I'm genuinely hurt that not one person has posted that, tweeted that, or emailed me that. I've just noticed that its been over TWO MONTHS (and yes, I am shouting that) since I last posted.
Its not that I haven't wanted to, its just that I've been waylaid. That's a great word that isn't it? As soon as you say it, its like "family emergency" - most people, well, the socially adept among us, shy away when someone says that. No-one really asks what you've been doing. So, I'll have to presume you all thought I had been waylaid, and didn't know how to ask. That makes me feel much better...
Given that no-one has asked, I'm going to do the socially inept thing, and answer anyway. I've been too busy really. The Chats are still going. Its been something of a cliche ridden, rollercoaster of a season so far. Languishing back in mid-table (our spiritual home) after being among the early pacesetters, its still hard to know what to think.
Over at www.themedwaybroadside.com there will be, at some point, the option (I imagine) to download the latest issue. There's a decent enough piece on the Chats in that, that should bring you up to date to the middle of October. When I see if its working, I'll post it. Time means that the match reports will be less frequent than they were some years ago when this blog started up. I'd dearly love to do more, but IRL (which I'm told is an acronym for "In Real Life"), its all a bit busy. Sorry. It just is.
Back to the Medway Broadside. Its very much worth a read. I may end up posting match reports over there rather than here. If that's the case, I'll link them from here - all the other nonsense will of course remain part of the blog.
Nice catching up with you all - keep it academia, as Steve McFadden would say, ratchet in hand.
Monday, 31 October 2011
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Welcome, Dead Novelists.
Chatham won the opening game of the season yesterday, one nil at fancied Maldon and Tiptree. Miles away, didn't go. Home to Harlow on Tuesday night - can't wait.
In the meantime, I've been seeking inspiration for the coming season. I've turned to our old mate Billy Childish and his fantastic poem, Chatham Town Welcomes Desperate Men.
You can see him perform it here.
http://youtu.be/Aztulcg9ipM
I've posted this before, but it requires re-posting.
Welcome Dead Novelists...
Bank managers who can no longer manage...
Its what makes me absurdly proud to come from Medway. Its the same pride I have in our football club. Its not perfect but its ours. And we can't help but love it.
In the meantime, I've been seeking inspiration for the coming season. I've turned to our old mate Billy Childish and his fantastic poem, Chatham Town Welcomes Desperate Men.
You can see him perform it here.
http://youtu.be/Aztulcg9ipM
I've posted this before, but it requires re-posting.
Welcome Dead Novelists...
Bank managers who can no longer manage...
Its what makes me absurdly proud to come from Medway. Its the same pride I have in our football club. Its not perfect but its ours. And we can't help but love it.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Bargain Chats
Perhaps the biggest bargain outside of London at the moment is the Chatham Town membership scheme. Announced today on the official site, you can buy membership at the Chats for £20. This will get you in to all league games for the bargain price of £5 - a saving of £3 a game. Over a 21 game season this is a saving of £63, which will leave you £43 quid better off. If you're an OAP, you get in for £2. You can't fault it, and I for one will be doing it!
"A new decade...
The radio plays the sounds we made, and everything seems to feel just right"… warbled Wigan Warbler supreme Richard Ashcroft on the Verve’s opening track of their second long player, A Northern Soul.
It may sound like hyperbole but there’s such a genuine optimism at the TOSC at the moment, its hard not to be swept away on its waves. The foundations are in for the clubhouse extension, and there’s a genuinely good fundraising initiative to help build it. More of that later.
But what’s been happening a TOSC this summer?
Well firstly, the pitch. It looks fantastic. It is fantastic, and it’s the hard work of vice chair Barry Adams and a volunteer who apparently used to do the ground in the 70s. He supports Chelsea and hates Gillingham, and doesn’t really like Chatham. I don’t know his name, which I should do. But I don’t. Whether the pitch holds up to the possibility of three games a week is another thing; Gills Ladies are ground sharing with us, and of course there are the reserves too.
And we’ve got a pretty much new look squad again, but this time it’s a hybrid of the “old” old (pre-Foley), and the “new” old (Foley). Gladly, some of the side that finished the campaign after Paul Foley’s unceremonious departure last year are still with us, Joe Fuller, the Hogg brothers (Jon has a Mad Men haircut by the way) Jason Barton and Adam Molloy have hung around. Then there’s Brad Potter and Matt Solly, who predate that awful era from last year. And there’s the enigmatic return of Gary Tilly, who last played for us, and at this level, some six years ago before his third broken leg. There are plenty of new faces too. I’ll name them and cast opinions as their identities become more apparent, but included are Jon Pilbeam formerly of Sevenoaks Town, and non-league stalwart keeper Tony Kessell, whose experience will do Adam Molloy no end of good.
And we’ve been featured on the very widely read www.theballisround.co.uk, a great piece of publicity for the club. Take a look. Its possibly, at a push, better than my own blog. Honestly…
Pre-season has thus far been mixed – four games gone, one win, one draw, two defeats. But pre-season’s not about winning games. I’ve always thought teams who do well in pre-season tend to do badly in the league. “You can prove anything with facts” says Stewart Lee to a homophobic taxi driver. I can’t prove this as it’s a feeling. Live with it.
The season starts in two weeks away to Maldon & Tiptree. Its in Essex, and apparently is quite nice. I won’t go. I’ll start my season with the home game on the 23rd, and will do a report. I might even do a report out of context and off subject on the Kent vs India One Dayer at Canterbury on the 26th August. That could be funny, as I understand very little about Cricket.
LYL
It may sound like hyperbole but there’s such a genuine optimism at the TOSC at the moment, its hard not to be swept away on its waves. The foundations are in for the clubhouse extension, and there’s a genuinely good fundraising initiative to help build it. More of that later.
But what’s been happening a TOSC this summer?
Well firstly, the pitch. It looks fantastic. It is fantastic, and it’s the hard work of vice chair Barry Adams and a volunteer who apparently used to do the ground in the 70s. He supports Chelsea and hates Gillingham, and doesn’t really like Chatham. I don’t know his name, which I should do. But I don’t. Whether the pitch holds up to the possibility of three games a week is another thing; Gills Ladies are ground sharing with us, and of course there are the reserves too.
And we’ve got a pretty much new look squad again, but this time it’s a hybrid of the “old” old (pre-Foley), and the “new” old (Foley). Gladly, some of the side that finished the campaign after Paul Foley’s unceremonious departure last year are still with us, Joe Fuller, the Hogg brothers (Jon has a Mad Men haircut by the way) Jason Barton and Adam Molloy have hung around. Then there’s Brad Potter and Matt Solly, who predate that awful era from last year. And there’s the enigmatic return of Gary Tilly, who last played for us, and at this level, some six years ago before his third broken leg. There are plenty of new faces too. I’ll name them and cast opinions as their identities become more apparent, but included are Jon Pilbeam formerly of Sevenoaks Town, and non-league stalwart keeper Tony Kessell, whose experience will do Adam Molloy no end of good.
And we’ve been featured on the very widely read www.theballisround.co.uk, a great piece of publicity for the club. Take a look. Its possibly, at a push, better than my own blog. Honestly…
Pre-season has thus far been mixed – four games gone, one win, one draw, two defeats. But pre-season’s not about winning games. I’ve always thought teams who do well in pre-season tend to do badly in the league. “You can prove anything with facts” says Stewart Lee to a homophobic taxi driver. I can’t prove this as it’s a feeling. Live with it.
The season starts in two weeks away to Maldon & Tiptree. Its in Essex, and apparently is quite nice. I won’t go. I’ll start my season with the home game on the 23rd, and will do a report. I might even do a report out of context and off subject on the Kent vs India One Dayer at Canterbury on the 26th August. That could be funny, as I understand very little about Cricket.
LYL
Monday, 4 July 2011
M-A-T-T S-O-L-L-Y
If you've heard the song Tenderoni by Kele Okereke, you'll know that you can chant Matt Solly's name along to the chorus. Which is handy, because I only worked this out after he left under a bit of a cloud during Paul Foley's reign.
In good news, its been announced today on the official site that Matt Solly is back for next season. There couldn't be a clearer statement of intent from Kevin Watson than bringing Matt home. Kevin Watson is a new broom who understands what the club and the fans want. Solly is a favourite with the fans and players, a gifted player who came through the youth set up.
Also re-signing is Ryan Laker, last term's player of the year - another youth product, he's got a big future in the game and will surely be the first name on the team sheet after Solly next year.
Pre-season training has started, and we kick off on 23rd July, away to Erith Town. I'll probably miss most of the pre-season games, but will try and get along to some.
Our first official fixtures are announced this week, with the draws for the FA Cup and FA Trophy being announced this friday, and the league fixtures out a week after that. Suddenly, I can't believe the season ended over two months ago!
Come on the Chats!!!!
In good news, its been announced today on the official site that Matt Solly is back for next season. There couldn't be a clearer statement of intent from Kevin Watson than bringing Matt home. Kevin Watson is a new broom who understands what the club and the fans want. Solly is a favourite with the fans and players, a gifted player who came through the youth set up.
Also re-signing is Ryan Laker, last term's player of the year - another youth product, he's got a big future in the game and will surely be the first name on the team sheet after Solly next year.
Pre-season training has started, and we kick off on 23rd July, away to Erith Town. I'll probably miss most of the pre-season games, but will try and get along to some.
Our first official fixtures are announced this week, with the draws for the FA Cup and FA Trophy being announced this friday, and the league fixtures out a week after that. Suddenly, I can't believe the season ended over two months ago!
Come on the Chats!!!!
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Been a while, and Ian Pulman in shock promotion.
Sorry I've been away. I couldn't be bothered to be frank. It was becoming a tad tedious, both on the pitch and off.
As you probably know, we finished in the relegation spots, but were reprieved thanks to the financial stupidity of other teams, and will compete in the Ryman 1 North next season. This is of course great news, and we'll be travelling to Ware, my favourite away trip, as well as Needham Market, Sudbury and Leiston which are all in Suffolk. We'll win the league. I said it. Nothing wrong with some early optimism.
In other news, Kevin Watson, 29, is our new manager. He managed to get 7 points from 9 in our last three games, and it was nearly 100% and a mental play off to stay up if not for the heroics of Bognor's keeper in the dying minutes. He's announced three signings, two of last year's squad and a newbie. Brad Potter (now skipper) and Adam Molloy remain, and we're joined by exciting Tunbridge Wells winger John Pilbeam, who scored 11 last season and fed a front line which netted nearly 50. All positive.
Going back to the old school, many Chats fans would be forgiven for not remembering Ian Pulman playing for us. It was about five years ago, and he didn't have a very good time at Chatham. Those who do recall him will be shocked to hear that his star is that much in the ascent that he has moved to Eastbourne Borough - yes, the big team in Eastbourne - the Conference South side in Eastbourne. Can Ian Pulman go on to be the next in a line of former Chats to go on to much greater things (well, the third after George Boyd and Danny Kedwell) ? Lets hope he does.
Pre season games are announced and on the website - Welling United at home on the 6th being the biggest draw, as well as derbies against both Brickingbourne and Maidstone. Can we charge Maidstone a tenner, as that's what they're charging for home games in the R1S next season? Please - its apparently to pay off their VAT bill - why clubs can't manage to pay the tax man whilst chasing success I'll never know. The state of non league finances puts many of the pro clubs to shame. Again, a reminder of all that's good about the Chats, we never spend money we don't have, and I'll take a million relegation battles over the shame of cheating.
As you probably know, we finished in the relegation spots, but were reprieved thanks to the financial stupidity of other teams, and will compete in the Ryman 1 North next season. This is of course great news, and we'll be travelling to Ware, my favourite away trip, as well as Needham Market, Sudbury and Leiston which are all in Suffolk. We'll win the league. I said it. Nothing wrong with some early optimism.
In other news, Kevin Watson, 29, is our new manager. He managed to get 7 points from 9 in our last three games, and it was nearly 100% and a mental play off to stay up if not for the heroics of Bognor's keeper in the dying minutes. He's announced three signings, two of last year's squad and a newbie. Brad Potter (now skipper) and Adam Molloy remain, and we're joined by exciting Tunbridge Wells winger John Pilbeam, who scored 11 last season and fed a front line which netted nearly 50. All positive.
Going back to the old school, many Chats fans would be forgiven for not remembering Ian Pulman playing for us. It was about five years ago, and he didn't have a very good time at Chatham. Those who do recall him will be shocked to hear that his star is that much in the ascent that he has moved to Eastbourne Borough - yes, the big team in Eastbourne - the Conference South side in Eastbourne. Can Ian Pulman go on to be the next in a line of former Chats to go on to much greater things (well, the third after George Boyd and Danny Kedwell) ? Lets hope he does.
Pre season games are announced and on the website - Welling United at home on the 6th being the biggest draw, as well as derbies against both Brickingbourne and Maidstone. Can we charge Maidstone a tenner, as that's what they're charging for home games in the R1S next season? Please - its apparently to pay off their VAT bill - why clubs can't manage to pay the tax man whilst chasing success I'll never know. The state of non league finances puts many of the pro clubs to shame. Again, a reminder of all that's good about the Chats, we never spend money we don't have, and I'll take a million relegation battles over the shame of cheating.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Elton Welsby's Big Match.
Well, of course, Britain's second most famous Elton won't be at TOSC on Saturday, but its a massive game for both clubs and supporters alike.
Bognor Regis Town, the visitors, need a win to guarantee promotion back to the Ryman League Premier Division. Chatham need to win and hope for other results to go there way to avoid the purgatory that is a summer's wait to see if we're reprieved from the hellish waters of the Kent League.
Chatham have had no luck all season. Kevin Watson's come in to run the show for the last two games, and in fact scored an injury time winner on Saturday to complete a 3-2 comeback and keep the improbable dream alive. What chances a Chatham win on Saturday? Bognor are clearly a very good side, and will be bringing at least two coach loads of supporters with them on Saturday. They're in party mood. Let's hope they still go up, but only because Met Police lose. We are capable of beating them if we play with all our hearts on Saturday - what we lack in skill, we need to make up for in fight. I have a bizarre feeling that we actually have a chance of pulling off the great escape.
There is a chance of osmething very strange happening and that is this. Picture the scenrio. Chatham win 2-1. Cornithian Casuals are held 0-0 at Whitstable, and Whyteleafe win at home to relegated Horsham YMCA. This leaves the Chatham and Co-Cas with identical records, in every respect. It then goes to a head to head - these are equal too, both teams having won once, and both having scored and conceded two. This means a play off at a neutral venue - I don't think its ever been needed before, but there's an admittedly slim chance that the game on Saturday won't be our last of the season... stranger things have happened.
Bognor Regis Town, the visitors, need a win to guarantee promotion back to the Ryman League Premier Division. Chatham need to win and hope for other results to go there way to avoid the purgatory that is a summer's wait to see if we're reprieved from the hellish waters of the Kent League.
Chatham have had no luck all season. Kevin Watson's come in to run the show for the last two games, and in fact scored an injury time winner on Saturday to complete a 3-2 comeback and keep the improbable dream alive. What chances a Chatham win on Saturday? Bognor are clearly a very good side, and will be bringing at least two coach loads of supporters with them on Saturday. They're in party mood. Let's hope they still go up, but only because Met Police lose. We are capable of beating them if we play with all our hearts on Saturday - what we lack in skill, we need to make up for in fight. I have a bizarre feeling that we actually have a chance of pulling off the great escape.
There is a chance of osmething very strange happening and that is this. Picture the scenrio. Chatham win 2-1. Cornithian Casuals are held 0-0 at Whitstable, and Whyteleafe win at home to relegated Horsham YMCA. This leaves the Chatham and Co-Cas with identical records, in every respect. It then goes to a head to head - these are equal too, both teams having won once, and both having scored and conceded two. This means a play off at a neutral venue - I don't think its ever been needed before, but there's an admittedly slim chance that the game on Saturday won't be our last of the season... stranger things have happened.
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