Cirque Du Soleil, Late Partying, Football and Mum’s meal

A very quiet weekend…not! On Friday night I worked quite late and then wrote a note of the times that we’d be doing things over the weekend as I needed to factor in some work, it transpired that I had Sunday night at 10.00pm free, and here’s why.

Saturday morning was Jack’s football with the Oxford City Schools team (after I’d sent a few work-related emails), they have a semi-final in a fortnight so wanted to have a practise match and played against the Vale of White Horse who we played our first match I think. It was a very even match and Jack played left midfield again and did well, his best game for the team so far for certain.We had to leave with 10 minutes left to play and they were losing 0-1 but as a team performance they didn’t deserve to be losing and in fact were the better team. It was pleasing to hear positive comments from the side for Jack so that was good.

We then rushed home to pick up Tash, Lewis, Charlotte and Nanny Sue to travel into London as we had tickets for Cirque du Soleil showing at the Albert Hall. We got parked up in Imperial College by Hyde Park and then found a restaurant that Tash had managed to download some free vouchers on my iPhone on the car journey down…resourceful woman! Lovely Italian meal, nice and easy and then wandered back to the Albert Hall for the show (Totem).

I have to admit I was astounded by the Albert Hall, I simply had no idea it was so fantastically huge! Absolutely massive, I was shocked, checked on the internet and it holds over 5,000. We were right up in the Gods as far away from the stage as you can get but it didn’t matter one bit and we could see all we needed to see. And what we saw was wonderful.

The name Cirque du Soleil conjures up the image of gymnastics and fantastic stunts so you had an idea of what you expect but when you see it live and without harnesses then you simply cannot fail to be impressed and have your breath taken away, some of the acts were simply incredible. They even have the ‘clowns’ and they still did visually impressive stunts but were amusing at the same time. The two hour show (with a break) flew by and it was a shame when it ended, and then we were talking about which act was the favourite and I think we had a general agreement that a couple of a high-wire trapeze swing and the oriental girls on the uni-cycles were the best. But it was a very touch call.

My personal favourite were the uni-cycling girls, they kept going round and flicking what can only be described as metal cat food bowls onto each other’s heads, okay that sounds shit, but it was brilliant! The timing and technique was, well, just …speechless…I don’t have the adjectives to describe it without repeating some from earlier sentences.

Suffice to say – we had a great time!

That’s not all, drove home and got ready in 30 mins and then wandered down to John and Pauline Bampton’s for Pauline’s 40th birthday celebration. Great turn out and the drinks started flowing, had a good chat with people and a bit of a laugh and then as the evening wore on people drifted off. Tash has a headache and wanted to go at midnight but I wasn’t ready so said I’d catch up…mistake…sort of. By 1.00am there was Pauline, John, Jeff, Rob and myself and we proceeded to play John’s iPod and dance for the next two hours in the kitchen, it was funny as fuck. Excuse my French! Pauline videoed some of it – I think my interpretation of Beyoncé's ‘Single Ladies’ – Kurt from Glee has nothing on me! I sincerely hope any videos as now deleted as it must be one of the funniest things you’ll see.

We were laughing at ourselves and it was getting more and more ridiculous as we drank more and kept Pauline up until 3.00am we agreed enough was enough and there’d be sore heads in the morning! As drunk as we were, it was a really funny and memorable evening because you’d probably never see the four of us in the same room again! Ah, until the party up at the King’s Arms in a few weeks…ha ha!

Still I wasn’t finished! With a beer head on I then sat up and started watching Watchmen, but I can’t remember any of it but can remember I couldn’t even see the TV! Staggered into bed around 5.00am!

So, Sunday morning, up at 8.30am as Jack’s football miles away needed sorting out. No hangover as such, in that I wasn’t feeling rough but certainly heavy headed. We played Rotherfield who we drew with on the first day of the season and I was a bit worried because in the game yesterday Jack was knackered having not played for a while and I expected the same of the lads. I had a decent chat with them, geed them up and then we got the game started. I insisted on them that they start to take the rest of the season seriously with a few to moving up the table again, they seemed to take that on board.

What we saw next was a demolition! A short-lived demolition, which I’ll explain. We looked rusty, defensively and in midfield we looked off the pace and were under pressure, but Jack and Max are on fire for us and always a danger going forward and very quickly in the space of 20 minutes Jack scored 2, Max scored 2 and Adam scored 1 to put us very much in control. I was able to take some players off to give our lesser ability players a chance and sure enough Rotherfield got back into it and scored right on half time to make it 5-1. No changes at half time and Rotherfield scored twice more, twitchy parents on the side but we were in control, however, I put Jack back on, twisting and turning on a run he was hacked down to win a penalty which he despatched to secure another hat-trick and did his trademark celebration!

Final score 6-3 which flattered us a bit as we didn’t play well but who cares at the end of the day. We didn’t move up, but we’re with the middle pack which is 7 teams separated by 6 points and all teams we have to play. Hopefully we’ll do well with coming matches.

So straight back to Oxford, 5 mins rest and took Lewis to his football, home to Carterton – I did a decent warm-up and then ran the line. Lewis played well, we does really well at left-back and it’s pleasing to watch him. I probably wind him up with my directions and should let him play his own game more. I’ll shut up one day. So this Carterton side were awful, however, we were worse! Actually, that’s not strictly true, we were really poor in areas and somehow found ourselves losing 3-2 at halftime with some really shoddy goals.

I had a go at them at halftime, stressing how they should be playing, exploiting their defence and how they’d really let themselves down if they lost to this side. It worked briefly and they started the second half really brightly and got a goal back only to go a goal down again (cracking goal by the way, straight into the top corner!). Time ticked by and I had to take Lewis off to karate and we then equalised, as Lewis and I got to the car and looked round we saw Jack Smith thumped a brilliant long drive into the net to put us ahead with minutes to go. I later found out Alfie topped it off with a great free kick to earn us a 6-4 win so that was really pleasing, and VERY unexpected with 10 mins of the game remaining!

Dropped Lewis off at karate and then had a shower and we then drove into Oxford and went to Prezzo in the Oxford Castle and had a birthday meal with mum. My hangover was sort of kicking in by now in that I wasn’t very hungry but I was extremely tired, I tried to ignore it as I didn’t want to be rude but it was hard. Certainly didn’t have a drink! Lewis got dropped off and we had a lovely meal, second time in two days, and a good laugh with Mum and Derek. Derek paid which was a fantastic and unexpected treat. So what’s that make mum now, I reckon 64, yep because I am going to be 44 this year.

Finished and left around 9.30pm and sure enough, home for work preparation for the meeting on Monday from 10-11pm.

What an incredible weekend, packed loads into it and had a lovely time. Same again next week?!?!?!

Return of the Old-Timers coming out of retirement…

No not talking about me for once.

At the weekend two Legends of football made a return to the Premier League (well FA Cup).

Paul Scholes who’d retired for Man Utd at the end of last season signed and played against Man City at the weekend and last night Thierry Henry (who’s still playing in the MLS in the US – so effectively retired…) is on loan for Arsenal having left 5 years ago.

Call me a romantic but it’s great to see these two back if only for a short term measure.

Henry had the better return, playing versus Leeds, stalemate, comes on at 68 mins, scores 78 mins and it’s the winner – fairy tale!

Merry Xmas & Happy New Year

Okay, it’s a bit late for this but I thought that I would still update the blog with what we did this year over the Festive period, it was bloody busy I know that much, loads of food and drink, and a bit more drink just in case!

So where to start? I guess the works do just before Xmas. We went out to a local restaurant/pub in Bearstead near Maidstone, it was okay. Very busy popular place, and I could soon see why, the food was excellent and there was loads of it as well. Had a few drinks but didn’t go overboard although everyone wanted me to get drunk – it wasn’t going to happen though!

I took the Friday 23rd off and just helped round the house to get things in place for the coming weekend and eventually got the Xbox sorted out – that was a big saga which I won’t go into here, suffice to say I am pleased and relieved that we finally got a working model before the break.

Friday night we went up to Mum’s house to have Xmas early because she was spending the time at Louise’s and wouldn’t be around as normal. So from about 5.00pm we were up there, had a lovely Chinese take-away meal and then handed out the presents – got some nice things and the kids were spoilt as normal. Jack got a mobile phone and was thrilled, it was really lovely to see him so excited, haven’t seen that sort of childish wonder and thanks in him for a long time, he’s always seemed older than his years, but this was definitely a very excited Jack!

Mum gave Tash and I some money to go towards the camera that I have my eye on so that was appreciated. We stayed until about 10.15pm and then driving home Tash offered to drop me into Oxford as the City Veterans were out on our Xmas night out.

I met up with them in the Living Room and they were absolutely hammered, it was a laugh seeing them like this and I quickly tried to catch up! I saw loads of people I know, a real who’s who so that was good and I was glad to have gone down there. I stayed until the end of the night, by which time I was a little bit drunk and then got some food and bus home. Tash was still up at 2.30am so came to the cemetery to pick me up.

Thankfully not a big hangover for Xmas Eve as we got more things sorted and had a relaxing and lazy day, we met up with the Holdens and the Carrolls in the White Hart and had a couple of drinks. Wayne wasn’t drinking which was no surprise having seen the state of him the night before! It was a nice evening and the new landlord was chatty and trying to get us to like him and go back there as regulars! As the night ended the Holdens went home, and we then went to the Richardsons for their house party. I wasn’t really in the mood and when it got to 11.30pm Tash went with Lucy to midnight Mass (it’s something she’s always wanted to do) I actually left the party at the same and went home to get some normal drink and watch the TV. I had no interest in going to Mass, not for me…

Not too sure what time Tash got back but she wasn’t overly enthused about the experience so we sorted out the final presents and went to bed.

Kids up at 8.00am – not bad for Xmas morning!

Stockings and presents, coffee and croissants, perfect start to the day! Kids were pleased with what they got and enjoyed handing out presents to each other, me and mum – they’re really good kids and great fun. They didn’t get a great deal this year but they didn’t moan and made out they were happy with it all. We then popped round to Sue’s house because she was on her own so more presents handed out and then she went off to get Tiffany whilst we came back to our house for an hour or so to get showered and changed and ready for the long day.

It was nice not having to rush around to be honest when we’re normally having to go over to Mum’s, that’s not to say I didn’t miss going over there first thing but it was nice to not be so hurried. So in our own time we went back to Sue’s and then Tiff/Paul and Nikki, Gaz and all the girls were there. Victoria also bought her boyfriend Jason over. Usual mad time was had by all, loads of food crowded in the kitchen and loads of drink, far too much. It got very rowdy this year, even by dinner time – I thought Tash was going to cut her fingers off the way she was waving the electric carving knife around in a drunken state.

After dinner handed out the presents and then played games, watched telly and the usual things.

It was a really enjoyable day that seemed to fly by. Gaz did his ‘pub quiz’ which he’d been working on for months and it was really good, loads of varied (and hard) questions which my team won in the end by only 4 points. So we were pleased with that effort! As things ebbed and flowed it felt like the night was passing us by a bit so we got the Sing Star out – that certainly got things going and the videos of our singing were soon being uploaded to Facebook – not a good idea as we were not remotely in tune!

Sue had had enough by 12.30am so we got kicked out and home by 1.00am. A thoroughly brilliant day.

Boxing Day…bear with me, there’s loads more…we were really lazy in the morning and then went back round to Sue’s for a big breakfast and catch up and more TV watching. We weren’t really in any hurry but we got on the road to Louise’s (King’s Lynn) by about 3.00pm, dropped our gear off at the hotel we were staying at and then got to theirs around 5.30pm – probably later than they expected but it was okay I think. Had a good evening, handed out more presents, but played a couple of games and had a laugh on the roulette table mum had brought along. Jack won that so he was pleased! Great Grandma and Sue & Simon were there too having been there for Xmas Day as well. Finished up and left around 10.30pm and crashed out at the hotel. We only had a room for 4 so sneaked Jack but it wasn’t a problem.

Next morning nice big breakfast at the Harvester and then we went over to Sandringham to an hour or so’s walk around the forest. Very nice place. But then it would be wouldn’t it as it’s the Queen’s holiday residence. Prince Phillip has been ill and was due out of hospital today so there was a Press presence near by, nothing exciting happened in our time there though – ah well. Once we’d had a quick look around the Gift shop we said our Goodbyes and made our way back hope via McDonalds in Kings Lynn! More videos in the evening when we got home – tired and crashed out.

Tuesday we did nothing all day. Can’t actually remember what we did, I have a feeling Tash, Charlotte and I went to Ikea to get stuff for Jack’s bedroom and a couple of things I wanted, Actually we did do that as I phoned into work from the car-park to check on how things were ticking along

Wednesday we went over to Paul & Pauline’s for a party and that was great fun. Usual faces plus some who are not usually invited but it made it a lovely crowd and it was a great evening, again far too much to drink and I lost playing Spoof for a large glass of Port – which to be fair was actually quite nice, had I not had to down it in one! Don’t really remember much else to add other than I was talking rubbish by the end of the night, so nothing new there.

Bit of a hangover next morning but nothing compared to Lewis and Jack, both were really ill, physically sick. Bit of a shame as we were due to have Pete and Katharine come over in the evening but we had to cancel it in the end as they were so ill. More videos and nothing happening!

Friday we went over to Liam and Zoe’s in the afternoon for a meal and ended up watching the Liverpool v Newcastle match, both teams were pretty poor to be honest and it was painful viewing, especially as Liverpool ended up winning…another nice evening though.

Saturday – New Year’s Eve – already! Katharine and Pete came up around midday for the postponed get-together we were going to have and that was really nice afternoon, they stayed for 3 hours and it was a really good catch up. They were off to Stratford with friends so we relaxed once they’d gone and in fact caught up on a bit of a sleep in readiness for the evening. We’d invited people to come to ours for 7.00pm to start the night and sure enough that soon came round and the door was being knocked on.

The Carrolls, Mum & Derek, Sue, Tiff, Paul and Brendan made up the numbers and after a few bottles of bubbly had been finished we made our way over to the Red Lion in Wolvercote. It was quiet to start with and I could tell a few people were thinking it wasn’t going to be a good night, but we were there at 8.00pm! Gradually it started filling up and the drink started to take effect and the night got livelier and livelier and turned out to be brilliant fun! We’re a bit of a whirlwind as a family group and took over the dance floor all night. Everyone joined in and it was a laugh. Midnight soon arrived and the usual best wishes took place and the party continued until 1.30am by which time it was time to go home, manage one Facebook update and then bed for a well-earned sleep.

The only sad thing was that Lewis was missing, I’d dropped him off at his girlfriend’s, Kathryn, as they were having a family party and he slept the night there. He said he’d had a good time so that was pleasing but it was a shame that he wasn’t sharing it with us!

That’s it I think – New Year’s Day was a lazy day and the Bank Holiday Monday I worked in Jack’s bedroom to sort out the stuff we’d bought from Ikea for his bedroom so I was swearing away sorting out cupboards and the like, got it completed though so that was good and the bedroom looks a lot better now as a result.

What else have a I missed?

Tiffany and Paul got engaged the day before Xmas Eve so everyone was really pleased about that and it made for a great atmosphere as they’re obviously delighted and excited. Paul wants to go to Las Vegas for the bachelor party – Tash has vetoed my involvement in that already!

I am hugely over-weight, trousers don’t fit me so in January I will be working hard to lose some of it, it’s actually revolting and I am not impressed with myself for being so ill-disciplined to have allowed myself to get in this state. Mind you, I’ve written this blog for 45 minutes instead of exercising!

Tash and I got on really well over the break – I didn’t stay up watching TV like I normally do, nor argue about leaving early any times or any of the other silly things that I do to cause arguments, so brownie points for me! I can’t claim to have grown up, because the fact I am even mentioning that I am pleased that I wasn’t causing Tash problems shows a distinct lack of maturity I think!!

Er, I think that’s it. Mammoth update to the blog but then I am sat here in my hotel in Kent, first day back in the office which was really hard to do, it was only a week and a half off this time around but I didn’t do any work at all, it was lovely!

Well, here’s to a Happy New Year, good luck to everyone!

Another win…but also a loss

Jack’s team were up against Crowmarsh Orange on Sunday, they’ve struggled a bit and we’re playing well if you forget the Milton match, so I was quietly confident of a good result but at the same time a little nervous that they might shock us in the same way that we’re shocking other teams at the minute.

So the match started and to be fair it was pretty even, we were pushing but they had a couple of players who attacked well and caused us problems down the middle of the park. Then out of one of their corners we broke and Max played Jack through on the half-way line on the right wing and he went the whole length of the half, cut across two defenders and the keeper and slotted into an empty net. It was a very, very good goal – I was really pleased for him. He just then stood in front of our parents with his hand out by his side as if to say, ‘What did you think of that?’ – funny character.

We saw that through to half-time and we then conceded a goal which made it 1-1 and that seemed to kick the team into life and we scored two quick goals from Max after Jack and James played good through balls and then Max got a hat-trick. They scored with a minute to go to make a final score of 4-2. It was a lot more comfortable than that and we should have had quite a few more but for their goalie making some great saves.

What’s so pleasing is that we’re playing well as a team at the minute and putting good passes together and creating chances. All the players are trying to do their job and defensively we’re getting a bit better. Matthew is playing very well as a left-back, his timing and distribution and reading of the game is fantastic to watch. I am certainly going to find it hard to pick my player of the year this year as all of them are doing well.

So that was a pleasure and I was really proud of them.

I then took Lewis to his match and he was against Quarry from top of the A-League in the cup, we knew it would be a hard match and we wouldn’t win but we wanted to give them a good game. Unfortunately we only have 11 players so had little options, we played with 5 in the middle and for the first 35 minutes worked so damned hard and kept them at bay. Although some wayward finishing meant we were lucky to be in the match. We went 1-0 up against the run of play and then with 10 minutes left they scored 3 goals and the game was over then. I was pleased with Lewis, he played well and is growing up well. Unfortunately David wanted to get Thabelo in the game so we took Lewis off because he needs to go to karate and that was a mistake. The shape of the team was gone and we folded and started shipping in crap goals which shouldn’t have happened. No idea what the final score was but when Lewis and I left it was around 8-1.

It’s a shame really because Lewis is a decent left-back and he’s suffering because of his work which is annoying having to leave early. Ah well.

So I am in the office again this week, it’s getting quite hard and a bit of a strain at home because it feels like I am never there at the minute. When I am home we’re flat out with all the jobs needing doing, or taking the kids around or the football. No idea how the week will go, there’s so much on my plate at the minute, it’s so hard to know where to turn next.

I updated my LinkedIn account the other night and when I listed my responsibilities it was then it struck home just how much I am trying to cram into a week, far too much, but I don’t know how to reduce it. I’ll persevere but something has to give for certain. Well, I can talk about it and type it here but that’s not going to get the work done is it??? Best sign off and get on with getting an early night…

Long overdue update…

It’s been so busy lately, mostly work-related, so I have been quiet in terms of updating the blog. Work has been manic, I am in charge of looking after the running of the Support team which has been hard work for anyone but Darren has been on holiday as well so it’s been doubly hard work. Two weeks running I’ve done over 60 hours in the week which has been crazy.

Anyway, don’t want to dwell on that…

Nice weekend in the main. I actually worked all day on Saturday so as to try and get up to date with things – seemed to go okay. Went out in the evening with Nikki and Gaz and their friends Ted and Kay who were really lovely and we had a good time. Bit drunk on only 4 Peroni’s..too strong for me so I think that’s the end of me drinking those!

Didn’t have the expected hangover in the morning and we were then over to Goring Robins for the under 11’s and we had a good morning. Incredibly strong wind straight down the pitch and we were good value to go in at half-time 0-0 when there were chances at both ends. I geed the lads up at half-time as I really felt we were better than the other team and sure enough we went into a 3-0 leads and looked comfortable. Jack had a decent game but was quiet by his standards, Goring scored with 10 minutes left but we were in control and did well to get another win to push us up to fifth in the league.

Tash didn’t want to stay in during the afternoon, as me, her and Jack went out much against his will.

We headed for Shotover but I had in mind to go to Quarry rec and my old stomping ground, it was lovely to wander around and tell Jack of things I used to do as a kid whilst playing there. He then wanted to get a ball out so instead of going to Shotover we crossed the road to the Quarry park and then he and I played basketball for a while. He’s competitive and it was good fun to play him.

Once finished we went over to Yarnton Nurseries and looked round there, bumped into Lewis’s girlfriend Kathryn and her family walking round as well and had a brief chat and then treated ourselves to a coffee that lasted literally 3 minutes, bit pointless that was! We were looking at standard Bay trees as we’re thinking of getting two for the side of the front door. Bloody expensive though, we then bought a couple on the internet later…still expensive!

Over to Sue’s as usual for a roast dinner which was lovely and then in the evening worked with Lewis on his PE homework, he’s editing the videos and even after 10 minutes made some good inroads into it with his imagination. Fingers crossed he’ll get it right.

In other news…heard on the radio that Gary Speed had killed himself this morning which is such an incredible shock to all and sundry. What’s amazing is that he was turning things around with managing Wales and had such a good playing career and looked to be heading to great things, married with two boys and then does this. He actually hanged himself which makes it even sadder to me. So many people in and around football are all shocked, there was no apparent pressure or problems or gossip that was heaped upon him. Odd. R.I.P.

Another weekend flies by…

Finding it tough going at the minute as working so hard during the week and then the weekend is flat out as well. This weekend was no different…

Stayed up too late catching up with TV programmes on Friday night, Misfits is back on so watched that and then also the last in the Series of Idiot Abroad 2 which has been really good fun to watch. It’s a shame it’s finished.

On Saturday I seemed to spend the whole bloody day working on Lewis’s Xbox because it’s not working, and by the time I finished on it around 6.00pm it definitely wasn’t working, completely cocked it up!

We were due to go out with Nikki, Gaz, Tiffany and Paul but Nikki was ill so the evening was called off! That was a shame.

On Sunday I just worked in the morning on the bikes that Lewis and Charlotte seem intent of puncturing every time they go out, I don’t get it. I fixed 5 punctures in Charlotte’s bike alone, absolute pain in the backside. I think I’ve finished hers but got up this morning and Lewis’s had gone down – talk about frustrating!

Aside from that we had another exciting match with Jack’s team – we played against Harwell & Hendred who are currently third over at their place and after last weekend’s match I was hopeful of a good performance which in the first half didn’t materialise. We were shocking and it was no surprise when we were losing 2-0 but going forward we looked dangerous and Hendred looked vulnerable and Jack got a great goal from way outside the box as their keeper came out too far all the time and he simply chipped him from all of 30 yards, they scored another so we came in at half-time losing 1-3.

I had a bit of a go at the team, all very controlled, but said I was disappointed and we might as well go home if they weren’t prepared to try. That appeared to do the trick because it was a different tea, in the second half and we really played some good football and slowly started scoring. Hendred had no reply to our play and James Other scored, then again, then Pierce and finally James scored a good header without any reply and we won 5-3 in the end. It was incredible and made me very proud – they’re doing well and some of the link up play they managed was great to watch.

Match report: http://www.hhyfc.info/html/u11_profile.html

I then made it across the road to watch Lewis play football as they were also playing Harwell & Hendred – coincidence eh? – Jane and Mark were there and both Mark and I had a bit of banter shouting across the pitch to put each other off which was a laugh. The team did well and Hendred are a touch team to play so it was no surprise that it ended up in a 2-2 draw. Unfortunately Elias fell and broke his wrist which puts him out of action for a few weeks – shame because he’s such a talent and carries us along, we’ll miss him in the run up to Xmas.

Anyway, early night, Charlotte woke us up around midnight throwing up everywhere, God knows what was wrong with her and she had the day off school because of it.

He’s done it again…

Reading this blog you’d think I only have one child, and I am afraid this post is about him once more, but I make no apologies, he deserves it today. My Summertown u11s played against Abingdon today in the cup and for once I had a full side to choose from so was in a good mood and excited at the prospect of seeing what they could do.

Sure enough, inside 10 minutes we were losing 2-0, it was then I took a player off, made 2 positional changes and within 2 minutes we were level. Pierce’s dad next to me was laughing at the ‘tactical genius’ – I think of it more as pure, blind luck but there you go! We then went 3-2 before leading right on the break 4-3. Second half was a bit more controlled and Jack eventually got the two goals that we needed to make the match comfortable for us to win 6-3 in the end – an absolutely fantastic result and exciting match.

The reason I am talking about Jack is that he scored 4 goals and set 1 up for Max, he was outstanding, but then so were all the lads, we’re definitely not a one-man team as we defended so well. It’s just that he’s a livewire up front and scores goals. His third one was unbelievable, receiving the ball on the halfway line with his back to goal he turned two players, ran down the left side and from the corner of the box drilled it in the far corner – exceptional play.

What was really pleasing was after the match I was chatting with mum and she said that the Abingdon parents were talking about Jack as a threat and a great player before the match even started – not a bad reputation to have – and they were unsurprisingly raving about him afterwards as well, as do their management team which is always nice to hear.

Anyway, that was a great morning of football and it made me very, very proud indeed, not just in Jack but the rest of the team as well.

Updated Facebook and the like and then he came down from his bath with his t-shirt on and his hair quiffed…idiot!

Rest of the day was okay, although trying to fix Charlotte’s bike was a nightmare. Not sure how she’s done it but had three punctures I needed to fix and it was so hard to get the tyre off. It paid off in the morning as the bloody thing had gone down again, I could have cried!

I am writing this on Monday in the hotel and it’s very quiet at home because Jack has gone to Woodlands for the week. We saw him off from the school in the morning and they were all full of it and raring to go. That’s going to be some weekend in a class with so many boys who all have quite a character about them. IN saying that, I’d still love to have gone along as a helper, that would be great fun I am sure.

Got a text in the morning saying that they’d arrived safe and sound so that was pleasing. Looking forward to hearing updates from the school…I am sure he’ll be in his element.

Interesting attitude & Schools County Match

Driving Jack to the School County match against Bristol this morning we were chatting about players and football and then I asked him whether he’d like to play for a club like Horspath that are so strong and would win everything. His response was very interesting indeed..

“No definitely not, what would be the point? If it’s all too easy then the medals and success doesn’t mean anything at all. I like to have a challenge. If the team is too good then it’s not a challenge and if the team is rubbish then it’s no fun. We have it right at Summertown as we have good games and bad games but we’re improving all the time.”

I was surprised, really pleased, but still surprised by such an attitude in a 10 year old, talk about having the right sentiment.

We went to the match against a team from Bristol, played at home, and similar to the game last time when we played against Dacorum we were very much the underdogs. The Bristol team were sharp and passed the ball around well and looked well in control. Jack was once again playing against a very good right midfielder as once again he played left midfield. He had a tough time of it first half and against the run of play Oxford scored to go 1-0 up. Defended really well but were under constant pressure and it was no surprise when the other team equalised.

Second half was similar, Oxford scored with a long range free-kick and then defended resolutely, but Oxford did get more into the game and could have had a couple of break-aways. Jack really had a couple of decent spells so that was a big relief and pleasing to see when he went on some runs and did the right thing. I was proud of that, he also helped defend as well – as they all did!

Time ticked down and we were under a lot of pressure but the boys kept Bristol out and held on until the final whistle. Huge cheer from the boys – after only 3 games they’re becoming mates that’s for certain and it was good to chat with the parents as well. Even though I was linesman this week!

So all in all, a good morning…

Emotional? Me? Never…

I think I must just be tired, I have done 8 hours driving in total today – I have been up to Manchester to carry out an hour’s training with Collins that didn’t go very well to be honest. So that was 3 hours there and back. I was planning on going straight to the office but went home instead to experience some of the Halloween excitement and Trick or Treating – it was madness, so many people coming and knocking on the door. It didn’t take too long for the sweets to run out!

I then decided to come down to the office which is another 2 hour drive and was listening to some podcasts – listened to Vidal Sassoon and John Peel on Desert island disks and both were really good, very interesting and Sassoon was fascinating. Such a rich life and attitude he has.

Anyway, I then put on Jupiter from the Planets Suite and started filling up and crying! No idea what that was about…! Something just stirred and tears were streaming down my face.

See what you think – only need to listed to the first 3 minutes:

http://youtu.be/mfHnZOSyri8

Ian Rundle’s Funeral

It was with great regret that I heard last week of Ian Rundle passing away in hospital, I wasn’t aware that he was ill and I think it was a bit of a shock that the operation, and subsequent illness, took his life.

Ian was the manager to give me my first chance of men’s football when he selected me to play for Oxford City first team when I was only 17. He was a quiet and dry character but he was the one that I had huge amount of respect for, he reminded me very much of Derek in that praise wasn’t quick in forthcoming so any sort of praise or a simple ‘well done’ was a pleasing thing to hear.

Ian came back on the committee when I was in my second spell at City and it was always him that I would try and get recognition from regardless of who was my manager or other committee members, and I like to think that as I got closer to my retirement I got more respect from Ian for my playing abilities. He was also a firm supporter for the Veterans team so that was good to have him come along and cast his critical eye over us old ones every now and then!

The funeral took place at the Crematorium on Thursday 27th October and unsurprisingly it was packed out. I have never been to the crematorium and they have had to have car park attendants there. I didn’t actually get in and stayed outside with many others – a good few hundred and so many faces that I recognised, so many ex-footballers.

John Maskell made a good speech and it was interesting to hear Ian’s life story, the respect afforded him from Wycombe Wanderers was fantastic and there was good representation from them.

We then went back to City club and that was packed, had a couple of drinks with the intention of going home to work again but in the end decided to stay the rest of the night with the lads who were getting absolutely steaming drunk. I’d decided quite early not to drink so after a couple of pints I stuck to coffee and coke. Then quite a few of them wanted to go to town as we went to the Living Room – which was ironic – as it was  very dead in there, Thursday night definitely wasn’t party night! A few of the lads had a laugh though and eventually I did have enough so I took Wayne, Paul and Millar home – Wayne was absolutely hanging and I am sure all three of them would be delicate the next morning…sure enough….I was right!

It was a shame that it was a funeral that brought together so many old friends and faces but sadly that will be the case now, I am sure there will be more funerals than weddings to attend!

You would like to think that for your own funeral you’d get the sort of send off as Ian got today, maybe I will and maybe I won’t – I won’t really be there to know though will I?

Some of the people there included: Dale Thorne, Nick Dawson, Shaun Bradbury, Andy Leach, Phil Simpson, Eddie Inness, Rob Tutton, Justin Merrett, Mike Ford, Bob Pratley, Andy Lyne, Andy Sinnott, Jason Millar, Wayne Holden, Paul Holden, Terry Merriman, Tommy Moxon and even Mick Woodley. He didn’t look well at all.

My Birthday Weekend & Bruno Mars

Had a really good birthday which we dragged out over the weekend.

On Saturday, Mum took us out to 10 pin bowling at The Kassam and then we went next door to Frankie & Benny’s which was really nice, we had a good time. Lewis won the bowling but he had the barriers up so being a competitive Dad I couldn’t accept that he beat me! He also brought along his current girlfriend, Katherine, who’s really nice so we’ll have to see how long this lasts! Hopefully for a while as she’s intelligent and attractive..

Had a cake and candles and people singing for me which is a bit embarrassing as I am 43!!!

Mum & Derek then came back to our house after dinner and we vegged out in front of the TV and had cheese etc. Nice evening. She gave me some money which I spent on Sunday on a printer that we desperately needed and some choccies and a book.

Next day we had a normal Sunday, Jack’s football in the morning which as he won so that helped to make the day more enjoyable and then over to Sue’s in the afternoon and tidied up some of the garden for her. Had a cake and candles and Sue got me a lovely Gucci aftershave which smells fantastic, rally pleased with it.

Finally on the Monday, 24th, the kids and Tash are on half-term but I had to work and I have so much on my plate to deal with at the minute so wasn’t relaxed at all but we had our usual family in bed present giving and that was lovely. Charlotte got me some great new socks and Thornton’s toffee (she knows my favourites), very posh John Rocha ones, the boys got me Lynx smellies and a DVD and Tash gave me my watch that I knew we’d got from the States and also a Abercrombie jumper from the States that I had completely forgotten about so that was a lovely surprise!

We had a big fry-up and I then had a shit day’s work and got things done but signed off at 4.00pm as we then all went to London for a concert as part of my birthday. We went to the Brixton O2 Academy to see Bruno Mars. I must admit I wasn’t overly excited about seeing him, it was very much for the kids and for Jack especially as he’s not been to a proper concert and he also loves the Lazy Song so much. The warm-up act was a girl called Skyler Grey and she was great, I will be looking to download her album. We then had a wait until about 9.10pm until Bruno came on and he gave a brilliantly fun and energetic performance that was really, really enjoyable. He played to the crowd but didn’t seem arrogant or anything and I am so glad that we went. Jack, Charlotte and Lewis loved it and had a great time too so that was pleasing.

We left at the end obviously, found the car okay and got home around 12.20am so quite a late one but well worth the effort and a lovely birthday. Early start in the morning with work as Jason is picking me up at 7.15am to go into the office for a hard week full of hassles. Ah well…

I must admit I was nervous about being in Brixton because of it’s history and the riots that I obviously knew about, but as Nikki said to Tash, it’s very much like the Cowley Road. Not certain how that relates but she was right, it was very, very similar indeed.

So another year gone and another year closer to my death…hopefully I have plenty more years to come and share with the family, who knows, but that’s what I wished for when cutting the cake!

Jack’s County Schools Match & Summertown

Another good weekend of football for Jack, again making me very proud of him in his football achievements. On Saturday he played against Dacorum over towards Hemel Hempstead who are used to winning and had some very good players indeed, and after initially being over-run we got a break-away goal and throughout the rest of the game they held on and won the match. It was equally exciting and frustrating as the ref wasn’t the most honest!

Jack did well, he was played at left midfield and was against an incredibly good player but by the second half he’d got used to it and coped well. I found it hard to keep quiet and wanted to encourage the boys as much as possible but I was just another interfering Dad! What was nice is that chatting to some of the other days a lot of the boys will be going to Cherwell school next year so Jack will have made friends with lads he’ll be seeing next year.

On Sunday for Summertown we played at home to Ardington, I was down to 11 players and was a bit fed up that I didn’t have enough to make a decent match of things. In saying that Ardington struggled and we looked really sharp and we looked like we’d romp home. How little I know!!

I kept fairly quiet throughout the match because I wouldn’t have been heard over their coach who was constantly shouting at his team for the whole game, quite hard to deal with that I must admit. Anyway, they went a goal up and it looked like we’d lose a game we didn’t deserve to lose. The Max scored a fortuitous goal before Jack then got two quick strikes that he’s getting good at. They then got a last goal right at the death but it wasn’t a problem as I knew there wasn’t enough time left and we won 3-2 so that was really, really pleasing.

I found out afterwards that some chap of one of the parents that I’d not met before was very complimentary of my coaching style so that was a nice thing to hear. Not often you get positive comments like that.

But more importantly was Jack’s performance, I was really pleased with him, he’s a talent.

Jack & a great footballing weekend

A good weekend for Jack…he had trials for the Oxford Schools County squad on Saturday at Cheney School but didn’t get too much playing time or action which was frustrating and I felt he could have done better.

Driving home in the car we had quite a heated discussion because he was disappointed with me not telling him he’d done well. I hadn’t realised I hadn’t, I also hadn’t realised he was quite so touchy about praise and felt that I was critical of him.

So I had an insight into this thinking briefly. It shocked me as I thought I was always so supportive of him.

Next day on Sunday he played for Summertown against AFC Brightwell and he was superb. We won 6-2, he set up two goals and scored four! Two of his goals were exceptional, and his celebration for the last one was classic ‘Cantona’, he just stood there which his arms out by his waist as if to say, “What do you think of that then?” – brilliant.

So I made a point of telling him ‘Well done’ after that performance.

Today the school received an email from the Coach in charge of selecting the Schools County side and Jack was included. I was surprised after he’d not had a chance to shine so they obviously saw something. He phoned me whilst I was at work and he was bubbling and clearly thrilled to pieces to be selected. It was announced in assembly so he was Top Dog today.

Made me smile when he asked over the phone, “So Dad, do you have something to say to me?”

Yes Jack, “WELL DONE”!

Boston Trip

Had the best of times over in the States this last week (Wednesday to Sunday) and went a bit mad. We got swept up in the eating, drinking and socialising that Andrew does on a daily basis. We were obviously there for him to try and support him during the week he should have been getting married and I hope that we played our part with him.

Got there on Wednesday around 6.00pm and got the subway to his road and walked along just in time to find everyone else turning up, stayed up late drinking with all the family, about 21 people in the end which as we were five hours behind it meant we stayed up until about 6.00am (1.00am their time!) – this was the story of things to come and 1.00am was an early night!

We experienced quite a bit of the social scene, bars and restaurants all the time, it was great fun. Tash lasted really well which surprised me greatly, I was certainly expecting a few hangovers the amount she was knocking back.

We did manage a bit of shopping, and even during that we overspent in a big way – managed to justify some of it by saying it was for my birthday – nice new Fossil watch. I did stop short at a £150.00 Robert Graham shirt, it was gorgeous, but Tash said it was ‘too gay!’. It bloody well wasn’t, just priced out. I will certainly be checking out EBay for one though!

We went around Boston for a couple of walks, made it to Cheers bar and just enjoyed the City, it’s a great place.

So, the wedding didn’t take place but it was a good experience and we made some friends with all the family that we didn’t know very well and also one of Tuck’s work colleagues, a chap called Gerry who I’d actually met 2 years ago in Cardiff at the work’s Xmas party that I very much gate-crashed…

It was odd without the kids, but at the same time it did Tash and I some good to be together, will definitely try and organise something else for the two of us to get away from it all.

Came home on the Sunday morning, was up and out the apartment around 6.00am having not gone to bed before 2.00am and then a 6 hour flight home but that was quick.Back to Oxford by 10.00pm so quite a long day.

It’s amazing how small the world is though, to be so far removed from life but only a matter of hours away, incredible really.

Charlotte’s Birthday

Diary for 28th September – written on the plane to Boston.

Charlottes birthday today, 15! Presents in the morning which she was pleased with and then went downstairs and she had a bike. Big surprise as that's a Xmas present in our house!! Off she went to school and we got text updates throughout the day as to how things were going including all her French class singing to her. Hope she had a great day.

Sadly we're not there to share it as we're off to the States for Andrew's non-wedding. Jessica is coming over to housesit with them, they'll have a great laugh I am sure. Not sure Jess really needs to be there but she's excited to be so it won't hurt and it seems more responsible on our part to have someone that bit older there I guess.

Got to the airport fine and I am typing this over the Atlantic cramped up on a bloody tiny plane. We were definitely spoilt with BA as there is no video or free beer...not too certain which I miss most! Going to be knackered though. Bed at 4am, up at 7am and then about 2 hours sleep on plane. Boston are 5 hours behind so when we have a drink at 9.30pm with tucks it will be 2am for us.

Not certain what to expect this weekend, food, beers, shopping, walking and sight seeing I am guessing. Will be odd without the kids and just me and Tash. Looking forward to it though, had to write that as she's looking over my shoulder. :-)

Anyway, have had a fairly productive flight, have created a load of lists for when we return to UK to start working through ranging from getting a front door to decorating to reading more books and downloading a music album. Going to be busy!!!

Sat waiting for luggage, been about 20 mins...where is it??? Oh. Here we go, conveyor belt moving.

The wedding that isn’t…

Off to Boston in the morning to see Tucks and go through what would have been his wedding. Really sad state of affairs and he’s so pissed off about it, can’t blame him of course.

Still up and it’s 3.53am, but have managed to blitz so much work before signing off. Not ideal but I will feel better for having offloaded so much of it.

Nice evening tonight as it’s Charlotte’s birthday in the morning, shame we’re going to be away but went to the Harvester this evening and spoilt her

Set the alarm clock..

I can hardly type…8 pints later I am ready for bed…interesting night with Jason but I am knackered!

First games of the season for Lewis & Jack

Busy weekend that’s for sure, have been working a lot of it, had John and Pauline round and I had a bit too much to drink so ruined things when they’d left with Tash which was a sour point that’s for certain.

Anyway…Jack had his first 11-a-side proper match today at home to Rotherfield Utd, yes I don’t know where that is either! They’d played last week and drawn 2-2 so were not going to be mugs and after our performance with Comets last week I must admit I was a little bit anxious.

The lads were nervous before the match but once we started they did fine. In fact they did more than fine, they had a good game, it was open and Rotherfield were a decent side but were the same standard as us so it was pretty even. Our defenders played well and Jack was looking lively up front but he wasn’t have as much joy as I hoped as they had a quick defender that we couldn’t get past.

Anyway, Jack scored a lovely break-away goal, running from the halfway line from Hal’s through ball and then slotted it home into the far corner. As the match went on into the second half then Rotherfield got stronger, but both teams had chances to score but couldn’t find that final touch. Eventually, with seconds to go we didn’t clear a corner properly and they scored to level the scores and before we could even get the ball out of the net the ref blew the whistle. Frustrating to lose the points right at the death but it was a fair result really.

Everyone enjoyed it and hopefully we can improve on things

Quick lunch break and then it was Lewis’s team to play Cholsey who are always sharp. After last week’s thrashing that the hands of the u18’s and the hap-hazard approach we have to games I was very nervous about this game. Thankfully that concern was quickly brushed aside as we played the best football I have ever seen us play, as a team they were awesome and worked so damned hard it was incredible.

Having a couple of new players with such talent such as Myles and Elias is always going to help but there was a real hard working team ethic today from every single player, it made me really proud of them. It was a very close first half in which we edged it at half-time 3-1 but the second half we destroyed them and the final score was 8-1. They did miss a penalty and had a chance cleared off the line but at the other end we carved them wide open and Thabelo missed so many chances it could have been double-figures.

So all in all a good day’s football really.

Caught up with Mum, she’s just got home from Norfolk for the week and had a great time and was chatting loads.

Had dinner at Sue’s afterwards and then did some chores at home before leaving at 9.00pm to come to Kent and the Encore Hotel for the night. Unfortunately there was a crash on the M25 which closed it off it was that serious which meant a few times of simply sat in the dark with the engine off. So my 2 hours journey took about 3.5 hours in the end – not good as I wanted to do some work in the hotel to carry out some final testing.

Hopefully this week I will get to bed at some better hours than last week because of my work load. Tues, Wed, Thurs I didn’t go to bed before 2.30am and on Friday night I finished working at 3.40am – ridiculous and unsustainable.

In saying that, it’s not 00.35am so I had better sign off now as I have Hodder coming in tomorrow for training, should be fun….

City Veterans back in action

Started the new season on Wednesday and played against Wantage. We have a very strong side again with some teams folding, Kidlington one of them, and their best players wanting to join us. It was good to see some new faces in the changing room but all the old ones from last season too.

I was really worried about playing as I have been struggling with my back lately and also have done no fitness work for about 8 weeks but actually I felt okay and had a good game. Went on a couple of my runs and enjoyed myself.

We have a game every week now for a few weeks which is good as it builds up the fitness.

New kit as well because Steve Tavinor who got badly injured has received some compensation and wanted to thank us for the support we gave him so that was a really good touch from him.

Jack’s first 11-a-side match

We had our first 11-a-side match on Sunday for Jack’s team now that they have become u11’s. It was only a friendly against the Comets but it was still important for them to get used to the differences of playing and also the offside rule. They did well, it was very congested and they will need a lot more coaching but it was encouraging.

What was really pleasing is how quickly Jack adapted to it, he appeared to be quicker than everyone and was certainly really sharp and scored a good variety of goals. We drew 4-4 in the end and Jack scored all 4!! He missed an open goal and a penalty so could have had a hat-full. I seriously think he could score 50 goals this season, that will be phenomenal if he managed that. We’ll have to wait and see.

Lewis had a friendly against the Summertown u18s and got thumped, the less said about that the better. Seriously lacking any sort of fitness which we will have to address.

A new student arrived, she’s called Bella, is from Switzerland and should be with us until Xmas. Seems nice enough so hopefully she’ll stay. That will help with the various expenses we have on our plate at the minute

On Saturday night we went over to Jason Millar’s as it was his birthday celebration and that was nice, James & Melissa were there as were Wayne & Kerry and the girls and Paul & Pauline. Went over to Didcot club to watch Man U stuff Bolton 5-0, all over after 25 minutes, they’re too good at the minute and we ended up have 5 pints in a very short space of time, James drinks too quickly for me! I was very drunk by the end of the night but I think I was okay…

Have been at King’s Lynn today with work to see Learning Resources and Pandora Books, finished a bit early so went to the beach (Brancaster) and then Mum called to say they were at the holiday cottage they’re staying at this week with Grandma, Sue & Roger and Sue & Simon. It was nice to see where they were staying and see them all, I only stayed an hour and then left for a the 3 hour drive to the hotel as I am staying down in Rochester tonight. I think they were pleased I went and saw them.

Curry at the hotel on arrival, needed it but didn’t need it if you know what I mean. I am so very overweight at the minute, but I simply can’t be bothered to work to get rid of it. We have a Veteran’s match on Wednesday and I really think I am going to injure myself. Bit worried about it, but not so worried that I have bothered to do anything about it. Shame really. Not sure what’s wrong with me. Work seems to be affecting me at the minute which I need to fight against.

Not looking forward to being in the office tomorrow, it’s going to be a long day!