Welcome

I am pleased to report that the blog is back. On a new site – which I have paid actual money for – and with a domain name that leaves Spizz alone, lest his Milanese fanbase get confused when Googling their diminutive post punk hero and find themselves reading accounts of middle aged men arguing and elbowing one another.

I am pleased to report that the blog is back. On a new site – which I have paid actual money for – and with a domain name that leaves Spizz alone, lest his Milanese fanbase get confused when Googling their diminutive post punk hero and finding themselves reading accounts of middle aged men arguing and elbowing one another.

The plan is to resume weekly reports: think of it as a new season resolution, although the fact I have three jobs means the reports may be skimpy at times. But as all writers know, you’ve just got to keep writing.

As a starter, I thought I’d sketch a review of the past plague-interrupted season.

There was no football until late September 2020 following the advent of the pandemic, and while we played on into December the Friday nights became increasingly eerie, with changing rooms, pubs, shops, restaurants etc. all closed. The Delta variant then led to another three month hiatus, but we have been playing on a weekly basis since then and have even managed to get back into the Skinners. I won’t miss ‘changing’ outside the toilets, so here’s hoping that we can return to the admittedly Spartan facilities at Coram Fields from next month.

We’ve lost a few players since Sars-Cov-2 hit, (only insofar as playing football goes: they’re all still alive, happily). Nik Huggins has moved to what he memorably described as the “boon docks” of bucolic Kent during the lockdown, while more recently we bid a permanent farewell to Ian Geary, who has taken the Greek option and upped sticks to Athens, and (apparently) Andy, who has seemingly called time on his playing days. It’s never too late for a comeback, Andy.

Other players have been ruthlessly deleted from the WhatsApp list by Simon Gas, who could have been a Soviet commissar in a previous life. Their crime? Not playing enough.

The eternal carousel of characters playing Friday Night Football is rather like the political analogy of the electorate being a bath with both taps running and the plug out, so we have welcomed a phalanx of new, younger chaps, such as Tom, ‘Siebs’, Theo and the tall opera singer who’s name I cannot recall.

Perhaps absence has made the heart grow fonder, but there has been far less bickering and pointless rowing this term, although I still think we need a tutorial on the handball law.

You’ll all have your own memories of goals, saves, tackles, blunders and fouls from this season. Many thanks, as ever, to Simon for organising and keeping the ship afloat in the most turbulent of waters.

The plan is to resume weekly reports: think of it as a new season resolution, although the fact I have three jobs means the reports may be skimpy at times. But as all writers know, you’ve just got to keep writing.

As a starter, I thought I’d sketch a review of the past plague-interrupted season.

There was no football until late September 2020 following the advent of the pandemic, and while we played on into December the Friday nights became increasingly eerie, with changing rooms, pubs, shops, restaurants etc. all closed. The Delta variant then led to another three month hiatus, but we have been playing on a weekly basis since then and have even managed to get back into the Skinners. I won’t miss ‘changing’ outside the toilets, so here’s hoping that we can return to the admittedly Spartan facilities at Coram Fields from next month.

We’ve lost a few players since Sars-Cov-2 hit, (only insofar as playing football goes: they’re all still alive). Nik Huggins has moved to what he memorably described as the “boon docks” of bucolic Kent during the lockdown, while more recently we bid a permanent farewell to Ian Geary, who has taken the Greek option and upped sticks to Athens, and (apparently) Andy, who has seemingly called time on his playing days. It’s never too late for a comeback, Andy.

Other players have been ruthlessly deleted from the WhatsApp list by Simon Gas, who could have been a Soviet commissar in a previous life. Their crime? Not playing enough.

The eternal carousel of characters playing Friday Night Football is rather like the political analogy of the electorate being a bath with both taps running and the plug out, so we have welcomed a phalanx of new, younger chaps, such as Tom, ‘Siebs’, Theo and the tall opera singer who’s name I cannot recall.

Perhaps absence has made the heart grow fonder, but there has been far less bickering and pointless rowing this term, although I still think we need a tutorial on the handball law.

You’ll all have your own memories of goals, saves, tackles, blunders and fouls from this season. My two players of the season awards – think of them as the players’ award and the writers’ award – go to Kanat and Will. An award is due to Mick for most successful lockdown, as he’s half the man he used to be, while props to David for a fine end to the season – his algorithmic score has been duly revised. Yev also deserves a mention for seemingly obtaining a watch and turning up on time.

Finally, many thanks, as ever, to Simon for organising and keeping the ship afloat in the most turbulent of waters. See you all next month.