If, as I am led to be believed by the great man himself, that was Sir Gary`s final performance for Frickley: what a
fitting finale to a fantastic career.

Having watched Frickley for one or two seasons, I can honestly say that he is without equal in terms of dedication and commitment - and yes I include Messrs Whiteley, Pounder and Meehan.

There cannot have been a more cultured left peg in the Unibond over the past decade and a half. The cross for the winning goal last night was subliminal, but as anyone who has watched Frickley over the years would appreciate, this is the kind of ball Hatt`s has been knocking over for years.

Unless he can be persuaded otherwise (maybe over half of cider in the Top House), we will have an enormous gap to fill come next season. Then again, maybe a position could be found on the management team?

Dave - where were you sat on Tuesday - I looked for you. I saw Jimmy The Hoover - he was looking for you at the end of the match too (I think his bladder was full)

Was sat just over the half way line, the way we kicked in the first half. One of the lads said he`d seen you, but i couldn`t be arsed looking!!

Get up to the Lane next year, you`ll be easier to spot. Make sure match is not po-poed first though (remember?).

Fit Fo I believe

I was just the other side of the half way - the ways the Blues kicked in the second half - I was looking to mix it with their "Top Boys" but they ran.

I saw Sime from Russ Greens, & I thought I saw Newt but then I realised it was a hot air balloon landing!

Next year is a poss - I took my missus with me (she hadn't been getting on with the housekeeping so I had to punish her somehow) & she realised that it ain't all Man Utd & supporting teams like the Blues can make a big difference

Aye, sime (from sime & jims - russ has sold out) said he`d seen yer. Was the hot air balloon the Slimcea one? If it was Newt was probably trying to shoot it down. Or was it Nimble that did the balloon ad?

Anyway, about next year. If match is not po-poed and theres no fit fo or even thick fog, get yoursen over here. I`ll see if i can drag alan furry shoes along, although he only turns out in the winter when he can wear his sheeper.

Got to go, they`re doing a re-run of Bobs Full House on UKGold, "Bingo Lingo, Clickety Click, Who`s Sat There on Box Number Six!". Quality light entertainment.

Aye, sime (from sime & jim`s - russ sold out) said he`d seen ya. Was the hot air balloon the one from the Slimcea ad? Or was it Nimble that did that campaign? If it was, Newt was probably up on the roof trying to shoot it down.

With respect to visiting the Lane next year, check first to see if the match is po-poed, if there is no fit fo on the horizon, then make the short journey across the border. You know it makes sense, where else can you get the witty repartee and jovial banter that is all too common in the Family Stand? Everyone is welcome (except scabs).

Anyhow, cant stop on here any longer. Theres a re-run of Bob`s Full House on UKGold in 5 mins. "Bingo Lingo, Clickety Click, Who`s sat there in Box Number Six!". Top quality light entertainment.

ps: Our lass said she saw Burger at the cashpoint in Elmsall this afternoon! I wonder if they accept the Pink Pound in the Brooky?

I thought it was only my dinner that was repeating!

Back at work now - so can attend to my life admin.

I think Burger heard that there was a Terry & Jerry Tribute Act at the Empire. Did I tell you about the time he went to town with me, Lukey, Raikesy et al. We completely made up the name of a group & he said he had a tape by them (that was in the days when gramaphone was king!)

UK Gold - you've come up in the world mate - I can't even get Channel 5 where I live - which is a shame cos I am partial to the occasional "special interest" film later in the evening.

See there will be a few "Seaside Specials" for the Blues next year - War of Whitby all over again!!

Yes, Burger did have a penchant for the unusual as far as music was concerned. If a group sold more than 7 records he didnt want to know. He`s probably still got the only copy of Champion Doug Veitch`s debut album.

By the way, I havent got Sky myself, I just peep through next door`s window. I make do with my 4 Betamax tapes of Lenny Bennett`s Punchlines.

I hope the floodlights are sturdy at the seaside, you never know who may try to scale them.

I think Mr Malcolm is probably knocking on a bit now for floodlight scaling - nice sheeper though.

Never mind Lennie Bennett - what about my (almost) neighbour, Lennie Shaw?

He knew the way to all the grounds in the Alliance (allegedly). Wait till we got in the car park and say "its near hear Dick".

Did you notice that Workington are back in the same league next year? Fancy going up for a tumble with their crew (again)? Let`s send Keggy on a scouting mission, he`d make good cannon fodder.

Time to go, Sing Something Simple is just starting.

Workington - yeah - just got my underpants clean from the last visit.

I thought goading their "boys" from the safety of the bus which had it doors locked was particular brave on our part.

When you think about it, what with the Workington Rumble and the day we battled Stalybridge on their own "manor" and, er, the time Newt threatened a small child for it's crisps, we've got enough material for a Footie Hooliganism book.

What should we call it?

"Pain in the (Northern)Prem"
"Violence in the Vauxhall(Conf)"
"Uproar in the Unibond"
"Told off for shouting 'Vinegar Stroke'on the players bus" "Getting headbutted in the toilets at Stalybridge"(that last ones got a ring to it).

I would buy 50 copies straight away, seriously consider it!!!

The man was a legend on the PA, never mind Fatboy Slim we had Jack Boy Cook.

As for the title of our forthcoming Autobiography may I suggest the following:

"Scared to Death at Staley"
"Wetting our pants at Workington"
"Running away quickly at Runcorn"
"Dodging punches at Darlington"

Or perhaps my favourite:

"Pork Pie attack at Bangor"

We were the only club with a true Mod following. The pork pie chucker went to games on his Vespa I think.


ps. Have you bought Morrisey`s new album? I`ll wait till Weaver`s get it in.

I'd forgotten about that Mod bloke - he was in the army or summat I think. I thought we were dedicated (at least we could get pissed when the match was rubbish - he had to stay sober to get home on his "hair dryer")

What about that mid week cup replay at Halesowen when we were "filling the trousers" again - Jimmy wouldn't let us cheer when we scored.

Apparently "DJ Cook on the wheels of steel" was the inspiration that got "Tongy" & Judge Jules into music - he's got a lot to answer for

That Halesowen game was the scariest ever. There must have been 3,500 screaming Brummies and a couple of dozen of us. Remember that bloke asking me the time, to check my accent? Then that couple on the bus didnt want to stop for a celebratory pint on the way home, coz they had work in the morning!!

I used to have the goals on video, but i taped over it with an episode of Miami Vice.

If you have any historic footage on video please let someone know at the club as they will reproduce the footage into a collection of dvds. The same goes for photos and memorabilia, including the colliery.

I did have the goals from the games at Halesowen and the home game with Rotherham. Dont think I have them anymore, did not think anyone else would be interested in seeing them I suppose.

Same goes for all old programmes, I got sick of collecting them and they came in handy when coal was in short supply.

The Rotherham Game could be massed produced and sold on!!!! Maybe somebody else has it?.... Programs and especially video footage will be worth decent money. But in them days, what were yer supposed to do, freeze?...
If anybody has the Rotherham or any Frickley Games on Tape pre 1994, please post on this forum and say which or what you have.

What about the Hartlepool match - me & thee still celebrating hours after the goal - me & thee feeling the wind in our hair on the bus home (minus window - thank you Monkey Hangers)

Is it me or is everything one from Hartlepool a fat bas**rd, Theres a few male Lisa Rileys knocking about.

Mind you would you rather be a fat poolie git or a 'family club' like Emley, well just about all the same family shall we say.

Never saw the Hartlepool video, heard we had a cameo role in it tho. Takes me back, jumpers for goalposts etc etc. Buying Hatt`s and their lass Rum n Blacks in the Emp on the Sunday night after our glorious victory. Backing the Blues at 6/1 and spending it in one night on Sam Smith`s, halcyon days indeed.

ps I wonder if Burger is going to see Simon and Garfunkel on the Old Friends tour? I`m going, MEN Arena, keep my eyes peeled for a bloke in Jesus sandals with an ingrowing toenail.

The great FA trophy win at Donny Rovers featured on a Jeremy Clarkson programme, remember Simon Fuller ( not the guy Pop idola and spice girl fame)scoring from 35 yards by lobbying the keeper.

Hoody played in goal that day and had a blinder as well. Glory days

Been a bit of a reversal in fortunes since that day though.