Sat 10 Jul - Woodley Sports v Altrincham Wed 14 Jul - West Didsbury & Chorlton v FC United of Manchester (1900 hrs) Sat 17 Jul - Hyde United v Manchester City XI Sat 17 Jul - Cliftonville v FC United of Manchester Sat 24 Jul - Prestatyn Town v Hyde United Tue 27 Jul - Wigan Robin Park v FC United of Manchester (1930 hrs) Sat 31 Jul - Belper Town v Boston United Tue 3 Aug - Belper Town v Derby County XI Tue 3 Aug - Ramsbottom v FC United of Manchester (1930 hrs) Sat 7 Aug - Belper Town v Matlock Town Sat 7 Aug - Bala Town v FC United of Manchester Sat 14 Aug - Belper Town v DVV Duiven (Holland) Sat 14 Aug - Mossley v FC United of Manchester
... not bad for starters !!
Check out here as well - no doubt it will be updated fairly regularly ... .
Hope you weren't expecting a political treatise on "coalition government - collision or collusion ?" - another day maybe ...instead,some bits off babycam during the "clear the memory card" moment ...
In the (almost) style of the Monty Python "Travel Agent" sketch, here's a "lizard in the bath" - or should I say a blue-tongued skink (Wednesday morning) ...
Don't tell Roy Keane (lunch - Wednesday lunchtime) ...
Big Pole ... Blue Sky ... Seel Park (earlier today)
Small Cat attempts escape through tiny gap in window ... fails ... (earlier this evening) ... to go back to the original premise though - I reckon Nick Clegg/Liberal Party will get the best part of 0 (zero) votes in the next election after whoring himself to the Tories - and do you know you could substitute the word "Labour" for the word "Tories" - makes no odds. Enjoy your "15 minutes of fame" - diehard Liberals will never vote Liberal Democrat again - and the gains from Cleggmania (which turned out to be few) will once again return to their previous voting patterns ... .
Just over a year ago Mark Taylor was a member of the Whitley Bay squad that beat Glossop North End in the FA Vase Final. In January this year he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease - and to put it diplomatically - that is not nice ...
Last night there was a charity game up at Hillheads Park where the team of 2009/10 met the team of 2002 - and notwithstanding the local interest (over 1300 turned up), it's worth pointing out that a small group of Glossop fans made the long journey up there as well, to show their support ..
Now that's what I call non-league football - a "true family" - and my thoughts go to Mark and his family as well - hang in there ... you have the support of many more people than you think. If anyone out there would like to show their support for Mark check out ..
... with some interesting "playground politics" ...
"I'll swap you Trident for a referendum on electoral reform" - seems fair (!) ...
"Inheritence Tax threshold for 'Mansion Tax' ?" - yeah, why not ...
"£6 billion spending cuts this year in exchange for ... well nothing really" - "Please please please can I be deputy leader of the gang David ??" - oh go on then ...
All we're missing now I suppose is some snappy word that joins together "Cameron" and "Clegg" - you know what I mean (e.g. "Brangelina", "TomKat", "Brunch", "Smog") ) - this lingustic joining/morphing of two words is actually known as a "portmanteau" (I always thought it was some kind of bag/suitcase !)- but there you go - learnt something new there !!! Another option might be to join together the Christian names - but all that comes to mind there is ........ "Dick" !!!!!
Meanwhile the education sector quivers with fear - and that's probably knackered my chances of getting a job in local government this year ..... .
Today's "dolescum constitutional" up to Top Mossley included spotting this in the window of one of the numerous estate agents that make up the "employment base" in Mossley - ha ! Tell me what you think - for a house that costs over £380,000 .... you might expect better - or to put it bluntly - it's a bloody embarrassment Bridges (and note the correct spelling of "embarrassment" !) - I'm out of work - and I can spell (feel free to double-click - it looks even worse !!) ...
... at 1540 today I have to sign on - but my mind will be a long long way away from the trivialities of job seeking ...
In Memoriam ...
ACKROYD, John Douglas 32 Baildon ANDERTON, Edmund 68 Bingley BAINES, Alexander Shaw 70 Bradford BAMFORD, Herbert 72 Bradford BULMER, Christopher James 11 Burley-in-Wharfedale COXON, Jack Leo 76 Bradford COXON, Leo Anthony 44 Halifax CRABTREE, David James 30 Bradford CRABTREE, Harry 76 Bradford DEMPSEY, Derek 46 Morley FIRTH, Muriel 56 Baildon FIRTH, Samuel 86 Bradford FLETCHER, Andrew 11 East Bridgford, Nottingham FLETCHER, Edmond 63 Pudsey FLETCHER, John 34 East Bridgford, Nottingham FLETCHER, Peter 32 Gildersome FORSTER, Nellie 64 Bradford GREENWOOD, Felix Winspear 13 Denholme GREENWOOD, Peter 46 Denholme GREENWOOD, Rupert Benedict 11 Denholme HALL, Norman 71 Bradford HALLIDAY, Peter Anthony 34 Bradford HARTLEY, Arthur 79 Bradford HINDLE, Edith 79 Bradford HINDLE, Frederick 76 Bradford HODGSON, Moira Helen 15 Oakenshaw HUDSON, Eric 72 Bingley HUGHES, John 64 Bradford HUTTON, John 74 Bradford KERR, Walter 76 Bradford LOVELL, Peter Charles 43 Bradford LUDLAM, Jack 55 Bradford McPHERSON, Gordon Stuart 39 Bradford McPHERSON, Irene 28 Bradford MASON, Roy 74 Silsden MIDDLETON, Frederick Norman 84 Bradford MITCHELL, Harold 79 Bradford MUHL, Elizabeth 21 Leeds NORMINGTON, Ernest 74 Shipley ORMONDROYD, Gerald Priestley 40 Bingley ORMONDROYD, Richard John 12 Bingley ORMONDROYD, Robert Ian 12 Bingley POLLARD, Sylvia Lund 69 Bradford PRICE, Herbert 78 Shipley ROBERTS, Amanda Jayne 20 Bradford SAMPSON, Jane 18 Leeds STACEY, William 72 Sleaford, Lincolnshire STOCKMAN, Craig Albert 14 Bradford STOCKMAN, Jane Ashley 16 Bradford STOCKMAN, Trevor John 38 Brighouse TURNER, Howard Malcolm 41 Bingley TURNER, Sarah Elizabeth 16 Bingley WARD, Simon Neil 18 Shipley WEDGEWORTH, Robert 72 Guiseley WEST, William James 78 North Hykeham, Lincoln WRIGHT, Adrian Mark 11 Bradford
... may they all be resting in peace ...
... a truly horrible horrible day that must NEVER EVER happen again ... .
So - 365 days after being at Wembley snapping the Glossop senior squad - I ventured down to Surrey Street, Glossop ... for the Vodkat League Reserve Cup Final. As predicted, I WAS late turning up (ironically due to a problem with a Speedwell Bus - Glossop's main sponsors this season - the complaint WILL be going in tomorrow morning). Unfortunately I missed the first goal (in the first bloody minute !) in what was a highly entertaining game. There was a good level of skill from both sides - and there were a couple of Glossop players that caught the eye tonight (if only Mossley had a Manager who was scouting tonight !!) It was two well-taken goals (that I saw) that won the cup for Glossop tonight - with a slight "oops" in between (!) ... and we even had a pitch invasion of the canine variety !!! Some "rough and ready" pics at
(Maybe it IS time for a rest from football - it's certainly time for some "snapper kit upgrade" - but that depends on other things ... like getting a bloody job !). That's football sorted for this midweek anyway - Saturday sees a trip up to Lancaster to see middle boy, fiance and fiance's parents, so no football there (yes I've checked all options !!!). There's always next week though - early hints involve the Stockport Senior Cup Final next Tuesday at Woodley Sports (still need to confirm this though) - but until then, I'll have to fill the blog with some other illuminating stuff (gardening and job hunting spring to mind !).Stay tuned - you never know ...
Just had a major "internet disappearance" - hopefully this - and pictures should now be there - in the corrected format (i.e. did not realise I'd missed a bloomin' goal, so had to make some slight "amendments" - just when the internet crashed !! Fingers crossed ). .
... no ju-jitsu for small boy tonight (too much coursework to do !!) - so ... off to Surrey Street to see Glossop Reserves take on Padiham Reserves in the Vodkat League Reserve Division Cup Final (note kick-off change to 1945 hrs folks - I'll probably STILL be late mind)...
... in the basement of the Vodkat League, it was truly a "winner takes all" game at Crilly Park (although to be pedantic, a draw would have been sufficient for the home side). The grass/dandelions had been trimmed since my visit earlier in the week, but it was a nervy game throughout with few chances at either end. The decisive goal came with 20 minutes left when Stephenson ran on to a "route one" ball to finish - and condemn Ashton Athletic to the second relegation place (although as we all know, so many promotion/relegation issues these days have nowt to do with "on the field" performances - so it's a "wait and see" moment - and not just for Ashton Athletic I'm sure ...).
Game over - a few quick post-match pics and then back to the station to get back home for food, quick change and off up to Mossley for the "Awards Night" (see earlier post). Today was another "back-breaker" in the garden - taking advantage of some half-decent weather to do some serious digging and wall building (while Fleetwood Town were beating Alfreton Town in the race for the Conference Premier) - and then a restful evening ... and this ... next midweek - no idea as yet - although I do have a "possibility" for the week after next. .
I'll do the football tomorrow - suffice to say Atherton LR beat Ashton Athletic 1-0 - so Atherton stay up - and Ashton go down (subject to the usual "close season off field" shenanigans ... .
... well it might be a right royal mess nationwide - but there is always the 'locals' ... witness this one where Mossley have finally "removed" one of the three Independent candidates (or the "Mossley Raving Loony Party" as I affectionately know them as ...)
... well done to Paul (now get back on the "train improvement manifesto" !!) - and then - just for fun - there's this one ...and no it's not me - I wish (he said, thinking of the expenses !!) - and I'm a little unsure about "Floyd Paterson" as well - remember him against Cassius Clay back in the 60s ...
... meanwhile - nationally - the "horse trading" continues no doubt ...
Tomorrow - yes it's Atherton LR v Ashton Athletic - a must win/must not lose game for Atherton - witness the bottom three in the league - and two go down ...
You get the picture - a game with something rather important on it !!
... and then tomorrow evening is the Mossley "Presentation/Awards Evening" - and I've been summoned to attend with camera (must learn how to use this bloody external flash properly - and also get some extra AA batteries - just in case !).
But for now - a stir-fry chicken meal to create ... .
... taking advantage of the situation, after returning from Bury last night about 2330, I "dug in" for a night in front of the box armed with a few tinnies !! "Our" result (Stalybridge & Hyde) finally came through at 0630 this morning - a much reduced majority for Labour. Reason for the late call was given as an "increased turnout" - 59.2% wasn't that brilliant though (up from 53% in 2005) was it ? So - nationally - the "horse trading" starts here I guess ... including electoral reform no doubt (a rough calc I did about 3 hours ago - Conservatives averaged about 34,700 votes per seat; Labour averaged 33,400 per seat ...... LibDems averaged 122,600 votes per seat !!) - how about a return to "Rotten Boroughs" ?!?!
Good night at the Comedy Club @ Bury Metro - hardly any mention of the General Election either !! Other big news from yesterday afternoon - I've made it to the "second interview" stage following my efforts a couple of weeks ago - 10 days to prepare ... positive vibes, positive vibes ... but now I think a couple of hours kip might be in order ! .
OK I lied about the voting - if you don't vote you can't complain - so USE IT ! ...
However - on my "dolescum constitutional" today up to Top Mossley to get tonight's tea from the Co-op (and yes I got my voting out of the way as well !) I spotted this in the window of our local Veterinary shop ... people need to know this - in fact they're itching to know this ...
Tee Hee !
Tonight - still unconfirmed - but I'm charging up the camera batteries just in case (the "just in case" being the Vodkat Challenge Cup Final @ Curzon Ashton) ... who knows ... certainly not me at the moment ...
QUICK (1635hrs) UPDATE - Bury Comedy Night it is - and I've wasted my time buying/preparing food (apparently we're "eating out") ... sorry Winsford, Abbey Hey .. can't do it ... .
Just got back from the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ... but I wish I'd been at that game !!!
0-1 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 2-4 2-5 2-6 3-6 4-6 5-6 Motherwell then miss a penalty ! 6-6 (93rd minute)
... and City blow it at home to Spurs ... oh dear ... with money no object, that could spell doom for "Henry" Mancini (maybe Sheikh Mansour could tempt John Flanagan away from fitted kitchens !)
... and Walshaw Sports beat Hollinwood 3-1 on pens after a 2-2 draw in the Manchester League Gilgryst Cup Final at Ewen Fields ...
... the gig - Rokia Traore was excellent (can't say the same about the support band though - Sweet Billy Pilgrim - made the Smiths look like "smiley happy people" - turgid would be my instant view I'm afraid - some good harmonies, but oh so bloody miserable !!) - a slow, gentle start from Ms Traore with stuff from the album "Tchamantche" - some homage to Miriam Makeba ("Quit It") and then she literally "got Rokia" with some lengthy Afro-beat - culminating in a 30 minute "jam/segue" at the end including a bit of Fela Kuti ("African Woman") - solos, dancing, the lot ! Excellent band behind her as well - certainly a top night out ...
... believe there's a General Election later today - and we've got 'locals' as well, so there'll certainly be some differences in voting between the two - for me anyway ... the evening should be spent in Bury - but that's still to be confirmed ...
(and just going back to football (high scoring version) for a tick - well done to Belper Town Reserves who clinched the Central Midlands Reserve Division Championship with a 10(ten)-0 thumping of Forest Town Reserves) .
... tonight ... some interesting stuff on - I mentioned the Gilgryst Cup Final at Hyde United earlier in the week - I won't be there, because I'm off to the Bridgewater Hall to see Rokia Traore from Mali - for those who've never heard of same check out this 70 second "bits and bobs" video from a few weeks ago in New York City - it's Youtube - the sound is poor - but you'll get the idea ...
We mustn't forget the other "big match" tonight - Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - the town of Mossley is awash with Reds and Blues .. but it would be nice to think they'll all be shouting for one team and one team only tonight (a forlorn hope knowing some of the Reds "wot I know" but .. you never know).
Other news - little - had a quick peep in Seel Park today whilst on the way to the Co-op - nothing yet ref the new floodlights - got an e-mail ref my job interview the other Friday - the recruiter said he put four up for the job - two are definite "no's" and there's me and one other guy "still under consideration". With the dearth of interviews etc that I've had (or not), it's a bit of a victory so far (beaten two at least !!!) and a bit of a confidence booster knowing that I'm still in the frame, therefore I must have something to offer someone - still have to keep plugging away mind ...
... and finally for now - that garden jobby - all we need to do now is put sand (or gravel ?) between the stones - and apparently some "alpines" around the edges ...
Well, I finished the garden bit this morning (sadly no picture - forgot !), which gave me time off for good behaviour in the afternoon. An important game for Atherton who needed just a point to ensure safety - which they didn't get - some pictures at
No goal pictures - the ref kicked off early in the second half (and caught a lot of us out !), and the second goal was a "did it cross the line ?" moment - confirmed by the linesman. This means that Atherton HAVE to get something out of next Saturday's game against fellow strugglers Ashton Athletic in order to preserve their top division status - might just have to go to that one ... .
Ever one to extend the football season as long as is humanly (and financially) possible, I took a trip to the Blocksages to watch Dukinfield Town take on Manchester Gregorians in the Manchester League - also gave me a chance to drop off a CD of piccies I took a couple of months ago (the night before Duki had to send all three of last season's trophies back to the various leagues !). I also nipped in to Asda to make a quick "hard copy" of some of the better pictures - MISTAKE - they might be "instant", but they appear to 'crop' something rotten - maybe I should have tweaked/sized the pictures better on the CD !!
To the game (a 1400 kick-off which actually started quite late due to the late arrival of the two liners !) - Gregorians started like a house on fire, taking the lead after a couple of minutes, and also contriving to miss a penalty. Duki were playing the better football overall, but every Gregorians attack looked likely to result in a goal. The equaliser arrived - but then it was "switch off" time and almost immediately it was 2-1 to the away team and it remained so until half-time (a quick pint in the "cosy" clubhouse and a check out of Sky Sports News (although it was only just after 3 o'clock). Second half ...tried a few different positions (oo-err !) including sat under the rail at almost zero feet !! Went to 3-1 before an absolute screamer gave Dukinfield Town some hope ... but - yet again - the concentration disappeared, and they were made to pay when Gregorians quickly restored their two goal advantage ... and that was the final score. Some pictures at Dukinfield Town 2 Manchester Gregorians 4
After the game - a pint in the club and watch the various "stories" unfold on the Sky Sports News - and also a chance to confirm my suspicions that the Gregorians goalkeeper was in fact ex-Lilywhite Martin White (his big "claim to fame" at Seel Park was to score a goal against Nantwich Town in 1999 'from open play' as they say - yes from his kick out - one bounce and straight over Nantwich 'keeper Stuart Heeps !). Apparently he's now coaching at Gregorians, and as their regular 'keeper was unavailable, he stepped in between the sticks (not for the first time this season either he told me). Then it was home for some Mediterranean cuisine from Mrs Smiffy ...
Today has seen a little more garden work - not yet complete (have to keep an eye on my back as they say !) - sorting out the "grassy/weedy" bit as mentioned on Thursday - so here's the "work in progress" as they say ...
Eight down ... four to go (two more rows of two) !!
Might well finish off tomorrow - well it is a Bank Holiday - although there's always the thought of ... MORE FOOTBALL !!!!!!!!!!! Not too sure about this midweek - the two best options are "unavailable" to me - on Wednesday (the Manchester League Gilgryst Cup Final - Hollinwood v Walshaw Sports being played at Hyde United - I will be watching Rokia Traore @ the Bridgewater Hall) and Thursday (Vodkat League Challenge Cup Final - Abbey Hey v Winsford United being played at Curzon Ashton - I will be at the "Comedy Night" @ Bury Metro) - so we'll have to see what else we can contrive (maybe one of the Athertons tomorrow in the Vodkat League ??) ...
News from today - it's a Fleetwood Town v Alfreton Town final in the Blue Square North - Alfreton beat Workington 3-1 (4-1 on agg) - and (shame) Fleetwood beat Droylsden 4-3 on penalties after winning the second leg 3-1 (3-3 on agg) - to be played next Sunday - looking at the Droylsden message board, there may be some severe "fall-out" after today's game - talk of some "over-enthusiastic stewarding" has been mentioned ... we'll find out more later no doubt ...
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