It's that time again, the night before the first game of the season, and it feels like it always has, a mixture of excitement and relief. Excitement that you are soon going to be hearing the 'bell' sound, and relief that that the build up and talk will soon be over. It is time to go back to work.
As I always say there are no crystal balls or tea leaves and no predictions, all there is is a determination to do well from a group of lad's and set of staff that want success. I hope for the fans that tomorrow is an enjoyable day, for that to happen, as always, we go to win the game.
For now though it's a Berocca, a slice of 'Prison Break' and an 'earlyish' night.
CH
Friday, 7 August 2009
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Fatherly love
Belated congratulations to 'next door's', yes Paul and Amanda, our 'other' next door neighbours, are the proud parents of baby Molly . And their three year old son Will has cause for double the excitement. Not only does he now have a baby sister to play with, he also has a proper girlfriend. Yes Harriet Hargreaves is in town !!!. They are currently taking it easy at this stage but 'woe be tide' any toddler who comes between 'Willy' and 'Hatty'. 'H' is not to be messed with !.
Obviously at this stage I can make light of the fact that one of my daughter's has a boyfriend but, and it is a big but, when the day comes that a testosterone filled youth knocks on the Hargreaves door, offers a limp, warm handshake and then attempts to drive her off in a car that looks like it has just reversed into Halfords, then 'Houston' we have a problem.
I have already decided to install CCTV in the 'games' room I am planning for my clan. In true 'Meet the Fockers' style I will use high tech gadgetry to hide my camera's and, if for some reason I miss something but still suspect wrong doing, I will not hesitate in using a highly concentrated dose of 'truth serum' on the accused. A quick jab in the neck, a five minute wait, and then some answers !.
I dread to think what my father in law to be ( he didn't imagine that scenario would happen! ) thought when I used to screech up in my car at seventeen, pick up his little girl, and then screech off again. Not only that, I was also a footballer !.
It hasn't been that bad though, they say the first fifteen years are the toughest, and, since we have had children, and certainly in the last couple of years I have really been welcomed with begrudgingly open arms !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Only joking Iain, you are a true gent, a top father in law, and a wonderful grandad, and mine's a pint of Guinness next time we are up !.
CH
Obviously at this stage I can make light of the fact that one of my daughter's has a boyfriend but, and it is a big but, when the day comes that a testosterone filled youth knocks on the Hargreaves door, offers a limp, warm handshake and then attempts to drive her off in a car that looks like it has just reversed into Halfords, then 'Houston' we have a problem.
I have already decided to install CCTV in the 'games' room I am planning for my clan. In true 'Meet the Fockers' style I will use high tech gadgetry to hide my camera's and, if for some reason I miss something but still suspect wrong doing, I will not hesitate in using a highly concentrated dose of 'truth serum' on the accused. A quick jab in the neck, a five minute wait, and then some answers !.
I dread to think what my father in law to be ( he didn't imagine that scenario would happen! ) thought when I used to screech up in my car at seventeen, pick up his little girl, and then screech off again. Not only that, I was also a footballer !.
It hasn't been that bad though, they say the first fifteen years are the toughest, and, since we have had children, and certainly in the last couple of years I have really been welcomed with begrudgingly open arms !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Only joking Iain, you are a true gent, a top father in law, and a wonderful grandad, and mine's a pint of Guinness next time we are up !.
CH
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Signing on ?
A huge thanks to everyone who came to the club tonight for the book signing. It was also a good chance to talk about Wembley one last time before this season starts! I met some great people with great stories, I must give a special mention to Graham and Karen who will know why. Thanks also to Melanie for the massage cream, it will come in handy ( I know that sounds a bit dodgy but it's all above board ! ).
Football is all about opinions, and so, I think, is writing. Some people will like it/you, and some people won't. But as my wise old mate always says "Don't knock 'him' until you've tried it", "If your ears are burning, don't worry you just have itchy ear's " and my favourite "**** *** *** *****" ( Don't read into the last one too much, really it says 'Hear all you want's' ).
It seems a while since I have spoken about my little 'firecracker' Hatty, you may be wondering why I don't call her 'Hatty Beast' any more. Well recently she had a little visit to her pre, pre school. When the teacher asked her to introduce herself to the class she shouted "I'm Hatty Beast" !. We have all now started the weening process!.
I actually had a nice bit of time with 'H' the other day, you know, den building, pillow fights etc, and then we told each other stories. I told Hatty one and then she began..." Once, a once, a once a time, Helen ( ? ) went to the shops, she bought some food, some dog wellies and some cat biscuit's and then she jumped out of a ditch and then we all had some food ". Work that one out ! to be fair to her though my story did contain a lot of that information, just a different way round !!!!.
CH
Football is all about opinions, and so, I think, is writing. Some people will like it/you, and some people won't. But as my wise old mate always says "Don't knock 'him' until you've tried it", "If your ears are burning, don't worry you just have itchy ear's " and my favourite "**** *** *** *****" ( Don't read into the last one too much, really it says 'Hear all you want's' ).
It seems a while since I have spoken about my little 'firecracker' Hatty, you may be wondering why I don't call her 'Hatty Beast' any more. Well recently she had a little visit to her pre, pre school. When the teacher asked her to introduce herself to the class she shouted "I'm Hatty Beast" !. We have all now started the weening process!.
I actually had a nice bit of time with 'H' the other day, you know, den building, pillow fights etc, and then we told each other stories. I told Hatty one and then she began..." Once, a once, a once a time, Helen ( ? ) went to the shops, she bought some food, some dog wellies and some cat biscuit's and then she jumped out of a ditch and then we all had some food ". Work that one out ! to be fair to her though my story did contain a lot of that information, just a different way round !!!!.
CH
Monday, 3 August 2009
To be or not to be
*Slight technical hitch ! I thought I had posted this blog last night, never mind I will add onto it later on *
Huge thanks to everybody who popped into Torbay bookshop tonight. It was a small gathering of friends, who have either helped me with the book, supplied material for the book, who are involved at the club, or who just wanted a to get out of the house!.
As I am now an official author!, joining the likes of old Bill Shakespeare and Roald Dahl, I must start planning my next book. Lot's of ideas have already crossed my mind, the latest being ' The Top 1000 Rants' ( I like the title but it's not very light hearted is it !).
Just a very small 'finally' tonight.....Finally, a mate of mine, no names mentioned, popped over to a friends 'ish' ( hence no names mentioned ) the other day. As both sets of children began playing together the friend 'ish' in question's mum ( stay with it ) excitedly called the children over saying " Who would like a milky button" ? Kid's being Kid's they shot over to the sweetie tin. Once there the mum opened the tin and handed her children a button each, they then mooched off trying to make them last longer than 4 seconds. Then my mate's little one was handed 'a' button, she ate it but this time just stood there in total amazement saying "more". But no, the tin was shut and everyone carried on as normal!!!!!!!.
They are either on war time rations, they are pretending to be little doggies, or they are used to being on the receiving end of one of the sadistic acts of cruelty to children I have ever seen because at that rate a small bag of buttons would last them a month!!!!. It's a good job Hatty wasn't there. On her Birthday morning we gave her a big bag of giant buttons. I don't know whether there was a hole in her
bag but by 9.30 a.m they were gone !!!!.
LATER ON.......
I know I don't often talk about the old 'fuzball', and that may annoy some people, so I will give you an idea of how the week is shaping up for the first game of the season. Monday was tactical, defensive or attacking work depending on who needed what !. Today we had a hard day, long runs, short runs and then a high tempo game. Tomorrow will be a strength day for those who need it, Thursday will involve more high tempo games and set pieces and Friday will be a short combination of everything.
The mood in the camp is good, we have seen some new faces join which makes the competition for places fierce. Personally I feel like I have only just recovered from the efforts of the last two seasons, the summer break seemed to fly by ( for everybody ), but the old body has finally recovered enough for battle !.
As far as the lad's are concerned Bev's is still lifting weights semi naked ( with me ! )and talking to himself, Wroey is still cycling the Devon and Cornwall coast in his spare time, Elliott has now matured enough to be trusted with sharp knives, Toddy is still wearing belt buckles encrusted with diamonds, Hodgy and the Ghoul have recieved a new car school member who refuses to speak ( Ben Joyce ), Muzzi and Ty are still approachable with extreme caution!, Danny and Robbo have started saving already for next years 'Danny and Robbo go large in Ibiza', Manse, Sillsy and Kev are back in the circle of trust after their video diary attack on me, Mark Ellis is now mingling, Ricey is turning into Liam Gallagher, Wayne is considering starting a band ( Ricey lead singer ? ), and finally I...well you only have to read the blog to know how mentally disturbed I am!!!!
P.S welcome to Scott Rendell and to Pete 'the Guru without a tache' Morgan.
CH
Huge thanks to everybody who popped into Torbay bookshop tonight. It was a small gathering of friends, who have either helped me with the book, supplied material for the book, who are involved at the club, or who just wanted a to get out of the house!.
As I am now an official author!, joining the likes of old Bill Shakespeare and Roald Dahl, I must start planning my next book. Lot's of ideas have already crossed my mind, the latest being ' The Top 1000 Rants' ( I like the title but it's not very light hearted is it !).
Just a very small 'finally' tonight.....Finally, a mate of mine, no names mentioned, popped over to a friends 'ish' ( hence no names mentioned ) the other day. As both sets of children began playing together the friend 'ish' in question's mum ( stay with it ) excitedly called the children over saying " Who would like a milky button" ? Kid's being Kid's they shot over to the sweetie tin. Once there the mum opened the tin and handed her children a button each, they then mooched off trying to make them last longer than 4 seconds. Then my mate's little one was handed 'a' button, she ate it but this time just stood there in total amazement saying "more". But no, the tin was shut and everyone carried on as normal!!!!!!!.
They are either on war time rations, they are pretending to be little doggies, or they are used to being on the receiving end of one of the sadistic acts of cruelty to children I have ever seen because at that rate a small bag of buttons would last them a month!!!!. It's a good job Hatty wasn't there. On her Birthday morning we gave her a big bag of giant buttons. I don't know whether there was a hole in her
bag but by 9.30 a.m they were gone !!!!.
LATER ON.......
I know I don't often talk about the old 'fuzball', and that may annoy some people, so I will give you an idea of how the week is shaping up for the first game of the season. Monday was tactical, defensive or attacking work depending on who needed what !. Today we had a hard day, long runs, short runs and then a high tempo game. Tomorrow will be a strength day for those who need it, Thursday will involve more high tempo games and set pieces and Friday will be a short combination of everything.
The mood in the camp is good, we have seen some new faces join which makes the competition for places fierce. Personally I feel like I have only just recovered from the efforts of the last two seasons, the summer break seemed to fly by ( for everybody ), but the old body has finally recovered enough for battle !.
As far as the lad's are concerned Bev's is still lifting weights semi naked ( with me ! )and talking to himself, Wroey is still cycling the Devon and Cornwall coast in his spare time, Elliott has now matured enough to be trusted with sharp knives, Toddy is still wearing belt buckles encrusted with diamonds, Hodgy and the Ghoul have recieved a new car school member who refuses to speak ( Ben Joyce ), Muzzi and Ty are still approachable with extreme caution!, Danny and Robbo have started saving already for next years 'Danny and Robbo go large in Ibiza', Manse, Sillsy and Kev are back in the circle of trust after their video diary attack on me, Mark Ellis is now mingling, Ricey is turning into Liam Gallagher, Wayne is considering starting a band ( Ricey lead singer ? ), and finally I...well you only have to read the blog to know how mentally disturbed I am!!!!
P.S welcome to Scott Rendell and to Pete 'the Guru without a tache' Morgan.
CH
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Party Time
A great guest list, lot's of food and drink and good entertainment, Harriet's birthday party went like a dream. Big thanks to her 'mates', Ruby, Piper, Alyssa, Ethan, Morgan, Maddie, Jessica, Will, Joe, Morgan, Phoebe, Joseph, Imogen, Shae, and Ellie, not forgetting her big brother and sister. Big thanks also to their parents for Hatty's gifts !, of which she loved. Although it has to be said that the most excitement shown by 'H' was towards the remaining party bags ! ( edible ! ).
She is now asleep, a weekend of partying has seen her off. I am now going to play Dan at tennis, my wife is going to look for part time job's ( for both of us ! the overdraft is at breaking point ) and the other two are 'playing' a game of noughts and crosses involving both of them saying that they have won and ending with them both falling out !
CH
P.S I can't do it to you Dan, I just can't do it !.
She is now asleep, a weekend of partying has seen her off. I am now going to play Dan at tennis, my wife is going to look for part time job's ( for both of us ! the overdraft is at breaking point ) and the other two are 'playing' a game of noughts and crosses involving both of them saying that they have won and ending with them both falling out !
CH
P.S I can't do it to you Dan, I just can't do it !.
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Firestarter
What about this !. My next door neighbour Dan, a fireman and improving tennis player, rang me to say he had been called out to a fire ( no shock there then I hear you say ). Before I forget I must mention that the local planners have done a fantastic job creating a children's park in the neighbourhood, complete with zip wire, football/basketball court, slides, swings, den's, tunnels and climbing frames etc, etc, etc.
Back to the story though, and, as I say, Dan phoned me and, as I say again, he told me about a fire he had attended. But no, it wasn't a house, no, it wasn't a car, nor was it a bike or even a bush!. No, some local 'chavs' had climbed up on top of the huge wooden climbing frame and set fire to the 'carved' owl sitting proudly above the park. Not being satisfied with the way it was burning they decided to put a plastic bag over the top of the owl, put their hands in their pockets, ( full of Rothman's stubs, knuckle duster's and badness ) pull out some matches and give it a real good go !!!!.
So now as you pass by there is a lovely reminder or their handy work, a half burnt owl !!, good work lad's, next time why not bring some petrol, a few flamethrowers and have a party to remember. Meanwhile the excited schoolchildren can carry on watching as the procession of fire engines pass by !!.
Is it just me or am I getting old !!!!!!!.
CH
Back to the story though, and, as I say, Dan phoned me and, as I say again, he told me about a fire he had attended. But no, it wasn't a house, no, it wasn't a car, nor was it a bike or even a bush!. No, some local 'chavs' had climbed up on top of the huge wooden climbing frame and set fire to the 'carved' owl sitting proudly above the park. Not being satisfied with the way it was burning they decided to put a plastic bag over the top of the owl, put their hands in their pockets, ( full of Rothman's stubs, knuckle duster's and badness ) pull out some matches and give it a real good go !!!!.
So now as you pass by there is a lovely reminder or their handy work, a half burnt owl !!, good work lad's, next time why not bring some petrol, a few flamethrowers and have a party to remember. Meanwhile the excited schoolchildren can carry on watching as the procession of fire engines pass by !!.
Is it just me or am I getting old !!!!!!!.
CH
Birthday Girl
Tomorrow ( well today really as it is now 1 a.m! ) is Hatty's 3rd birthday. Having Harriet was certainly a surprise ( as were the other two actually !!) and the first year was a real test, a return to sleepless nights and nappies after a six year break. But I have to say that she is an absolute star ( I know I am bias, I am always so thankful though to see my little clan when I return home after games ), Harriet has kept us all on our toes and constantly has us all in stitches. Tomorrow will be no different, she will come downstairs dressed like a Russian 'dancer' ( Lot's of leggings, denim and jewellery ) , she will ask for a hot chocolate with "muchmallows", she will have made three or four 'calls' by 9 o'clock ( "Erm hi yes it's me are you going to the game "?)!! but most of all she will have given out at least twenty huge hugs and kisses.
We love you Hatty, Happy Birthday.
CH, FH, CH and IH
We love you Hatty, Happy Birthday.
CH, FH, CH and IH
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