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From Vienna to Elvis Gresley, welcome to Trev's 2008-2009 Travels !
Coming Soon - Trev tells you about his Big Clock, or rather Ilkeston's big clock
FC Halifax Town v. Sheffield FC 11/11/08
It's been cold and raining all day, at least whenever I was outside it was! Stu is doing the driving tonight and I'm
the first on the list to be picked up. He arrives early so we spend about ten minutes in the house as we're too early to pick
the others up. Somehow, whenever Stu is due to pick me up for a night match he always allows extra time due to the traffic,
but he seems to get here without having any hold ups. You watch, the first time he thinks, "I'll leave ten minutes later",
he'll end up being late! We set off to get the others, stopping to pick John up first, who sits next to me in the back, then
down the road for Deano, who can relax in the passenger seat, it's still cold and wet.
Onto the motorway and Deano spots an Eddie Stobbart, it must be his front seat position, plus Stu has to concentrate
on the road with the rain coming down pretty hard. Deano then goes on a roll, spotting more Eddie Stobbarts, in fact after
a while he even stops shouting them out and just points instead as they go past, talk about cool ! We actually have to queue
to get off the motorway for the Halifax turn off, for no apparent reason, it certainly won't be because all the traffic is
heading to watch tonight's game. Now normally they charge a tenner for admission, but thankfully they've halved the price
to a fiver tonight, being as its 'minor' cup competition. Good job really, because as it stands I can't imagine there's going
to be that many there with the weather being as it is. Mind you, they still have the cheek to charge £3 for parking, so Stu
tells them we'll not bother and promptly turns the car around and we park down the lane opposite the ground for free.
We walk back to the ground and go straight in. First thing we see is a food stall, but we bypass that for now in order
to go in search of the programmes. Steve (Hall) is stood at the corner of the stand and asks if we want the side (for the
match report). I thought I'd got my days mixed up and the under 19's were playing here tonight as there seems to be a lot
of the youngsters playing and, (no disrespect to them) I fear the worst. With the programmes and teams taken care of
we head back to the snack bar. They've got fried onions on the go which smell great. As we near the front John decides he'll
have a hotdog, once he's discovered it’s the proper meat sausages you cook and not the ones you just boil in a
pan. I have a beef burger and onions, and even temp Deano into having one too. We wander off to get a look at the pitch and
it's a great view from behind the goal as it's the old fashioned terracing with crush barriers and it's also very steep, so
you know you'll get a good view even if someone stood in front of you. Mind you, there's no chance of that happening
tonight as the weather will have put most people off, and it's not exactly an attractive fixture for the locals as they're
expecting to win anyway.
The game starts and after an initial period of settling down and getting used to the slippery conditions the lads
start to play some decent stuff, Matt Roney taking up a central striking position. His pace is worrying the home defenders.
The home side create a fair few chances too, but we're pleased at the way we're playing. I've got a right t**t stood next
to me, always shouting every time we tackle one of their players but disgruntled when the referee gives any decisions in our
favour, talk about the character Ron Manager, there he was! Eventually I can't resist and start shouting myself, and Deano
joins in. The bloke gives as good as he gets and it's all the usual banter. It's especially pleasing when we tell him how
they're side is struggling to score against our mostly under 19 side!
There's no score in the first half, and we head off back to the snack bar for a cuppa and then walk round to the far
side. We can't get behind the goal at this end, so take up residence at the top of the stand around the 18 yard line, some
of the others are already there, further down near the front. It was good to get away from the bias of the regular home fanatics,
now we're stuck near the old farts! Matt gives us a deserved lead, scoring from a tight angle as he chips the keeper, and
once again we inform this other lot of supporters about all the youngsters in the side. Ten minutes to go and the buggers
equalise which wakes the locals up, now we're worried it may go to extra time! It was funny because one of the old buggers
was on his way out to go home when he heard the cheers to indicate that they'd scored, and he came shuffling back and
sat back down. For all the effort from both sides no one could get the winner, so a collective groan went up when the referee
blew for full time as now we were going to play an extra half hour. Then we witnessed one of the weirdest things I've seen.
A lot of the locals sat round us, actually got up and left. I reckon they either had a curfew at the mental institute or had
to get back to the old folks home.....or maybe they simply had Alzheimer’s and forgot that the game would be played
until a winner was found!! The lads battled on bravely and were five minutes from taking the game to a penalty shoot out when
the home side scored. Another goal in the last minute gave the score a somewhat distorted look but the lads deserved the standing
ovation they got from the travelling supporters. Back into the car and away we go. Thankfully it didn't seem to take as long
to get back to Sheffield and once Stu had dropped off Deano and John then it wasn't long before I was home too,
Stu foregoing the horn blowing as he pulled away due to the (very) lateness of the hour. I was that tired that I didn't even
make a cuppa, I figured I'd be up in a few hours for work, so I may as well hang on to have my morning cuppa instead! Until
next time.
Happy Travelling
Trev
Stocksbridge Park Steels v. Sheffield FC 04/11/08
It's yet another cup game for the lads, and tonight it's the tie of the round against our nearest and dearest in defence
of 'our' Senior Cup. It's been my day off today, so apart from picking up parcels and nipping into town it's a day of leisure
at home which suits me just fine as very dull, drizzly and basically a crap day outside. I open the parcel Jeanie sent over
and find that she's included the photo of me and Jeanie which Deano took for us at the game against Bacup Borough when she
was over here as it's been printed in her local newspaper, "The Daily Journal", complete with our website address included
too....nice one Jeanie. She said when she emailed the photo in, the person responsible got in touch and told that she was
also a football supporter so perhaps that helped to swing it, and let's face it, those of you who've met Jeanie know she's
not short of a word or too so she probably used her persuasive powers to clinch the deal !
Anyway, I digress. The rest of the day is spent writing up a previous 'Travels' and ironing stuff for work while I
watch TV....so much for a restful day off!
With tonight's game being played at Stocksbridge I arranged with John that I'd make my way to his house so we could
set off from there as it's almost on his doorstep (so to speak.) So, not wanting to go through town during the afternoon rush
hour I decided to get the bus to Lane Top where I could then wait for the number 1 or 17, whichever came first. Well it looked
like I'd just missed the number 1 but I knew there was a 17 due in five minutes or so. Eventually it turned up twenty five
minutes later ! It's a good job I gave myself plenty of time. It's ages since I've done this trip (at least a couple of years)
and I didn't know it now took a route which more or less amounted to driving up and down every road on Parson Cross! It eventually
gets back on track where I can actually identify some places through the bus window. I still end up getting off at Fox Hill
shops and walking the rest of the way. John is still at work when I get there, but Lynne is in and I tell her all
about my bus adventure. In fact I just realised that it took me an hour and twenty minutes to get there, and if I'd have walked
it I would have done it in about three quarters of an hour. Lynne makes me a cuppa and tells me about her bus encounter today
too...it appears that the driver asked her if she had a bus pass, which didn't please her too much. In fact what she
said to me was, " I felt like telling him no, but I've got a good right hook!" It did sound funny but Deano helped to clarify
the bus drivers’ statement later as he and Maz sometimes get the bus there after shopping and the drivers ask the same
question because a lot of people (me included) have a bus pass now, not just the old age pensioners. John arrives and goes
to get ready while I finish my drink and chat as we watch the local news. Then it's time to go and pick Deano up. It's a straight
forward drive to Bracken Moor and we're one of the first in the car park. With the crappy weather we've had even I thought
there might be a chance this game would get called off and there doesn't look like much activity inside at the moment even
though the lights are on so we sit in the car for fifteen minutes and listen to the radio. Who should pull up near to us.....only
Geoff ! It's ages since we've seen him, and no doubt we'll lose now he's here. We decide to wander into the ground and it's
very misty as you can only just see the far end of the pitch. First stop is the snack bar where John tucks into a pasty and
peas and even I indulge in a pie for a change. Some of our regulars turn up and we have a chat and then eventually head outside
ready for the game to start. Well the fog/mist has come down heavier since we arrived and we can only see the end nearest
to us properly as the far end just looks like players in silhouette, not only that but it's raining too. Stocky score and
we saw the player shoot and heard a cheer from the crowd at that end but we'd no idea who scored until it was announced, which
is really helpful as I'm supposed to be doing the match report tonight too. Twenty minutes in and Sheffield finally get
going and put in some sustained pressure which is good for us as we can actually see the action taking place at this end.
Just before half time we're reduced to ten men when Daz gets sent off for a second bookable offence, so it's not going to make
it any easier in the second half.
There's speculation as to the sending off, with about three or four different versions being given, even Daz himself
isn't sure why he got his marching orders as he said he was making a comment to someone else and not the ref. Once all
the players have trooped off at half time I say to the others, "Are we going round to the other side?" and John comes back
quickly with, " But it's foggy that end too!" Anyway, we do make the walk and it is actually getting worse. I'm so glad I
put extra layers of clothing on too as it's damp and cold too. Once the game restarts we can only just see the linesman on
the far side and now we can't see the far goal at all, it's a bloody farce ! Of course it's the same for the people at the
other end too as they can't see what's happening up here. I've no doubt the ref could follow the action but there's no way
his assistants could see each goalmouth properly. The hosts score again and by now we've almost lost interest
and are talking about anything as there was very little too see on the pitch. We did get excited when the lads were attacking
and in fact we actually got a penalty as Scotty was held down, but the normally reliable striker failed with the spot kick
as their keeper saved it, it just wasn't our night. Just to rub it in they get a third goal near the end and this time
I don't even hear the announcer tell us who scored it. Thankfully the game ends soon after and we can all make our way home.
Of course the Stocky fans are gloating about the win and think we're just bad losers. Well, it's always hard to accept defeat
against your local rivals, but the thing that pissed most of us off was the fact that we couldn't see anything, I mean. You’d
complain if you went to the movies and they only had half the film on one side of the screen wouldn't you? Anyway, at least
we find our way back to the car easy enough and head home. Deano say's we shouldn't be too unhappy because as far as he's
concerned it finished 0-0 as he never saw any goals, if only the FA would agree! lol. Thank god the heating is still on !
First job is to get the kettle on for a coffee which I lace with Bailey's then it's time to decipher my notes and write the
report, with the help of the UniBond website, just so I can put down the scorers ! Then it's time for bed where I can watch
the footy highlights on the TV. Yeah right, as if that's going to happen, because as usual I end up falling asleep and turning
the thing off around 3 am! Until next time.
Happy Travelling
Trev
Barnsley Ladies
v. Sheffield FC Ladies 26/10/08
Last
night was the official end of summer time as we put the clocks back for an extra hours sleep. Well not in my case as I'd arranged
with Jeanie to call me at 3am in order that we could watch the World Series (Baseball) together, (even if we were on opposite
sides of the Atlantic Ocean!) The Philadelphia Phillies are playing the Tampa Bay Rays and we can chat on the phone as
we watch the action. The game actually started late due to rain so I wasn't able to see the finish as I had to set off to
work, but Jeanie let me know that the Phillies had won, to take a two game lead in the best of seven. It's a miserable day
outside, cold and wet, I just hope it's going to clear up by this afternoon.
I'm
out of work and John is ready and waiting. He's got the directions from the AA, so we're following these today, as on the
corresponding journey last year we got totally lost at one point. With these directions we actually realised where we went
wrong last time and it wasn't our fault, as the road signage had been changed. We got to the ground with no trouble at all,
and even remembered some of the local landmarks too, which always helps. Mind you, it could have been different in the dark!
Maybe it's just us, but sometimes we may have visited a ground watching the first team two or three times on a Saturday afternoon,
but change it to a night game and it's like visiting a new ground altogether, and vice versa.
It's
a lovely, bright and sunny day now and once we've parked up we wander into the main building of the Dorothy Hyman Stadium
and get a coffee from the vending machine before heading for the main pitch. Last year we were playing on one of the pitches
at the bottom of the hill, but today's league encounter sees us playing on the best pitch, a sort of Don Valley scenario but
on a smaller scale. We decide to sit near the top of the stand and eventually find a place which is not too crowded, which
was fairly easy to do as a quick head count reveals a crowd of 12 are there at present!
All
we're waiting for now is the ref to start the game and John is getting slightly agitated as he doesn't want the game to overrun
as he's been promised pancakes once again when he gets home. The game eventually starts, and a few more are now watching as
the crowd has almost doubled in numbers. Cheryl turns up with Charlie and they come and sit with us. They've been here for
quite a while, but were sat in the car. Charlie is well chuffed at this stage as he wanders between me and John, tangling
us up on his extending lead. When he decides to stop sniffing around and lift his head up he can actually look over the seats
and look down on the action on the pitch, which must make a great change from only seeing their boots and shins!
The
ladies make a great start by taking the lead in the first five minutes through Lisa Bailey. In fact Sheffield was well in
control, and taking full advantage of the wind at their backs. Despite a full set of officials the refereeing was somewhat
haphazard at times with assistants giving decisions one way while the ref sees it as the other team’s advantage, much
to the dismay of the players and the spectators. I think the ref wanted to make sure the players knew who was in control and
was taking no mouthing off of the players, a point he'd raised before the game apparently. All was going well until
just before the half hour mark when the assistant flagged for a foul, saying that Caz had carried the ball just outside her
area before kicking it. The resultant free kick saw Barnsley draw level as it flew into the net. Worse was to follow
a few minutes later when Lisa Giampalma was adjudged to have fouled one of their players. What I actually saw was them both
going for the ball with a foot up and the ball striking Lisa's boot and then ricocheting into the Barnsley player’s
face. Needless to say Lisa was none too happy with the decision and told the ref what she thought. The ref was none too happy
at this and handed her a straight red card for foul and abusive language. Well, it was certainly foul and abusive once he'd
done that. Even the Barnsley players couldn't believe it. She made her way to the touchline and was heartbroken. After a few
more minutes play the ref came over and told Helen that Lisa had to leave the playing area completely, so she came and sat
with us, comforted by Chloe who was one of our substitutes today. Needless to say it took a few minutes for the team to reorganise
and also to get their composure back, but they hung on till half time.
I
went back to the main building to get some drinks for me, John and Cheryl, John turning up to help me carry them back. The
second half was going to be a real test, especially playing against the wind too, but the ladies stuck at it and actually
you would be hard pressed to realise we were a player short as we were doing most of the attacking and when Barnsley did threaten,
Caz was on hand to produce a couple of top class saves. I counted three or four times when the assistant was just guessing
(or it seemed like it) at offside decisions, yet the one clear cut offside , which involved Chloe, he never flagged at all
and she almost won the game with that chance. Charlie was bored by all of this though as he was sniffing round for any bits
of paper lying around, he has a kind of fetish for chewing rubbish! As he couldn't find anything he decided to inspect John's
bag and actually got his head in there and pulled out John's tablets! Luckily the box was sealed so he didn't eat any, although
I'm sure he'd have been happy just chewing on the cardboard box they were in.
At
the full time whistle, we all make our way down to our dug-out at the side of the pitch and can hear Helen giving the ref
a piece of her mind as she has a 'quiet word' with him. Wanting to know how we can have a player sent off for swearing, but
nothing was done about the home sides swearing in the second half. After that it was praises all around for a sterling performance
from the team, who played some fine football and were unlucky not to come away with all three points.
We
make our way back to the car just as it clouds over and starts to rain. So it's on with the radio for 'Pick of the Pops' and
homeward bound. A very easy drive back home and time for a quick snack before writing the match report and having a nap. After
all, it's World Series action again tonight, (well, the early hours of the morning for me) so it will be another very early
alarm call! Until next time.
Happy
Travelling
Trev
Blyth Spartans v. Sheffield FC 25/10/08
As soon as the draw was made for this 4th Qualifying Round of the FA
Cup I realised that they would be playing on ,(to me), a work day and there was no way I would be able to leave early enough
to get to see it. So I called in a couple of favours and managed to swap my day off. We're hoping we can go that one step
further than we achieved at the beginning of this century when we reached the same stage but lost out to Northwich Victoria.
We're going up on one of the supporters coaches being as it's a three
hour trek to get there. I'm almost ready and am just waiting for John and Deano to turn up at the house when I remembered;
I was supposed to be meeting them at the bus stop! So it's a quick jog down the road to our rendezvous, and who should I see
just emerging from the old library car park? Jackie!! That totally confused me as I wondered what the hell she was doing
down here, but it appears on enquiring that she's got to work all day here at the First Base Centre (which is what the old
library is now called) and will miss the game. I told her, "If I'd known you were going to be here you could have called in
(at home) and had a cuppa before starting." She say's, "Well at least I'll have my mobile handy to get the score."
John arrives with Deano and it's off to Tankersley for the second week
on the trot. The club have laid on free travel today so there are two coaches going, as well as those people travelling
up independently. There's a really fierce and chilly wind blowing and most of our lot have crowded into the bus shelter to
keep warm. Us three stay outside, getting ourselves 'acclimatised to the conditions because as Deano pointed out, and “This
is probably only a slight breeze to those hardy souls at Blyth"... (At least I THINK he said hardy souls!) The coaches eventually
turn up 20 minutes late which is good going by their standard and once we've all knocked the ice of ourselves and actually
got some circulation back into our legs, we climb aboard and away we go. Thankfully for our hearings sake we managed to avoid
the noisy boys coach as Deano plonks himself towards the back of the coach whilst me and John are sat opposite one another
on the aisle seats. I'm sat just behind Andy and Caroline, who finally decided to take advantage of not having to drive there
and back.
I spend the next couple of hours reading and occasionally 'resting' my
eyes, while John takes full advantage by dozing just about all the way. We pull in at the services for a break, and as I'm
on the aisle a grab my coat out of the overhead locker and head for the door, telling John as I pass, "Come and find me, I'm
getting in the queue for the teas." He eventually catches me up and notices someone ordering toast just in front of us, so
he decides to have some too. Well, once it arrives it's two really big pieces, about two inch thick so he tells me to have
one of them as we settle down to munch on brunch and wash it down with what seems like half a gallon mug of tea!
After that we waddle back to the coach for the last leg of the journey,
which doesn't take too long. Once there, the drivers can't find the way in, and when they do there's just no way one, never
mind two coaches are going to get up the narrow street, so they drop us off on the street. There's a chip shop on the corner,
and being as we're on the coast we contemplate having some, but in the end decide to go inside and see what's on offer there.
Once we've got the programmes we look for the snack bar, which turns out to be one of those portable caravan type things.
John wants chips so he has to wait because they're not ready. I go for a burger and onions and now wish I'd bought some fish
and chips....nuff said! John eventually gets served but as we stand chatting he has to take shelter in an alcove as
it's still very windy and it's blowing his chips out of their container. Once we're all fed and watered we walk round the
ground and find Chris, who's made the 'short' trip down from Scotland with his mate. As usual we greet him with, "Oh bloody
hell, what are you doing here?" He has that effect on us as he's a kind of jinx, and today we were so full of optimism until
we saw him!
The noisy boys take up residence at the covered end and once the teams
have decided which way they're kicking, we head towards the open end. We stand right at the back, with the wind in our
faces, so at least the wall will stop us from being blown over. At the other end the noisy boys are battling it out with the
locals (singing). With the wind in our favour we're having the better of the early chances and take the lead when Scotty latches
onto a long clearance from Leigh and lofts the ball over the stranded keeper. It wasn't all one way though, as some desperate
defending and woeful finishing from the hosts ensures our heart rate are fairly high. Further chances fall to Club but we
just can't increase the advantage. I hand round some mini Jaffa cakes before half time, just for medicinal purposes you understand.
At the break it's time to make our way to join the noisy boys, only most
of them have vanished....either into the clubhouse or to get food, or both! At least we're under shelter now and the 'permanent'
smile we've all had in the first half can now begin to relax as we try and exercise our jaws by eating some of the grub we've
brought with us.
The second half almost gets off to a flyer as Scott finds himself with
the goal at his mercy, but manages to scoop the ball over the bar. After that the Spartans take the initiative and it's only
some unbelievable saves from Leigh that keeping our noses in front. Alas, it wasn't to last long as they equalise and then
go further in front. Of course, now we have to attack to get anything from the game, but with the wind in their favour it
leaves us vulnerable to the breakaway and yes, you've guessed it, the ball is played out wide by the home side and a shot
that Leigh had covered takes a wicked deflection and ends up in the net. Try as they might there was no way back as the referee
called time on our FA Cup dream for another year. Of course it's raining now as we wait silently for the coach. Thankfully
it's not that long before we're all aboard and on our way. We'd only been travelling about five or ten minutes when the driver
pulled up on the hard shoulder just on the slip road of the motorway and cut the engine. All I could think of was, “That’s
all we need now. To break down and have to wait God knows how long for a replacement." Thankfully the delay was short-lived
and we carried on, taking a different route this time and going through the Tyne Tunnel which was quite good. We tuck into
what's left of the food and then I settle down to read for a while, before 'resting' my eyes once again. Thankfully there's
no stop on the way home so we make good time back to Tankersley. John gets the heater on in the car and it's homeward bound.
I'm glad I got the heating to come on a little earlier tonight at home as all that fresh air today was getting to me. I was
going to have something else to eat, but I just couldn't be bothered. Instead it was a case of, get a drink, and talk to Jeanie
and then head for bed, ready for an early shift in the morning. Of course, lunchtime saw the second round draw of the cup
and who would we have got? Only highfliers Shrewsbury Town at home! Oh well, there's always next year. Until next time.
Happy Travelling
Trev
Skelmersdale United v. Sheffield FC 18/10/08
It's my day off today, so there are no issues about getting to the game.
Half way through the week John got in touch with Jackie to see if there was room on the coach for me, him and Deano, and with
the answer being a 'yes' it means we can all relax on the way there now.
I still woke up at six, but at least I'd had a couple more hours extra
sleep than normal. It's still dark as I venture outside to pick up some parcels from the sorting office before getting back
to have some cereal and a warming cup of coffee before catching up on some stuff that I'd videoed earlier in the week.
I said to John that being as we were going on the coach I'd make us some
sandwiches and get some snacks, so I need to go to the shops too and set off early as I figure I'd call in for a haircut too.
There's no one in the barber's when I get there and Nicola (shop owner) asks where I'd been all morning, bearing in mind
it was only just past eight O'clock at this stage. She said, “I’ve been here a couple of hours already and only
had six customers!" Gradually a few more start drifting in as she's giving me 'the usual'. After that it's a quick trip around
the supermarket and back home to get the stuff prepared and packed ready for the trip.
John and Deano arrive and off we go for the short ride to Tankersley,
where we're leaving 'Sammy' and picking up the coach. There are quite a few of the players waiting too. The coach actually
arrives from the other direction, so we all play 'chicken' crossing the road and pile on and grab our seats. I spent most
of the journey split between reading and 'resting my eyes'. John also enjoys the freedom of not having to concentrate on driving
by dozing too, whilst Deano is occupied with his Rugby magazine and Ipod. The players are sat towards the back of the coach
busy chatting before starting up a card school, which gets noisier as the game goes on.
We arrive at the ground before one thirty and we can see them mowing
the pitch, which from this angle looks very wide! Three of the noisy boys are here, having made their own way here and just
pulled into the car park behind us. It's pretty windy and cloudy, and with very little shelter available I'll be happy if
it doesn't decide to rain too. We're waiting for the snack bar to open, so in the meantime me and John go and sit in
the stand to eat our sandwiches. Deano comes to join us and, even though the sun has made an appearance from behind the clouds
I can feel spits and spots of rain in the air. From where we're sat we can see that the snack bar has opened, so John goes
to get us a cuppa. He arrives back with the said drinks just as the Skelmersdale players start to come out to warm up
and they are wearing UniBond tee-shirts, John says, "They probably have to wear them as they're in the UniBond league."
Deano replies with, “But this is the FA Trophy, nowt to do with the UniBond, so that's where your theory comes unstuck."
Get it? It's showery now, but we set out from the stand to head to the club house end of the ground and stand under the shelter
there, behind the goal. John has another trip to the snack bar and reappears with a hot-dog and onions! It's quite busy under
this little bit of shelter, but we have a great view of the pitch , and once the teams wee ready to start the game it was
ideal for us as Sheffield were kicking towards us. Not too much to get excited about to start with as Skem, as the locals
refer to their team almost score with their first chance. The lads eventually get into the game and probably shade the half
but can't convert the chances into goals. I get Deano to take a photo of the ball boy who's sat all alone behind the goal.....it's
similar to the photo he took of the 'one seater stand' at Belper last season. Then we also have the local 'comedian' standing
behind the goal, disputing every call the officials make in favour of Sheffield, however blatant.....talk about 'rose-coloured
spectacles'.
Half time and it's still level as I join the queue to get the teas which
was very conveniently situated almost next to where we were stood. With it still being cold, very wet and dismal we decide
to take up residence in the stand with the rest of our supporters for the second half. We're not alone as about half
a dozen very small and annoying home supporters keep standing up blocking our sight lines. James (one of the noisy boys) keeps
goading them but I'm sure they don't understand half of what he's saying to them. It's sod's law the Skem go and score then
, which gives the little bleeders free range to gloat at us and give some 'mouth' back. Despite going all out attack for the
last ten minutes (and almost conceding again in the process) all looks dead and buried until the referee award us a penalty
in stoppage time after Gav is tripped in the area. Of course, the locals are incensed at this, while all we can think
of is 'replay on Tuesday night'. In the absence of 'Senders' it's 'Milky' who takes the responsibility for the kick, (and
how sweet that would be as he's been a right thorn in their side all afternoon, and not necessarily for the football) but
the 'keeper guessed the right way to make a very good save and the rebound was wide of the mark. Of course, there's much cheering
(and jeering) from the other side of the stand, while we ponder on what might have been. The game ends a few minutes later
and it's our first cup defeat of the season. We wait for the players to leave the pitch then go and look at the other footie
results in the clubhouse. The players still have a while to get the hospitality on offer, so we head back to the coach to
finish off our grub. Eventually we're on the move for home and all is going well. The players start their card school again,
the team have bought some beers to drink on the way home whilst the rest of us, read, chat or listen to the radio. When we're
on the M67 a cry from the back of the bus shouts, "Can we stop for a toilet break!" It's Jez; he's desperate for a pee. The
players offer all sorts of suggestions for him such as, peeing into one of the empty beer bottles! Funnily enough, there are
no motorway services between here and Sheffield, as both me and John are well aware of, having made the trip many times to
and from the airport. By now Jez is almost doubled up and the driver finally pulls over in front of one of the petrol stations
at Mott ram and at least half the team make a quick exit to the back of the building.....it was the best team movement of
the day! You could see the utter relief on their faces as they got back on board the coach. Time for them to carry on
taking the Mickey out of each other (or in this case should it be 'taking the piss? lol) but it's a lot quieter as our journey
nears its end. Once at Tankersley, all those that need to disembark and make their way back to their cars. John is finding
it difficult to get out of his seat, until he realises he's still got the seat belt on! He eventually extricates himself and
off we go to find 'Sammy'. It's straight on with the heating as we drive back home and I'm glad the heating was on when I
got home too. After all the food and fresh air today I'm not particularly hungry, just tired. So once I've unloaded the bag
and straightened things up I get the match report done (as Stu was unavailable to go to the game today), make myself a drink
and head upstairs as I thought I'd be going to bed soon enough anyway, I may as well not bother messing about with the lights
and TV in the room as I can watch stuff on the portable upstairs. Of course, I can't remember what the hell was on, all
I know is I heard the music for Match of the Day and that was it. The next time I saw the screen I was turning the thing off
as it was time to get up! Until next time.
Happy Travelling
Trev
Sheffield
Ladies Res v. Doncaster Parklands Ladies 12/10/08
With no ladies first team game today me and John are off to watch the reserve side again. I'm on the last
push leaving work but get out in time to see John driving down the road to meet me. The team are playing at Oughtibridge,
so it's almost on john's doorstep. We've got directions to look for the War Memorial Ground, and end up getting lost as it's
not where we think it is. It's only on the second circuit of the one way system that I spot our players coming out to warm
up as I peer over a wall at a playing field. They're actually playing next to the cricket pitch, which, if we'd had known
we would have found straight away as we walk past it on one of our walks we occasionally do.
It's a lovely sunny afternoon as we head towards the pitch after parking the car. we have a chat to Helen
about yesterday's men's game and then she informs us that we have a bit of a crisis as Bex (our goalie) wasn't feeling at
all well, so one of our young strikers (Megan) is taking over and is having some last minute practice.
Sarah's dad is here and is trying to round up the players who haven't had their pen pics taken yet, so
of course, they're all trying to look their best without a hair out of place. Doncaster were late arriving so the kick-off
had been put back 20 minutes so they had a chance to warm up properly. John tries to phone home on his mobile but it's coming
up with the message ' Emergency calls only' so he borrows mine. In actual fact ,to him it is an extreme emergency as
Lynne said he could only come today if he got back home for 5pm, otherwise he'd miss out on having pancakes for tea! Anyway,
the upshot of it is he said it would probably be about quarter past five by the time he'd dropped me off (see, I do
come in useful sometimes, even if it's just to be used as an excuse!)
Clare (Holmes) is having a run out today for some fitness training after her recent lay-off and it's nice
to see some of the first teamers here too to cheer the girls along, even Cheryl has turned up with Charlie, who's only opportunity
of 'watching' the ladies teams is at away games as he's banned from the Bright Finance Stadium. He must be the only mascot
not allowed to support his team, by the way, for the uninitiated, Charlie is a Spaniel (and very well behaved too). Sheffield
have the better of the play and Megan does well when called upon to make a save or close down any danger from Doncaster. At
the other end, the ladies are creating plenty of chances and just on the stroke of half time take a well deserved lead when
Ashton beats the offside trap to score, with three other Sheffield handily placed if she decided to square the ball across
the area.
At the break we decide to stretch our legs and go for a walk round to the other touchline
to have a chat with the first teamers. Charlie has made his way to my side and wants some attention so I fuss him for a while.
Of course, once I stop stroking him he starts to bark because he wants some more. I give him half a biscuit, which I usually
keep handy to give to Ella and that seems to placate him for a while. Once that's gone and he can see there's no more treats
he soon deserts me. The ladies double their lead on 77 minutes when Sarah latches onto a back-pass to slide the ball home.
Time for chocolate as I hand round some Hershey sweets that Jeanie had left with me to take to the games, there's also
wine gums going around too courtesy of Cheryl. John says, " I'll just have one being as I'm driving." Three minutes later
and it's more or less game, set and match as the ball is pumped upfield and this time Clare is free to run on and score easily.
At the full time whistle we don't have time to hang around as John needs to get home for his pancakes, so it's a quick 'goodbye'
to everyone and a swift walk back to the car which we'd left on the main road about 10 minutes away. Once in, it's on with
the radio for 'Pick of the Pops' and homeward bound. As John drops me off he looks at the time and realises he'll be home
earlier than he thought, so he's hoping there may be more pancakes to eat for being a good boy! On the other hand, Lynne might
just shout at him for messing up her routine....lol. As for me, well I just settle down in front of the television with some
chicken and rice I prepared earlier. Another good day, sunshine, fresh air and a win, what more could you ask for? Until next
time.
Happy Travelling
Trev
Guiseley v. Sheffield FC 11/10/08
So we're off again, and this time it's the FA Cup. We've been playing that many cup games
recently that it's hard to keep track which competition it is until we get to the grounds. We were supposed to have a break
by playing a league game last Tuesday but that was called off at the eleventh hour, well, actually it was seven O'clock, but
you get my meaning. After all, we were already in the car park waiting for the turnstile to open.
As I'm back at work now after my holiday John is picking me up there. Although it's only
the other side of Leeds I'm finishing a little earlier to give us a bit more time, just in case we hit a lot of traffic
or we get lost (what? Us? Never!) I get out of work on time to meet John, Deano and Maz already settled in the back seats
so I'll be navigating. It's cloudy but warm so I'm not sure if we may get a rain shower later. Following on our cup tradition
this season of incorporating food at some point we have a treat in store after the game as we're going to Harry Ramsden's
for fish and chips. I think this was the first one to open (Deano can probably tell me) and it's within walking distance of
the Guiseley ground. We would more than likely have gone before the game if I hadn't been working, but it's too tight to fit
it in so we're doing it afterwards instead. Even though Deano did suggest to John that they leave me behind and set off earlier!
We did visit here once before after we'd played a game at Thackley, (we also visited the set of 'Emmerdale' at the same time
too).I can't remember much about the match but the food was great. This time we'll check twice before leaving , as last time
John almost drove off whilst Maz was still inside 'powdering her nose'!
As usual we sit back and listen to the comedy hour on the radio. All is going well until
we get to Leeds and then somehow we get lost and end up going in the opposite direction and it's not all my fault as I was
only reading the directions out! Anyway, after sorting which way we should be going by way of John consulting the road atlas
he decides to go the way he knows, so we head towards Shipley. I had called Stu earlier about him getting the programmes and
he said there were big traffic jams further ahead, but since we'd changed our route we totally missed them and arrived just
as the teams were emerging from the changing rooms. There's a big crowd for today's encounter, and once it's decided which
way we're kicking we take our places behind the goal and I go and get me and John a cuppa. The ground is compact, although
they've recently had a bit of vandalism here and in fact two thirds of the stand is closed off as some bugger tried to burn
the thing down! Guiseley get straight into their stride and our lads are having a hard time even getting a kick at the ball
or an opponent as they're running rings around us. They take the lead on 10 minutes and then score again ten minutes after
that. All this despite some tremendous saves from Leigh (Grizzly Adams) Walker. John say's, "They're shooting at will, and
Will's getting fed up of it!" From where we stood you get a great view of the planes taking off from Leeds/Bradford airport,
but eventually I have to get back to reality and start to watch the game again. Just past the half hour mark and Guiseley
score their third goal. At least Stu had something to smile about as the Guiseley player Bambrook was sent off just before
the break for lashing out at 'Milky'. Apparently he'd bet Liam that something would happen between these two and he was
proved right..........pity he can't pick the lottery numbers too ! Jeanie had left me with some Hershey chocolates so I hand
them out as we digest, not only the chocolate but also the first half display. We're all of the opinion that if we can
hold them to six goals then it will be a job well done...LOL. We tell the others that at least we've got something to
look forward to with our impending trip to Harry Ramsden's. We walk round to the other end, along with a bunch of Guiseley
urchins who are enjoying the fact that their team is winning and keep on telling us so every few minutes. What followed this
half was unbelievable to say the least. As expected, the hosts were content to sit back on their lead, especially being a
man short but Sheffield came out with a 'do or die' attitude and had Guiseley on the back foot. 20 minutes in and we're
finally on the scoreboard as Scotty gets on the end of 'Bombers' cross. Five minutes later and Matty Outram heads home from
Scotty's cross. Things are looking up for us as Guiseley are looking decidedly shaky at this point. I start handing round
the chocks again and wonder where Stu is, then realise he's stood on the sideline with Liam and some of the others. I
send him a text to tell him I've got his favourite chocs and why doesn't he join us? He replies to say that it's a superstition
of his NOT to stand behind the goal when we're losing 3-0 at half time. I guess it must be a Jamesie kind of thing, but
it seems to be working. Funnily enough, the urchins aren't singing as much now. Two minutes to go and, with Guiseley desperately
hanging on, the ball is swung into the area and up pops Gav to head into the corner amid cheers all around the ground from
the Sheffield faithful. By now we were all hyper with excitement, we even thought the miracle would be complete as the lads
went close to snatching a winner, then again we breathed a big sigh of relief as a corner in the last minute for the home
side was cleared out to the edge of the area , only for us to see one of their players unleash a shot which came off the framework
of the goal. The end of the game and the contrast in the support was amazing, Guiseley fans wondering how the hell they
let a three goal lead slip and us in jubilant mood for rescuing a lost cause, oh us of little faith! If there were any neutrals
there today well they certainly saw a good game of football, and the draw means they'll have to travel to our place
on Tuesday now, where hopefully we'll be able to carry on where we left off and not give them three goals start this time!
After John has taken the man of the match votes and we've had a good natter to some of the others it's back to the car
and a five minute ride up the road to Harry Ramsden’s. With the England World Cup qualifier on TV at five o'clock there
was hardly anyone there so we decided to sit in the restaurant. I've never seen Deano move as fast as when we were heading
to get to in. We all ordered fish and chips, but just to make the waitress work for her money, I had beans with mine, John
has garden peas and Maz had mushy peas. Deano decided to try 'Harry's Challenge' which was a whopping big fish, a mountain
of chips and two lots of mushy peas! It all looked rather grand as we had our dainty cups of tea on the table too. Needless
to say, Deano soon overcame Harry's Challenge and we were all that full that there was no room for anything else, even
though the sweet selection looked delicious too. We eventually managed to get out of our seats and waddle back
to the car, after Deano had taken a couple of photos from outside. John say's "I'm avoiding Leeds at all costs." So we
head back more or less the way we came. We listen to the second half of the England versus Kazakhstan game on the radio, Alan
Greene venting his spleen about the 'morons' who were booing the players, well, player, who made a mistake to gift them
their goal. John spots a James Irlam as I try to gabble the answer, then he gets an Eddie Stobbart just ahead of me too.
England won the game 5-1 and John says, “Kazakhstan got stuffed by England, and we got stuffed by Harry Ramsden’s!"
Back at home and it's time for a celebration Bailey's but I forgo the Jaffa Cakes
as I'm still full. Jeanie thinks I've got a sore throat when I call her, but I tell her it's only from the shouting at the
game. After all the fresh air and a belly full of food it's not long before I settle down for the night. At least I'll not
fall asleep watching the footy on TV tonight as there are no highlights to watch! Until next time.
Happy Travelling
Trev
Parklands v. Sheffield Ladies Reserves 21/09/08
It's a very cool morning as I set off for work, exactly the same conditions
as yesterday which turned out into a baking hot afternoon, so I'm hoping it's the same today. The ladies first team should
have been playing but it's the women's FA Cup weekend, and being as we got knocked out last round they have a free weekend
so John asked if I fancied a trip out Donny way to watch the reserves, so the plan was put into operation.
It's gloriously sunny as I leave work and make my way across the road
where John is due to pick me up at the museum gates. It's clear blue skies and really hot, so I take advantage and buy an
ice cream from the van parked there while I wait for John to arrive. He shows up moments later and is envious as I get myself
comfy, complete with ice cream in hand, but I tell him, "I'm eating for both of us as I'd hate you to get caught eating whilst
driving, that's why I didn't get you one." I'm not sure he believed me.
It's a good drive and John even spots a Preston's of Potto whilst I
finish the cone off and we have no trouble locating the ground either. It's at a sports and social club and we actually see
the ladies warming up as we drive past towards the entrance (having missed it at the first attempt.) There are three pitches
on the site and ours is the one which has bends in the middle of each crossbar ! J
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