The Welsh Cup is one of the longest standing club competitions on gods green earth. Wrexham won the trophy for the first time in 1878 and up until 1996, one of my favourite competitions to watch my beloved Merthyr Tydfil FC in. 1987 saw Merthyr win the damn thing 1-0 in a replay final at Ninian Park against Newport, they then proceeded to beat Atalanta 2-1 at penydarren park before getting done 2-0 in Italy in the 87-88 Cup Winner Cup. I was only 5 so can't really remember this, but it's all good.
Then to everyone's disappointment we were excluded from the cup as we played in the English System. Merthyr joined Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, Newport and Colwyn Bay as teams excluded from their own national cup competition. Booooo
Then news came out at the start of this year we (now of course Merthyr Town) we once again invited to join, along with the other 5! 3 accepted (Merthyr, Newport and Wrexham) and the excitement began. Now as Merthyr play in a very backwards league at the moment (and who knows for how long) we joined in the 2nd qualifying round, playing 2 games in 2 days and with a second string beating a small team 5-1. All good. The draw came out and Merthyr got Barry Town in the first round. Much additional excitement!
Merthyr and Barry had an awesome rivalry back in the day, yes now both teams have fallen on hard times and dropped down the respective league systems, but the rivalry was still there. This was potentially the tie of the round with the Welsh Premier and Blue Square Premier teams not joining for 2 more matches.
Game day came and Merthyr put their team on twitter and I went what? It was a second string. I knew at that moment we'd get beat against by all accounts a tidy Barry side. I'm very sorry but who exactly do Merthyr think they are playing 'fringe' players in a cup match against a team that'd give our first side a potentially even match.
What was the thinking?
Is the Welsh is (was) not a priority? Then why enter it, nobody had a gun to their heads.
Did we disrespect the opposition? Arrogance? Someone needs to have a long hard look at some of the players in the side, even the first team, then have a look at the teams who've beaten us in competitions so far this year and reassess how good they think we are again. Last years league wasn't a pub league, but it certainly wasn't high quality, had to be won, but don't get carried away.
Did the manager(s) misjudge the game? They both played in Merthyr v Barry games, they know the rivalry. Sounds a bit naive to me.
Anyway, Barry won easily and deservedly 3-0 and Merthyr sit out the business stages of the competition. Based on that as well looks like I'll be saving myself some £7's in the upcoming weeks, oh well!
Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts
Monday, 3 October 2011
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Voting!
Right now, there are thousands of people all over the world fighting for the right to live in a democracy, to vote. I like to think we're very lucky in the UK that we already live in one. Yes democracy relies on the people and people do indeed make mistakes, but at least they're our mistakes. I don't feel anyone should be rules by a self appointed leader who they may not approve of. So, why oh why oh why when Brits (us Welshies in this instance) get a chance to vote, do we not bother.
Yesterday, Wales had a referendum on giving our assembly more law making powers. All cool, it's a yes or it's a no, you've hardly even got to worry about which box to tick! However a massive 64.8% of people waived their hard earned vote and decided to sit on their arses instead. In my locality of Merthyr Tydfil, we were the 4th worst turned out area with 30.1% of our proud 55k contributing. But why?
In my opinion, both campaigns were poor, partially thanks to the 'no' campaigners not taking up 'lead' status, meaning no funding and no allowance for a 'yes' campaign, meaning lower visibility of the points from either side. In all honesty except one leaflet through the post, you had to go look for any information yourself. Not ideal for reaching those people not typically all that interested in politics. On the other hand, it did save some public cash.
Maybe people haven't realised that this'll affect them. No doubt if there had been a line in there saying, 'vote yes and benefits will rise in wales' turnout in Merthyr would have been 90%, with another 5% turned away for being to drunk. But as we can't even get to 60% for a general election laziness may be a factor. (I mean honestly people, a little difference last time and Merthyr would have been under Conservative rule now, via Cleggs brown nosing.)
I'm all for compulsory voting (go Australia), obviously if you have a valid excuse, fair enough, but I'd imagine the majority of no shows wouldn't. Yes making people vote may be unpopular, or seem like forcing an opinion where there is none, but people can always abstain. At least their voice is then heard. Would any winner really accept a seat if their votes were superseded by abstentions?
Overall, I think the 35% who did show made the right choice, I'm not 100% sure the assembly members themselves are altogether ready for more power, but we'll now have a great chance to find out. It'll just always stick in the mind that the decision was ratified by only 20-odd% of those available to vote.
Mainly I'm gutted that the no campaign was called true wales, not the same as in '97.
Just Say No...
Just like Zammo
Yesterday, Wales had a referendum on giving our assembly more law making powers. All cool, it's a yes or it's a no, you've hardly even got to worry about which box to tick! However a massive 64.8% of people waived their hard earned vote and decided to sit on their arses instead. In my locality of Merthyr Tydfil, we were the 4th worst turned out area with 30.1% of our proud 55k contributing. But why?
In my opinion, both campaigns were poor, partially thanks to the 'no' campaigners not taking up 'lead' status, meaning no funding and no allowance for a 'yes' campaign, meaning lower visibility of the points from either side. In all honesty except one leaflet through the post, you had to go look for any information yourself. Not ideal for reaching those people not typically all that interested in politics. On the other hand, it did save some public cash.
Maybe people haven't realised that this'll affect them. No doubt if there had been a line in there saying, 'vote yes and benefits will rise in wales' turnout in Merthyr would have been 90%, with another 5% turned away for being to drunk. But as we can't even get to 60% for a general election laziness may be a factor. (I mean honestly people, a little difference last time and Merthyr would have been under Conservative rule now, via Cleggs brown nosing.)
I'm all for compulsory voting (go Australia), obviously if you have a valid excuse, fair enough, but I'd imagine the majority of no shows wouldn't. Yes making people vote may be unpopular, or seem like forcing an opinion where there is none, but people can always abstain. At least their voice is then heard. Would any winner really accept a seat if their votes were superseded by abstentions?
Overall, I think the 35% who did show made the right choice, I'm not 100% sure the assembly members themselves are altogether ready for more power, but we'll now have a great chance to find out. It'll just always stick in the mind that the decision was ratified by only 20-odd% of those available to vote.
Mainly I'm gutted that the no campaign was called true wales, not the same as in '97.
Just Say No...
Just like Zammo
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
"I promise that I'll come to Wales"
I'm annoyed!
Ben Folds is one of my favourite artists, he's clearly a talented man and put son one hell of a show. Over my time I've travelled twice to Manchester and once to Bristol to see him. That's quite a few miles.
Imagine my joy when on his last UK tour (some time ago now) in Bristol, after being heckled from a good proportionally Welsh crowd, he promised, no sang, next time he'd come to Wales. Plus of course with everything these days the evidence is on youtube (I'm the one who put it on there)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szBp2JwanSE (1100 hits woo hoo)
Well today his long awaited tour dates came out. Dublin, Glasgow, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Southampton, then on to Europe. Notice anything missing? Not even close, not even Bristol this time. Well thank you very much Mr Folds, this time you can shove your tickets up your Southampton.
It's an increasing trend, bands just don't play in Wales. Are the 'good' people of Cymru not worthy of the music? Are we all so poor we can't pay the ticket prices? Are we so far down the M4 people don't even know we exist? Well this Welshman has had enough, I'm not going to see him or anyone else who isn't close by. I know there's an element of cutting my nose off to spite my face but screw it. If more people had this attitude maybe we'd get better service down here.
Mr Folds your sans one fan, and based on your album sales last time, you need every one you can get.
You can guarantee we'll get the friggin X-Factor tour and Westlife and the like though.
Ben Folds is one of my favourite artists, he's clearly a talented man and put son one hell of a show. Over my time I've travelled twice to Manchester and once to Bristol to see him. That's quite a few miles.
Imagine my joy when on his last UK tour (some time ago now) in Bristol, after being heckled from a good proportionally Welsh crowd, he promised, no sang, next time he'd come to Wales. Plus of course with everything these days the evidence is on youtube (I'm the one who put it on there)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szBp2JwanSE (1100 hits woo hoo)
Well today his long awaited tour dates came out. Dublin, Glasgow, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Southampton, then on to Europe. Notice anything missing? Not even close, not even Bristol this time. Well thank you very much Mr Folds, this time you can shove your tickets up your Southampton.
It's an increasing trend, bands just don't play in Wales. Are the 'good' people of Cymru not worthy of the music? Are we all so poor we can't pay the ticket prices? Are we so far down the M4 people don't even know we exist? Well this Welshman has had enough, I'm not going to see him or anyone else who isn't close by. I know there's an element of cutting my nose off to spite my face but screw it. If more people had this attitude maybe we'd get better service down here.
Mr Folds your sans one fan, and based on your album sales last time, you need every one you can get.
You can guarantee we'll get the friggin X-Factor tour and Westlife and the like though.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
An early morning jog
I'm shocked but somehow not surprised how unfit I've become. It's been a while since I did anything like training, my body has once again conspired against me to ensure the waistline expands.
I was looking in quite good shape, for me, up until about 7/8 weeks ago, covering 6 or 7 miles at a time in the gym with no real hassle, ready for a 10k building up nicely for my 2nd attempt at a half marathon (all in aid of Velindre) then late one Saturday night I developed a pain in my side, a trip to the hospital and an operation later and I was sans appendix.
This left me unable to stand without looking like Quasimodo for weeks, thanks to a few complications, unable to train for longer. In fact to this day I'm still on doctors advice to 'take it easy' after my knee also went a bit funny moving house.
But this morning my current condition was brought into sharp focus, I was sauntering round the corner near Pentrebach train station when I saw the train pull in. Panic kicked in and I broke into a full on sprint (thankfully you can't really see me running from the platform). Thanks to an understanding train guard, who luckily did manage to spot me I made it, but I was shocked that a sprint of what could me no more than 150m left me absolutely knackered. Yes, it was uphill and twisty (the way up was along a disabled access ramp so went round a bit) but I know 3 months ago I would have done it faster, and been able to speak when I got on the train.
This has made me think, I need to get back into it, I can see already I've put on weight and that's a bad start, and somewhere I've been before (18 1/2 stone at my peak, and I look back at photos.. aghast sometimes). So first chance I get, back to the gym it is. Yes I know some people will think if it's only weight is the issue, diet. I'm of the opinion dieting doesn't work, or at least doesn't work alone, just as exercise wouldn't. Dieting is essentially partially starving yourself of certain things in order to force your body into a reaction, I'd rather eat properly (not stupidly) and work my body too, that's what we were designed to do, that is what I shall do.
Not tomorrow night though, tomorrow night I've gone and acquired nice seats to watch my blessed homeland get beat at football by Bulgaria, at the 'lovely' Lego Brick Stadium. Should be a good laugh and a few pints. But after that... gym all the way!
This time next year, I'll deliberately be late, just so I can sprint to the train and show it doesn't bother me! OK I wont, that would be stupid but I know what I mean! Hopefully next year I'll be able to do what I planned this, Swansea Bay 10k, Cardiff 10k, Cardiff Half Marathon. I'll be making my comeback to sports hopefully on the 24th in the Welsh dodgeball open, I haven't been arsed to sort the entry yet, but it's on my to do list. GO HOFFMEISTERS!
I've always had these crazy ideas of wanting to do more as well, to do exciting things. The woman I sit next to in work is climbing Kilimanjaro next year and it sounds horrible, cold, hard, etc and I find myself borderline jealous, I'd love to do that. I've always wanted to do the 24 hour version of the three peaks. I could never do any of these in my current condition of course, I can't even run for the bloody train,and one thing I'm not getting is any younger, but they are things I want to do.
But even the longest journey must start from where you stand as Lao Tzu once said, and he wasn't a stupid man. Stay tuned to this blog if you want to know how I'm doing, or even if you don't I'm not about to turn the blog into some kind of rocky style training montage. I'll still write about whatever's on my mind at the time... with no discernible pattern or structure...
I was looking in quite good shape, for me, up until about 7/8 weeks ago, covering 6 or 7 miles at a time in the gym with no real hassle, ready for a 10k building up nicely for my 2nd attempt at a half marathon (all in aid of Velindre) then late one Saturday night I developed a pain in my side, a trip to the hospital and an operation later and I was sans appendix.
This left me unable to stand without looking like Quasimodo for weeks, thanks to a few complications, unable to train for longer. In fact to this day I'm still on doctors advice to 'take it easy' after my knee also went a bit funny moving house.
But this morning my current condition was brought into sharp focus, I was sauntering round the corner near Pentrebach train station when I saw the train pull in. Panic kicked in and I broke into a full on sprint (thankfully you can't really see me running from the platform). Thanks to an understanding train guard, who luckily did manage to spot me I made it, but I was shocked that a sprint of what could me no more than 150m left me absolutely knackered. Yes, it was uphill and twisty (the way up was along a disabled access ramp so went round a bit) but I know 3 months ago I would have done it faster, and been able to speak when I got on the train.
This has made me think, I need to get back into it, I can see already I've put on weight and that's a bad start, and somewhere I've been before (18 1/2 stone at my peak, and I look back at photos.. aghast sometimes). So first chance I get, back to the gym it is. Yes I know some people will think if it's only weight is the issue, diet. I'm of the opinion dieting doesn't work, or at least doesn't work alone, just as exercise wouldn't. Dieting is essentially partially starving yourself of certain things in order to force your body into a reaction, I'd rather eat properly (not stupidly) and work my body too, that's what we were designed to do, that is what I shall do.
Not tomorrow night though, tomorrow night I've gone and acquired nice seats to watch my blessed homeland get beat at football by Bulgaria, at the 'lovely' Lego Brick Stadium. Should be a good laugh and a few pints. But after that... gym all the way!
This time next year, I'll deliberately be late, just so I can sprint to the train and show it doesn't bother me! OK I wont, that would be stupid but I know what I mean! Hopefully next year I'll be able to do what I planned this, Swansea Bay 10k, Cardiff 10k, Cardiff Half Marathon. I'll be making my comeback to sports hopefully on the 24th in the Welsh dodgeball open, I haven't been arsed to sort the entry yet, but it's on my to do list. GO HOFFMEISTERS!
I've always had these crazy ideas of wanting to do more as well, to do exciting things. The woman I sit next to in work is climbing Kilimanjaro next year and it sounds horrible, cold, hard, etc and I find myself borderline jealous, I'd love to do that. I've always wanted to do the 24 hour version of the three peaks. I could never do any of these in my current condition of course, I can't even run for the bloody train,and one thing I'm not getting is any younger, but they are things I want to do.
But even the longest journey must start from where you stand as Lao Tzu once said, and he wasn't a stupid man. Stay tuned to this blog if you want to know how I'm doing, or even if you don't I'm not about to turn the blog into some kind of rocky style training montage. I'll still write about whatever's on my mind at the time... with no discernible pattern or structure...
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