Trees Road

For whatever reason this always reminds me of Mike's living room.

Mascot Watch

Following on from Theo's heroics at Orient, we went to look for other mascots who contribute a bit more than just a stupid walk and an exaggerated encouragement to the fans to cheer when the team is three down.

Step forward Chaddy from Oldham who is quite happy to take one for the team, particularly if the assailant comes back every week.

From the Manchester Evening News: “I was posing for a fan when out of the corner of my eye I saw this guy coming towards me. I didn’t recognise him and he hit me. He then just walked off to a group of mates and went to the bar.

“There were stewards there but I don’t know if they saw it. The stand was packed though so there were a lot of witnesses. I was alright but the kid I was with was a bit shocked.

“I don’t even want him banned because we need as many fans as we can get. I just want an explanation and an apology.”

Good morning to you, indeed

Listen I'm really sorry about that little misunderstanding, Ahmed, can I have my ipad back please. I've bought you a lovely present from Harrods - you can give it to one of your wives.

Good morning, sir

Listen you Asian dickhead, I'm from Brussels, the EU you know, and this hotel is fucking shit - thirty-five squid to check in early, five zubes for wifi, saharan temperatures and worst of all someone's stolen my undercrackers. Get it sorted or we're taking our trade to Jury's.

Little amuses the innocent

Hey Mike, where's Chay gone to?

Didn't you once used to be famous?

The moment the arse fell out of Gerry's world

QPR 1 Chelsea 0

And Anelka must score

Unlikely to fit in at the Cottage

A left handed wan*er.

Racial abuse - quite likely

Alright Paddy, you fat Irish c**t.

Fulham 1 Everton 3

Quaint ground, nice people, lovely views and a statue of Michael Jackson - is it any wonder these losers spent most of their history in Division 3 South?

A stupid question

Les, having played over 450 games for Fulham, do you regret missing out on all the money the Premiership stars are making today?

No, not a bit ..... of course I do you mad Irish twat - there's Giggs driving a Lambourghini, a shedload of money in the bank, and bonking all around, and I'm stuck here serving Pork Pies to second rate solicitors and venture capitalists from Dublin, and trying desperately to win the full-time scorecast. You stupid prat, what do you think?

Cult hero

Leighton Baines - one of maybe three Everton players who stopped to sign autographs.

Craven Cottage

Like stepping back in time.......

Theo - my kind of mascot

There's no doubt about it but Theo the Leyton Orient mascot must be a strong candidate for mascot of the month.

Not only did he take the piss out of the Blades keeper who was making a meal out of a robust challenge (picture 1) but have a look at his enthusiasm in the second picture when he bursts into a sprint to try and get into the after-match fracas between the players.

What a guy, or to be correct what a wyvern (a legendary winged reptilian creature with a dragon's head, two legs (sometimes none), and a barbed tail).

Leyton Orient 1 Sheffield United 1

A surprisingly relaxed afternoon in Leyton. Come on you O's - you can avoid relegation.

What a difference a day makes

What a difference a day makes
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain

My yesterday was blue, dear
Today I'm a part of you, dear
My lonely nights are through, dear
Since you said you were mine

Highlights of the trip

The presentation of the Tayto to Brusselsblue by two of the three from Ireland;

Gerry thinking he was Chay Blyth;

Meeting the Orient boys – real fans – and seeing Lis score the equaliser in the 96th minute;

The atmosphere at Loftus Road;

The results from Blackburn and Peterborough;

SSD’s table at Fulham (Villa here we come);

The rewarding of loyalty for Brian – stayed and got two late Everton goals;

Watching the Celtic Tiger roar in the hotel lobby as Mr. EU tackled the issues of heat, wifi and early check-in;

Watching the Celtic Tiger cower as the Mr. EU traipsed back to the hotel to retrieve his ipad;

Nice food, good company and the unfamiliar taste of lots of beer.

When logic flies out the window

23rd October 2011.

In Gerry's mind:

A restaurant in South Kensington, London - Ted Heath (Yiddo) meets Chay Blyth (Chelski).

17 April 1971 Ray Tinkler's day of glory

Leeds had thrown away their chance of the 1969-70 title: attacking on three fronts, Don Revie prioritised the European Cup and FA Cup over a trophy they'd already won, sending the kids out against Derby in the league and effectively handing the championship to Everton. But having subsequently come a cropper on all three, they wouldn't be making the same mistake twice, and the following season went hell for leather in the league.

Leeds were favourites going into their last four games. They enjoyed a two-point advantage over their only rivals Arsenal, who had two games in hand but still faced a visit to Elland Road. It was looking promising for them down the home stretch. Then the referee Ray Tinkler made his infamous decision to wave the West Brom striker Tony Brown on, with Colin Suggett miles offside but not interfering with play, allowing Jeff Astle to tap in. "Leeds will go mad, and they've every right to go mad," freestyled the legendary Barry Davies, as Revie skittered around the pitch in a hot funk while waving a travelling blanket, an assorted rabble of Elland Road regulars following his lead.

"Mr Tinkler made a mistake and Leeds have every reason to feel annoyed," chorused Eric Todd of this newspaper, "but there was no excuse for the disgraceful scenes that followed. Broken windows will not mend broken hearts. The referee's decision, like that of the editor, is final." Leeds won their remaining three games, a run including victory over Arsenal, but the Gunners held their nerve and took the title by a point. Leeds fans to this day harbour a grudge against Tinkler, and indeed his decision turned the title race on its head. But it's worth remembering that Leeds wouldn't have been so desperate had they not stuttered slightly over Easter, with draws against Newcastle and Huddersfield; that they were already a goal down in the West Brom game after a calamitous error by Jack Charlton; and that Bertie Mee's Arsenal were the real deal, a 19-year-old Ray Kennedy the star of their run-in.

Taken from the Guardian.

Justice for the 96

Good news with the unopposed passing of a motion in the House of Commons last night to release cabinet papers relating to the Hillsborough disaster. It will be interesting to learn how complicit Margaret Thatcher and her henchmen were in the cover-up of the ineffectual policing and sinister behaviours which lead to the deaths of the 96 on that eventful day.

Kenny Daglish via Twitter:

Congratulations and thanks to Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham for bringing so much hope to many people who have suffered too long. Steve and Andy have only one objective. Justice for the families. No political side. Only humanitarian issues. Thank you to everyone, whatever team you support, for helping the families move closer to getting justice.

There's a new generation

All across the nation such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a whole generation with a new explanation
People in motion people in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

Mystery location - where is this?

Answers on a postcard please. Clue - a man with a green face, running.

Well done to Chelski who identified Aghadoe House in Killarney, the An Oige youth hostel which welcomed Olympic champion Art Webcars home just before closing on a balmy summer's evening in 1974.