European Football Highlights

Here is a highlights video of last week's Holland vs. England game, enjoy...

Five Star Weekend

Am gradually getting back to life, back to reality, after a week or so of good times, good company and five goals.

Please accept my contrafibularities if this post is even more of a diary than my usual ones. Neil has written a decent journal of the last week on his site so I'll try not to repeat what he said too much.

It all started with the arrival of La in Corsham last Tuesday; it had been over two years since I'd seen him but after a Sopranos style hug, it was like he'd been away for 2 minutes. Nothing had changed with him, I got to hear his little political views (something I really miss when he's not here, as he has something to say about everything, although it is usually general curiosity about his bits and other people's) - most of which i couldn't print on here - well, a 'safe' one was "Jesus is Santa Claus for adults, like", which I quite liked, seems that Neil has the kind of theological acumen that Richard Dawkins would be proud of.

Had a brilliant day in Bath with La and Marcus on the Wednesday, just wandered around really, looked at the pigs (one was later abused by a certain scouser, I'm sure you don't need a picture), waited for Neil to have a tattoo then before I knew it, Friday had arrived and it was time for Amsterdam.

The football couldn't have gone better, especially for me, everything I touched went in and I ended up bagging 5 goals in a 6-3 win (R Wilson got the other which was followed by a typically subdued celebration). The game had started badly with Nick 'Frank Sinclair' Earl heading past a hapless La in the BCHE goal. However, we soon took control with the midfield and front 4 overpowering the Dutch with their pace and incision, whilst the defence stood firm, with Davis, Haines, Woods and Earl proving too strong for the Dutch. We went to the Dutch lads' very pleasant clubhouse after our victory and bathed in some rare sunshhiiinnne for a couple of hours before heading to a great sports bar for booze, food and a terrible Arsenal performance.

We didn't end up back out in 'Dam till 11, had a nice walk with La around the red light although we had probably the worst meal in history in a kebab shop, it was meat, pitta and a string of lettuce, the meat looked like cat food with the jelly removed, we both ended up cleaning our plates.

Sunday was all about saying goodbye, after it seemed we had only just said "alright". So good to see everyone again, we spend the majority of time taking the mick out of each other, but the love shines through and it's such a pity we can't get together more often (my thoughts go out to Bri and Paul, who suffered ridiculous bad luck and missed the trip, you were sorely missed).
Would've loved to have seen more of Nathan, thankfully he came out on Friday night which was great. I love Amsterdam and can't believe I haven't been before, the atmosphere was just electric and very friendly. Won't be too long before I take the family over for a weekend with Nath and gang (to make up for my non-appearance on Sunday!).

Had a real planes, trains and automobiles day (in that order, no amusing John Candy character around tho, just Rich - whom I also love, especially when were funking out in our room) and was all over the place by the time I arrived back at home, still not back to 100%...

Hope you're all enjoying the Fantasy League this year, 23 is a pretty good number, check your progress here.

In other news, my very good friend Daniel Bruce Brown had an article printed in The Independent this week, its all about controlling your cash at Uni, (bit late for that!) but if you want to have a read follow this link.

More to come over the next week, got Kristian's European Away trips to put on here, plus my thoughts on a superb film I saw called 'Taking Liberties', look it up, buy/download it, show it to your friends and get them to show it to their friends. Just found out you can watch it here!

Finally, and just for Jake (he of the hilarious hair jokes), here is a brilliant video of the Death Star over San Francisco, enjoy...

Schtop! Schtop! This astroturf isnt ready yet

Saw a bit of crime last Wednesday down in the grim shopping area of Broadmead, Brizzle. For those of you who aren't familiar with Broadmead, its filled with a ton of regular shops, thousands of single mothers, builders, Vicky Pollard lookalikes (enough to fill the Isle of Wight), as well as normal folk like you or I. Anyhoo, there's loads of building work going on so the walking areas are quite narrow; a fella came barging past me, pushed one of the aforementioned VP lookalikes in the face (she wasn't hurt but had a 6"5 skinhead boyfriend- the kind that looked like he liked fights; he managed to get a sneaky kick in as the crim was being led away) before being rugby tackled by a security guard resmbling Ted Bovis. Not sure what he'd done, but his track marks stuck out like, well, bright red spots...

Got tickets for Aresenal v Hull on Sept 27th, woo hoo. Not the most glamorous of games to start with but I'll take anything.

You've still got a chance to join the Schnorbitz Fantasy League, follow this link and the instructions in the post below, over 20 teams so far...

I am eagerly awaiting an article for the site from reformed hooligan, Kristian Hasler. Back in September 1993, about a week before I left sleepy Steeple Morden for Bath, Kristian, Nath and myself headed up the motorway to grim ol' Huddersfield for a midweek League Cup match (proper away trip). Anyhoo, Kristian worte a piece on our adventure and ended up coming second in a competition ran by old footie magazine 90 Minutes, for which he won a Coca Cola Cup t-shirt.

Injury update ahoy. After speaking to BCHE Old Boys striker Rich Ashby yesterday, Funk Pie can give you an update on his injury status. Ashby's wrist (the left one apparently, further to the last report) is still a tad limp; he commented "I'll bring my kit, but don't know if I can play". When asked what he use his wrist for in a match he replied "I wanna hit some f***ing Dutchies, don't I?". Cornwall-based pair Brian Stevens and Paul Bray are two other players who have been talking to the media this week, both were concerned that the game would be played on astroturf as this wouldn't suit their natural game. Following assurances that our game is more suited to a fast surface, the pair acquiesced and carried on with their game of pool. However, breaking news this morning from the Dutch camp that the game will in fact be played on grass is bound to upset the rhythm of some of the squad who may have been gearing their training to towards astroturf rather than grass, come 3.30ish on Saturday, we'll have the answer.

Neil has landed safely and is currently beaving around the country before arriving in Corsham tomorrow for a great booze up followed by a trip down memory lane in Bath on Wednesday, expect cuddles, giggles, excess wind and pictures.

Read on Friday that Tarantino's new film is going to be some kind of crazy Nazi affair. Seems that Brad Pitt will lead a team of American Jewish soldiers into Germany with the sole purpose of "killin' Nazis"; it's reported that it'll be super violent with several scalpings and even some 'nad- shooting. You can read more here.

No-one understands him but his woman

Sad news this morning about the death of Isaac Hayes. Obviously best remembered for Shaft (always worth watching, the soundtrack has plenty of quality on it in addition to the title track), if you haven't got any of his stuff, I'd heartily recommend grabbing a copy of Hot Buttered Soul. It's only got 4 tracks, but has the most incredible version of 'Walk on By' on it, which contains some of the best string work ever put down on vinyl. When I eventually finish my screenplay and get someone to direct the film, expect to hear it at the end. In true Mickey Deverell style, Mr Hayes fathered 12 children during 4 marriages. Gawd bless yer Isaac, you were one cool mutha.

Nice day yesterday, managed to go swimming, do some tap shopping for the imminent bathroom decoration and go to meet lovely baby Millie for the first time. Then I drank too much wine with Marcus, which I am regretting now.

How badly to Arsenal need a new midfielder? Who will it be? Inler, Barry, Alonso, Toure? Maybe none of them , only Arsene knows. Bit surprised to hear him say he's too busy to buy anyone at the moment, why hasn't a new MD been hired yet to do all this work for him? Effing season starts Wednesday night!!

Full week at work this week, two and half days to do next week tho due to the arrival of La and the trip to Dam...

Caught by the Fuzz

In your face, the man

After a brief hiatus I've returned to write a few words. Firstly, found out I've got to go the frickin' naughty driving school after I was clocked doing 37 in a 30 zone at 7.15 in the morning, a time when I'm driving along like a zombie. It was a blimmin' Monday morning too! And I have to go to Shirehampton for the privilege! What a world...

Got to mention Orfest, which was held in Orwell Clunch Pit the other weekend. Cracking day so hats off to you Jamie, hope to come again next year. I took some pictures but have memory card issues so won't be able to post them for a week or so I'm afraid. Still, saw some good bands, the Rumbolds' Latino combo were ace, as were the heavily-plugged Blanco. Really great to catch up with everyone, good to see Kristian hadn't lost his ability to dance when others would not dare., gawd bless you , sir.

Amsterdam is just over 2 weeks away now. Neil and I sent out some questionnaires as part of the build up to the match, you can view them here. I will be exclusively revealing the design of the BCHE Old Boys pennant on this site in the next week or so. We felt a bit bad after the Dutch 'gave us one' before the last game, our chance for reciprocation has now come and we are grabbing it with open tulip-scented arms.

Some of you may have received a Fantasy Footie mail, we had a quite few teams in the Schnorbitz League last year, want to push it to over 20 if possible, like in the good old days (when I used to win, unlike the last few years). Anyhoo, please go here if you want to enter a team: http://fantasy.premierleague.com

A tw*t, yesterday

Once you have logged in and entered your team, click on the 'Leagues' link you can find on the right of the page. Now enter the code 65879-121666 to join the private league.

Finally, a big Happy Birthday to Kristian H and Daniel Bruce Brown, both or whom had a birthday somewhere around the mid-30s this week.