I see all my blogs are now dated December 9, presumably an effort to kick me into writing something by making me feel guilty that I've done nothing since such a productive day.
Well, it worked, and anyway it was pointed out to me last night that I'd said on a previous entry that I didn't expect to see any 'first-class' football this season. It was pleasing to know that I not only have a reader but one who remembers what I said.
This conversation occurred in the press box at Charlton. So out of touch am I with the 'big time' that I didn't even realise that the O's were playing there until I read the paper on Monday morning. I had a vague plan to do Barkingside v Barking that evening but that was almost certain to be off - and it was.
Over the river, then, to watch the Orient for the first time almost three years. Since much of my loss of interest in the club was down to the fact that I no longer recognised any of the players, such was the Brisbane Road turnover, it was nice that the goal was from an old face, Scott McGleish, whom I last saw score for the O's in 1997 and, before that, for Edgware at Aveley in 1994 (gratuitous Ryman League plug).
So here were the O's, desperate for points, one up against one of the division's top teams. What bothered me was how little it bothered me that Charlton might equalise. Something in my heart has definitely gone missing (which is odd, because a surgeon added some bits a few years back).
Charlton are now offering five-year season tickets. Imagine buying one of them, sitting down at of the next season and discovering that the bloke next to you also has a five-year season ticket ... and a drum.
Lloyd Sam was on the left wing for Charlton. I wondered if "SAM 11" used less material (or whatever it is) than any other shirt in the league. My old friend Gary Haines, now part of the team producing the super Charlton programme, immediately came up with former Brentford player Charlie Ide. I've had to check that one, but it was "IDE 25" so Sam probably beats him. But what the guy who just left man City? JO 14, wasn't he? This stuff's important, you know.
I could see the Sky pictures from where I was sitting. They were some seven seconds behind the live action. If you have HD at home, have you ever noticed that the picture there is far enough behind the 'regular' one that you can switch channels and still arrive before you left, as it were?
Anyway, I thought it was about time that this blog got going again, especially as Gavin was at the game and will no doubt slot in a super picture very shortly. Thanks, Gav.
Before I have to press on, though, a quick update on Route 66. The weather has caused a hold-up, of course, but progress is steady. Northwood should be no.51 tonight. The remaining 15 (people do ask me) are Billericay, Bognor, Canvey, Dartford, Horsham and Margate in the Premier, Cheshunt, Concord, Maldon and VCD in 1 North, Chatham, Fleet, Godalming, Ramsgate and Sittingbourne in 1 South. With luck I can save the seaside trips for sunnier days.
1 Comments:
Blog dates all sorted. Up the Orient!
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