Bleak mid winter

Our Boxing Day match was postponed, shame! Today offered a 10 hour journey across the country which is one I will save until the summer when I expect Grimsby will be a bit warmer and merrier.

Exit stage right

I am guessing that whatever happens in tonight's match it is the Europa League for Liverpool. Ah, well, the only way is up.

This season has already passed its zenith

Okay one match doesn't make a season but it may save one because other than this one result nothing to shout about for any fellow red fan.

Rocking Robins 2-1

Waddon Road, or what is now Abbey Business Stadium, is small, neat, and in a nice residential area slightly north of central Cheltenham. Twenty quid to get in isn't cheap but the seats were good and we got in and out easy enough. And we had a roof over us - this time to protect us from the sun!

Grimsby on top in the first half but couldn't maintain their dominance, or put a second one past the Robbins' keeper. The proverbial match of two halves.

Bring on the new season

Well plans are afoot for the next game; friendlies ignored. And a mere five weeks to wait. Starting with a new ground for me but in the south; lower division of course. So counting the Saturdays!

Watch this space.

What a Deva

This stadium is small but does have ample parking around the ground (£3.00). I joined the away fans behind the southern end goal. The stand was nominally seated but everyone stood up during the football. Catering in this stand was outside the ground. Less than 3,000 watched the drawn match and nearly half of this crowd were away fans who certainly out sang the homers.



Less than 20 years old the ground is now at the end of a retail park and can be reached without going inot Chester at all. The stadium announcer, bizarrely a Man Utd fan, was easily heard but I couldn't see any scoreboard. Ticket prices on the day were all a tenner, dropped in an effort to persuade more locals in I think; Chester also in real danger of being relegated like Grimsby.

What a Gigg!

Gigg Lane is a late twenty century affair. A capacity of 11,000 was nearly filled for the local derby against Rochdale I saw. The tea was more expensive and hotter than at PNE up at £1.60.
I drove to the ground and parked some 15 minutes walk from the ground no problem, well actually I was lucky to drop on a place that close. Most side roads require resident permits. Getting out meant a 40 minute shuffle for the first 2 miles but otherwise fine!

The football was good and the crowd lively and the atmosphere friendly enough for such an important local tie. I sat with locals in south stand; in an unreserved seat.  I noticed some others changed seats at half time. Definite 7 out of 10, I would go again.

Goal fest at Deepdale

Deepdale is now a tidy Championship ground with all four sides renewed though it appears one side is not quite finished. Amazing I saw a goal in the first few minutes, a penalty but boded well for further entertainment as Ipswich were playing well. And so it was, I enjoyed a match with five gaols the lion's share going to the home side.

There is little to distinguish the ground from many others save maybe the portraits of famous players made in the seats at each end; Shankly and Alan Kelly; and of course of Sir Tom Finney where I sat. Outside the National Football Museum is part of the set-up and worth a visit.
The tea cost £1.50 and my seat £21.50. I arrived on foot after being dropped off by good lady but parking is possible. Buses to the centre are available and the rail station is on the west coast mainline so well connected.

Draws yes, but not where predicted

31 Jan 09
 1. Arsenal: 0 West Ham: 0 - Wrong
 2. Villa: 0 Wigan: 0 - Wrong
 3. Bolton: 3 Tottenham: 2 - Wrong
 4. Fulham: 3 Portsmouth: 1 - Wrong
 5. Hull: 2 WBA: 2 - Wrong
 6. Man Utd: 1 Everton: 0 - Correct result!
 7. M'boro: 0 Blackburn: 0 - Wrong
 8. Stoke: 1 Man City: 0 - Wrong
1 Feb 09
 1. Liverpool: 2 Chelsea: 0 - Wrong
 2. Newcastle: 1 Sunderland: 1 - Correct result!

A bad set of predictions then!

The Reds draws continue

31 Jan 09
1. 3:00pm Arsenal 2-0 West Ham (Home win)
2. 3:00pm Villa 1-0 Wigan (Home win)
3. 3:00pm Bolton 1-1 Tottenham (Draw)
4. 3:00pm Fulham 1-1 Portsmouth (Draw)
5. 3:00pm Hull 0-2 WBA (Away win)
6. 3:00pm Man Utd 2-0 Everton (Home win)
7. 3:00pm M'boro 0-1 Blackburn (Away win)
8. 3:00pm Stoke 0-2 Man City (Away win)
1 Feb 09
1. 4:00pm Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea (Draw)
2. 1:30pm Newcastle 2-2 Sunderland (Draw)