I have been suffering Firefox v Google conflicts which have restricted my blogging but I think I have cracked it.....
The last month or so has seen Wallasey golf club Seniors section celebrate 50 years as a sub-section of the Club, which interestingly is also celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
The Seniors had a Jubilee Stableford competition early in May, and last Friday hosted members of all the clubs we play matches against, in a better ball fun event. The celebration concluded with a gala black tie dinner at the Club when over 70 people ate, drank and danced the night away. The Jubilee Cup was presented on the night by the Club captain, Paul Corvers.
Earlier in the week there was a two day Seniors scratch stableford competition which was won with a very creditable 65 points. The Club will now focus on their 125th celebration week in June.
I will now focus on the weekend, as Plymouth Argyle lock horns with AFC Wimbledon at Wembley for the final promotion place from Division 4, as we die hards call it!
Argyle have sold in excess of 31,000 tickets almost twice as many as Wimbledon so the atmosphere should be belting. I was at Wembley the last time Argyle got to the play-offs. That was twenty years ago at the old stadium and Argyle won 1-0. Neil Warnock was manager at the time and Ronnie Mange scored the winning goal. All great fun.
So here's hoping the Green Army can cheer Argyle to victory once again, and I can say, I was there!
Showing posts with label wembley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wembley. Show all posts
Monday, 23 May 2016
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
Full English
Interesting how to take that by-line. It is related to the fact we had our first paying guests in our new venture as an Airbnb registered bed and breakfast establishment. We had three guests over the Saturday night who had come from Leeds and London to enjoy the entertainment on offer in Liverpool.
Paul, who booked us, was an Irish lad who worked as a band manager in the music business so they all trotted off to the Liverpool Psychedelic festival in the Baltic triangle. He was spotting for new talent and they cruised in about 3am. We 'forced a full English. down him at apout 11:00 and they were gone by midday. Paul recommended I listen to two bands, Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, so that's on my list to do.
They gave us a good rating so we are now up and running and looking forward to the next customers. None booked in just yet though.
As we trawled through the competition we found out that our close neighbours also do Airbnb at about the same price, but, with only one room to our three, we look to be the best for groups. We shall see.
Full English could also link to the dismal rugby later on the Saturday evening. I was physically drained even before the game, and dozed off so missed the first half ( never thought about ITV +1) but watching the second half I struggled to understand how England were in the lead. There was always only one winner in the second half and memories of Wembley and Scott Gibbs all came back to haunt me.
Anyway after Wales lose to Fiji and England destroy Australia the status quo will be restored. Hang on though, I think I am still asleep and dreaming!!!
Paul, who booked us, was an Irish lad who worked as a band manager in the music business so they all trotted off to the Liverpool Psychedelic festival in the Baltic triangle. He was spotting for new talent and they cruised in about 3am. We 'forced a full English. down him at apout 11:00 and they were gone by midday. Paul recommended I listen to two bands, Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, so that's on my list to do.
They gave us a good rating so we are now up and running and looking forward to the next customers. None booked in just yet though.
As we trawled through the competition we found out that our close neighbours also do Airbnb at about the same price, but, with only one room to our three, we look to be the best for groups. We shall see.
Full English could also link to the dismal rugby later on the Saturday evening. I was physically drained even before the game, and dozed off so missed the first half ( never thought about ITV +1) but watching the second half I struggled to understand how England were in the lead. There was always only one winner in the second half and memories of Wembley and Scott Gibbs all came back to haunt me.
Anyway after Wales lose to Fiji and England destroy Australia the status quo will be restored. Hang on though, I think I am still asleep and dreaming!!!
Thursday, 20 September 2007
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
Two bottles of white wine, a bottle of Vodka, two cases of Heineken a bottle of chilled champagne and three good quality pizza's. These are amongst the items populating the dressing room of Amy Winehouse as part of her 'Green Room' contract clause. Not bad for a girl in re-hab.
I have no time for Amy, but it did get me wondering what I would have in my green room if every I found myself accepting a Mercury music award, or similar.
Clearly a case of Fullers London Pride would feature, with, maybe a barrel of Doom Bar, from the Rock brewery near Newquay. I don't really do spirits, but I would probably share Amy's taste for white wine (Napa Valley Chardonnay, or Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc) and Champagne. I think a finger buffet curry would take care of the eating department as fish and chips would go cold and soggy.
Then there are the add-ons, the boys toys.......Scalextic is ageless and I noticed it is celebrating its 50th anniversary, so a four lane job would need to be accommodated, with proper racing cars, not the mickey mouse ambulance/police car/family saloons they have recently introduced.
A TV showing Argyle winning at the old Wembley would be playing in the corner, and Who's Next, the album, would be blaring from the speakers. They were undoubtedly the best band I ever saw live, and while its not my all time favourite album, but it would get me in the mood for the acceptance speech!!
Now then, favourite albums, and singles, I feel another blog entry coming on....stay tuned.
I have no time for Amy, but it did get me wondering what I would have in my green room if every I found myself accepting a Mercury music award, or similar.
Clearly a case of Fullers London Pride would feature, with, maybe a barrel of Doom Bar, from the Rock brewery near Newquay. I don't really do spirits, but I would probably share Amy's taste for white wine (Napa Valley Chardonnay, or Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc) and Champagne. I think a finger buffet curry would take care of the eating department as fish and chips would go cold and soggy.
Then there are the add-ons, the boys toys.......Scalextic is ageless and I noticed it is celebrating its 50th anniversary, so a four lane job would need to be accommodated, with proper racing cars, not the mickey mouse ambulance/police car/family saloons they have recently introduced.
A TV showing Argyle winning at the old Wembley would be playing in the corner, and Who's Next, the album, would be blaring from the speakers. They were undoubtedly the best band I ever saw live, and while its not my all time favourite album, but it would get me in the mood for the acceptance speech!!
Now then, favourite albums, and singles, I feel another blog entry coming on....stay tuned.
Friday, 15 June 2007
Why why why Delilah?
'Camp Dick' will so be upon us. A convivial gathering of Trickie Dickies eclectic companions will celebrate his 50th birthday in 'Tosser' Quinns field. Its a camping weekend, complete with open fire, basic sanitation and pod tents. There is a yomp over the Yorkshire moors on Saturday to loosen off the muscles, although it finishes at a local hostelry where any remaining aches and pains can be nicely anaesthetised.
I have offered to run off the song sheets, and that got me thinking about the sad demise of communal singing. It really is a thing of the past.
I can remember the man in the white coat, Frank Rea at Wembley who conducted the crowd prior to the FA Cup final. The singing of Henry Lyte's famous hymn "Abide With Me" has been part of FA Cup Final tradition since 1927, but sadly the community singing died out during the 1970's.
'Beastie' , a joe public rugby cove from Old Whitgiftians, entered England supporter folk law, as the leader of the singing in the West bar under the self same stand at the old Twickenham stadium. This tradition was destroyed with the ground as Tony Hallett built his new concrete edifice under which were positioned four soulless bars which were modelled on the wind tunnels used to design the bouncing bomb. Clearly a testament to Halletts RAF background. He built himself a cosy snug in which to entertain his cronies, but 'Beastie' has been superseded by Karaoke machines.....so sad.
How many homes have pianos these days, and more to the point people in the household who can bang out a tune. Family sing songs with Uncle Albert on the spoons, and Auntie Vi on the piano are also a dying event.....
...as are the improptu sing songs around the piano in the pub. These too are vanishing as pubs become 'gin palace' or 'gastro' themed. I still harbour an ambition to walk in a pub, open the keyboard and bang out a tune everybody knows and can join in with. By the time I have learnt to do it, piano's will be extinct.
So Camp Dick looks like it will be a revivalist concert featuring the voices of some of Will Carlings old farts. These talented individuals normally perform on the H22 bus on the way to Richmond station, The Red Cow public house and ,initially, on the free bus to the game. Liberal lashings of London Price, Timothy Taylor's Landlord or a pint of the black stuff make them sound like the four tenors!
I have offered to run off the song sheets, and that got me thinking about the sad demise of communal singing. It really is a thing of the past.
I can remember the man in the white coat, Frank Rea at Wembley who conducted the crowd prior to the FA Cup final. The singing of Henry Lyte's famous hymn "Abide With Me" has been part of FA Cup Final tradition since 1927, but sadly the community singing died out during the 1970's.
'Beastie' , a joe public rugby cove from Old Whitgiftians, entered England supporter folk law, as the leader of the singing in the West bar under the self same stand at the old Twickenham stadium. This tradition was destroyed with the ground as Tony Hallett built his new concrete edifice under which were positioned four soulless bars which were modelled on the wind tunnels used to design the bouncing bomb. Clearly a testament to Halletts RAF background. He built himself a cosy snug in which to entertain his cronies, but 'Beastie' has been superseded by Karaoke machines.....so sad.
How many homes have pianos these days, and more to the point people in the household who can bang out a tune. Family sing songs with Uncle Albert on the spoons, and Auntie Vi on the piano are also a dying event.....
...as are the improptu sing songs around the piano in the pub. These too are vanishing as pubs become 'gin palace' or 'gastro' themed. I still harbour an ambition to walk in a pub, open the keyboard and bang out a tune everybody knows and can join in with. By the time I have learnt to do it, piano's will be extinct.
So Camp Dick looks like it will be a revivalist concert featuring the voices of some of Will Carlings old farts. These talented individuals normally perform on the H22 bus on the way to Richmond station, The Red Cow public house and ,initially, on the free bus to the game. Liberal lashings of London Price, Timothy Taylor's Landlord or a pint of the black stuff make them sound like the four tenors!
Saturday, 2 June 2007
Show me the way to go home
I used to think I was a long way from London when I drove past a Morrisons supermarket, although with their takeover of Safeway and the consequent rebranding of the stores, that is no longer the case.
Today I know I am up early when I follow a night bus along Chiswick High Road!! I have volunteered for some client supervision at 05:30 in Hoddesdon in North London, so an early start is required. Trouble is Hoddesdon is one of those pleasant market towns which isn't any more, and there is nowhere open within miles, so caffeine levels are running on empty.
More's the pity as I could do with a boost after the experience of Wembley stadium last night.
First the good news. Door to door it took me 35 minutes to get there, Brazil played some attractive football, the Brazilian women were in good form, and yes, the stadium itself is impressive. It is huge. Bigger than Twickenham, bigger than Croke Park and seems about the same size as Stade Francais, with which is shares a similar shape and feel.
Now the less than good news....Steve McLaren clearly watched a different game to me when he said on the radio this morning that England played as a team and it was a good performance. The side lacked pace and creativity, assets which the Brazil team showed in spades. Smith and Owen were ineffectual, and I hate to say it but Beckham looked a class above. Robinson is awful when handling crosses (or not) and his kicking was poor. Lampard is a waste of space.
The thing, however, which, got my cousin reaching for double Rhodiola, was the journey home. The stadium emptied pretty well but the queues for the various railway stations was painful. There appeared to be no extra trains, there did not seem to be any new developments at the stations which allowed for extra platforms, or indeed wider platforms, and the journey home took nearly two hours. Having taken six years to construct, would it have been too much to ask of Transport for London to have improved the support infrastructure? With Red Ken in charge it is probably asking too much....agggh I feel another rant Blog coming on.....Luckily when I did get back, Morans Hotel bar was still buzzing so I was able to have a couple of glasses of ale before retiring.
I was right about the lager, as there did not seem to be any bitter taps in the bars, and I also observed that footie fans seem to be more follicley challenged that their rugger counterparts. It does, however, seem to be out of choice.
Would I go again? Well to see Argyle or the Spurs definitely. Otherwise if there is no corporate hospitality or helicopter transfer available, I will probably give it a miss.
Today I know I am up early when I follow a night bus along Chiswick High Road!! I have volunteered for some client supervision at 05:30 in Hoddesdon in North London, so an early start is required. Trouble is Hoddesdon is one of those pleasant market towns which isn't any more, and there is nowhere open within miles, so caffeine levels are running on empty.
More's the pity as I could do with a boost after the experience of Wembley stadium last night.
First the good news. Door to door it took me 35 minutes to get there, Brazil played some attractive football, the Brazilian women were in good form, and yes, the stadium itself is impressive. It is huge. Bigger than Twickenham, bigger than Croke Park and seems about the same size as Stade Francais, with which is shares a similar shape and feel.
Now the less than good news....Steve McLaren clearly watched a different game to me when he said on the radio this morning that England played as a team and it was a good performance. The side lacked pace and creativity, assets which the Brazil team showed in spades. Smith and Owen were ineffectual, and I hate to say it but Beckham looked a class above. Robinson is awful when handling crosses (or not) and his kicking was poor. Lampard is a waste of space.
The thing, however, which, got my cousin reaching for double Rhodiola, was the journey home. The stadium emptied pretty well but the queues for the various railway stations was painful. There appeared to be no extra trains, there did not seem to be any new developments at the stations which allowed for extra platforms, or indeed wider platforms, and the journey home took nearly two hours. Having taken six years to construct, would it have been too much to ask of Transport for London to have improved the support infrastructure? With Red Ken in charge it is probably asking too much....agggh I feel another rant Blog coming on.....Luckily when I did get back, Morans Hotel bar was still buzzing so I was able to have a couple of glasses of ale before retiring.
I was right about the lager, as there did not seem to be any bitter taps in the bars, and I also observed that footie fans seem to be more follicley challenged that their rugger counterparts. It does, however, seem to be out of choice.
Would I go again? Well to see Argyle or the Spurs definitely. Otherwise if there is no corporate hospitality or helicopter transfer available, I will probably give it a miss.
Friday, 1 June 2007
"I think you've had enough old son......."
I am off to Wembley tonight for the England v Brazil game, and this, together with some incidents over the weekend, got me thinking about why football followers seem to be so much more aggressive than those of other sports.
At the family barbecue I referred to, there were a mixture of young people. Some from Liverpool had gone to school with Kieran at St Mary's, a Christian Brothers school, some who had gone to Merchant Taylors, next door . Others where at Uni (or Poly ;-)) in Liverpool and had come from other parts of the country, and some were work colleagues of Kieran from the Wirral and around. They all mixed extremely well, and people commented on how well mannered they were.
One poor girl had had a hell of a few weeks with boyfriend problems, and she got absolutely trashed. Rather than leave her to fall about the furnishings and smash the ornaments, two of her flat mates took her home, put her to bed and returned later to the party.
Sometime after that one of the St Mary's lads got some abuse from another of the boys there, and the St Mary's lads closed ranks and suggested to one of the rogues friends that it was time he helped him home, which he did. This passed off unnoticed by most people at the party.
It reminded me of my own experiences as an 'old fart' who regularly attends rugby internationals at Twickenham, in Dublin and in Paris. There are usually six of us, and we do like a drink. It is fair to say though, that in the 25 years we have been acting the fool, we have at worst made bus travel between Twickenham and Richmond noisy, and the ride out of Dublin on the Dart a joyous singing occasion. Any activity likely to provoke violence, either physical or verbal, is quickly stamped on by the group, and the offender parked in a corner and told to behave.
Why then is it not the case at football matches that there is not this same self policing? The tribal nature of the supporters seems to add an 'edge' to the whole atmosphere. It can't be associated purely with the Public school, grammar school, secondary school differential outlined yesterday, as many of the perpetrators are from good stock?
Personally I blame the lager, as we all know London Pride has no alcohol in it!!!
At the family barbecue I referred to, there were a mixture of young people. Some from Liverpool had gone to school with Kieran at St Mary's, a Christian Brothers school, some who had gone to Merchant Taylors, next door . Others where at Uni (or Poly ;-)) in Liverpool and had come from other parts of the country, and some were work colleagues of Kieran from the Wirral and around. They all mixed extremely well, and people commented on how well mannered they were.
One poor girl had had a hell of a few weeks with boyfriend problems, and she got absolutely trashed. Rather than leave her to fall about the furnishings and smash the ornaments, two of her flat mates took her home, put her to bed and returned later to the party.
Sometime after that one of the St Mary's lads got some abuse from another of the boys there, and the St Mary's lads closed ranks and suggested to one of the rogues friends that it was time he helped him home, which he did. This passed off unnoticed by most people at the party.
It reminded me of my own experiences as an 'old fart' who regularly attends rugby internationals at Twickenham, in Dublin and in Paris. There are usually six of us, and we do like a drink. It is fair to say though, that in the 25 years we have been acting the fool, we have at worst made bus travel between Twickenham and Richmond noisy, and the ride out of Dublin on the Dart a joyous singing occasion. Any activity likely to provoke violence, either physical or verbal, is quickly stamped on by the group, and the offender parked in a corner and told to behave.
Why then is it not the case at football matches that there is not this same self policing? The tribal nature of the supporters seems to add an 'edge' to the whole atmosphere. It can't be associated purely with the Public school, grammar school, secondary school differential outlined yesterday, as many of the perpetrators are from good stock?
Personally I blame the lager, as we all know London Pride has no alcohol in it!!!
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Come on you Greens
I am a huge Plymouth Argyle supporter, having supported them since 1962, when my dad took me to the Argyle v Spurs FA Cup 4th round tie at Home Park. How my dad got tickets I don't know, but he seemed to have the ability to magic them from somewhere, be they for England at Twickenham, Wembley or Lords. Its an ability I am pleased to have inherited, and look forward to going with my eldest son to Wembley in a few weeks time for the England v Brazil game.
I remember being devastated for a Royal Marine who offered my Dad ten bob for the two tickets, in the pub one night. i was really saddened that the poor man did not have a ticket of his own. Oh the innocence of youth.
Anyway back to Argyle. Today they broke their all time transfer record by paying £400K for a Hungarian international left winger, Peter Halmosi. Their squad now consists of three Hungarians, 3 French players, a Dutchman and an Australian, as well as several Devonians, and assorted Brits. It is certainly a sign of the times.
Given that Steven Gerrard has just been awarded £120K per week in wages though, paying £400K seems a bargain.
In the 45 years I have followed the Argyle, I have seen them win at Wembley and lose in three Cup semi-finals. In league terms they have fallen from the Second division, to the Fourth division and climbed back up to the Championship as it is now called. In all that time they have never played in a league called the First division. Next season is already being anticipated with great expectation, however, the recent slump of Nottingham Forest and 'dirty' Leeds only goes to show that expectations and achievements can be a million miles apart.
I remember being devastated for a Royal Marine who offered my Dad ten bob for the two tickets, in the pub one night. i was really saddened that the poor man did not have a ticket of his own. Oh the innocence of youth.
Anyway back to Argyle. Today they broke their all time transfer record by paying £400K for a Hungarian international left winger, Peter Halmosi. Their squad now consists of three Hungarians, 3 French players, a Dutchman and an Australian, as well as several Devonians, and assorted Brits. It is certainly a sign of the times.
Given that Steven Gerrard has just been awarded £120K per week in wages though, paying £400K seems a bargain.
In the 45 years I have followed the Argyle, I have seen them win at Wembley and lose in three Cup semi-finals. In league terms they have fallen from the Second division, to the Fourth division and climbed back up to the Championship as it is now called. In all that time they have never played in a league called the First division. Next season is already being anticipated with great expectation, however, the recent slump of Nottingham Forest and 'dirty' Leeds only goes to show that expectations and achievements can be a million miles apart.
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