I hear some of those of a more mobile existence enjoyed a trip out to the National Football Museum in Manchester the other day. And with hospitality thrown in by the Northern League. Jolly good I must say. Back in the other life I once visited it when it was at Preston North End's famous old ground at Deepdale. It was damn good then, so presumably even better in shiny new premises. Though no doubt the good folk of North End were somewhat miffed. Having said that I had the place to myself, so I don't think they were snowed under with punters making the trek to North Lancashire. Seems the new place is a glass palace of imposing size, and with good video and other evidence of times gone by, although with a considerable Manchester, and United at that, bias evident all round. Only to be expected I suppose, although if most of the people who come through the door are from Manchester, they are more likely to be Bury fans than Man Utd afficionados; it's a long way from Somerset...
The other entertainment was good as well they reckon, with certain parties nipping out to check the Joseph Holt's ale, as good as certain bodies remembered from times past I hear...
All right for some I say, but back to the real thing. Tough one against West coming up, and what with the students showing some remarkable form, the results will have to keep coming if the raggy lads from Ryhope are going to stay in the upper reaches. Good job most of the games left are away, not much use to me, but it does seem like we do better overall on our travels, bit like racehorses that liven up when they get to go for a ride out to new parts. Of course the other alternatives favoured by the racing fraternity for livening up a reluctant performer include blinkers, which might work well with some of the boys; or gelding, can't see their being a queue for that....