Woo Hoo!

After nearly 30 years of supporting Hull FC I have my very first season pass! 

The old man put on a disguise and went for it today as part of my Xmas pressie.

I am very happy :)

Happy New Year to everyone :)

Who needs Coronation St, Eastenders, Or Even Emmerdale Farm..

.. When you support Leeds United??

Do we ever have a quiet time at the club when nout happens? The news has come through this morning that Manager Gary McAllister has been sacked. I have to say after yesterdays very dissapointing result at MKDons it was on the cards. I must admit to thinking he would be given the Xmas period to turn things around though.

The thing is, Macca got us playing a lot better technically, we started playing on the deck and we saw some lovely stuff in attack....but the defence, well, I was frightened to death everytime we got a free kick or a corner against us! We have been, to be frank, bloody useless.

So, we'll see who Chairman Bates appoints, you can call the old sod (and many Leeds fans do) but one thing he doesn't do is arse about!

Just a quick post....

For the last 5 days I have been battling a virus on my PC, and what a pesky devil it was. It blocked access to most of my scanners, I couldn't access PC security websites and when I got something working it wouldnt update. Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome where unusable, the only browser I could do anything with was Opera. So whether that is a recommendation or not I couldn't say, but the fact speaks for itself.

In the end I thought I'd have a look for scanning software that wasn't so well known, because if I was one of those little rats who write these things, I would block the most popular types of software and sites. Anyway, I found these 2 progs, called Norman Malware cleaner, and the other called Dr Web Cureit! I dont know which one got the little beastie (or beasties as it turned out) but they freed up everything and my anti virus started to kick in big time, and the scanners that wouldn't update/work before suddenly did!

I was on the verge of re-formatting and starting from scratch, so thank God for that! I found both pieces of software here

The Big 50

Well this week, you could say, is a big week for both my Husband and I. We both turn 50. He will on Wednesday, and it will be my turn the day after. I've always given him stick about being older than I am!
I'm not upset or anything about reaching 50. Age hardly ever bothers me to be honest. I did have a bit of a crisis of confidence when I hit 40, but 10 years later, I'm just not bothered.
To be honest I'm pretty settled, I don't spend my time worrying about things I maybe missing out on in my life. I have 2 lovely daughters, a Husband who I love to bits, and a wonderful family. OK. there are some things I'd like, just like most people, but when I think about it, they don't really matter.
I think that is the main thing about getting older, things you always thought where so important......just aren't.

Supporting Leeds Utd.

Is a bloody hard job I can tell you! It was a bit of an embarrassment I must admit to get knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league Histon. I'm sure it gave countless others a right laff though. I've just read a post on the WACCOE forum and it sort of covered what has happened to the club in the last four years:
" 2 relegations
2 play off final defeats
administration
receivership
near bankruptcy
-10 points
-15points
defeats in the cup to teams below us like Bury, Hereford, Rotherham...
And now we get beat by a pub team in a village I have never heard of by the fu*king postman...
you could not make it up..."

You could not make it up indeed, but although I was really pissed off after the game, and quite frankly turned the air blue, I have one thing to say...

MARCHING ON TOGETHER!!!!

Unbelievable.

Just lately there has been stories in the news that are beyond belief, you sit and think about them and just cannot comprehend how a human being can do such things. First there was the Baby P case, then this week the horrendous story of the Father that had 9 children by his daughters, now there is the terrorists in Mumbai, India.
The pictures that have been released of them show they all look so young. Barely in their 20's. how do you get into the mind set to walk into a train station and just kill innocent people?
It seems as I get older I understand myself better but the rest of the world less.

Nurses told not to call patients 'love'

I don't have to add much to the title of this post do I? Is it nuts or is it nuts? Apparently the Nursing and Midwifery Council have advised this. I heard a spokesperson for the said Council on the radio, saying that they had taken surveys and advice on this, and a lot of people don't like to be called things like 'love', 'dearie', 'sweetheart' etc. What a load of old rubbish that is. I wonder how much money was spent on coming to this conclusion?
When I first started work, I worked for a local supermarket. The boss was this little bloke and I must admit most of us thought he was a bit of a busybody at the time, but looking back he was an old fashioned 'hands on' businessman. Anyway one thing he said to me I have always remembered. He told me to always to be polite and pleasant to the customers, especially older people, because you might be the only human contact they have all the day. I always get annoyed when you see check out people that do not acknowledge you, and barely speak.
My real point being political correctness is erasing many forms of 'Human' contact.
Just as an aside about terms you should call people, I do love the way Americans call ladies Ma'am. That's lovely :)
Read about the above mentioned report HERE

Friday Rugby

The Fixture lists for the new RL season where released today. Nothing unusual in that, but there is a bee in many a Hull FC fans bonnet because of the announcement that all our home games will be played on a Friday night.
The thing is passes have been on sale for about 3 weeks and 3000 have been sold. But they have only told people about this today. Now because some people who have purchased passes did so on the basis of Sunday afternoon games, the club have had to offer refunds. Whatever day we play games some people are going to be at a disadvantage. But the way the club has announced this is a bit shabby to say the least. Apparently the reason they gave is that because of all the consultations they took about the decision, it took them until now to decide. Thing is, they've been taking opinions for about 2 years!
I suppose we'll soon find out how the move will effect crowds.

Poor Chibi!

I've been looking after one of my cats this week, as he hasn't been very well. Last Monday evening 2 dogs set about him in our front garden. Both where big dogs too, one looked like an Alsation and the other like a Japanese Akita dog. The Hubster luckilly was there and pulled them both off. Both wore collars so it looked like they had escaped from someones garden. It's pretty rare to see strays in this part of the city now.
Luckily I think his long fur saved him as he has some completely bald patches and only had his skin broken in a couple of places. He's had a pretty bad limp, but that is getting better now and he has even ventured outside a couple of times.
I just wish people who want to keep big dogs, would make sure they are secure and do not get out unsupervised. I know dogs don't like cats of course, but I can't help thinking that could have been a child.
I did call the police about the incident, thinking that the dogs could be looked out for, but was just given the number for Hull City Council, of course no one was there, unless you wanted to pay a bill that is...

Unfathomable!

I wont go into the details of what happened to little 'Baby P' (as he was called in court) But he was beaten to death, no other words for it. Now something like this upsets me greatly, as I'm sure it does everybody. What I cant fathom is how bad do things have to get before a child is taken into care?? This little mites home was visited 60 times! I tell you what I think, its bloody political correctness, the social services are frightened to death to impinge on peoples 'rights', and as a result don't bloody do their jobs properly!
The three 'people' who lived in the house with this poor child have all been convicted, but none of murder, there's something amazing about that too. I hope quite frankly hope they rot in hell, but will most probably be protected in prison, and be out in a few years.

Now I'll tell you something about being a Mother . You get some powerful feelings when you have a child, an overwhelming sense of love and protectiveness. Some can be a bit scary quite frankly, as with no qualms whatsoever I would do anything to protect my children. When I read about women who stand by, and let someone hurt their child in this way, well, they are just worse than the dirt on the ground. I know one thing, if it was me and I'm sure most women, they would do it only once.

My Daughter has just started a Masters Degree in Social Work. She said it's very hard work. I'm sure most Social Workers work very hard, and it must be a tough slog to be confronted with sad stories everyday. But when you hear stories like this, it has to be said that heads have to roll.

But then in this day and age, when do we see anyone in charge take responsibility when things go wrong? Unless you work for the BBC, or your name is Russell Brand!

Absolutely Dire!

England lost against New Zealand this morning (yet another lie in bed down the swanny) After going into a 24-8 lead in the 1st half, we preceded to not score another point and went down 36-24. My thoughts on this debacle are in a previous post. I'm even beginning to hope Papua New Guinea miraculously beat the Aussies to stop this shower from getting into the semi finals. (I know, one win and were in the semi's, the tournament has been all but rigged to be honest)
I'll leave this video to illustrate the point I posted about last week. It is Great Britain, (as they was then) and the last time we beat the Aussies, with toughness and a bit of guile.

Never mind all this 'history in the making' stuff.....

.... with the new US President etc.

The lads are back in training!!! :) (Doesn't Richard Horne look just Fab!)

US Elections.

After what has seemed like an eternity, the US elections are here. US politics has always fascinated me, and I'll be up until the early hours, watching the results come in.
It is looking very likely indeed that Barack Obama will be the next President, and although I have misgivings about him (mainly because he reminds me so much of Tony Blair, who I couldn't stand) if I was American, I would most probably vote for him.
He does seem to be pretty left wing, and that is the way I lean. But will he be too far to the left for a lot of Americans? I seem to get the impression that a lot don't have the same concept of the left as we do in this country. We'll just have to wait and see what Obama is able to do change wise, of course that will depend how well the Democrats do in the Senate and House of Representatives.
What Obama does have in spades is an fantastic image, and what the US needs now most of all is an image makeover. Mr Obama will provide this without a doubt. I hope he uses all the goodwill wisely if he is eventually elected.
As for his opponent John McCain, I think his chance to run came too late. He seems a decent man, with lots of integrity. But it has to be said that his age is the one elephant in the room that no one can ignore. Being US President is a terribly demanding job, and a man in his 70's, no matter how fit mentally and physically cannot guarantee how long he will continue to be so. This is where his choice of running mate has been fundamental. Sarah Palin obviously isn't the idiot she is painted to be, or she wouldn't have gotten to where she is today. But she just as obviously isn't ready to step in as President of the USA. Simple as.
As I have posted before, in the primary process to elect the candidate, I was rooting for Hillary Clinton.
In my view neither of the men on today's ballot has the experience, intelligence and class of this lady.
But then she is just that, a lady. I hope I live to see a woman in worlds top job some day.

Rugby Rant

Now forgive me if this reads a bit like a stream of conscience here but I'm a bit pissed off!
I've just watched the Aussies beat England 50-4 in the RL World Cup.
We where tonked it has to be said. The Aussies are excellent at what they do, they are well drilled in defence, accurate when they pass and always have players in the right place at the right time. What they do not do in my opinion is CREATE anything. I fell in love with the game in the late 70's, when attacks had finesse and a bit of the unexpected. This is where our game has changed. All the players are far fitter than of old of course, they're professional full time players, but it seems that any sort of off the cuff play anything unexpected has been all but erased from our game. The only team who play the game I love are St Helens, even my beloved Hull FC have succumbed in some ways to playing the 'Aussie way'
Just to try and illustrate my point, lets look at the Loose Forward position. I was raised on the genius of Steve 'Knocker' Norton, and Mick Crane. They created and acted like an extra half back, nowadays they just make up the numbers in the scrum.
People say that the amount of foreign players should be cut, but I think the real damage to the English game has been a succession of Aussie coaches.
We must go back to our roots, by all means take heed of the Aussie's fitness and defensive qualities, and how they prepare for games. But for God sake lets get the English style of rugby back!

Lady of Leisure.

Yesterday I finished work. I'll miss it because it was more of the social aspect for me rather than the money, but I had to face reality unfortunately. About a fortnight ago I saw my Consultant, and he told me he can do nothing for the arthritis in my knees (ie knee replacements) for at least 5 years, and maybe even 10. So a job standing up all the time had to go.
Fortunately we have just finished paying the mortgage, so have some extra money every month. I'm lucky that way, there must be a lot of people in my position who wont have that luxury.
I'm going to take some time off and have a full Christmas/New Year at home. All my working life I have worked in shops and of course the last few years in a pub. So I've always had to work Xmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Years Eve or Day. Then in the New Year see if I can get something where I'm not on my feet all the time.
We'll see what happens.
I got some lovely flowers a card and balloon from the guys at work, I was very touched, many thanks to them all.

Better pics of the new shirts.

New Kit for 08/09 Season

The new Hull FC kits where unveiled today.
Well, The home kit is ok, but it is mostly black (the shorts are also black this season) so that could be a problem in hot weather for the players. The away kit is far too light. The design is ok, incorporating the irregular hoops into the away shirt for the first time. The colour is wishy washy though. If it was a couple of shades darker it would have been smashing.
Shame captain Lee Radford (right of pic) Doesn't seem to have put his teeth in for the shoot. :)
I think I'll be sticking to club polo shirts once again this season. I personally havent bought a replica shirt since 2005. The type of thick polyester used to make em are awful in warm weather!
I know, I'm a miserable git! lol

UFO's!

I know this subject is a bit off beam from what I usually post about on here, but I have been fascinated by the UFO mystery for as long as I can remember. It amazes me how many people have seen something. I go on a forum called Above Top Secret that has a UFO section, and some very clued up posters. It's really interesting how some can take a video and look it over, more often than not finding it was a hoax.
I have had one sighting a couple of years ago. My Husband and I was walking home late one night, it was a very clear with no clouds, and I think you just naturally look up at the stars when things are like that. Anyway, something caught our eye, moving steadily across the sky. It was 3 lights, in a triangular formation. It seemed pretty high up, and we both stood and watched it move from one horizon to the other, maybe taking about 30 seconds. By the time it had nearly reached the horizon we had sort of thought it was maybe a plane (there was no noise BTW) or a satellite, then all of a sudden, all 3 lights shot off in different directions!
Now this could of course been the Red Arrows doing a training session at about 1am at night but somehow I doubt it!
People always say we never see any really good pictures of UFO's and that is true, but I have to say it never crossed my mind to try and take a pic of what we saw, and I did have a camera phone in my handbag!
Anyway, here's a video someone has put together of UFO photos going back as far as 1870.

You couldn't make it up. Part 3786 (or something like that!)

The world financial crisis is still all over the news. The amounts of money bandied about are just unimaginable. It's all quite ironic how all the fat cats are having to rely on the great unwashed to bail them out!
Take the UK governments bail out plan. I'm not sure about the correct amount (50 Billion?) they are using to help out the poor little banks, but apparently this is to give them capital to start giving loans again.
So let me get this right....I go for a loan, and the bank lends me public money used to bail them out, and I pay it back plus interest. So, in reality I would be lending my own money and the banks would earn a profit off it!
I tell you what, the only difference between those banks and Dick Turpin is that he wore a mask!

Economic Crisis????

The media has been full of news about the 'world economic crisis' and the 700 billion Dollar bail out that the US Congress didn't pass on Monday. A lot of pundits and the markets where gob-smacked that the Bail-out Bill didn't pass. What a lot of people didn't seem to cotton on too is that all of the US Congress are up for re-election at the same time as the US President is elected, and a hell of a lot of US voters don't like the idea of bailing out the Fat Cats on Wall Street.
I have to say I can totally understand how they feel. The UK tax payer has already bailed out 2 banks, (Northern Rock and now Bradford and Bingley) and what are we getting for this?? I heard a caller on a radio station today, and he said that all the Fat Cats lived high on the hog for some time by playing the stock market, selling mortgages that people really couldn't afford, and giving away credit cards like they where going out of fashion. While all this went on and they bought their Fararri's and had their big bonus's, the ordinary working people where skint, and up to their eyes in debt. Now their chickens have come home to roost, who has to bail them out? The ordinary working man.
Now the politicians, and the economic hierarchy say this bail out is the only way, (I read in the paper today that the UK is considering a similar scheme) but how do we really know? We don't do we? We believed them when we took out Endowment mortgages that didn't mature as we where promised they would and ended with a shortfall, we saw the housing market start to drop so people where in negative equity. We've seen people offered fixed rate mortgages that go up so much when the fixed rate time frame finishes, that they have to remorgage and end up, in reality, paying for their house for ever.
Now Gordon Brown says the Government (that means us the tax payer) will guarentee bank savings up to £50,000. How many of us have savings at all in bank? We just live week to week, month to month don't we?
Like I say, I can totally understand the ordinary American's reaction to all this.

Upside down!

This week my hubby has had the week off and has embarked on sorting the kitchen out. Its been a madhouse here, dust all over, and we've had half the kitchen in the living room all week. Anyway, its taking shape now, of course there where things he ended up doing that we didn't think would need doing.
Friday was my 27th Wedding Anniversary, we went out for a meal on the Saturday before, but on the actual day I cleared off to my Parents and left the Hubster to bang about!
It never ceases to amaze me how time catches up with you, that we've been married 27 years. I still think the world of him (most of the time) and that's amazing considering he supports bloody Rovers. If he'd have told me who he supported when we met I'd have told him to bugger off! :)

The worlds gone mad (again!)

According to my morning paper, 'famous' artist Damien Hurst (he who sticks dead animals in Formaldehyde) has been having a bit of a sell off of his art works, for example this item pictured was sold for £10.3 million, yes you read that correctly, over TEN MILLION QUID! What sort of people buy this stuff? I know I wouldn't want it in my front room!
You know the old fairy tale about the 'Emperor's New Clothes'? Well I would bet that when he wrote the story, Hans Christian Anderson would have never believed how it could be a fable for our times. Certain people say how something or someone is so fabulous, and the sheep go along to not appear out of the loop.
Anyway, maybe Damien is getting in while the going is good, the way the markets are falling right now, there is going to be a lot less idiots about with the money to pay his prices!!

Byeee Gazza, make sure the door doesn't hit yer on the way out!

Mr Carvell (pictured left after playing in one of those finals he longs to play in with Warrington

Prop Gareth Carvell has left Hull FC and signed for Warrington. You may remember Mr Carvell, for it was he who signed a contract one day (after arseing around for some months, and therefore stalling a lot of negotiations with other players) then the next morning said he had changed his mind.
Well he's off to Warrington on a very sweet deal, and we have got a transfer fee. Apparently Mr Carvell wants to play in more finals (so 3 in 4 years isn't enough then G?)
He's done some good work for us in the past, and I wish him well. But now he has taken off the Black & White all I've got to say is...
BYEEEEEEEEEEE! OFF YOU POP!

An end to a very ordinary season.

So the season ended for Hull FC with a dire performance at The Sith. It has to be said that the Wembley appearance flattered to deceive, and it also has to be said that there has to be a major clear out at the club, too many players are taking the piss, and are just going through the motions. What some of them don't seem to understand is that most of the fans that support them, (Through thick and VERY thin this season) would give their right arms to pull on the Black and White they wear
Anyway, according to THIS article in the Yorkshire Post, Coach Richard Agar has started to sort the wheat from the Chaff, and I wish him well.

Barcodes and Humbugs.

I've always had a soft spot for the Barcodes (Newcastle Utd) I think maybe because they seem to mirror Hull FC so much. Both play in Black and White, (The stripes the other way of course) both have fans that adore their club, the enemy play in red and white, and seem to fall from one disaster to another.
Completely different sports of course, but both areas are very similar, and the clubs are at the heart of their community's. That makes them (the clubs) very important, and maybe fosters a kind of love for them that can seem strange to many.
It looks like they've lost a coach early on in the season like we did this season, maybe they'll end up at Wembley like we did, and loose most probably!

A few pics from my Wembley trip.

Although we lost the game yesterday (28-16) We did hit the front at one time, and considering we went in at half time 10-0 down, I think the lads gave their all. Saints it has to be said are a great team. In fact I've watched quite a bit of Aussie RL this season, and I would say Saints are a good shout for the best team in the world at the present time.
We haven't had a good season, for a number of reasons (I'll go into that a bit further come the end of the season, but a trip to Wembley (my first after supporting the FC for nearly 30 years...Its a long story lol) was well worth it!
Here's a few pics:

Everyone going for the loo's at the services on the way there. (You guessed it, our loo on the bus went down on us!)


First view of Wembley:


The FC end fills up:


The lads warm up in in a bonny circle! :)

Feeder - New single

My very favourite band, Feeder have a new single release, 'Tracing Lines' Smashing stuff :)

Wembley Time!

Saturday morning at 7am we'll be setting off From West Hull ARLFC for Wembley. I'm excited, nervous, and hoping everything will work out, (and my knees hold out!) We are really the underdogs here, no one expects us to win, But hey, that's when we perk up! I'm going to take loads of pics, and hope to post some on here.
COME ON YOU HULLA!!
One last thing, yes, if you read this blog from time to time you may know what is coming.....
That's right Five and 'Keep on Moving' !! :)

Pendulum!

It's been a bloody long time since I've seen a band that have quite literally blown my hat off, but last night Pendulum did! I was watching coverage of the Reading/Leeds festival and saw their set. Fantastic. Unfortunately you can't embed BBC video, but here's a taster of them live at the Radio One Big Weekend earlier this year. The energy is brilliant. My daughter had heard of them from when they started as a drum and bass outfit, but they've sort of evolved a bit... and how!
I love finding something new and fresh in music, (well it's new to me anyway) It blows the cobwebs out and makes me feel less old!
So here we have Pendulum - 'Intro + Slam'

Graduation Pic.

Here's my youngest daughter's official graduation pic. I think it's a pretty good one, but she hates it.
Because she's smiling! :)

A new season for the Mighty Whites....

and guess what? We've just been voted the most hated team in the country! You'd think with all our troubles folk would have a bit of sympathy for us, but no, and to be honest I could give a flying f*ck!
Let em get on with it, and we'll get on with winning League One!!
Here's a link to the article HERE ok, it's a load of old tripe, but worth reading for a great quote from 'The Office' actor Ralph Ineson: “I think the whole anti-Leeds thing stems originally from jealousy of the great 70s side of Don Revie. But more recently — when we haven’t been quite as dominant on the pitch — the jealousy stems from how devilishly attractive Leeds fans are.”
Top bloke!

MOT

State funeral for Mrs T.

I know this was muted about in the news about a week ago, but I was listening to George Galloway's radio show on Talksport last night and it was one of the topics of conversation.
I'll be honest and up front about this, I hate the old witch for what she did to the ordinary working man in this country, and I honestly think a lot of today's problems can be laid at the door of her government. In my view this would be a waste of money!
I read one comment on this and heard another on the show yesterday:
'Never mind a State Funeral, she should be burnt at the stake!' and:
'If she had a State funeral it will be the only one where the gun salute would be aimed at the coffin'
Both very un-politically correct I know, but covers the views of a lot of the people in my part of the world!!

What listening pleasure!

One of the first things you learn when you start supporting Hull FC is not to get cocky. Last Sunday we got to the final of the Challenge Cup. Tonight we lost at Wigan 66-6. I spent my evening listening to that tripe on the radio, and I could hear our fans singing 'Old Faithful' right through the game.
It's not bloody good enough lads, not bloody good enough!

My shiney new phone!

Well, the Hubster said I could get a contract phone and he would pay for it (so who am I to argue!) I think maybe the reason is he has just got a very flash phone on contract, and my pink, Pay and Go Samsung d900i went kaput on me a week or so ago.
Anyway, I was looking through the contract phones on O2 and didn't fancy many of them, (mostly because none where pink) then I saw the LG Viewty. I was a bit iffy about it being a touch screen phone, (and its not pink) but I shouldn't have worried. It is absolutely fab! So clever! There is a little stylus to click on things but I don't have to use it much, nails work just as well. (thanks to Mam for stopping me biting my nails!)
Anyway, I'm well made up with it. Lets hope it lasts me a bit longer than my last phone!
(Oh, and I've ordered a pink case off ebay for it! )

Semi Final Highlights.

Here's some highlights of Sunday's Challenge Cup semi final. Thanks to all the posters on You Tube for their uploads!
Highlights of the game:


Next is after match celebrations, Hull FC Scrum half, Adam Dykes is the player that sprays and gives away his Man of the Match Champagne away in this video.


And finally, we'll have a bit of this on Cup Final day please!!



COME ON YOU HULLLLAHHHH!!!!

Woo Hoo!

We did it! Were off to Wembley! I have never seen my lads play at Wembley so I'm going to go of I can. I've managed to get the day after off work, so at least I'll get some recovery time.
The only Challenge Cup final I have ever got too was 2005 in Cardiff, and we won. So I have a good record to protect. :)
I will try and post some highlights as soon as I can.
Yipppeeeeeeeee!!!!
(Five worked)!

Semi final day.

Just a quick post to wish my darling lads all the best in the Challenge Cup semi -final against Wakefield today. Go get em lads!!
Just to fulfil a bit of a superstition, as I have explained before, here's Five, with 'Keep on Moving'

Forgetting their roots.

I have posted about this subject before and I return to it now in the light of the Glasgow East by-election defeat for the Labour government. Although the SNP only won by 300+ votes a majority of 13,507 was overturned.
By all accounts Glasgow East isn't a salubrious place. I heard a fact on the radio that was quite stunning. One part of the constituency has a male life expectancy of 53! Yes you read that right, 53. Although we are a rich country, well rich enough to give millions of aid away abroad, we still have pockets of poverty in this country that are a disgrace!
The Labour Party was founded in 1900, and evolved primarily through the trade union movement to be a voice for the ordinary working man.
Well that goal was turned away from in my opinion with the arrival of Tony Blair, the party sold their soul for power, and now it's starting to bite them in the arse. I come from a family and an area of Labour voters where it was nigh on a sin to vote for anyone else. (I still could never vote for the Conservatives) But you are seeing the rock base of Labour turning away. My area hasn't in a general election yet, but we have locally by electing a Lib-Dem Council.
Labour has got to start listening to people and fast, because God help us if that fop Cameron gets in!
Come on Gordon Brown, I thought you would be better than this, remember no matter how high and mighty you are, and how little democracy we really have in this country, you are in charge because of the people, the ordinary working people of the UK!

Tries from Sunday's Derby:

Just the FC tries unfortunately (snigger) as whoever has uploaded the video has edited the Sith out! (Outrageous, I know ......)
Lets hope the lads form keeps up for Sunday's semi-final.

Just to cap off a good week!

I've had a very nice week, I've been on holiday, my daughter graduated on Thursday, my nephew got married yesterday, and today my darling boys nailed the Sith, 44-18!
Yes, a very nice week indeed..........

Graduation pics

Just a couple of pics from my daughters graduation. They're not brilliant as I took them with my phone. Hopefully the Hubster will have some better ones.
Here's Kirsty in her robes:
And here she is with my eldest daughter Michelle:
Here's all the Graduates standing under Queen Victoria's statue. Just before the Town Crier spoke and they all threw there hats in the air.

Just checking in.

I'd thought I'd better check in as I haven't posted for a while. I'm on holiday this week and have been keeping busy lately. Tomorrow my youngest daughter Kirsty graduates from University. The ceremony will be held at the City Hall in Hull. Hopefully it will be all done by dinner time, and then its off to the pub! If I get any good photos of her in her Batman costume I will post them on here!
Saturday my nephew Danny gets married, so there's another busy day!




Sunday is the Derby between The FC and The Sith. I wont be attending unfortunately as all the steps etc at the KC are a bit of a struggle nowadays. I hope for a win, but with us having a Challenge cup semi final the next weekend, it will be interesting to see what sort of a team we'll put out. We're due a win, but it doesn't seem as important as it usually is.

Here we go again!

And there's me thinking this season couldn't get any worse. Silly me! Hull FC prop Gareth Carvell, signed a 3 year contract with us, after a lot of messing about. 24 hours later he's changed his mind and wants out!
Now I've met Gareth once and he's a lovely chap, but he's absolutely played us like a kipper here (if that's the right term!)
I wouldn't play the bugger for the rest of this season, even though we're so strapped for players!
This all whiffs a bit it must be said, and points to an illegal tap up by another club. (You can't talk to players until September)
Surely Gareth wouldn't throw away a 3 year contract and a testimonial season, that can earn a player upwards of a £100,000, without some sort of 'back up' hmmm?
In the meantime we have apparently missed out on a couple of signings whilst awaiting Mr Carvells decision, and other contract talks with existing players have been put on hold. Considering Superleague clubs operate under a salary cap for players, he really has put a spanner in the works.
One thing that is good about this is his considerable wages will be freed up and we should get a transfer fee for any move.
It's never dull supporting Hull!

FC Update

The lads got a win last Sunday against Castleford (You can watch the highlights here) Unfortunately we lost on Sunday against Bradford. To be expected as we had even more players out than usual. I think we've had it as far as a top 6 play off place in concerned, but the cup is still with in our grasp. If we can just start to get some injured players back for more than 5 minutes we could settle as a side, which we have been unable to do all season.
There is such a difference when scrum half Adam Dykes plays it is quite unbelievable, he really is a class act. But 'when' he plays is the operative word. I would like to see how his appearances have panned out over the season as he only seems to make 2 games tops and then he's out with an injury. Adam is coming to the end of his career and it worries me whether he is worth the next year of his contract. He plays in such a pivotal role this must be addressed. I know there is a shortage of good half backs about, and like I say Adam is a great player, but he is no good to us on the bench. Maybe a full close season to sort out all injuries will do us the world of good, as I believe that both our Aussie signings for this season (Dykes and Berrigan) have not been fully fit all season.
Ah well I guess thats Rugby League!

I love this song!

And its a ballad too!
Here's Duffy and 'Warwick Avenue'

Politician makes sense shock horror....

and he's a Tory too!



I agree with everything he said actually. Bravo Mr Davies!

The Empty Suit.

I was just replying to a comment on a prior post and said that US Presidential candidate Barack Obama struck me as a bit of an empty suit. It puzzles me how he has got so immensely popular in the US without really revealing anything about himself, or his core policies and beliefs.
Something just came to mind when I wrote about the 'Empty suit'. There was a very famous film called 'Queen Christina' starring the old film star Greta Garbo. In it she played the Queen of Sweden, who abdicated her throne. The closing shot was of the exiled Queen on the bridge of a sailing ship, and ended with a full close up of her expressionless face. The reason for doing this, the Director said, was so the viewer could use his own interpretation of the Queens thoughts as she sailed away from her country.
People always have hopes and dreams, they want a better way of life for themselves and their children, and it struck me, people are using the empty suit, the blank canvas of Barack Obama to project their hopes and dreams on.
I hope he has more about him than I personally think he has, or many people will be bitterly dissapointed.

Update on the FC

Well there hasn't been a lot happening FC wise lately (usually means trouble on the way that does!)
We lost away to Leeds Rhinos last Friday after being 18-2 up at half time. I was gobsmacked how well it went in the 1st half, especially as we lost yet another 2 key players just before the game. Leeds kicked into full gear though and wiped the floor with us in the 2nd half.
We entertain Castleford on Sunday, we should get a win, but Cas can either play like puddings or fantastic so we will have to see!
There's been a bit of bother about the Challenge Cup Semi against Wakefield and where it is being held. Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium. It only holds around 15,000, and when you consider we have 8,500 season pass holders alone, not everyone is going to be able to get to the game. I have never had a season pass, mainly because they come out at Christmas, when to be totally honest I'm skint! Lots of other fans are the same, quite a few thousand in fact.
A lot of people are going to be penalised, for the sole reason that The Keepmoat (and it's a smashing stadium) will be full and look good on TV. That's it in a nutshell.
The RFL strike again!

Hillary concedes

I watched Hillary Clinton's concession speech this afternoon, and what an excellent speech it was. Even though I'm not an American, and only an interested observer of US politics, I felt so very sad to hear her concede.
I think maybe I was rooting for her because she was a woman and I liked her, and as I mentioned in an earlier post how amazingly disgusting some of her treatment in the US media has been. Where it has to be said that her opponent Barack Obama has had a pretty free ride.
On the other hand I've seen Mrs Clinton's cleavage discussed, and as mentioned before her liking for trousers. It has even been pointed out how it would be a bit dodgy for a President to have 'emotional' challenges every month, when at age 60 Hillary is a bit past all that sort of thing!
I think what it all boils down to is I'm just a housewife that works part time, and pretty happy with my lot. But I read about how women are trodden on all over the world. You particularly hear some horrendous stories from the Middle East.
I think Mrs Clinton lived the dream for a lot of women watching on, and it was so sad for the lady to make way for the man once again, as it has always been.

Has common sense completely left this country??

Well has it? I quote:

"An airline passenger claimed that a security guard threatened to arrest him because he was wearing a T-shirt showing a cartoon robot with a gun.

Brad Jayakody, 30, from London, said he was stopped from passing through security at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after his Transformers T-shirt was deemed 'offensive.' "

What a bloody joke! actions like these are going to have Al Qaeda et al quaking in their boots!

LINK

Well done lads!

Excellent win by the lads yesterday, 16-22. I must admit even I thought it was a long shot to win at Bradford. We rarely do well there. But onto the Semi-finals we go. Of course everyone will want us to stop there with the Jamie Thackray affair. (We played him in 2 rounds and he wasn't eligible. Although it was an awful oversight on our part, we have to submit our teams a couple of days before hand to the RFL. How come they didn't see it! Also, although it was deemed to be a breach of the regulations, there wasn't a punishment in said rules, so we're still in the competition!)
But all that is by no means the team or the fans fault is it? So...Come on you Hull!

New signing.

We have signed forward Michael Crocker from the Melbourne Storm for next season on a 3 yr contract.
He's a top class player, no doubt about it, but has had injury problems, and apparently is a bit of a bad lad (or has been) on the pitch. A parking space at Red Hall then for easy access for disciplinary meetings then! (Next to Stanley's lol)
If he keeps fit we have a gem. Unfortunately, we haven't been too lucky in that department of late.
Welcome to the madhouse Michael! :)

Well done Kirsty!

My youngest daughter Kirsty handed in her last essay yesterday. so she's finished her degree! She has worked so hard and I'm very proud of her. We're pretty sure she has a pass, as marks are built up over the course, but will have to wait what sort of pass she has. If it is a good one she has a place to start a Masters degree next year.
I left school at 16 and didn't have the chance of further education. We had to get to work and start bringing money in. So I'm proud that both my daughters have had the chance. One thing that is scary is the amount of debt they both are in with student loans etc. I have posted before how much a disgrace it is that my girls are in debt for trying to educate themselves, if they lived in Scotland, their University education would be free.
We have to invest in our future, saddling young people with thousands of pounds in debt just for trying to do better for themselves, and as a result, bettering the country as a whole, is just wrong. We have plenty invested in the 'no goods', who can't be bothered to work etc don't we?

New Coach at the FC

Richard Agar, assistant to both Peter Sharp and his predecessor John Kear, has been given the top job with a 2 and a half year contract.
A few fans are underwhelmed, but I'm not so sure. You used to see time and time again in especially football (ie Liverpool) that an appointment from within can be very successful indeed. In fact where Liverpool are concerned when that process stopped, it could be argued they haven't been quite the same. I've always been of the belief that certain clubs need a man at the helm that 'gets it' They understand the clubs culture and what it means to the fans. Garry McAllister is one that springs to mind at Leeds Utd.
The last time I saw the FC have a decent attack was when Agar took over from John Kear in our Grand Final season in 2006. I know Sharpy led them out on final day, but even he admitted he had done very little, and had left things the way Richard had decided on.
Only 36, we have taken the chance on a British coach. I wish him well.

What a bloody disastrous day!

Both my teams where beaten yesterday. By far the most sickening was Leeds Utd's defeat, I was absolutely gutted.
The FC, even though they lost to St Helens, worked bloody hard. The one glaring thing wrong with us all season is the lack of ideas in attack. Manly because both our main half backs have hardly played through injury.
I think league wise our season is over to be honest, we'll just have to win the cup then! :)

I found this clip on You tube of the pre game singing of 'Marching on Together' yesterday, it made me smile. (Hope this cheers you up too Mick if you see it!)

Onto more important things........

in my eyes at least. No matter how well my home town football club have done today, my real focus will be tomorrow when the Mighty Whites take the 1st step back up that ladder, and back where they belong!
I honestly can't contemplate them loosing, I can't imagine it. We have this long and heartbreaking history of falling at the last hurdle. But having said that, when things do come together it is fabulous!
Come on lads, I want to hear a great rendition of
'15 points who gives a f*ck,
Were super Leeds and we're going up!'
Oh and 'Fook off to the Football League' too!!
MARCHING ON TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck to the FC tomorrow night in their match against Saints. They're gonna need it!!

Well done City!

As you may know my football allegiances are elsewhere, but I have to say well done to Hull City for gaining promotion to the Premiership. The thought of Chelsea, Liverpool, and yes, even the Red Gerbils coming to play at the KC is quite a surreal thought. I would be very suprised if they last more than a season in the top flight, but that doesn't take away the fact that it's the 1st time they have made it. I hope the club and the fans enjoy the ride!

Seeing 'real' Predjudice

I have always been interested in American politics, so have followed this years Presidential race on the net and American news channels on Sky.
What has struck me with quite some horror, is how Hillary Clinton has been treated in the American media. In the way it has been inferred that she should give up and call it a day, and let the men take over. You see her called a bitch, a witch, and all those old chestnuts that are rolled out when a strong woman starts to do well.
I hated everything that Margaret Thatcher stood for, but she used to get the same sort of treatment in a way. Even in 'Spitting Image' she was portrayed in a mans suit and smoking cigars.
Hillary gets 'witty' comments on her preference for trousers. I wear trousers all the time because they are damn comfy, I would think she thinks the same.
The thought of an intelligent able woman becoming President of the US fills me with pride. She may not win, but it would be nice if she got a fair shot! Good luck Hillary, do it for the girls!

Going, going gone.

Hull FC coach Peter Sharp has left the club with mutual consent. I feel sorry for the bloke, because he worked really hard, and had some terrible luck with injuries. But it has to be said that he didn't seem to be able to adapt the team to a situation like you see with other coaches. I wish him the very best of luck though, and will miss 'Sharps soundbites!



Just a word about Richard Whiting (on the right of the pic) who sadly broke his leg at the game against Quins yesterday.
Now the bad luck that has plagued Richard this season, sort of illustrates the luck of the club as a whole injury wise. Rich broke his arm in a pre-season friendly, he's been back about 2 weeks, and broke his leg in the last minute of yesterdays game!
I have always rated Richard from the first time I set eyes on him (I'm also a bit biased as I once got one of the most loveliest of smiles from him after a game!) He has great ability and a good rugby brain. I wish him a full and speedy recovery, the injury is by all accounts a very bad one.
Best wishes Richard!

Good News at Last!!!

Leeds Utd are in the play off final, after a 2-0 win tonight at Carlisle. (3-2 on aggregate)
After all what has happened over the last few years, and even this season. We start the season on -15 points, loose first our 1st team coach, then our Manager, have had to settle under a new management team, and if we win at Wembley next week, promotion!
Back to the game, we played brilliantly well, both goals scored by Jonny Howson (pictured right with Jermaine Beckford) a local lad and only 19 to boot.
I'm just coming down off the ceiling, the Hubster and I scared the hell out of the cats when that last goal went in lol.

Marching on together!! (This clip was from the 1st leg on monday)

Dissappointed again!

Yes the Sith did it again and beat us at Cardiff. Now I will say that some of the refereeing decisions where a disgrace, (yes, and that means you Mr Ganson!) but that doesn't change the fact that although we worked very hard, and defended brilliantly at times, the attack was woeful. We seem to have no idea whatsoever at times. Now we've had this running excuse of all the injuries which was true, then we had the excuse that we hadn't had a lot of time on the training pitch which was again true. I have to say though these reasons are wearing pretty thin!
If we had a team of dopes all this could be understandable, put we have a bloody good team on paper that should be doing a lot better than this!
A lot of us FC fans have been very patient and fair, no one can say I haven't been fair, especially to coach Peter Sharp, but if things don't start picking up soon our season will be over. I was just looking at our remaining Superleague fixtures, and on this form we'll have trouble winning any of em!!
It's shape up time methinks, or certain people will be out on their ear!

N.B. I just want to say that I do not question the teams commitment one bit, they worked very hard yesterday, it just doesn't seem to be channelled in the right way.

Derby time once again.

Yes it's that time again, 'Lets bash the Sith' It's Millennium Magic over the weekend, where all the Superleague games are played over the weekend at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff. Most games are set up as local derbies, so Hull FC play the Sith, Saints play Wigan, Leeds play Bradford, etc. Should be a good weekend of rugby!!
Someone on a forum I go on pointed out the chorus in this track by Madness called 'Ghost Train' It goes like this:
'Don't try to hide it,
It's Black and White..'

Come on you Dobbins fans, you know it makes sense really, come and join us to keep The Faith!

A year on.

There has been a lot of coverage in the last day or two about Madeline MCcann case. It's quite amazing that it's been a year since she went missing. I didn't see the documentary that was shown on TV last night, but I've listened to conversations on radio about the tragedy.
And a tragedy of massive proportions it is. I wouldn't wish what that family have gone through on anyone.
BUT,
I was listening to an interview on the radio with the documentary maker yesterday, and she admitted she had left her young children in a hotel room whilst she and her partner had been having dinner in the restaurant.
Now I don't you about you, but I NEVER left my children on their own. I just didn't get out very often when they where little, and when we went on holiday we stayed in of an evening. This isn't a holier than thou comment, but it's a true one. Not only was Madeline left alone, but her younger brother and sister where left alone too! A lot of people forget that point.
I hope to God that little girl is found safe and well. The MCcann's made a terrible mistake, one that will never leave them.

'I'll think about that tomorrow'

So Scarlett O'Hara said in that smashing old film 'Gone with the Wind'. Well I've just watched Chancellor Alistair Darling saying the same thing in a BBC interview, whilst trying to explain the quite miserable decision to abolish the 10p tax rate. (I'll provide a link to the video, but I have to say that I only made it half way through)
I honestly can't believe this is the Labour party that my dear Nana encouraged me to vote for all those years ago when I turned 18.
Don't these bloody idiots understand, that 5.4 million people on low wages, will all of a sudden have their taxes DOUBLED?? I'm sure they'd deny it, but lets be clear about this, the Chancellor has lowered the main rate of tax too 20p in the pound, and if you are on the 10p band that will be abolished and you will pay 20p. That's double in my book, and they want people to come off benefits and work?? What a joke that is!
Some of these people exist from day to day, and what Mr Darling will look on as only a few pounds extra will be the tipping point for so many people. We all have higher fuel, utillity, and council tax bills, food is becoming more expensive, but lets face it, the more money you have the easier you can adapt your budget, when you have no more money you can't.
There is talk about quite a few Labour MP's rebelling in Parliament about this, and I hope they do. It will be about bloody time the Labour Party stood up for the one reason they we're formed in the first place, and which they have so disgustingly forgotten.... to defend the ordinary working
man.
The Labour Party sold their soul for power, and I'm glad my Nana didn't live to see it.

LINK

Interviews...

...with Man of the Match Shaun Berrigan, and Captain Lee Radford after Friday's win at Castleford.



Taken from Sky Sports. LINK HERE

Well it worked!

The lads got a win at Castleford 32-12. I saw a lot of things to be optimistic about, lets hope we can carry it forward. As you may have gathered, I'm a bit sentimental, and like most people certain songs mean certain things (like the lucky charm ones in my last post) Well at the end of the TV coverage last night they played this song. I have to wonder if a closet Hull FC fan is on the staff at Sky, as the chorus just fits us at the moment.
'Hold on tight,
you have the music in you,
Don't let go,
you have the music in you'

We have still got the music in us, so shut the hell up all you knockers and get behind the lads!
(And yes, I am too sentimental for my own good!)

The New Radicals- You get what you give.

Pulling out all the lucky charm stops!

Hull FC play Castleford tomorrow night. If they loose they will go bottom of Superleague.
Forgive me while I pull out my personal musical good luck charms:
Old Faithful:


And yes its that bad, I have to get this one out:
Five - Keep on Moving.


Kasabian - Club Foot. They used to play this before the team came out at games.


There, that should do the trick!
Come on you Hulllaaaahhh!

Starting to worry.

Much to many a Rovers fans delight, Hull FC lost again last night. We are now on 2 wins out of 10. I have to say that I'm getting a bit worried now.
I have said on this blog before that I have always been for Coach Peter Sharp to be given a fair crack of the whip. But I have to say that if we loose away at Castleford next weekend he could well be on the plane back to Sydney sooner rather than later.
For people who don't really know RL, a lot of folk compare us to Newcastle United. Play in Black & White, a great tradition, mad fans, and not doing as well as we would like.
Well I guess it's never dull supporting Hull! :)

Update.

The lads got a draw at Le Catalan (they nearly got a win, a try scored after the hooter was disallowed by the video ref) Injuries are still a big worry, 2 forwards where injured during the game, longish term ones too. This run of bad luck has to stop soon!

An online pal of mine had just set up a new forum. You can post about anything and even listen to the forum radio station too whilst you browse.
Why not have a look HERE

Crikey!

Crikey indeed! Today the lads entertain World Club and Super League champs (and in Sh*t hot form to boot) Leeds Rhinos today. I'm not looking forward to it one bit! After our disappointing defeat, 11-10 to The Sith, I really cant see us getting anything at all from the game. We picked up a couple more injuries on Friday, and some players are playing just games and not training with the rest of the team. This tends to show when it's your organisers who are doing that.
I hope we can get a result, but I think the only way we can do it is either to take an Elephant gun on the park, or Leeds think they've won the game before the game starts.
Then, we'll do em of course!!!
Come on you Hulllaaaaaaahhh!!!

Derby day.

I hope to God we play well tomorrow. we need to erase that awful stuffing the Sith handed out to us in the last derby. In this clip though we won, and a few of our players shown are no longer at the club, but lets not go into that again shall we?
COME ON YOU HULLAAAA!!!

Checking in.

The lads are at home tonight against Wakefield. Hopefully we'll get a win. I won't be going to the game considering my situation at the mo, but it's on TV, so I can shout and bawl at that instead!

Browsing around.....
I've been trying out some different browsers over the last couple of days. I haven't used Internet Explorer for some time, even though the latest (IE7) is a great improvement.
My Favourite browser at the moment is Firefox. I think what clinches it for me is the myriad of add-ons you can use to complement the main browser. One that is very clever and I use it all the time, is called Cooliris Preview. Say you are doing a search on Google and you get your list of links, with Cooliris you can put your mouse onto the link and get a preview of the page. It's particularly handy when you are searching videos on You Tube, as you can view each video in a preview window.
Here's a You Tube video telling you all about it


If you use Firefox you can download Cooliris HERE

The last couple of days I have been trying out the Opera browser. I did like it. It is fast and easy to use. But I have to say I missed the add ons that Firefox has. If you fancy trying out a different browser, go HERE
You can download the browsers I have mentioned at that link and a few others besides.
Happy Browsing!

Gutted!

I'm very disappointed about Hull FC's defeat in the last seconds at St Helens. We went down 30-29. It seems that everything is conspiring against us. The injury list is as long as ever, when we get one player back we loose 2! But the lads are fighting, and that's what the majority of Hull fans are bothered about. If we keep fighting the results will come. We've had bad runs like this before, we NEVER start seasons well, so to all you fans who are running around like headless chickens, shut the hell up and get behind the lads!
While I'm here I'm going to voice my support of coach Peter Sharp. He has a lot of pressure on him right now. His contract is up at the end of the season, and the board seem to be taking a 'wait and see' approach, which is fair enough. But I think it would be unwise to let that situation go on for too long.
A lot of idiots are criticising Sharpy for his media skills, last night his after game press conference was practically mono-syllabic. I personally couldn't give a monkeys. I know in this age of 24 hour sports coverage a lot of people would like it, but it doesn't make a jot of difference to what happens on the park.
He wont read this of course, but the vast majority of fans still back you Mr Sharp. It's just that the moanalots seem to have bigger gobs! Things will turn around, we have far to many talented players for it not too.
Come on you Hullaaaah!

Still Hobbling about.

But better, I have to say. I'll be back at work next week I think.
Unfortunately Hull FC didn't get a win to cheer me up on Sunday. Friday we're away to Saints, and with all the injuries we have, well, its an uphill struggle. As soon as we get a player back, another hits the treatment room! All very disheartening, especially as if we had a full side out, we could wipe the floor with anyone. I just hope we get a few back over the next couple of weeks before we play the Sith.
Just to lighten the mood, and continuing the decades theme, here's my choice of music from the 70's.
Still one of my favourite all time tracks, here's the Jackson 5 with 'I want you back'


If I had to choose one artist to take on a desert island with me, it would have to be Queen. Here's a couple of tracks from their 3rd album 'Sheer Heart Attack' 'Killer Queen' and 'Flick of the Wrist' What a marvellous single that was!

Checking in.

Just doing a quick post as I haven't for a few days. I've been a bit laid up (to say the least!) with my arthritis. I have just finished a course of gel injections in both knees, and it seems to have caused a flare up. I was in bed over the weekend as I just couldn't get about at all. The Hubster took control and was very good bless him.
I've just had the last fortnight off work (first week was a weeks holiday) and I've been virtually housebound for the full time. I have to say this is the worst flare up I have had so far, and it was a bit disconcerting to say the least! I now know that my type of job will have to change, being on my feet all the time just will not be possible.
A nice win at Huddersfield for the lads will be just the thing to cheer me up!
Come on you Hullaaaaah!

New Hull FC web site

The teams new website is finally up, and it looks great! It sure did need a revamp. I've updated the link on the right hand side of the page, so why don't you have a look!
Lets hope the new start continues on the pitch tonight!
COME ON YOU HULLAAA!

Hoping for a bit better

Hull FC are at home to Wigan tomorrow. I wont be there, as in the morning I have the last of a course of injections into my knees. You have to keep off your feet for 24 hours, so a trip to the rugby is ruled out.
I'm of course hoping I miss a masterly display by the Black and Whites. But we need a BIG improvement on Sundays performance and that's a fact.
This is an excellent example of 'Keeping the faith'

Well!

Just a word about Hull FC's performance today.
RUBBISH!
End of post!

Back to the KC!

Ah yes! Back to the KC Stadium for a brand new season. It's the FC's first home game today against Harlequins. I usually find it a bit difficult to go to Sunday home games now I work on a Sunday, but this coming week I'm on holiday so will be going to the game. Hopefully to watch our first win of the season. We should dispatch Harlequins to be honest, but for some strange reason they always do well here. Time to knock that on the head methinks!
BTW, the above picture was taken last year, but its the view I get from where I sit usually in the South Stand, in the picture the view is of the West (posh) stand!

Old Photo's

I was looking through my box of old photos today. I was thinking how nice it is to look at a physical picture. Things have really changed nowadays with everything being digital. I know you can have pictures printed out still, but more often than not you forget to do it.
Anyway, I copied a few of them, I haven't got a scanner but just took a photo of the photo with my phone, some turned out quite well.
Anyway, just for a laugh, here's a pic of the Hubster and I, circa 1981. You'd never recognise us from this pic in a month of Sundays! lol.

A new season!

Hull FC start the new Superleague season tonight away to hotly tipped Warrington. I haven't seen what sort of side we will have out. As I mentioned in an earlier post we have a list of injuries as long as your arm, but I always have faith in the lads, and I'm sure we'll give em a good game win or loose.
COME ON YOU HULLAAAAAAH!!!!

Back to the 60's

I few posts ago I wrote about a TV programme we watched called 'Pop on Trial' in which each decade was discussed from the 50's to the 90's, to decide which was the most influential.
My last post was about 50's, so now it's onto the 60's.
I've decided to not choose the Beatles as that's a bit easy to do, but I've chosen a couple of tracks that have always got the old feet tapping.
First is the Spencer Davies Group , and 'Keep on Running'


And the 2nd is a very young Stevie Wonder (I think he was only a teenager in this clip) If you had to show someone what genius is, I think this is a good example. Here he is singing 'Uptight'

Thank the Lord its back!!!

It's back! The Super League season starts proper tonight with a game between Leeds Rhinos (aka 2007 Champs) and Hull KR (aka The Sith, the dark side, that pile of rubbish from East Hull, etc, etc)
There is just the one game this week as the season starts for everyone else next week. This is so Leeds have a free weekend later on in the season to play in the World Club Challenge.
Hopefully we will have had our crop of injuries for the season, and will be able to crack on to frighten everyone to death! I'm very optimistic (as always)


The best of luck to Gary Mac on his first game as Leeds boss. I have a feeling all will fall into place now. We have one of our own in charge. Come on you Mighty Whites!!!

And finally, for your entertainment, a couple of fantastic trys by the one of the best players to grace a Hull FC shirt, James Leuluai.

Mac is back!

Crikey, there was no messing about was there? As soon as Wisey left the building Chairman Bates bagged his man straight away!
A big welcome back to LUFC legend Gary McAllister as our new manager. He needs to buck the lads up as after another loss tonight at Southend, he has a bit of a slump on his hands!
Good luck Gary!



Just a final word on Dennis Wise. Now a bit more info has trickled through, I can't really blame the bloke for leaving. He's apparently bagged a desk job, based in London for a shed load of cash. He has a wife who is expecting a baby, and she wouldn't move up North. I suppose when a chance like that comes up, you have to take it.

The Roller coaster speeds up again.......

Well the roller coaster ride that is Leeds Utd has sped up a pace with the very speedy departure today of manager Dennis Wise to Newcastle, to work as part of Kevin Keegan's backroom staff.
I could call him a weasle, and short arsed git of a traitor but I wont. He actually hasn't done a bad job at Leeds, considering he was on a hiding to nothing with the fans, who would always have been suspicious of him.......and in the end we've been proved right.
His departure was so quick, indecently so in many ways, and right at the end of the transfer window, so any new manager coming in wont be able to bring their own players in for some time.
He was either offered a shed load of cash, or maybe former management partner Gus Poyet was the brains of the duo, and when he went to Spurs, Dennis started to feel out of his depth?
Don't forget to close the door on the way out Dennis.

Grrrrrr

Grrrrr #1
The Graphics card has decided to go kaput on my PC, so until it gets replaced I'm having to use my daughters old tower. It is so slow.......crikey all the updating I had to do when we first plugged it in....it took ages!!
I hope the Hubster fixes my PC as quickly as possible!!


Grrrrr #2
Well the season hasn't even started yet and the injuries have started rolling in already. Here's a list that are out of the pre-season game at Doncaster today:

Richard Horne (foot),
Gareth Raynor (hamstring),
Lee Radford (broken thumb),
Richard Whiting (broken arm),
Shaun Berrigan (shoulder),
Adam Dykes (calf),
Tommy Lee (shoulder),
Motu Tony (hamstring
Matt Sing (foot).
Matty Dale (hamstring)
And now I'm just hearing that Kirk Yeamen may have broken his arm during the game today. Lets hope it's not as serious as first thought!
I might have to get my boots at this rate!

Looking after airliebird.

I'm off to the Hairdressers this morning to be reblonded. Yes, my secret is out. I'm not a real blonde. :)
Anyway, I'm sure other ladies will agree, but there's nothing quite so relaxing as a couple of hours being pampered, and reading lots of trashy magazines to boot! I visit my hairdresser Claire, about once every 6-7 weeks. It costs a few bob I admit, but it's a little treat that's well worth it!

The quiet life.

Things are very quiet here of late, nothing much has happened, and to be honest that suits me down to the ground!
Shell is back, and its like she's never been away, her bedroom looks like its been hit by an earthquake as per usual!
The RL season will soon be upon us (thank God). The lads have had a couple of pre-season friendlies. There has been a few scares injury wise already, but that's power for the course, every team has to put up with that.
It seems to have been a very long close season, it hasn't been any longer than normal of course, just seems like it!

We've been watching a series of programmes on BBC4 recently, about pop from the 50's to the 90's and which decade had more influence. Seeing I was born in 1958, I sort of span all those decades, so I thought for a bit of fun I'd choose a song from each one that has a special memory for me.
Today will be the 50's. As I just made being born in the 50's, the song I've chosen just made the 50's too, 1959 to be exact. My uncle used to sing this to me as a little girl, I cant remember it of course, but I have always known all the words to this song (and that's even before the Young Ones version!)
Here's a VERY young Cliff Richard and 'Living Doll'.

Foo Fighters

As I have mentioned before one of my favourite bands are the Foo Fighters. I posted a couple of tracks off their latest album a couple of months ago. Anyway, here is their latest single 'Long road to ruin' The clip is a bit of a return to form as they've become well known for their humorous videos. Their last 2 or 3 have been more performance based.
There's some pretty interesting hairstyles in this one I can tell you!