It being midweek, only Matt and Philip managed to represent the non-playing Squad at the Ricoh.
How glad were the rest of us.
Sounded awful, with no real highlights and a debut to forget from Huckleberry Finn (we may need to think of a better nickname).
Bothroyd scored, ten years on from when I first watched him destroy our Youth Team in the FA Youth Cup Final at Highbury, a game that I think Kirkland and Davenport also played. A player who could have been so much more, shame he never got it together with us, though his debut at home to Man Utd was a good indicator of the future as he was subbed at half time (I think....)
2-0, and lucky to get nil.
Roll on Derby. Well, roll over Derby, though I can't see Clough Jnr letting them do that. 3-1 defeat is the prediction.
Farewell to Kevin Kyle
Word reaches us that the totemic centre forward Kevin Kyle has finally gained his dream move to a more Northern club, in this case, Kilmarnock.
For me, his headed goal away at QPR last season in the dying moments to clinch a 2-1 win is the highlight of his troubled stay at the Club.
Thinking about it, that's the only highlight I can recall.
Well, could have been worse, he could have stayed.
Farewell to the man who made Ade Akinbyi look like Robinho, we hope you never darken our doors again.
For me, his headed goal away at QPR last season in the dying moments to clinch a 2-1 win is the highlight of his troubled stay at the Club.
Thinking about it, that's the only highlight I can recall.
Well, could have been worse, he could have stayed.
Farewell to the man who made Ade Akinbyi look like Robinho, we hope you never darken our doors again.
Attractive football
The YDO would like to extend a very warm welcome to the 2 loanees taken into the Sky Blue bosom this week. Hopefully we can help groom them, and they will be able to bring some excitement into our season. Especially Jordan.
Torquay, or not Torquay, that was the question.
The magic of the Cup was well and truly in evidence as the Sky Blue Express hit the South Coast at the weekend. The trip started poorly, being a man down before we left South London as Matt's sick bug had kept him up all night, and not in a way he's recently become used to.
Grandpa (the Xsara) was on time for the next rendezvous to collect SBJ, only to be foiled by a silent alarm clock, leading to a late change of collection point. Eventually we got to Brentford to collect Kev-lar, and the three of were en route by 8.15am.
The M4 was empty, and we stopped for breakfast at the services. "Mint Baileys, whatever will they think of next" was replaced as a topic of conversation by discussions about the various grades of cooked breakfasts offered. We had a choice of the Full English, the Traditional English, or just the English breakfast, served by a very polite lady who wished us all a Happy New Year more than once, in a service station managed by a throwback to small town America in the 1950s.
Anyway, I digress. We got to Torquay by 12.15, found the Hotel, checked in, found a pub after a nice walk along the front. Nicer than Blackpool and Southend by a long way, but very few pubs.
Found this one, which did the job, rather than the Spoons, which looked poor.
It had a 1930's gaming machine which paid out in cigarettes, in the days when smoking was macho and healthy.
We then took a taxi to the ground, and enjoyed the corporate bar with a view of the pitch.
Getting through the turnstiles we struggled with inept stewards and police, who seemed surprised to see so many fans at a sell out game. We then watched 87 minutes of nonsense before stealing the match with a cracking header from O Lord. Totally undeserved, but a fifth round tie against Sunderland or Blackburn awaits. 22 years of hurt, never stopped me dreaming.....
A night out in Torquay beckoned, which was entertaining as it turned out. Quote of the night from a local bloke in a tight white t-shirt who'd been dancing on his own in a cheap bar, having just walked up to yours truly (and looked up) to say 4 words, and 4 words only, before walking off - "You're not my type". Speechless was followed by amusement, to be knocked back is one thing, to be pre-emptively knocked back by him was a completely different kettle of fish.
The North awaits for our next taste of Cup magic.
Grandpa (the Xsara) was on time for the next rendezvous to collect SBJ, only to be foiled by a silent alarm clock, leading to a late change of collection point. Eventually we got to Brentford to collect Kev-lar, and the three of were en route by 8.15am.
The M4 was empty, and we stopped for breakfast at the services. "Mint Baileys, whatever will they think of next" was replaced as a topic of conversation by discussions about the various grades of cooked breakfasts offered. We had a choice of the Full English, the Traditional English, or just the English breakfast, served by a very polite lady who wished us all a Happy New Year more than once, in a service station managed by a throwback to small town America in the 1950s.
Anyway, I digress. We got to Torquay by 12.15, found the Hotel, checked in, found a pub after a nice walk along the front. Nicer than Blackpool and Southend by a long way, but very few pubs.
Found this one, which did the job, rather than the Spoons, which looked poor.
It had a 1930's gaming machine which paid out in cigarettes, in the days when smoking was macho and healthy.
We then took a taxi to the ground, and enjoyed the corporate bar with a view of the pitch.
Getting through the turnstiles we struggled with inept stewards and police, who seemed surprised to see so many fans at a sell out game. We then watched 87 minutes of nonsense before stealing the match with a cracking header from O Lord. Totally undeserved, but a fifth round tie against Sunderland or Blackburn awaits. 22 years of hurt, never stopped me dreaming.....
A night out in Torquay beckoned, which was entertaining as it turned out. Quote of the night from a local bloke in a tight white t-shirt who'd been dancing on his own in a cheap bar, having just walked up to yours truly (and looked up) to say 4 words, and 4 words only, before walking off - "You're not my type". Speechless was followed by amusement, to be knocked back is one thing, to be pre-emptively knocked back by him was a completely different kettle of fish.
The North awaits for our next taste of Cup magic.
Celebration's what you need....
...when you've been battered for 87 mins and get away with getting into the last 16 of the Cup. 
Nice pat on the head for ickle Michael
Nice pat on the head for ickle Michael
The curious case of the white hand on the arse
Sally Dekker "Is this some kind of bust"
Lt Frank Drebbin " Yes it is quite impressive"
In the hometown of Dame Agatha Christie (for it is she) there was inevitably going to be some outrageous crime to investigate...
So Miss Marple - who put that enourmous goalie-glove paint print on Danny Champion of the World's backside?
Could it be the very tall Torquay keeper....
or could Vivienne have done it? He certainly does get close enough to his team mates:
Or had K borrowed the Junior Schmeichel glove thrown to us at Colchester last season for some butt-slapping of our left back?
We know the Butler can't have done it since Reg Varney's demise...
Whoever it was nearly got away with because there were no pesky kids around to unmask them. So hands up, who was it?
Aha... no one saw that twist in the plot.
Lt Frank Drebbin " Yes it is quite impressive"
In the hometown of Dame Agatha Christie (for it is she) there was inevitably going to be some outrageous crime to investigate...
So Miss Marple - who put that enourmous goalie-glove paint print on Danny Champion of the World's backside?
Could it be the very tall Torquay keeper....
or could Vivienne have done it? He certainly does get close enough to his team mates:
Or had K borrowed the Junior Schmeichel glove thrown to us at Colchester last season for some butt-slapping of our left back?
We know the Butler can't have done it since Reg Varney's demise...
Whoever it was nearly got away with because there were no pesky kids around to unmask them. So hands up, who was it?
Aha... no one saw that twist in the plot.
"I'll be your substitute Whenever you want me""
Continuing the theme of random lyrics as blog titles.... any road as my vantage point was conveniently located by the touchline and as subs don't move as much as players on the pitch, here is the creme de la creme of our bench. I still am not sure who one of them is. And Wardy needs a shave and some liposuction.
Ground for Concern
Self-evidently not the case.
Gaudi-style ceramics to herald us in to the away pen - surely the only Barcelona reference ever likley to be made in connection with Plainmoor.
The very model of modern major ground....
Countdown to Torquay
17 hours from now, a slow and very full Citroen Xsara will be heading down the M4 towards the South West.
Radio 5 live is coming from Plainmoor, the most likely scene of an upset.
My previous optimisim has taken a hit, surely we are through to the 5th round on Valentines Day? Surely?
Radio 5 live is coming from Plainmoor, the most likely scene of an upset.
My previous optimisim has taken a hit, surely we are through to the 5th round on Valentines Day? Surely?
Farewell to the Superhobbit
Crowd favourite Jay Tabb has signed for Reading for a reported £500k, representing "an offer too good to turn down" for the pint-sized midfielder, who wanted to return South to be closer to friends and family. While Reading isn't that far away, from his perspective it's a long way indeed.
Since signing in June 2006, the Superhobbit has scored 12 goals in 91 starts, and at times has been one of the best things to watch on the pitch. While my view has been from a slightly different angle than some of my fellow fans, I wholeheartedly agree that we'll miss his energy, box to box running, clinical finishing and occasional flying tackle.
Farewell and best of luck Superhobbit, you go with our blessing.
Unlike Kevin Kyle (and Julian Gray). You don't go with our blessing. Just go.
Congrats also to Vivienne for his call up to the full Republic squad. Provided we don't now sell him in the next 12 days, as that wouldn't be a step in the right direction.
Since signing in June 2006, the Superhobbit has scored 12 goals in 91 starts, and at times has been one of the best things to watch on the pitch. While my view has been from a slightly different angle than some of my fellow fans, I wholeheartedly agree that we'll miss his energy, box to box running, clinical finishing and occasional flying tackle.
Farewell and best of luck Superhobbit, you go with our blessing.
Unlike Kevin Kyle (and Julian Gray). You don't go with our blessing. Just go.
Congrats also to Vivienne for his call up to the full Republic squad. Provided we don't now sell him in the next 12 days, as that wouldn't be a step in the right direction.
A point off the top half, 8 from the play-offs
First things first - congratulations to Craig on correctly predicting the scoreline of Saturday's victory over the seasiders. Let us hope he backed his own judgment with a turf accountant and will be treating us all to Champagne darling on the Riviera this weekend.
Not wishing to sound like a broken record but the 1st half truly must have been the worst 45 minutes ever, as we made Blackpool look more like another team who are brought up playing on sand.
Gunner continued masquerading as a fill-in centre-back, which he is not, cunningly hiding his new I-phone in the large gaps between and behind himself and Tina. He had clearly given his Blackpool counterpart a roasting on Scrabble (TM) or written some derogatory comment on his wall, as he was laid out very early on in front of everyone bar the referee.
Vivienne had apparently been to a launch party for the new season's range the previous night as he seemed drunk every time the ball got laid back to him (admittedly once every minute).
DJ Campbell was given a debut present by said Gunner after 30 minutes, by which time the City defence had given a superb repeat performance from the trip to Bloomfield Road in December '07 (see right).
The YDO was not impressed by the debut of Mr Wynter at right-back, though in his defence he was surrounded by more experienced players equally unwilling to either receive or hold on to the ball. More Reasons (sporting garish green boots as opposed to last week's pink) did treat us to a comedy moment of falling over the ball when he should either have scored or put Wheels in.
Anyway, for some reason CC changed nothing in terms of personnel at the break, despite all the evidence to the contrary, and the game was turned around within 6 minutes, unfortunately the YDO was still boozing when Boozy netted his first for the club from a pleasant move involving Wheels and Superhobbit (rumoured to be off to Reading for £500k). Wheels and the very moody More Reasons (hissy fits all afternoon then straight down the tunnel at the final whistle) then combined nicely to slip in Melts who scored the winner.
CCFC somehow held on, disallowed goals and goal-line clearances adding to the agony. The American Beauty plastic bag reminded us how beautiful life is despite the ugly football, whilst the realisation that Cunning Fox (who betrayed us by putting a 25 yard free-kick into the wall) has modelled his running style on Stephen Hughes also passed the time.
7.30am Saturday - the Barnwell Xsara departs for Torquay.
Not wishing to sound like a broken record but the 1st half truly must have been the worst 45 minutes ever, as we made Blackpool look more like another team who are brought up playing on sand.
Gunner continued masquerading as a fill-in centre-back, which he is not, cunningly hiding his new I-phone in the large gaps between and behind himself and Tina. He had clearly given his Blackpool counterpart a roasting on Scrabble (TM) or written some derogatory comment on his wall, as he was laid out very early on in front of everyone bar the referee.
Vivienne had apparently been to a launch party for the new season's range the previous night as he seemed drunk every time the ball got laid back to him (admittedly once every minute).
DJ Campbell was given a debut present by said Gunner after 30 minutes, by which time the City defence had given a superb repeat performance from the trip to Bloomfield Road in December '07 (see right).
The YDO was not impressed by the debut of Mr Wynter at right-back, though in his defence he was surrounded by more experienced players equally unwilling to either receive or hold on to the ball. More Reasons (sporting garish green boots as opposed to last week's pink) did treat us to a comedy moment of falling over the ball when he should either have scored or put Wheels in.
Anyway, for some reason CC changed nothing in terms of personnel at the break, despite all the evidence to the contrary, and the game was turned around within 6 minutes, unfortunately the YDO was still boozing when Boozy netted his first for the club from a pleasant move involving Wheels and Superhobbit (rumoured to be off to Reading for £500k). Wheels and the very moody More Reasons (hissy fits all afternoon then straight down the tunnel at the final whistle) then combined nicely to slip in Melts who scored the winner.
CCFC somehow held on, disallowed goals and goal-line clearances adding to the agony. The American Beauty plastic bag reminded us how beautiful life is despite the ugly football, whilst the realisation that Cunning Fox (who betrayed us by putting a 25 yard free-kick into the wall) has modelled his running style on Stephen Hughes also passed the time.
7.30am Saturday - the Barnwell Xsara departs for Torquay.
QPR away - match report
At last, an away trip attended by a number of us. Which is impressive given the last few collective efforts, until you remember that 3 of us live within half an hour of the Westfield Shopping Centre Memorial Ground.
Last season we witnessed a last minute winner by Kevin Kyle, an event so unlikely now as to be on a par with Tony Blair being caught in a meange a trois with Gordon Brown and Dennis Healy. This season we were optimistic given a 2 match winning streak against the Owls and the Kiddies.
We met at the Bush, which was an unusual occurence for most of the party, to watch the snow. SBJim had failed to find a pub showing the Villa West Brom match on Sky, but had found a pub with a window with a view of a pub showing the game. It was almost as good as being there. But without the good bits. After rumours of pitch inspections, frozen pitches and postponements, we found ourselves on Row G, Upper Stand, Lofty Road.
Team news was not really a surprise, given how few fit players we had available. The Gunner had torn himself away from Facebook for long enough to play at right back, leaving In the afternoon continuing to deputise in the heart of defence. And boy, did we need a solid, heroic and responsible performance from our Rock at the back, one of only two available centre backs.
He was undoubtedly rock-like for the first half hour in temperatures more suited to penguins, before getting himself spectacularly sent off for a high challenge worthy of a straight red card. The Gunner moved across to deputise in the middle, pausing only momentarily to update his status to reflect the change. This left Melts in the mouth, and the Superhobbit to patrol the right flank, possibly the shortest double act since Snow White recruited Bashful and Sleazy to join her five existing bodyguards. A good atmosphere in the away end though, nice and noisy.
Back to the game. We got to half time without incident, and went downstairs to check out the executive facilities worthy of a club owned by three Billionaires. Mittal, Mad Bernie and Flavio seemed to have forgotten the away fans though, and we had a gaze around some breezeblocks and queues for ten minutes instead.
Well, we huffed and puffed for a while at the start of the second half, as QPR failed to make any impression on the ten man Sky blues. Then, a freekick 30 yards out, on the right hand side at the far end. We knew what was coming, the whole team knew what was coming, quite a few of the fans started calling for the Fox to shoot, Gunner's facebook friends received a notification of what was coming, but thankfully Cerny the goalkeeper obviously knows little English. The Cunning Fox popped another freekick in from 30 yards, and we had the lead with over 20 minutes to go.
We hung on, the Superhoops missed a couple of good chances and resorted to humping long balls up to Dexter Longstop in the blind hope that someone would make a mistake and let them in for an undeserved equaliser. 87 minutes gone, and the ball comes down with snow on it. Gunner, momentarily distracted by accepting another 120 friend requests, gets in a tangle with Tina (who now has a nickname) and Vivienne fails to clear, leaving Dexter free to murder a dodgy goal. Disaster.
We hang on for a point, and curse our bad luck. Would we have walked away with all three points in the days before social networking? We will never know.
After the game, SBJ fled back to Coventry for a mini-school reunion. The reunion being small, not the school. I can vouch for the size of the school, though it does seem smaller now than it did twenty years ago. The rest of us went for a warming pint, and started to plan the logistics for our trip to Torquay.
Torquay, if ever there was the starting ingredient in a recipe for disaster, this is a good candidate. Blackpool at home first, but I can't get back for that, so someone else will need to write some prose about our 2-1 win.
Last season we witnessed a last minute winner by Kevin Kyle, an event so unlikely now as to be on a par with Tony Blair being caught in a meange a trois with Gordon Brown and Dennis Healy. This season we were optimistic given a 2 match winning streak against the Owls and the Kiddies.
We met at the Bush, which was an unusual occurence for most of the party, to watch the snow. SBJim had failed to find a pub showing the Villa West Brom match on Sky, but had found a pub with a window with a view of a pub showing the game. It was almost as good as being there. But without the good bits. After rumours of pitch inspections, frozen pitches and postponements, we found ourselves on Row G, Upper Stand, Lofty Road.
Team news was not really a surprise, given how few fit players we had available. The Gunner had torn himself away from Facebook for long enough to play at right back, leaving In the afternoon continuing to deputise in the heart of defence. And boy, did we need a solid, heroic and responsible performance from our Rock at the back, one of only two available centre backs.
He was undoubtedly rock-like for the first half hour in temperatures more suited to penguins, before getting himself spectacularly sent off for a high challenge worthy of a straight red card. The Gunner moved across to deputise in the middle, pausing only momentarily to update his status to reflect the change. This left Melts in the mouth, and the Superhobbit to patrol the right flank, possibly the shortest double act since Snow White recruited Bashful and Sleazy to join her five existing bodyguards. A good atmosphere in the away end though, nice and noisy.
Back to the game. We got to half time without incident, and went downstairs to check out the executive facilities worthy of a club owned by three Billionaires. Mittal, Mad Bernie and Flavio seemed to have forgotten the away fans though, and we had a gaze around some breezeblocks and queues for ten minutes instead.
Well, we huffed and puffed for a while at the start of the second half, as QPR failed to make any impression on the ten man Sky blues. Then, a freekick 30 yards out, on the right hand side at the far end. We knew what was coming, the whole team knew what was coming, quite a few of the fans started calling for the Fox to shoot, Gunner's facebook friends received a notification of what was coming, but thankfully Cerny the goalkeeper obviously knows little English. The Cunning Fox popped another freekick in from 30 yards, and we had the lead with over 20 minutes to go.
We hung on, the Superhoops missed a couple of good chances and resorted to humping long balls up to Dexter Longstop in the blind hope that someone would make a mistake and let them in for an undeserved equaliser. 87 minutes gone, and the ball comes down with snow on it. Gunner, momentarily distracted by accepting another 120 friend requests, gets in a tangle with Tina (who now has a nickname) and Vivienne fails to clear, leaving Dexter free to murder a dodgy goal. Disaster.
We hang on for a point, and curse our bad luck. Would we have walked away with all three points in the days before social networking? We will never know.
After the game, SBJ fled back to Coventry for a mini-school reunion. The reunion being small, not the school. I can vouch for the size of the school, though it does seem smaller now than it did twenty years ago. The rest of us went for a warming pint, and started to plan the logistics for our trip to Torquay.
Torquay, if ever there was the starting ingredient in a recipe for disaster, this is a good candidate. Blackpool at home first, but I can't get back for that, so someone else will need to write some prose about our 2-1 win.
Ooh to, Ooh to be, Ooh to be A.Gunnar
So I'm using facebook and have loaded up my Bush Action photographs when I see that my very good friend Aron Gunnarson has used one of my photos as his profile picture. Do I:
a) immediately demand copyright royalties or
b) giggle like a schoolgirl or
c) marvel at the insanity of the modern world and the total collapse of privacy?
You decide...
Given that he appears to be picking a zit whilst mincing I am truly astonished he chose it - heh ho.
Jay Watch - Inspiral Carpets Special Edition
So this is how it feels to be lonely....
This is how it feels to be small....
This is how it feels when your world means nothing at all.
[No wonder the poor mite left to join the bright lights of Steve Coppell. I'm sure he will be happy in the company of the equally prominent Kevin Doyle.]
New Year catch-up
CCFC’s sparkling post-Christmas form (4 goals for, 0 against) has happily dented the old adage about the similarities between our beloved club and seasonal decorations. This despite the injury-dented workforce which has been employed at the back of late, with the time-honoured CCFC tradition of out-of-position players being upheld (albeit mainly out of necessity rather than choice) by the Coalman. The situation is not being helped by the lack of McShortcake due to Livingstone trying to hold us to Ranson (sorry). Marcus’ Daniella Westbrook impression will not help the situation though Cunning should be back in action in the Bush tomorrow.
A brief résumé of the intervening 4 games, none of which the YDO attended:
CCFC 2-2 Tractorboys. More Reasons and (finally) Freddie, twice equalised by Pam St. Clement and Patricia Routledge. Reportedly a good game.
Swansea 0-0 CCFC. JLS attended by coach. Reportedly got moidered.
CCFC 2-0 Owls. More Reasons (increasingly looking like a most shrewd acquisition – now watch the goals dry up) and moody Homer.
CCFC 2-0 Kiddies (YDO was most upset not to make this). Avoiding any FA Cup sponsored by L-Eon jokes, Duke and Kings Of (aka Simply Not The). A banana-riddled and hopefully champagne-soaked trip to the English Riviera awaits us on the 24th.
Tomorrow 5 of us are being robbed by the Shepherd’s Bush gazillionaires to the tune of 30 notes apiece. Can we make it 3 on the trot at QPR and reach the Loft-y heights of proper mid-table? Happy memories of last year where Meatloaf’s cancelled gig allowed us to see KK’s greatest Sky Blue moment (not many to choose from, admittedly) in front of the clan that he since rather fallen out with.
Neither the arrival or departure lounge has yet to see any multi-million pound activity.
New kit:
http://www.ccfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10269~1512942,00.html
In other news, we have all become closer to the Gunner. More on this to follow, one hopes.
A brief résumé of the intervening 4 games, none of which the YDO attended:
CCFC 2-2 Tractorboys. More Reasons and (finally) Freddie, twice equalised by Pam St. Clement and Patricia Routledge. Reportedly a good game.
Swansea 0-0 CCFC. JLS attended by coach. Reportedly got moidered.
CCFC 2-0 Owls. More Reasons (increasingly looking like a most shrewd acquisition – now watch the goals dry up) and moody Homer.
CCFC 2-0 Kiddies (YDO was most upset not to make this). Avoiding any FA Cup sponsored by L-Eon jokes, Duke and Kings Of (aka Simply Not The). A banana-riddled and hopefully champagne-soaked trip to the English Riviera awaits us on the 24th.
Tomorrow 5 of us are being robbed by the Shepherd’s Bush gazillionaires to the tune of 30 notes apiece. Can we make it 3 on the trot at QPR and reach the Loft-y heights of proper mid-table? Happy memories of last year where Meatloaf’s cancelled gig allowed us to see KK’s greatest Sky Blue moment (not many to choose from, admittedly) in front of the clan that he since rather fallen out with.
Neither the arrival or departure lounge has yet to see any multi-million pound activity.
New kit:
http://www.ccfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10269~1512942,00.html
In other news, we have all become closer to the Gunner. More on this to follow, one hopes.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)