That's ok - you can hurt me, I'm an easy target.

Won't be at training tonight, the knee is still not strong enough to handle anything other than walking, although I am able to go up stairs normally again. Hopefully by next Thursday I'll be able to come along and see how it is...

See you all Sunday for our first 3 points!

He always walked that way, Its when he runs you have to take a closer look!!!

no wonder your walking funny!!!

That's a damn lie. She was not away for research purposes.

Well, Crabbeman just asked if I could ask you for his 11-inch anal probe back, which he said you borrowed last week while Julie was away for 'research' purposes...?

On the normal one til next Friday, then won't be. You can use shane.bellamy@talk21.com if you need to send me stuff til I post a new email addy though...

Why, what have you got to say that you can't share with everyone?

Shaner, have you got a new email address?

Me toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I'm impressed you could type so well whilst being chased.

I'm being chased as to whether we want this friendly (NST Direct) was next Wednesday or not, so if we don't they have a chance to arrange another team to play.

unfortunately they've already got a match. i'll ring round a couple.

Lewis could see if his brothers team are able to play another friendly on Sunday, there not all that great but it's still a run out, and they did finish mid-table in our division last season....

It would be handy to have a game at the weekend.

I can manage The Cross Keys. I can start my pre-match pep talk with "this lot are shit.."

Were supposed to be playing the cross keys but there manager is in hospital so looks very unlikely unless we can find a team to fill in for them. Henwick pitched are being marked this week so we could get one of those for next wedensday. Think we should have at least 1 more friendly before the season starts. Would everyone be available next wed for a friendly?

Offer of the friendly for next week is still there if we want it, obviously need to find a pitch though. Would also need to make a decision fairly soon so both teams can get organised.

Is there a friendly this Sunday?

couldn't agree more with both of you. We have got the makings of a very good season here if we get off to a good start. Any news about the friendly for next wednesday?

Complacency is a killer!!!!

People who think they will automatically be getting their position in the team may have to raise their game as i have seen a lot of good things in the 2 friendlies that we have had and i have been looking at selections and seeing how i am going to work it, im pretty pleased with the squad we have and have the makings of a great team this season.

Agreed. It's always difficult cos you can't say "you can't play for any other teams" cos that's wrong, but you're right that people need to be aware that if it affects their performance that will naturally affect their selection.

No idea about numbers tonight but I think you might be down to 5 people - You, Wayne, Matt, Tony, Hilly (dunno about Beeny).

I did ask Smurf to send a text out on Monday and Tues that training was back on. I was quite happy to run training tonight if we have numbers. Me and Wayne will be there, i was planning on doing some set piece training as well tonight.
I don't know if it will clash with burghclere in the future, if it does we just have to make it clear to everyone that if might affect team selection. That should do it.

So is training on or off tonight? Nobody seems to know. Last I heard it was on but other people who could have made it haven't been told so they've made other plans. Looks like numbers are going to be too low to go ahead.

I won't be going unless I hear any different (can't actually train anyway with the knee) but if enough people are going and they need someone to take it then I'll go.

Is the Burghclere thing a one-off or are we going to come against this often?

Sounds like a plan.

Sounds ok to me Smurf but like shaner said we still need someone on standby and if thats all we need i might have someone in mind. Wouldn't be reliable enough to turn up every week but could play if we really needed him.

And your kicks on Sunday were immense. I only ever managed that once and I think the ball had a lot to do with it then...

Fair Point.....The floor is open to suggestions

Yeah we could see that on Sunday Smurfy, but whatever happens you're not gonna be there for every game throughout a season. Where I used to take over in goal I'm becoming less reliable and it was never an ideal situation so either way we could do with knowing someone we could call in case of emergencies.

You're the boss mate it's your call every week whether you play yourself or not. If you're firing then I think that's good enough for anybody, it's just for if you get injured or can't make a game one week we're automatically down to scrabbling around for someone who doesn't mind playing in goal.

I'm happy to take that role but I think we can all agree my ability is not what you might call impressive and results of matches I've been between the sticks for have ranged from sublime 1-0 wins to embarassing 7 goal tonkings. Never good for the nerves.

If its any consolation and if anyone cares im actually feeling pretty good with playing at the moment and enjoying it.
Just thought id mention it

lol. To be fair they always had some good players. From what I remember they had a dodgy defence so it was always fairly easy to score past them, and in those days we were pretty solid defensively so they could play some good stuff but struggled to punch through to our goal.

Lets hope we get back to those days quick!

Didn't Henwick used to be really shite?

Yeah that'll be it then, I never used to go near midfield, too many players to take the ball off me. Unless you were in your own 6 yard box I'd have never seen you.

Thanks Shane, nice to know i always leave an impression. Yeah we used to play centre mid together.

I remember Wayne playing for Henwick but don't recall you Grundy. Weird, but then if you consider that I'd only ever have noticed you when I was wheeling away to celebrate a goal it makes more sense... ;-)

I'll get Julie to put a note up on the board at Vodafone. Will word it carefully.

"Football club seeks anyone who can play in goal to provide cover for psycho manager with bent leg."

Should do it.

Wayne hasn't played for henwick since i played for them so don't think he's going to be much use. The teams changed a lot since we were there.
Think the whole e-advert at vodafone is a good one though Shaner.

Well tell her that we've got Genghis who's got kids. Actually that's probably not the best example. So tell her we've got Smurf who's... fuck. Um, Hilly! Hilly has a kid and is grown up.

Man for a minute there I thought we were gonna struggle.

Well just see if you can get his number at least we can give him a call then. I can be pretty persuasive if needed. Anyway how grown up can you ever be to go standing around in a field on a Sunday morning for no good reason? I won't start the conversation with that.

I got it wrong, there current keeper doesn't want to play anymore, as he's the manager as well (deja vu!), so there trying to get Henwicks old keeper for them - John Harris is his name. Wayne might know him.

She's trying to get a number for him, but doesn't think her fella will give it to me as he's a very good player and they want him.

Also said she thinks he might not fit in with our team as he's 'very grown up, married with a kid' - she obviously has a high opinion of me then...!

Might be worth getting his details mate - see why he was thinking of jacking it in, might be cos of the guys he was playing with. He might just be looking for a bit of a change and we know he'd get a good welcome from our guys.

Julie's also said she can put a notice up on the e-noticeboard at Vodafone. You never know who might be reading it, there's a few people who work there.

What do you think?

A bird I work with - her fella played for Henwick last year, I asked her about there Keeper. All she knows is his names John and he's decided he doesn't want to play Sunday league this year, although her fella is trying to get him to play for NST Direct - Which is where the offer of next weeks friendly came from.

Bit of a bad situation eh? What's going on with Henwick at the moment, does Wayne know who their keeper is or how we can find that out? I don't mind making a few calls.

easier said than done at the moment. Cannot find any keepers available at the moment

You obviously weren't there for our 11-1 mauling of Shalbourne a couple of seasons ago. 8-0 up at half time, John Sills scored twice, how good can they be???

That said, I also remember that while we were good back then, the scale of that result was something of a surprise cos they had some useful players and weren't afraid of taking shots from outside the box.

Suggest we get a keeper sorted for that game as well though as Smurf might not be so keen to play them again at their ground...

Sounds good, we should have another game on sunday this week so one more game before the season curtain raiser would be good. Think there half decent, and used to be NTS Casuals in a past life i think.

Teams in our league this year are:

Berkshire Arms middle of the road team...bit like us last year
Blue Ball wayne used to play for them so they've got to be bad
Bucklebury Were a good side, not sure now.
Coopers Arms I hate this lot!!!!! Few bookings will happen in this one.
Lmp Already falled to the mighty Shefford sword once
Meadway think they came 3rd last year & unlucy not to go up
Newbury Post Office Res I used to play for them so they have to be even worse
Paggies Bar Can only get better from last season.
Q Assosciates New team!!!!
Shalbourne Half decent side!!!
Wagon & Horses God knows.

Never heard of them.

I don't think getting a pitch would be a problem, but getting a squad might be. Depends what those Burghclere c*nts are up to eh Matt? Burn em.

Smurfy wanna put a text out there and see who would be available for next Wednesday (if you want another friendly that is)?

I'm chill!

I have been asked by NST Direct if we would like a friendly a week Wednesday (31st August). Although they haven't a pitch, so either us or them would need to find one in the mean time.

I have no idea if they are any good, I think they got promoted from our 'new' league last season.

Okay training is back on thursday. Smurf can you send a text out to everyone and let them know. usual time usual place.

Smiler....Chill mate!!!!! Who said those that play sat will automatically get the nod over those that are fresh!?!!!?!! And who says we aren;t going to include what happens on a sat in the team selection for sunday. Any knocks picked up on sat means they could well be dropped on the sunday.

I'm happy to train on Thursday, I need to keep up the fitness. I play for Shefford and don't see why I should miss out because of Burghclere. They fucked us up enough last year.

I dunno whose idea it was to sign the new kids for them as well, but it wasn't a good one as we'll just end up with half a knackered team every Sunday again.

Rant Over...

And yes your right that is old. But then i must be catching you up as i ache today!!!!
yeah much better performance all round, still areas for improvement but were on the right road. Looks like it could be a great partnership up front as well. potentially.

couldn't agree more only lewis is playing for burghclere so's gareth and beeny.

Guys who is available to train thursday!!?!!!

Matt
Tony
Hilly
Beeny
JT
Grundy
Wayne
Gareth
Dave Lewis

Seems worth doing something - you could see the psychological down-time that we had after both their goals yesterday, took us 10 minutes per goal to recover and get back to playing at our best (which was fucking good). So even if there's only a few people I'm happy to do some fitness stuff to get some momentum going before the season starts. Every bit helps at this stage.

Plus I'm not "injured", I'm "old". There's a difference. An injury you get going in for a tackle or sprinting too fast or jumping off the side of a building. I hurt my knee going down the stairs. Old.

Big well done to everyone for yesterday btw - Partick are a very good side who at times play some excellent football. And while we spent a few minutes chasing shadows throughout the game, we were a lot more effective in the football that we produced. We limited them to a small number of goal scoring chances and we created many more chances than we scored. It was great to watch.

Although if i could get the regular back line together i would like to do some practice on the offside trap from set pieces.

Out of everyone who would normally be there:

Chris Miller On holiday
Andy Miller On holiday
Ben Playing for Burghclere
Macca playing for Burghclere
Crabman Injured
Ads away on holiday
Smurf cant make it.
your injured
Ghengis injured


So we'd be down to about 5 which is fairly pointless. No reason why people can't do a bit of fitness training on their own, i will be.

Why no training Thursday?

Smurf what time we meeting and where? Might be better to meet at henwick again as some of the new players won't know where to go.

I'll see how it goes - trying to get myself a docs appointment at the moment. I hoped I could sleep it off last night but that didn't really make any sense and, of course, didn't happen.

If I don't make it, like you say, I'm sure you can put something together. I know Crabbeman and Lewis have taken it in the past and you're not exactly incapable yourself...

I'd have thought you'd have a bungalow at your age Shane.

I'm sure we'll sort something out at training tonight, unless you want to come along and take it.

Ads, i'll bring them on sunday if your there if not yeah i'll forge one for you. I spoke to Gareth last week at training and he asked not to play there again, saying that he wasnt a centre back but its worth a thought smurf. if were struggling.

Shaner. you big tart, those stair things are very tricky, takes years to master. pppffff

Gents, had a bit of a disaster. Yesterday, in a tricky manouvre called "walking down the stairs" I seem to have managed to bust my knee up. Not quite sure what the problem is at the moment, walking is fine but stairs are a seering, burning journey to hell, complete with gay wincing and embarassed laughter.

Therefore, I don't think I'm gonna make training tonight and am 99% out for Sunday (which is less of an issue). But who is going to training tonight who might be able to take it? If there's no one then I can still come along and just yell at you while you run around. The rain is due to pass by then anyway...

If he's been playing centre back for Thatcham Tornadoes for a few years, I'd imagine he know's what he's doing! He's pretty quick as well which would benefit us against Partick.

I haven't had a signing on form either, if you need to send them just forge one for me.

Don't think you should play gareth centre back. He's not really got the positional sense for it, i'll fill in at c.half if needs be. At least i've played there regularly.
Sillsy i have some spare forms which i'll, bringing on sunday, are you playing?
Wayne is available though smurf. See you all sunday, where are we meeting? and what time?

Sorry I can't make it guys, I'm off to Wales. I haven't got a signing on form yet though...

Someone tell me a joke.

I think that gareth can play centre back too. Apparently he's Chris miller's centre back partner for Tornadoes. Might be another alternative.

Blimey shows how quickly a large squad can thin out - suddenly we're down to one centre back... I know Grundy can play there (and even me if needed) but it's not the same as a regular, strong pairing. And don't forget how fast they can attack...

And good shout on the Henwick keeper Grundy, anyone know who he is? Would Wayne know him?

Grundy we need to send off signing on forms asap I will call you tonight with registration secretaries address.

Confirmed for Sunday:

Smurf
Ben
Gareth
JT
Browny
Ad
Tony
Shane
Grundy
Neil
Matt
Lewis

Unavailable

Crabbeman
Sillsy
Andy Miller
Chris Miller
Ghengis
Hilly

No Response

Beenie
Wayne (Grundy do you know if he can?)

Haven't found anyone yet but.....Henwick FC folded last week due to a lack of players, Smurf it might be worth a call to see if there goalie fancies signing on for us!?! Did you have their number?

How are we getting on with the goalkeeper search?

Yes mr Sills i did. Good thinking though, i like your style!

We could try Chieveley

Smurf we have another friendly arranged for the 27th August as well now. Just have to sort a pitch out. Any ideas?

I'll be there Thursday so I can take it, no problem. Unless someone else wants to have a go?

Yeah how did you guess. Oh is that what your missus is doing as well. !!!! Well at least i'll get one date then. You cheeky sod. No working late in Reading and won't get back in time.

Thursdays speed dating at the British Legion has started up again has it Grundy?

I'm not there on thursday lads. Someone else will have to take training.

Have you asked Shaner? Probab;y your best bet, with Julie being the other Villa fan.

Ive got 2 villa vs newcastle tickets for sale as im now unable to go. Its in 2 weeks time at villa park. Anyone interested or know anyone who might be? Let me know. Ta.

Yeah have a couple more forms, we need to get some more players forms. Weve ran out Smurf. Whats the number for the reg sec and i'll give them a ring to get some more for thursday this week. Haven't been given any more signing on fees yet.

Have we got a game next sun? And the Sun after? I have a team that want a friendly but thought we were playing Partick next week for some reason?

First League game 3rd september Home to Bucklebury:
Bowness Cup Draw Kennett
Vic French Cup Blue Ball.

Grundy do you have all signing on forms and monies and can i have a form please

No game sunday. The other team have had to pull out. Anyone know any teams we could try?

Good Effort put in on sunday lads, A little room for improvement but on the whole a good team effort, Passing, movement, calling for the ball, tracking back, all looked good, and although it was a hot day, we all looked like we wanted the ball and knew how to use it,

Looking forward to training this week, Is there a game this sunday??

Hold the boat, looks like I might be making training this week. Whose been winning the murder runs without me?

Sounds like a good performance on Sunday lads, well done. Crabbeman said he was fairly impressed with the fresh talent as well...

I shouldn't worry about it Smurfy - best thing is that with a new player in defence we managed to limit them to one 'proper' scoring chance and that was in the second half after a load of changes and people maybe starting to get a bit complacent. Other than that they rarely caused you any trouble at all with Tony and Chris stopping everything and Beeny and JT able to feed the midfield well.

Looked good at times boys with the 3 young lads looking impressive as well as wanking.I will hold my hands up for 2 of the goals just silly errors and i will hopefully be getting sharper that was down to full match practice.(anyone find a keeper then crack on)

Well done today lads. I'm currently crooked again, buggered my knee.

Anyway, anyone want to join my mini-league for: I Know the score

If so go to the above address and create a FREE account and enter 44cB-MAWC in the private league.

Nice performance today gents, new guys did themselves proud. 2nd half was a bit dull but with all the chopping and changing in friendlies that's easily done, at least it was dull rather than fraught...

With a bit more training and a few more friendlies we should be crying out to get into proper competitive matches.

Nope - and I'm sure the bloke's heard pretty much any Wayne King related jokes you could possibly come up with (slipped a little one in there see?) - but I remember him mainly from playing for Henwick. You look at him and think that he can't possibly be a threat, but then he's fast, fit, skillful and strong. Kind of takes you by surprise, good addition to the squad I reckon.

Wayne King? That's a joke I take it...?

Yep. It's an all new Shefford squad for you to play with Smurfy. Good bit of competition for places and everyone putting in the effort in training, new players and old.

Wayne King ?

Smurf another one to add to your list of availables. Wayne.

I'm going on holiday Smurf and I'm still coming along. Some players just have a bad attitude.

I'm going to see a bullfight in Spain. I'm all for it. Stupid bulls. Kick em in the face.

Browny is in Ibiza this weekend and has assured me that he will be giving the kit to Crabbeman prior to going

Kit for Sunday - I'm pretty sure The Brown Man took the kit on the last day of the season to use for a work game. Has he given it back to anybody? If not, he'll need to arrange delivery as he's on the list not to play on Sunday.

As long as you haven't got that picture...

Yeah I meant anywhere other than Henwick.

Reckon I got away with that one.

Don't make me go back to the altered photos, I have plenty...

Use your eyes Shaner, come on, your not that old...

Shane you dont owe me any money it is just the disc you owe me for surfing and if you read my las blog it said we are meeting at Henwick 10:30 on sunday

Are we meeting anywhere to go to the Frilsham game? I ask cos I don't know where it is...

Also, Smurfy I'll be bringing the cash I owe you.

So far confirmed for sunday:
Smurf
Grundy
Taylor
Ad
Neil
Crabbe
Shane
Tony
Miller
Miller Jnr
2 Mates of Hilly that been training
Lewis

Neil Sturmey (Possibility)

Unavailable

Sillsy
Hilly
Ghengis
Browny


Not Had Reply From

Beenie
Crooky
Matt

We are going to meet at Henwick 10:30 then convoy to Frilsham

With all this planning going on we should also sort out our presentation night. Probably not gonna be too much to present but we'll have a damn good piss up.

Well I think most there teams are gays!

Looking forward to Sunday, need a bit of match fitness and it'll do us all good to get back on the pitch, with the ball at our feet....

Further to my comments below - I was only kidding, was merely pointing out that while they're now two divisions above us, they aint so hot, whereas Hermitage were a different class last time we played them (fair enough we had a cobbled-together squad up against them but they were still shit hot).

So I wasn't necessarily saying I don't want to play them, quite happy to play anyone, or better still stand on the sidelines and watch you lot play them, while I shout "shit" and "gay".

Game this Sunday at Frilsham 11:30 kick off against LMP Lewis's brothers team,Hilly is going to confirm the August 10th game against Hermitage and im not sure when season starts.

I agree with Shane, I'm not fussed about having a friendly with Brimpton.

Hertitage play a superb passing game, but this season, so are we going to be.... So it should be a pretty even game!