Transfer

Absolute madness, I'm not playing anymore, nor am I a manager at the moment, but if I had a pound for every agent or manager that has phoned me today asking about players, I would just about be able to buy a ticket to watch Chelsea. Whilst on the subject of Chelsea, oh Fernando!. There has been more ducking and diving today, surrounding on/off transfers, than I can ever remember on deadline day. I think some will run to 10.59 p.m, but I do expect to see Carrol and Adam at Liverpool, and Torres at Chelsea. Apart from those three there will be a lot more phone calls made and received in the next hour......is that the phone!!!!!!


CH

Heartache

Another crazy weekend of F.A cup action. I was absolutely gutted to see Torquay lose out on a place in the fifth round of the cup, especially to Crawley, and especially now, considering how good the fifth round draw was. The club has really deserved it's place in the fifth round over the last couple of seasons, but as we all know so well you sometimes don't get what you deserve in this game. It was interesting to see Chris Coleman's reaction to the game and some of the antics involved though, I think I know what he wanted to say but it couldn't be aired!
Well done Bevs for getting your massive frame down there for those two pens, although being kissed by Branno is a very harsh punishment. As much as the club will be gutted, the boys just have to forget it now and crack on towards the play-offs. It could be worse, you could be in the real world!!!!!!

Today we have been on a very special visit. All I can say is that is was classified and it was impressive! Thanks again to Joycie and Mick, top blokes doing a top job. The kids are still talking about it.

P.S Karate kid on Box office last night, a table full of sweets, chocolate, and wine, boy do we know how to party! All babysitters welcome.

Man down

Man down

CH

Domesticity

I know the modern man has reached new heights in domesticity, and I am one of them, but the sight I witnessed with my children a couple of days ago was definitely at the top end of a mans husbandry duties. I know a lot of men who have very little to do with household jobs, and I know just as many, or more, who like me dig in and crack on with all that is chore related - sometimes this may be to appease 'her indoors', sometimes it's because the old OCD has kicked in, but mostly it's because it's fair.
The sight I witnessed however just looked very unusual, I saw two men power running/pushing two high tech three wheel buggies (containing babies of course), complete with full high visibility lycra running gear.
Don't get me wrong, at times I have whipped all three of my little babies around the block (several times) to get them off to sleep, so that mum can take a breather for a while. The difference being that I had a pair of jeans on and my best mate wasn't next to me. I'm not saying it's wrong, and I don't want to judge because I don't know the circumstances, but seeing two guys decked out in base layers, pushing pushchairs, and moving along at marathon pace was a first for me.
Get your coats kids, I'm getting the four seat bike out!

P.S I have to comment on the scenes I have just seen on News at Ten. A young couple stoned to death for eloping, the woman survived and was then shot. Absolutely mental, absolutely, completely mental. For once I am at a loss for words.

CH

ered

Battered, knackered, shattered, and haggered, it is with regret that I head straight for the beer fridge tonight.

Much love

CH

P.S Apologies about the lack of any replies, as I don't know how to comment myself yet! but yes, life is good after football, retiring was very, very tough but it had to happen in the end, and no gutted couldn't get to the Torquay v Oxford game, missed a good one there.

SkyGate and Adamgate

I have to talk about the 'Skysportsgate' scandal, and the news that Andy Gray and Richard Keys have basically been suspended until further notice. I have been listening to most of the debates surrounding the subject today (I have spent a lot of time in the car!) and there have been some really interesting comments. The main train of thought is that in modern society there is no room for that type of sexism. The fact that it goes on in most pubs, and football clubs, maybe true, but in the position that Gray and Keys are in (and are very lucky, and very well paid to be in),and with the experience of broadcasting they have, harping on about the fact that a woman could be a linesman was a bit stupid - adding Karen Brady's name into the mix just added fuel to an already raging fire.
MAYBE
Maybe they are 'dinosaurs' as one phone in described, and maybe they do come from a different generation, and maybe they are just like any other blokes having a chat. Darren Gough eluded to this on talk sport this afternoon, and as much as he is also an opinionated northerner, he did have a point. He compared the lineswoman bashing to a show like Loose Women - where there is a fair amount of man bashing going on - the difference being that Loose Women is done as a bit of laugh, whereas Andy Gray and Richard Keys had no humour in their tone at all when talking about the lady in question. It would have still been wrong, but the fact that it was said in the way that is was, showed a real old school attitude. Maybe they have had their turn, maybe it is time for them to stand down, and maybe they have fallen on their own swords, because I know one thing for sure, they have had one hell of a run on a very cushy number, they have earned a hell of a lot of money, and they have been allowed to have a very opinionated voice for a long, long time.
I'm not a betting man but I would be very surprised to see an organisation and brand such as SKY glossing over this one....watch this space.


Onto Charlie Adam now, and no, not in any other year would he be good enough to play for Liverpool. He is of course a decent player, but 7 million, no, nor 6, or even 5. He is 'probably' worth about 4 million in today's over inflated game, but for a player that was run down by Sunderland's midfield on Saturday as if he wasn't even there, maybe everybody is getting a little bit too carried away.
I hope he does get the move because he deserves a chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I hope he goes there and runs the show, but I am very undecided about his price tag, about Liverpool's desperation to get him, and Blackpool's resolve to keep a player that they rely so heavily on.....watch this space!

CH

Mr and Mrs Bevan?

It was with great pleasure that I joined 'Bevs' and Kim, and a few close friends (basically the whole T.U.F.C staff and players!) to celebrate their engagement last night. I didn't realise engagement parties still went on, but to be fair it is still such a shock to everyone that the 'Bevanator' has managed to tie down (trap) a girl, let alone the lovely Kim. She does understands his bizarre behaviour though, she likes boxing and protein drinks, and she also likes a challenge, so I think that they will be fine - enjoy the champers and protein bars you guys!
It was good to see the old crew last night, in fact it was just like the old days, the only difference being there was a lot more bling on show, and I don't mean Elliots diamond encrusted nipple ring, or Mark Ellis playboy keyring. I had a good laugh with the heirachy, and the lads were all on top form, Dingle was actually talkative, Danny was running 'tings' at the bar, and Robbo has finally moved into a flat with his girlfriend, after thinking about the cost of living there for about three years. Damo came on his bike, Kenny came ready for a wedding, and 'Branno' and his brother 'Milse' were inseparable. Manse, Kev, and Wroey brought some good old school banter to the table, and the rest of the boys were last seen fueling up ready for action.
Top night and top lads, and no, I didn't leave my wig in the car lads, it has actually all gone, although I did keep a lock of the old mane in case any of you get withdrawal symptoms.

Love to all

CH