Kingsland Codger

Much better than our national side.

A fine win for us but Millwall were formidable opposition. They pressurized us giving us very little time on the ball and often we couldn't get our passing game together. But it's all about scoring goals to win the points and Millwall had very poor finishers. Some of their shots went wide or over the bar by a whisker - and that's not good enough.

Mmmmm ... not sure where is the best place to begin but if we use the FA Youth Cup Finals as a starting point, and our own final against Ipswich, the team line-ups can be found on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Youth_Cup_Finals#2004.E2.80.9305:_Ipswich_Town_vs_Southampton_.281.E2.80.930.2C_2.E2.80.932.29 Looking down the list of Ipswich players, there are no names that appear obvious current 'household names', whereas in the line-up for the Saints the names Walcott and Bale stand out; their names are known to non-Saints fans - and probably to some non-footie fans. Other readers of this post might want to scroll up and down the above link and see the line-ups of other finals. Middlesborough were in two consecutive finals and Adam Johnson and also David Wheater stand out. The Arsenal teams of 2000 and 2001 also have several names that are now familiar - indeed, most finals have had a least one player who has turned out to be a star; the surprise being, perhaps, there are so few. As for players who went on to play for Championship or League 1 and 2 sides, I do not know enough to make an answer other than to say I suppose nearly all of the finalists play somewhere in the lower leagues, at least. Then, of course, there will be the clubs that had good academies but never made it to a Youth Cup final. But the above is only a suggested starting point - others will have better informed ideas.

I believe Andrew McNeil played in goal for Saints Youth (maybe even in the 2005 FA Youth Cup Final? It says so on Wikipedia but Wiki isn't a wholly reliable source) and currently plays for Livingston in the Scottish Division One. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_McNeil http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=42168

As Micky above suggests, you need to prioritise what you are trying to achieve. An admission from the Parish Council that they have erred? Followed by an apology? Or another row with the Parish Council (and specifically the ex-chairman with whom you have difficulties)? Or to have your father's resting place treated with more respect than currently? Whatever it is, you clearly have the moral high ground and the Parish Council need to be reminded that a cemetery is exactly that; a place where the living bury their loved ones and where they can make visits to mourn and to remember. The Parish Council also need to be reminded a cemetery is not a profit-making opportunity. Dealt with correctly they should be made to feel utterly ashamed. But if you make it a personal battle between yourself and the ex-chairman you lose the moral high ground and the Parish Council are likely to close ranks. Try not to let emotions get on top of you (extremely difficult as you are dealing with a highly emotional topic) and keep the Parish Council focused on the concept of 'Rest In Peace' as this is a concept everyone (even awkward parish councillors with little man syndrome) can understand. And to hutch - sincerest condolences and all best wishes for Friday.

And then sometimes a cover version is neither an improvement nor an abomination, just utterly different Dave Brubeck Take Five 1961 ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwNrmYRiX_o and fifty years later, a version from Pakistan ...

Brings back fond memories of landing at Hong Kong's Kai Tak http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PCOcyt7BPI

I haven't been following this tournament at all. Are those players based in Europe participating? Are Brazil and Argentine having to field a weak side due to absence of any stars?

Good (sometimes great) possession football by the Japanese - a real joy to watch; but some dreadful finishing by the Americans. The game was theirs for the taking but they missed some really good chances. Fair play to the Japanese who were dogged in their defence, never gave up and were worthy champions.

Casey Keller's late, late save from Matt Taylor's close range blaster against you-know-who in November 2004 made sure we won the match.

No, not yet - and that's the point.

I'm far more concerned with the creator of an RAF museum saying "sod human rights" - he doesn't seem to have grasped one of the main topics of WW2. And as for films changing the names of dogs, I wonder if the Tintin cartoons and films will ever change the name of his dog from Snowy?

Curse of Sky? Curse of the first game? Not if you look at it this way ... Last season we were on Sky for the first game of the season and lost at home to Plymouth. Saints then went on to win promotion and Plymouth were relegated. I'd take that every time.

He faced Whispering Death in 1981 in what is often called 'the fastest ever over'. He didn't last long - but then with Holding bowling with such pace nobody would have stayed for long.

I'm firmly of the view that being father is the hardest unpaid job there is. This view is not proving to be very popular with the numerous female side of the extended family, but I'm sticking to my guns.

The same thing happens with the crowd at St Marys. We have the ball, pass it around neatly, force the opposition to chase shadows ...and then our own fans start booing and shouting "get rid of it".

Thirteen minutes of Pure Gold. Many thanks for creating and uploading the video, much appreciated.

And there you ask the key question. No doubt nothing but the most tender, young, tips of the tea bush are hand-picked by cheerful maidens in the foothils of the Pennines. I view 'Yorkshire' Tea as a blatant (but admitedly effective) marketing exercise.

Matthew Upson (Arsenal and WHU), Kanu (Arsenal and you-know-who) maybe Michael Owen (Newcastle and Manchester United).

A candidate for Avatar of the Year - SNSUN

Most entertaining error by a match official goes to the lino on the Kingsland side who flagged offside from a throw-in (vs Hartlepool?). And in the same match (I think) with only a minute or two to go, in the Kingsland/Chapel corner Guly performed a neat bit of control, took the ball to the byeline and delivered the most exquisite air-shot I have ever seen; meanwhile the ball trickled away for a goal-kick.

I have admired the fans of clubs in the cities who could have supported one of the Big Clubs but instead have chosen to stay loyal to their team. Some of the L1 clubs might be the only club in their region (Carlisle, maybe Plymouth) but fans of, say, Orient, Brentford, Walsall, Tranmere, Oldham, Rochdale - they might have supported a Premiership side a short journey away but instead chose to do things the hard way.

Clearly I'm in a minority, but I would never even dream about visiting Fratton Park. Apart from it being a dreadful dump, by purchasing a ticket to a match held there I would be contributing to their income.

Another one for you - I don't think I have spotted his name in your articles. Keith Allen played for Luton - mid 60s and early 70s.