My God its December!!

Apologies for not keeping up to date with this. I'm sure I'll get better as the rugby season kicks off again. The thing is there are so many things to do online nowadays. Facebook is one. You read what other people are doing, you can keep in touch so easily, and the games.....
I have a farm, a fishtank, and a little pet to take care of. It all keeps me immensely busy lol. You see I'm at the twitchy stage of the close season, when I miss going to see the FC VERY MUCH, so busy is the only way! Thankfully the Mighty Whites are going great guns! Surely we can't muck this season up? Automatic promotion has to be the only way. I couldn't cope with another Wembley trip!
What has been happening with me? Well, I really need to get my eyes tested, my youngest daughter has moved back home, and the cats are still keeping me up till all hours as I don't like to leave them out all night if the weather is bad!
It's been really cold the last couple of days, where's this global warming then?? I have to admit to being a sceptic. Of course I have no evidence, it's just a gut instinct, and looking at some of the stuff I've read lately the other side haven't as well!
Back to the FC. Our 2 main overseas signings are actually have visas and are in the country! Amazing isn't it?? The way our pack is shaping up, we definitely will NOT win the Fair Play league this season lol. (Yippee!)
Signing off for now, be lucky :)

New Kit New Start!

I know I haven't posted on here for ages, but our new kit has been unveiled. I like em, lets hope its the start of a good season next year!!

Thoughts on the FC after another defeat.

On Saturday we lost our 16th game out of the last 20. This season has been a nightmare, and it has broken my heart seeing the absolute drivel my beloved team have served up to us fans. Anyone who has read my blog regularly (if anyone has!) will know that I try not to be reactionary and have always tried to back the coach. I cannot stand some of the fans that call for the coaches head at every opportunity. I found myself reasoning in a similar way to when our last coach Peter Sharp was under pressure, that he should have a chance with his chosen team in place, with players he had brought in himself.
This, I have argued, should be the case with Richard Agar, but some of his actions are beginning to worry me.
For instance his interchanges (substitutions) are a bit lacking in common sense. The interchanges are there to give players a rest, especially forwards, who have to get through a hell of a lot of physical work. the modern game is in reality a 17 man game. Who you name on the subs bench is as important as the 1st 13.
Anyway, I digress. Mr Agar has this strange habit of leaving forwards on until they are absolutely shattered. If fans from the stand can spot a player who is struggling and is becoming a weak link because of it, why cant the head coach?
OK, it has to be said Richard has admitted he gets this wrong. He is a new head coach with not a lot of experience. But Saturdays team selections where just unfathomable.
Let me explain. The team has injuries, our stand off is injured. Now who would you choose to replace him? The man who came to the club as a stand off, and happens to have the best footballing brain in the club, or do you move the Full back (who has been playing very well there, and prefers that position, and very little experience at stand off) to SO and put the aforementioned player at Full back?
What sounds like sense to you?
Well to our coach the latter scenario made more sense.
He also dropped who to many is the player of the season, and one of the few players that shows he gives a shit, Mark Calderwood, for a player coming in after a long term injury.
Mr Agar, you are going to have to start making sense, and fast. Because if you don't you wont get the chance of your 'own' team next season.

A lovely moment

I haven't posted much lately as I haven't really had too much to say, but today I have. It's only a little thing but it made me smile.
This morning I went into the kitchen, and a butterfly had got caught between the blinds and the window. I managed to get hold of it and gently carried it outside to let it go. When I opened my hand it didn't fly straight away, but stayed on my fingertips for a couple of seconds so I could look at how beautiful it was. It then swooped high up and away.
I'm not ashamed to say that it got me all weepy for a while. I don't really know why. Maybe its because some of the smallest things in life, that you can take for granted, are the most beautiful. It's always good to stop and smell the roses.

Good news At Last!

This season for the FC has been a disaster, rubbish on the pitch and bad luck off it. Well at least I have a bit of good news to report.

You may remember me posting in February (yes February!) that we had signed Hame Lauaki from the New Zealand Warriors. Well, he has eventually got his visa! So its taken about 5 months! Apparently his living and working in NZ for 20 years, wasn't good enough proof for the British authorities that he could speak English. So he had to take a test to prove it and re-submit his application.

Now I'm all for immigration control, our country is small and can only support so many people, but the bloody messing about Hull FC have had first with Michael Crocker's visa rejection, and now with Hame's application, just shows what chaos there is at the Border Agency. I'm still waiting with baited breath to see a foreign footballer held up like this! (cynic that I am!)

Just a word about Michael Jackson. I was never a big fan of his music as I went down a more rocky route taste wise, but I could see how good he was. I was though a big fan of the Jackson 5. Michael was a couple of months older than I am, and when I was a kid it was either The Osmond's or the Jackson 5. I was a big fan of The Osmond's, but loved the Jackson's because they made such fantastic records. In fact this song I'm embedding here, 'I Want You Back' Is one of my all time favourite ever tracks.

There's been some horrid things said about Michael in his life and after his death. I for one have never believed he harmed children. I think he was a sad man that desperately wanted to grasp a little of the childhood he undoubtedly lost.

If there is one story that shows that fame and fortune isn't everything, then his story is it.

May he rest in peace, and may God bless his children.

MP's expenses

Just a quick post.

Apparently some info has been released about what Mp's have claimed in expenses. My MP the Home Secretary himself, Alan Johnson claimed £131,711 in the last calendar year.

Now that seems a bloody lot to me, but I haven't got anything to compare it to. So, if anyone comes across this post and youre from the UK, please pop here: http://tinyurl.com/nycdn2

Put in your postcode and let me know what your MP has claimed.

Thanks :)

Odds and sods

Hello, I thought it was about time I updated this. What with Facebook and Twitter and everything else since I stopped work I haven't had the time lol.

I started this clog primarily for updates on my beloved Hull FC, so here goes:

Hame Lauaki is still in bloody New Zealand, no visa has appeared yet! For next season we have signed St Helens scrum half Sean Long, Forward Craig Fitzgibbon and full back Jason Tandy, both from the Sydney Roosters (although Jason is English so not on the quota) All this is very encouraging and a sign the board is starting to spend some of the money they make off us so well. But, it does seem to telegraph to the fans, that this season can go whistle Dixie when we are only half way through! We have had to sit through some utter dross after the first 5 winning games, culminating at Leeds just over a week ago, when our scrum half, Chris Thorman, buggered up the whole game himself. I have never seen such a incompetent performance from a Hull FC player in the way he sabotaged the whole performance. Of course that is because of his pivotal role in the team. It will be interesting to see if he plays tonight against St Helens. Craig Hall has not been near the team since his awful run at Full Back, a position he was not used too, but put there because there was no one else. He was terrible there, but the coach decided to put him in the position. He was dropped, will Mr Thorman be dropped tonight? He may get a roasting from the fans if he does play. We are very fair, but when we think someone is taking the mick, we can be vicious.

Now I called this post Odds and Sods, so lets go onto the Sods.

Can you believe the shenanigans that is going on in Parliament at the mo?. The MP expenses revelations have been jaw dropping at times and just goes to show how things REALLY need to change. But what I fear is that we'll just have a General Election, the Tories will get in, and everything will go on as it always has. We will, also I believe, see Mr David (cuddly) Cameron's real suit of clothes. I would be very surprised indeed if he turned out to be anything new when in government.

The Labour Party are reaping what they have sown in my opinion. As I write Gordon Brown is in a lot of bother with Ministers resigning one after the other. There is talk the leader may change, but I think Mr Brown will hang on as long as he can. He seems the type to tough it out.

What is interesting is that the Conservatives are calling for a General Election, which they would most probably win, but would they comfortably? The way the public are so angry about all the expenses palaver I would hope they would turn from both of them and go independent. For once we have a real bit of power in our hands, if there is a General Election!

As I write this I'm listening to Sky News and it has been announced that my MP Alan Johnson, who's constituency contains the KC stadium has been given the post of Home Office minister. Bloody typical! Too late to help us with the Crocker visa!

BLAH!

No visa

Just an update on the long running Michael Crocker signing, last week he had his 2nd application turned down. He signed for South Sydney Rabbitohs at the weekend. To say I'm dissapointed about this is an understatement, (I've been sulking ever since I heard, hence the late post) but I think we all new that it was on the cards. Lets hope that our other overseas signing, Hame Lauaki, isn't waiting much longer for his visa. I first wrote about his signing in late February, nothing has been heard of him since!!! At least he hasn't any convictions for anything as far as I know. So at least we know he will be playing for us..........eventually!! 

Crooks!

I can hardly believe some of the stories that the Daily Telegraph has been printing about MP's and their expenses. If this doesn't get the British people going nothing will!
It is absolutely outrageous what has been claimed for, from one MP claiming for having a chandelier fitted into his house, to someone claiming for a box of Tampax!
To put no finer point on it, this is fraud of the British people, and don't give me all that tripe about 'acting within the rules' Surely the thought must have passed through the brain of the MP who claimed for a bag of horse manure, that this isn't really ' essential in doing my job as an MP' Actually, that claim is about right because I think this lot in Parliament, and I mean all sides, have just been shovelling shit on us for long enough!
Maybe in the upcoming elections we should look beyond the 2 party system and vote for other parties. I don't advocate voting for the BNP of course, but look at UKIP, The Greens etc. We haven't heard how bad the Lib Dems have been yet, its their turn soon, maybe they could come out of this smelling of roses you never know.
A couple of posts ago I wrote about a speech given to Parliament by Oliver Cromwell in 1653, when he dissolved the then' Long Parliament'. History speaks truth once again.
Here's the link to that speech

MOT!!

I know I've been a bit lax with updates, but I have been busy of late and will do a catch up post soon. But today I just want to wish the football team I love, Leeds United the best of luck in the play offs today.

We're going to go UP this time! Marching on Together!!!

Support the Ghurkas

sign this petition: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ghurka1/

Praise the Lord!

The FC get a win after 6 straight defeats! (14-18 at Salford) This will be a short post as I'm still in shock.

P.S. Mr Crocker and Mr Leuaki still have no visas. Border Agency, what is bloody hell going on!!!!??? 

My mobile phone history.

A few times I've done searches on old mobile phones I used to own, just to refresh my memory. Anyway this morning I was up at an ungodly hour, and decided to waste time listing my mobile phone history. Looking at the pics things have really improved in leaps and bounds in a very short time!
My very first phone the Nokia 3210. I remember ordering a cheaper version at the time and they sent me this posher one for the same price by mistake lol.
This was my next phone and first contract mobile. A Samsung SGH-T100. I remember thinking this was soooo cool with it being a flip phone!
I went back to Nokia with my next phone, a 3100. It was my first colour screen phone and was so really easy to use. I lost this phone on a night out unfortunately.
After this phone I did have a Motorola, it only lasted a few months as I didn't like it, and ended up giving it to my niece. I've tried to find a pic of it but cant remember the name/number of it!
This is a Sony Ericsson K300i. I absolutely loved this phone. It was my first proper multi media type with it taking videos etc. I drove everyone mad taking little videos lol. My daughter still uses this as a back up phone.
My next phone was a BenQ Siemens Mia. I wanted this phone because it was so pretty! and although it was pretty good it didn't have a video function, and I missed that. I still have this as my back up phone.
I went for this Samsung d9ooi next. It had a video function, took good pics and was pink! Unfortunately after only 6 months the connection to charge the phone went to pot. I think I was just unlucky as my daughter, her boyfriend and my sister in law used this type without any problems, although I must add that Michelle's boyfriends is not pink!
So on to my latest phone, a LG KU990 Viewty. I must admit to being a little reluctant at first to try a touch screen phone, but this is absolutely fabulous. It takes brilliant pictures, great video, you can surf the net with ease it really is feature packed. The only downside is the battery life, but I suppose in this day and age when handsets do so much this is to be expected. I just bought a desktop charger and a spare battery, so I'm not charging up my phone all the time.
Well that is my phone history. I think I might go back to bed now!

Lessons from History.

Nearly all my life I have been fascinated with History. Have never read fiction or Mills and Boon, give me a book about Richard III and I'm in heaven. It never ceases to amaze me how things are so different now, but are also the same. History I believe is a really important subject to study, to see how our forfathers handled things, and to maybe stop us making the same mistakes.

Anyway, onto the subject of the post. I watched a programme late at night over the weekend about great orators and great speeches. One, that I admit to not hearing before even though I have an interest in history, was by Oliver Cromwell. It was a speech made to the House of Commons on the 20th April 1653. It's quite amazing to me how it fits in this day and age.

Dissolution of the Long Parliament by Oliver Cromwell given to the House of Commons, 20 April 1653

"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.

Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?

Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.

In the name of God, go!"

How we could do with Mr Cromwell to clear out some of the rubbish in Parliament now!!

As I've mentioned before......

.....there is never a dull moment supporting Hull FC. After a very disapointing defeat against Rovers, and our 5th defeat on the trot, what else do the club have in store for us? Well they go and sign a new full back, a new fullback that is awaiting sentence on a charge of assault at the end of the month! His club Warrington released him, and who snapped him up? We did! The irony being, at the derby game on Friday, the club in partner with the NHS, launched a campaign highlighting domestic violence. Mr Reardons assault was perpetrated against his estranged wife and new partner!

Now I'm all for giving people a 2nd chance. But to sign Reardon when in a couple of weeks time he could be down the road is ridiculous, and smacks of the people in charge either being in a blind panic, or proof there isn't a working brain cell amongst em.

If after he has served any punishment and he is still at the FC, I would be willing to support Mr Reardon if he is wearing the black and white, like I say everyone deserves a second chance. But to sign him now shows a really worrying line of irrational thought at the club. If you go on rugby alone he hasn't played since last May I believe through injury! We could end up having 3 fullbacks injured at the club!

I need some good news............please you lot at the Border Agency, hear my plea!!!!!!!!!

New Post

It's been a while since I last posted, I just haven't had the time to sit down and do one. Which is strange really, as you'd think I'd have more time now I'm not working!

On the Hull FC front we have gone into a bit of a slump loosing 5 games on the bounce, including being knocked out of the Cup, and loosing to the Sith 14-18 yesterday. It was a really exciting game to watch, and I would say the Dark Side deserved their win as we only started playing towards the end of the game.

Things have really gone to pot quite suddenly at the FC after a start of 5 straight wins. But then anyone who has read this blog knows if you want a smooth ride don't support Hull FC!

Oh, and Michael Crocker STILL hasn't got his visa. He actually re-applied with better documentation in the middle of February. Especially at the moment when some of the people involved in terrorist arrests made in the last few days, where in the country on student visas. Maybe the powers that be should stop being so studious about sportsmen's visa applications and concentrate elsewhere!

On the same note latest signing  Hame Lauaki is also still awaiting a visa. Bit of a joke innit?

100% comes to an end.

Well it had to come to and end some day, and on Friday we lost our first game of the season to Castleford 18-19. Cas had a good game pushed around the park by a certain 'Shifty' Sherwin (remember him readers?)

We had a bad day at the office, but still scored more tries than Cas. In a way I'm glad the run is out of the way, this will concentrate the lads minds a bit.

Here is my 3rd little video taken with my phone at the game, catching The FC's last try.

5 out of 5, and its a small world!

The FC have their best ever start to the season with a 26-34 win away at the Bradford Bulls. I can't believe the start we've had, and long may it continue!!

I was supposed to be going to the game yesterday, but instead was in bed nursing the hangover from hell! We never learn do we? I did have a good reason though, as I met up with some friends I hadn't seen for years. One, Dave, was my best pal in my teens and Saturday was the first time I'd seen him in 27 years! He was my sisters boyfriend, and she was best pals with his sister. They got in touch after many years on Facebook and found out they could wave at each other from their bedrooms! They had actually been living practically back to back for quite a few years! It's a small world really isn't it, and things like Facebook make it a hell of a lot smaller!! :)

Yay!!!!

Huddersfield 20 Hull FC 24

Read it and weep all you unbelievers!!

FC update

Just a quick post about Fridays game.
Another good win for the FC over the Catalan Dragons 28-12. I was very pleased with the performance, the defence looked fantastic and I was impressed by the teams fitness once again. We're not playing any fancy stuff, but that will come with game time, and as our half back pairing of Chris Thorman and Richard Horne really begins to click. Shaun Berrigan looked sharp at Hooker, and he can only improve with a long stint in his preferred position. Last season he had to play all over the place with all the bad injuries we had.
The pack are looking really excellent at the moment. They are not a big pack by today's standards, but seem to be punching above their weight, hopefully they can keep this up.
Still no news about Micheal Crocker's visa re-application. Hopefully we'll hear news very soon (fingers, legs, eyes, and everything crossed!)

Sad news about full back Todd Byrne getting an injury that will see him out for the rest of the season. It's looking likely that he will be released from the rest of his contract so we can bring a replacement in. Todd looked in great form this season, and the the last ditch tackle he made against Wigan in the season opener will live long in the memory. I hope he has a speedy recovery!

Finally here's my 2nd rugby action video!! Taken from the game against Le Cats last Friday. It shows a passage of play leading up to the last FC try of the match scored by Tom Briscoe. Of course because of my excellent camera skills (and being a bit excited)I managed to miss the touch down! (doh!) But there is a rousing rendition of 'Old Faithful' near to the end as Danny Tickle converts the try. As you will see, a career in Hollywood beckons! :)

Update Time

Just a post to update news of the FC. Saturday saw us go down to Bridgend, Wales to be the Celtic Crusaders first vistors as they start there Superleague career. Potentially a bit of a banana skin,and going down 10-0 at the start, we did the job, winning 20-28. A great start for the lads I have to admit. Our next game is at home against Le Catatan, they did a complete demolition job at Warrington last Saturday, and have been one of our real bogey teams at home. If we beat them on Friday, I think it can be said we have really started well!



Welcome to new signing Hame Lauaki, a forward from the New Zealand Warriors, I dont know a great deal about him, but I would expect him to be used as an impact prop to cause a bit of havoc when the other side is flagging a bit! The powers that be have insisted he isn't a replacement for Michael Crocker, who is still awaiting the result of his visa re-application.
If he does manage to get it (fingers and even eyes crossed!)....wow what a pack we would have!!

Having a boogie!

I've just treated myself to a new cd, 'Stax Gold, Memphis Hits' With Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T and the MG's et all. I was only a small child when all the tracks were first released, and was really introduced to this sort of music through the 1980 film 'The Blues Brothers' I defy anyone to keep still when listening to this marvellous stuff!

A Winning Start!

We had a winning start last night at home to Wigan. The game finished 18-10 in our favour with tries by Richard Horne, Captain Lee Radford,and Peter Cusack. All tries converted by Danny Tickle.
The lads looked a bit rusty in some areas it had to be said, but the fitness was good. Todd Byrne had a fabulous game at fullback! I am worried about our pack though, although they did really well against the bigger Wigan pack last night, will we be able to keep it up all season if Michael Crocker doesn't have a successful visa reapplication? The other forward signing that hasn't arrived yet, Tongan Sam Moa, (no its not a joke name!) is a big lad but a bit of an unknown quantity and has been labled as a 'project' This gives us FC fans the jitters as our last 'project', Hutch Maiava, (or Butch Mavis as he became known) ended up a bit of a disaster!
I took a short video or a passage of play last night, its not the best quality as I had the video on my phone on the wrong setting lol.
Anyway, here it is:


Watch Game footage  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Can't wait!

Just under 3 hours to go to kick off! Lets hope we have a good start against the pies (Wigan)
I'll post about the match itself with maybe a picture or two later :)

Not long now.......

....and my darling lads will be back!

Blah!

Well the news all us Hull FC fans have been waiting for finally arrived. Much to our neighbours, the Sith's delight, Michael Crocker has had his visa denied.

Now for once we can't blame the board. The club obtained his work permit, but it was Crocker himself who had to apply for the visa. It's looking like a conviction for affray, that he was fined for in 2005 was the reason it was refused.

When I think about all the low lifes that are let into this country, who sponge off the state, and I compare it with an Australian international, who would be coming here to work, pay taxes, and contribute a lot to the community he will live in has been denied access to the country.

This country is fast becoming a madhouse, and the inmates are running the asylum!

*Scratches ones head*

There have been two stories in the news that have made me think 'What?!' over the last couple of days. The first being about 2 children aged 5 and 4, and their Grandparents who wanted to to adopt them. Fair enough you would think. The Grandfather is 59 his wife 46, he does suffer from angina, but is a farmworker so cant be that unfit. The Grandmother was being treated for diabetes. Now there has been numerous stories about sportsmen having this ailment and carrying on as normal. The club I support, Hull FC have a player diagnosed with Diabetes, and he has carried on as normal with medication.

Now any reasonably minded person would say, sounds ok to me. Let the bairns stay with their Grandparents. But no, social services have placed them with a male gay couple.

Now don't get me wrong, I believe gay people should have the same rights as anyone else, I back gay marriage, but just like with equality for women, there are some jobs we just can't do (ones that take a lot of physical strength for instance) The ideal way children should be brought up is with a Mother and a Father. End of.  How the social services came to this decision is quite unfathomable to me. But then the decision was made behind closed doors wasn't it? So we wont find out how they made this decision.

The second story that had me non-plussed was the proposal by the Government to compensate families who had lost family members during the troubles in Northern Ireland. Fair enough you may think. No amount of money can replace a loved family member, but at least it would feel as if their life was valued.

That would be until you find out that the families of members of the paramilitary organisations, who where killed in the process of committing terrorist acts, would get the compensation too. So that means someone who was just going about their business and ended up being blown up is on the same level as the person who set the bomb?

Ok then.......

Just checking in.

I thought I'd just do a quick post as I have neglected this for a while. As I have mentioned in other posts my family hasn't had a good start to the New Year. What has been nice to see if anything can be seen as nice when there is a bereavement, is how the 'Family' kicks in. I have a brilliant family, and I have to say I married into a pretty nice one too.

Onto other more trivial things, (as I am prone to do at times!) I am so looking forward to the rugby season. I'm getting serious withdrawal symptoms, and have started to look longingly at the KC Stadium every time we pass it in the car! Pre-season seems to be going ok with the lads, and are to be doing not so bad for injuries for a change, at last compared to last season when they where going down like flies! We are all waiting of course with baited breath for Michael Crocker's visa to come through. I have one piece of advice for the immigration officials handling his case: GET YOUR BLOODY FINGERS OUT!

This week has seen wall to wall coverage of Barack Obama's transfer to power as President of the US. Now I've expressed my misgivings about him in the past, and all this euphoria surrounding his inauguration reminds me so much of Tony Blair when he was first elected, although admittedly on a much smaller scale. He is in a way, on a hiding to nothing. A lot of hopes have been raised, and it will be impossible to please everyone.
I'm always prepared to give any one a fair shot, and I really hope President Obama does really well. Because we all know how he deals with all the problems around nowadays, will have effects worldwide.

Another wish of Bon Voyage.

After much suffering my Father in Law, Ben, passed on tonight. He has been in and out of hospital for nigh on 18 months, and has battled from the edge a couple of times, but this time it was too much.

On Monday my Uncle Tom passed, and now my Father in law.  A sad time indeed.

Bon Voyage Ben, onto the next adventure, and getting to watch Hull KR for free :)

Love, the Black n White xx

First Post of 2009

Happy New Year to everyone.

This is just a quick post to make my first of the new year.

I'll be back up and posting more regularly very soon so don't think you're off the hook!  :)

Bon Voyage, Uncle Tom. x