Phil Brown, the Hull manager, has one game left to avoid getting the sack. Paul Hart, the Portsmouth manager doesn't know whether his players will get paid or in fact who owns the club he manages. At the same club, Portsmouth, Avram Grant waits in the wings for a work permit to help 'aid' manager Hart. Marlon King, the Wigan striker, has been sent to prison for 18 months for actual bodily harm on a woman. He has also been given the sack by the clubs chairman Dave Whelan. Welcome to the beautiful game - still, at least most of the 'Pompey' players are millionaires so lets not feel too sorry for them!.
Yesterday I treat 'Lamb', Kev and 'Bevs' to a spot of lunch. I can't deny that it hurt me to spend the children's pocket money on the lads, but they needed a bit of a boost so 'Tarzan' had to step in. With 'Lamb' considering becoming a carpet or conservatory fitter (recently let down by both), Kev considering becoming a painter (a superb cameo role in the paint pot lifting challenge has spurred him on) and 'Bevs' considering becoming a goalkeeper again (harsh on the big fella, I know) I felt that treating them to some food, drink, and banter was the least I could do to raise their spirits - the banter was free.
It was good to catch up though, after all I hadn't seen them for a while-fifteen minutes earlier on the training ground to be precise!. I don't know who was sweating more in there, Bevs about whether to have a cake or not, or 'Kev' who drips in the bucket load at the mere thought of public and food!.
Next round on 'Bevs'.
Tomorrow I face my old club Northampton, ten managers, three chairman, four years, and an emotional last game, and last goal, for the club in a play-off defeat is a quick summary of life at the Cobblers for me.
Another quick summary is that we are going all out to win the game. It has been a long time since I wrote about a victory, I hope that this time tomorrow that is the case.
CH
CH
Friday, 30 October 2009
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Hair raising
A blog of epic shortness tonight. A combination of Halloween preparations, a working wife, half term and a late writing challenge (Herald tomorrow - subject, Swine flu) have put pay to any long winded Hargreaves isms this evening. After 1500 words, four pumpkins and a skeleton in a pear tree I am done for, for today.
I do though have to report that I think the nine month prison sentence of a biker caught speeding in the Highlands of Scotland is harsh. Yes he was going 166mph, the judge agreed there was nothing else anywhere near him to endanger (apart from a speed gun) but said that he should be punished for being a danger to himself! A long ban and a heavy fine maybe but to bang up a hard working bloke (a hairdresser as it goes), with a clean record, amongst other, lets say, more salubrious characters than himself, seems a bit extreme.
You would get less time inside for mugging someone or robbing the corner shop, now that is surely wrong. Rant over and out.
CH
I do though have to report that I think the nine month prison sentence of a biker caught speeding in the Highlands of Scotland is harsh. Yes he was going 166mph, the judge agreed there was nothing else anywhere near him to endanger (apart from a speed gun) but said that he should be punished for being a danger to himself! A long ban and a heavy fine maybe but to bang up a hard working bloke (a hairdresser as it goes), with a clean record, amongst other, lets say, more salubrious characters than himself, seems a bit extreme.
You would get less time inside for mugging someone or robbing the corner shop, now that is surely wrong. Rant over and out.
CH
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Paint Pot
I'll set the scene, it's dark, Harriet is desperate for the toilet, Cameron is coughing at 100cpm (coughs per minute), Isabella is asking me for the fourth time in ten minutes how long there is to go and I am being slowly garroted by my 501's. Add to that the fact that I have gone from 70mph, to 60, to 50, incredibly to 40 and then back to 50 - yes the speed camera's again I'm afraid - where do you think I am?
You've guessed it I am in the car having picked the children up at Tamworth services.
With the first leg over and after kissing Auntie Becky goodbye (thanks again and have you seen a picture yet?) we all jumped in the car, again, and began the final trek home. I hate the M42, despise the M5 and am now two inches shorter than when I set off. That sums up the seven hour round trip that I have just endured.
Oh and I also got a call from Wayne and Toddy, with two hours still to go, asking if they should wait for me before they order a pint of the black stuff (thanks lads, just rub it in).
Ok I can now move on.
It was great to see the children again - two days is long enough apart.
On the way back Hatty told me a story "Once a once a time a girl called Tommy went for a walk with she's friend, Susi, a pomegranate falled off a tree, and she was three and then she was six"! Those haribos need checking out I think!
Today at the club we set a few records, the first was how many players we could fit on a pitch in one session, about 50 was the answer. The second was a fitness record, not bench pressing, dips or even rowing though. No, how long could you hold up two large cans of emulsion in each hand!! the answer, so far, 1min 3 sec. More on that subject on Thursday.
For now though it's traction and bed.
CH
You've guessed it I am in the car having picked the children up at Tamworth services.
With the first leg over and after kissing Auntie Becky goodbye (thanks again and have you seen a picture yet?) we all jumped in the car, again, and began the final trek home. I hate the M42, despise the M5 and am now two inches shorter than when I set off. That sums up the seven hour round trip that I have just endured.
Oh and I also got a call from Wayne and Toddy, with two hours still to go, asking if they should wait for me before they order a pint of the black stuff (thanks lads, just rub it in).
Ok I can now move on.
It was great to see the children again - two days is long enough apart.
On the way back Hatty told me a story "Once a once a time a girl called Tommy went for a walk with she's friend, Susi, a pomegranate falled off a tree, and she was three and then she was six"! Those haribos need checking out I think!
Today at the club we set a few records, the first was how many players we could fit on a pitch in one session, about 50 was the answer. The second was a fitness record, not bench pressing, dips or even rowing though. No, how long could you hold up two large cans of emulsion in each hand!! the answer, so far, 1min 3 sec. More on that subject on Thursday.
For now though it's traction and bed.
CH
Monday, 26 October 2009
50 MPH
Am I the only one who has noticed ? Is the whole of Britain's road network now under the control of 50 mph speed cameras. Whether it be Holden Hill in Devon, the M5, the M1, or the M whatever, every road that I have driven on in the last 24 hours has been littered with the old 'I AM DETERMINED THAT YOU WILL NOT GET HOME TONIGHT' devices.
Not only that but the journey back home, to the 'Northern Riviera' always takes you five hours. You can stop three times for toilet breaks and sweet top ups, drive at 60 mph (if that's possible), have horrendous traffic en route and it will take you five hours. You can also drive not stop, have no traffic en route, drive like Jenson Button and yet it will still take you five hours. It is freakish.
For fear of turning into Jeremy Clarkson I will stop talking cars and motorways.
Instead I will talk football, but in boxing terms. If Saturday's game could have been settled on points it would have been a unanimous decision, we hammered them. Unfortunately though we couldn't finish them off and although a point isn't enough, that next victory is going to come soon and with it hopefully a run of results.
Again our support was fantastic, a long trek, an expensive day, and no points to take home must be hard to bear but we really need that sort of following to pull us through.
My wife and I returned home to Devon 'childrenless', the children wanted to stay for a few extra days to spend more time with their Auntie Becky and cousins Josh and Millie - not forgetting a little package of fur called Bruno. Yes Bruno the puppy was melting hearts this weekend, although the 5.30 yelping on Sunday morning was a killer!
Finally 'Hanson Hargreaves' continued on the sofa today, I just cannot wait to comment on a T.U.F.C victory. Apologies to all if it put you off your tea. (I will keep you a copy though Kev, and you too 'Lamb').
Talking of those two lads I will be treating them, and Scott 'UFC' Beaven to lunch on Thursday. They all need a bit of TLC from the big man, I won't let you down boys. Just text me on Wednesday night to remind me though!
P.S Just watched the final of Masterchef, top stuff, and yes I realise I am getting old ! I have talked about speed limits, driving conditions and cooking.
Tomorrow I will respond with a 'phat' and 'dark' piece of 'bling' scripting, peace.
CH
Not only that but the journey back home, to the 'Northern Riviera' always takes you five hours. You can stop three times for toilet breaks and sweet top ups, drive at 60 mph (if that's possible), have horrendous traffic en route and it will take you five hours. You can also drive not stop, have no traffic en route, drive like Jenson Button and yet it will still take you five hours. It is freakish.
For fear of turning into Jeremy Clarkson I will stop talking cars and motorways.
Instead I will talk football, but in boxing terms. If Saturday's game could have been settled on points it would have been a unanimous decision, we hammered them. Unfortunately though we couldn't finish them off and although a point isn't enough, that next victory is going to come soon and with it hopefully a run of results.
Again our support was fantastic, a long trek, an expensive day, and no points to take home must be hard to bear but we really need that sort of following to pull us through.
My wife and I returned home to Devon 'childrenless', the children wanted to stay for a few extra days to spend more time with their Auntie Becky and cousins Josh and Millie - not forgetting a little package of fur called Bruno. Yes Bruno the puppy was melting hearts this weekend, although the 5.30 yelping on Sunday morning was a killer!
Finally 'Hanson Hargreaves' continued on the sofa today, I just cannot wait to comment on a T.U.F.C victory. Apologies to all if it put you off your tea. (I will keep you a copy though Kev, and you too 'Lamb').
Talking of those two lads I will be treating them, and Scott 'UFC' Beaven to lunch on Thursday. They all need a bit of TLC from the big man, I won't let you down boys. Just text me on Wednesday night to remind me though!
P.S Just watched the final of Masterchef, top stuff, and yes I realise I am getting old ! I have talked about speed limits, driving conditions and cooking.
Tomorrow I will respond with a 'phat' and 'dark' piece of 'bling' scripting, peace.
CH
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Short Trip
Just got back to Devon after a short trip 'Up North' (short trip, mammoth drive). I am without children, without a back and without words. Back to business tomorrow.
CH
CH
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Football Fest
It's a football fest tonight so whilst my wife is out of the room I am taking the opportunity to enjoy the channel hopping - three games to choose from is a dream, as is the cake I have just quickly wolfed down!(one of Scott Rendell's Birthday offerings).
Wife now back in the room, football off, but cake destroyed.
Driving back from Maidencombe tonight I saw a sight which put a smile on my face, a young lad in a Torquay shirt on a football pitch on his own. He was smashing the ball into the net time after time, no doubt as well doing a few kick-ups here and there - I remember the day's! To see a Torquay shirt being worn, rather than a premiership one, was an added bonus.
I am not trying to become a football spin doctor here but after a conversation with a wise old man (my Dad), I have decided to stop moaning about the league position that we are in. In his words "Son you would rather be 3rd from bottom of the football league with 30 games to go than be attempting to get into the conference play-offs with 30 games to go". I agreed.
I know there have been a few rumblings about the money situation we are in at T.U.F.C but there are some top people at this club, juggling more than one role, so let's hope that we start winning, more people turn up to watch - and we reach the Quarter finals of the F.A cup - so that the pressure can be eased a bit for all concerned.
Now for ease of writing, and ease of reading, I will now give you a few classic Hagreaves statements;
To Gary in Australia, I am willing, for research duties, to come over in the summer and check out any budding talent that we can recruit for Torquay Utd F.C. I will obviously need to get acclimatised first and also sample the local food, drink and surf!
To Paul in China, I am willing, for research duties, to come over in the summer and check out any budding talent that we can recruit for for Torquay Utd F.C. I will obviously need to get acclimatised first and also sample the local food, drink and surf !!
To Dave and Clare in Holyhead, keep in touch !!!
To the man in the red Hyundai, you can put it in second gear, you can drive above 20mph, you can fit through a crater sized gap, you can go on green, you did make me late, and no one is looking at your shiny new car.
CH
Wife now back in the room, football off, but cake destroyed.
Driving back from Maidencombe tonight I saw a sight which put a smile on my face, a young lad in a Torquay shirt on a football pitch on his own. He was smashing the ball into the net time after time, no doubt as well doing a few kick-ups here and there - I remember the day's! To see a Torquay shirt being worn, rather than a premiership one, was an added bonus.
I am not trying to become a football spin doctor here but after a conversation with a wise old man (my Dad), I have decided to stop moaning about the league position that we are in. In his words "Son you would rather be 3rd from bottom of the football league with 30 games to go than be attempting to get into the conference play-offs with 30 games to go". I agreed.
I know there have been a few rumblings about the money situation we are in at T.U.F.C but there are some top people at this club, juggling more than one role, so let's hope that we start winning, more people turn up to watch - and we reach the Quarter finals of the F.A cup - so that the pressure can be eased a bit for all concerned.
Now for ease of writing, and ease of reading, I will now give you a few classic Hagreaves statements;
To Gary in Australia, I am willing, for research duties, to come over in the summer and check out any budding talent that we can recruit for Torquay Utd F.C. I will obviously need to get acclimatised first and also sample the local food, drink and surf!
To Paul in China, I am willing, for research duties, to come over in the summer and check out any budding talent that we can recruit for for Torquay Utd F.C. I will obviously need to get acclimatised first and also sample the local food, drink and surf !!
To Dave and Clare in Holyhead, keep in touch !!!
To the man in the red Hyundai, you can put it in second gear, you can drive above 20mph, you can fit through a crater sized gap, you can go on green, you did make me late, and no one is looking at your shiny new car.
CH
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Get Well Card
Get well soon Dan! My next door neighbour and tennis chum has fractured his wrist playing....you've guessed it, football. That means no tennis for us and no surfing for Dan, oh and no work. Don't worry mate I will drop you a copy of Captain's Blog in for those boring rainy day's!
Excitement is growing in the Hargreaves household as half term draws closer - Halloween, Cam's Birthday, Bonfire night and Christmas are also massive topics of conversation! When the school bell goes, signalling the half term break, the car will be filled to the brim with DVD player's, crayons, sweets, chocolate and children. Fiona is taking the clan to see her sister, not only will all the children be able to play with their cousins they will also be able to meet a new addition, Bruno the dog (breed unknown yet but it's cute). Harriet will be frightened to death at first but I've not doubt that before long she will be refusing to go to bed unless she is actually allowed to sleep in the dog basket.
I will attempt to get home at some point, result permitting, as the last time I visited the Northern contingent was after a certain visit to London in the summer!.
Must go now as the conclusion to 'Harpers Island' is fast approaching.
CH
Excitement is growing in the Hargreaves household as half term draws closer - Halloween, Cam's Birthday, Bonfire night and Christmas are also massive topics of conversation! When the school bell goes, signalling the half term break, the car will be filled to the brim with DVD player's, crayons, sweets, chocolate and children. Fiona is taking the clan to see her sister, not only will all the children be able to play with their cousins they will also be able to meet a new addition, Bruno the dog (breed unknown yet but it's cute). Harriet will be frightened to death at first but I've not doubt that before long she will be refusing to go to bed unless she is actually allowed to sleep in the dog basket.
I will attempt to get home at some point, result permitting, as the last time I visited the Northern contingent was after a certain visit to London in the summer!.
Must go now as the conclusion to 'Harpers Island' is fast approaching.
CH
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