Some Good Friday football, but after 2 gigs until late last night, its a sluggish start to the day. Meeting friends that are Leyton Orient fans, and friends that are Cheltenham Town fans here, so I have a tough choice of which end to go into. Its actually not a tough choice, because the away end will clearly be full of more vocal and hardcore people, having travelled from their farms for the game.
£16 for a 4th Division football match is not especially amusing, nor is having to queue at a very small ticket office, instead of just being able to pay cash on the turnstile. Being Good Friday, it seems like a bumper crowd, especially in the away end. I later find out that the "bumper" crowd is in fact under 3,500. So, not very bumper at all then.
Cheltenham race into an early lead in this one, and despite their best efforts to let Orient back into the game, they do eventually manage to hold onto a 3-2 win. So, the away end was the place to be after all, a surprisingly happy place at that.
After the game, some friends blagged me into the "Players Lounge", where I encountered the phenomenon of the "footballer's wife"!! Lower league footballers here, but nonetheless, their birds were classic Footballers Wives material - lots of orange makeup, chavvy designer clothes, and positively beaming with pride that they have snared a professional footballer. I guess they get prettier in general as the footballers get better - so a full 4th division footballer's wives experience for me!!
25 March 2005
24 March 2005
Tom Vek, Electric Soft Parade - Koko, London - Thursday 24th March 2005
So, after fleeing the horror of the schoolkids at the Razorlight gig, we got a cab to Camden, for the Club NME night at Koko. The promise of some live bands, and a less juvenile audience, was enough to hook us into the second gig of the night.
Soon after we arrived, Electric Soft Parade came on stage. One of those weird bands, that made a truly fantastic first album in 2002, promptly disappeared from trace, then returned with a followup that was not a patch on the debut. Now, 3 years later, they seemed to have fallen a fair way from their former status as one of the most exciting young British bands.
Their set was a mix of debut album (good), and followup album (not so good). The band sadly seemed to be aware of their plight, introducing all of the older songs with enthusiasm, as if they were the last link with the band as a musical force. One was even introduced with the words "this is the sound of 2002". Very sad to see a band that seem to have burned themselves out - they were on the verge of greatness, but they just didn't seem to be able to build on their early success. Still, a good set all in all, and I'll always enjoy seeing that debut album played live.
ESP were followed by headliner Tom Vek. Much touted for 2005, I had downloaded one of his songs, listened to it, and hated it. But, I was still keen to give him a chance to impress me with a live show. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, I thought the live show was better, but still plodded along without much excitement at all. Many of the songs were just average, and I really couldn't see what prompted people to write great things about Tom Vek. Still, at least the audience was Ok at this gig!!
Soon after we arrived, Electric Soft Parade came on stage. One of those weird bands, that made a truly fantastic first album in 2002, promptly disappeared from trace, then returned with a followup that was not a patch on the debut. Now, 3 years later, they seemed to have fallen a fair way from their former status as one of the most exciting young British bands.
Their set was a mix of debut album (good), and followup album (not so good). The band sadly seemed to be aware of their plight, introducing all of the older songs with enthusiasm, as if they were the last link with the band as a musical force. One was even introduced with the words "this is the sound of 2002". Very sad to see a band that seem to have burned themselves out - they were on the verge of greatness, but they just didn't seem to be able to build on their early success. Still, a good set all in all, and I'll always enjoy seeing that debut album played live.
ESP were followed by headliner Tom Vek. Much touted for 2005, I had downloaded one of his songs, listened to it, and hated it. But, I was still keen to give him a chance to impress me with a live show. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, I thought the live show was better, but still plodded along without much excitement at all. Many of the songs were just average, and I really couldn't see what prompted people to write great things about Tom Vek. Still, at least the audience was Ok at this gig!!
Razorlight, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Alexandra Palace, London - Thursday 24th March 2005
With some trepidation, we went to Alexandra Palace to see Razorlight. I'd heard that they are a great live band, but had never seen them before. However, Ally Pally is not exactly the best place to see a band for the first time, such is the difficulty in getting up there, the lack of atmosphere, and the fact that every Tom, Dick and Harry would be there.
On arriving at the venue, we had a spare ticket to shift - in common with many gigs at Ally Pally, touts has fistfuls of tickets that they couldn't sell, so weren't looking to buy any at all. We went into the venue, and caught Jon Spencer coming on stage. He had his Blues Explosion with him, but they weren't specifically listed on the bill - something of a comedown.
Jon Spencer played a short set, but that meant it was crammed with the highlights of their material, a good set indeed. The band did struggle to fill the cavernous venue, and I felt that they weren't too interesting to the majority of the audience, but I thought they were great.
Ah, the audience. Average age about 15, and the gig was described by Noel Gallagher the following week as being "like a fookin' Youth Club". There were hundreds of teenagers there, probably the fact that it was the day before Good Friday helped that.
On stage after Jon Spencer, there was a big clock counting down to Razorlight's entrance. We waited, and about 5 minutes before the clock expired, a clown came onto the stage. Yes, a man dressed as a clown. At a rock concert. It was a complete joke, and the bloke proceeded to try to "whip the crowd up" into a pre-Razorlight frenzy. As if the band couldn't do that themselves. Eventually, they came on to more screaming than I've ever heard at a "serious" gig.
Razorlight's first few songs were good, and they sounded excellent - but the screaming and fainting all around us was too much to bear!! It seriously was like a school trip, and the first time at a gig for lots of over-excitable girls. I retired to the bar, and re-emerged into the main hall a few songs later. The place was still no better, so we left about half way through Razorlight's set, in search of something a little less like Nickelodeon.
The band sounded great, but everything else about the gig was awful!!
On arriving at the venue, we had a spare ticket to shift - in common with many gigs at Ally Pally, touts has fistfuls of tickets that they couldn't sell, so weren't looking to buy any at all. We went into the venue, and caught Jon Spencer coming on stage. He had his Blues Explosion with him, but they weren't specifically listed on the bill - something of a comedown.
Jon Spencer played a short set, but that meant it was crammed with the highlights of their material, a good set indeed. The band did struggle to fill the cavernous venue, and I felt that they weren't too interesting to the majority of the audience, but I thought they were great.
Ah, the audience. Average age about 15, and the gig was described by Noel Gallagher the following week as being "like a fookin' Youth Club". There were hundreds of teenagers there, probably the fact that it was the day before Good Friday helped that.
On stage after Jon Spencer, there was a big clock counting down to Razorlight's entrance. We waited, and about 5 minutes before the clock expired, a clown came onto the stage. Yes, a man dressed as a clown. At a rock concert. It was a complete joke, and the bloke proceeded to try to "whip the crowd up" into a pre-Razorlight frenzy. As if the band couldn't do that themselves. Eventually, they came on to more screaming than I've ever heard at a "serious" gig.
Razorlight's first few songs were good, and they sounded excellent - but the screaming and fainting all around us was too much to bear!! It seriously was like a school trip, and the first time at a gig for lots of over-excitable girls. I retired to the bar, and re-emerged into the main hall a few songs later. The place was still no better, so we left about half way through Razorlight's set, in search of something a little less like Nickelodeon.
The band sounded great, but everything else about the gig was awful!!
19 March 2005
Blackburn Rovers vs Arsenal - Ewood Park, Blackburn - Saturday 19th March 2005
So thanks a million to Sky television for this one, a 12:45 kick off in Blackburn! A week after the BBC sent us to Bolton for a 12:30 kick off (not me, I didn't go), TV again sends us back to the deep north for a game at a ridiculous hour of the day. Given the guarantee of a 4 hour journey from London, to be sure of making kick off after travelling our notoriously unpredictable roads, you really have to leave at 6am. So I did just that.
Unsurprising then that the Arsenal section wasn't even remotely full, for a game that kicked off at a silly time, was on TV, and was hundreds of miles away to boot. Perhaps when TV companies wonder why there are empty seats at grounds, and why the matchday atmosphere is not as electric as it used to be, they (and their habit of messing around with kick off times) will accept at least part of the blame. And, if football ever fully becomes a boring, lifeless sport, that is no longer worth televising, perhaps the kick off times will return to normal, and it will all start to get better again.
Anyway, early arrival at Blackburn, and a trip to the massive pub near the away end, that the locals very kindly turn over to away fans. Watching Soccer AM in the pub before an away game (when usually I stumble out of bed and watch it in my dressing gown) really does prove that you've got up early. With the odd alcoholic drink for the brave amongst us, it was a community-spirited pre-match atmosphere, for the dedicated only.
Blackburn is a strange town, a 25,000 capacity at the football stadium, but only about 50,000 people living in the town itself. It often feels like the whole town stops when there is a match on - which for a good proportion of the population, it does.
A fantastic goal by Robin Van Persie decided this one - a 1-0 win for Arsenal. Van Persie picked up a pass, rounded the keeper, and coolly tucked the ball into the empty net, just before half time. The 3 points made the trip a worthwhile one, and there was always Sunday to claim the lie in that Sky denied us on the Saturday.
Unsurprising then that the Arsenal section wasn't even remotely full, for a game that kicked off at a silly time, was on TV, and was hundreds of miles away to boot. Perhaps when TV companies wonder why there are empty seats at grounds, and why the matchday atmosphere is not as electric as it used to be, they (and their habit of messing around with kick off times) will accept at least part of the blame. And, if football ever fully becomes a boring, lifeless sport, that is no longer worth televising, perhaps the kick off times will return to normal, and it will all start to get better again.
Anyway, early arrival at Blackburn, and a trip to the massive pub near the away end, that the locals very kindly turn over to away fans. Watching Soccer AM in the pub before an away game (when usually I stumble out of bed and watch it in my dressing gown) really does prove that you've got up early. With the odd alcoholic drink for the brave amongst us, it was a community-spirited pre-match atmosphere, for the dedicated only.
Blackburn is a strange town, a 25,000 capacity at the football stadium, but only about 50,000 people living in the town itself. It often feels like the whole town stops when there is a match on - which for a good proportion of the population, it does.
A fantastic goal by Robin Van Persie decided this one - a 1-0 win for Arsenal. Van Persie picked up a pass, rounded the keeper, and coolly tucked the ball into the empty net, just before half time. The 3 points made the trip a worthwhile one, and there was always Sunday to claim the lie in that Sky denied us on the Saturday.
09 March 2005
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich - Highbury, London - Wednesday 9th March 2005
After a 3-1 defeat in the away leg, in one of the most lethargic, and, well, awful, Arsenal displays of recent years, I was surprisingly optimistic about this one. A 2-0 win would do nicely, so if we could keep it tight, score early in the second half, then get the all-important second late on, I could easily see how we could get through. Also, for some reason I have never really rated Bayern Munich, I just don't see what's so good about them.
Amazingly, my confidence seemed to be shared by many other Arsenal fans too. Lots of people seemed to be saying the same, right down to the late second goal to seal the tie.
It nearly worked, too. After a goalless first half, I felt even more optimistic - Arsenal had some good half chances, and it looked like they would be able to keep turning the screw and make it count in the second half. Obviously, going without conceding also did us no harm at all.
When Thierry Henry scored on 66 minutes (his fourth goal in 5 days), even more optimism - the Bayern players seemed to be completely unaware of our evil masterplan, which was coming true down to every last detail!! More attacking play from Arsenal for the remaining 24 minutes, but that late winner never did come, we just couldn't make the pressure count.
We seemed to retreat into our shells a bit for the last 10 minutes, mindful of not conceding a goal, which annoyed me. 1-0 was no good to us in any case, so 1-1 was no disadvantage - we may as well have gone all out for the 2-0 win, and may have got it too. I think if the game had lasted another 10 minutes, the second goal would have come, but we just ran out of time in the face of a well-organised Bayern team. Amazing really how close we eventually came to going through, after such an abysmal first leg performance.
Amazingly, my confidence seemed to be shared by many other Arsenal fans too. Lots of people seemed to be saying the same, right down to the late second goal to seal the tie.
It nearly worked, too. After a goalless first half, I felt even more optimistic - Arsenal had some good half chances, and it looked like they would be able to keep turning the screw and make it count in the second half. Obviously, going without conceding also did us no harm at all.
When Thierry Henry scored on 66 minutes (his fourth goal in 5 days), even more optimism - the Bayern players seemed to be completely unaware of our evil masterplan, which was coming true down to every last detail!! More attacking play from Arsenal for the remaining 24 minutes, but that late winner never did come, we just couldn't make the pressure count.
We seemed to retreat into our shells a bit for the last 10 minutes, mindful of not conceding a goal, which annoyed me. 1-0 was no good to us in any case, so 1-1 was no disadvantage - we may as well have gone all out for the 2-0 win, and may have got it too. I think if the game had lasted another 10 minutes, the second goal would have come, but we just ran out of time in the face of a well-organised Bayern team. Amazing really how close we eventually came to going through, after such an abysmal first leg performance.
05 March 2005
Arsenal vs Portsmouth - Highbury, London - Saturday 5th March 2005
Another "ordinary" Premiership team, at home, in one of those games that Thierry Henry loves so very much. The chance to steamroller an average side in the (weak) sunshine at Highbury is too much for Thierry to pass up, and so it proved today. Still without a number of first team players through injury, suspension, and maybe some rests ahead of our European game, it was the 1-man Thierry Henry show.
Criticism that Henry doesn't produce the goods in big games are not entirely justified, but they probably happen because of his extra noticeable presence and contribution in "small" games like this, against run of the mill Premiership opposition. Because of his extravagance against these sides, his performances against the very biggest always look comparatively worse, but then I can't think of many players that can steamroller lesser teams quite like he can. Its a sign of great performance in lesser games, rather than any "going missing" in the big ones. A flat-track bully maybe, but there aren't many as effective elsewhere.
Anyway, a Thierry Henry hat-trick at Highbury, was the story of the day. Pompey beaten 3-0, and only one contender for man of the match. Aside from the 3 goals, he caused trouble all afternoon. Portsmouth must hate him.
Criticism that Henry doesn't produce the goods in big games are not entirely justified, but they probably happen because of his extra noticeable presence and contribution in "small" games like this, against run of the mill Premiership opposition. Because of his extravagance against these sides, his performances against the very biggest always look comparatively worse, but then I can't think of many players that can steamroller lesser teams quite like he can. Its a sign of great performance in lesser games, rather than any "going missing" in the big ones. A flat-track bully maybe, but there aren't many as effective elsewhere.
Anyway, a Thierry Henry hat-trick at Highbury, was the story of the day. Pompey beaten 3-0, and only one contender for man of the match. Aside from the 3 goals, he caused trouble all afternoon. Portsmouth must hate him.
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