Friday 20 May 2022

aston villa 1 v 1 crystal palace

 
 
 
 
We celebrate the fortieth anniversary of hoisting high the European Cup. It's great to see so many members of the winning team parade the trophy round Villa Park.

A time for great joy, yet also a time for great challenge. Can Villa ever rise to these giddy heights again?
 
 
 
 
 







 



 
 




















 

Tuesday 17 May 2022

buried treasure

 


drained and empty
buried in the garden
lost from sight and mind
waiting
waiting for years
 
dug up and brought to the light
turned round and round
in our hands
a memory of time gone
slowly dissolving
before our eyes
 
 



 

Wednesday 4 May 2022

aston villa 2 v 0 norwich city

 


I love everything Norwich City F.C. stand for. They have fantastic owners who care deeply about the club. Not as an investment or a brand, but as true supporters. Their home ground is great and their fans amazing. Despite the ups and downs of their team they continue to follow them throughout the years.
 
All this stands in sharp contrast to the rest of the Premiership where money  rules.
 
So whilst it's pleasing to watch the Villa return to winning ways courtesy of goals from Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings it's sad to see Norwich consigned to yet another relegation. I hope they're back soon. The Premiership needs clubs like Norwich to remind us what football is about.
 


 





 
 

















Monday 2 May 2022

fear and loathing in the vaults

 
 


Lunchtimes with Terry invariably involve a descent into the gloomy depths of The Post Office Vaults. You wouldn't know it was a pub from the outside. Just an anonymous door in a busy street of shops at the centre of Birmingham. But down its stairs lies a vast collection of bottled beers, some of which boast eye-watering alcoholic strength.
 
This lunchtime I have with me a newly-purchased copy of , 'A Life in Ink', a fantastic book packed full of illustrations by the legendary Ralph Steadman.  I first came across Ralph's work when reading Dr. Hunter S. Thompson's gonzo novel, 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'.
 
The new book proves a perfect aperitif for the Belgian beer that follows!