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... e-mail received today - I think the picture says it all ...
There's just something not quite right with GCSE English these days ... a fine advert indeed for this particular Job Agency (and we all know how I feel about bloody Job Agencies !!!). Guess my OCD on this sort of thing stems back to 1972 - when I took "O" Level English Language one year early - and got a Grade 1 !
By the way - if you live in certain parts of Grasscroft just outside Oldham (like a certain footy player "in the news" today) - I'm your postie this week ... cups of tea/choccy biccies always welcomed !!
Oh - and thanks to Saddleworth Cricket club for the very nice plug on Twitter ref my weekend cricket pix - I'll be back over the summer - and if the weather improves ... so might my photos ...
... and just for the hell of it - this is definitely the best cure for "too much Bachelors" (the group not the soup) ... Rory Gallagher at his finest ...
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Have just spent the last hour "converting" a vinyl album to MP3 in preparation to copy to CD ... for somebody else ...
... "Why so much pain ??" I hear you ask ?? Well if I was to show you the album cover ...
I KNEW you would understand ! Slowly recovering now after a sharp injection of Rory Gallagher.
Worrying thing is ... still got to do ...
another day perhaps ...
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... I've started to set up a real proper website - shock !!! (something to do during those dark dark days of the "close season")
Eventually it will all fit together properly (using the www.sixtamesides.co.uk domain name) - but until then, it's "work in progress", and at the moment it's FREE (yippee !).
Feel free to check it out - you'll find it (hopefully !) at
http://sixtamesides.yolasite.com
Better go and check it all works now ... (UPDATE - Yes it does !!)
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...believe this is Peter Skuse ...
... as mentioned earlier - managed just a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon down at the beautifully named "Well-i-Hole" (home of Saddleworth CC) with big lens and a couple of choccy bars (OK I did have one pint at the tea interval as well !) Certainly need to hone my skills a bit at the summer game (the lens certainly does the business though - but don't let the apparent "bright" day fool you - it was still a bit chilly !), but here's a few from the Tanner Cup Round 1 game ...
Saddleworth CC v Droylsden CC
When I left, Saddleworth were chasing 246 for victory - and were 20-odd for 2 - will check out the Saddleworth League website later today to see how it finished up ... don't know what it is, but I NEVER seem to get many cricket games in over the summer - bad weather and very early pre-season football (and of course Sunday walking with Mrs S) usually seem to take up the time ! Wonder what the weather will be like later ??
SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE - Apparently Saddleworth won with a single off the last ball of the game !
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... but look what I was delivering yesterday ...
Aargh !... and while I'm in "semi-grumpy" mode ... there's a rumour going around (!!!) that "mail volumes are falling" - here's my 'lot' from yesterday - eight bags ...
More aargh !!
... and what made it worse was when I got in today, the overtime sheet had already disappeared back to main office - now I have to wait until Tuesday to "haggle" for my 30 minutes - which can be a REAL pain ! looking forward to Monday off though ...
Anyroad up - finished on time today and after getting home I slipped out to watch some cricket - weather wasn't brilliant but at least it was dry ...I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow - first cricket of the season and I'm still a "bit ropey" at said sport. Followed this with a bit of vegetarian cooking - and a quiet night in (away from the football !) ...
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... don't panic - I've haven't succumbed to the crooning talents of Marti Pellow etc. - more a question of ..
Sums up my "day at the mailface/on the road" .. !!.
... Do you really think I'm heading to the pub to watch tonight's offering ?? Some overrated full-back trousers a few more pounds ?? Nope - tonight we are ripping up the floor covering in the kitchen - ready for the new stuff now we have a cuty fitted kitchen (arriving tomorrow - my day off - and I'm taking it !). Here's a couple of pics from today - courtesy of the "cameraphone" - and I have to admit it's pretty good at times - only 3.2 MP but ...
Taken "On duty" (don't tell boss !) - train entering Standedge Tunnel ...
"Off duty" - walking back from Diggle to Uppermill on the canal - Mum keeping an eye on things !!OK ... "Yes Football" !!! The "Hyde Furore" seems to have died down, now that it's official that Gary Lowe has the job - he'll still have to win over the doubters mind - but shouldn't be a problem. The Stalybridge Celtic "project" motors on - 13 players now re-signed for next season (still waiting on Connor Jennings to put pen to paper - that would REALLY cheer up the Celtic faithful - and his unofficial "personal photographer" !!). No real news from Ashton United, Mossley, Droylsden and Curzon Ashton - but it is "early doors" yet. Notice Glossop North End have a new boss - Paul Colgan (who was at Rossendale Unite last season during their "awful period" - off the pitch not on mind ..). Early verdicts are positive here as well - good luck to Paul - Glossop are certainly getting their act together off the pitch with the re-builds that are going on (dressing rooms, club - and the already rebuilt "scrattin' shed") - it would be good to see a resurgence on the pitch as well.
... and finally for now ... can I mention Ryan Giggs (having known for a long while) ?? Very strange isn't it ?? Even the so-called "good guys" have those skeletons in their cupboards ... who would "Imogen" it ? Sometimes it makes you feel proud to be poor - and brutally honest in your life ...
Now to eat tea - and then find the Stanley knife (for the kitchen floor - not the wife !)
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... Diggle - and all the scary things that go with it (postie-wise) - like bag drops in people's back gardens (rather than the usual Post Offices or lockable boxes). Was also greeted with gale force winds and torrential rain - aargh ! Usual "blind walk Monday" (where's this, where's that) but we got there in the end - all stuff now drying out nicely !! Should do better tomorrow ... 
Went in here today - and came out without having a pint - now there's a first !!
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... got a free sample through the post yesterday (my apologies to the Ashton postie - hope you didn't have too many of the buggers - although many thanks for the "Benidorm Series 1" DVD that you pushed through - good old EBay !). It was a dishwasher tablet (and at 10p a throw - it'll get used !). However I noticed this when unwrapping same (might need a double-click to see "my OCD problem") ...
Now I'd have ALWAYS gone for the single "t" myself, but I guess we're into the English English/American English "grey area" (or should that be "gray area" ? NO !!). A quick Google came up with this - gospel or not I do not know ... but it's good enough for me !!!
Weather still poo - so no cricket pics this evening I'm afraid - with Mrs S away again today I might just go for a bit of "Survival Sunday" on that damned satellite thingy - after first preparing tonight's "feast" (to get round the "couple of hours" out of the house I'll be doing the roast beef the "slow-roast" way (or should that be "slo-roast" way ? NO !) - better see what Jamie Oliver says about it ...
Come on the Wolves !!!
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... yes the provisional listings for "who plays in what league" have now been published - note the use of the word 'provisional' though, as everything needs to be ratified at the various league AGMs ...
Our three Conference North teams will be getting a 'new' local derby as Altrincham (after several previous unsuccessful attempts !!!) were finally relegated from the Conference National. There's also a 'day at the seaside' at Colwyn Bay (promoted from the Evo-Stik North), a tasty trip 'over the hill' to FC Halifax Town (similarly promoted) and trips to such "Northern Delights" as Histon (near Cambridge !) and Gloucester City (who play at Cheltenham !!!) ... why oh why do they not set up a Conference North, a Conference South and a Conference Middle ?? Just imagine - Blyth Spartans vs Histon on a Tuesday night !
As regards "moneyspinners" I guess Ashton United have the best deal on that. FC United of Manchester didn't manage promotion so they remain in the Evo-Stik Premier, and joining them both will be Chester FC and their excellent fanbase. Other new "Northern" clubs are Rushall Olympic, Hednesford Town - and Stafford Rangers (so I'll only get to see them once next season instead of the usual three times - hey ho !).
Meanwhile in the Evo-Stik 1st North Curzon Ashton and Mossley still get to go to Ossett - but next season it will Town rather than Albion as Town came down and Albion went further down ! New Mills brings another local-ish derby as well and the reformed Farsley FC have started their long march back up the leagues ...
One "quickie" from the Unibond 1st South - it's good to see that Ilkeston FC (reformed from the ashes of "Ilkeston Taaarn" !) have been allocated a spot here - really pleased for some of my mates down in Ilson, and I'll be hoping to get a game or two down there next season. Seems that some people aren't too happy about this, but it's the same every year - look at Telford, Halifax, Farsley to name but three - when these "reformed" clubs are allocated spots they normally do prove the FA decision to be correct by climbing the tree pretty quickly - and with the Youth/Academy setup at Ilson flourishing last season, despite the "mother club" going under, it does bode well for the future there.
As I said - it's all "provisional" because - as usual - there's a few "what if's" regarding the status of some of the clubs. Rushden and Diamonds are in the Conference National - but they still need to raise £250,000 to stave off winding-up orders. Burscough (Evo-Stik Premier) are another club that may or may not get through the close season in one piece (read this heartfelt plea from one of their fans about the state of play there) ... so who knows ? Reprieves for some clubs ?? Leagues starting the season "one team short" ??
The close season can be a wonderful soap opera at times ...
By the way - a quick "well done" to AFC Wimbledon who are now back (?) in the Football League after their penalty shoot-out defeat of Luton Town yesterday ... "AFC Crazy Gang" ? Oh - and Marsden drew 1-1 against Ovenden (apologies for absence !!!).
Weather not looking too brilliant for a bit of cricket today (Saddleworth CC v Droylsden CC would be the local game of choice for an hour or three) - got some shopping and "housey things" to do anyway - we'll see ... and then it's "Where will they put me next week ?" at work (will probably get a phone call at daft o'clock tomorrow morning telling me !).
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... finished too late (OK finished in good time but then had to get home from Delph - not simple !) to get the train over to Marsden ... so it looks like a lazy afternoon.
For those interested the Conference Premier Play-Off 'twixt AFC Wimbledon and Luton Town is available by radio ... either Wimbledon Viewpoint or Luton Viewpoint (Wimbledon just had goal disallowed for offside !)
... off to get changed ...
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Well it was the best kept (non) secret of the season - but it was finally advertised, interviews have taken place and ex-Curzon Ashton boss Gary Lowe now has the "hot seat" at Ewen Fields ...
... HOWEVER - the backlash (yes that's the right word) on the Hyde United Forum (check out here) is quite unbelievable !!! Frith only knows what the fans were expecting (Mourinho, Avram Grant, Graham Heathcote ?), but they've certainly (in the majority anyway) seen this appointment as "not good" ...
Here's a club who've been flirting with relegation for more than one season; a club with "money problems" (to say the least !); and they get Gary Lowe - a manager who's done wonders at Curzon Ashton (a team that struggle for support - therefore money) for several years - I reckon Hyde have got themselves a bargain ! Obviously I'm not in the know about playing budgets etc. (either at Hyde or Curzon) but if you look at what Curzon have achieved over the last five years (with quite obviously "not a lot"), these guys (as in the Hyde "Internet Moaners") should be bloody grateful - a new Manager arrives and is met with a "welcome" like what you can read on that thread above ... crazy !!! Fairly sure that this sort of talk will not "faze" someone like Gary Lowe - certainly a man unto himself !!! It will be interesting to see if any Curzon players "follow the boss" (a typical happening when non-league managers change) - but if they do they'll see this as their chance to prove themselves at a higher level - just like Gary Lowe himself.
I wish him luck ... just as I wish the new Curzon boss John Flanagan the same ...
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... well certainly no live football this midweek - ummed and aaahed about going to Huddersfield on Wednesday to see their play-off game against AFC Bournemouth (Mum and Dad spent a few years living in Bournemouth/Poole so - a tenuous link !) ... but it's on telly anyway so ... also thought about the Conference Premier Play-Off Final on Saturday (Luton v AFC Wimbledon) - well I am a licensed Conference snapper after all !! However I don't reckon I'd get finished in time to get down there - Mrs Smiffy off for the weekend - with the car - hey ho ... there's always the cricket option - apparently the weather's going to turn tropical by the weekend, so a late afternoon with the "dobber" lens (170-500) focussed on the bails might not be a bad option - we'll see what's local ...
... tomato plants now fully recovered from their "transplants" - they can now 'grow on' (as it says on the packet !) until sometime in June when the hanging basket can be prepared ...
... working out in the country this week i.e. Saddleworth - from Dobcross Post Office, I'm doing the delights of Delph - a lovely little village for tourists ... full of little alleyways/back streets/'underhouses' (i.e. where's the bloody letterbox !) and also big dock-off houses with no numbers/names (although post has a number !); and also a few hefty hill climbs as well ... and a bit of a bugger to get to as well ! Monday was a nightmare finding "stuff", but being the true pro (!) "when you've done it once you're sorted" (after a fashion anyway !), so today was a touch more comfortable (despite the incessant drizzle) !!!
... tonight's culinary delight is grilled gammon (with a mustard and marmalade seasoning) and a hot and fruity salsa (mango, chilli, coriander and lime juice) with some lightly steamed mangetout - just awaiting the arrival of Mrs S ...
... must get around to sorting out that "broken lens" as well ...
Waffle over for now ...
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... dirty fingers more like !! Been "nurturing" these chaps from seeds for a few weeks - and spent a damp morning repotting them into singles ...
Nearly forgot - they're tomatoes for putting in hanging baskets - and about 30 minutes after this pic was taken some of them "keeled over" in protest at being messed with - I hope !!
Looks like the AFC Telford United v Guiseley Blue Square North Play-Off Final is heading for extra-time (been listening to it "on the radio" - 2-2 at the mo') - midweek football is still an 'unknown' at the moment ...
EDIT @ 1650 - OK I lied - a 93rd minute winner for AFC Telford United !!
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... happy days are here again ... yes if you type in www.sixtamesides.co.uk - it works (DNS servers, MX records and all that stuff finally seem to be sorted - and that means my "cheap and nasty" business cards are once again valid !!!)
That New Mills v Winsford report - Frith knows where that went - but I can certainly remember doing it - suffice to say, despite the Millers having the majority of the possession they were completely unable to breach the well-drilled Winsford rearguard - and Winsford got that vital breakaway effort (see picture link for the piccies I posted yesterday) and then continued to keep New Mills at bay.
Friday night - after a hard day's graft it was home, get changed and back down to Ashton to make my radio debut on "Pav's Patch" - a bit nerve-wracking to say the least ... totally unscripted (although I did take a few "crib sheets" with me - league positions and the odd comment about each of the Six Tame Sides) - seemed to go OK in the end - and if anyone missed it you can go on the Tameside Radio "Play it again Sam" option (Friday 13th 1800-1900 - although the options involve having to listen to the 1714-1814 slot and the 1814-1914 slot as well - weird !!!!) - I've yet to hear it myself - but I will - and try to make a copy of same. Here's a dodgy pic of Pav and Trudge taken last night (they kept moving !!) - just for the record ...
Managed to do well today at work (got wet mind !) - giving me time to dry, change, drink lucozade - and then slope off down to the "Britannia" to watch the Cup Final - think one of my last comments "on air" last night was "City to win - and it'll be close" - cleverly put if I may say so - and City (the Manchester one) did same - and over the 90 minutes they DID deserve it. Still reckon it was bloody stupid - nay ignorant - nay selfish - of Sky to do the Premiership stuff at lunchtime - just because they didn't have the world-wide - nay universal rights - to the FA Cup Final. In these days of "too much TV footy", it certainly takes the gloss off the FA Cup Final as "The Occasion - The Final Game of the Season" - s'pose you can also blame 'Wemberly plc' who shifted the FA Cup Final because they're hosting the Champs League Final as well - still it all helps to pay off the huge debts incurred in building the bloomin' stadium. Still ... well done to the "other" Manchester side for doing their business as well.
So there you go - no live football pics tonight/this weekend - although I will check out the "Non League Paper" tomorrow - there might well be something local to go to next midweek - who knows - I don't !!!
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... could have sworn I put a post on yesterday regarding the New Mills v Winsford game - but it ain't there now ... Pix at
New Mills 0 Winsford United 1
God knows what's going on - still no www.sixtamesides.co.uk either ... AAARRRGGGHHH !
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Part 1 ... noticed a few "flames" across the valley last night - pix went on blog, and just for the hell of it I forwarded same two pix to the Manchester Evening News ... and they used one of them !!! Check out
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1420387_residents-help-firefighters-to-tackle-moorland-blaze
(P.S. the name "Mike Jones" in the story should actually read "Mike Smith" - at least they've corrected the caption under the photo though !!!)
Part 2 - Tameside Radio (103.6FM) have a "Non-League Show" on Friday nights 'twixt 1800/1900. This Friday they're having a bit of an "End of Season Review" featuring Keith Trudgeon from Stalybridge Celtic and ... me ! I was asked - why not ?? My last radio appearance would have been on BBC Radio Stoke's "Top School Quiz" back in the early 70s representing the mighty Graham Balfour High School in Stafford - although I've done TV since then - a BBC South "Chat Show" when I was living in Andover in the late 70s (still got the official BBC contract somewhere - got £10 + travelling expenses from Andover to Southampton !!).
Been down to the Tameside Stadium tonight watching the Vodkat League Cup Final - New Mills v Winsford United ... which finished up 1-0 to Winsford (which I guess goes down as a "surprise") - will run through pix now - expect something tomorrow I guess ...
Unfortunately www.sixtamesides.co.uk is STILL not working properly - but I need to give it another 24 hours (all this DNS stuff) before I start grumbling with web hosters - as I've had to say tonight to a couple of peeps .. just Google "six tame sides" and you can't go wrong ... but if you're reading this - it doesn't really matter - does it ?!?!
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... from tonight @ Buxton Opera House - excellent gig with good support from folk singer Jackie Oates - here's the first minute or so of Mr Lakeman and band performing their final song of the night "Race to be King" ....
... happened at the end of the game when I was packing up bag - unfortunately one side of the bag zip "failed" so when I put bag on shoulder, the 85mm f1.8 (or "Oldham By-Election" lens as it's known - because that's what paid for it !) lens fell out through gap ... onto ground ...
... thought I'd got away with it - as pic shows it was only the UV filter that smashed ... however after a quick load onto camera body (and a few button presses later) it transpired that "AutoFocus" resulted in a "clicking noise" (as in it was trying to ...) - but no focussing - and manual focussing similarly failed to focus - speechless ?? gutted ?? Something like that ...
Anyway - following a possible lead - both lens (and unfortunately body) have gone into a repair place this lunchtime (won't mention names yet, but if they can do the business they'll get maximum pluggage on here !) - we can only wait and see with fingers etc all crossed.
So - I'm now "sans camera" - which sort of buggers up the Wednesday night football option (New Mills v Winsford United - Vodkat League Cup Final @ Curzon Ashton) - better get back to work tomorrow and start earning !! Meanwhile - here's a grim sky over our street from this afternoon (taken with babycam) ..
Off to Buxton for the Seth Lakeman gig in 60 minutes or so - Shipping Forecast shows gale force 8 on west side of country and "3 or 4 becoming south 5" on the east ... so hopefully no worries in Buxton re shipwrecks !!!
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... just like last season - when the football runs out "over here", it's time to travel "over there" !!! Two stops on the train - 12 minutes (including "big tunnel" !) - Marsden awaited. It was a 1330 kick-off, but fortunately, I wasn't working. Within minutes of the game starting ... the heavens opened ! Marsden took the lead from a "David Beckham-esque" free-kick from Carl Sykes - no-one warned the snapper about his free-kick prowess - so I bloomin' missed it !! Tyersal soon got a well-worked equaliser though and the rest of the first half was a pretty even affair. Not so the second half - Marsden made most of the running and Tyersal were restricted to the odd breakways - but while it stood as 1-1 ... anything could have happened. That was until Marsden got a free kick with about 10 minutes left ... this time I was prepared (although I couldn't legislate for players "getting in the way" !!) - and it finished 2-1 to the home side. Pictures at
Marsden 2 Tyersal 1
After the game - whilst packing up my stuff (and having a disaster - more about that later), I was chatting to the "unofficial ball boy" - to find out that he was the former Oldham Athletic and Macclesfield Town player - and Mossley Manager, George Sievwright. Obviously his time as Mossley boss was before my time, but we had a good natter about Macc Town, Stafford Rangers and the Cheshire League in general - long enough for me to miss the train back to Mossley - no worries though as 45 minutes was spent in the "Railway" drinking Wychwood "Elderwych" - very nice indeed !
Back to Mossley - and virtually straight out again to friends in Rochdale. Good nosh, stayed over and today went for a long walk around Heptonstall and Hardcastle Crags (more pics to follow) before home for a "spag bol" ... and this ...
Tomorrow night - we're all off to Buxton Opera House to see Seth Lakeman ... and given his penchant for maritime disasters (lyric-wise anyway !), we'll be checking the Shipping Forecast before heading over the hill !!
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... from a couple of days ago ...... or rather 100,000 up (in less than 5 years !!) I thank you all ...
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3 miles and 60 yards ... to Yorkshire ...YES !! And it's not Darlo/Mansfield on the telly ... Heading through Stanedge Tunnel for a 1330hrs kick-off - Marsden FC v Tyersal in the West Riding County Amateur League (with the possibility of ex-Mossley and Ashton United players on view ...)
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"... Till the bitter end ..." - Stafford's Craig McAughtrie... so there you go - Hyde reprieved and Stafford down ... it might have been 3-2 at Bower Fold yesterday but it was a lot more comfortable for Stalybridge than the score suggests. It was only my third viewing of the Rangers this season (after watching defeats at Droylsden and Hyde), but yet again it was easy to see why they were in the position they were in - they were just not good enough for Blue Square level football - only really starting to play when it was too too late. There's been no end of "off the field kerfuffles" as well at Marston Road - and I guess now is the time for change, starting at the top - "new league new start" as someone has said. One thing that can't be faulted is the level of support - it was an excellent turn-out yesterday - one which puts a lot of Blue Square North teams to shame - and they just kept singing !! Reckon an early job at Marston Road IS to get the "Shed End" back to its former glory - surely putting up a "roof on a couple of sticks" can't cost that much - and getting that atmosphere back at what has become a ground devoid of same would be an important first step, creating a focus for the faithful which could then filter through to those on the pitch. The other hope is that they do end up in the Evo-Stik Premier rather than "Daarn Saarff" - would keep travelling costs reasonable for starters if nothing else (and I'll get to see 'em at Ashton United !!). This decision won't be made for a week or three yet - guess it's dependent on play-offs, possible clubs "going under" ... and naturally the whims of League Management Committees !!
Some thanks from yesterday - to Royal Mail for sticking me on a walk (in Stalybridge ironically !) which enabled me to finish at a reasonable hour to get to the match in time even for a pre-game 'shandy'; to "Spoonie" who swapped me a DVD of one of Stafford's finest hours/90 minutes (FA Trophy Final 1972 - I was there !) for a small recompense (one to watch when Mrs S goes out !); and to Staybridge's Connor Jennings for the small gift (chilling nicely in the fridge !) in exchange for a shed load of photos taken over the last 12 months.
What next for football ?? Will obviously need to pore over the "Non League Paper" fixture list for next week - I know there's a few play-off games, but nothing really local enough (unless Curzon can beat Chorley and AFC Fylde could beat Skelmersdale - now THAT would set up a home final for Curzon next Friday night) - there might be something in the Vodkat League or Manchester League ... we'll see. At least I now have a week off work now - although the jobs list is probably being compiled in Mrs Smiffy's head as I type - certainly a few "construction jobbies" in the garden are on the menu ... and I think Asda, B&Q and Ikea are on today's agenda !!!
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