Halfway not a bad shout good food choice bit of room for us to do presentation,Crossie playing games and a nice slippery bog floor for me to slip up on

There is, of course, another idea...

There's a section of the restaurant at The Halfway Inn that we could commandeer, that way those curry haters wouldn't have to eat curry, we could get served beer as much as we need and then call for a cab to go into town as and when. Taxi's only a coupla quid each when you have people sharing, we've all done it before...

I've not been told of anyone not resigning yet, but I haven't handed out the forms yet either... Just Craig new this year I think, but then I'm not really looking for anyone new either so that suits as we've lost Rob and I don't know what John Lamb's plans are - with all the best intentions in the world it's a big ask for him to come along every Sunday, but at the same time I can't imagine the league's in Bristol will be the best in the country either - I guess we'll all just have to wait and see.

I'm tempted to plump for a curry house in Newbury, maybe even back to the Elora for old time's sake, but eating early so we still have a good part of the night ahead of us. Only trouble is, it was quite nice having that room to ourselves last year - I don't know any of the curry houses in Newbury that can do that for us - any ideas???

That place in Reading was shite last year.Blackpool as a back up plan sounds good to me get on to the Gynway(maybe dodgy spelling)
Hows training going then is there a lot of new faces? Heard of anyone not re-signing?How many trophies have i won this year?
Matty i have missed you so

It wasn't so much impossible as we often had to pour them ourselves, which with Hilly isn't really a problem.

It's just alternatives that are a problem at the moment - Newbury has the age old problem of being a bit rank afterwards, although I guess it's probably improved a bit since last time. Reading has more choice of places to go after the curry. I suppose we could always have the meal earlier so the places in Newbury are still open for a while to go for a drink, but then it leaves the young uns with only Liquid to entertain them...

What's everybody's thoughts?

Okay. Matt, what are your thoughts?

Nope. The Reading boys should know, although Jonny S is the only one that comes on here and he's on his Hols! (Lucky Fucker)

But wasn't it impossible to get a pint in there? Mind you, The Nawab just kept bringing pints we hadn't ordered!! - Which on reflection, isn't a bad thing.

p.s. anyone remember the name of that curry house from last year?

Already tried them - fully booked. I've tried every surf lodge possible, I'm down to caravan parks and camp sites at the moment. Can't really see us camping but caravans wouldn't be too bad - still got the same crap though, they only want to sell week-long holidays at that time of year.

No one likes us, no one likes us, no one likes us, we don't care, Cody loves us...

Well, not especially, but then last year in Reading wasnt great service with the food taking hours to arrive etc! That, and this guy at work who is v. annoying keeps following me around, has started coming out pubbing with us etc much to my dismay, is coincidentally having his birthday night on 10th July. At Furama. And now wants us all to meet up with him in afterwards to make him look popular and no doubt ruin my night! He's is a nice enough guy, just very annoying when you have to work 9-5 with him, and then he turns up at everything else you do outside of work!

I dont mind where we have the presentation evening really, I think we will all have a laugh wherever we go, same applies for the weekend away. As a famous person once said, 'its (sic) the people that make the event, not the place'

Think John's got rather fond memories of the Nawab, I don't remember anything like that...

Blackpool sounds good, not a bad back up to have...solid, reliable, cheap...

dunno mate - will spend some more time this evening looking into this but it's really not looking healthy, I can't believe that not even caravan parks will take a weekend booking. Plan B for Blackpool if everyone's alright with that?

You are all welcome to come to Clacton - on - Sea, most hours of sunshine anywhere in the UK...If all else fails, im sure we could still get places in Blackpool!

Im off to Fuerteventura in about 14 hours, so youll have to get the presentation night and weekend away sorted without me! Shocking. Have we booked anywhere for the presentaton night yet? We could always go to The Naweb (?) in Newbury again? It might mean that people like Beenie and Hilly will definatly come.

Not that Ill be thinking about that with the sun, sea, swimming pool, beer, and women in bikinis around me!

So is there a plan B if all fails at Newquay?

Good stuff, sounds promising, are you his agent?

What is sounding less promising is the likelihood of getting accommodation in Newquay for our weekend. Places are either full or only take week-long bookings at that time of year. Bloody tinpot UK holiday destination. No lapdancing and no accommodation. Will keep trying...

Played football with Craig on Tuesday, now he has started his new job he can come training every week, he is really up for it. Considering he hadnt played for a while he did well too, calm on the ball etc so I think he will def be a good addition to the squad for next season. Im off on holiday on tuesday for a week so I wont be at training on thursday, but when I get back its full speed ahead to Newbury Lakeside Division One Champions, 2004-5...

Overall he's been good, but god knows what he was thinking last night, he completely blew it, he had a team there good enough to beat any of the teams in the competition and he tells them to play like that, completely alien to most of the players on the pitch. None of them are used to resolutely defending against teams cos they all play for top of the table clubs who pass the ball around to keep possession - that's how they defend, not by packing their own box.

I can't believe that a manager of his experience and standing would actually make the decision to do that. When they equalised, we stood no chance of playing any more football because of the length of time we'd not been playing for and cos of the players we had on the pitch.

You can't blame any of the players for playing badly when they're under instruction to do things that are alien to them - although Phillip Neville should be reminded that to tackle someone you have to get near the ball, preferably with your feet and not grab them round the neck with your hands, thereby allowing them to shoot.

I really think that although he's not been a bad manager, last night was bad enough for him to have to go.

Two words, Iain Dowie.

Totally agree, or he should be sacked. Why the hell he made those subs (obviously not the Rooney one) I do not know, why the hell he put Phil Nev on, well.... He should be sacked.

He's having a press conference at 12.30pm, hopefully he'll quit then. Get Martin o'Neil in for the job.

Sven should resign for being paid the money he's on and making decisions like that.

"I've got the best attacking midfield in the tournament, so I'm going to tell them to sit back and defend for 87 minutes"

"I've got the two smallest strikers in the tournament, so I'm going to play long balls up to them"

"I'm going to breathe in"

Maybe you should allocate people to make the trophies this year.

No. Or the trophies. Should be a good night.

Forward planning... Burn off the beer before we drink it. Has the venue been sorted for the presentation evening on the 10th?

Bit of an awkward one tonight. I can't make it now, neither can Mikey, so I dont know how many can turn up, probably down to your 4 or 5 people, so it'd have to be messing about or joining in with other guys down there.

So it's completely your call if you want to go along or not.

Official Shefford FC Pre-season Training commences Thursday 29th July.

Is training still on tonight?

I think that's a very measured viewpoint. I would still stick with Owen now, unless he pulls out a real stinker, as the team as a unit is performing well so no need to change things, but come the World Cup qualifiers Owen needs to be fighting for his place. Don't think Vassell is necessarily the man to replace him, some sort of Rooney-clone would be ideal, but I bet FIFA have some sort of rule against it. So funny watching the Italians score last night and run over to their bench who already knew the other score...

As for the AGM, fairly uneventful. Div 1 next season will be:-

Shefford
Travellers Friend
MDM
Hampstead Norreys
Partick
Westwood
Newbury PO
WKD
Shalbourne
Vodafone
Medeway Kingsclere

I'm sure there's another one but can't think of it. Basically TVS and Cold Ash went up, Travellers Friend and Westwood came up from Div2 and nobody got relegated down into Div1. NTS got relegated down into Div2. Kingsclere are a newly voted in team. There are two new sides in Div2 as well.

WKD appeared to pull out of the league at the end of the meeting but really got drowned in the background noise so I don't know whether they really do intend to pull out or not. They seemed to be upset that MDM didn't get promoted, dunno why that angered them so much, but there you go. Season set to start September 5th.

Genghis has taken up karate. That wasn't part of the AGM, I just figured the public should be made aware.

I'm fine with staying in caravans too, as long as Smurf doesn't rip my door handle off again!

Just for a change I agree with Sills. I think we should stick with Owen up front, Portugal will be pretty worried about Rooooooney that Owen might just get a little more space. I hope.

Oh, and Caravans would be great...

Well, Im not saying Owen is playing anywhere near his best, but I still think he is playing a major role. Thought he was good last night, lots of clever runs again, caused lots of problems, good linking up with Rooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnney for the boy wonder's second of the night. Owen and Beckham are in similar positions, they are (or were atthe start of the tournament) the two big attacking threats for England, so both have 2-3 men on them when they have the ball, meaning that although the are less effective in terms of ball work, the are still very effective in making space for the others. Gerrard, Lamps, Scholes and Rooney all had acres last night, because the Croats were surrounding Mikey and Dave!

I will admit that Owen has lost a lot of pace though, you can see the injuries playing on his mind, but i dont think there is a rush to replace him. Vassell is good, but I could run quickly at a knackered defence if I was brought on after 70 mins. Not with the ball, of course.

Good AGM?

Obviously no training this Thursday, so if anyone fancies it, let's make it tomorrow night 7pm at Vicky Park. I believe that this week I shall be able to make it.

So come on then Sillsy, you're gonna say how well Owen played last night and how he set up the first goal - when the Owen of old would have scored from there not flicked the ball against the keeper for Rooney and Scholes to pick up the pieces. In the second half I forgot he was playing. I really wanted him to score, cos then if he got a bit of confidence and we had a confident Owen partnering Rooney that'd be amazing. He needs to talk to Paul McKenna.

looks like we might end up in caravans in newquay - not that that's a problem...

Genghis - meet at Lakeside at 7pm tomorrow night?

Eh?!

1. We didnt play weel but still won 3-0, that will do me

2. Owen IS crucial, without his runs etc. Rooney wouldnt get half the space he does. Not appreciated!

No news, haven't been able to do anything about it yet. Will do next week.

I hate to say but i didnt think we were that good and can see us getting turned over by the Croats.You are all still fuckers by the way.Whats the news on presentation night.

Owen was not crucial. That's what everyone else says. If you can't control the ball, pass the ball, shoot or take the ball round anyone, it's hard to have an impact on a game. He set up Rooney for the opening goal, so we'll agree not to shoot him, but that should be as good as it gets for a performance like that. Still start him against the Croats, but only cos when Vassell comes on it seems to lift the whole team again for the last period of the game.

Not against France though.

Mikey cheers for sorting out the key and stuff.

Everyone else - beware, cos when I do come back to training regularly I'll be chasing up for cash from last season (I still have it all noted down) as we've got a £200 bill from the council remaining for pitch hire...

Good to see your willingness to improve your fitness Genghis. You were shocking last season. Joking, of course.

Good match tonight, 3-0 will do. Good overall performance, and whatever anyone else might say, I thought Owen was crucial again. Another one like that against Crotia, and we can get onto the proper stuff...

Yeah, unforatunately it was just an advertising thing, every time as well. Gutted. Also gutted that I might not get to see the game tonight either, will just have to wait and see.

How was training last night? I'm sorry I seem to be neglecting the team a little at the moment, I've just got so much on at work it's taking over my life and I'm not getting time to do anything else. Hopefully this period is virtually at an end now so I'll be able to sort out the Pres Evening and Newquay soon. Also, do not be fooled, once 'proper' training starts again I will be there and will be participating less in the actual running (injuries starting to tell), meaning I can push you further and harder than previous seasons... Woohoo you're so lucky. Fitness wasn't an issue for us last season, so this season I want it to be an advantage.

Will also, once we get fit enough, be resorting to my old aim in training of doing a lot more fitness-related ball work, so individually we spend more time with a ball than ever before, thereby improving natural touch.

Genghis are you okay for Tuesday night - the AGM at Lakeside? If so I'll see you there, if not, let me know.

Cheers

You mean its not true? Damn you all... ;-)

Next person to send me that "French player in drugs scandal" email gets stabbed. I wouldn't mind, but every time I get it (about 8 times today) I really want it to be true...

Sorry guys I won't be able to make training tonight either. My job is being a pain in the arse at the moment - hopefully next week things will be a little more stabilised...

I still haven't seen it. But nobody has mentioned it at work yet either. Hopefully the paper boys are on strike.

I won't be training this week, maybe next.

Sister eh?

Anyone see the Newbury Advertiser yesterday? Matt?

Well we went about 5 weeks in a row, but alas our manager failed to make an appearance! I wont be coming tomorrow, my sister is visiting in the evening, but from the week after it will be a full turnout, With Craigy boy coming along again.

Man that hurt. Ah well, if we play like that against other teams then we should at least be able to get through the group. And the French won't be able to gloat about the victory cos no way did they deserve it and they still couldn't score a proper goal in open play. But man what an emotional rollercoaster ride. The only upshot was that when I went to pay my bar bill after the game in the bar in Reykjavik the waitresses had forgotten to write down over half of our drinks so we had a cheap night. Very important when you consider you're in a city where two glasses of wine cost you £12.

We were drinking beer during the footy, just thought I should clarify that.

Wednesday night training this week everyone, remember. Any chance of seeing any of the Reading crowd sometime soon?

balls.

Well there were 8 of us so we had a good 4-a-side session. Be better when the Reading boys start coming regularly again, but 8 isn't bad. I wasn't really up to running anywhere though, Beeny was back but a few pounds overweight and Paul just seemed to want to injure Neil, so it was a good laugh. Beeny headed the ball at one point.

Next week, for those who are interested, we're switching it to Wednesday night so as not to clash with the England game.

I haven't a clue what caused it, they said it was just one of those things. The Cyst has cleared up but they don't think that would cause the pain in my back I was getting. I still don't know if the pains gone because it was only coming when I run and I havent ran anywhere since,
a) because of the operation
b) because I wanted to rest it
c) because theres been no footy and I'm lazy.
I'll do some running this week thou - maybe. But thats basicly why I'm fat again!! Just been sat around eating for three weeks, as ya do.

I'm glad to hear everyone else has lost a bit of there fitness! I feel well unfit but hopefully it won't take to much to get it back, half the team have still been playing on a regular basis - 5v5 etc so they should be fitter than most.

Was it a got turn out? And I hear Mr Newport has returned!

I see Wiltord has done his bit for his relationship with the Arsenal fans.

Not only have they renamed the football league divisions, but they've restructured the non-league set up - effectively putting another division in AFC Wimbledon's way back to league footy. My dad wanted me to be a spurs fan you know, "no, no" I said...

Many thanks for your sympathy.

So Matty what was the problem then? Dave (S9 DWL) Lewis said you had a cyst in your back or something? Was that what was giving you the pain last season or was the inflammation from the pain the thing that caused the cyst? Is it all gone now? Dave said you've put on a lot of weight cos you couldn't really do any exercise - by the state of us lot last night at training, doesn't sound like you're too far behind everyone. Think I might need to start pre-season training a little earlier than usual this year...

'On your own, on your own, on your own'...

You are John? Thought you were Colin.

But yes John I am going from Southampton as I can only take a half day - these games won't play themselves you know.

I know that means that I'll pretty much be driving to Newquay on my own, but after 5 straight years with Stevie Tab...

I am John, I can pick you up on the way through if you want mate? going m4, M5, so quite easy to get there. Just let us know details of where you live?

I'm up for Newquay, booked the day off and everything. Shane are you still driving from Southampton? Anyone going via Bristol?

You'd better put them near Smurf, that way he'll have a chance of hitting something with his shotgun.

I won't be training for a few weeks yet, I've put loads of weight on so I'll lose that and make sure I'm in shape as always. Will give you lot a few weeks to match my fitness levels.

It's good to hear the Reading lot bringing some more of there 'mates'... Because we need some more midfielders, I didn't think the ten we have were going to be enough!! Those will be the 'mates' that went to Jongleurs for Daves birthday and refused to pay him when they had used the tickets to get in. But seemed to have the money to buy sweat bands, torn jeans and sink beers the whole night!

Yes I will be moving heaven and earth to get to training this week. Where would everyone like them put?

What a surreal set of post's, funny though. Well done. Although having seen Matt's hair up close, I can confirm a picture of it would have been suffice to have kept us all laughing for a day at least.

Off to play football at Henley - Shane, you might want to get fit for next season, Lewis has been shit at our 6 a side league, and in the last two training sessions. Complacency is setting in...

Stevie T won, but considered that he'd already taken enough in terms of payment of that debt. In olden days they would have said that he had been satisfied in respect of the debt. Stevie T would have said "Hmm, interesting."

So who won the bet?

That was back in the day mate. We were called Controlware and were a completely different club. Stevie T was smart and bet Browny that he couldn't fight his way out of a sleeping bag. Browny didn't know Stevie would be hiding in there with a martini shaker, caught him by surprise. We found them 3 days later rolling down an embankment near junction 17 of the M4. Good though, cos before then Browny couldn't jump quite as high.

Chris... I hate to ask, but when have you shared a sleeping bag with Stevie T?

Shit I forgot I'd said about blonde hair. Ah well, I'll have to make an appointment...

Camping would be a good laugh, I anit sharing a sleeping bag with steve again though!!
Im gona drive up so if any 1 wants a lift then i got plenty of room, going up on Friday morning.
It's piss easy to get to as well.

No wonder your unfit if your spending your Saturday nights in curry houses. Well I have got blonde bits in my hair! But only because you said we had too? I haven't had it cut in 2 months, I'm going to look just the part on the beach, a right surfer dude (except fot the beer gut).

So the friday night might consist of Smurf on the beach with a shotgun in his speedo's...

Camping would be funny... As a very last resort!

Smurf with a shotgun, god help us.

Matty I caught a glimpse of you walking past a curryhouse on Saturday night and you appeared to have blonde bits in your hair, just wondered whether it was a symptom.

The interest I'm getting from B&B's, lodges, hotels etc might preclude us from knocking any doors off as at the moment it looks like we might be camping...

Ive got a new game we can play in Newquay its called how many doors can we knock off there hinges.
ghengis are you driving this year? If so can i claim shotgun

Was I off sick because of my hair? Err... No! Should I have been? !!

Smurf, there's something I think you should know, I've heard you and your 'friends' have been trying to make babies for a number of years now, but someone needs to tell you blokes can't have them... Sorry mate. But I'm sure Mikey will still be willing to try. You and him can try out 'dogging' on the way down.

Im on my way to Newquay, so add me to th list. I want to be in the same travelling group as last time, or at least, I want to be with Stevey Tab, makes the time pass quickly...

Browny you would love it at the karting track cos there is loads of flags to wave its just like a sunday morning for you.Matty are you going to share with me again i want to give you my babies

Yeah you can count me and crabbeman in, well up for it, the go Karting course is quality, so that will be a good crack!!

Matt were you off sick cos of what happened to your hair?

Fuck it... I'm back at work after three n' half weeks off, fully paid sick pay, care of you guys... It was mainly Pauls tax money thou, I know how much he likes paying it.

I'm still in for the field trip, and so is Tony, so that's four definitely going!

Yahoo how you doing you fuckers ? Count me in for Newquay for definite boss im going to go mental mental chicken oriental

OKAY - I NEED DEFINITE NUMBERS FOR NEWQUAY.

30TH JULY YOU FUCKERS.

TXT ME SAYING YOU EITHER ARE OR ARE NOT AVAILABLE. IF YOU KNOW OF OTHER PLAYERS WHO DON'T READ THIS BLOG (SHEFFORD PLAYERS YOU FUCKERS) THEN GET THEM TO TXT ME TOO SAYING THE SAME THING. I NEED THIS SO I CAN BOOK ACCOMMODATION.

30TH JULY. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT.

ARE YOU COMING OR NOT.

EASY EH?

LET THE GAMES COMMENCE...

Good recce work Browny. I read that there are no lapdancing clubs because the local council will not approve the license for such activity - not sure they're that keen on the image that Newquay has already got so they don't want it getting any worse. But not to worry, we can have a competition (amongst the single guys only of course) to see who can be the first to get a girl to give them a lapdance anyway.

Will start looking at accommodation later this week, absolutely stacked out this week so not getting any time at all to sort out proper stuff. Will try to make training this week though.

Well good to see that there is a bit of chat going on in here. Just thought I would let you know I went to the west country for the weekend. Spent three days in Newquay. And i have to say it's quality. A bitch of a drive, but good when you get down there.

Plenty of places to go, Go - karting during the day, or Quad Bikes, or Beach. Which I have to say are good. A spot of surfing with the fit Austrialian Women.

They got some clubs and good bars, a few nic places to eat, I.e Mexican, Indian and Chinese.

The Rooms are not that expensive, probably looking at around £60-£80 each. But we might get a better deal.

The only thing I couldn't find was a lap dancing place, which Is a bit difficult when you are with the mrs.

Best to lead by example, lead from the front.

Correct. And you manage us well...!

He's a pervert?

Maybe we should do 'who can finish before me'...that why im guraenteed not to have to go again...

Craig is a good player, especially as he hasnt played football for a long time, but his touch is still really good and he is calm on the ball, so having a summer of training etc. and he will be a strong contender. He'll fit in really well with the team spirit as well, he definitly has that Shefford X-Factor...

Crabbeman does a lot of silly stuff while he's drunk eh? I remember when he got kicked out of his own birthday party.

But cool to have some fresh blood coming in, I remember Craig, he was quite a decent player, but then who isn't?

Okay okay.

Yeah all the champagne and game playing is out the window for a while til I get this project "put to bed" (bit of management speak to make all you bankers feel at home.

Missing training again tonight, gutted, but there you go. Am feeling incredibly unfit at the moment which is good news for you guys cos when we start proper training again and we do the "all you have to do is finish before me" bit then most of you can walk it...

Work going crazy huh Bellamy? All that champagne-drinking, video game playing, looking-at-sexy-women-in-your-office-then-sending-the-pics-to-us-from-your-phone must be hard work...

Craig has left his old job now, so will be able to start coming training on thursday nights now in a couple of weeks. He is really up for it this year, pacey and skillful so maybe a winger, or another striker (Sorry, Stevey T...)

Unfortunatly Crabbeman also invited a guy I work with to come along (just for the summer, not to play for us)when he was drunk last weekend. Think Gareth From the Office...Think Steve Tab....Think a guy who yesterday, when asked if Twins he knows were Siamese, replied....'no, they're English'. And Meant It...

Congrats Lambo! Good game to watch as well, was Liam the guy that missed the penalty by attempting to chip it deftly in? If so no wonder he didn't want to cry on your shoulder cos you'd have jogged his head up and down as you pissed yourself laughing reliving the moment over and over again. Good to see cos Keith Curle was a Dons judas in years gone by so it was fun watching his reaction to that particular penalty and contemplating life next season in Div 3, again.

Comiserations to Megan though, but that's why it's a man's game. So come on then, did you have any kind of, you know, bet, on the game, wink wink...

We won and I'm still alive AND still living with Megan. Thanks for all your texts of support. It was a bizarre day ending with me stuck in a pub with the Mansfield Town players! I tried to console Liam (who missed the penalty) but he didn't want to cry on my Blue and White shoulder!

GET IN!

Is there any news on up coming friendlies? Sunday's are so boring without a game.

Not much to say mate. Was working late last night in a room where the plasma screen is connected to Sky, finished about 9pmish so switched the screen over to see the team in white score an easy walk-in goal, so figured it was England, then saw them celebrating and figured that I'd been stupid to think England would score a second goal in a friendly against international footballing minnows.

Not that it matters at all I suppose.

Won't be at training again this week I'm afraid, work has gone effing mental at the moment, but will see you all again soon.

Why is no-one using the fecking Blogger anymore...?