Tried posting this article yesterday, but only the first bit appeared. Will try and continue with the remainder now.
As I said two of the main motives for resurfacing, which I always planned to do anyway, were Shamrock Rovers and Nigel the Unworthy. The wonderful achievements of the Shamrockers and their 400 club in recent seasons have set a marvellous example to us all as to what a local club can do when the supporters really get behind it and it is gifted with insightful, efficient management. I find myself harking back to comments by EARL and others about why so many of us opt to support teams across the water or on the Continent rather than our own local ones.
I have been to several local matches recently and I must say they have been more entertaining and much better value than a lot of the foreign stuff I have watched on Match of the Day, etc. If its goals you want, the IPL is one of the highest scoring leagues in Europe! Theres a fair amount of honest endeavour on display and always the exciting prospect of coming across a young diamond in the rough. A further unexpected bonus of the local scene is the friendliness and welcoming nature of the various team social clubs. Interesting little gold mines full of local colour and characters.
With all these plus points, why is it that we chase after the foreigner so and neglect our own teams? Have we got a self esteem problem that prompts us to try and attach ourselves to something more powerful and famous like Barca, Real or Man U. OK, some may say that they simply want a chance to see exceptional footballers perform, but lets face it, quite a few of the people who regularly attend footy matches couldnt tell an exceptional player from an exceptional cucumber. Moreover, if its quality you yearn for you can always go down the library and get out Real Madrid v Eintracht Frankfurt, Brazil v Italy, England v Hungary 1954, etc. and watch them in the comfort of your own home!
Its a pity that more of us cant follow the example of the Shamrockers and really get behind our local clubs. My old great grandad used to tell me about Irish Cup finals of long ago with Linfield playing Belfast Celtic in front of crowds of 50,000 with thousands more who could not get in, milling around outside. Can you imagine it!
I see NW has been greatly heartened by the letters of support hes received from fans recently asking him to stay as NI manager. What poor old Nige doesnt realise, God love him, is that these letters are all from Nordie ROI fans who would like nothing better than to see NI slip further into the dire morass it is presently in. Such disasterous slippage will be guaranteed if NW remains in office. Whatever you may think of Sanchez' style, hes entitled to his own opinion which roughly mirrors my own, ie. that NW has had a fair crack at the job, but has consistently failed to get the sort of performances out of the team that the strength of the player pool would suggest was possible. We may not, as they say, be Brazil, but we do have some decent players, better than the Faroes or Estonia. NW has failed to get the best out of these players. We are failing miserably to fulfill our potential.
In these difficult times there are plenty of other candidates who would be interested in this 500,000 pound + perks position. From Jimmy Nichol to Pat Rice to Danny Wilson etc. I believe our own Ronan and King Mick have even graciously proferred their services. We need a new face. Its time for Nige to go, we'll forward his fan mail on to him after he leaves.
Trying the old periscope again
posted on 11/10/11
CINDY:
Unlike you, I do not need to look to Wikipedia or Rocky movies for my boxing knowledge. Remember, there's no substitute for experience!
I never use other people's work without acknowledging it. I would be VERY SURPRISED that any account in Wiki bore much resemblance to what I wrote myself above(anyone curious can check for themselves). I would expect Wiki to be much more conservative and uninformed. Much more concerned with keeping its left up and cliche waving from the sidelines. In fact much like your good self!
Dont really want to be a Mayweather, but wouldnt have minded being a Sugar Ray Leonard/Robinson or best of all, a Jimmy "Babyfaced" McLarnin(Hillsborough's Own). Alas we'll never know now.
By the way, in the trade, they are not known as "defences". No doubt this is something you picked up during your trawling through Wiki or Rocky17. In boxing, we generally refer to them as "Guards" or "Stances"! Defences are something different again, but thats another story.
Anyway Old Son, you just keep plodding on a la Wiki with that high left guard of yours which leaves your SP smiling up at everybody, your lower ribs winking at all comers and your liver hanging down like granny's knitting!
Now time you got back to weeding your Wiki patch!
posted on 13/10/11
MAJESTY:
Sorry, but the boxing point on which he based his attack was potentially contentious and required a reasonably detailed mini analysis to refute.
Just skip the boxing details if you're not interested and go straight to the latter bit.
As always, you most loyal and obedient servant(hoping soon to be made a Lord!) Kid Shenan.
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Arise Sir Shen ,Lord of Greyabbey and Earl of Mount Vernon
posted on 13/10/11
Shen, sounds like you and Little Mick are about to do some Bare A$$ boxing? Get a room lads
posted on 13/10/11
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, KING MICK, NOBLE MONARCH OF THE OUTER ISLES AND ALL THAT LIES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SEAS:
My Lord, today you have made your most humble and obedient servant the happiest subject in your realm! Would it be OK if I changed Mount Vernon to Bushmills?
posted on 14/10/11
HOSED:
Referring to his Majesty King Mick as "Little Mick" is not really appropriate. There have already been some rumblings at court about it and to be quite honest, if I hadnt stepped in on your behalf, you would probably be on your way to the tower or IFA HQ right now!
Regarding King Mick making me an Earl cos we get on well and all that, theres really no need to be jealous. You really should try to get some love in your life HOSEY, thats what its all about really. You're spending far too much time on sectarian skirmishing with Megan, BlueBalls and the others. Its not healthy! I know, thats a bit rich coming from me. I must confess Im always getting my pots and kettles mixed up, especially the black ones! Fregging useless utensils anyway! If you ask me, a fella's always better off sticking to bottles.
Anyway, my investure is tomorrow. I really must try to look my best. Now where are those leather cowboy chaps Billy Connolly gave me for Xmas? The ones with the arxe all cut away, Mad Max style. Oh its going to be a wonderful day! I know Spangles will be so proud of me! Hes such a sucker for royalty and all that. Simple fellow at heart. Easily pleased poor thing.
By the way, his Majesty and I are not bothering about "getting a room". Why should we when dearest Micky(familarity is OK for Earls) has palaces all over the place. Dont worry, I'll put in a good word for you and, despite your inauspicious start, Im sure we'll be seeing you in a royal page's uniform in no time!
Chin, chin!
Regards, His Lordship, the Right Honourable, Earl of Bushmills!
posted on 14/10/11
Jealously is hanging out of Home & Hosed
posted on 14/10/11
Well something is hanging out of him on a regular basis I would say
posted on 15/10/11
Little Mick illusions of grandeur maybe?
posted on 15/10/11
HOSED:
For goodness sake, calm down Pal!
Im on the verge of clinching you a position as a Royal Page and you come out with comments like that!
posted on 15/10/11
Shen, just playing along with you and the King....