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| God delivers the half time team talk, yesterday |
Sure enough, forty five minutes later - despite referee Pontious Halsey's continued hinderance - disciples Ameobi and Coloccini combine to rescue a point. Hallelujah indeed.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Jesus saves, but Coloccini heads home the rebound
Sure enough, forty five minutes later - despite referee Pontious Halsey's continued hinderance - disciples Ameobi and Coloccini combine to rescue a point. Hallelujah indeed.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Pumpkin madness
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| 2007: "I want to play a game" |
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| 2008: "Howay the lads" |
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| 2008: "Come Together" |
Who could forget the cleverly staged scene depicting a pumpkin spewing its insides down some steps. In an instant, the humble, custom of carving a face in the side of a seasonal fruit turned on its head and suddenly, I became intrigued and inspired.
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| 2009: "Aye aye captain" |
Update: Subsequent efforts include:
2010: Doctor Who
2012: Gus Fring from Breaking Bad
2013: Peppa Pig
2014: Disney fairy
2015: Ghostbusters
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Volcano sacks publicist
Once the darling of the media world and the focus of world attention, Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano (rapper name: "E15") erupted during April and May of 2010 and caused disruption to thousands of flights across the world. Since calming down, media attention has turned to other hot topics such as the General Election, the World Cup, the Chile mining disaster and Whitley Bay retaining the FA Vase. As a result E15 has somewhat disappeared from the public eye and has subsequently fired its publicist, Dax Bifford.
"It was only meant to last for a week but I enjoyed the attention so much I just kept going. I loved the fame, I became a monster and wanted to go on forever. In the end, I was worn out so I had to pack it in", explained E15 from its home in Southern Iceland. E15 went on to explain, "Mr Bifford told me that 'today's news is tomorrow's whale & chips wrapper'. I felt a bit fobbed off but I realised he was right and I've decided to let him go."
E15's voice subsided, "I apologise for all the disruption I've caused and I now realise my 15 minutes of fame are up. I am happy I'll always be remembered but I know now that I need to allow my crater walls to go cold and leave the headlines free for more important things."
Resigned to a quieter life, E15 has since been recouperating; taking in a spot of fishing, bird watching and firing out large plumes of hot water vapour from time to time. Some slight seismic activity had been observed during early June but E15 just "had a bit of a cough" and posed no threat to the World Cup build up.
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| Eyjafjallajokull at the height of fame |
E15's voice subsided, "I apologise for all the disruption I've caused and I now realise my 15 minutes of fame are up. I am happy I'll always be remembered but I know now that I need to allow my crater walls to go cold and leave the headlines free for more important things."
Resigned to a quieter life, E15 has since been recouperating; taking in a spot of fishing, bird watching and firing out large plumes of hot water vapour from time to time. Some slight seismic activity had been observed during early June but E15 just "had a bit of a cough" and posed no threat to the World Cup build up.
Sunday, 10 October 2010
North Shields 2 Birtley Town 2
Northern League Division 2
9th October 2010
Ralph Gardner Park, North Shields
Attendance: 124
My second visit to North Shields happily coincided with my second Birtley Town game so it was somewhat fitting that the final score ended up at 2-2. With numerologists frothing over the date turning 10/10/10, I decide to celebrate John Lennon's 70th birthday by taking in a mouth-watering Northern League division 2 clash. I arrive in NE29 to grey but relatively mild weather conditions, and two goalkeepers warming up together on the pitch.
The crowd, partisan but friendly, give the teams a warm welcome as they enter the field, both sides wearing their native colours; Shields in all red and the visitors in green and white hoops. Liverpool v Celtic, if you will. The first half is an energetic but scrappy affair and few chances are carved out until midway through the half when the visitors have a goal ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper. On 40 minutes and with our half time Bovril approaching, Shields open the scoring with a fine header. Birtley kick off, quickly regroup and level matters on the stroke of half time after some hesitant Shields defending.
With some folk still negotiating half time refreshments, Birtley take a surprise 2-1 lead and begin to assert some authority on the game. The game beginning to run away, the home bench barks instruction and Shields throw everything forward. Shields press but lack the finishing touch, Birtley meanwhile soak up the onslaught, always looking dangerous on the counter. The referee, whilst finicky, aloof and a bit 'corned beef', shows good judgement to award the home side a late penalty following a hand ball. 2-2. Probably fair.
9th October 2010
Ralph Gardner Park, North Shields
Attendance: 124
My second visit to North Shields happily coincided with my second Birtley Town game so it was somewhat fitting that the final score ended up at 2-2. With numerologists frothing over the date turning 10/10/10, I decide to celebrate John Lennon's 70th birthday by taking in a mouth-watering Northern League division 2 clash. I arrive in NE29 to grey but relatively mild weather conditions, and two goalkeepers warming up together on the pitch.
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| Shields go one up |
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| Shields make it 2-2 from the spot |
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Blog on the pies - Manchester City 2 Newcastle United 1
Barclays Premier League
3rd October 2010
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
Attendance: 46,067
Last Sunday saw the missus and I taking in the clash between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the City of Manchester stadium. This rare Premiership away day also afforded the opportunity to pay a visit to my brother @dookjam who, to a large extent, inspired this blog entry. Having become more accustomed to the Northern League scene of late, paying more than £5 to get in was a trip down a gloomy but still vaguely familiar memory lane. But, this is the Premier League, you get what you pay for and the CoM is a fine venue.
Leaving behind its former guise as a generic sports arena, the CoM has been well and truly "Cityfied". Being something of a traditionalist when it comes to football, it feels strange that this is City's home. Approaching the stadium, I don't feel anxious and I'm 95% certain the car's safe where it's parked. A far cry from the days of visiting Maine Road - Moss Side and all that - we walk confidently past the main entrance to the away enclosure, past the Colin Bell end (ahem) and towards two foamy-mouthed police horses situated outside our turnstiles.
The monsoon we woke up to relents as we approach kick off although the impressive sculpted downpipe at the south end of the stadium continues to channel a torrent of rainwater from the roof to the drain. Once inside, we approach the top of the stairs to the away section and drink in the view. The pitch is a lush green and the bowl of home fans before us gives the impression that somehow we're surrounded.
Four minutes in: 'the Ben Arfa tackle'. Difficult to see from where we are but someone's receiving treatment and it's one of ours. Replays on the two corner mounted video screens are not forthcoming and as the minutes pass, it's clear it's a serious one. Routledge comes on and as the half develops, City look dangerous on the break but we're more than holding our own. Game changing moment #1: Tevez, seemingly brought down by Williamson, picks himself up to blast home a penalty. Newcastle react quickly and persistence from Gutierrez finds himself in front of goal with the ball at a perfect height. 1-1 and mayhem in the away end. Rival fans make each other's acquaintance and the atmosphere in the away end in buoyant. Banter, gesticulating, posturing but not really bad natured - this was just heavy petting and idle taunts over lack of vocal home support, empty seats, that sort of thing.
Half time comes and the main event - we take the opportunity to check out the local pie situation. We test the balti pie: tasty filling but tough crust and far too expensive at £3.50. (two out of five stars). We're driving straight home after the game so we pass on the beer.
Second half begins and Newcastle continue to look good for a draw. The excellent Cheick Tiote bosses the midfield and fortunately Milner's somewhat off the boil today. Adam Johnson enters the fray and his first act is to weave into the box and fire a sweet left foot strike into the far corner. City in the lead, clock ticking. Campbell & Carroll come on but hope of a point is running away. Game changing moment #2: Ameobi is swept to the floor in the box, but there's no penalty decision this time.
As we filter out of the ground, belated texts filter through to my phone revealing the extent of Ben Arfa's injuries. A tale of two penalties and a promising young talent with a broken leg.
3rd October 2010
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
Attendance: 46,067
Last Sunday saw the missus and I taking in the clash between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the City of Manchester stadium. This rare Premiership away day also afforded the opportunity to pay a visit to my brother @dookjam who, to a large extent, inspired this blog entry. Having become more accustomed to the Northern League scene of late, paying more than £5 to get in was a trip down a gloomy but still vaguely familiar memory lane. But, this is the Premier League, you get what you pay for and the CoM is a fine venue.
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| Bell end |
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| Canny view |
The monsoon we woke up to relents as we approach kick off although the impressive sculpted downpipe at the south end of the stadium continues to channel a torrent of rainwater from the roof to the drain. Once inside, we approach the top of the stairs to the away section and drink in the view. The pitch is a lush green and the bowl of home fans before us gives the impression that somehow we're surrounded.
Four minutes in: 'the Ben Arfa tackle'. Difficult to see from where we are but someone's receiving treatment and it's one of ours. Replays on the two corner mounted video screens are not forthcoming and as the minutes pass, it's clear it's a serious one. Routledge comes on and as the half develops, City look dangerous on the break but we're more than holding our own. Game changing moment #1: Tevez, seemingly brought down by Williamson, picks himself up to blast home a penalty. Newcastle react quickly and persistence from Gutierrez finds himself in front of goal with the ball at a perfect height. 1-1 and mayhem in the away end. Rival fans make each other's acquaintance and the atmosphere in the away end in buoyant. Banter, gesticulating, posturing but not really bad natured - this was just heavy petting and idle taunts over lack of vocal home support, empty seats, that sort of thing.
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| Balti pie |
Second half begins and Newcastle continue to look good for a draw. The excellent Cheick Tiote bosses the midfield and fortunately Milner's somewhat off the boil today. Adam Johnson enters the fray and his first act is to weave into the box and fire a sweet left foot strike into the far corner. City in the lead, clock ticking. Campbell & Carroll come on but hope of a point is running away. Game changing moment #2: Ameobi is swept to the floor in the box, but there's no penalty decision this time.
As we filter out of the ground, belated texts filter through to my phone revealing the extent of Ben Arfa's injuries. A tale of two penalties and a promising young talent with a broken leg.
Monday, 4 October 2010
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
I'd almost forgotten what your eyes looked like...
The demolition of the "Get Carter" car park in Trinity Square, Gateshead enters its 9th week and as this photograph (taken today) shows, there's not long to go. The decision to demolish the car park was met with delight in some quarters - the brutalist architecture and concrete exterior was never going to please all who clapped eyes. Others who perhaps have an appreciation for this kind of 1960s architecture, who hold popular culture in high regard or who revere local heritage were understandably saddened by the news. But, could there really have been any justification for allowing this iconic structure to remain simply as a monument to a 1971 British gangster flick? I think so.
I feel the car park has, in part, been neglected and has suffered to a large degree at the hands of external factors. For most of its life, the car park has existed in a severe state of disrepair and indeed, in its latter years, has been closed for safety reasons. Original plans to build a café on the roof were realised but tenants were never secured and plans to provide access to the existing market square were poorly executed. Externally, the advent of the Eldon Square shopping centre across the river in Newcastle and the MetroCentre, a few miles along the A1, left Gateshead dead and buried, from a commercial point of view. And at the centre of this detritus stood the “Get Carter” car park.
In my view, the council are punching above their weight if they think Gateshead town centre’s prowess as a shopping capital is anything other than a thing of the past. The plans for the site are so contemporary and lacking imagination, it’s painful, and it’s fair to say, the only thought injected into this has been for maximising revenue and pleasing the residents. Residents who, for the most part, no doubt shop at the MetroCentre these days anyway.
To say the car park is ugly is subjective and a little too easy. Brash: maybe, dominating: definitely but ugly is such a harsh word. There were mixed views when it was announced that the Baltic flour mill (built only 20 years before the car park) would be converted into the excellent centre for contemporary art we all know today - in fact, the idea was heavily criticised. Dilapidated and in danger of collapse ever since the major fire suffered in 1979, the floor mill building stood amongst a desolate Gateshead quayside and stood almost staring in envy at the revitalised Newcastle quayside across the Tyne. These days, Gateshead’s quayside is unrecognisable and, along with the Sage music centre, Baltic stands as a monument to both history and the future. Baltic has since been warmly welcomed as an art centre and a local attraction, and, aesthetically, it’s a fine example of what can be achieved by restoring an historic building which otherwise was destined for demolition.
Given more thought, more imagination, the Trinity Square site could have been so much more. Much more than a car park, an eye sore or the signature of a shopping centre that serves no-one. Why not celebrate one of the finest British films of our time and laud its Gateshead connections? During the ‘80s and ‘90s proposals were put forward to convert the car park into an art space or events venue but it’s clear that the council were holding out for what every town centre seemingly needs these days. A shiny new Tesco.
What the future holds for the site is detailed here in this bright and colourful website:
Amongst the planned of bevy bars, shops, office space and restaurants there is still room for... yes, you've guessed it, a car park...
Sunday, 26 September 2010
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