Having seen that our first arranged summer friendly is against Villa I presumed that that was Aston Villa.....that would be a good attraction. Looking at the article again I was deflated to see that it was Elburton Villa away on Tues 9th July......oh well never mind.
Four games now arranged. Eburton Villa.....Tues 9th July. Tiverton Town.....Sat 13th July. Bideford.....Mon 22nd July. Clevedon Town.....Tues 30th July. I hope Sheridan is trying to line up some league opposition for Home Park.
The only league opposition w ewill get is when the season kicks off by the looks of it.. We have no money for trips.. got to stay local? why cant we attract a premier side?
Some would say, that our proposed new Grandstand isn't big enough to draw premier clubs so far west.......remember we're only one stop before America.
I expect there will be a couple of league sides in there by the final arrangements. I don't think our lot will be jetting off to Austria or anywhere else anytime soon. To be honest I don't really do the pre season stuff. I might make an exception for Barcelona away though. Went there early on this year for a day and have to say it looks a really nice place to spend a long weekend. Only saw a fraction in the time we had.
Did you goto the nou camp sensible? It is worth seeing and the tour of the stadium... I have been and its a great place to visit. we went when we cycling around europe. Some nice Tapas bars also.. Well we have no money to go on tour as we need to keep it to try and get some players? still a bit quiet but soon players and agents will be back from breaks and hope fully we will see some action.. i think we will get some in! Hope your enjoying the weather? I am off now until the beginning of July, not off abroad as no need with the weather here... Off to the English Rivera!!
Being ex RN I have been halfway round the world and tell you what joe, It's as good here as anywhere. Half the population haven't see much of what is on offer in their own country. Kids don't care which country the sand is in so Paignton is as good as a Costa anyday to them. Cheaper ice cream as well. Hope you have a good time and give your little one a cuddle from me.
More pre-season games announced.....it seems some of those previously announced were Development Squad games. This is the latest list of arranged games. First Team. Elburton Villa.....Tues 9th July.....away. Tiverton Town.....Sat 13th July.....away. Bath.....Tues 16th July.....away. Then two home games against unknown teams on.....Sun 21st July & Sat 27th July. Development Squad matches, all away. Torpoint Athletic.....Wed 10th July. Callington Town.....Mon 15th July. Truro City.....Wed 17th July. Saltash United.....Sat 20th July. Bideford.....Mon 22nd July. Tavistock.....Fri 26th July. Clevedon.....Tues 30th July. Interestingly Truro is seen only as a Development Squad game.....as they fall down the league pecking order.
Totally agree Sensible, i was in the RFA Merchant navy for a few years and seen the world.. but Her in Devon and cornwall we have beaches and places that are equally as good. Yes we have a place near Goodrington, so its nice to go to at weekends or when possible rain or shine. It gets the young one away so he is not just sat in, it helps his progress also.. another nice day ahead,, long may it continue?
Did you ever come across anyone with the name Pettyjohns Joe? He spent years in RFA's and packed in about a year ago medically. First name Harry. If you were a bit of a "P" head then you would have to know him.
Never came across him, there were lots of piss heads in there? i was not one of them to be honest i was only young right out of sea school at Gravesend?? i was not in there to long.. But it was great, seen the world and got paid for it, just like you did.. Things have changed so much now. I have a few friends still in but they dont like it now and can't get a job ashore so they put up with all the bull **** ect.
It's a fairly small service so thought you might have. He went to a training place when he was 15 and joined his first ship the year I got married in 1969. He did a load of shipping lines and always swore he would never do RFAs. But, as lines closed down he didn't have much choice in the end and then would never leave them. Given he left last year that was 43 years at sea. I think he went around the world more times than the sun. He was such a nice young lad but as hard as nails. Until he learned to drink that is. If you know the name Prettyjohns from Plymouth (aka nightclub doors) then it is the same family but the Dartmouth arm. I had 6 brothers in law and 4 went to sea following in their old mans footsteps. They were all the same as him but not normally so drunk. The smallest was 6ft 1inch and my Mrs could shut them all up with a look whether they were drunk or sober. She's 5ft 6 and eight and half stone when soaking wet.
Yes the RFA was all that was left for the merchant seaman of Plymouth. I have heard or the Prettyjohns, but not that one.. There were a lot of drunks on there as they never had nothing else to do. it was a completely different life style than the royal navy. I went a few big Deployments to the far east and the royal navy could not believe it when they use to come on board in port for a drink or two.. they use to leave hammered. but that was life in the merch and on board. I never got in the habit of that. i hada few but would keep busy either working or keeping fit to pass the time at sea, but when you are on an exercise it is not boring and always war games ect.. keeping the fleet fuelled up as i was a on a few tankers and stores ships.. i only came out as i had an accident in a car crash when i was on leave.. so could not return.. but enjoyed the short time i had at sea .. I THINK ITS ALL BEEN CUT BACK NOW AND TO MUCH OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY WITH THE BULL ****.
Health and Safety rules everything nowadays joe. I know what you mean drink wise and I've never been one to have a lot although on occasions the hallow slipped. As a baby sailor I spent 12 months in Bahrain where there was nothing to do at all apart from drink or play sport. I was just about 17 when I went there. The NAAFI sold spirits at 5 old pence a double and the state some got in was beyond drunk. You can guess which one I did and when I came home from there I was as fit as a flea. Playing football in the middle of the afternoon in temps of 140. If the pros do it anywhere near 100 they all start complaining. Best they don't do Qatar worldcup in June.
Yep H & S as gone crazy.. what a cost to business. Yep the drink did not bother me to much, I can,t remember the cost of the drinks but i know it was cheaper to have double spirit than a pint.. the beer was strong also i think it was called CSB?? yep the temperatures were warm and if you had a few it made it worse... I don't think we will qualify for the world cup this time around .. it will also be very hot in Qatar.. i suppose if they were playing this wek the excuse would be the weather...
I can remember the strength of the beer down the Lido at RAF Steamer Point in Aden......two pints was enough. We used to play football even in the hot season (av 100F) twenty minutes each way and also 25 over cricket as well.We used to give the boxing a miss with 45 Marine Commando based in Aden.We also used to avoid the Lido for a drink when Aircraft carrier HMS Centaur was passing through with 42 Marine Commando on board.Regular dust ups when 45 & 42 got together......funny you could never find any military police around at times like that......left it to their own shore patrols to sort out.
