Welcome to the Darkside...

Well, once again it's the first real update in f****** ages so I've missed a hell of a lot in that time. Meh.

So, we've got a new Government. Forgive me for being completely underwhelmed at the prospect of the Tories and Lib Dems cuddling up together. Cuts galore already and the Lib Dems swiftly moving away from many of their promises and the views of many of their members and supporters. And with the Coalition already being rocked by David Laws' resignation and the scandal around it, you could well be forgiven for wondering just how long this new Coalition is going to last. Then again, knowing the Tories, it could well be a case of how long before they find an excuse to get rid of all the Lib Dems holding Cabinet positions?

I'm sure I only need to touch on the vileness of Cameron. How anyone could trust him to run the country is beyond me. Smarmy and out of touch. As for the Tories overall... Thatcher. The '80s. Parts of the country run down and broken because of their policies. And if you really believe the bastards have changed and I'm just living in the past... Look up what's happened to those living under the jurisdiction of Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Working class? No money? Tough. Middle class or higher? Plenty of money? Come on over, we'll close off the public park every summer so you can watch polo matches.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-welcome-to-cameron-land-1962318.html

As for the Lib Dems... Well, Clegg clearly wanted a position of power regardless of how he got it, nor the principles surrounding his supposed politics. He had the chance to form a progressive coalition with Labour but in the end, decided to jump onboard with his fellow Eton boy to get himself any kind of influence. He's already managed to piss off the more left-wing element of the Party, with many already defecting to Labour. If the Coalition rocks anymore then he could well have destroyed any credibility that they had in terms of being a genuine alternative vote for those wanting a progressive, left-wing Britain. Now I know how the citizens of the Galactic Republic felt as the Emporer swept in under a wave of promises and established the Empire. David Cameron = Senator Palpatine? Works for me - although I think Palpatine had more credibility.

So where does this leave Labour? Well, big changes are needed. But they didn't do that badly - most people are focusing on the last eighteen months, when in reality many good things were put in place (quite a few of which are now due to be taken away again) and the country was quite healthy. It took a global recession to bring things tumbling down in the end. However, it's a good opportunity for the Party to take a long, hard look at itself and move back towards the left in attempt to re-attract lost voters. The alliance with the Co-operative Party can itself only be a good thing for this. The Coalition and any semblance of Tory rule will eventually crack and leave people disillusioned once more. In that situation, Labour need to be ready and able to truly take Britain forward to a prosperous, progressive future for all.

The Green and Gold Campaign at Old Trafford seems to have reached it's natural end point. Now, however, is the time for direct action. The only way to rid MUFC of the Glazers is to starve them of money - don't renew. If OT is still full of people waving green and gold scarves and singing anti-Glazer songs next season then it's all been a big waste of time. The Red Knights aren't going to come galloping to the rescue - and are they really to be trusted? Doubtful. Just stop giving them your cash - although I'm sure those who say supporting the team is more important than the long term future of the club will no doubt side with David Gill's sickening comments and see that most people just keep turning up to watch. Thank the Lord for FC United of Manchester. Co-operative, supporter-owned football. It's the future.

Lancashire have surprised me this season, although the struggle to beat Warwickshire followed by the struggle against Essex have brought everyone back down to Earth. Sitting in third with not a lot separating us, Yorkshire and Notts is bloody marvellous - as is being the only Championship side unbeaten in both divisions. Marvellous. Just a pity the rain seems set to direct the first Roses match this year to a draw, as Lancs are well and truly in the driving seat. Let's just hope there's a few more wins to come yet.

England made fairly heavy weather of the first test against Bangladesh - although full credit must go to the touring side for their efforts, particularly with the bat. It's great to see two Bangladeshis on the honours board at Lord's. I've got a ticket for the first day at OT - should be a good day's play in prospect.

Well, that about wraps things up. I should do this more often!

FC United of Newton Heath

So, news broke this week that the site for FC United's own ground will be on Ten Acres Lane (pronounced Ten Acre Lane, I believe), Newton Heath. Back in Manchester, back in the district where it all began.

The emotion surrounding this is, of course, extremely high. It means so much to all involved at the club to be taking such an important step forward whilst, at the same time, taking a few steps back as well. The significance of taking root in Newton Heath is the final nod of where FC United came from in the first place - if the ties with MUFC do fade over time, then at least we will always have this one magnificent link with the past.

Of course, the hard work is still to be done. We need to raise around £250,000 ASAP to get things moving. With that in place we will be significantly closer to making this dream a reality.

There's so much more that could be said, but I'm still struggling to find the words. It's something beautiful, This Thing Of Ours, and we're all going home.

Harbinger

Well, updating this thing on a regular basis kinda went out of the window, didn't it? Ho hum. Although you have had some photo updates, if you've been paying attention.

So, the Glazer debt is finally in black and white and there for all to see, even if you've been burying your head in the sand for the past five years. It's a pity things have had to get this far for the majority to sit up and take notice, but better late than never and you won't get any self-righteousness or "I told you so" style posts from me. Solidarity is the order of the day (as shown by the flag below) and we all need to stick together on this one, with no more infighting. This may have been predicted in 2005 and we may now have people saying "oh, you were right after all" but now's the time for pointing fingers and being smug.

Which is why I'm all in favour of the green and gold campaign. The sight of people across OT and Manchester in general wearing green and gold/yellow (why are people nit-picking at what colour it should actually be, who cares?) should warm the heart of even the most hardened United fan from any side of the 'divide'. Whilst boycotting season tickets is the only real solution to hurt the Glazers where it counts and drive them out, this is, at least, a start. Something for people to galvanise and get behind. A way for everyone in the ground to show their distaste for the current ownership and see that they aren't really on their own.

There's been plenty of green and gold on display at FC United's past couple of matches as well, which really does warm the cockles of my heart. One in the eye for the "you're not real United fans" bridgade, although I believe plenty are still sniping. FCUM, as they say. Two Uniteds, one soul, one aim. Glazer out.

A brief mention, too, of the Test Series in South Africa (is it really that long since I wrote something?!) Whilst it was disappointing to lose the last game, if someone had said beforehand we'd win the one day series and draw the Test series, I'd have bitten their hand off. Marvellous stuff, although it does seem to still be papering over some cracks. Bring on the Bangladeshis!






The image above is Copyright Michael Regan/Getty Images. I know it was naughty of me to use it, but I'm skint and I'm hardly profiting from it, am I?

Malaise

Well, it's been a while since I last did one of these. Over a month, in fact. Seeing as I've had grief off a few (well, one person. Cheers Damo) about it, I decided to stop being so lazy and write.

Well, it's been a strange month. Still no job and, would you believe, my Jobseeker's Allowance is due to run out because I've been claiming for 6 months. Fucking wonderful. It's nice to know that, after a few years of putting your money into the system you're entitled to only a minute percentage of it back. I'd love to know how those who live off it manage to make their way around the system. But hey ho. I suppose I really, really need to get off my arse and get anything I possibly can, now... Hmm.

The cricket season is at an end. Lancashire managed to somehow scrape a respectable fourth place. However, it masks a mediocre year of unachievement once again and something needs to be done. It does seem that Moores is taking steps to ensure things are going to change from next season and new blood seems to be the order of the day. We just need to see if he actually acts on it. Or, more to the point, if the committee will allow him to act on it. Could look to blood some of the seconds, too, their performance in the two finals shows that they're ready to step up to first team standard. They certainly played like the first team, anyway...

England's performance in the ODIs against Australia is best forgotten, although unbelivably they've managed to secure a semi-final spot. How? Who knows. England have been crap at one-dayers for years now and refuse to change their style of play to adapt. And I fully expect that to show up once again in the semi-final. Oh well, at least we're not South Africa. The best ranked ODI side in the world choke again. Heh.

Football's best avoided at the moment, too. United have played this evening and, not only have I not watched it, I've no intention of watching highlights and I don't even know the score. I'll find out tomorrow. Or when I next look on Facebook. I just can't get excited this season, although when I do watch a game I enjoy it. I guess the past 4 years are catching up with me... And Michael fucking Owen in the number 7 shirt doesn't help either. What a fuck up that is.

FC United are still going strong, though. Although with a patchy start to the season we've seen an increase in spoilt brats wanting changes in management, playing staff and the way the club's structured because we're not getting instant success. Fucking idiots. It's a shame people just can't grasp the ethos of the club, even though they've been following it since the start. Still, I guess some people were just born to be pricks.

My life has seen an ever-present take a major step back into prominence recently, too. Something that's always been there, always been big, but taken a back seat over recent years. Video games. I know, you either love 'em or loathe 'em, but I bloody love 'em. And bugger me, aren't they taking over my existence again. Mind you, Sony's trophy system doesn't help. For the unitiated, trophies are awarded for various achievements in games. There's bronze, silver and gold trophies, depending on how hard the achievement is judged to be. Retail games (i.e. ones you buy in a shop, not downloadable games) have a platinum trophy, awarded for getting all other trophies in the game. These all add up to your gaming level and you can use it to compete against, compare with and taunt other people.

And that's exactly what's happened. Myself and Alan have managed to turn it into a, still fairly friendly, contest. I keep bragging about my platinum trophy, whilst reminding him that he hasn't got any. Yet. In order to keep the bragging rights, I'm playing games constantly and looking at ways at trying to get another platinum. And then another. Christ, I've even considered playing the Hannah Montana game it's that bad! Addicted? Oh aye. And bloody good it is too!

I have to mention the fact that it's my friend Nicole's third wedding anniversary today. Three years, Jesus. Three years since I was in Canada for the first time. Three years since I saw my favourite person in the world finally get the day she'd waited so long for. I was as happy as I possibly could be about something happening to someone else and I'm just glad that, with a little help, her and Steve have managed to make it this far. Here's hoping there's many, many, many more of these to come.

This is going to sound like it's related to the above, but it isn't... Well, maybe a small percentage... There's been a lot of things going on recently that have constantly made me think about still being single. And not necessarily in a good way. It's all well and good being able to do what you want, when you want but it'd be nice to have someone else there to do stuff with. I always thought I'd be settled by now. Should've known. Although I've vowed not to dive head-first into feelings for anyone from here on in. When you spend around two years getting to know someone, get it in your head that things are going perfectly and she can't say 'no' when you ask her out only to find out she's got a boyfriend... Well, it kinda knocks you back a little bit. Don't get carried away and you can't get hurt. Simple, in theory.

On a lighter note, I've re-found another little hobby recently. Comics. Mainly online ones, but I've started thumbing through others as well. It started mainly with Kevin Smith's films and stuff (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy... There's three, go and have a look and them and the others if you've not already) and was accelerated by Star Wars and Watchmen, the latter being utterly superb, I have to say. And the online stuff's always ace, especially when you find a new one to read. Suddenly, you find you've gone through 9 years of comic strips in less than 48 hours...

http://www.mistythemouse.com/ - Superbly written stuff, although it's not been updated regularly for a while.

http://www.sabrina-online.com/ - Hillarious. Read it from the beginning and enjoy. Oh - and the Amiga computers are at the heart of the strip and project. What more do you want?

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/index.php - My latest find. Brilliantly written, very funny indeed and sums up gaming and gamers really well indeed. Might not mean much to those who don't play video games, but it's worth a look.

And so, the sun sets on another evening. I won't leave it as long before I blog again. I promise.

Cup Fever

I've left this a few days after a week of Cup Fixtures captured my, and a few others', imaginations in order to let it all sink in.

It started off full of hope and optimism as we took our seats on the Saturday to watch Lancashire in the Quarter Final of the Friends Provident Trophy against Essex. We'd been beaten twice already in the group stages by the southern gits, so surely this had to be our time? Right. A superb victory meaning we've got a home draw against Hampshire in the semi-finals. Lord's beckoning? I hope so, no trophy (I'm not counting second division titles as trophies, not for anyone) for ten years means you start to get a little desperate for success. It's been a great start to the season on all fronts, here's hoping something comes off in one competition. Although if we win the Twenty20 I hope there's also a more meaningful trophy to go with it...

Then we got to Wednesday... The final of the European Cup, Champions League, Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens, whatever you want to call it. Manchester United's fourth final, the chance to win our fourth European Cup. To join an elite list of clubs at the top of European football. Only someone didn't seem to tell United this. Outplayed and outclassed by a superb Barcelona side who deserved their win. Nothing more to say. Funnily enough, it didn't hurt as much as it was clearly going to when we on the cusp of losing in Barcelona and Moscow. Maybe because we've now got a respectable number of European Cups. Hah. How arrogant does that sound, considering most people will never see their side play in Europe? Oh well, you know what I mean. Either way, Cup Fever was a little dampened at this point...

And so, Friday. Salford's Challenge Cup Quarter Final tie away at Wigan. The giddy-o-meter was off the scale amongst Salford's support and we took a following of around 1,500. Typically, though, we came up against a good, in-form Wigan side who took us apart. Wembley? It's the shittest ground in London that we'll never get to see, as the song goes. The club as a whole met the ground below them again with a fucker of a bump. Still, concentrating on league form improvement isn't a bad thing, I just hope we can kick on from the good few weeks we've had.

So - after all of that, the only club left that's giving me any hope is Lancashire. Makes a change. Let's just hope I'm not back on here in a few months bemoaning the way it's all gone tits up...

Never in my lifetime...

Sunday 26th April 1992. I was settling in front of the tele at my Grandma Holdsworth's house. I was still only eight years of age and the Football League was coming to the end of the first season that I really, truly, properly remembered. Others had been a blur, a mish-mash of random memories. I knew I was a United fan, but this was the year when it finally took hold. Things really started to matter. And, even by then, even at this tender age, I knew what winning the Championship meant. I knew how big a 25 year wait was for the title. Jesus, 25 years, that was a lifetime to my childhood mind! And so, I knew how important it was to win at Anfield and keep the title chase alive.

One thing that hadn't sank in at this point was the hatred for Liverpool Football Club and everything around it. The significance of eighteen titles hadn't hit home. Just winning the damn thing once was all that mattered at this moment in time. All that, however, was about to change. Two hours and two goals from Ian Rush and Mark Walters later and I felt sick, I was dizzy... And my hatred for Liverpool FC had been cemented. Forget any other aspect of the history between the two clubs, my feelings for those down the other end of the East Lancs can be traced firmly back to that day.

Twelve months later and I'm back at my Grandma's house watching an Ice Hockey game, I believe, on the BBC using small portable tele in her bedroom. Nerves are, again, taking hold and it was mainly an exercise in keeping my mind clear. And then - it appeared at the bottom of the screen. "Aston Villa 0 - 1 Oldham Athletic 1. Manchester United are the Premier League Champions."

We'd done it. 26 years of waiting over. Fantastic, wonderful, let's go to Anfield and crow about it. And crow we did, apart from one banner sticking in everyone's throats.



It'd gone from "fucking hell, we'll never win the league" to "fucking hell, we'll never catch those scouse twats up." Catching up and overtaking them seemed a long way away. Add that to 4 European Cups to our paltry one and... Well, it makes you sick just thinking about it, doesn't it?

Fast forward to the 16th of May 2009. Lots of things have happened. Liverpool have added one European Cup to their total, but haven't won the Championship since 1990. Manchester United, on the other hand, have not only won an unprecedented treble, and added another European Cup on top of that, and have the chance to defend that title in Rome and win it for a fourth time and have won two World Club Championships, but also, more importantly... Have just won their eigtheenth English Football Championship.

18 times. It's something that I've heard so many times growing up. It's a day I've long since looked forward to and prayed for. I've felt sick when we've not won it and looked back thinking "well, if we'd won it then we'd be level... And if we'd done it there we'd be ahead." It's a day I thought would never come, that seemed so many, many years away. And now we're there. Equal on Championships with Liverpool and, domestically, the most successful English side ever. You could argue that, with the two World titles in there, we ARE the most successful English side ever. But that won't be accepted until we're at least level on European titles.

That, in itself, is another post altogether. Growing up with 4-1, then 4-2 and then 5-2 being thrown at you was sickening. Suddenly, though, 3 seems a lot closer to that second magic number and with a 50/50 chance of one more... Well, sense prevents me from getting carried away. The most important thing to remember and enjoy at this moment in time is the fact that, after many years of suffering, abuse and crowing from all at Liverpool FC... Manchester United Football Club are Champions of England for the eighteenth time. And that is a fact.

That joke isn't funny anymore...

Life has one uncanny knack of biting you on the arse when you least expect it. And when you've not really got much of chance to bite the bastard back, an'all. So it was when the words "you're getting made redundant" filtered through my ample ears...

Well, alright, for the pedants amongst you that wasn't the exact phrase used at the time, as there was more than one of us. But that was the general gist of it. And so, a few weeks later after a load of stress, tension and a much-needed week off... And I'm now stuck with the harsh reality of being out of work and needing to find something sharpish.

I signed on today for the first time. Strange experience, although I'm looking forward to going to the upstairs office even less so. And the fact that I've got to cease claiming whilst I'm in France for a few days is a bit strange as well. "You won't be available at 24 hours notice for an interview." I'm going away for a fucking weekend. Ah well, at least watching Salford RLFC will take my mind off it.

Ah. Salford. I'm not sure there's too much I can say on here without making every other word a swear word. Although, admittedly, that'd be normal for myself. All I will say is this - we're going backwards rapidly. Nothing's changed since McRae came in and unless something changes soon we're snookered. It's going to be a long three years until the next franchise announcement.

Moving on. England in the West Indies... Hmm, again, not really something that's going to cheer me up! The Test Series was a facinating thing to watch, with England suffering from a mixture of bad luck and dodgy captaincy decisions. Strauss needs to learn when to declare, something which would've saved us the series. But never mind. The one-dayers seem to be more of a concern. The South African Ego being my main bugbear... I'm sorry, but drop him. His scores in this series have been woeful (12 in the first ODI,17 in the second ODI, 12 in the Twenty20, 3 in the third ODI) and he's being carried in the team on the off chance that he might pull off something brilliant to win us a match. When did that happen in any form of the game? Anyone else with that record would've been 'rested'. That bellend seems to have immunity. It's no wonder we struggle at times.

Anyway, I'm getting myself wound up, so before I leave, a word on FC United of Manchester. Some superb performances, including a 3-2 win away at Marine on Saturday (you scouse bastards!) have put us firmly in with a chance of getting into the play offs. The financial consequences of going up are another story for another time, but the fact that we've pulled our season out from nowhere to be in this position is a thing of wonder. Not bad for a bunch of Judas twats who'd have packed it in within 6 months.

Right, I'm off to squander my giro...

Obla Di, Obla Da, Man. United, Champions of Planet Earth

Some say it was a poxy, mickey mouse tournament. But that's only because they're either dicks or jealous that their own team wasn't there. Manchester United were, though.

Champions of England. Champions of Europe. Champions of the World.

A pinnacle already reached in 1999, now it's been done in a tournament which truly separates the Champion of each continent instead of just those of from Europe and South America. Manchester United Football Club are officially the Greatest Club side in the World. Marvellous.

Once again United lead the way, the first English side to win this new edition of the tournament, nay, first British side to win it. And not only that, we will forever stand as the only British side who ever won the Intercontinental Cup version of the tournament.

World Champions twice. That's one more than England. Proving once and for all that United > England.

Worthless? Poxy? I don't fucking think so.

Manchester United - Champions of Planet of Earth.

I don't like cricket...

This post comes on the back of watching highlights (snigger) of England's latest failure in India. Well, latest failure would've been just as apt. What is it that makes them so bloody useless? Once again the top order fail to make a big score and the middle order... Well, I don't need to say anything, do I?

It says it all when you're left watching the bowlers throw the bat about in a much better attempt to get the total looking somewhere near respectable. Although I'd rather see Samit Patel get a chance further up the order, but them that pick the team and that know more than I do. Apparently. Broad made a decent effort with the bat, too. I'm not going to pick on the bowling, as rough as some of it was at times, except to say one thing. Harmison. Useless Geordie tosser.

Anyhoo, my main gripe is with Flintoff, Collingwood and Pietersen. I'll leave Bell out of it, because we all know he's fucking shite. But the other three really should be doing much, much better. Collingwood's dismissal was weak and Freddie and KP (Copyright the media and everyone else stuck up their arses...) still haven't learnt to bat properly. It says a lot when their best innings have come when they've played defensive shots when needed, taken their time and built and innings. And the big shots have been effortless, unforced and done without too much thinking (arf...) and planning. Yet 95% of the time they think they can win games on their own, don't have to play proper shots and can fuck around to their hearts content. It might work against Bangladesh but it doesn't work against a team that's just recently made Australia look shite.

5 ODI's left before the Tests? It's going to be a long series...

On a lighter cricketing note... Robert Key and Suresh Raina... Surely separated at Birth? The Keys must've had an Indian milkman, I'm telling you!

Finally, a brief footballing interlude. FC United played Guiseley yesterday in the Unibond Premier Division, sorry, Northern Premier League Premier Division, in Guiseley. It seemed a nice little town, just a shame about the Leeds Service Crew nuggets who decided to show up and kick off with a non-league family club. Funny how they only turn up when they know the odds are in their favour? Thankfully the police were well on top of it all and it got no further than a lot of shouting and arm waving.

On the pitch a hard-fought 2-2 draw was an excellent result, although we should've won really. But you can't complain. We'd have lost that game a few months ago!

And this really is the final point... I'm now a qualified First Aider. Scary or what?!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to get my bat and do a bit of practicing. If that shower can represent their country...