tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24260597391937204012026-03-06T08:29:22.227+00:00The FA Vase ~ Season 2008-09Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-34463306718724960642009-05-16T14:51:00.011+01:002009-05-16T15:10:35.786+01:00

My FA Vase campaign started at a rain–soaked Oakwood in Sussex back in September against a strong Chertsey Town side. As you may recall, Chertsey stormed into a 3-0 lead after only 5 minutes, only to be pegged back to 3-3, with the game ultimately, and controversially, abandoned at the full-time whistle. That game set the tone for the run, as I was treated to games of high drama, great

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-46207889406230564602009-05-12T19:00:00.021+01:002009-05-12T21:18:06.468+01:00

The FA Carlsberg Vase Final ~ Sunday 10th May 2009Venue: Wembley StadiumAttendance: 12212Distance travelled: 58 milesI fully expected that anti-climactic, end of journey feeling after the FA Vase Final, but it still hit me between the eyes like a bullet. A culmination of a little less than 1780 miles covered, and 12 games watched, it really does feel like the morning after. Glossop North End

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-74439266434120579882009-05-08T11:00:00.004+01:002009-05-08T13:46:57.022+01:00

There are few sports that impassions as much as football. From players to fans, managers to commentators, the game hauls you kicking and screaming, blubbing and weeping through the emotional mangle. The game tugs at every sense in the same way as compelling film, dramatic theatre or a gripping read. It matters not where you are; on the terrace, in the dugout, on the pitch, in the front room or in

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-12813771745787319932009-04-30T20:00:00.002+01:002009-04-30T20:30:44.151+01:00

This year’s FA Cup Final will be contested by a couple of familiar names on Saturday 30th May. Chelsea and Everton will follow the example of Glossop North End and Whitley Bay and colour the stadium in swathes of blue and white. Both the Premiership clubs have already graced the Wembley turf when they played their FA Cup Semi-Final ties there a couple of weeks ago.The condition of the Wembley

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-35960574031867400092009-04-24T10:05:00.013+01:002013-10-26T10:25:19.528+01:00

I’ve recently finished the excellent book by Jim White, “You’ll Win Nothing With Kids” a must-read for any parent who has a son or daughter playing junior football. I was given the book as a present and by total coincidence started to read it just as my own son signed up for Chertsey Town Under 9s. The timing could not have been any more apt.The book is an enthralling, touching and a quite

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-49323997689510972702009-04-16T11:48:00.011+01:002009-04-16T12:25:47.418+01:00

One year ago I wrote about the build up to the FA Cup Semi-Final between Cardiff City and Barnsley. In a slight ‘tongue-in-cheek’ blog post I listed the Wembley merchandise that fans were clambering to get their hands on: the flags, foam hands, car stickers, scarves, replica shirts and the t-shirts.A year on and it would be easy to write exactly the same article, with a few alterations in the

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-65468451574836348612009-04-05T17:00:00.014+01:002009-04-06T19:53:30.849+01:00

Semi-Final, 2nd Leg ~ Saturday 4th April 2009Venue: Surrey Street, Glossop, DerbyshireAttendance: 1582Distance travelled: 404 milesBrian Clough famously said "it only takes a second to score a goal". In a split second a game of football can turn dramatically. Yesterday, at Surrey Street, in the very last second of extra-time in the 2nd Leg of an FA Vase Semi-Final, Glossop's Kelvin Lugsden scored

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-56220472158073015302009-04-02T13:00:00.001+01:002009-04-02T13:25:40.587+01:00

There is a small matter of unfinished business to be settled in a couple of days time:The equation is straightforward. Glossop North End v Chalfont St Peter on Saturday at Surrey Street. A tie that is precariously balanced at 3-3 after the 1st Leg. Whoever wins will walk out at Wembley on Sunday 10th May 2009 to contest the FA Vase Final.Not much at stake then. Need I say more?

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-13360984241164152592009-03-29T16:00:00.006+01:002009-03-29T16:20:08.094+01:00

Semi-Final, 1st Leg ~ Saturday 28th March 2009Venue: Mill Meadow, Chalfont St Peter, BuckinghamshireAttendance: 1,185Distance travelled: 48 milesListening to the radio on Saturday morning it was hard to believe that there were Semi-Finals of a national football competition taking place. The football planet inhabited by the big boys continued to spin like a dervish on its axis as the airwaves were

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-50959299905275867742009-03-27T11:30:00.004+00:002009-03-27T11:45:23.450+00:00

At last, the day of the Semi-Finals is almost here. That First Qualifying Round game at Oakwood last September is but a distant memory. 6 months, 9 games and 1268 miles later, I am off to Chalfont St Peter tomorrow with my good friends PB and Mackem. 280 miles north, Whitley Bay will be hosting Lowestoft Town in the other Semi. At opposite ends of the country, fans from four non League clubs will

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-46792773468267510412009-03-20T14:33:00.015+00:002009-04-17T14:01:22.584+01:00

For the first time in 14 years, Chertsey Town reached a Cup Final, only to be thrown out of the competition a matter of days later. Last Saturday, the Surrey club won 1-0 at Worcester Park in the EL Records Premier Challenge Cup Semi-Final, the knockout competition for Combined Counties League clubs. But it was later discovered that they had fielded an ineligible player.I had spoken to a number

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-26562971304853014092009-03-15T13:47:00.009+00:002009-03-15T15:17:04.976+00:00

A smidgen less than weeks to go to the Semi-Final 1st Leg at Chalfont St Peter, and plans for both legs are well under way. The big topic of conversation since the draw for the Semis is whether entry to either games, or both, will be by ticket only. It seems strange, after feeling conspicuous in gatherings of under 100 in this season's FA Vase, that this subject is even up for discussion. But

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-2959309333792447662009-03-08T09:46:00.011+00:002009-03-08T10:21:27.235+00:00

A week on from the fantastic game at Glossop, and I've now had time to calm down a little and take a few things on board. It has been a very busy week for me, mainly at work but also at home. I was so shattered yesterday evening – both mentally and physically – that by the time I had got my son to bed, and my wife was out partying with friends, I was ready for bed myself. 9pm on a Saturday

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-27343323256666195502009-03-02T20:30:00.002+00:002009-03-02T20:54:26.467+00:00

Waiting for the Semi-Final draw to be made today, I couldn't help wondering whether there would be another 'balls-up' (no pun intended) from the FA and how anything could possibly go wrong with only five teams left in the competition. Mistakes are so frequent on their website they are now to be expected. It must be highly embarrassing for the FA, but no longer newsworthy. But today they excelled

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-26454191708593173982009-03-01T20:30:00.006+00:002009-03-01T21:17:06.073+00:00

Sixth Round Proper ~ Saturday 28th February 2009Venue: Surrey Street, Glossop, DerbyshireAttendance: 1,120Distance travelled: 404 milesThere are some games that will stay with you for a very long time; as age takes its toll and memories fade, hours and hours of football will be archived to the dark recesses never to see the light of day again. But occasionally, one game comes along that is

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-4778944848148422102009-02-27T11:30:00.006+00:002009-02-27T11:49:22.044+00:00

There is a rather peculiar, and extremely unbelievable, story doing the rounds this morning. I heard it on the radio at breakfast, and it is about a mobile phone that was found in the belly of a 25lb cod. A chap from Worthing, Sussex, lost his phone whilst walking his dog on the beach and it turned up a few weeks later, still in working order, inside a fish which had been caught by a local

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-86354729575608780172009-02-22T16:11:00.012+00:002009-02-23T18:47:50.149+00:00

The Fifth Round of this season's FA Vase was finally completed today when Marske United won 3-0 against St. Ives Town at Cambridge City's ground, with goals from Wilson, Thompson and Swailes (whilst the FA website incorrectly reports that Diamond, Newton and 'Swales' scored...good grief...)Next Saturday's Quarter-Final line up is now complete:Whitley Bay v Biggleswade TownLowestoft Town v

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-4789087581134255752009-02-21T11:26:00.010+00:002009-02-22T16:38:19.468+00:00

Glossop's Quarter-Final match on Saturday 28th February is in danger of being postponed, and there is little Glossop can do about it.Chances are that the pitch at Surrey Street will be fine; Glossop are ready and waiting. The trouble is, they have no opponents yet. There is still one Fifth Round tie to be played; St. Ives Town v Marske United have tried hard to play their tie, but it has now been

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-48502082691612607632009-02-15T09:21:00.027+00:002009-02-21T09:39:48.774+00:00

Fifth Round Proper ~ Saturday 14th February 2009Venue: The Recreation Ground, Bitton, GloucestershireAttendance: 443Distance travelled: 218 milesSt. Valentine's Day. Red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, fluffy bears. If you expect any of that here, you've come to the wrong place. This wasn't a game for the faint-hearted romantic. This was a tough, gritty, hard fought battle won by the visiting

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-30555734430368384192009-02-09T20:00:00.001+00:002009-02-15T10:48:51.836+00:00

Only one Fifth Round tie survived the weather on Saturday; seven ties including the game at Bitton succumbed, leaving Bideford AFC and Spennymoor Town to fight it out for the honour of being the first team through to this season's FA Vase Quarter-Finals. Considering how badly Devon had been affected by the snow, it was somewhat of a surprise that the Bideford game went ahead. A splendid effort

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-55100325168482033142009-02-06T09:20:00.003+00:002009-02-06T14:29:09.938+00:00

I have spent a disproportionate amount of my time this week checking what the weather is doing in the Bristol area. So much so that I got a message on the Met Office website this morning asking if I wanted to set 'Bristol' as my home page. I now know Bitton AFC's postcode off by heart. Ahead of the Bitton AFC v Glossop NE tie tomorrow, there has only really been one topic for debate in South

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-16533615497255789822009-01-30T12:30:00.004+00:002009-01-30T13:23:43.878+00:00

Last Saturday Bitton AFC beat Radstock Town 3-0 in a League game, all the goals scored in the second half. In the crowd was the Glossop North End manager Steve Young. His side's game that day against St Helens Town had fallen victim to the High Peaks inclement weather, and he took the opportunity to cast an eye over his FA Vase opposition. I was mildly surprised to hear what he had to say

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-86733161299996239622009-01-23T11:00:00.010+00:002009-01-23T13:20:47.481+00:00

I saw a good film this week, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ the acclaimed flick from director Danny Boyle. It is set in Mumbai and is the story of how an 18 year old orphan from the slums is only one question away from winning the top prize on the Indian version of ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’. It really is a great watch, and the main thrust of the story is all about fate. Or Destiny. Or to use a line

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-82506158472527185622009-01-18T18:00:00.007+00:002009-02-21T09:42:43.772+00:00

Fourth Round Proper ~ Saturday 17th January 2009Venue: The Recreation Ground, Bitton, GloucestershireAttendance: 230Distance travelled: 218 milesI doubt if there are many match reports you will read that include the words “beetroot”, “purple” and “wee” in the first sentence, but did you know that if you eat lots of beetroot it turns your wee purple? This was one of several bizarre topics of

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426059739193720401.post-51991169022645246602009-01-16T12:00:00.005+00:002009-01-16T12:39:01.662+00:00

I was born in Glossop, Derbyshire. Many people think that I come from Yorkshire or my accent defines me as a Lancastrian or a Mancunian, even friends who have known me for years. Glossop is a small market town, tucked away on the edge of the High Peak in the Derbyshire Dales. With a history defined by the woollen and cotton industries, there remains evidence of its past; as you drive down off the

Ollershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649846573589674659noreply@blogger.com3