campaign saw Stalybridge Celtic beat Redditch United 2-0 and Droylsden coming out 4-2 winners against Eastwood Town ... and Stafford Rangers lost 1-0 at Boston United.
One quirky story regarding Stalybridge Celtic this week ... what with their "going full-time" as well - the "outspoken" Droylsden boss Dave Pace came up with a belter - check out this story from one of the the local rags - certainly ruffled a few feathers here ...

Also the "Road to Wembley" began today with the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round - Glossop drew 2-2 at home to Wigan Robin Park, while New Mills smacked Alsager Town 10(ten)-2 !

So - for many - the season is under way - however the Evo-Stik contingent have 7 more days to wait ...

Time for bed - if the nice weather stays nice later today ... that bloody garden (or the pile of breeze blocks and the sand and cement) awaits ...
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Posties - Getting some Bad Press Locally

Two recent stories in the "Manchester Evening News":

Story One - August 5th

Story Two - August 13th

Like any job - you're going to find some "bad apples" (think MPs for starters !) - and unfortunately mud tends to stick - however what annoys me about the MEN website is the "Comments" section where readers can have their say on the headlines of the day - not just on these two particular stories, but on others as well. The "comments" often seem to be from arrogant, supercilious "I'm all right Jack" type people (who I'm guessing are all abusing their company web access by mouthing off online whilst they should be working - hmmm ...). "Hang 'em all"; "Slash ALL benefits"; "They're ALL scum" is usually the order of the day on here - I'd like to remind people of the phrase "Coming back to bite your bum". When the story comes out about some person losing their job for inappropriate internet usage ... it'll be interesting to see the comments under THAT story.

Oh yeah - and if you expect parcels - get a bigger bloody letter box - or write to your local Delivery Office advising of a possible "SafePlace" option (a neighbour or a greenhouse for example) - that'll save you the trip down to the Sorting Office won't it ??

(Mild) Rant over ...
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Never Trust a Timetable ...

... and I ought to know this by now ... walking down to the station - and the damn thing shot through Mossley 10 MINUTES EARLY !!!



So naturally, I'll be early this evening - and it'll either be late ... or broken down/NOT steam-hauled ...

(Note to Smiffy - don't be late for the dentist ...)

(Further note to Smiffy - don't forget - it's Friday the 13th - aaaarrrgh !!!)
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Second Thursday Live ...

... at Mossley Social Club tonight -just a few pictures of tonight's "turns" ...

Second Thursday Live - 12Aug10

Tomorrow - steam train stuff - Saturday - back to football ...
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Why Did I Bother ...

...cus I got wet at work again today - aahh this summer weather - bloody pants ... I reckon since I began "going out on my own" (i.e. after training fortnight), it's probably rained at sometime on EVERY BLOODY DAY. Some people are blaming the intoduction of the hosepipe ban "oop here" - others are blaming ME - aargh !! In fact it's now got to the stage where, having a day off tomorrow, I've hung my bag and pouch bags out to air a bit in our spare bedroom - starting to worry with this continuous rain/dry/rain/dry/rain that things will start to get a bit musty - ever the saddo here's the proof (plus a bonus pic of the crap I took out of the bag - notice "No Work Brought Home" - can lose job/liberty etc I believe !!!) ...



Next ... a quick check on the old camera and stuff (after last night's "fun and games") - if all OK I might well take advantage of Mrs Smiffy's absence to wander up to Mossley Social Club for the "2nd Thursday Live Night" - and thanks to Dave (Ashton U), I now know it's Princess Elizabeth on the "Scarborough Flyer" tomorrow - should look something like this (pic from BBC Cumbria website) ...



Right ... off to play Doctor Camera ... you never know - there might be some pictures of "The Hours" on here later ...
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Houston we HAD a Problem ...

... at Surrey Street tonight - something to do with the seasonal summer weather (ha !!). As the players came back out for the second half (it was 1-1 at the time), I turned the camera back on to find ... nothing. Tried the usual quick fixes (battery in/out; lens off/on; memory card change) to no avail. Into the Social Club for a "dry out the innards" session, whilst listening to the second and third goals for Glossop going in - bugger ! Finally got it up and limping about 15 minutes from the end, to take a few extra scruffy-looking pictures (including something on goals 4 and 5), but I reckon both camera body and big lens need a good bottoming (including possibly time for a sensor clean - eek !) before it comes out to play again.

Which will be on Friday morning - my day off - because at about 0930, the "Scarborough Flyer" will be hurtling through Mossley on the way to ... Scarborough - and it should be one of two steam engines; 60009 (Union of South Africa) or 46201 (Princess Elizabeth). Coming back through Mossley about 2025, so I'll try for both. (For those interested, the full timetable for the train can be found here). In between times, a dentist appointment awaits as well - eek -and if the weather's OK, some breeze-block laying in the garden.

... and if you're still here ... tonight's (reduced) pictures from the Glossop game are at

Glossop North End 5 Flixton 1

That's all folks - I too need to dry out properly before tomorrow !!!
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Stalybridge Celtic Forum tonight ...

An interesting evening - certainly listening to Manager Jim Harvey and his "vision" for the upcoming season - not many "controversial" questions asked either ! Some 'rough and ready' pictures of the Celtic squad and some others as well ... and I'm not going to do names (either do all names or none at all - safer this way, especially after cocking up on one of the Fleetwood pics !)

Stalybridge Celtic Forum - 10 Aug 10

Other news - none - so there !
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Into Week Seven ...

... and still awaiting some official issue footwear ! Still haven't got round to taking the GPS for a walk with me - but I reckon my old Karrimors tell the tale ...



Never mind - thanks to Mark (another postie), I've gained a pair of slightly used "official" boots this afternoon ...



Oh - and as promised ... a fully-pointed patio ...



Enough, enough ... probably all asleep by now ... something football-based tomorrow hopefully ...
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That Monday Morning Moment ...

... when lots of you peeps are already at work - and I'm not - yet - aah, the joy of a 24 hour a week contract ...

Finished pointing the bottom patio eventually yesterday - hurrah - swept all the dried up mortar off this morning (believe they're called "snots" in the trade !) - might even take a photo after work today when it's had a bit longer to dry out. Not much else from Sunday ... watched "Classic Albums" last night on Sky2 (making the most before we finally say farewell to Sky - Freeview all the way now - well it is built into the telly !) - it was "Bat Out of Hell" featuring my hero (Todd Rundgren not Jim Steinman !). Took me back a bit - to a small flat in Andover in 1977, listening to the Sunday afternoon Rock Show on BBC Radio Bristol - where I first heard the album ...

Also played about on Photoshop 6 with some "babycam" pictures of our mate's new kitten - a stray with only one eye (apparently the vet reckons it had been bitten by a rat - ouch !) Try this one for size ...



Time for some brekky now I think, before hitting the pavements of Oldham ... Football this week may well involve Glossop North End on Wednesday night - they had a bad start to the Vodkat League season, losing 3-0 away at Padiham on Saturday - Flixton are the visitors to Surrey Street this midweek. Might take in the Stalybridge "Meet the Manager" session on Tuesday evening as well ...
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Stalybridge Celtic v Fleetwood Town

... home from work at 1300 - quick change, cuppa tea and out again on the 1330 bus. First trip of the season to Bower Fold to take a look at the new "Jim Harvey Revolution" - for those not in the know, Stalybridge Celtic have gone "full-time" this season with a mix of "old heads" and "young guns" ... and first impressions were distinctly favourable. Patient build-up, ball to feet, good interchange, and from what I was told, there's been a continuing improvement "at the back" as the Celtic pre-season games have gone on. Only one goal in it, but plenty of chances at both ends (with both Celtic 'keepers performing well - Fleetwood 'keeper did alright as well !) and some very promising performances from some of the younger players on view. A few pictures at

Stalybridge Celtic 1 Fleetwood Town 0

Got me tea in Longsight last night - home now hoping for some garden works - but this bloody spitty rain just goes on and on and one - really depressing. However - photos sorted - let's hope it brightens up a bit this afternoon, and I can nail this bloody pointing once and for all.

Football next week ?? Not looked yet, but Mrs Smiffy is off on her travels on Wednesday, coming back the following Thursday, so it should be "fill your boots time" - in a pre-season friendly sort of way !!
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Wait for it ...

... just got home after watching Stalybridge Celtic beat Fleetwood Town 1-0 in a PSF - but now I'm off to Longsight where a friend is cooking mine and Mrs Smiffy's tea !!

Pictures etc sometime tomorrow folks ...
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Day Off - 05Aug10

Thursday was Postman Smiffy's "Day Off" this week - which was handy as we had some friends up from darkest Wiltshire for a day and a bit. A trip into the big city was the order of the day - shopping, showing off the "sights" of City Centre Manchester (including the big wheel thingy) followed by a Tampopo tea (Chicken Ramen for me) and thence to the Royal Exchange for a bit of a laugh ("Charley's Aunt" - very very funny indeed). Armed only with babycam (and dodgy batteries - with the lack of patio stuff going on due to the absolutely sh*te weather, the batteries had almost faded away !), I can only offer up

Day Off - 05Aug10

Late home - to find I'd missed what sounded like a "feisty" private friendly 'twixt Mossley and Dukinfield Town ("feisty" enough for the ref to call it a day 10 minutes early apparently !!). One other thing as well - remember that place that made me redundant ?? I believe that "redundant" means that your job does not exist - however ... for the THIRD time since giving me the boot I'd had an e-mail saying "We've got a problem" - you can work out the rest ... As usual it was one of my mates who asked the question (rather than one of the b*st*rd management scum that got rid of me) so, ever the nice guy (some might say MUG), I came up with the solution to their "problem" - which was naturally successful. Time I feel for an e-mail to "head b*st*rd" in India pointing out the error of his ways ...

No football at Mossley tomorrow - so I feel a trip to Stalybridge Celtic coming on. They've a friendly against Fleetwood (Moneybags) Town tomorrow, so I may well bump into "Docs" and some of our other Cod Army friends, as well as the usual suspects from 'Bridge - first of course, a bit of postal delivery in the Oldham area. One nice touch this week - I had a recorded delivery to one house - knocked on door - shouts from upstairs "Don't go !!! I'm in the shower !! Please wait !!" - dripping man appears on doorstep saying "I've been waiting for this one - I won a competition for two tickets for the Charity Shield at Wembley". Signed for, he opened it up and showed me said tickets - well I made someone happy this week !
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Mossley v Hyde

Another win - another promising performance - a bit of a rush job tonight, so few words (check out Mossleyweb.com for the full SP !) but here are some of the important (and not so important !!) moments from the evening ...

Mossley 3 Hyde FC 2

... and there we stop ...
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