Dark Rock Diaries

A Long Way To Exeter City

2012-01-28T01:25:00.001-08:00

Norwich City striker, Grant Holt, has been recalling the time he had a trial with Exeter City, in an interview with The Guardian an newspaper.

He said: “The lowest point of my career came during my first year at Barrow, in 2001. I went for a trial at Exeter City.

"I drove all the way down there, did well in the game, drove back, only to sit in the house the next morning after a 10-hour round trip to see that the manager had got sacked.

“At that point I thought: 'I've had enough now really, I'm not going to any more trials.'

Ales Of The Unexpected: Keswick And Ambleside

2012-01-28T01:03:00.001-08:00

It snowed whilst we were in Keswick yesterday. The mountains looked quite stunning with the snow capped tops, as we took what proved to be a stunning journey on the 555 bus from Lancaster to Keswick.

Not surprisingly the town itself was fairly quiet, although the snow did stop and even the sun managed to make an appearance later in the afternoon.

First port of call for liquid refreshment, as per usual, was ‘The Bank Tavern,’ a Jennings pub where I had one of their monthly ales, ‘Soggy Bottom’ (3.8%), which proved to be a good starter for the day. A light, golden colour and smooth on the palate.

Later moving on to ‘The Dog and Gun’ which always has a selection of the local Keswick Brewery ales on, I went for what proved to be the best beer of the day, ‘Thirst Winter’ (4.4%), a much darker ale than the first brew.

On the way back home we called in to ‘The Queens Hotel’ a place I had first visited last weekend, and this time I sampled ‘Loweswater Gold’ from the Cumbrian Legendary Ales, which was the Champion Golden Ale of 2011.

City Head For Bridgwater

2012-01-26T08:10:00.000-08:00

Exeter City are to play a friendly match at Bridgwater Town next Wednesday evening (1st February) - kick off 7.30pm.

Admission at Town’s Fairax Park gorund is £5 for adults and £1 for children.

The Grecians are expected to field a mixed team selected from the first team squad and youth team.

Bridgwater manager Rob Dray commented: “This will be better than training for the team and give our players who have been out with injuries some match fitness."

Ales Of The Unexpected: Kendal And The Watermill

2012-01-26T07:45:00.001-08:00

There was no sign of the snow that had been forecast, although we were told that it had snowed in Windermere earlier in the morning.

First call of the day was to the ‘The Miles Thompson’ (Wetherspoon) in Kendal. I can only report as I find, that the service was first class, with the food ordered speedily brought to the table.

The beer? Well I went for ‘Red MacGregor’ from the Orkney Brewery.

I was told that the ‘Sporran Warmer,’ which I had sampled earlier in the week at the ‘Sir Richard Owen’ in Lancaster, however, was ‘off’ as it was too cloudy and hadn’t settled.

Moving on later in the morning to an extremely quiet in the Watermill, Ings, the quietest I have seen it for some time.

I had time to sample a couple of beers, the first of which was ‘Gold’ from Yates, Wigton - the second brew I have had from them this week.

I then tried one of Watermill’s own, ‘Winter’s Tail,’ which I have had many times before.

I understand that the Watermill are likely to be brewing a ‘new’ beer soon, and are currently trying to think of a suitable name for it, with a doggy theme of course!

Derelict Boothferry Park

2012-01-25T10:35:00.000-08:00

Exeter City have played on several occasions at Hull City's former home of Boothferry Park, and there will be many current fans who have seen them there.

I was sent the following link on you tube which depicts the ground in a derelict state, now that Hull City have moved elsewhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiMyGJyyznQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

O'Brien Deal On Hold

2012-01-25T08:37:00.001-08:00

The deal to bring full-back Luke O’Brien from Bradford City to Exeter City on a free transfer has been put on hold according to reports emanating from Yorkshire.

The player flew to Exeter for talks earlier this week, but no deal was finalised as it was thought the move was dependent on another player leaving the Grecians, presumably to balance the playing budget.

Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson said: “We’ll just see what happens but he will continue to train with us as usual.”

The deal could be resurrected by the close of the January transfer window if Exeter transfer a player out.

Lancaster Dark & Winter Ales Festival

2012-01-25T07:32:00.001-08:00

I ventured off to far flung Garstang today - well, certainly as far as the pubs involved in the Lunesdale Dark and Winter Ales Festival are concerned.

Checking with ‘The Wheatsheaf’ in Garstang before setting out, and being told the ales they had on sale. I headed off by bus via Lancaster.

I wasn’t disappointed. Great pub. Nice atmosphere, and so friendly, with six ales on sale.

The food looked excellent too, so will be back, hopefully, sooner than later to try that. All the beers I tried were on top form.

It must be three or four years since i was last in Garstang, which is surprising really as it is only 35 minutes by bus from Lancaster.

So what of the beers? First up was ‘Bowland Gold (3.8%) from the Bowland Brewery, Clitheroe. You can’t go wrong with Bowland beers and this proved to be an ideal drink to start off with. A hoppy, golden bitter.

Moving on to what was the best beer of the day was ‘Fire Dancer’ (4%) from the Copper Dragon Brewery, Skipton. Described as a winter warmer, this was packed with flavours.

I ended my visit to ‘The Wheatsheaf’ with a porter ‘Ruddy Ram’ from the Black Sheep Brewery, Masham. I have had this before, but certainly it is one the better porters, dark and biscuity.

Boarding the bus back to Lancaster, I then called into ‘The Sun’ where I supped ‘Old Dan’ (6.5%) from Thwaites of Blackburn.

I felt this was a poor mans barley wine, nice as it was, but nowhere near in the same league as Robinson’s ‘Old Tom’ or Coniston’s ‘No.9 Barley Wine.’

Lancaster Dark & Winter Ales Festival

2012-01-24T09:28:00.001-08:00

Day two of the Lancaster Dark and Winter Ales Festival, and I came across a beer that will surely take some beating, but more of that later.

I started the morning off with a visit to ‘The Palatine’ in Morecambe, and sadly I was the only one in for the duration I was there!

I enjoyed ‘Winter Warmer’ (4.9%) from the Saltaire Brewery, West Yorkshire. nicely hopped and I thought this was good beer indeed.

Later I caught the bus across to Lancaster on a day that was pretty miserable, weather wise, drizzle throughout.

My first planned call proved to be a bit if a disappointment, as I went to ‘The Water Witch’, but left without buying anything as there was nothing there that I had not drank before.

Taking the short walk along the Lancaster Canal towpath to the ’White Cross’ I was able to sample ‘Auld Kendal’ (5.7%) from the Derwent Brewery, Silloth. This was a good, dark ale with a slight bitter after taste.

Next stop was ’The Borough’ where I had ’Red Bull Terrier’ (4.8%) from Barngates Brewery, Ambleside, a really nice all round beer.

I then decided to look into the ‘Penny Bank,’ but once again there was nothing there I fancied, so took the short walk to ‘The Sir Richard Owen’ (Wetherspoon), but unfortunately nothing had changed, beer wise, since I was in yesterday.

Would I have better luck in ‘Merchants?’ Yes, I did! I really enjoyed ‘Hen Harrier’ (4%) from the Bowland Brewery, and up to that point it was my favourite brew of the day.

However, my final port of call was ‘The Sun’ here I supped the quite superb and very fruity ‘Dark D’Ale’ (5%) from the Bank Top Brewery, Bolton.

This was easily the best beer of the day that I had, and this will take some beating if it is not the beer of the Festival for me, however, there are several days and ales to go yet!

Pears Leaves Cully

2012-01-24T01:13:00.001-08:00

It seems to be a bit of habit to move on after a relatively short spell with a club for former Exeter City striker Richard Pears, who has now left his post as assistant manager due to personal reasons at South West Peninusla League outfit, Cullompton Rangers.

Cully manager pete Bucking ham said: “Richard has left for personal reasons. I have a great deal of respect for his coaching abilities,"

Pears who joined Cullompton in June of last year, was a product of the Exeter City youth scheme, having signed as an associate schoolboy in December 1990, Pears gained his first full professional contract in July 1994.

He made his league debut for the club as a substitute whilst still a trainee in a 1-0 home defeat against Hull City on New Years Day 1994.

He remained with the Grecians until the summer of 1998 before being a given a free transfer.

He briefly joined Torquay United, but never played a game for them.

Pears then signed for Cullompton Rangers in 1997, and subsequently became player-manager of Heavitree United.

He moved on to join Clyst Rovers in 1998, and then Tiverton Town in October of the same year where he played in the FA Vase winning side that season.

He remained with Tiverton until January 2004, signing for Mangotsfield Town in a player-exchange deal.

Pears joined Exmouth Town as player assistant manager in August 2004, but in June 2005 had linked up with Willand Rovers.

Three months later he was back at Tiverton Town for a second spell at the club.

Pears rejoined Willand Rovers in June 2006, but left after one season due to his work commitments with Exeter City Council.

In June 2007 he was appointed manager of Exmouth Town, and in May 2008 became joint manager of Cullompton Rangers.

In February 2010, Pears returned to Tiverton for a third spell at the club and in June 2010 was appointed manager of South West Peninsula League club, Royal Marines, but resigned in March 2011.

F.A. Vase Fifth Round

2012-01-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

The draw for the fifth round of the F.A. Vase has taken place today, with ties to be played on the weekend of Saturday 11 February 2012.

Tividale v Peterborough Northern Star; Shortwood United v Ashington; Staveley MW v Oadby Town; Billingham Synthonia or Runcorn Town v Bournemouth

Wisbech Town or Dunston UTS v Bethnal Green United ; Whitley Bay v West Auckland Town; St Ives Town v Gresley or Three Bridges; Herne Bay v Larkhall Athletic

Dorchester Want To Keep Nicholls

2012-01-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

Dorchester Town boss, Alan Knight, has been impressed with his on loan Exeter City striker, Tom Nichols, who has netted three goals in three games, and he would like to extend the arrangement with the Grecians, which is due to end on 5th February.

After Nichols scored in the 1-1 draw against Dover Athletic on Saturday, Knight said: “I’ve spoken to Tom, he says he enjoys it here and we would like to extend his stay if possible. He’s done very well and as long as Exeter aren’t picking up any injuries, touch wood we will be able to keep him for longer.

“He’s here for another two weeks so we’ve got a bit of time to work on it but we have already been on the phone to Steve Perryman and one or two others at Exeter, so we’re hoping it will happen.”

Exeter Exiles Presentation and Sponsorship

2012-01-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

Neil Le Milliere of the Exeter City Exiles has announced that a presentation will be made to the football club on the 18th February, at the game against Bury.

"As well as travelling around supporting Exeter City and representing the Grecians in two Sunday football teams, one of
the Exeter Exiles' other roles is to look after the 1931 Fund," said Le Milliere.

"This fund pays the total cost of Exeter City's number 31, Callum McNish, including all his wages. Callum even lives with one of
our members down in Devon. This adds up to £15,000 this year, which we raise mainly from donations of £19 per month from around 60 members.

"We'll be handing over this year's £15,000 cheque on the St James' Park pitch at the City versus Bury game on February 18th, and we'd love as many Exiles as possible to be there with us.

"We're sponsoring the match that day, and can offer hospitality for £45 per head. This includes very good seats in the posh FlyBe Stand, a genuinely superb pre-match lunch with great local produce, a programme, access to our own bar and the chance to meet players and management (with Paul Tisdale a possible and Steve Perryman a probable). We also get to choose the Man of the Match, which will be a lifetime ambition for me...

"I know £45 is a bit steep for League One football, but IMHO the extras (especially the two course lunch) make it good value, and it's a good chance to get a real feel for Exeter City and the people who run the club that we collectively own."

Le Milliere added: "I'd be especially thrilled if a few of our newer members fancied joining us to see Devon's fair city (for those of you not lucky enough to have lived or studied there) and to get a taste of City's distinctive tippy-tappy football at our lovely little ground."

Lancaster Dark & Winter Ales Festival

2012-01-23T07:32:00.000-08:00

Although the official launch of the Lancaster Dark and Winter Ales Festival was not until later this evening, inevitably beers are appearing earlier in some of the 27 pubs taking part.

This was certainly the case this morning as I was able to try three of the featured ales, one in ‘The Sir Richard Owen’ (Wetherspoon) and two in ‘The Sun.’

First brew of the day, and the best one by far, was ‘Sporran Warmer’ (4.8%) from Traditional Scottish Ales, Stirling. This had a fruity aroma and was quite tasty.

Later, and moving on to ‘The Sun’, I tried ‘Old Habit’ (6%) from the Burscough Brewery, Lancashire. An aroma of banana, although I was disappointed by this ale, thin tasting and for a beer of 6%, not really what I was expecting.

I then sampled ‘Dark Arts’ (4.7%), a real cask lager from the Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery, Cumbria. I felt this was more like a session brew, drinkable, but not one I would go hunting for again.

What will day two of the Festival bring?

Ales of The Unexpected: Heysham Village

2012-01-22T06:35:00.000-08:00

A bit of the spur of the moment decision, but I decided to visit, along with my bother, Dave, The Royal in Heysham village (about 2 mile walk each way) which was very busy. A lot of food being sold.

There was a great selection of ales - six -and I tried three of them, two of which were for the Lancaster Dark & Winter Ales Festival which officially is laucnched tomorrow.

I sampled 'Dark Knight' (4.8%) which was very nice, and the quite superb 'Centurions Ghost Ale' (5.4%), which I have had before, both from the York Brewery;

I finished off with 'Nightfall' (3.8%) from Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe. The Royal was well worth a visit, so a good spur of the moment decision!

Tranmere Visit Exeter City Supporters' Trust

2012-01-22T01:19:00.000-08:00

Tranmere Rovers’ Supporters Trust have recently paid a visit to Exeter City as they seek to take over the Prenton Park club on a similar basis, thus becoming a supporters owned club like the Grecians.

The Trust began negotiating with current Tranmere owner Peter Johnson about buying his controlling stake in the club during the summer, then set about raising funds to move those negotiations to the next stage.

Close to £200,000 was raised from supporters investing in the potential to hold shares in a restructured club. The opening offer the Trust put to Johnson was formalised during December.

As well as visiting Exeter City, members of the Tranmere Trust have also visited Chester and have had discussions with Supporters Direct.

So Who Do We Believe?

2012-01-22T01:11:00.000-08:00

There appears to be something of a contradiction in the positions of Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale and Bradford City boss, Phil Parkinson.

Only last week Tisdale was quoted as saying there was no money in the playing budget, therefore despite the fact he would like to bring in a player or two, it wasn’t possible.

Now, however, Parkinson, speaking after yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Burton Albion said that his 23-year-old left-back, Luke O’Brien, is to have talks with Exeter City about a permanent move to Devon.

Now, we have pointed out before on this very blog that you should never believe a word a football manager says, for we have lost count the number of times when the opposite has occurred!

O’Brien, who has made 131 appearances for Bradford City and scored two goals, was born in Halifax. His brother, a rugby league player, appears for the Bradford Bulls.

The defender joined Bradford City’s Centre Of Excellence when he was eight-years-old,[and signed professional terms at the age of 18.
s
He made his debut for Bradford City as a second half substitute against Doncaster Rovers in September 2007 in the Football League Trophy.

Such was his form in the 2008--09 season that he won the PFA Fans' League Two player of the month in December.

O'Brien appeared in 49 of the club's 2009-10 season,starting 45 and coming off the bench 4 times. In June 2010, he signed a new two-year deal,the deal also includes the option for the football club to extend his contract into a third year if they wish.

This season he has not started for the Bantams since the 3-2 home defeat to Rotherham in November, and is clearly not in Parkinson’s plans.

It is now reported in Yorkshire that Paul Tisdale has approached Parkinson about signing the player, and Exeter are expected to take over his contract.

So, if the Grecians do sign O’Brien, where has the money in the budget come from, after being told there was none left to add to the squad, or is it case once more of never believing a football manager? Or perhaps we are also about to sell a player on?

Ales of The Unexpected: Kendal, Staveley & Ambleside

2012-01-21T10:39:00.000-08:00

Another excellent day by bus in the Lakes, even though I got caught a very heavy downpour in Staveley!

Having set off this morning from Morecambe to Kendal, I hopped off in the Highgate and visited the ‘Miles Thompson’ (Wetherspoon), which proved to be fairly quiet.

I was only in there a couple of days ago, so wasn’t really expecting too much change as far as the beers were concerned, however, I did go for ‘Caledonian 80/-’ (4.1%) from where else, but he Caledonian Brewery. A good beer with which to start the day.

A short walk to Kendal bus station and then making the short trip to the village of Staveley, where very conveniently, there is a stop right outside the ‘Eagle and Child.’ (pictured)

There were four ales on offer, but I went for ‘Sunset’ (4.2%) from the Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe which I have had many times before. What a fine ale this is and it was in top condition too.

Meanwhile it had started to rain, drizzly at first, as I walked through the village to ‘The Beer Hall’ which is part of the Hawkshead brewery itself.

I haven’t actually been in there, other than for their twice yearly beer festivals, and obviously they sell the full range of Hawkshead beers. I had ‘Dry Stone’ (4.5%).

By this time it was persisting it down, so I got a bit wet as I walked to the bus stop, and onwards up through the Lakes.

It was at this point that my plan was changed. Having originally intended to visit ‘Tweedies Bar’ in Grasmere. I decided to go only as far as Ambleside instead.

I had read about the ‘Queen’s Hotel’ in the CAMRA Westmorland magazine, so decided to give it a try. I should add that the sun was almost shining when I got there, but a very cold wind, with snow on the tops of the Langdales.

I was most impressed by the ‘Queen’s.’ A touch of class about the place, and very comfortable as well. I ‘ll be making a return visit some time!

They had five ales on sale, but I only had time for just the one, so sampled ‘XB’ (4.5%) from Yates Brewery, Wigton, Cumbria.

It was then time to think about heading home, and so I boarded the bus once more for the two-hour trip to Lancaster, and then changed there and onwards to Heysham and home.

Exeter City Stats 2011-12

2012-01-21T10:14:00.001-08:00

Saturday 21st January 2012
League One
Oldham Athletic 0 Exeter City 0
Oldham Athletic: Cisak; Mvoto; Black; Tarkowski; Wesolowski (Parker 36); Morais; Adeyemi; Taylor; Lee; Simpson (Scapuzzi 57); Kuqi (Smith 75)
Exeter City: Krysiak, Tully, Archibald-Henville, Duffy, Golbourne, Dunne, Bennett, Noble, Taylor, Logan (O’Flynn 72), Bauza (Nardiello 56)
Attendance: 3,587

LEAGUE ONE - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 26; Bauza 10(5); Bennett 3(1); Bignall 3; Coles 19(3); Duffy 18(2); Dunne 24(1); Frear 3(2); Golbourne 25; Hackett 5; Jones 5(2); Keohane 0(3); Krysiak 23; Logan 7(10); McNish 1(2); Nardiello 15(4); Nichols 1(4); Noble 26: Oakley 7; O’Flynn 2(11); Pidgeley 4(2); Sercombe 15(2); Shephard 6(2); Taylor 15(1); Tully 26(1); Vine 4(1); Whichelow 2.

LEAGUE ONE - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 6; Logan 3; Bauza 2; Coles 2; O’Flynn 2; Taylor 2; Archibald-Henville 1; Bennett 1; Dunne 1; Nichols 1; Noble 1; Sercombe 1; Own Goals 1.

CUP - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 6; Bauza 2(1); Bignall 1; Coles 5; Duffy 5(1); Dunne 6; Frear 0(2); Golbourne 6; Jones 1(1); Keohane 0(2); Krysiak 4; Logan 2(3); McNish 0(2); Nardiello 4; Nichols 2(3); Noble 4; O’Flynn 2; Pidgeley 2; Sercombe 3; Shephard 4(2); Tully 5; Vine 1; Whichelow 1.

CUP - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 2; Bauza 1; Dunne 1; Frear 1; Logan 1; Noble 1; Shephard 1.

CUP - PENALTY SHOOT OUT SCORERS
Dunne 1; Nardiello 1; Noble 1.

FRIENDLIES - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 5; Bauza 3(1); Bennett 4(5); Coles 0(1); Dawson 5(3); Duffy 5; Dunne 4(1); Edwards 0(3); Frear 5(4); Furzer 4(3); Golbourne 4(1); Gosling 4(4); Gwinnett 0(1); Ingham 1(2); Jones 5(1); Keane 2(2); Keohane 1(1); Knowles 0(2); Krysiak 5(1); Logan 5(1); McNish 3(5); Moore-Taylor 1(1); Nardiello 4(2); Nichols 5(4); Noble 3; O’Flynn 0(1); Pidgeley 4(4); Reid 0(3); Sercombe 4(1); Shephard 5(3); Stewart 0(1); Tisdale 1(3); Tully 4(1), Ujah 0(1), Wannell 1(1).

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES - GOALSCORERS
Gosling 3; McNish 3; Nichols 3; Shephard 3; Freer 2; Logan 2; Nardiello 2; Nichols 2; Bennett 1.

(As at and including Saturday 21st January 2012)

The South Is A No Go Area

2012-01-21T00:31:00.001-08:00

On to my third day of ‘freedom from work’ (I could easily get to like this!)and I was thinking of going to Preston on the bus and visiting two or three Good Beer Guide listed hostelries there.

However, the thought of heading south really puts me off, especially when I have the lure of the scenic Lake District and many fine ales to sample in that area.

Preston city centre will probably be packed with Saturday shoppers, whereas the Lake District this time of the year, out of the tourist season, is so much more peaceful and to my liking,

The more I thought about it this morning, the more I decided that I would head north instead. A leisurely day out on the bus with a couple of beers or three.

So I am off up into the Lakes, with possible stops at the Eagle and Child in Staveley and Tweedies Bar in Grasmere.

Whether I stick to that plan is another matter, as I am in no particular hurry,. All will be revealed on this very blog some time when I get back this evening!

Ales of The Unexpected: Bowness & Ings

2012-01-20T10:59:00.000-08:00

Knowledge bank’ appears to be the buzz words as far as Exeter City are concerned, or at least if you read the latest report from Brazil (see www.exetercityfc.co.uk), where the Grecians’ intrepid duo of Julian Tagg and Bruce Henderson are negotiating to make the club’s dream come true for 2014.

Therefore I decided to refresh my own ‘knowledge bank’ today by visiting a hostelry that I have not set foot in for at least ten years.

Before doing so I headed off on a bus from Heysham to Windermere via Carnforth, and after a wander around a quiet town - what a difference from the invasion of the summer tourists - we then walked the 20 minutes down the hill into Bowness and the lake itself.

It was a drizzly, mizzly sort of day for most of the time, however, fortunately we didn’t get too wet. We were lucky as the rain was a little heavier later on.

There was time for a visit for refreshments, so I set the cogs in action and sure enough, there in my ‘knowledge bank’ was memories of a pub I had visited long, long ago.

We headed to the ‘Hole In’t Wall’, tucked away off the usual tourist haunts, but a building of great character, being over 400-years old.

I have to say the interior didn’t appear to have changed too drastically, since i was last there and the memories came flooding back of my previous visit.

As it is a Robinson’s Brewery of Stockport pub, I knew I couldn’t go wrong as far as the beer was concerned and so went for one of their ‘stock brews,’ namely, Unicorn (4.2%), which tasted as good as ever.

Yes, my ‘knowledge bank’ had come up trumps once again, and I was adding to it all the time, or attempting to as the day progressed, only I didn’t have to go all the way to Sao Paulo to do it, just Windermere and Bowness.

To continue with this theme of buzz words, I can safely say we increased that particular pubs ‘footfall’ by the grand total of two and added to their ‘gross profit margins' and effectively 'touched base' with the landlord.

Now let’s get back to normal everyday speak! It was raining still when we walked to the nearby Bowness Pier, where we caught the bus back up the hill to Windermere

We’re simply too old and knackered to walk both down and then back up, (unlike the Duke of York and his merry men), plus the fact it didn’t actually cost us anything with the ticket and pass that we had, and more importantly we could keep dry on the bus!

Moving on from Windermere, how could one resist a chance of calling into the Lake District’s finest pub? Well we couldn’t.

Into the Watermill at Ings, where there was time to sample a couple of beers during the 50 or so minute stay.

First up was a ‘new’ one for me (thus enhancing my ‘knowledge bank’ - (oh will you stop this nonsense please?), which was ‘Celebration’ (3.9%) from the Ulverston Brewery, Cumbria.

Described on the chalk board, listing all the beers on sale, as ‘Very nice,’ that was definitely the case. A really nice beer in fact.

The second and final ale of the day was ‘Wisecrack’ (3.8%) from the Salamander Brewery, Bradford. In my opinion, just a middle of the road brew, but OK nevertheless.

Sadly it was time to head back home. So on the bus again from Ings back to Heysham, with the rain still falling, but hey, who needs the sunshine of Brazil when you can enjoy the Lake District no matter the weather, and the many fine ales that can be ‘found’ there?

Ales of The Unexpected: Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale & Lancaster

2012-01-19T10:42:00.001-08:00

I could never have done this had I still been editing the Exeter City match programme. The first day of a long break without any work .... Yeeessss!

In fact I don’t really intend to do any until 5th February, but I will endeavour to keep the blog up to date on a daily basis, even though I won’t be completing anything else in front of the computer.

So the first day off, where did I go? Using a Megarider Gold weekly ticket, which enables me to travel anywhere on Stagecoach services in Lancashire and Cumbria, I headed off to Kendal.

I then called into the ‘Miles Thompson’ (Wetherspoon) where I sampled a ‘new’ ale for me, ‘Straw’ (3.5%) from the Lancaster Brewery. It was OK, but pretty middle of the road ..average in other words.

Later it was on the bus to Kirkby Lonsdale and to ‘The Orange Tree’ which also happens to be the brewery tap for the Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery, as well as being the CAMRA Westmorland Pub of the Year last year.

I was able to try three beers whilst I was there - ‘Jubilee’ (5.5%) from the Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery; ‘Best Bitter’ (3.8%) from the Copper Dragon Brewery, Skipton; and finally, ‘Cartmel Hurdler’ (3.5%) from the Winster Valley Brewery. Cumbria. All the beers seemed to be priced at £3 per pint.

I also had what I can only say was a highly delicious chilli con carne and chips for the bargain price of just £3.25p. Highly recommended. It is a regular Thursday special, which is worth knowing . A future return visit is a distinct possibility.

Kirkby Lonsdale itself was extremely quiet, as was Kendal. Where have everyone gone? Seems to be common at the moment as Lancaster was last Monday as well.

Time to head back to Lancaster on the bus, but still having time when I arrived there to pop into ‘The Green Ayre’ where I had another Lancaster Brewery ale, ‘Amber’ (3.7%).

So for the final bus journey of the day, the relatively short one between Lancaster and Heysham, and home!

McAllister Loan Move

2012-01-18T03:37:00.000-08:00

Former Exeter City striker Craig McAllister is to team up with another ex-City player, Stuart Fleetwood, as he has completed a loan move from Newport County to Luton Town.

McAllister, who was recently transfer listed by Newport along with other players as a cost cutting exercise, will stay with Luton until at least the end of this present season.

Glasgow-born, McAllister began his career with Basingstoke Town where he netted 55 goals in 92 appearances between 2001 and 2004, attracting interest from Queens Park Rangers, Southend United, Reading and Luton Town.

He then moved to Stevenage Borough, with a loan spell Gravesend and Northfleet and Eastleigh respectively.

McAllister signed for Woking in the summer of 2005, scoring 16 goals in the 2005/06 season and 18 goals in 2006/07.

McAllister signed for Grays Athletic in May 2007, and after a ten-game loan spell at Rushden & Diamonds, he signed permanently for Oxford United until the end of the season.

Exeter City signed McAllister in the summer of 2008 and he made his debut against Shrewsbury Town in August of that year.

Never a regular in the City first team, he was loaned to Barnet in November 2009 and then Rotherham United in March 2010.

He was released on a free transfer by the Grecians two months later and then signed for Crawley Town in July 2010.

He turned down the offer of a new contract in May 2011 and signed for Newport County.

Transfer listed as part of a cost cutting exercise, McAllister then joined Luton Town on loan in January 2012.

More From The Brazilian Press

2012-01-18T01:56:00.001-08:00

Yet more coverage about Exeter City’s link with Brazil has appeared in their local Press. The following is a ’literal’ translation from http://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/o-e...vanche-3694024

‘On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 21, 1914, when eleven-seven boys and four Rio São Paulo - trod the field of Fluminense, in the old Street Guanabara, to defend the national team on their first official debut certainly did not imagine be going there the first steps of a journey that would still take Brazil to be the most successful nation in world football.

Likewise, when they entered the field against the eleven Brazilian professionals in Exeter City, English Second Division club, did not like being part of a great story.

Not that that would be just one chapter of a long career marked by an impressive fight for survival.

The Exeter, today called on the League One English football (sort of Third Division), was never in much better position in its 107 years of existence, but heroically resists.

Two of its leaders, the vice chairman Julian Tagg and business manager Bruce Henderson, are in Rio to try to include your club in the centenary celebration of the Brazilian team.

If possible, with a friendly team, led by Mano Menezes, will be preparing for the World Cup.

The hope that this unlikely match will cost the modest club in the county of Devon? Apparently, nothing.

We are the richest club in England - Tagg said, sure that will surprise the listener. We do not have a penny in cash, but also have no debts. What a great English club can boast that?

Founded in 1904, Exeter is the pride of the southwest English town whose 120 000 inhabitants seem to root for him.

In fact, Exeter owned by its fans, the Grecians (there are several versions for aa origin of the nickname). They are paying contributions to buy it and keep it through a Trust. It was 800 and today it is 4000.

The club experienced its most difficult moment in 2003 when it was relegated to the Nationwide Conference, League Two and below the 92 that make up the four divisions.

Moreover, debt reached more than 1 million pounds, even after efforts to attract investors from new members "distinguished" with Michael Jackson, Uri Geller and David Blaine.

The miracle that came to save the club was such that it has become the book: "Never say die - The Remarkable Rise of Exeter City" by Nick Spencer. It happened in 2005, from the 0-0 draw with Manchester United at this stage, with excellent income and TV rights.

A year earlier, as expected, the party was all Exeter, his team lost by 2-0 to a Brazilian national masters (Bald, Jorginho, Dunga, White, etc.) to remember the friendly in 1914.

This, an adventure not necessarily better times, but at least gave the prestige of the Second Division team to tour to South America today, the matter may be curious and lively, but it was not at the time.

In Argentina, five games (three wins, one defeat and one draw). The goalkeeper fractured two ribs on his debut and played no more.

There is reference to an officer of Racing who, revolver in hand, came on to threaten the referee when the Exeter scored the first goal.

The tour continued in Rio, with a 3-0 victory over the English River, 5-1 on a combined Rio de Janeiro and finally 2 to 0 with the Brazilian team won their first and surprising victory. How could those young men of family, the most flimsy, winning the truculent and experienced British professionals?

But it was not why the Exeter did not take good memories of the River To begin with, were arrested as soon as set foot in the sands of the earth. Reason: took swimming costumes with indecent. That is, football shorts and bare chest.

All clear, all three friendlies. Good memory for the first national team, but not for the weary team that competed in three games, 270 minutes, in four days.

To complicate matters, the return trip aboard the Ancântara, Portuguese ship. On the way from Madeira to Lisbon, bombed by air. Just blow the First World War, Britain and France with Germany broken. Without victims, but in a panic, the passengers - including players from Exeter - landed at Liverpool.

Dick Pym, the goalkeeper who fractured two ribs, had the least idea of take home a colorful Brazilian parrot. Later, the dead parrot, buried him behind one of the goals of the St. James Park, the club's stadium.

Since then, Exeter did not win even one game. How superstitious is everywhere, the parrot was dug up and transferred to another part of the lawn. And the wins again.

Tagg and Henderson, visiting the region for the first contacts with a view to 2014, they know all these stories by heart.

But they were surprised when informed that the game ball (of English manufacture, "to attack") is carefully guarded in memorabilia tricolor, with the signing of several players from Exeter.

There is pride in that count, not by victories in the field who are few, but the fights won by the fans, club owners "richer" in England.’

Recalling South America In 1914

2012-01-18T01:36:00.001-08:00

In view of all the interest surrounding the possible return visit of Exeter City to Brazil in 2014, there will be a series of articles appearing in the club match programme recounting the Grecians’ first tour of South America in 1914.

The first is scheduled to appear in the issue for the visit of Sheffield Wednesday, and they will continue to ‘run’ in subsequent programmes.

They have appeared before, but many years ago, however, they are of such historical importance, that it was felt they should be published once more as there will be many City fans who have never read them.

The Brazilian Diaries

2012-01-18T01:26:00.000-08:00

When Exeter City made their historic tour of South America in 1914, the club chairman, Mr. McGahey, sent letters back to England to the Express and Echo as a sort of diary format, so that supporters could catch up on how the Grecians were faring in Argentina and Brazil.

So it was with great interest, with Julian Tagg and Bruce Henderson currently in Brazil trying to negotiate a way that the City can play there again to mark the centenary of that first Brazilian international, that they too are sending - only by email! - an account in a diary format as to how things are progressing.

A full account of this can be seen by logging on to the official club website at www.exetercityfc.co.uk

A Very Good Incentive

2012-01-18T01:18:00.001-08:00

In all the years I edited the Exeter City match programme I always worked better when under pressure, chasing print deadlines, awaiting copy etc.

So if ever there was an excuse to write 18 articles for the next three issues of ‘The Grecian’, then surely yesterday, and hopefully today, is a great example.

Next week, and indeed for a few days of the one after, I will be out and about attending the Lancaster Winter and Dark Ales festival, which is being held in 25 pubs throughout the area.

Now, in order to ensure that I had time to do that, and enjoy the 100 plus beers which I understand will be available (I won't be drinking them all!), I needed to clear all the outstanding work I had.

So yesterday, with that incentive ahead of me, I really got ‘my head down’ in front of the computer and worked all day penning and dreaming up articles for City’s forthcoming games against Sheffield Wednesday, Bury and Stevenage.

It will be the same again today, and by close of play at around 5pm, I would like to think that I am almost complete. If not, then I’ll finish off on Sunday, but at least I will be able to enjoy the next couple of weeks with no pressing work to worry about. Oh the joys of being semi-retired!

What I did realise yesterday, was how I no longer want to put myself in a position where I am trying to get things complete in order to meet a print deadline. I had 19 years of that!

This season I have so far, successfully, completed articles three to four weeks in advance of the Exeter City match programme that they are to appear in. Much more civilised!

Brazilian Media: The Grecians To Visit?

2012-01-17T00:59:00.001-08:00

It seems that the news about the poosibility of Exeter City playing in Brazil in 2014 has now reached the attention of the media in Brazil itself. Below is a ‘literal’ translation of a report on Globesport.com:-

‘A friendly history may precede the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The Exeter City, who played English club's first official match in the history of the Brazilian on July 21, 1914, or republish the confrontation exactly 100 years later, in Rio de Janeiro.

‘At the time, the game took place in Orange, but the stage of the new friendly festival could be the Maracana.

‘Two leaders of Exeter, England's third division, inclusive, are already in the Marvelous City to try to negotiate an agreement to pursue the match.

‘According to the Daily Mail and the BBC, both were talking to the region for the club and the board would still be looking for partners to try to facilitate the comparison.

‘Edward Chorlton, club president confirmed to British vehicles that the intention to organize, yes, a game to commemorate the centenary of the confrontation, which ended with victory by Brazil 2-0 (goals by Osman and Osvaldo Gomes).

“We still have no guarantees that we can reprint this amazing game, but we owe it to ourselves. The club and the fans. It is important that this centenary was celebrated.

“The Brazilians are friendly and I'm sure that with the visit of the ambassadors, the negotiation will progress the best way to organize it,”he said.

‘The Exeter and Brazil have been found elsewhere, in 2004, when the English club celebrated its centenary. The team faced a team of former Brazilian players, who had, among other stars, the likes of Dunga and Bald (who scored the winning goal by 1 to 0).

‘Another curious detail is that the team uses as its slogan the phrase "Have you ever played Brazil?" ("Have you ever played against Brazil?") To provoke opponents.

‘According to a statement on the official website of the Exeter City, was the coach Mano Menezes who started this project. A year and a half, he would have invited executives of the club to start conversations about this possibility.

‘After this first contact, the club would have talked with representatives of TV channels and CBF to examine the potential that the game would appeal.

‘Julian Tagg, one of the leaders who came to Rio in the last days, he explained that since the right move at this time by representatives of the club was just traveling to Brazil to try to close a deal.

‘For various reasons, we believe that this was the time to go to Brazil. We also wish to formalize areas of action and enhance the financial return. However, there is still a long way between dream and reality and we can not stick to illusions - completed.’

FA Trophy Third Round Draw

2012-01-16T08:09:00.001-08:00

FA Trophy Thurd Round draw ...... Ties to be played on Saturday, 4th February 2012:-.

Kidderminster Harriers v Hinckley United or Luton Town; Northwich Victoria v East Thurrock United or Hampton & Richmond Borough; Cambridge United v Guiseley ; Dartford v Wealdstone

Bath City v Grimsby Town; York City v Ebbsfleet United; Gateshead or Braintree Town v Alfreton Town; Worksop Town or Newport County v Lincoln City or Carshalton Athletic

Ales of The Unexpected: Lancaster

2012-01-16T07:38:00.001-08:00

Some Wetherspoon outlets don’t have a particularly good record when it comes to the quickness of serving customers, but thankfully they are in the minority.

This morning, however, I have to report some quite appalling service when visiting ‘The Sir Richard Owen’ in Lancaster - unusual for them, perhaps we caught them on a bad day.

It took an absolute age trying to get served, and bear in mind this was at 10.30am, I hate to think what it might be like when they really are busy!

We then had to wait fully 20 minutes before any food arrived at out table, yet the place wasn’t particularly busy - we have been in there and seen it a lot worse and got served quickly. It simply wasn’t good enough.

As for the beer, a saving grace! For I sampled ‘Veto’ (4.3%) the beer brewed exclusively for Wetherspoon by Batemans to mark the recent veto cast by Prime Minister David Cameron which seemingly upset Sarkozy and Merkel. Shame! It proved to be an excellent brew.

Later in the morning and moving on to ‘The Sun’, where the service couldn’t have been better, friendly, efficient and quick, I had an old favourite, ‘Dark Island’ f(4.6%) from the Orkney Brewery.

Grecians For Brazil?

2012-01-16T00:34:00.000-08:00

About 18 months ago I received a phone call from Exeter City’s Business development Manager, Bruce Henderson.

Nothing untoward you may think, until he asked for details of City’s famous and ground breaking tour of South America in 1914, when the Grecians were the opponents for the Brazilian national team’s first ever international.

It was then he revealed that initial discussions were to take place about the possibility of that game being played again in 2014, to mark the centenary of an historical footballing moment both for Brazil and Exeter City.

I was also able to put him in touch for City fan, Aidan Hamilton, who had lived in Brazil for a while and had written a comprehensive book about the Grecians tour.

I was duly sworn to secrecy, and have remained tight lipped until now, for as a glimpse at the Exeter City official web site (www.exetercityfc.co.uk) will reveal, that game in 2014 is now a real possibility.

Bottled Ales Of The Unexpected

2012-01-15T05:25:00.000-08:00

Yes I know it is the middle of January, but last night I sampled the superb 'Christmas Ale' (7%) from Shepherd Neame, Faversham, Kent. I think the bottle was bought for me about 6 or 7 weeks ago. Worth waiting for!

My thanks to beer guru Roger Protz who writes of 'Christmas Ale' the following:-

'Christmas Ale is brewed with pale and crystal malts and is hopped with Admiral and East Kent Goldings. It has a glowing amber colour with a snowy collar of foam.

'The deep, crisp and even aroma offers pear drops, marzipan, candied fruit, spicy hops and sweet malt. There's a stocking full of flavours in the mouth – chewy, nutty malt, rich candy fruits and bitter hop resins. The finish has a crackle of logs with smoky malt, tart and tangy hops, rich fruit and a hint of reindeer harness.'

Programmed To Read

2012-01-15T03:05:00.001-08:00

(The following article appeared in the Exeter City versus Hartlepool United match programme - 14th jan 2012)

Exeter City have not got the greatest of records when visiting Hartlepool United in recent years, apart from the odd win here and
there, however, ion 7th November 1992 they were able to make the long journey back from the North East in good spirits after a 3-1 victory.

Pools manager Alan Murray wrote in his programme notes: ‘Welcome back to the Victoria Ground for our second match in a week. I only hope the outcome is the same. Last weekend of course we beat Bradford City here in what I believe was one of our best performances of the season.

‘Our most important game of the season is always our next match, and that is why we are concentrating now on the task in hand against Exeter.

‘They are near the bottom of the table and haven’t had the best of starts to the season.’

Hartlepool issued their usual 28-page match programme - the ‘Pool Review’ - for the Division Two fixture with the Grecians, priced £1.

There was a a two-page spread detailing Exeter City, entitled ’Visiting The Vic’, including a short history, how they had fared so far that season, plus the usual player profiles. It also revealed that City had won just four times in 22 visits.

The usual half-page team photograph of the Exeter City squad appeared on a following page, with no fewer than 33 players,
including trainees.

Hartlepool club chairman Garry Gibson wrote about the possibility of improvements being made to the playing surface at the Victoria Ground, but pointed out that the same company that had been approached, had undertaken something similar at Sheffield Wednesday for a reported £250,000!

There was reference to the fact that supporters wanted a roof over the Town End of the ground, so a decision had to be made as to which project the Club should go with.

There was a half page feature called ‘Past Masters’ which referred to famous names who had played for the visiting team, in this case, Exeter City. mentions were made of several players, from Dick Pym to Steve Neville and from Cliff Bastin to Darren Rowbotham.

The centre pages consisted of the season’s statistics, with the Hartlepool results, attendances and team line ups. The accompanying league table showed that Exeter City were five from bottom of Division Two with just two wins from 14 matches, and none at all away from St James’ Park. Hartlepool were fourth in the table.

The programme content petered out a bit in the second half, although there was column called ‘Played For Both Sides’, which
featured former Pools and Grecians’ player, Tom Kelly, who was to also play for Torquay United.

The expected team line ups were on the back page:- Hartlepool United: Steve Jones, Ryan Cross, Paul Cross, Mick Tait,
John MacPhail, Dean Emerson, Nicky Southall, Paul Olsson, Andy Saville, Brian Honour, Paul Wratten.
Exeter City: Kevin Miller, Scott Hiley, Andy Cook, Steve Williams, Jon Brown, Peter Whiston, Tom Kelly, Andy Harris, Ronnie Jepson, Steve Moran, John Hodge.

City were to turn the form book well and truly upside down, as they recorded their first away win of the season, and Hartlepool were unable to repeat their performance of the week before against Bradford City.

Goals from Moran, Kelly and Jepson gave the Grecians the points in a game watched by 2,856, and the lifted the team into 18th place. Paul Cross was Hartlepool’s goalscorer.

Past Games

2012-01-15T02:58:00.001-08:00

(The following article appeared in the Exeter City versus Hartlepool United match programme - 14th Jan 2012)

Saturday 13th January 1990 ..... Exeter City 3 Hartlepool United 1 ...... Division Four: Attendance 4,959.

Bottles of bubbly were being dished out before Exeter City’s match with Hartlepool United and for an hour afterwards there was some champagne stuff from Terry Cooper’s side.

But it all went a bit flat as Hartlepool staged a spirited fight back and threatened to snatch a point.

That was until Darren Rowbotham put the sparkle back into City and the crowd with his 26th goal of the season four minutes from time.

The result put Exeter City back on top of Division Four, whilst it left Hartlepool United in bottom place.

The Grecians marked manager Terry Cooper’s pre-match presentation of the Barclays Manager of the Month for December by going two points clear at the top and stretching their unbeaten home record to 19 games.

Rowbotham, who received his Express and Echo player of the month trophy just before kick off, celebrated in perfect style with two goals after Ian Bennyworth had put through his own net to give City the lead.

Rowbotham and Steve Neville are a frightening combination for any team, and Hartlepool’s defence were always stretched to contain the duo, whilst the visitors also had their hands full in midfield as Danny Bailey again stole the show.

City’s defence coped comfortably with Hartlepool’s limited threat up front until Jim McNichol was forced off in the 62nd minute with a hamstring injury.

They looked far less comfortable after the reshuffle, with Clive Whitehead going into the back four, Brian McDermott switching to the left wing and substitute Mark Cooper operating down the right.

Young Hartlepool keeper Jason Priestley, who was reportedly being watched by both Liverpool and West Ham United, saved well from an attempted chip by Rowbotham and then denied McDermott.,

City had been gifted the opening goal in the 23rd minute when Neville flicked on a free-kick and Hartlepool’s Bennyworth was
under no real pressure when he turned and wrong footed his own keeper with a back pass that trickled agonisingly into the net.

Hartlepool were restricted to rare breaks with Kevin Miller equal to the 9th minute threat from Allon with a well timed save at the strikers feet.

Paul Olsson headed wide from a good position and Steve Tupling fluffed his finish after some unusual defensive hesitancy in the City ranks let him in.

United boss Cyril Knowles opted for a more attacking approach in the second half. He abandoned the sweeper system and replaced right-back Olsson with Brian Honour in midfield,

The tactical ploy didn’t look too clever when City increased their lead in the 50th minute, Neville nodding down a McDermott cross for Rowbotham to slam home an angled drive.

Whitehead then had a headed ‘goal’ disallowed for offside in the 63rd minute, but from that let off Hartlepool staged a bit of a
comeback.

Miller had already been forced to save from the unchallenged Honour, but when Whitehead blundered and the ball broke to Allon from Tupling’s blocked shot, he made no mistake from 12 yards.

City looked a little shaky as Hartlepool gamely went for the equaliser and Miller punched to safety under severe 76th minute
pressure from Paul Dalton’s cross, and then Dalton himself, when
substitute Alan Lamb picked him out unmarked.

But City finally knocked the fight out of their visitors with Rowbotham’s late saver. The chance was presented to him when Shaun Taylor got on the end of a free-kick and squeezed the ball through to Neville whose initial shot was parried by Priestley.

Not to be denied, however, Neville then chipped the ball up from the by-line for Rowbotham to head in off the post past two
defenders on the line.

Exeter City team: Kevin Miller, Scott Hiley, Ian Benjamin, Jim McNichol (Mark Cooper), Shaun Taylor, Clive Whitehead, Darren
Rowbotham, Danny Bailey, Brian McDermott, Steve Neville, Gary Elkins.
Hartlepool United team: Priestley, Olsson (Honour), McKinnon, Tinkler, Smith, Bennyworth (Lamb), Allon, Tupling, Baker, Nobbs,
Dalton.

Just The Ticket

2012-01-15T02:54:00.000-08:00

(The following article appeared in the Exeter City versus Hartlepool United match programme - 14th Jan 2012)

Hartlepool United were the visitors to St James’ Park for a Nationwide League Division Three fixture on 18th December 1999.

It proved to be a good time for the Pool to travel Devon as Exeter City were not enjoying a particularly good time of things. For the Grecians had won just two of their previous twelve games, against Shrewsbury Town away (4-1) and Torquay United, home (3-2).

Needless to say City were languishing in the nether regions of the Division Three league table in 17th place.

As for Hartlepool, they were in mid-table, and had lost just four of their previous fourteen league matches, so the odds were very much in their favour to get a result.

The ticket illustrated was for the old Grandstand at St James’ park, Block ‘A’, Row ‘O’, Seat number 11, which cost £11 for an adult, or £8 at the concessionary rate.

The ticket was actually never issued for the game, hence its mint condition, complete with counterfoil.

I seem to recall I was lucky to pick up several unissued tickets for various games from the office at St James’ Park, which would
otherwise have been destroyed. It was a good way to add to the ticket collection!

I remember sorting through various batches of unsold tickets and being able to retrieve one for each game, most of which were in pristine condition, which is all important to any collector.

It was the standard issue ticket for games at the Park at that time, with a plan of the ground on the back to help ‘visitors’ find the appropriate area they were to sit (or stand) in.

At least it was a properly printed ticket, unlike so many modern day issues which are nothing more than a computer print out, although one can understand why in terms of cost etc, but they are simply not as attractive as an item of memorabilia.

Just 2,261 bothered to make their way through the St. James’ Park turnstiles, which perhaps wasn’t too much of a surprise, in view of City’s poor run of results and it being just a week before Christmas, with games at this time being notorious for low attendances.

The Grecians poor run continued as the game went to form with Hartlepool United winning 2-1, both their goals being scored by Gary Jones. Chris Curran replied for Exeter.

The teams lined up as follows:-
Exeter City: Stuart Naylor, Jon Richardson, Graeme Power, Chris Curran, Rob Dewhurst, Jon Gittens, Paul Buckle, Jason Rees, Gary Alexander, Steve Flack, Geoff Breslan.
Hartlepool United: Martin Holland, Darren Knowles, Ian Clark, Micky Barron, Graeme Lee, Chris Westwood, Kevin Henderson, Tommy Miller, Gary Jones, Andy McEvoy, Paul Stephenson.

The Grecians went on to end the season in a disappointing 21st place, although they did enjoy two matches with Everton in the third round of the FA Cup.

They also had the on-loan (from West Ham United) and popular Gary Alexander who top scored with 16 goals, and brightened a few afternoons, in what was otherwise not a good season.

Hartlepool United ended the season in 7th place and there fore took their place in the end of season play offs.

After losing 2-0 at the Victoria Ground to local rivals Darlington in the first leg, their hopes of possible promotion were extinguished when they also lost the second leg 1-0 at Feethams.

Fly Me To The Game

2012-01-15T02:47:00.000-08:00

(The following article appeared in the Exeter City versus Hartlepool United match programme - 14th Jan 2012)

Not so long ago I picked up a book in a charity shop which was an account of Carlisle United’s 2002-03 season, written in a diary format.

Now whilst I didn't actually purchase the book, I flicked through the pages and came across an entry for Carlisle's visit to Exeter
City, which of course I couldn’t resist speed reading.

We must remember (as if we need reminding!) that season 2002-03 was a gloomy one for the Grecians that ultimately led to relegation from The Football League.

Carlisle, for their game at Exeter that season, decided to fl to Devon and left Carlisle Airport at 12 noon, arriving the County’s
capital city of Exeter only an hour later.

They made their way to St James’ Park and the account of their visit went on to say how they met with Uri Geller and ‘chairman’
John Russell prior to kick off.

City actually won 1-0, Scott Partridge netting the only goal of the game before an attendance of 3,333.

And what would have been an otherwise long trek home by road for the Cumbrians, smarting after their defeat, was in fact quite a short journey.

They returned to Carlisle by air and were back home by 7.30pm, which prompted the writer to note how surreal the day had been.

The team had travelled from Carlisle to Exeter and back, played 90 minutes of football, all in the space of seven-and-a-half hours.

Now, if you go back to the 1958-59 season after the old Third Division regional sections were scrapped in favour of the Third and Fourth Divisions, there were some horrendous journeys that had to be undertaken by Exeter City players.

No longer were there relatively easy trips in the south of England. All of a sudden they were confronted with treks up north to the likes of Gateshead, Workington and Darlington, clubs that the Grecians had never crossed paths with before in search of League points.

There was a great deal of muttering from the Exeter City board of directors, who clearly felt that the scrapping of the Third
Division South was not the way forward for the game.

Their main argument of course was the cost involved to fulfil away fixtures. Exeter travelled a good deal by train in the 1960s and some matches in the far north meant that the players would endure overnight journeys to and from games. Can you imagine that happening now?!!

At the same time, the fixture list did help matters a little as far as the Grecians were concerned, for they would have northern double headers, and play at somewhere like Workington on a Saturday afternoon and stay over until Monday night to play at Darlington.

If this still happened it would prove to be quite a logistical and expensive challenge for travelling City supporters who wanted to attend both games.

The City chairman, Albert Line, even said that the southern clubs were stronger than their northern counterparts and that if Exeter City did not quickly gain promotion from the Fourth Division they would find themselves in a League dominated by teams from the north of England.

As things turned out, City had to wait until the 1963-64 season before they did clinch promotion, (along with the likes of Carlisle and Workington!), but their stay only lasted two seasons before dropping down again.

The fact that Carlisle United could be away from their home ground for just over seven hours and play a game at Exeter would be impossible to comprehend or foresee for the Grecians’ team and supporters of 1958 - at a time when there were no Motorways either.

Now we take it for granted as we make trips to watch Exeter City play all over the country, but it is certainly easier than it was over 50 years ago.

Exeter City Stats 2011-12

2012-01-14T10:27:00.001-08:00

Saturday 14th January 2012
League One
Exeter City Hartlepool United
Exeter City: Krysiak, Tully, Archibald-Henville, Duffy, Golbourne, Dunne, Sercombe (Taylor 15), Noble, Nardiello, Logan (O’Flynn 61), Bauza (Coles 88).
Hartlepool United: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Horwood, Baldwin (Haslam 69), Hartley, Liddle, Sweeney, Murray, Brown (Hassan 80), James
Attendance: 4,016 (85 from Hartlepool)

LEAGUE ONE - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 25; Bauza 9(5); Bennett 2(1); Bignall 3; Coles 19(3); Duffy 17(2); Dunne 23(1); Frear 3(2); Golbourne 24; Hackett 5; Jones 5(2); Keohane 0(3); Krysiak 22; Logan 6(10); McNish 1(2); Nardiello 15(3); Nichols 1(4); Noble 25: Oakley 7; O’Flynn 2(10); Pidgeley 4(2); Sercombe 15(2); Shephard 6(2); Taylor 14(1); Tully 25(1); Vine 4(1); Whichelow 2.

LEAGUE ONE - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 6; Logan 3; Bauza 2; Coles 2; O’Flynn 2; Taylor 2; Archibald-Henville 1; Bennett 1; Dunne 1; Nichols 1; Noble 1; Sercombe 1; Own Goals 1.

CUP - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 6; Bauza 2(1); Bignall 1; Coles 5; Duffy 5(1); Dunne 6; Frear 0(2); Golbourne 6; Jones 1(1); Keohane 0(2); Krysiak 4; Logan 2(3); McNish 0(2); Nardiello 4; Nichols 2(3); Noble 4; O’Flynn 2; Pidgeley 2; Sercombe 3; Shephard 4(2); Tully 5; Vine 1; Whichelow 1.

CUP - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 2; Bauza 1; Dunne 1; Frear 1; Logan 1; Noble 1; Shephard 1.

CUP - PENALTY SHOOT OUT SCORERS
Dunne 1; Nardiello 1; Noble 1.

FRIENDLIES - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 5; Bauza 3(1); Bennett 4(5); Coles 0(1); Dawson 5(3); Duffy 5; Dunne 4(1); Edwards 0(3); Frear 5(4); Furzer 4(3); Golbourne 4(1); Gosling 4(4); Gwinnett 0(1); Ingham 1(2); Jones 5(1); Keane 2(2); Keohane 1(1); Knowles 0(2); Krysiak 5(1); Logan 5(1); McNish 3(5); Moore-Taylor 1(1); Nardiello 4(2); Nichols 5(4); Noble 3; O’Flynn 0(1); Pidgeley 4(4); Reid 0(3); Sercombe 4(1); Shephard 5(3); Stewart 0(1); Tisdale 1(3); Tully 4(1), Ujah 0(1), Wannell 1(1).

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES - GOALSCORERS
Gosling 3; McNish 3; Nichols 3; Shephard 3; Freer 2; Logan 2; Nardiello 2; Nichols 2; Bennett 1.

(As at and including Saturday 14th January 2012)

Furzer On Trial

2012-01-14T06:46:00.000-08:00

Former Exeter City defender Jack Furzer, who was released by the Grecians just before Christmas, is currently on trial with Dorchester Town.

He made an encouraging start when he scored in a midweek reserve team fixture for Dorchester, as he hopes to earn a contract with the Dorset side.

The 18-year-old, was a product of the Exeter City youth team, and signed his professional contract in May 2010. He played on loan at Bideford last season.

Promotion To Step 4

2012-01-14T01:19:00.001-08:00

The FA has released the full list of clubs from Step 5 who have applied for promotion to Step 4 for season 2012-13. There are 64 applications in total, and the full list is as follows.

Combined Counties League: Camberley Town, Egham Town, Guildford City, Molesey, Windsor.
Eastern Counties League: Wisbech Town, Wroxham.
Essex Senior League: Burnham Ramblers, Enfield 1893, Witham Town.
Hellenic League: Binfield *, Flackwell Heath, Shortwood United.
Kent League: Beckenham Town, Corinthian, Erith & Belvedere, Erith Town, Fisher, Herne Bay, VCD Athletic.
Midland Football Alliance: Causeway United, Coventry Sphinx, Gresley, Rocester, Stratford Town, Westfields.
North West Counties League: Barnoldswick Town, Bootle, Glossop North End, Ramsbottom United, Runcorn Linnets, Runcorn Town.
Northern Counties East League: Bridlington Town, Brighouse Town, Parkgate, Retford United, Scarborough Athletic, Staveley Miners Welfare, Tadcaster Albion, Thackley, Winterton Rangers.
Northern League: Bishop Auckland, Dunston UTS, Sunderland RCA, Whitley Bay.
Spartan South Midlands League: AFC Dunstable, Berkhamsted, Dunstable Town, Haringey Borough, Royston Town, Tring Athletic.
Sussex County League: Lancing, Pagham, Peacehaven & Telscombe, Redhill, Three Bridges.
United Counties League: AFC Kempston Rovers, Kings Lynn Town, Long Buckby AFC, St Ives Town.
Wessex League: Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Winchester City.
Western League: Hallen, Merthyr Town.

*Binfield's application is subject to Leagues Committee consideration.

Cooper Left Waiting

2012-01-14T01:09:00.000-08:00

From The Northampton Chronicle & Echo ........

Former Exeter City midfielder Mark Cooper was set to take training at Kettering Town yesterday. But the caretaker-manager has again warned that clarification on the club's future is needed soon.

The Poppies are due to take on Forest Green Rovers in the Blue Square Bet Premier at Nene Park today as they bid to move themselves away from the relegation zone.

But they are without a win in 12 league matches, their worst run since the 1997-98 season, and uncertainty off the pitch is continuing to keep the club's existence in the balance.

Cooper took charge of last weekend's 3-1 defeat at AFC Telford United but confirmed afterwards that he would need some news regarding a possible takeover for him to consider continuing in his current role.

It is understood the playing squad were not paid on time again this month and that talks are continuing between chairman Imraan Ladak and potential investors.

The club have also been hit with a winding-up order from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

Cooper said: "I will be in to take training. It's perfectly simple, this group of players need some help and the only way that is going to come is with new investment.

"As it stands, I am carrying on and these boys have shown be enough to suggest they can stay in the Division. But the squad needs adding to desperately and these lads have been continually let down. Something will have to happen."

Lancaster Winter & Dark Ales Festival

2012-01-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

The forthcoming Lunesdale CAMRA Lancaster Winter and Dark Ales Festival just gets better and better.

Latest news is that there could be around 100 or more ales, ordered specially for the Festival, on sale across the 25 outlets in the area.

Starting with a launch evening at The Sun in Lancaster on Monday 23rd January, the Festival runs through until 5th February, when the Beer of the Festival will be announced at The Water Witch, Lancaster.

I certainly intend to be out and about on as many days as i can, sampling the ales, so I have to clear any work that I have to ensure that there is sufficient free time to enjoy the ales over the fortnight duration. What hardship!

Exeter City Football Club Trust News

2012-01-13T00:37:00.000-08:00

Martin Lawrence of the Exeter City Football Club Trust writes .......

Thank you to those of you who attended the Grecian Groups Forum yesterday at our club. I am sure those of you in attendance
would agree with me that this was a most productive and worthwhile meeting that gave us all much food for thought.

In the interest of 'spreading the word', I would ask that you cascade the transcript of yesterday's meeting (available below)
as far and wide as possible, as I am sure this willl not only help improve communication, but will also help to make the events
highlighted at yesterday's forum, a success.

http://www.ecfcst.org.uk/news/512/202/January-Grecian-Groups-Forum-Transcript

I have also been asked to draw your attention to the plea for support from the newly constituted Siege Army fans group. This
energetic group of fans do great work to help improve the atmosphere at St James Park and beyond, and are looking for as much support for their campaign as possible. Further details of how you and your members can assist them with their cause, is
available from the Trust website;

http://www.ecfcst.org.uk/news/509/202/The-Siege-Army-Needs-Your-Help

On behalf of everybody at Exeter City FC and the Supporters' Trust, I would like to wish you all a happy and productive
new-year, and I hope to see as many of you as possible at Saturday's game.

Ales of The Unexpected: Burgundy's Bar

2012-01-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

A day of firsts. We went to Kendal and visited Burgundy’s Bar (rear entrance - but the doors were locked - pictured) on Lowther Street for the first time, and I also sampled two ‘new’ brews.

We’ve always given Burgundy’s a miss, as it seemed more like a wine bar than a pub, but now that they have started brewing their own beer, as the Kendal Brewing Company, off we went.

They had one of their brews ‘on’ and what a great beer it proved to be ‘Eleven Bells’ (3.7%) - a very refreshing ale, and one I could quite easily drink more often.

The name comes from the eleven bells which are in the nearby Town Hall clock tower, and all of their beers are to be named with a local connection.

Unfortunately, ‘Silver Tanner’ wasn’t available, but we did learn that at least two more beers are to be produced, a golden ale, and a stout.

The second and final beer of the day, another new one, ‘Winter Moon’ (3.6%) a dark porter from the Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe.

Now I am not really a porter drinker, as I tend to find them too bland with little taste, but this was one of the better one’s with a real dark chocolate after taste. OK, as far as porters go, but I personally won't be rushing out to try it again.

Although we didn't go to the Watermill at Ings this week, so no canine count, we did see one dog in Burgundy's. - a guide dog, and fine animal it was too.

Flag Waving Grecians

2012-01-12T00:12:00.000-08:00

A group of Exeter City supporters who stand on the Big Bank at St. james’ Park have organised themselves into a flag-waving group.

Flags with slogans on them,, flags with images of their Grecian heroes, they are all there.

The idea is that it will help inspire the players to victory, when they see a mass of flags on the terracing.

I’m not so sure. I know that I would never have played any better or worse had someone been waving a flag or a stick of celery, although the latter would probably have reduced many players into fits of uncontrollable laughter.

The flags are available each game and are returned at the end of it, to be packed away until the next home match.

One can understand players, perhaps responding to atmosphere within a ground, as it is surely better than playing in front of one man and his dog.

And that is the key - atmosphere - making your home ground your very impregnable own so that the opposition find it difficult to gain a result of any sort, by making them feel a little unwelcome once the game starts.

That’s all well and good of course, as long as you have the players to achieve the result you want and a team that can both score goals and defend, otherwise all the flag waving in the world will make not one iota of difference.

There are no flags at Holker Street, home of Blue Square Bet Premier League club, Barrow, yet every time I have been there it has proved to be quite a ‘partisan’ atmosphere, with the home support very much behind their own players and not afraid to air and vent their feelings towards the visitors and the match officials.

I do wonder what the reaction of the Exeter City stewards would be if the visiting teams fans brought their own flags into the ground and started to wave them? Would they be allowed to? Or would they be deemed offensive weapons!

So top marks to those who stand on the Big Bank, and if it does make any difference to the way in which the City players perform and the results they achieve, then it is worthwhile.

Ales of The Unexpected: Morecambe

2012-01-11T07:06:00.001-08:00

Being a west country boy, I was very pleased to be reacquainted with one my favourite brewers, Cotleigh, from Wiveliscombe, Somerset.

Calling into ‘The Palatine’ (pictured) in Morecambe this lunch time, I was able to savour the delights of ‘Tawny’ (3.8%) which was the first beer that Cotleigh brewed in 1979, and it is still a great seller and favourite.

Moving on to ‘The Eric Bartholomew’ - where I got served quickly for once!! - I supped a rare brew for these parts’ ‘Stronghold’ (4.7%) from the Arundel Brewery, Arundel, West Sussex. A really nice full flavoured and rounded bitter

Argyle Hit For Six

2012-01-10T08:36:00.001-08:00

Despite going 1-0 behind after just three minutes, Exeter City reserves went on to defeat Plymouth Argyle reserves 6-1 at the Cat and Fiddle training ground this afternoon.

Substitute Jake Gosling netted a hat-trick for the Grecians, the other goals coming from Jimmy Keohane, Elliot Frear and Tom Nichols.

City team (starting XI): Pidgeley, Dawson, Bennett, Coles, Jones, Keohane, Shephard, McNish, Frear, Nichols, O'Flynn.

Red And White On Radio Exe

2012-01-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

The Exeter City Football Club radio programme ‘The Red and White Radio Show’ presented by club announcer Joe Hellier, has been reinstated to Radio Exe, following a rebranding of the station.

Exeter FM (107.3fm) is now known as Radio Exe. It follows its sale by London Media Company to two presenters, Paul Nero and Mark Tyler, at the station last summer.

There are two chances each week to catch the official show of Exeter City Football Club - Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 1pm.

In the past the programme has helped fans to play their part in keeping City in League One, and now in its third season it returns to the radio in the Exeter, East and Mid Devon area.

You can get your thoughts aired on all things Exeter City F.C by emailing Joe now: studio@exetercityfc.co.uk

If you subscribe to Grecian Player (see www.exetercityfc.co.uk) you can hear the show any time you like, and can even hear extended uncut interviews and exclusives from within the club.

I Know! We'll Form A Committee

2012-01-10T06:31:00.000-08:00

As one famous politician when asked question after question, continually said: "A committee will review it." .. thus avoiding the answers.

There was a committee for that, a committee for this. A group for that. A group for this. It was a ploy to avoid giving answers at all costs.

There was even talk of nothing to worry about as there was 'self governance,' which to me means look after yourself and never mind the rest.

The ever mushrooming committees and groups, usually made up of the same people, with just a few, self elected, sitting on each, were confusing themselves simply because there were too many of them.

Instead of one group of people, accountable to those who put them there, the organisation could become unwieldy and so it was.

Because there were no direct and clear answers forthcoming the ‘natives’ were getting restless, and called for a more transparent approach.

The answer to their concerns was to discuss within a focus group or focus groups!! Enough said.

Tracing Arthur Coates

2012-01-10T01:18:00.001-08:00

It’s always good to receive emails from people tracing their family tree with an Exeter City connection.

Yesterday I received one about former Grecian, Arthur Coates, who played for the club in 1910. I duly forwarded the details I had about the player.

By return I then received a reply with even more details about Coates, including his place of birth which I didn’t have etc.

So quite often this is a two-way thing as we are able to help each other fill in various gaps. Always pleased to help if I can.

Great Start For Nichols

2012-01-09T07:37:00.001-08:00

Exeter City striker Tom Nichols made a great start to his loan spell at Dorchester Town as he scored after starting the game as one of the substitutes, in their 3-0 home win over Thurrock.

Dorchester manager Alan Knight said: “I have seen Tom play before, but it was probably a year ago. Exeter City coach Marcus Stewart speaks very highly of him and Marcus was a great player, so if anyone should know about strikers it’s him.”

Ales of The Unexpected: Through Different Glasses!

2012-01-09T07:01:00.000-08:00

The Boomtown Rats sang ‘I Don’t Like Mondays.’ Well I didn't this morning as my glasses broke, leaving me with just a pair of reading glasses.

Nonetheless I still ventured across to Lancaster, called into the Opticians, and then sought liquid solace, in the form of three ales.

First stop was ‘The Green Ayre’, (Wetherspoons) where I had the ever superb, and rich tasting, 'Redder' (5.9%), Lancaster Brewery - their best ale in my opinion and definitely the best ale of the day.

I later called in to 'The Sir Richard Owen' (Wetherspoons) and sampled 'Old Speckled Hen' (5.2%) from Morland’s Brewery, although part of the Greene King empire. I’ve not had that brew for ages! Nice though.

Finally in 'The Sun' I tried 'Amarillo' (5%) a zesty tasting beer from the Crouch Vale Brewery, Essex. It was O.K, but not really to my taste though.

Exeter City Memories: Fixture Poster

2012-01-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

Breathing Space For City

2012-01-08T00:57:00.000-08:00

What a vital win that turned out to be as Exeter City triumphed 2-0 at bottom of the League One table, Chesterfield.

The hosts had not won for some 16 games, so there was always going to be a chance that the Grecians may have got something out of the game, despite their own recent poor form.

The three points mean that at least City do not look over their shoulders quite so intently at the other clubs all battling against possible relegation at the end of the season.

With a home match to this coming Saturday against Hartlepool United, another win would at least close the gap a little on the clubs above Exeter in the table.

Exeter City Stats 2011-12

2012-01-07T10:41:00.001-08:00

Saturday 7th January 2012
League One
Chesterfield 0 Exeter City 2
Chesterfield: Lee; Trotman; Robertson; Ridehalgh; Talbot; Allott (Smith 86); Whitaker; Westcarr (Niven 32); Lester; Mendy (Boden 86); Bowery
Exeter City team: Krysiak; Tully; Archibald-Henville; Duffy (Coles 83); Golbourne; Dunne; Sercombe; Noble; Nardiello (O’Flynn 83); Logan; Bauza .
Scorers: exeter - Logan 78th, Sercombe 87th.
Attendance: 5,856 (309 from Exeter)

LEAGUE ONE - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 24; Bauza 8(5); Bennett 2(1); Bignall 3; Coles 19(2); Duffy 16(2); Dunne 22(1); Frear 3(2); Golbourne 23; Hackett 5; Jones 5(2); Keohane 0(3); Krysiak 21; Logan 5(10); McNish 1(2); Nardiello 14(3); Nichols 1(4); Noble 24: Oakley 7; O’Flynn 2(9); Pidgeley 4(2); Sercombe 14(2); Shephard 6(2); Taylor 14; Tully 24(1); Vine 4(1); Whichelow 2.

LEAGUE ONE - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 6; Logan 3; Bauza 2; Coles 2; O’Flynn 2; Taylor 2; Archibald-Henville 1; Bennett 1; Dunne 1; Nichols 1; Noble 1; Sercombe 1; Own Goals 1.

CUP - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 6; Bauza 2(1); Bignall 1; Coles 5; Duffy 5(1); Dunne 6; Frear 0(2); Golbourne 6; Jones 1(1); Keohane 0(2); Krysiak 4; Logan 2(3); McNish 0(2); Nardiello 4; Nichols 2(3); Noble 4; O’Flynn 2; Pidgeley 2; Sercombe 3; Shephard 4(2); Tully 5; Vine 1; Whichelow 1.

CUP - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 2; Bauza 1; Dunne 1; Frear 1; Logan 1; Noble 1; Shephard 1.

CUP - PENALTY SHOOT OUT SCORERS
Dunne 1; Nardiello 1; Noble 1.

FRIENDLIES - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 5; Bauza 3(1); Bennett 4(5); Coles 0(1); Dawson 5(3); Duffy 5; Dunne 4(1); Edwards 0(3); Frear 5(4); Furzer 4(3); Golbourne 4(1); Gosling 4(4); Gwinnett 0(1); Ingham 1(2); Jones 5(1); Keane 2(2); Keohane 1(1); Knowles 0(2); Krysiak 5(1); Logan 5(1); McNish 3(5); Moore-Taylor 1(1); Nardiello 4(2); Nichols 5(4); Noble 3; O’Flynn 0(1); Pidgeley 4(4); Reid 0(3); Sercombe 4(1); Shephard 5(3); Stewart 0(1); Tisdale 1(3); Tully 4(1), Ujah 0(1), Wannell 1(1).

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES - GOALSCORERS
Gosling 3; McNish 3; Nichols 3; Shephard 3; Freer 2; Logan 2; Nardiello 2; Nichols 2; Bennett 1.

(As at and including Saturday 7th January 2012)

Ales of The Unexpected: Lancaster

2012-01-07T10:10:00.001-08:00

It was a late decision to go into Lancaster today, having worked on my book in the morning. However, I have threatened for quite some time to purchase a digital camera - having never owned one in my life - so off I went.

It was time to bring myself into the modern age. After all, I have never ever bought a video recorder and I understand that they are now pretty well obsolete!

Having purchased said camera, which will no doubt be very useful in time downloading photographs to go on this very Blog, I then needed some refreshment, especially after parting with money to recover from the shock!

So I headed for a pub I had not visited for a little while, namely, ‘The Borough.’ I can’t say it is one of my favourite places as it has anything but an atmosphere of a pub, more like a wine bar to me, but you usually get an interesting ale or two there.

The beer I plumped for was ‘Brodie’s Prime’ (4.9%) from the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, Cumbria, and in my opinion the best ale they produce.

I then took a walk to ‘The Water Witch’ which is situated alongside the Lancaster Canal. I really like this particular pub and was last there exactly a week ago.

This time, however, there were only four beers ’on’ instead of the more usual seven or eight, nonetheless, I went for what proved to be the best ale of the day, the ever excellent ‘Dusk’ (4.5%) from the Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe.

I then took the reasonably lengthy walk across the city centre to another of my favourite hostelries, ‘The Sun.’ It wasn’t as busy as it was last week, but still doing a good trade though.

I sampled a beer from the Isle of Man, namely ‘Red’ (4.7%) from Okells Brewery, Douglas, not a brew I have seen before.

Nichols Joins Dorchester Town

2012-01-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

Exeter City striker Tom Nichols has joined Blue Square Bet South club Dorchester Town on loan.

the Exeter-born player was given his first full professional contract in April 2011, after a successful season the club’s Under-18 side where he scored regularly.

He is a product of the Exeter City Centre of Excellence, having also played junior football for Kentisbeare and Twyford Spartans.

Nichols made his debut as a substitute in the final match of the season at Sheffield Wednesday in May 2011.

This season his League One appearances for the first team have been limited to one start and four substitute outings, scoring one goal. He has also been involved in five cup matches.

Ales of The Unexpected: Morecambe

2012-01-06T04:51:00.000-08:00

It was fairly quiet in Morecambe town centre this morning. I popped into the 'Eric Bartholomew' (Wetherspoon) for liquid refreshment and had 'S.A.' (4.2%) from Brains, Cardiff. A very nice ale indeed.

Two Grecians Transfer Listed

2012-01-06T04:45:00.001-08:00

Two former Exeter City players have been transfer listed by Blue Square Bet Premier League club, Newport County, as they seek to cut costs.

On the transfer list is goalkeeper Danny Potter, who previously made 10 league outings for the Grecians, and was signed by Newport from Torquay United in May last year.

Potter has also played for Chelsea, Chelmsford City, Weymouth, Canvey Island, Stevenage Borough and Cambridge United.

The second ex-Grecian to go on the transfer list is Craig McAllister who also signed for Newport last May, from Crawley Town.

McAllister made 34 league outings during his time with Exeter and scored four goals.

He has also worn the colours of Basingstoke Town, Stevenage Borough, Gravesend and Northfleet, Eastleigh, Woking, Grays Athletic, Rushden & Diamonds, Oxford United and Barnet.

Newport County chairman, Chris Bright, explained: "The budget has to be reduced. Overheads have to be cut quickly. Although money has to be found for new players, we have to make decisions on the effectiveness of our squad."

Ales Of The Unexpected: Watermill, Ings

2012-01-05T08:03:00.001-08:00

It was a pretty wild start to the morning with heavy overnight rain, gale force winds and reports of flooding and trees coming down.

However, we did make it to both the Watermill and then Windermere, but not before driving through deep water in a couple of places, especially on the A6 and also noting a few trees that had toppled in the winds.

The weather though, was much improved as the day progressed and we even had a spell of sunshine, which made the remnants of the snow on the mountain tops glisten.

Not surprisingly it wasn’t overly busy in the Watermill at Ings, but nevertheless there were two dogs visiting whilst we were there.

I only had two beers today, the first of which was ‘Helvellyn Gold’ (4%) from the Hesket Newmarket Brewery, Cumbria, and the second being ‘Thirst Pitch’ (4.2%) from the Keswick Brewery, Cumbria.

Cooper Back At Kettering

2012-01-05T00:31:00.000-08:00

Financially troubled Blue Square Bet Premier League club kettering Town has dispensed with the services of manager Mark Stimson, and in a surprise move has replaced him with former Exeter City midfielder Mark Cooper.

This is the second managerial spell that Cooper has had at Kettering, although on this occasion he is only in a caretaker role until the end of the season.

His first managerial appointment was at Tamworth where he was assistant, and then manager at the start of the 2004-05 season.

He left Tamworth by mutual consent in January 2007 and four months later was appointed manager of Kettering Town, as he guided them to the Conference national division in his first season with the club as champions of the Conference North.

With continuing success at Kettering, especially in the FA Cup, Cooper was appointed manager of Peterborough United in November 2009. However, just 79 days later he left the club by mutual consent.

He was appointed manager of Darlington in June 2010 and despite guiding the club to an FA Trophy Final at the end of his first season, was sacked in October 2011.

Third Lanark: Cathkin Park

2012-01-04T08:52:00.000-08:00

I love these old photo's of former Scottish League club, Third Lanark's Cathkin Park ground. Now it is just an open space, although some of the terracing was still in situ on my one and only visit there some years ago, although somewhat overgrown.

Farrell Becomes A Knitter

2012-01-04T07:38:00.001-08:00

Former Exeter City striker, Craig Farrell, has moved on loan from AFC Telford United to join Blue Square Bet North club, Hinckley Athletic, nicknamed ‘The Knitters’.

Farrell originally signed a professional contract for Leeds United in August 2002, having previously played a few games for the Middlesbrough junior side, having appeared for Cleveland Boys.

Although he never featured in the first team for Leeds, having worked his way through the ranks of trainee,

Farrell moved to Carlisle United in October 2002 on a month’s loan , and immediately won a first team place. He then signed a permanent deal for the club in a transfer worth up to £50,000.

He joined the Grecians from Carlisle on a free transfer in the summer of 2005, making his debut for City on the opening day of the season, a 2-0 win at Gravesend & Northfleet.

He went on to feature in 38 Conference fixtures, 12 as substitute, for Exeter, scoring 8 goals.

At the end of the 2005-06 season, Farrell wanted a return north and therefore signed for York.

He again established a first team place, scoring 21 goals in 73 starts, but in January 2009 he joined fellow Blue Square Premier League club, Oxford United on loan, after turning down a move to Blue Square North side, Gateshead.

Farrell played for Rushden & Diamonds during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons and then moved to A.F.C. Telford in June 2011.

Ales Of The Unexpected: Lancaster

2012-01-04T07:08:00.000-08:00

It was a very wet, and not surprisingly quiet, Lancaster city centre today, especially with the kids having gone back to school as well.

I made the usual call into ‘The Sir Richard Owen’ where it seemed they had a mini Hawkshead Brewery festival on, as it was that or one from the Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery.

I eventually plumped for the ‘Cumbrian Five Hop’ (5%) from the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, Cumbria.

Later in the morning it was then off to the ‘Sun,’ where it is rare not to get something a little bit different for this area.

First up was ‘Gold’ (4%) from the Backyard Brewery, Walsall, and I followed that up with Yakima Gold’ (4.2%) from the Crouch Vale Brewery, Woodham Ferrers, Essex, the latter being the best brew of the three supped today.

Buckle Leaves Bristol Rovers

2012-01-03T10:47:00.000-08:00

The only player to have appeared for Exeter City in four separate spells has been sacked as manager of Bristol Rovers following a poor run of results.

Paul Buckle, a former Grecians midfielder and player coach, working alongside both Alex Inglethorpe and Paul Tisdale, was only appointed manager of Bristol Rovers last May after a successful period in charge at Torquay United.

Rovers chairman, Nick Higgs said: "Although we are aware that we need to find stability at the club, we felt we could not go any further with the current situation as the threat of relegation was becoming too real. We are all very disappointed that this appointment has not worked out.”

Buckle began his playing career as an apprentice at Brentford, turning professional in July 1989.

He played 57 league games, scoring just once. He also played 3 games on loan to Wycombe Wanderers before leaving on a free transfer to Torquay United in February 1994.

After nine goals in 59 league games, Buckle moved to Exeter City in October 1995.

However, with the Grecians suffering financial problems, Buckle left in the 1996 close-season having scored two goals in 22 league appearances.

He played in a friendly for Cambridge United in August 1996, but later that month joined Northampton Town, but failed to make the Cobblers first team.

In October 1996 he returned to Wycombe Wanderers on non-contract terms, before moving to Colchester United the following month.

He helped Colchester to promotion by playing in the Division Three play-off final at Wembley against Torquay United.

After 7 goals in 106 league games for Colchester, Buckle returned to Exeter City on a free transfer in July 1999.

This time he netted five goals in 93 league matches, before moving to Aldershot Town in July 2002.

Buckle spent one season with the Shots, then linking up with Weymouth in August 2003, but he was back at Exeter City for a third spell at the club by December 2004. A month later he had signed for Tiverton Town .

Amazingly, In March 2005, Buckle returned to Exeter City for an unprecedented fourth spell as player-coach under manager Alex Inglethorpe and continued in this role under Inglethorpe's successor Paul Tisdale.

In June 2007, Buckle was appointed manager of Torquay United. Two days after guiding them to the League One play off final against Stevenage Borough, Buckle left Torquay to become manager of Bristol Rovers in May 2011,

Quakers in Administration

2012-01-03T07:38:00.000-08:00

For the third time in less than ten years, Blue Square Bet Premier club Darlington Football Club have today entered administration, which means an immediate ten point deduction. The Quakers chairman, Raj Singh, issued the following statement:-

"It is with huge regret that we've had to place the club into administration today. I for one certainly didn't envisage this when I took over the club back in August 2009.

"Over the last two months we've been trying to make necessary cutbacks to be able to ensure the future of the club, including negotiating reduced players' wages and a settlement with Mark Cooper.

"During this time we haven't been able to do that, while we also haven't received a viable offer to take the club over and its ongoing running costs.

"I made my position very clear in November and I'd like to stress that we've tried everything we can to resolve the various issues. It was never my intention for it to end like this.

"I was approached by one consortium this week, represented by two local businessmen, whom I admire for their intentions.

"In theory their approach is a very sensible one, but they made their short-term position very clear and it doesn't solve the current issues we face.

"But they now have an opportunity to discuss their proposals with the administrators and I wish them every success in taking the club forward.

"I'd again like to thank the fans who have sent me words of support and encouragement. I'd like to think the majority of our supporters are level-headed and understand my position, and know how hard I've worked to try to bring success to the club.

"To those who think I've let them down somehow or have been cheated by me, I hope one day they will see it from my point of view, and try to remember that wonderful day we had at Wembley last May, because some of the unfair flack and criticism I've had over the last four weeks just made me more determined to call it a day sooner rather than later.

"I know I can leave the club knowing that I tried everything I possibly could to make Darlington FC work. But it also hinged on other parties playing their part and keeping their promises. Regrettably, that hasn't happened and as our fans know, that has all been well-documented.

"I also know that I've been as open and as transparent as I possibly could have been with the fans, from the day I walked through the door.

"I've been true to my word with the non-playing staff as well, who have all been fully paid up to the end of December.

"I'm truly sorry that it hasn't worked out and I genuinely hope it can be salvaged in some way."

A Groundhoppers View

2012-01-03T01:42:00.000-08:00

The following comments from a groundhopper who attended yesterday's Exeter City versus Yeovil Town fixture:-

Exeter City 1-1 Yeovil Town; Ticket:£20; Prog:£3; Att:5,912

The Glovers and the Grecians shared the points in this entertaining west country derby. Yeovil were the better team for most of the match and played Exeter off the park, but they let the Grecians snatch a point late on.

St James' Park has changed a lot since i was last there in 1996. The home covered terrace behind the goal was just an open crumbling terrace and they had also knocked down the old Cowshed which was opposite the main stand, which nowadays has been replaced with a nice covered seated stand.

Canham Is Back At Bath

2012-01-03T01:27:00.001-08:00

Former Exeter City striker Sean Canham has rejoined Bath City for a second spell on loan from Hereford United.

A product of the Exeter City youth scheme, Canham progressed to make his first team debut for the Grecians against Halifax Town at St James’ Park in August 2003. He played in 21 league games in that initial season, scoring five goals.

In 2004-05 Canham had a short loan spell with Tiverton Town, whilst featuring just twice more for Exeter, before being released, whereupon he joined Team Bath.

He became a huge success with them, hitting 41 goals in 2007-08, and was the leading scorer in the top three tiers of non-league football.

He inevitably attracted attention from numerous clubs - including Charlton Athletic where he played on trial - but it was Notts County won the race for his signature on the eve of the 2008-09 season.

He joined Blue Square Premier League side, Hayes & Yeading on loan in September 2009 and was released on a free transfer by Notts County in May 2010.

He then signed a two-year deal for Hereford United in July 2010, but moved to Kidderminster Harriers on loan in February 2011.

He then joined Bath City on a two-month loan in September 2011, however, he has now rejoined the club from Hereford on loan until the end of this season.

It's Only Snow!

2012-01-03T00:42:00.001-08:00

(The following article appeared in the Exeter City v Yeovil Town programme - 2nd Jan 2012)

I’m probably tempting fate by stating that at the time of writing this article we have yet to have snow in the so-called frozen north where I live, not even on the Lake District mountains which I can quite clearly see across Morecambe Bay.

Yes, I know, it won’t be long before that horrible white stuff starts to fall - it is very late this Winter - and as long as it stays on the mountains, then that is fine by me.

It is the time of the year when weather can play havoc with the football programme, and it reminded me very much of matches that I have seen Exeter City involved in, with snow lying on the playing surface, both at St James’ Park and elsewhere.

I think it is true to say that referees area lot quicker to call off games these days than they ever used to be.

The mere sign of a few flakes of snow rings the alarm bells and players from the days of yore must look down and laugh at some of the decisions that are made to postpone games, as in their day, they would have just got on with it.

One suspects there are many of us who can recall matches being played at the Park in very snowy conditions - and indeed have
viewed some really good games despite that.

City versus Darlington in the early 1960s springs to mind, when there was snow piled up along the touchlines after it had been
swept off the pitch.

Fortunately Exeter is blessed with a good climate. While the rest of the country shivers there was a time when teams used to look to travel down to the West County and play the Grecians in friendly games in order to keep their players match fit.

However, City have undertaken some pretty horrendous journeys to and from matches which have been interrupted by heavy falls of snow.

None more so than in December 1962, when the City team had to endure a nightmare time following a 4-3 defeat at Stockport County.

They left Manchester at Saturday midnight by train to journey back to Exeter, but due to the blizzard-like conditions they didn’t
arrive at Exeter St David’s until mid-afternoon on the Sunday.

The line from the Midlands to Devon had been blocked in several places and was only cleared after snowploughs attached to
locomotives had been used.

Four years earlier when City travelled for their game at Walsall, a porter (remember them?) handed manager Frank Broome a message stating that the game had been called off due to snow.

A telephone call from the station to Fellows Park confirmed this and so, rather than waste the train journey to the Midlands, it was decided to go along to The Hawthorns instead, where West Bromwich Albion were playing Luton Town.

However, City were out of luck, for that game was abandoned in the 17th minute because of the poor state of the pitch and so the players and staff headed all the way back to Exeter.

In slightly more recent times - and by recent I mean January 1976 and a game that I attended, City were playing at Cambridge United.

With snow falling heavily, City midfielder Lammie Robertson approached the referee to suggest that the game should be abandoned.

Thankfully for City, and the few fans who had made the journey, the referee disagreed and City’s Mike Jordan went on to net the only goal of the game to give the Grecians victory.

Hopefully there won’t be too much snow this winter and Exeter City will safely complete all their fixtures during that period, without having to relate stories such as those above.

Programmed To Read

2012-01-03T00:34:00.000-08:00

(The following article appeared in the Exeter City v Yeovil Town programme - 2nd Jan 2012)

The Western Counties Floodlight League consisted of 8 teams, namely, Exeter City, Yeovil Town, Torquay United, Poole Town,
Cheltenham Town, Weymouth, Plymouth Argyle and Bath City.

The programme we feature is for City’s visit to Yeovil Town on 15th December 1965, and consisted of 16 pages, price sixpence.
Issued by the Yeovil Town Supporters’ Club, the programme ‘opened’ with ‘Notes From The Boardroom’

That stated ‘With gates falling, and revenue from our money raising schemes dropping to an alarmingly low ebb, the Club has to
look to the Social Club as the means of providing the lost revenue in order that the standard of football and type of player to provide that standard can be continued.’

There then followed a column entitled ‘The Last Time They Met At Huish’ which was for a pre-season friendly in August 1965, as Exeter ran out 6-2 winners before an attendance of 1,382.

Yeovil Town manager Joe MacDonald was a man of few words, as his Manager’s Notes’ column consisted of just four paragraphs!

This was in contrast to ‘Supporters’ Club Notes’ penned by Bryan W. Moore. Apart from the usual welcome to Exeter City, he also gave a mention for Roy Lambden who played his 50th consecutive match for the Yeovil at Guildford the previous Saturday.

Onto page 6 and ‘Bits and Pieces’ which were short newsy articles about Yeovil’s fellow Southern League teams. Interesting to note that Wimbledon had ‘switched on’ a brand new set of floodlights, costing £10,000, for their FA Cup tie against Folkestone Town.

There then followed a brief ‘Welcome to Exeter’ before the expected team line ups could be found across the centre pages. There was also a list of results from the Western Counties Floodlight League so far, with Exeter having draw 0-0 at Cheltenham Town and then losing 4-3 at Torquay United.

The points system was unusual in that two points were awarded for a home draw, one for an away draw; three for a home win and four for an away win. The idea behind that was to stimulate better performances from the away sides and less of a ‘play for a draw’ attitude.

Page 10 and 11 consisted of the latest Southern League table, with Yeovil in 8th place and the fixtures and league table for the
Western Counties Floodlight League. A crowd of 3,153 had seen Yeovil home fixture against Weymouth which ended in a 3-0 win for the hosts.

There were also brief player profiles for the Exeter City team, although only the bare eleven players were detailed, including new signing Pat Cavanan, an Eire Youth international who had been signed the previous week.

The rest of the programme consisted of statistical features, including ‘Analysis of our game against Margate’; ’Goalscorers’ (Dave Taylor was top scorer with 8 Southern League and Cup goals).

And finally there was also a page detailing Yeovil Town’s Southern League fixtures and results for the season, plus the same for
their Dorset Combination League fixtures.

So what of the game itself? Well it proved to be a good night for Yeovil Town as they won 6-2, thus reversing the score line of the pre-season friendly between the two sides four months earlier.

Unfortunately I do not the Yeovil line up for the game, but the programme it was shown as:- Gordon Chilvers, Alan Herrity, Ted
Read, Bill Albury, Len Harris, George Muir, Tony Pounder, Terry Foley, Denis Randall, Dave Taylor, Chris Harding.

As for the Exeter City line up, that definitely took to the field as follows:- Alan Barnett, Bryce Fulton, Les McDonald, Arnold Mitchell, Keith Harvey, Pat Cavanan, Graham Rees, Wilf Carter, Tommy Sweetman, Dermot Curtis, Jeff Tolchard. The City goalscorers were Carter and Rees.

Just The Ticket

2012-01-03T00:27:00.000-08:00

(The following article appeared in the Exeter City v Yeovil Town programme - 2nd Jan 2012)

As Exeter City and Yeovil Town haven’t met too many times at Football League level, we feature a recent match ticket rather than the usual older one.

This particular ticket is dated for 23rd January 2010, when the Grecians travelled to Yeovil for a Coca Cola League One fixture.

It was for the Copse Road End, uncovered terracing, which is used by away supporters, so it must have originally been purchased by an Exeter City fan.

It is numbered 1114, and I believe that there was an allocation of 1,200. There must have been many more tickets kept as
souvenirs, so maybe not one of the hardest ones to obtain for collectors.

A neat and clearly designed ticket, it also had telephone contact numbers and a plan of the Yeovil ground on the reverse side.

It proved to be a good day if you were a Yeovil supporter as they defeated the Grecians 2-1, to extend City’s run to six straight defeats on the road.

Stefan Stam opened the scoring for Yeovil after just six minutes when he headed home JP Kalala's free-kick. Matt Taylor conceded a free-kick and Paul Jones found himself in no-man's land as he went to claim Kalala's lofted ball allowing Stam to open the scoring with the ball trickling over the line.

City were beginning to come back into the match and earned a deserved equaliser on 22 minutes. Marcus Stewart and Scott
Golbourne combined to set Ryan Harley free down the left flank and his pullback from the by-line was hit first time into the corner by former Glover Adam Stansfield.

This was arguably Exeter's best spell of the game. Marcus Stewart was proving a handful for the side he left in 2008 while the
Grecians continued to switch the play well and were on top.

So rather predictably it was Yeovil who went ahead again! Troy Archibald-Henville lost the ball and from that move striker
Williams turned and shot at the edge of the box. Jones dived, expecting to be at full stretch, but the shot took a hefty deflection off a City defender and fell to Mason completely unmarked just inches away from an unguarded net.

Just before half-time it really should have been 2-2. Harley did very well on the left by-line again and laid a perfect ball along
the floor to Stewart at the back post and unmarked the 37-year-old didn't even get close to hitting the target.

The clear cut chances had begun to dry up in the second half and only half-chances fell to Bertie Cozic and Stewart before the 80 minute mark when Paul Tisdale threw caution to the wind and called for Stuart Fleetwood and Barry Corr to enter the game as substitutes.

While Jones may have been at fault for the opening goal he showed just why he is so highly rated in the final ten minutes with three top-class saves.

Then came City's big chance to salvage a point; Cozic crossed from the right flank and Taylor volleyed the ball first time towards the far corner from 8 yards out. Just wide.

Whilst modern day tickets tend to be a bit alike in terms of design, especially if they are produced by a ticket agency, they are nonetheless very collectable, and it should always be remembered that today's’ football memorabilia, whether it be programmes or tickets etc. is tomorrow’s sought after item, so they are well worth hanging on to.

Exeter City Stats 2011-12

2012-01-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

Monday 2nd January 2012
League One
Exeter City Yeovil Town
Exeter City team: Krysiak; Tully; Archibald-Henville; Duffy; Golbourne; Dunne; Sercombe; Noble; Nardiello (Frear 82); Logan; Taylor (Bauza 49).
Yeovil Town: Gilmartin; Ayling; Jones; Ngala; Huntington; Blizzard (Clifford 74); Williams; Ehmer; A Williams; MacLean (Agard 85); Obika
Scorers: Exeter - Logan 75th; Yeovil - A. Williams 40th
Attendance: 5,912 (693 from Yeovil)

LEAGUE ONE - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 23; Bauza 7(5); Bennett 2(1); Bignall 3; Coles 19(1); Duffy 15(2); Dunne 21(1); Frear 3(2); Golbourne 22; Hackett 5; Jones 5(2); Keohane 0(3); Krysiak 20; Logan 4(10); McNish 1(2); Nardiello 13(3); Nichols 1(4); Noble 23: Oakley 7; O’Flynn 2(8); Pidgeley 4(2); Sercombe 13(2); Shephard 6(2); Taylor 14; Tully 23(1); Vine 4(1); Whichelow 2.

LEAGUE ONE - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 6; Bauza 2; Coles 2; Logan 2; O’Flynn 2; Taylor 2; Archibald-Henville 1; Bennett 1; Dunne 1; Nichols 1; Noble 1; Own Goals 1.

CUP - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 6; Bauza 2(1); Bignall 1; Coles 5; Duffy 5(1); Dunne 6; Frear 0(2); Golbourne 6; Jones 1(1); Keohane 0(2); Krysiak 4; Logan 2(3); McNish 0(2); Nardiello 4; Nichols 2(3); Noble 4; O’Flynn 2; Pidgeley 2; Sercombe 3; Shephard 4(2); Tully 5; Vine 1; Whichelow 1.

CUP - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 2; Bauza 1; Dunne 1; Frear 1; Logan 1; Noble 1; Shephard 1.

CUP - PENALTY SHOOT OUT SCORERS
Dunne 1; Nardiello 1; Noble 1.

FRIENDLIES - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 5; Bauza 3(1); Bennett 4(5); Coles 0(1); Dawson 5(3); Duffy 5; Dunne 4(1); Edwards 0(3); Frear 5(4); Furzer 4(3); Golbourne 4(1); Gosling 4(4); Gwinnett 0(1); Ingham 1(2); Jones 5(1); Keane 2(2); Keohane 1(1); Knowles 0(2); Krysiak 5(1); Logan 5(1); McNish 3(5); Moore-Taylor 1(1); Nardiello 4(2); Nichols 5(4); Noble 3; O’Flynn 0(1); Pidgeley 4(4); Reid 0(3); Sercombe 4(1); Shephard 5(3); Stewart 0(1); Tisdale 1(3); Tully 4(1), Ujah 0(1), Wannell 1(1).

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES - GOALSCORERS
Gosling 3; McNish 3; Nichols 3; Shephard 3; Freer 2; Logan 2; Nardiello 2; Nichols 2; Bennett 1.

(As at and including Monday 2nd January 2012)

Hackett Returns To The Lions

2012-01-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

Winger Chris Hackett has ended his loan stay with Exeter City and returned to his parent club, Millwall.

His one-month stay at St James’ Park saw Hackett appear in 5 League One matches, having made his Grecians’ debut against Tranmere Rovers in a 3-0 win at St. James’ Park on 26th November.

The Millwall winger commenced his career with Oxford United, and has since played for Hearts, from where he moved to his present club in August 2006 for a fee of £20,000.

Taylor Stays With The Grecians

2012-01-01T10:01:00.001-08:00

Exeter City have extended the loan arrangement with Reading for midfielder Jake Taylor, who will now remain at St. James’ Park until 28th January.

The Welsh Under-21 international has been a regular in the City team since he first moved to Devon teo months ago,, having scored two goals in 13 league outings.

A Strange Time of The Year

2012-01-01T03:44:00.001-08:00

The players of Exeter City may be in training today, but as far as the news front is concerned, I am expecting a fairly quiet 24-hours where the Dark Rock Diaries Blog is concerned. I hope I am wrong.

The week between Christmas Day and New Years Day always seems a strange - not a lot happening week to me. And that has been the case this time as well.

I cannot wait for things to get back to ‘normal on Tuesday, when hopefully the ‘world’ starts to move again instead of being drowned by all the hype that surrounds this time of the year.

It is even a quiet day for me today as well. For having visited Mum in the Nursing Home this morning, I am now going to plod on working on the Exeter City ‘Season by Season’ book, which is coming along nicely and I can now see the end of it now so far away in a few weeks time.

Exeter City Stats 2011-12

2011-12-31T07:36:00.001-08:00

Saturday 31st December 2011
League One
Colchester United 2 Exeter City 0
Colchester team: Williams; Okuonghae; Heath (Eastman 55); Wilson; White; Bond; Wordsworth; James; Gillespie; Henderson; Duguid (Coker 79)
Exeter City team: Krysiak; Archibald-Henville; Duffy; Golbourne; Coles; Dunne; Sercombe; Noble; Taylor; Bauza (Tully 66); Hackett (Nardiello 19) (O'Flynn 76)
Scorers: Colchester - Wordsworth, Bond
Attendance: 3,667 (142 from Exeter)

LEAGUE ONE - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 22; Bauza 7(4); Bennett 2(1); Bignall 3; Coles 19(1); Duffy 14(2); Dunne 20(1); Frear 3(1); Golbourne 21; Hackett 5; Jones 5(2); Keohane 0(3); Krysiak 19; Logan 3(10); McNish 1(2); Nardiello 12(3); Nichols 1(4); Noble 22: Oakley 7; O’Flynn 2(8); Pidgeley 4(2); Sercombe 12(2); Shephard 6(2); Taylor 13; Tully 22(1); Vine 4(1); Whichelow 2.

LEAGUE ONE - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 6; Bauza 2; Coles 2; O’Flynn 2; Taylor 2; Archibald-Henville 1; Bennett 1; Dunne 1; Logan 1; Nichols 1; Noble 1; Own Goals 1.

CUP - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 6; Bauza 2(1); Bignall 1; Coles 5; Duffy 5(1); Dunne 6; Frear 0(2); Golbourne 6; Jones 1(1); Keohane 0(2); Krysiak 4; Logan 2(3); McNish 0(2); Nardiello 4; Nichols 2(3); Noble 4; O’Flynn 2; Pidgeley 2; Sercombe 3; Shephard 4(2); Tully 5; Vine 1; Whichelow 1.

CUP - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 2; Bauza 1; Dunne 1; Frear 1; Logan 1; Noble 1; Shephard 1.

CUP - PENALTY SHOOT OUT SCORERS
Dunne 1; Nardiello 1; Noble 1.

FRIENDLIES - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 5; Bauza 3(1); Bennett 4(5); Coles 0(1); Dawson 5(3); Duffy 5; Dunne 4(1); Edwards 0(3); Frear 5(4); Furzer 4(3); Golbourne 4(1); Gosling 4(4); Gwinnett 0(1); Ingham 1(2); Jones 5(1); Keane 2(2); Keohane 1(1); Knowles 0(2); Krysiak 5(1); Logan 5(1); McNish 3(5); Moore-Taylor 1(1); Nardiello 4(2); Nichols 5(4); Noble 3; O’Flynn 0(1); Pidgeley 4(4); Reid 0(3); Sercombe 4(1); Shephard 5(3); Stewart 0(1); Tisdale 1(3); Tully 4(1), Ujah 0(1), Wannell 1(1).

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES - GOALSCORERS
Gosling 3; McNish 3; Nichols 3; Shephard 3; Freer 2; Logan 2; Nardiello 2; Nichols 2; Bennett 1.

(As at and including Saturday 31st December 2011)

Ales Of The Unexpected: Lancaster Stagger

2011-12-31T07:20:00.001-08:00

I have returned from a most enjoyable 'Lancaster lunchtime stagger' even though I got caught in the rain walking between the two pubs.

It beats watching Exeter City at the moment though, who appear to be in some trouble, having lost again, 2-0 at Colchester United, as well as having a player sent off. Worrying times.

I haven't actually seen Exeter City play since they won 1-0 at Carlisle, But it's not just City, I haven't been to match of any sort for over two seasons.

I’ve not missed it either. I never thought I would say that, but it’s true. So many changes have taken place on the home front.

Anyhow, back to the stagger. The first of two pubs visited was the Water Witch, alongside the Lancaster Canal, where I was able to take the opportunity of buying four third of pints for the sum of £3.20p, thus enabling me to try three ‘new’ beers for me, plus an old favourite.

It’s great to see a pub selling thirds, as this is quite a common practice at Beer Festivals, and it does of course enable you to try more different beers than you may otherwise.

Two of the three ‘new’ beers were both from the Dunscar Bridge Brewery, Bolton - ‘Steeleye Jack’ and ‘Clockin’ off’ They were both of a muchness really, but OK.

The third ‘new’ ale - another one to tick off! - was ‘Christmas Cauldron’ (3.6&) from the York Brewery, which was quite tasty.

The fourth and final third pint was ‘Nightfall’(3.8%) from the Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe, which I had also supped at the Watermill, Ings only two days ago. Excellent brew.

Whilst sat in the Water Witch, looking out over the canal, ‘Andromeda’ glided by. A very long narrowboat.

There is something very therapeutic about watching water and being sat in such a place! Even better on a summers day, although today it rained! It is December after all.

Taking the longish walk across the city, I got caught in the heavy rain, before I reached ‘The Sun’ which wasn’t as busy as it was a week ago, on Christmas Eve.

Another ‘new’ beer for yours truly, as I drank ‘Kodiak Gold’ (4%) from the Beartown Brewery, Congleton, Cheshire.

So endeth the stagger. Time for the bus home.

Wanted: A Grecians New Year Tonic

2011-12-31T01:17:00.001-08:00

It is probably fair to say that Exeter City are not the greatest of attractions when they visit other teams in League One.

More so over a holiday period, which makes it even more mystifying why whoever compiled the fixtures (programmed the computer) sent the Grecians to Wycombe Wanderers on Boxing Day and then to Colchester United today.

They are hardly local derbies to send the pulses racing are they? OK, it is a fair bit of travelling for players and supporters, but it is all part and parcel of the game I suppose, and they must be thankful that they now play fewer games than they used to, during this time of the year.

Unless the Grecians get a run of good results, it seems that they are in a bit of a dog fight at the bottom of League One, with seven teams battling it out to avoid the drop.

Yes, I know there is still half a season to go, but the fortunes of Exeter City will have to improve greatly if they are to be playing in the same division in twelve months time.

Colchester United lost 1-6 at home to Stevenage Borough on Boxing Day, so they will surely be smarting from that and want to bounce back against Exeter.

However, City desperately need the points and a win at that, if only to instil confidence amongst those who follow them both at home and the length and breadth of the country.

It would be the perfect New Year tonic, especially if they can follow that up with three points against fellow strugglers, Yeovil Town, on Monday afternoon.

No C.B.E. Then?

2011-12-31T00:24:00.000-08:00

It seems I've missed out on gaining a New Years Honour from Queenie Babes then. When no letter arrived in the past few days, I did begin to wonder. Now it has been confirmed this very morning.

I really thought I might get a C.B.E. (Curmudgeon of The British Empire). Maybe next year? However, you can rest assured, I won't be wearing a suit when I go to Buck House to collect it. We curmudgeons have to keep up our standards after all.

2011 And 2012

2011-12-30T01:07:00.000-08:00

Almost another year over. There have certainly been changes these past 12 months as far as the family and myself have been concerned. I wonder what 2012 will bring?

The three biggest changes have been -firstly - Mum going into hospital and then a Nursing Home, which wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to deal with, but everything has now settled down.

Secondly, I was no longer editing football programmes for Exeter City, which made me realise what a tying role it was when I suddenly had a lot more free time, so I didn’t have to plan days out, holidays or going sick, around the Grecians’ home fixtures. For the first time since the early 1980s, I was no longer editing programmes of any sort.

And thirdly, with the extra space in the house, this enabled the rest of the family to move and live here. I would never have predicted that would have happened when I first moved to Morecambe to live in December 2002!

One thing I am looking forward to in 2012 is getting my bus pass in September. Now that will enable me to zip around all over the place and for free as well.

My Senior Citizen's Railcard which I got last June, has already given me tremendous savings on rail fares, so along with the bus pass, I hope to be out and about a lot more and sample a few more beers!

Two Weeks And He's Gone!

2011-12-29T08:09:00.000-08:00

Former Exeter City midfielder, Kallum Keane, has already left Hucknall Town, the team he signed for just two weeks ago, after being released by the Grecians.

Keane has now linked up with neighbouring Eastwood Town who play in the Blue Square Conference North League.

He joined Exeter City on non-contract forms before the 2010-11 transfer deadline and impressed in reserve team matches to be given a full contract.

He never made a first team outing, apart from in pre-season friendlies, during his stay at St James’ Park.

The Nottingham-born player signed a full contract for Exeter City in May 2011.

A Republic of Ireland Under-17 international, Keane has also played for Derby County, Alfreton Town and Belper Town.

Campbell Heads For The Rowdies

2011-12-29T07:50:00.001-08:00

Bristol Rovers midfielder, Stuart Campbell, 34, who had been strongly linked with a move to Exeter City following his free transfer, is to start a new career for himself in America.

Campbell has signed a two-year deal with Tampa bay Rowdies, who play in the North American League.

After over seven years at Bristol Rovers and making 288 league appearances, Campbell will also be assisting the Rowdies with coaching

"We always thought we would go to America when I retired from football, but when this opportunity came up it was ideal," said Campbell.

Ales Of The Unexpected: Kendal And The Watermill

2011-12-29T07:29:00.000-08:00

Another very windy day, with heavy showers, which unfortunately we got ‘caught’ in whilst walking to and from the car park in Kendal.

We called into the ‘Miles Thompson’ (Wetherspoon) where I had ‘Eight Bells’ (4.5%) from the Titanic Brewery, Burslem, Stoke on Trent.

A planned visit to ‘Burgundy’s Wine Bar’ for their first brew, 'Silver Tanner', was called off, having read the night before that it had quickly run out and there would not be any more on sale until New Years Eve. Maybe next time?

Moving on to a very busy Watermill at Ings - the busiest we have seen it for some weeks - despite the indifferent weather, by the time we had left there had been no fewer than seven - yes seven! - dogs who had visited the place, all of which were given free biscuits.

Not surprisingly some were a little muddier and bedraggled looking than others, but no doubt they appreciated the warmth and chance to dry out.

First beer I had in the Watermill was ‘Thirst Gold’ (3.6%) from the Keswick Brewery, Cumbria.

I then sampled ‘Nightfall’ (3.8%) from the Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe, before ending with ‘A Winter’s Tail’ (4.3%) from the Watermill Brewery itself.

Ales Of The Unexpected: Lancaster

2011-12-28T07:44:00.000-08:00

It was a very windy morning in Lancaster, and a cold wind at that, which probably partly accounted for the fact that it wasn’t too busy, although the week between Christmas and New Year is always a bit of a strange one.

Just the two beers today, the first of which was in ‘The Sir Richard Owen’ (Wetherspoon) where I had ‘Brodie’s Prime’ (4.9%) from the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, Cumbria.

Later in the morning and calling into ‘The Sun’ I had an excellent ‘Winter Warmer’ (5%) from Young’s Brewery, Wandsworth, London.

Silver Tanner

2011-12-27T07:31:00.000-08:00

Another place to call into for a beer when in Kendal then? Burgundy’s Wine Bar have brewed its first beer, ‘Silver Tanner’, so named after the brewery’s location, off Tanner’s Yard.

I have never been in there before, simply because the concept of a wine bar puts me off, however, I will doubtless do so now at some stage to sample this new ale, which has been in the planning stage for quite some time.

Speaking to the Westmorland Gazette, Mike Pennington, the owner of Burgundy’s, said: “We’ve worked on our idea for about six years and it has turned out better than I had envisaged,”

Get Well Soon Denise!

2011-12-27T00:01:00.001-08:00

Exeter City trustee and former chairman, Denise Watts was admitted to hospital late on Christmas Eve after suffering massive chest pains.

On her Facebook page, Denise wrote: “I am currently in Taw Ward at Wonford where i have been since arriving here on a blue light at 2230 on Christmas Eve.

“Andy and I had just settled down finally after a busy day preparing for the big day when I suffered massive chest pains, and after realising that Donny Osmond was not the reason, poor Andy had to dial 999.

“After tests on xmas morning they decided to keep me in! I’m gutted and so sorry for scaring everyone and ruining Christmas, but will try to make it up to you all when I finally get out of here.

“i have to wait here until Wednesday at least when the cardiologists return to work and perform appropriate tests to see if I have suffered a heart attack.”

I have sent my good wishes to Denise, who was always a great supporter of the match programme at Exeter City during the time she was chairman and regularly submitted copy for it when I was editor. Get well soon

Exeter City Stats 2011-12

2011-12-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

Monday 26th December 2011
League One
Wycombe Wanderers 3 Exeter City 1
Exeter City team: Krysiak, Tully (Duffy), Archibald-Henville, Coles, Golbourne, Dunne, Noble, Sercombe, Bauza, Hackett (Nardiello), Taylor
Wycombe Wanderers team: Bull; Foster; Winfield, Johnson, McCoy, Bloomfield, Grant (Rowlands 70), Lewis, McNamee (Ainsworth 84), Beavon, Trotta, (Harris 90+3)
Scorers: Wycombe: Trotta 93); Exeter: Coles
Attendance: 4,904 (502 from Exeter)

LEAGUE ONE - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 21; Bauza 6(4); Bennett 2(1); Bignall 3; Coles 18(1); Duffy 13(2); Dunne 19(1); Frear 3(1); Golbourne 20; Hackett 4; Jones 5(2); Keohane 0(3); Krysiak 18; Logan 3(10); McNish 1(2); Nardiello 12(2); Nichols 1(4); Noble 21: Oakley 7; O’Flynn 2(7); Pidgeley 4(2); Sercombe 11(2); Shephard 6(2); Taylor 12; Tully 22; Vine 4(1); Whichelow 2.

LEAGUE ONE - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 6; Bauza 2; Coles 2; O’Flynn 2; Taylor 2; Archibald-Henville 1; Bennett 1; Dunne 1; Logan 1; Nichols 1; Noble 1; Own Goals 1.

CUP - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 6; Bauza 2(1); Bignall 1; Coles 5; Duffy 5(1); Dunne 6; Frear 0(2); Golbourne 6; Jones 1(1); Keohane 0(2); Krysiak 4; Logan 2(3); McNish 0(2); Nardiello 4; Nichols 2(3); Noble 4; O’Flynn 2; Pidgeley 2; Sercombe 3; Shephard 4(2); Tully 5; Vine 1; Whichelow 1.

CUP - GOALSCORERS
Nardiello 2; Bauza 1; Dunne 1; Frear 1; Logan 1; Noble 1; Shephard 1.

CUP - PENALTY SHOOT OUT SCORERS
Dunne 1; Nardiello 1; Noble 1.

FRIENDLIES - APPEARANCES
Archibald-Henville 5; Bauza 3(1); Bennett 4(5); Coles 0(1); Dawson 5(3); Duffy 5; Dunne 4(1); Edwards 0(3); Frear 5(4); Furzer 4(3); Golbourne 4(1); Gosling 4(4); Gwinnett 0(1); Ingham 1(2); Jones 5(1); Keane 2(2); Keohane 1(1); Knowles 0(2); Krysiak 5(1); Logan 5(1); McNish 3(5); Moore-Taylor 1(1); Nardiello 4(2); Nichols 5(4); Noble 3; O’Flynn 0(1); Pidgeley 4(4); Reid 0(3); Sercombe 4(1); Shephard 5(3); Stewart 0(1); Tisdale 1(3); Tully 4(1), Ujah 0(1), Wannell 1(1).

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES - GOALSCORERS
Gosling 3; McNish 3; Nichols 3; Shephard 3; Freer 2; Logan 2; Nardiello 2; Nichols 2; Bennett 1.

(As at and including Monday 26th December 2011)

Ales Of The Unexpected: Heysham Village

2011-12-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

For the first time ever we decided to go out for a meal on Boxing Day and return to ‘The Royal’ in Heysham village.

We had a meal there not so long ago and was impressed, and once again the food proved to be excellent in what became a very busy pub.

I sampled three beers during the stay, the first of which seemed distinctly bland, and lacking any ‘zip.’

This was possibly as it proved to be the last of ‘Spittin’ Feathers’ (4.4%) from the Mallard Brewery, Maythorne, Nottinghamshire, before it ran out, so right from the bottom of the cask.

Second up and the best of the day was ‘Sunset’ (4.2%) from the local Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe. All their beers are recommended.

Finally, and being suitably full after the meal, I went for ‘Golden Fleece’ (3.7%) from the Dent Brewery, Cumbria.

The Age Of Squeezing Money From You

2011-12-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Everyone is at it! They want the money in your pocket. Christmas is almost over, with retailers having almost gone down on begging knees to ask you for cash in return for their trinkets.

Tomorrow it’s Boxing Day and for many the start of the sales and special offers. After all even at cut prices retailers still make a profit. Football isn’t immune from this annual charade of special offers either.

Exeter City, like a few other clubs offer half-price season tickets. This is a relatively new phenomenon in football, as more and more clubs attempt to entice people to their matches.

There was never any need to. Simply because if you went to match, or even lashed out on a season ticket prior to the start of the campaign, it didn’t hit your pocket quite so hard as it does today.

As prices have gradually increased, so the half-price offer looks a whole lot more attractive., even if you have missed the first half of the season, or attended just the odd game now and then!

Newcastle United have taken the half-price strategy a stage further by even offering match programme subscriptions for £50 instead of the usual £100 at the start of the season.

The Wetherspoon pub chain are getting in on the sales craze - and have been for at least a couple of years - as they advertise a January sale in their outlets.

Maybe they will give you three sausages instead of two when you order a traditional breakfast?

It is extremely depressing when you realise that it won’t be long before certain retailers will be advertising Easter and all things chocolate. But .... not before they have attempted to extract even more money from you for .... Valentine's Day!

This really is a society that is driven by commercialism, yet if people stood back and thought about it for a while, they may realise that they have no need to part with money on the promotions that are thrust in your face, for do you really need the items or offers concerned?

Yes, purchase if you need to? But, honestly, would you have bought something, but for the enticing offer and if not why not? Either you couldn't afford it, so did without, or you didn't want it.

And let's face it, even at half price, retailers will be making a profit. So it makes you realise, or should do, just how much profit they are making when items are priced at 'normal' full price!

Commercialism, in its original meaning, is the practices, methods, aims, and spirit of commerce or business. Today, however, it primarily refers to the tendency within open-market capitalism to turn everything into objects, images, and services sold for the purpose of generating profit

I had to chuckle when passing by a Tesco Express store earlier today, which, in the window, had the slogan .... ‘Here to save you money’ ...... it was shut, so what better way to save money?!!

Ales Of The Unexpected: An Encounter With A White Horse

2011-12-25T05:57:00.000-08:00

I became an honorary member of the ‘Curmudgeon Club.’ At least it was called that until it was discovered that no none could spell it, so it was renamed simply, the ‘Bah Humbug Club.’

I had never visited a pub on a Christmas Day before, that is until today. So after a 35 minute walk into Morecambe town centre, I really didn’t know what to expect when I set foot in the ‘Eric Bartholomew’ (Wetherspoons).

There must have been around 40 or so other ‘Bah Humbug Club’ members, male and female, some sampling beer, others simply popping in for coffee after a morning walk.

Trade was fairly steady throughout the hour or so I spent there, so it must be well worthwhile for Wetherspoon to open on Christmas Day.

First beer of the visit was ‘Eweltide’ (4.5%) from the Dent Brewery, Dent, Cumbria and this proved to be the best of the two brews that I had.

It was a nice atmosphere in the Eric Bartholomew, but it is fair to say that there very few present under the age of 50 .... me included!

Anyhow on to beer number two, which was ‘Jingling Lane’ from the Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery, Cumbria.

It was soon time to walk back along the Prom, into a strong wind, but an almost deserted ‘sea wall.’ The sound and the power of the waves crashing onshore was quite something.

On the way back, which took longer due to head wind, I did pass a white horse trotting in the opposite direction.

I should add that it was not riderless, but the horse, around it’s neck, had Xmas garlands and bells. I only had two beers ..... honest. This is true!

Now that I have joined the ‘Bah Humbug Club’ I look forward to their annual gathering, the next meeting being on 25th December 2012.

Lancaster Christmas Eve Stagger

2011-12-24T07:51:00.000-08:00

There was absolutely no way that I was going to set foot in Lancaster city centre today, and so I kept to the roads around it.

Looking down towards the main shopping area, it was just as well that I did. It seemed pretty busy as shoppers rushed around for last minute bits and pieces. Anyone would think the shops are closed for a week!

Anyhow I really enjoyed my Lancaster Christmas Eve stagger and even finished off with a beer from Devon.

First port of call was “The Green Ayre’ (Wetherspoon) which proved to be no busier than usual for a Saturday.

I started the stagger with a festive ale, ‘Jolly Snowman’ (3.6%) from the Tom Woods Brewery, Melton Ross, Lincolnshire. Pleasant enough, but fairly average really.

Avoiding the shopping frenzy, a bit of a longer walk to the Water Witch, which is situated alongside the Lancaster Canal.

I had planned to have only the one beer there, but I am afraid i succumbed and had two! It was fairly quiet there as well, being off the main drag as far as the city centre is concerned.

The first ale I had was from a 'new' brewery for me , having never seen them before, namely the Dunscar Bridge Brewery, Bolton, and ‘Wicketkeeper’ (4%) which was very acceptable.

I then decided to sample a second beer, and went for ‘Original’ (3.4%) from the Blue Monkey Brewery, Giltbrook, Nottinghamshire. This was a little malty, but nevertheless tasty!

It was time to move on and carefully staggering along the towpath alongside the canal, it was only a few minutes walk to the next stop, ‘The White Cross.’

It was a little busier here, but still plenty of room and I had another ‘new’ brew for me, ‘Black Dragon’ (3.6%) from the Bowland Brewery, Clitheroe, Lancashire. Again, OK, but fairly average.

I then walked back towards the city centre, but again avoiding the mayhem, to call into what proved to be the busiest pub of the stagger, ‘The Sun Hotel.’

It was well worthwhile as I sampled the best beer of the day, ‘Winter’ (4%) from yet another ‘new’ brewery for me, Backyard Brewery, Brownhill, Walsall.

That was going to be it for the stagger, but how could I resist a final brew from Devon? No, of course not.

So I ended what had been a really good visit by supping ‘Otter Claus’ (5%) from Otter Brewery, Luppitt, Devon.

Exeter City To Face Rangers

2011-12-24T01:22:00.001-08:00

Having won 5-2 at Ivybridge Town in the last round of the Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup, Exeter City have now been drawn away to Cullompton Rangers in the quarter Final. Joint manager of Cullompton Rangers, is former Exeter City striker, Richard Pears.

The full draw is as follows, with ties to be played by 29th February 2012:-

Bideford v Barnstaple Town or Tiverton Town
Buckland Athletic v Willand Rovers or Torquay United
Cullompton Rangers v Exeter City
Elburton Villa v Plymouth Argyle

It Doesn't Suit Me

2011-12-23T08:55:00.000-08:00

I had to laugh at the following:- ‎"Suits are an essential part of a man's wardrobe," say Debenham's Stores.

Really? I've obviously bucked the trend as I have never ever owned a suit in my life, (now stretching over 60 years), and never likely to now! Much prefer wearing sweatshirts (t-shirts on the warmer days) and trousers.

Ales Of The Unexpected: Relaxing And Watching

2011-12-23T06:39:00.001-08:00

A Christmas dinner and a traditional breakfast were being devoured by people sat at tables either side of me.

I was just content to sample a couple of beers as I watched the ‘world go by’ in a fairly busy ‘Eric Bartholomew’, Morecambe late this morning.

Sat contemplating, I realised what a change it has been for me this year, for normally it would prove to be a hectic period editing match programmes for Exeter City Football Club.

Now, the time is my own, within reason, and it is great space to be in, not to be answerable to anyone and thus doing as I please. Everyone should try it some time!

I could never go back to editing football programmes now, having become accustomed to this laid back lifestyle.

So, of the beers? First up was ‘Howell’s Snow Bells’ (4%) from the Belhaven Brewery, Dunbar, East Lothian and this proved to be a very good, tasty ale.

I then sampled, ‘Steam Sleigh’ (3.8%) from R.C.H., Weston-Super-Mare, which was a pretty average beer it has to be said.

It was surprising how quickly the time went, just chilling out on my own, people watching and enjoying a couple of beers. I must do it again ...... tomorrow!

D'Ath Almost A Grecian?

2011-12-23T00:58:00.000-08:00

19-year old Reading midfielder Lawson D’Ath has revealed that he may have ended up on loan at Exeter City, however it was his team mate Jake Taylor who eventually made the move to St. James’ Park.

A product of the Reading Academy, he got his first taste of the first team when named as one of the substitute for a Carling Cup tie at Torquay.

“I nearly had a case of going there (Exeter City) on loan too,” said D’Ath. “But they were looking for a more experienced central midfielder,”

“The gaffer has said that if the right club come in for me then I would be able to go on loan, but so far that hasn’t happened. Maybe it will in January or otherwise I will stay here.

Staying At Forest Green

2011-12-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

Former Exeter City winger, Jake Thomson, who is currently on loan from Kettering Town at Forest Green Rovers, has agreed to stay at his present club until the end of this season.

The loan arrangement runs out next month, but Thomson will then pen a contract to take him through to the end of the 2011-12 season.

Thomson, who joined Exeter City from Southampton in July 2010, went on to make 16 league appearances for the Grecians, but only one of those was from the start of a game.

Released on a free transfer in May 2011, Thomson then had a two -match trial with Southend Unite,d before signing for Kettering Town in August this year.

Furzer Leaves The Grecians

2011-12-22T08:15:00.001-08:00

First year professional Jack Furzer has been released by Exeter City, the second player to leave St James’ Park in a week, with Kallum Keane having signed for Hucknall Town.

Furzer, a defender, who had worked his way through the youth teams, never made a competitive first team appearance, although he has featured in seven friendlies this season,

“We have got to be honest and realistic,” comment City boss Paul Tisdale. “It's a shame because I liked him, but he hadn't made the breakthrough and at this stage I think he will go on to do very well somewhere locally now."

Ales Of The Unexpected: A Special Celebration

2011-12-22T07:35:00.001-08:00

Today marked the birthday of a very special lady, who is sadly missed and has been for the past five years.

As always we try to celebrate the life of that person with a birthday meal, knowing and feeling that she is with us in spirit.

So it was off to the Watermill at Ings where the food was, as ever, simply superb and very filling!

I also sampled three very different beers in terms of taste, the first of which was ‘Golden Fleece’ (3.7%) from the Dent Brewery, Dent, Cumbria.

This was followed by ‘Bitter and Twisted’ (3.8%) from the Harviestoun Brewery, Alva, Clackmannanshire.

And finally I decided to go for the iconic, ‘Old Peculiar’ (5.6%) from Theakstons, Masham, North Yorkshire.

Our only regret was that dear Eva was not around in person to enjoy it all and celebrate what would have been her 93rd birthday. We’ll do it all again in 12 months time.

Living In Cloud Cuckoo Land

2011-12-22T00:17:00.001-08:00

What ever you do, don’t take your car to watch Exeter City play at Colchester United on New Years Eve, unless you are prepared to pay a whopping £6 to park at the ground.

What’s more you can to book in advance for the privilege of doing so. Now that ls really good of them!

The Cuckoo Farm supporters must be exceptionally well heeled if they can afford to shell out a cool £6 for every home game for what? - Maximum of three hours parking?

And yes I know Colchester United play at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, but before the sponsors came along and waved a few notes for the naming rights, (in this case £2m over ten years), it was Cuckoo Farm.

It was in June 2008, Colchester United revealed a ten-year sponsorship deal with Weston Homes for their new stadium, having left Layer Road which had been their home since 1937.

Now St James’ Park has been called just that for well over 100 years, but somehow, the cynic in me, cannot envisage that the Weston Homes Community Stadium will be around in the year 2112?

It will be a different name, so it will always be Cuckoo Farm to me. Anyhow, it has a better 'ring' (or cuckoo) to it than a name of a company attached to it.

But back to the parking. I always thought that Morecambe FC ripped off motorists for the parking on a piece of waste ground next to their old Christie Park ground as they charged a fiver.

Yet if you took the trouble to walk a few minutes to the ground, you could easily park in one of the side streets for nowt. Home fans did just that, but away fans probably knew no different.

Colchester have eclipsed that though with their £6 charge. There is no Council car park in the town of Morecambe where you have to pay £6 for three hours parking, so why at Cuckoo Farm?

I am staggered that anyone would want to pay that sum, The trouble is several new stadia are located out of town, so unless you have car it is not easy to get there by public transport, or is simply too far to walk for most from the nearest railway station etc.

I can currently buy three pints of beer for £6 in Wetherspoon during their Christmas Ales Festival. I think I know what I would rather do.

Brief Thought For The Day

2011-12-21T00:40:00.000-08:00

Racism in the work place. if found guilty, an instant sacking surely? But not in football it seems. Money rules. If it was you or I, we would be at the Job Centre by now.

Ales Of The Unexpected: Lancaster

2011-12-20T07:10:00.000-08:00

It was a surprisingly quiet Lancaster city centre this morning - maybe the majority of Christmas shopping has been completed?

First port of call for a traditional breakfast was in ‘The Sir Richard Owen’ (Wetherspoons), along with the chance to sample a beer.

That was ‘Christmas ‘Cracker’ (4.5%) from the Daleside Brewery, Starbeck, Harrogate, and it proved to be very tasty indeed.

Later in the morning a visit to ‘The Sun Hotel’ enabled me to try ‘Your Very Good Elf’ (3.8%) from Thwaites of Blackburn. This I’m afraid, whilst not bad, did lack a bit of body to it.

Nine Years Ago Today

2011-12-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

It’s nine years ago today that the lure of the North West proved too much and I left Devon and Exeter City Football Club behind to start a new life in North West Lancashire.

I can’t believe it was as long ago as that, for time has flown by.

As expected I had no problem in settling in my new surrounds, which really were not new at all, having made more than enough trips back and forward from my old home in Exmouth prior to deciding to take the plunge and make a permanent move.

And so I headed up the M5 and M6 on 20th December 2002, along with all my worldly belongings in the back of a hired van.

It had been something I had planned to do for some time, but to actually make a firm decision was not an easy one, leaving behind the rest of the family and probably not even watching Exeter City play at St. James’ Park again.

The very last time I saw City play at the Park was six days earlier when a solitary Andy Roscoe goal proved to be enough to beat Swansea City.

As thought, I haven't seen game at the Park since. yet up until then I had hardly missed a home game since first going through the turnstiles in 1959-60.

So it proved to be quite a change for me in more ways than one, but I have never regretted it and have no desire whatsoever to return to my Devon roots.

It has opened up a whole new lifestyle for me, enabled me to visit different places, and to have the Lake District almost on your doorstep is a real bonus, an area I love going to.

A lot of things have changed in my life during the past nine years, the vast majority for the better.

So today is a bit of a special day, and all those little doubts I had back in 2002 about whether I should move or not, have long been forgotten about.

The odd thing is, all the family are now living here in Morecambe as well, so I have no family connection at all back in Exmouth. I never ever thought that would have happened nine years ago!