PELE BROKE MY ARSE...and other childhood goals

As my 40th birthday looms ever nearer day by day, I often try to sit back and wonder where those forty years have disappeared to.  However I cannot sit back, as the footballer Pele broke my arse...let me explain.

As a young boy growing up on a council estate on what can only be described as the shittest island in the world...Canvey, I needed a release, I needed to look elsewhere for my dreams.  Those dreams were found invariably on the television.  What things attracted a naive ten year old, was it the cheeky grin of one of Bruce's dolly dealers on Play your Cards right, unlikely.  Maybe now if one of them smiled on the television, I'd think "cor she's a bit of alright"...but back then it was football goals, and the more spectacular the better.  I'd see a goal and I'd want to replicate it the next day at school or on a Sunday morning where I was the hot-shot for the local team.  If you wanted a goal scored, than I was the man.  Well 10 year old boy..but you understand the sentiment.

Back in 1984 I was a gangly git.  All skin and bones, my Grandad used to call me a Biafran.  No idea what he meant.  Looking back it's highly racist, but these were simpler times.  As I grew older my body shape moved round the African continent and I was being called an Ethiopian in my early teens, this was done to my face, or more hurtfully on my schoolbooks by some of the older kids.  Could the fuckers spell Ethiopian then, could they fuck.  I knew how to. I had the last laugh.  Anyway the gangly-ness...god I could head a ball.  Get that ball in the penalty area and I would head it.  I towered over kids my own age.  I was 1984's Peter Crouch.  Then I saw this goal, and I realised I didn't need to head the ball in the air.





What a fucking ridiculous header.  I lapped it up.  I thought I have to try this.  When the ball comes in the box, no defender is going to think someone is going to head that.  Too right they didn't.  It was a fortnight after seeing this goal, that the opportunity arose.  The ball was dribbled across the box and I flung myself at the ball head first...my head connected with the ball..my face connected with the mud which always smelt of shit on Canvey, but also a defender's boot connected with my face. I had a lump the size of Biafra on my head, but I didn't care.  I had scored a goal just like Andy Gray's. In my head I was a legend, to everyone else I was a prick who headed the ball one foot off the floor.

My heading was beyond renown, but I needed to add more to my game.  If the ball came into the penalty area then most of the opposition would think he's going to head it.  Well I needed another string to my bow, the last thing I wanted to be was predictable.  Whilst watching Sportsnight one morning before school.  Yes before school.  Taped on a betamax video player the size of a smartcar. I still remember the day my Dad brought that videoplayer home from work..I'm sure we had to open the back window to get it in the house.  Anyways, Mark Hughes scored this volley, well it's not a volley, I'm not sure how you describe it to this day.  Here it is.




Just imagine the other kid's faces when I pull that bad boy off on a Sunday morning. Off to the back garden I went to practice.  Now the problem with having a younger sister is they aren't much good for having proper games of football, but they are marginally ok for throwing the ball in the air so you can practice your volleys.  Try as hard as I could, I just could not pull of the "Hughes volley". Nevermind when the moment arises in a future match I'm sure I'll be fine I thought.  You know what happened, I never tried it.  That ball flew into the box plenty of times, but I just headed everything.  Not once did I leap sideways in the air and take off a-la Sparky.

As I grew older, the other kids started to catch up with my height.  There were now plenty of contenders to be the gangliest kid in the area.  In fact I don't think I was anymore.  I was an also ran. I was still deadly in the penalty box, but headers now were very much 50/50.  Around this time I was introduced to the film Escape to Victory.  What a movie.  Even now I could quite happily sit down and watch that, whilst ignoring the gaping plot holes in the movie.  When you get to the age of about 13/14 you're basically a berk, who will try anything to impress his mates.  As you look back you think why the fuck did I even try that, I could have done some real damage, but at the time you want to be the man.  Pele scored a bicycle kick in Escape to Victory after suffering a heart attack.  It was the stuff of legends.  Me and my mates fucking loved that goal.  So much so that we used to practice it on a concrete playground at lunchtimes.




You see when that music kicks in.  In the playground we would take turns in humming that music as one of us practiced doing that bicycle kick.  What a bunch of twats.  Have you ever landed on concrete on your lower back say five times in thirty minutes.  It hurts.  But we didn't think of the long-lasting damage it would do.  I vividly remember one of the group, pulling off that bicycle kick whilst eating a cream doughnut.  What a man.  Last I heard he was still living at home with his parents, but what a man.
I know what you're all wondering, did I manage the bicycle kick.  Of course I did but to, as I found out, irrepairable damage to my arse, or what the medical profession call the coccyx.  As I moved to my later teens, I found that anytime I bent over for a lengthy period of time...stop sniggering, my lower back just seized up.  "Aah this is just a twinge"  I thought it will soon pass.  Well it never did, and when you've spent a week in bed at the age of 20 with a bad back, you think fucking hell I've done well to get to nearly 40.

Around the age of 25, I was still playing Sunday football, but by now the back was causing constant gip with any physical activity, my goalscoring days were a thing of the past, and I was now an adequate (in my head) left back.  To everyone else I was hopeless.  I didn't enjoy playing, it was tiresome.  I was playing in a defence which generally was still pissed from the night before and in front of the worst goalkeeper I've ever seen in my life.  Sundays were a chore.

Then a goal happened which took me back to my childhood.  Last game of the season.  Last minute of a game his side needed to win to get into the Champions League...Rivaldo did this




I was a man inspired.  I thought there is no-way I can manage this in the opposition's penalty box, but surely I can pull out the bicycle kick when defending for old time's sake.  When you get a bit wiser, you can manufacture circumstances so they go in your favour.  So I did it.  The ball fell to me thirty yards from our own goal, which I was facing...I headed the ball up in the air, and then pulled off the Rivaldo bicycle kick, all the time humming the Pele music in my head.  I landed on my arse and got carried off, never to play football again.

So there you have it kids, don't try and replicate your heroes it all only ends up in pain and misery.

Venables and Sugar - A match made in heav....hell!

Please see my latest article

http://www.spursstatman.com/articles/2015/9/9/d0e6j1vnz1udwgimtbweh5k3s7vtcf

An Interview with ... Danny Cowley

After eight successful seasons with Concord Rangers, guiding them through the non-league pyramid to the Conference South, Danny Cowley moved onto National League side Braintree Town in the summer.

Braintree have been a fixture in the National League (Conference) since 2011/2012 and when I spoke to Danny, I wanted to find out how he could improve Braintree's fortunes in this division, considering they are a part-time football club and Danny himself holds down a day-job.

Braintree finished 14th last season is it possible to improve on that?

It will be a challenge certainly. Nicky (Cowley) and I went to Chester and Tranmere in the past week, and that emphasised the magnitude of the challenge.  In the first week of the season we play Chester, Lincoln and Tranmere, and they've all been football league clubs.  Whenever you've got big challenges in front of you, it's important that you break them down individually and that's what we will have to do. Our first objective has to be to get to 50points.

In the National League there are more league games to contend with

Yes, there are 46 league games.  It's a long tough season, the first month is especially hectic.  The players so far have been excellent, their attitude and application has been first class during pre-season and it's all been positive to date, and now it's down to the serious stuff.

You start with Chester away this weekend

I went to watch them last week when they played Liverpool U21's and there was near on 3000 people watching the game, and it was an 11-hour round trip for me.  I dropped Nicky off at Tranmere so he could scout them as well.

You're certainly covering the miles early

Well part of our successes as managers has been having detailed analysis on our opposition, and to look at ways to outwit them.  Especially as we are new to the league, it's imperative that we get to know the teams/players as quick as we can, and that's what we're aiming to do.

You're know for asking your players to give that extra 1% which the opposition aren't doing.  Is that something you're going to have to drawn on even more this season?

Oh yes, it's not an even playing field, when you look at Braintree's resources and infrastructure and compare that to the other clubs in the league.  99% of the clubs at this level are full-time.  I think at this level it's going to be more challenging as myself and Nicky are part-time, and we've got full-time jobs, and so do all of our players.  It's going to be our biggest challenge, but it's something we are really looking forward to.

Saying that, can you combine a day job with managing a National League side?

Ask me in 10 months haha!  It will require a balance, I have a young family as well, so it will need juggling at times.  It will definitely demand long hours from me.

Well you've already clocked up 11 hours travelling to Chester in midweek, and you've got sides like Barrow and Torquay in this league.

There will be some long journey's in this league, no doubt.  But a lot of people have asked this question already and it doesn't affect me.  When I was Concord Rangers manager I put every spare hour into that, so the work increase has not been that great.  Obviously at this level there is an added pressure, but that's what I thrive on and enjoy.  Anyway work's only work if you don't enjoy it.  I'm a very lucky person to have two jobs that I love.

However these long hours must put a strain on your home life?

I think you have to have an understanding family definitely.  My wife is an international athlete (Kate Cowley) so she knows what commitment is required, and is very understanding which certainly helps.  But yes as I've mentioned before it's a juggling act there's no doubt about that.  However it's something we are used to, and dealt with successfully and will continue to do so.

Will there be a time when you step away from the day job?

You never know in football,  I don't think it's worth predicting what the future may bring.  What you have to do is put all your focus and energies into what we can control, and at the moment that is trying to move Braintree Town forward and remain competitive in this division.

You've mentioned that magic 50points before

Yes, the quicker we get there, then we can look at mid-table, then the top 10...then you dare to dream.
We are looking to create a culture at the football club which is professional and demanding, and looking at making the most of the opportunities which are presented to us, and hopefully mould and create a group of players who can cope in this competitive division.

Was it important to you to bring in some players you knew as well, or did the squad need a freshen up anyway?

The biggest challenge was to try and keep the group together, and we spent three weeks reviewing the club and looking at the structure and why and how the club had achieved the success it had. When you can answer these questions, then you can add continued success, and we thought very much that the success achieved at the club was down to the players.  So keeping those players at the club was the first challenge and we were pleased that we managed that.  That was hugely importantly as they have been the foundation of the club in recent years.  Continuity is key at any football club, that's something our success at Concord Rangers was based upon. We've brought 3/4 in from our previous club, who we see are on an upward curve in their progression in the game.  These players are looking to improve and are hungry, these are the kind of players I'm looking to bring in.

Well I suppose if the player improves, then the club improves so it's beneficial for both parties.

Character is very important.  Signing a player with the right character is crucial. When you've worked with players in the past, and you know that you've got a relationship that works then it's a lot easier to manage them, no doubt about that.

Is this something in which the day job (Head of PE) comes in handy, or is it something you've always been able to do?

There are a lot of transferable skills from my day-job to football management.  As a head of a department, it's a challenge of my man-management skills so conversely I can lean on my football experiences as well.  I've nine seasons now as a football manager and it in that time I've developed my man-management skills, and these things can only improve with experience.

Your relationship with your brother Nicky (who is Dan's Assistant Manager) is key.  I've seen the pair of you on the touchline your more animated, whilst Nicky is more studious, you compliment each other.  How do you find working with your brother?

Nicky and I have always been close, we have the same interests and obviously growing up together we have shared the same experiences.  We're similar in ways, but different in others and I think it is very important as a manager to rely on good people around you.  Trust is key as well, and our relationship is a strong one.  Looking back at our time at Concord Rangers, Nicky had a huge part to play there, both on and off the pitch.  He's enthusiastic and an excellent coach, and he's a big part of the success we've had in the past and hopefully will be in future successes at Braintree.

You've mentioned that you've been a manager for nine seasons now, can you still see yourself managing in ten years time?

Football is in my blood.  My dad played at a good level, and I grew up watching him play.  I couldn't imagine my life without football.  I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, I only want to think about the here and now with Braintree Town.

An Interview with ... Johnny McKinstry

Please read my interview with Johnny McKinstry via the Football Pink

http://footballpink.net/2015/07/27/an-interview-with-rwandan-head-coach-johnny-mckinstry/

Concord Rangers - The Fans Eye View

Having spoken to a number of players and management staff about what it means to play/work for Concord Rangers, I felt it was time to get to the heartbeat of any football club and speak to the fans about what Concord Rangers means to them.

I spoke with the following, and we discussed a variety of subjects, some spoke more than others. Also Steve King's arse does not come out well in this chat...

Interviewees

Andy Smith (AS), Alan Jessop-Peacock (AJP), Gary Bracci (GB), Mark Tate (MT) and Lewis Pack (LP).

What does supporting Concord Rangers mean to you?

(AS) - I was invited over to do some media work a few years ago and this soon turned into something much bigger, I've had the privilege of training with these guys, going on nights out, and turning the bus into a nightclub with Miki as the DJ on the way home from away games! I'm having such a laugh being involved even if it's just taking a few match pictures, filming a few games and helping do some website work.  It's a great club with great people involved and with that said it manes a hell of a lot be involved, it's something other clubs cannot offer.

(AJP) - It's all about being a part of the club, not just a number in the stands like I feel when I go to see West Ham, but actually being a part of Concord Rangers as a whole.  You feel like you're part of something bigger, and can actually contribute to the success of the club.  I started watching Concord nearly 6 seasons ago on a whim, now they're the main focus of my weekend!

(GB) - Supporting Concord means a hell of a lot me.  I started supporting the team after becoming disillusioned with the way Southend United were handling their financial affairs, the new stadium that has been going on for about 10 years, and the way the majority of the team was made up of loanees rather than contracted players, this coincided with the ridiculous stranglehold Sky have over the Premier League which effectively has ruined the national team, it's probably safe to say I was losing my passion for the game as a whole.  That was until I started watching Concord, I'm not the first person to say it and certainly won't be the last in that when you go to Thames Road just a handful of times you can see what the club means to everyone there and just by giving continued support you become part of the club and not just a body through the turnstile.  Players, management, coaches, chairman and committee members recognise the support and all go out of their way to keep the welcoming feeling that surrounds the club.

(MT) - Quite simply for me, it's two words.  Pride and passion.

(LP) - It means an awful lot! The club is like another family whenever you go to watch a game.  Since I've been able to go to most games a couple of years ago I have been so welcomed by everyone at the club from the fans, the committee, management and players which makes it a joy to go to every week.

What has been the highlight of supporting Concord Rangers so far?

(AS) - Being sat pitch-side taking pictures at the Ryman Play off final vs Lowestoft, no-one can describe the pandemonium at the full time whistle and sitting there with a camera pointing at the dug-out ready for the celebrations to start was amazing. 3000 odd fans were there that day, and the noise at full-time was incredible.

(AJP) - The promotion season, well more specifically the Ryman Premier Play-off Final vs Lowestoft. Our second game of the season was a trip to Lowestoft on a Tuesday night that we lost 4-1, I remember the coach journey home being long and really downbeat, but little did we know we'd be back in the last game of the season to win promotion! The day of the final was incredible, finally beating them after a run of losses home & away over the previous season. The atmosphere was awesome and celebrating on the pitch at full time with the lads was an experience I'll never forget.

(GB) - For me I've only been supporting the club for 4 seasons, and only been a regular for 3 of those, but without a doubt the highlight has to be winning promotion from the Ryman Premier League against a team who on aggregate had pretty much annihilated us (Lowestoft).  I know the committee will probably have bigger highlights from the earlier years but in my time here that play-off final was beyond measurement when you look at the size of Concord, one of the favourites to be relegated and had the smallest budget in the league.  That season and day in particular will forever be spoken about, when you look at it's ridiculous what has been achieved so far.

(MT) - Getting to the 1st round of the FA Cup, without a doubt.

(LP) - Obviously promotion from the Ryman Premier into the Conference South was a massive achievement for the club but I wasn't able to be there on the day, so for a game I've been to it has to be the away game at Mansfield this year in the FA Cup.  It was such a special night for everyone associated with the club and to take a league club to a replay have chances to win the game was superb.  People started realising who Concord were finally!!

What was the match of last season for you?

(AS) - Everyone was slating our pitch, and to be fair it was in a bad way after a load of games and some bad weather, but the way we destroyed Farnborough at home 7-0, some of the football was top class, with some brilliant goals scored.

(AJP) - The first round proper of the FA Cup away at Mansfield.  The original game was postponed due to the waterlogged pitch whilst I was in New York, so I was able to actually get to the re-arranged fixture and see the lads in the most high profile game in the clubs history.  The support we had on that Tuesday night wasn't the biggest, but we were the loudest by far, the players all put in one hell of a  shift and earning the draw was an impressive result.  The replay may have had 1500 people at Thames Road, but that Tuesday nigh trip to Mansfield was something special.

(GB) - Now there's a tricky one, the 4-2 win against Wealdstone was big for me as we have developed somewhat of a rivalry against them and they are always a tough team to beat.  The FA Cup win against St Albans to send us into the 1st round proper for the first time in the clubs history was huge, again in the FA Cup the 1-1 draw with Mansfield was massive as it brought a lot of attention to the club from around the country and in truth Mansfield were lucky to get away with a draw, my point is proven when their own supporters were saying how much they enjoyed watching us play and gave the team a standing ovation at the final whistle - spine tingling moment that was.  For me though the highlight was retaining the Essex Senior Cup in a performance that blew Billericay away.  I was nervous leading up to the game something that I rarely feel with Concord, and the club had just missed out on a play-off spot after losses you started to wonder if the players were in the right frame of mind to play such a final, it seems they were more up for it than expected!

(MT) - That's a tough question, as there have been so many.  Personally for me I'd go for us beating Bromley at their place 2-1, especially when the week before we had lost 4-1 to them at home.

(LP) - You can take your pick out of so many last season! The Mansfield game, the Essex Cup win, and the 6-2 win away at Barnet in the FA Trophy.  That was a fantastic night! Not many people would have ever called that result when the draw was made.  But for me the away win at Havant on a cold Tuesday night in January and the home win against Ebbsfleet were great games for the club.  There are certain people and clubs which don't think Concord should be competing in this league, but those two wins showed no matter the size of the opposition, Concord can compete and get results!

What player sums up the Concord Rangers spirit (past or present)?

(AS) - That's a tough one, I'm going to say Lewis Taaffe, his work-rate is exceptional.  He's had a couple of knocks but keeps running his socks off, and that's what everyone likes in a player, someone who works so hard for the team.

(AJP) - I have a feeling most will say Nicky Cowley here, but I'm going to throw a curveball and say Steve King.  The ginger meathead is loyal to a fault, and will continue to put in 100% week after week.  The fact that he's a fireman and regularly misses/loses sleep etc to ensure he gets to games, highlights his dedication to the cause.  He's solid at the back, adds an important goal or two with that meat-head at set pieces, he's a constant at the club, always coming back harder after missing a game through injury etc.

(GB) - I think there are many players who warrant a lot of credit to how Concord have progressed and it is them who have set the tone for how the club operates, but for me there are two players that come to my mind in particular:
Stokesy - the guy bleeds Concord colours and leads by example, calm head and will never give anything but 100% in training or a match.
Nicky Cowley - ferocious on the pitch in which the passion he had for the club rubbed off onto other players around him.  I remember him screaming at Leon Gordon for not getting back into position quick enough after the ball had gone out for the oppositions free kick, that was Nicky all over, he expected full on commitment from the first whistle to the last.

(MT) - Two for me, past and present.  Nicky Cowley with his never say die attitude, he just gave it his all.  Presently it's Alex Woodyard, he's got a great match-awareness and also runs his socks off.

(LP) - I think this is very hard to be able to give to one player, as every player comes to the club and buys into the spirit of the team, and that spirit is throughout the club!

What is your favourite Concord Rangers goal?

(AS) - Taylor Miles vs Chelmsford City no doubt about it.

(AJP) - Ben Greenhalgh's free kick in the Ryman League Cup Final vs Dulwich Hamlet.  I remember being behind the goal, and I think it was Jack Jnr who said "this is going in". He wasn't wrong either, Ben hit it so cleanly, the free kick was an absolute peach, sailed into the net and sent us all into raptures behind the goal!

(GB) - My favourite goal? I've got a list of em!!
Ben Greenhalgh's free kick against Dulwich was a beaut.
Cawley's chip against Weston Super Mare was delightful.
Stokesy's goal against Maidenhead was class.
Taylor Miles' volley versus Chelmsford...stunning!

(MT) - It's got be Leon Gordon's winning goal in the play off final against Lowestoft, what a day that was.

(LP) - In terms of quality it has to be Taylor Miles goal against Chelmsford last season, work commitments meant I couldn't watch it live, but after seeing numerous videos, I couldn't stop watching it. It was a moment of pure quality.

What player are you hoping has a big season next season?

(AS) - Tony Stokes.  He's not had the best of luck with injuries in the last couple of seasons, but now he's got himself in great shape and is fitter than he's been in 3 years.  I really hope he has a good season and bangs a few more goals in.  He has always scored important goals for us and I really hope that continues, well if he isn't injured with a sore toe nail!

(AJP) - Stokesy.  After injury affected him in our first Conference South season, and last year's lack of first team action behind Taaffe and Cawley, it's about time we see the club captain start the season well and notch up the goals we know he can contribute to the side.  Tony's a senior member of this side now, and will want to lead from the front, we know he can do it, and I hope this season is a big one for him.

(GB) - Tony Stokes simple as that, he was a frustrated figure last season spending a lot of time on the bench.  Danny Cowley didn't seem to consider Stokesy to be capable of being a starter but as a manager you have to make bold decisions and at the end of the day regardless whether it pleases some and upsets others, Danny is a bloody good manager who helped make last season Concord's best ever.  But now there's a new manager and new coach which gives players a fresh start of claiming a place in the team, Stokesy is a proven goalscorer who plays for his team-mates, and his performance in the Essex Senior Cup was typical of him, he grumbled a bit last year, so if he's going to be a starter he needs to put to bed last year's personal disappointments.

(MT) - It would be great to see our new keeper Conor Gough have a great season between the sticks.

(LP) - Stop asking questions, I can't nail down to one player! I can think of a few players who will be looking to have a big season for different reasons.  Stokesy will be looking for an injury free season, and hoping to get some goals.  I'll be interested in seeing Ben Greenhalgh back, I think he could be a key player with a point to prove to Maidstone.  I think Kingy can have a big season for us also, losing Matt Fry and Jack Lampe are massive losses, but I have can see Kingy having a great season and leading us through some key moments.

Saying all that, what are realistic ambitions for Concord Rangers this season?

(AS) - I hope we can get to where we finished last season and fight for a top 8 finish.  I've been over training a few times watching and the players that have come in all look great additions, and I'm sure Adam and Jody will get the best out of everyone and get that winning mentality out of everyone involved in the club.

(AJP) - I think the Essex Senior Cup is within our reach again, it's a cup that we have shown we can win, and providing we focus on it as we have in previous seasons I don't see why we can't make it 3 in a row.  As for the league, I think we first look to stay up, then when that looks safe, we aim for the top half of the table.  Play-offs would be great, but I won't get ahead of myself there!

(GB) - This will bore most football fans at Concord and of opposition clubs, but as always the main priority for this club os to secure their place at this level again, it can take 3,4 or even 5 years to establish yourself in a league that we on paper shouldn't be in.  How on earth do you improve on last season, with the club as small as it is! Personally I would love to see us go one round further in the FA Cup, but the dream would be the 3rd round!  A realistic but extremely difficult challenge would be to win the FA Trophy at Wembley, I don't think that is a goal too far but as I say it would take some going to get there.  Realistically a top half finish is achievable and ultimately above all that is the main target.

(MT) - Sadly I don't think we will finish near where we did last season, but to be in the top 12 in the league would be great.

(LP) - I think it will be hard to achieve the league position that we did last season just due to the size and money of some of the clubs coming into the league, there are some massive clubs! I think a top half finish, reaching the 1st round of the FA Cup, a nice run in the FA Trophy and hopefully another good run in the Essex Cup will be a good season!!

Right last question let's have some fun!  If you were stuck on a desert island with a Concord player, who would you NOT want it to be and why?

(AS) - Probably Steve Cawley, because he will not shut up about missing one of his goals on video, and I'm sure if I was alone with him he'd bang on about it even more and probably make us re-create it on the beach.  He says it was a good goal but I'm not so sure, he's the King of the tap in and his goal away at Whitehawk didn't even touch the net.

(AJP) - To be fair I wouldn't want to be stuck on a desert island with any of the lads, I wouldn't want to be stuck on a desert island at all!  But if I have to pick one to avoid, I'd say James White.  The big-man is good at a wind-up, decent with the banter and abuse, and if it's just me and him on an island I'd get the hassle non-stop! I can handle a bit, you don't last 5 minutes at this club if you can't, but being the main focus of it all for however long we're stuck there? No thanks!

(GB) - It's not a player I dread to be stuck on an island with, it's a member of the backroom staff - Gary Ewers.  Seriously I'd be forever looking over my shoulder wondering what prank he's going to pull off next.  He has the ability to kill you with one line in a slanging match and to sum him up in one word - nuisance!

(MT) - Here we go feet first...sorry Steve King it's you, due to that farty bum on the coach on away games, the smell is bad. I couldn't handle that on a desert island, no way.

(LP) - It probably would be Kingy.  After being near him on the team coach all year to games, the smells that come from his direction are far from nice to be around! He also sleeps a lot, so you would end up being on a desert island on your own most of the time!

Erik Edman and "that" goal (Spurs Statman)

Please see my debut article for www.spursstatman.com

http://www.spursstatman.com/articles/2015/7/13/erik-edman-and-that-goal

An Interview with ... Ian Crocker (Football Pink)

Here is my latest interview, this time with Sky Sports Scottish football commentator Ian Crocker

http://footballpink.net/2015/07/07/an-interview-with-ian-crocker-sky-sports-voice-of-scottish-football/