Post by Macmoish on Oct 15, 2010 13:45:24 GMT
Football League/Chris Charles
THE CHRIS CHARLES BLOG 11
Posted on: 15.10.2010
To borrow a song title from Lloyd Cole, long-suffering Championship fans were subjected to another Lost Weekend - and for what?
Thanks, England - that's another 90 minutes of my life I won't get back. Fortunately a repeat later that evening of the 1991 Bullseye Christmas special, featuring Frank Bruno and Linda Lusardi, put a smile back on my face - so bad it was good.
Second-tier supporters found themselves doing things they wouldn't normally dream of on Saturday afternoons, best illustrated by 'West Ardsley White' on the Unofficial Leeds United messageboard.
"I hate Saturdays wi no match on," he wrote. "I have to do all the poxy jobs I keep ignoring - I had to put a light up in the conservatory, fix the door trim in the kitchen, clean out the garage, fit a (flipping) water butt on the side of the house and talk to the missus!"
I'd love to hear her version of events.
On the same forum, a bored 'King Currie' asked: "Anyone else interested in quantum physics?" - to which another user replied: "Not really - I know it's not rocket science, though."
Meanwhile, the following conversation transpired after 'Forza Leeds' asked: "What's your favourite Steve McQueen film?"
Tony Montana: "Cool Hand Luke."
Freddie Quinlan: "Isn't that Paul Newman?"
Tony Montana: "Yeah, probably."
While the Championship was barren, there was plenty of football being played in Leagues 1 and 2, as an ageing rock star took centre stage.
Gareth Ainsworth, Wycombe's 37-year-old midfielder, brought up his 100th league goal with a cracker, smashing home an unstoppable 30-yarder in the 2-1 win at Burton.
Ainsworth, known as 'Wild Thing', marked the moment with a Pete Townsend-esque windmill guitar celebration, harking back to his QPR days when he fronted a band called Dog Chewed the Handle.
As absurd canine-themed group names go, it's right up there with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, although not in the same league as Ken Dodd's Dad's Dog's Dead.
Ainsworth, who I was lucky enough to see score ITV's Goal of the Year at Rushden & Diamonds in 2004, has hung up his guitar for now, although he admitted he keeps getting pestered by his team-mates to bring recordings of his songs in.
"Maybe I'll bring a cd to the gym," he mused, before conceding: "I might get laughed out of the place!"
While Ainsworth is still banging the goals in, another oldie, Oldham player-manager Paul Dickov, is not getting a look-in.
Latics striker Chris Taylor, who scored in the 3-1 win at Brentford, said: "The gaffer is desperate for a game but if I keep scoring he'll be staying on the bench." Tsk, tsk, the impudence of youth.
Brighton stayed top of League 1, but were denied all three points after Bournemouth were awarded a controversial last-minute penalty to snatch a point at the Withdean.
Tommy Elphick was ruled to have handled - although Cherries sub Steve Fletcher looked equally guilty - and it was debatable whether the offence even took place in the penalty area.
Elphick exclaimed: "I'm two million per cent sure it was outside the box." Sorry, Tommy, we need you to be a bit more certain than that.
Colchester lost the last-but-one unbeaten record in the Football League after losing 3-0 at home to Huddersfield.
The Terriers opened the scoring through Lee Novak, the subject of arguably the best chant in the league: "We've got Novak, We've got Nova-aa-ak, Our carpets are filthy, We've got Novak!" Genius.
Southampton continued to move menacingly up the table and Hartlepool are also bang in form, with their 2-0 defeat of Peterborough making it three wins in a row.
Over on Hartlepool messageboard 'The Blue And White Datsun Owners Club' (is that the best forum name ever?), one supporter decided to celebrate his club's fine run in style.
'Sussex07' announced: "Staying in a caravan this weekend, all thanks to The Sun's £9.50 holidays - bet yer all jealous."
To which 'Mutley Rules' replied: "Busman's holiday, then?"
Meanwhile, Notts County fans were appealing for new chants to lift the spirits following the defeat by Carlisle.
One suggested a ditty to the tune of the P*****cat Dolls' favourite - "Don't cha wish your left-back was Jon Harley?", while 'Swingate United' came up with a slightly more leftfield idea:
"Alan Judge, Alan Judge,
"He's smaller than a finger of fudge.
"But he still gives us a treat
"When he's got the ball at his feet."
Hate to break it to you, Swingate, but I don't think Bob Dylan will be losing any sleep over that one.
In League 2, Crewe let the side down by only starring in a six-goal thriller, following the previous week's 5-5 draw with Chesterfield.
On that occasion, they threw away a 4-1 lead, while this time they came from 2-0 and 3-1 down to share the spoils with Torquay.
Chesterfield, meanwhile, saw off Southend 2-1 to move up to second in the table, although the main source of entertainment was provided off the pitch.
'Bob's Board' forum user 'Dave In Footie Heaven' said: "Did anyone witness the traffic cone getting stuck under the St John's Ambulance as it left the car park?
"Try as they might, they could not dislodge that cone as a growing crowd of fans enjoyed the hilarious spectacle."
'Spireite James' replied: "We was three cars behind it. Just drove past, though, because we were getting rather inpatient." If Carlsberg did typos...
Carling Cup heroes Northampton continue to struggle in the league, going down 1-0 at Cheltenham. They must wish they could play Liverpool every week.
Bottom-of-the-table Hereford got a useful point against leaders Port Vale under the leadership of their physio, Jamie Pitman.
If he carries on like this, it won't be long before the Edgar Street faithful borrow the classic Tranmere chant about Les Parry: "Who needs Mourinho? We've got our physio!"
Ossie Ardiles was the shock name in the frame for the Bulls' manager's job after chairman David Keyte revealed the Argentine legend had applied.
But it was news to a bemused Ardiles, who claimed: "I have no idea why the CV is there. I'm not interested in the job and I've not applied." No word on David Icke's application yet either - I'll keep you posted.
We'll finish off by heading to Rotherham's Millers Mad messageboard, where 'Pearson_rufc' had a bee in his bonnet after seeing his side held at home by Stevenage, leading to the following conversation:
Pearson: "Bradford, Burton and now Stevenage! Every time we pay against a team in the colour yellow, not only do we draw the game, but we play dreadful and are lucky to get the draw."
Ash_rufc: "Burton wore white and blue."
Pearson: "Ha ha - nice. Bad memory…..but the point still remains they could have been wearing yellow."
Have a good weekend one and all. I'm off to see if QPR can hang on to the last undefeated record in the Football League at home to Norwich - who almost certainly will be wearing yellow. I fear the worst.
My knowledgeable five-year-old daughter has predicted 3-2 to Rangers. If she's right, she's picking my Euromillions numbers next week.To contact Chris with an interesting story/quote/chant to share, then email him on chris.charles@football-league.co.uk or contact him via Twitter at twitter.com/chris__charles.
www.football-league.co.uk/page/ChrisCharlesBlog/0,,10794~2185301,00.html
THE CHRIS CHARLES BLOG 11
Posted on: 15.10.2010
To borrow a song title from Lloyd Cole, long-suffering Championship fans were subjected to another Lost Weekend - and for what?
Thanks, England - that's another 90 minutes of my life I won't get back. Fortunately a repeat later that evening of the 1991 Bullseye Christmas special, featuring Frank Bruno and Linda Lusardi, put a smile back on my face - so bad it was good.
Second-tier supporters found themselves doing things they wouldn't normally dream of on Saturday afternoons, best illustrated by 'West Ardsley White' on the Unofficial Leeds United messageboard.
"I hate Saturdays wi no match on," he wrote. "I have to do all the poxy jobs I keep ignoring - I had to put a light up in the conservatory, fix the door trim in the kitchen, clean out the garage, fit a (flipping) water butt on the side of the house and talk to the missus!"
I'd love to hear her version of events.
On the same forum, a bored 'King Currie' asked: "Anyone else interested in quantum physics?" - to which another user replied: "Not really - I know it's not rocket science, though."
Meanwhile, the following conversation transpired after 'Forza Leeds' asked: "What's your favourite Steve McQueen film?"
Tony Montana: "Cool Hand Luke."
Freddie Quinlan: "Isn't that Paul Newman?"
Tony Montana: "Yeah, probably."
While the Championship was barren, there was plenty of football being played in Leagues 1 and 2, as an ageing rock star took centre stage.
Gareth Ainsworth, Wycombe's 37-year-old midfielder, brought up his 100th league goal with a cracker, smashing home an unstoppable 30-yarder in the 2-1 win at Burton.
Ainsworth, known as 'Wild Thing', marked the moment with a Pete Townsend-esque windmill guitar celebration, harking back to his QPR days when he fronted a band called Dog Chewed the Handle.
As absurd canine-themed group names go, it's right up there with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, although not in the same league as Ken Dodd's Dad's Dog's Dead.
Ainsworth, who I was lucky enough to see score ITV's Goal of the Year at Rushden & Diamonds in 2004, has hung up his guitar for now, although he admitted he keeps getting pestered by his team-mates to bring recordings of his songs in.
"Maybe I'll bring a cd to the gym," he mused, before conceding: "I might get laughed out of the place!"
While Ainsworth is still banging the goals in, another oldie, Oldham player-manager Paul Dickov, is not getting a look-in.
Latics striker Chris Taylor, who scored in the 3-1 win at Brentford, said: "The gaffer is desperate for a game but if I keep scoring he'll be staying on the bench." Tsk, tsk, the impudence of youth.
Brighton stayed top of League 1, but were denied all three points after Bournemouth were awarded a controversial last-minute penalty to snatch a point at the Withdean.
Tommy Elphick was ruled to have handled - although Cherries sub Steve Fletcher looked equally guilty - and it was debatable whether the offence even took place in the penalty area.
Elphick exclaimed: "I'm two million per cent sure it was outside the box." Sorry, Tommy, we need you to be a bit more certain than that.
Colchester lost the last-but-one unbeaten record in the Football League after losing 3-0 at home to Huddersfield.
The Terriers opened the scoring through Lee Novak, the subject of arguably the best chant in the league: "We've got Novak, We've got Nova-aa-ak, Our carpets are filthy, We've got Novak!" Genius.
Southampton continued to move menacingly up the table and Hartlepool are also bang in form, with their 2-0 defeat of Peterborough making it three wins in a row.
Over on Hartlepool messageboard 'The Blue And White Datsun Owners Club' (is that the best forum name ever?), one supporter decided to celebrate his club's fine run in style.
'Sussex07' announced: "Staying in a caravan this weekend, all thanks to The Sun's £9.50 holidays - bet yer all jealous."
To which 'Mutley Rules' replied: "Busman's holiday, then?"
Meanwhile, Notts County fans were appealing for new chants to lift the spirits following the defeat by Carlisle.
One suggested a ditty to the tune of the P*****cat Dolls' favourite - "Don't cha wish your left-back was Jon Harley?", while 'Swingate United' came up with a slightly more leftfield idea:
"Alan Judge, Alan Judge,
"He's smaller than a finger of fudge.
"But he still gives us a treat
"When he's got the ball at his feet."
Hate to break it to you, Swingate, but I don't think Bob Dylan will be losing any sleep over that one.
In League 2, Crewe let the side down by only starring in a six-goal thriller, following the previous week's 5-5 draw with Chesterfield.
On that occasion, they threw away a 4-1 lead, while this time they came from 2-0 and 3-1 down to share the spoils with Torquay.
Chesterfield, meanwhile, saw off Southend 2-1 to move up to second in the table, although the main source of entertainment was provided off the pitch.
'Bob's Board' forum user 'Dave In Footie Heaven' said: "Did anyone witness the traffic cone getting stuck under the St John's Ambulance as it left the car park?
"Try as they might, they could not dislodge that cone as a growing crowd of fans enjoyed the hilarious spectacle."
'Spireite James' replied: "We was three cars behind it. Just drove past, though, because we were getting rather inpatient." If Carlsberg did typos...
Carling Cup heroes Northampton continue to struggle in the league, going down 1-0 at Cheltenham. They must wish they could play Liverpool every week.
Bottom-of-the-table Hereford got a useful point against leaders Port Vale under the leadership of their physio, Jamie Pitman.
If he carries on like this, it won't be long before the Edgar Street faithful borrow the classic Tranmere chant about Les Parry: "Who needs Mourinho? We've got our physio!"
Ossie Ardiles was the shock name in the frame for the Bulls' manager's job after chairman David Keyte revealed the Argentine legend had applied.
But it was news to a bemused Ardiles, who claimed: "I have no idea why the CV is there. I'm not interested in the job and I've not applied." No word on David Icke's application yet either - I'll keep you posted.
We'll finish off by heading to Rotherham's Millers Mad messageboard, where 'Pearson_rufc' had a bee in his bonnet after seeing his side held at home by Stevenage, leading to the following conversation:
Pearson: "Bradford, Burton and now Stevenage! Every time we pay against a team in the colour yellow, not only do we draw the game, but we play dreadful and are lucky to get the draw."
Ash_rufc: "Burton wore white and blue."
Pearson: "Ha ha - nice. Bad memory…..but the point still remains they could have been wearing yellow."
Have a good weekend one and all. I'm off to see if QPR can hang on to the last undefeated record in the Football League at home to Norwich - who almost certainly will be wearing yellow. I fear the worst.
My knowledgeable five-year-old daughter has predicted 3-2 to Rangers. If she's right, she's picking my Euromillions numbers next week.To contact Chris with an interesting story/quote/chant to share, then email him on chris.charles@football-league.co.uk or contact him via Twitter at twitter.com/chris__charles.
www.football-league.co.uk/page/ChrisCharlesBlog/0,,10794~2185301,00.html