Full time - Millwall v Barnsley

I sometimes wonder what it is that keeps me going back for more punishment when watching Barnsley. I've come away from The Den feeling absolutely fed up! Neither team deserved to win, and if they were still playing at midnight no one would have scored a normal goal. Typically Barnsley have to gift all their opponents with something every game, and today it was the turn of the fan's favourite "the good old own goal" and quite a splendid one it was too, a fine header defeating the outstretched right arm of Jack Butland from Scott Wiseman. In all fairness it was a genuine attempt to put the ball out for a corner from a wicked cross, but this is the second game Barnsley have left an away game this season having gifted all three points to an undeserving opponent. Last time was Blackpool back in August. It was a shame as unlike the first half Barnsley actually looked more up for the fight in the second period, only just missed a golden opportunity for Mellis to score in the opening minutes from a wonderful ball whipped across the mouth of the goal by Jim O`Brian. Millwall never looked at the races for most of the time, and but for poor finishing by Barnsley would have been punished on a couple of occasions. It's difficult to say where Barnsley are going from here, I think it's a difficult job David Flitcroft has at the moment, and he will need to get the results turning in his favour sooner rather than later. Thankfully there are worse clubs than Barnsley struggling at the foot of the division.

Half time - Millwall v Barnsley

Well that was uneventful, you can see why both teams are down at the bottom of the division. I think both keepers have had to make one clear cut save each. First Butland for Barnsley, a good one handed save at full stretch to his left hand side. Forde for Millwall then did well on a one on one facing Mellis. But it was a poor attempt by Mellis in the first instance. The whole half has been scrappy and very stop start.
I suppose the only good thing is that team massive "Wednesday" lost at home to Huddersfield in the lunchtime game. Which means so long as Barnsley don't lose we go above them.

Portsmouth to London

One of the reasons I like visiting the London grounds is because of working down in Portsmouth during the week. There's a direct train every thirty mins, so getting up to London is relatively easy, albeit a bit expensive. £31.50 for a day return. It also means I'm going to be able to get a pint or two without the worry of having to drive.
Here's a question for everyone. Why are other people's kids so damned annoying? I could swear I brought my two to be better behaved than this brood of screaming harridons I'm currently stuck with on this train. And who in their right mind calls a young girl Darcy. She looks nothing like Colin Firth!! Also I thought I could eat, but this lot started at Fratton and they're still at it at Woking. I suppose the good thing is that they've all been given gobstoppers which has led to a significant reduction in the decibel level in this coach. Here's hoping they last until Waterloo.

Preparing for Millwall

So we've just had an international break with the premier and championship teams having a couple of weeks off. It was strange too see Barnsley having one of their players involved, Scott Wiseman played for Gibraltar in their first ever UEFA friendly game. They played Slovakia and earned a very creditable 0-0 draw.

Saturday's game for Barnsley is against Millwall, which for some reason is a game I always look forward to going to.

Thankfully I work in Portsmouth Monday to Friday, so getting up to London is a lot easier than having to travel down from Halifax and back on a Saturday.

QPR v Barnsley pt2

Well I've spent the afternoon up in "that there London". And as usual I'm coming back in not too good a mood. Looks like I'll have to wait another year to see Barnsley win at Loftus Road. I'm more annoyed than depressed. The day had started out all too well, weather OK, trains on time, all the  sort of stuff that when it's not right can really screw up your day. Had a walk around Embankment, had a quick butchers at the London eye, laughed at all the tourists getting ripped off. Even walked across Westminster bridge and had a skeg at the houses of parliament. Eventually got the tube to Shepherds Bush and walked over to Loftus Road, disappointed to find that there wasn't as many Barnsley fans as normal, although I suppose with our previous record of wins there non existent it wasn't all that surprising really.

First half was good, finishing goalless albeit only thanks to a header off the line by David Perkins, and an amazing scramble involving two good saves by Jack Butland. It hadn't been all one way traffic either, Barnsley had a couple of chances themselves, not as clear cut as QPRs were but nonetheless not too bad.
So once the second half got underway it was with a bit of optimism that just maybe there might be a chance to get something out of the game. But it wasn't too be, from a quickly taken short corner Charlie Austin got the breakthrough, that to be honest QPR were looking good for. Barnsley didn't look out of it but there wasn't the intensity or cutting edge that we'd seen glimpses of in the first half. Unfortunately QPR were awarded a penalty with 10 mins to go that Charlie Austin put away with ease. And so I left Loftus Road just a tad pee'd off. Not with the display nor with the result, more from my own expectations. Being the eternal optimist does not bode well when you're a fan of Barnsley.

QPR v Barnsley

I've not done this for a while now, I've been a bit busy, what with work and family commitments its been a bit hectic to say the least.
I'm going up to Loftus Road today from Portsmouth, not my usual stating point, but seeing as I work down in Portsmouth Monday to Friday, it's more cost effective to stay the weekend and travel to to London for the game from there.
I'm really looking forward to this game, I know the history books have Barnsley not winning art Loftus Road in 63 years, but one day it's going to happen and I want to be there when it does.

Barnsley v Charlton

Barnsley 2-2 Charlton Saturday 17th August 2013

What can I say about the game, after 3 games of football, Barnsley managed to score twice, unfortunately so did Charlton, so as usual the result wasn't exactly making up for the long journey I'd just had to endure. Still Barnsley are off the mark now and at last are not bottom of the league. I had a good laugh listening to Radio Sheffield Praise or Grumble; I only ever listen when I know the two DeeDar Sheffield clubs have done badly. Their fans are a joy to listen to, Club Massive (Wendies) are probably the most deluded of the two; the way they go on, you'd think they were automatic contenders for the European Champions league because they are so "massive". The "Blunts" just can't abide the fact that little old Barnsley and Doncaster are in a league above them. Oh! and the inane ramblings of Brian the Blade can actually have you questioning your own sanity. If you ever find me agreeing with him, you can shoot me.

Post Birthday Party Blues

Have you ever got out of bed and thought there was something important you should be doing today?
Yes! good, then I'm not alone. That was me last Saturday, I have the excuse that I'd spent most of Friday afternoon and evening on the toot - a friends' birthday do! Problem was this was in Portsmouth, Hampshire - not the one in Calderdale which would have made the day much simpler. So in my overhung state I realised that I needed to get to Barnsley for the game against Charlton, now it's a minimum 4 hour journey, longer if you drive an old Freelander like I do (yes its now got an MOT - see last weeks' posts). But with this being the holiday season, straight away I knew I was going to be in trouble.

If you use the A34 from Winchester to Oxford on a regular basis you'll know what I mean. There were caravans everywhere:

• who in there right mind wants to tow their house behind them?
• Stacks of cars overladen with overweight offspring
• rear windows obstructed by everything but the kitchen sink
• Halfords roof rack boxes, bursting at the seams

And worst of all, a MG Midget, with a fat OAP wearing Ray Ban pilot sunglasses and what looked like a 3 foot long comb-over flying like a pennant behind him, doing 54 Mph in the centre lane of the M3. Laugh I nearly took out an Audi A3 trying to do 120 with a twat of a horse-faced hooray Henry driving it - suppose it wouldn't have hurt. I'm sure there's a box in all Audi's where you place your brain before you're allowed to start the car.

Anyway enough of that, no doubt they were off on their holidays, but did they not know I was on a mission? It was going to be Barnsley or bust.

Amazingly, once past Oxford and past the queues for the M40 it was easier going the rest of the way. With the exception of the  Ford Fiesta learner driver in the wrong lane at the A43 roundabout just off the M40. I have sympathy for them, but why are they trying to be taught how to drive in traffic that is way over their abilities?

I suppose after all my impatience all the above would love to learn that on my arrival at Oakwell justice was served on me by Mother Nature. As soon as I got out the car the heavens opened and I got piss wet through. Five minutes later sun's out and I'm steaming away like a gud un! Not funny!!!! At least I'd made it in time for the match, and even managed a quick pint in the Mount.

Blackpool v Barnsley

Blackpool 1-0 Barnsley Saturday 10th August 2013

There's nothing worse than losing by a last minute goal, or that's what I thought until the end of this game. Trust me there is! lose by a last minute own goal!!!!

Bloomfield Road has got to have the worst new stand in the whole of England. Restricted view doesn't even come into the equation. I had a better view of the rear of the stand behind the goal than I did of the pitch. And how on earth they get a safety certificate for the away stand doesn't bear thinking about. 
It was good to see that the travelling Barnsley Fans were in good voice, although their constant attempts to demolish the stand by synchronised bouncing with us all in it was worrying at times.
As for the game, not much to say really, Barnsley were better than the previous two games, at least they tried to shoot on goal. Blackpool were awful, how they are one of the pacesetters in the division is beyond me. The own goal I missed, having just been blinded by a smoke flare having just been let off amongst the Barnsley fans and an amateurish attempt by one of the stewards to get it put out and dropping it halfway down the stairs.

So all in all "an alright day, spoilt by a crap result"

Walk along Promenade

It's a good 30 min walk down to Bloomfield Road, as there's plenty of time I thought it'd be a good idea to stroll down the Prom. I've only gone 5 mins and WOW, well eventful. A Scouse girl walking along tapping away on her phone, and then bang! straight into a lamp post, head first. Went down as though shot by a sniper. And talk about tears? It's hard not to laugh because she really was upset.

 

I'm now in Coral Island, having another beer, it's amazing how many people are in here throwing their money away in the gaming machines. Each to their own I suppose. Never understood it really, although in their defence it isn't exactly beach weather today so they'll have to find something to do. I suppose they could say the same about me drinking my afternoon away.

 

I know I sound like a snob, but I'm not really. So long as people are happy doing what they do then it's ok by me.

Halifax to Blackpool by train

I wasn't going to watch the game today at Blackpool, but boredom's got the better of me, plus the fact my car failed its MOT yesterday I need cheering up. Thankfully Halifax is on the train line to Blackpool, so it shouldn't be a problem getting there. How wrong I am! This train is mobbed, I forgot that for some inexplicable reason many other people actually "want" to go to Blackpool. The fact they are going to stay there for longer than a few hours is way beyond my comprehension. Then again looking around me, there's a plethora of humankind travelling today. In one carriage there's a birthday group of over 50's from Halifax, behind me a hen party, already on their third bottle of the most vile looking blue alcoholic substance I've ever seen. OMG they've got a balloon out now, advertising its her third attempt at marriage!! Nothing like a sucker for punishment then! Also there's the two lesbians sat across from me trying to shock everyone in their own inimitable way. It's funny seeing the reactions they are getting from some people. The constant babble of unintelligible conversations is deafening.  Kids shrill screams punctuate the excited giggles of the hen party's attempts to take drunken photographs.

We've just left Blackburn and I've got a hyperactive fake blonde sat next to me. She's like a  bloody meerkat on speed bobbing up and down. Perfume chucks, and definitely overdone the spray tan, more Jaffa orange than golden brown. Oh well it takes all sorts to make a world. No doubt she thinks I'm weird here tapping away on my phone. Turns out the perfume is inter mingled with the smell of one of those liquid cigarettes, not nice at all.

Arrived safely and amazingly on time. Not been let down so far, Blackpool's reputation far exceeds its ability to impress.

Beers cheap though.

Copley to Halifax

My car (Freelander) needed a service and MOT, so this morning I took it to the Land Rover garage at Copley just outside of Halifax. Having dropped it off, I thought it would be a good idea to walk back into the town centre. Weather was OK, not too hot and didn't look as though it was going to rain, although there were some quite interesting black clouds passing over.
It was an interesting walk, it's not often these days you get the chance to have a real good look at what is around you, what with the busy lifestyles we lead. But I thought this morning I'd try and be more aware of my surroundings.
I've lived in the area of Halifax for the past 7 years and I've always been impressed with the style of the housing and the architecture of the town centre buildings. Some of the houses on Skircoat Green Road were amazing, the Victorian styles, utilising sand stone as the main building material and the immaculate gardens were brilliant. Even the pavements were paved York stone and really showed how affluent this area was back in the 19th Century.
Something I'd never noticed before was the statue of Albert, Prince Consort. in Albert Park. Albert Park is a small grassed area on Skircoat Road, just behind the Shay Stadium, the park was really well looked after and the flowered area and statue looked tremendous. As is was early and not having eaten at home I thought it would be a good thing to have breakfast in town.

The indoor market in the town centre has a very good stall that serves all-day breakfast. I'm sure my doctor would disagree with the make up of a full fry up, but I had just walked two miles from Copley so I think I deserved it.
As you enter the town centre one of the first buildings you see is the Victoria theatre, I've been to quite a few shows there over the years and the building looks very impressive sitting where it does at the intersection of Commercial street, Fountain street and Ward's End.

Breakfast was great, unfortunately the car failed its MOT.

Southampton at Oakwell

Well the draw for round two of the Capital One cup has Barnsley facing Southampton at home. I don't know what to think about this, it looks a good one i.e. championship v premier, but will it inspire a big crowd? I don't think so! I don't see many Southampton fans coming all the way up from Hampshire for a midweek game. Nor do I think, it's that glamorous a tie to make the Barnsley public turn out in numbers. I hope I'm proved wrong though!!!

Barnsley FC v Scunthorpe United

Back at Oakwell again. Tonight it's the Capital One cup 1st round game against Scunthorpe.

First half: hmmm, what can you say about that. Only good thing was Barnsley had their first shot on target this season. Overall I would say Barnsley are coping the better. Scunthorpe have huffed and puffed but no bite up front. Which is a good thing for Barnsley as the mistakes they've made at the back would have been punished by a better team.

Forgot to add the new meat and potato pies are good, just burnt my fingers on one.

British Touring Cars - Snetterton

Snetterton Circuit - Norfolk - Sunday 4th August 2013

I've recently got into watching the British Touring Cars Championships, if you thought Formula 1 was the epitome of motor racing then compared to BTCC, Formula 1 is like spending a whole day in a Library. If you're into cars this is where the action is. What's good about it is the cars themselves, you can relate to them, we can all own one that's similar. And watching these drivers throw a Honda Civic, Toyota Avensis or Vauxhall Invicta around a racing track is something to behold.


Snetterton is quite a way from Hipperholme, so it was an early start Sunday morning, but with a good weather forecast promised, camping chairs and coolbag safely packed, off we went. The M62, A1, A15 and A11 were clear giving us a good run down country, and the access to the Circuit was effectively managed, so we were safely ensconced by 10:40. After wandering around the circuit we found what seemed to be a relatively good place to set up the chairs and enjoy the racing. We sat on the raised viewing bank at Palmer, which gave a good view over some of the main corners of the track. There was also a giant screen directly in front of us, so all in all not a bad place to sit.

After the summer break it was expected the MG KX Momentum Racing team would do well at Snetterton having enjoyed the best times in the test runs a few weeks earlier. This was to be proven as the MG6 car (pictured left) was 1st and 2nd in the first race with Sam Tordoff leading from start to finish.

The second race I expected would be similar to the first; the MG6s were in pole position and looking to be unbeatable. But boy, was I wrong! Jason Plato in the MG6 pulled out after a couple of laps with engine problems, Tordoff went from front to rear of the field in quick succession, and span off on the last lap, finishing in 18th place leaving the Honda Civic of Andrew Jordan to win the race for Pirtek Racing (pictured right)

Race 3 was just as good if not better than Race 2, some spectacular crashes and spin offs, with the pick being Jason Plato's MG6 barrel rolling at Oggies. The race was eventually won by Gordon Shedden in the Honda Civic of Yuasa Racing team.

To read the official review of the races please go to the BTCC official site.

After racing, getting out of the circuit was relatively easy, shame about the A11 though, got stuck in a queue for over an hour. Once onto A15 and A1 it was a quick run back to West Yorkshire.

All in all a really good day out, bit of sunburn too!! Looking forward to Knockhill in a few weeks.

Barnsley FC v Wigan Athletic

Barnsley 0-4 Wigan - Sat 3rd August 2013

Well that was a disappointed start to the new football season. I most definitely wasn't expecting that result. Don't get me wrong I wasn't actually expecting a Barnsley win, but to be outplayed in nearly all departments was unfortunate to say the least.
However, it was the first competitive game of the season, Wigan had just been relegated from the Premier League, plus they'd won the FA Cup, so I don't suppose they were going to be a pushover.
I don't want to write a review of the game here, I'm sure there are many places where that information can be found, this is more about me, and how I see it. Obviously no one likes it when their team are comprehensively beaten, however, it happened on Saturday and the drive back home was no fun. I hate that feeling and it spoils the whole weekend. Good thing is there's 45 more games to go, so there's always something to look forward to. 

OK not the start I wanted, but ever the optimist, I'm hopeful the team will learn from where they made mistakes, improve on what was good and move on to the next game.

Why now?

Good question, why now? Well it was the start of the 2013/14 football season at the weekend and that gives me something to write about. Plus I went to Snetterton Circuit to watch the 6th round of the British Touring Car Championships, so there's something else that's worth a go at.

Who am I?

I've always wanted to publish things in my own Blog, yet I've never found a subject that I think a potential audience would be interested in. I still don't have a specific idea, so I'm just going to share with you all the stuff I do outside of work.

I'd love to talk about what I do for a job, but as I work for the MOD I don't think it would be a good idea, so you'll have to make do with everything else that goes on.