The Nevill Ground, in quaint Royal Tunbridge Wells, is said to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in England. Not having been to all the others, I would agree that it is a lovely little ground. Kent play here for a week every season, usually (if they can) against a rival team like Sussex or Surrey, which often makes it a really good week of cricket.
On the final day of this 4-day match, Kent needed around 400 to win, with all their second innings wickets still intact. I went along with a bag of beers, expecting that there would be a mini run chase at some point in the day. But, going for the title, Kent were being cautious. Unfortunately, they dug in, tried not to lose all their wickets, and didn't care if they weren't scoring runs. A shame really, because the total was gettable. By tea, there had been only about 200 runs in the day, and only 1 wicket or so. Very boring.
The game livened up a bit in the final session, with a few more runs and a handful of wickets, but it was all too late by then as the match petered out into a stalemate. So, there was nothing for it but to go to the pub. It had been cloudy all day, with no rain but no sun either - amazingly, by 10pm in the pub, my face was feeling very burnt, and the day after it turned red. So, the match ended with sunburn and a hangover after all.
26 May 2005
Oasis, The Subways - Hammersmith Apollo, London - Thursday 26th May 2005
This was part of a series of 4 unusually small gigs for Oasis, taking in London's Astoria, Coronet, Clapham Grand, and the Apollo in Hammersmith; venues with a total capacity of less than 15,000 combined. So, a privilege to see a stadium band in a club venue.
The Subways supported on this date, and seemed to be genuinely overwhelmed at the opportunity, continually thanking and paying tribute to Oasis, and the inspiration they provided. It seemed like a dream come true, and the Subways raised their game to sound excellent. The audience did not really take much notice of them at all, which was a shame as they played well enough to deserve the attention. But then, that is Oasis crowds for you - the support bands are uninteresting to many people, for the simple and stupid reason thay they're not Oasis.
I hadn't seen Oasis for about 3 years before this, since their last album in fact (I missed the Glastonbury headline debacle last year). Not having really heard the new album in detail, I was interested, but at the same time secretly hoping for a good sprinkling of older songs too. The set included some of the highlights of the new album,. but also some of the rockier old classics that I was really glad to see making a live return. In particular, Bring It On Down and Morning Glory are amongst my favourite Oasis songs ever, so I was pleased that they were thrown into the set so early on.
The 5 songs at the beginning, Fuckin In The Bushes, Turn Up The Sun, Lyla, Bring It On Down, and Morning Glory actually make for one of the best introductions to a live set you could wish for. As the set progressed, it reverted to more old classics, reminding a sceptical member of the audience that, when you've had a few to drink, and want to sing along to some loud music, you could do a hell of a lot worse than having Oasis playing live in front of you. A classic live band, still great to watch since they were last touring.
The Subways supported on this date, and seemed to be genuinely overwhelmed at the opportunity, continually thanking and paying tribute to Oasis, and the inspiration they provided. It seemed like a dream come true, and the Subways raised their game to sound excellent. The audience did not really take much notice of them at all, which was a shame as they played well enough to deserve the attention. But then, that is Oasis crowds for you - the support bands are uninteresting to many people, for the simple and stupid reason thay they're not Oasis.
I hadn't seen Oasis for about 3 years before this, since their last album in fact (I missed the Glastonbury headline debacle last year). Not having really heard the new album in detail, I was interested, but at the same time secretly hoping for a good sprinkling of older songs too. The set included some of the highlights of the new album,. but also some of the rockier old classics that I was really glad to see making a live return. In particular, Bring It On Down and Morning Glory are amongst my favourite Oasis songs ever, so I was pleased that they were thrown into the set so early on.
The 5 songs at the beginning, Fuckin In The Bushes, Turn Up The Sun, Lyla, Bring It On Down, and Morning Glory actually make for one of the best introductions to a live set you could wish for. As the set progressed, it reverted to more old classics, reminding a sceptical member of the audience that, when you've had a few to drink, and want to sing along to some loud music, you could do a hell of a lot worse than having Oasis playing live in front of you. A classic live band, still great to watch since they were last touring.
21 May 2005
Arsenal vs Manchester United, FA Cup Final - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff - Saturday 21st May 2005
The fourth Arsenal FA Cup Final in 5 years, we have all become very used to the trip to Cardiff. This trip had lots of added spice, being against Manchester United, possibly the team we love to hate the most at the moment (although Spurs and Chelsea obviously put up a valiant fight), the fact that this is the only chance of silverware for both teams this season, and the fact that United have just been bought by Malcolm Glazer, much to their fans' annoyance.
Very touchy, the Man Utd fans. For a group of people that can get over 20,000 people singing "sit down you paedophile" at Arsene Wenger, they seem to get very irate when similarly offensive songs are directed at them. In the last week, the geographical focus of their touchyness has instantly shifted from Munich to Tampa Bay. Which of course, is ideal - whilst some Arsenal fans can't stomach abusing United fans about Munich, all can easily bring themselves to hurl abuse about their new American owner, which the Mancs were taking predictably badly (several reared up and tried to fight, before being dragged away by police, hopefully to miss the game) all day long.
My group travelled to Cardiff by train, via Bristol of all places. A detour, but the tickets were only £25, and crucially, the fact that we didn't get a Cardiff train meant that the buffet car was open to serve us beer for the long part of the journey. Perfect. We arrived in Cardiff just after midday, and proceeded directly to the central Arsenal pub, The Gatekeeper, a huge place where getting served with a drink was all but impossible.
The game itself, well, it was quite a dull 0-0. mainly due to Arsenal's tactics, which seemed to be to stifle Man Utd entirely. United were quite clearly the better team throughout, and even by half time, there was not much optimism from anybody that we would be able to find a goal, even if were given until midnight to try. At full time, still at 0-0, there was slightly more optimism, only because we were only 30 minutes away from penalties, and, despite not having a great record at them, penalties really are anybody's game.
The penalties duly arrived, and for all of the Manc penalties, there was a fairly constant and impressive shout of USA from all of the Arsenal end of the stadium. Scholes did his duty and missed, everybody else scored. So it dragged on until Patrick Vieira slotted Arsenal's last penalty to win the Cup. Completely undeserved, if this had been a boxing match, United would have won on points by a country mile. But, given the number of trophies that United have won in the past by being lucky, they are probably the 1 team in the country that most deserve to be shafted out of a trophy in that manner.
The fact that we didn't deserve it, and we'd stolen the Cup from United, actually made it feel even better to have won. The gloomy look of the United fans, knowing they'd been robbed but that there was nothing they could do about it, was the icing on the cake. Not a great week for United fans - never mind.
20 May 2005
The Others - Garage, London - Friday 20th May 2005
The FA Cup Final tomorrow, so mustn't drink too much. Oh well, that was never likely to happen, was it. To the Garage in Highbury tonight to see The Others, the renowned exponents of the guerilla gig. They once played a gig on the front carriage of a Victoria Line train from Walthamstow to Brixton. Although their records aren't fantastic, they have a brilliant live reputation, so I went to check it out.
On entry to the venue, and before the gig, all seemed very normal and unremarkable. Within a minute of the band taking the stage though, all that changed! From the first minute, the amount of crowd surfing was unbelieveable. And, with no security at all at the front, all of the crowdsurfers ended up on stage, meeting the band members before diving off back into the crowd. Every single time I looked at the stage, there were at least 15 people on it, and it was very hard to make out who was actually in the band, and who in the audience.
The music was good, and very fitting for the occasion. In the 45 minute set, the music only fully stopped twice, as the band lurched from one song to another. The only way I can think of to get close to describing this gig was that it was an orchestrated riot in a music venue, with a band called The Others playing the brilliant soundtrack to the riot. This was like nothing I've ever seen before, and the very hardcore army of the band's fans helped to make the gig such an energetic event.
Without that crowd, with more security, in a bigger venue, or even just on a different day, none of it would work half as well, but this time round it was a breathtaking gig that I'll remember forever. A riot, and a riot that was a pleasure to witness.
On entry to the venue, and before the gig, all seemed very normal and unremarkable. Within a minute of the band taking the stage though, all that changed! From the first minute, the amount of crowd surfing was unbelieveable. And, with no security at all at the front, all of the crowdsurfers ended up on stage, meeting the band members before diving off back into the crowd. Every single time I looked at the stage, there were at least 15 people on it, and it was very hard to make out who was actually in the band, and who in the audience.
The music was good, and very fitting for the occasion. In the 45 minute set, the music only fully stopped twice, as the band lurched from one song to another. The only way I can think of to get close to describing this gig was that it was an orchestrated riot in a music venue, with a band called The Others playing the brilliant soundtrack to the riot. This was like nothing I've ever seen before, and the very hardcore army of the band's fans helped to make the gig such an energetic event.
Without that crowd, with more security, in a bigger venue, or even just on a different day, none of it would work half as well, but this time round it was a breathtaking gig that I'll remember forever. A riot, and a riot that was a pleasure to witness.
15 May 2005
Birmingham City vs Arsenal - St Andrews, Birmingham - Sunday 15th May 2005
Being the last away game of the season, lots of Arsenal fans decided to do this one in fancy dress. Which made it something of a comedy group of supporters, watching a comedy football match, with the winner even scored in the last minute by a comedy footballer (Emile Heskey, for the uninitiated).
An end of season kickabout with (literally) nothing to play for. Arsenal could only finish in second place whatever the outcome, and had the somewhat more important matter of the FA Cup Final the following week. Birmingham had little to play for either, safe from relegation, couldn't qualify for Europe, so were confirmed mid table non-descripts whatever happened.
Of course, none of this prevented the Brummie fans, who along with Portsmouth, must be the biggest bunch of small-town inbreds in the Premiership, from behaving as if they'd just won the Champions League. I guess that such a reaction, being ecstatic even beating the mighty Arsenal in a meaningless game, is a reflection of relative ambitions. But it sure can be annoying, as opposition fans try to rub your nose in it, when you really couldn't give two hoots. They must have thought we were as upset as they were happy - sorry chaps, Birmingham City just don't inspire those sorts of emotions in me. Manchester United next week, now there's another matter. The Brummies can watch it all on TV.
Lastly, a strange insight into West Midlands rivalry. Huge surprise in the away section as the news of West Brom's Premiership survival was greeted with massive cheers (akin to a goal celebration) by the Birmingham fans. Some further discussion on this revealed a strange alliance in the West Midlands - Birmingham and West Brom against Villa and Wolves. That got us all thinking of how something similar in London might work, but the thought of a love in with Chelsea, Spurs or West Ham was just too far-fetched to consider for long.
The car journey back from this one was interesting, as all routes south towards London seemed to have huge crashes simultaneously. So, a detour via Oxford, Reading and the M4 meant that we could all see some B roads for a change.
An end of season kickabout with (literally) nothing to play for. Arsenal could only finish in second place whatever the outcome, and had the somewhat more important matter of the FA Cup Final the following week. Birmingham had little to play for either, safe from relegation, couldn't qualify for Europe, so were confirmed mid table non-descripts whatever happened.
Of course, none of this prevented the Brummie fans, who along with Portsmouth, must be the biggest bunch of small-town inbreds in the Premiership, from behaving as if they'd just won the Champions League. I guess that such a reaction, being ecstatic even beating the mighty Arsenal in a meaningless game, is a reflection of relative ambitions. But it sure can be annoying, as opposition fans try to rub your nose in it, when you really couldn't give two hoots. They must have thought we were as upset as they were happy - sorry chaps, Birmingham City just don't inspire those sorts of emotions in me. Manchester United next week, now there's another matter. The Brummies can watch it all on TV.
Lastly, a strange insight into West Midlands rivalry. Huge surprise in the away section as the news of West Brom's Premiership survival was greeted with massive cheers (akin to a goal celebration) by the Birmingham fans. Some further discussion on this revealed a strange alliance in the West Midlands - Birmingham and West Brom against Villa and Wolves. That got us all thinking of how something similar in London might work, but the thought of a love in with Chelsea, Spurs or West Ham was just too far-fetched to consider for long.
The car journey back from this one was interesting, as all routes south towards London seemed to have huge crashes simultaneously. So, a detour via Oxford, Reading and the M4 meant that we could all see some B roads for a change.
12 May 2005
Magic Numbers, Shout Out Louds - The Forum, London - Thursday 12th May 2005
From seeing the Magic Numbers in front of 200 at the Barfly, less than 3 months ago, their reputation has now grown to the extent where they can sell out a 2,000 capacity venue in London - despite still having sold only 500 records. But, with a new single out later this month, and it attracting good radio play, they are starting to build a good following.
Our support band for the evening were the Shout Out Louds, a Swedish band who seemed to remind me of all good Swedish indie bands - some crazy indie kid blokes, and a token Swedish blond girl. Their songs were poppy, guitar driven tunes that make you feel happy, and they shared a Magic Numbers trait in that many of the songs sounded instantly familiar, and instantly good.
The Magic Numbers appeared, looking triumphant, and seeming to know that they are about to be big. My 2 friends at the gig, neither of whom had seen the band before, were both converted before they had even finished playing their first song. A tear through many of what we now know will be the album tracks converted the rest of the crowd, and secured a complete triumph for the band, with little over half of the set completed. An encore this time too, and the band even introduced a new song, which has the air of a classic drinking-and-dancing song - so we drank and we danced!!
A triumph, this band will conquer much more daunting venues in 2005 and beyond!!
Our support band for the evening were the Shout Out Louds, a Swedish band who seemed to remind me of all good Swedish indie bands - some crazy indie kid blokes, and a token Swedish blond girl. Their songs were poppy, guitar driven tunes that make you feel happy, and they shared a Magic Numbers trait in that many of the songs sounded instantly familiar, and instantly good.
The Magic Numbers appeared, looking triumphant, and seeming to know that they are about to be big. My 2 friends at the gig, neither of whom had seen the band before, were both converted before they had even finished playing their first song. A tear through many of what we now know will be the album tracks converted the rest of the crowd, and secured a complete triumph for the band, with little over half of the set completed. An encore this time too, and the band even introduced a new song, which has the air of a classic drinking-and-dancing song - so we drank and we danced!!
A triumph, this band will conquer much more daunting venues in 2005 and beyond!!
11 May 2005
Arsenal vs Everton - Highbury, London - Wednesday 11th May 2005
It isn't often that your football team wins 7-0, so you'd have to agree that it was an absolute honour to be there. Its also hard to compare this to a "normal" 7-0 win, because there isn't a lot of comparison.
With second place in the league secured, and with our opponents sure of 4th place thanks to our win against Liverpool at the weekend, it was a celebratory night for both teams. Often when these games happen, at the end of the season when Arsenal can no longer win the League, they turn on the style and make us all wonder what stopped them from doing that earlier in the season. 2 years ago, when we beat Southampton 6-1 just after blowing the title, springs to mind, as does a 4-0 romp at Sunderland a few days later. Also, Everton don't seem to like playing us, we'd already beaten them twice this season, scoring 7 in the process.
This game was a 90 minute concentrated dose of everything that's good about Arsenal. The passing moves, the tricks, the style, and the goals. It should be released on DVD to show schoolkids what a complete footballing performance look like. Seriously, not a fault to pick on, and, amazingly, we could have had more goals. There are games where Arsenal score 3 or 4 and the papers write that we could have had 7 or 8. Well, we got seven but it could have been a dozen, we were that good.
Seeing Everton fans leaving after 40 minutes, when just the 3 goals down, was amusing. A 400-mile round trip and spending £50 each, that would have been a very long trip home.
So, the lesson from this evening:
Nothing to play for
+
A point to prove
+
Chance to show off in front of home fans
+
Favoured whipping boy opposition
=
A 7-0 victory.
I'll look forward to next season's!
With second place in the league secured, and with our opponents sure of 4th place thanks to our win against Liverpool at the weekend, it was a celebratory night for both teams. Often when these games happen, at the end of the season when Arsenal can no longer win the League, they turn on the style and make us all wonder what stopped them from doing that earlier in the season. 2 years ago, when we beat Southampton 6-1 just after blowing the title, springs to mind, as does a 4-0 romp at Sunderland a few days later. Also, Everton don't seem to like playing us, we'd already beaten them twice this season, scoring 7 in the process.
This game was a 90 minute concentrated dose of everything that's good about Arsenal. The passing moves, the tricks, the style, and the goals. It should be released on DVD to show schoolkids what a complete footballing performance look like. Seriously, not a fault to pick on, and, amazingly, we could have had more goals. There are games where Arsenal score 3 or 4 and the papers write that we could have had 7 or 8. Well, we got seven but it could have been a dozen, we were that good.
Seeing Everton fans leaving after 40 minutes, when just the 3 goals down, was amusing. A 400-mile round trip and spending £50 each, that would have been a very long trip home.
So, the lesson from this evening:
Nothing to play for
+
A point to prove
+
Chance to show off in front of home fans
+
Favoured whipping boy opposition
=
A 7-0 victory.
I'll look forward to next season's!
08 May 2005
Arsenal vs Liverpool - Highbury, London - Sunday 8th May 2005
Arsenal have the FA Cup Final to look forward to, and Liverpool have the Champions League final. So, aside from the Scousers' bid to qualify for next season's Champions League, not a huge amount to play for, and bigger fish to fry for both teams.
A return to warm, sunny weather, shirts out today all round, you know its that time when watching football is a pleasure - also the time when the season is about to end!
One of those games that Arsenal usually play against more lowly opposition, with 2 goals in quick succession to pretty much kill the game and secure the points. The 2 goals, both within the first half hour, silenced the Scouse singing about European Cups and all that boring stuff.
A goal by Steven Gerrard just after half time made things slightly more interesting in the second half, and Liverpool did come close to equalising on a couple of occasions. But, in injury time, Arsenal killed them off with the third goal.
A return to warm, sunny weather, shirts out today all round, you know its that time when watching football is a pleasure - also the time when the season is about to end!
One of those games that Arsenal usually play against more lowly opposition, with 2 goals in quick succession to pretty much kill the game and secure the points. The 2 goals, both within the first half hour, silenced the Scouse singing about European Cups and all that boring stuff.
A goal by Steven Gerrard just after half time made things slightly more interesting in the second half, and Liverpool did come close to equalising on a couple of occasions. But, in injury time, Arsenal killed them off with the third goal.
02 May 2005
West Bromwich Albion vs Arsenal - The Hawthorns, West Bromwich - Monday 2nd May 2005
Chelsea clinched the Title at the weekend, so this was the first game of the new reality - they have the money to keep doing this for a long time to come, so this could be the first of many games as non-Champions.
With West Brom bottom of the League, but it being very tight indeed at the bottom, this was bound to be a game with lots riding on it, for the home team at least. And, unusually this season in the Premiership, there isn't one team out on thir own as the worst in the League, so even West Brom can look like a useful side when they put their minds to it.
A dull first half, after which West Brom re-emerged for the second, and gave a real go to winning the game; with more attacking play, and a generally more positive approach. However, doing that against even an Arsenal side that is going through the motions, can leave you vulnerable. And, West Brom were eventually picked off with goals from Van Persie and Edu (in what could end up being his last goal for the club).
So, no points for the relegation strugglers, but 3 points to help Arsenal secure second place and automatic Champions League qualification. A distinct "in and out" trip this, after a long bank holiday weekend, so a run for the car and a run back down the motorway after the game.
With West Brom bottom of the League, but it being very tight indeed at the bottom, this was bound to be a game with lots riding on it, for the home team at least. And, unusually this season in the Premiership, there isn't one team out on thir own as the worst in the League, so even West Brom can look like a useful side when they put their minds to it.
A dull first half, after which West Brom re-emerged for the second, and gave a real go to winning the game; with more attacking play, and a generally more positive approach. However, doing that against even an Arsenal side that is going through the motions, can leave you vulnerable. And, West Brom were eventually picked off with goals from Van Persie and Edu (in what could end up being his last goal for the club).
So, no points for the relegation strugglers, but 3 points to help Arsenal secure second place and automatic Champions League qualification. A distinct "in and out" trip this, after a long bank holiday weekend, so a run for the car and a run back down the motorway after the game.
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