It's been a very, quiet, peaceful week, as I catch my breath. I've lounged around in my armchair, like Jim Royle, reading, researching and listening to 6 Music. The reason for chillin' is that from this Monday coming I'm returning to full time 'work' for three months, whilst shop manager, 'Chippy Fryer' convalesces after a knee replacement operation. Midweek train journeys, cinema visits and teatime scoops are to be put on hold, for now.
I walk down to Stoke Lane, on Tuesday evening, with Notts County fan, Faggsy, as the Mighty Millers are taking on Ashington FC (the birthplace of the Charlton brothers) who make the 300 mile round trip from the north east. I've already had a sneak preview of DJ Murph's playlist. He'll be spinning some classics such as: One Hundred Years, a track from The Cure's 1982 album Pornography, and Joy Division, She's Lost Control.
Attendances are on the up at Carlton Town. They have broken the 200 barrier on each outing this season. It's no mean feat for a club that has its challenges regarding the isolated location of the Bill Stokeld Stadium. It's set adrift from the town of Carlton itself. It sits closer to Netherfield and the charming village of Stoke Bardolph, where I have enjoyed many an after match pint at the Ferry Boat Inn after a fiercely fought game of cricket in my youth. Had the Millers been positioned on top of Carlton Hill, in the hub of the community, crowds could have easily exceeded 400. Both teams get the ball down and try to play, but neither can breach stubborn defences that are built like brick walls.
A final pass or a decent delivery at a dead ball set piece is lacking. Ollie Clark fluffs his lines when his penalty kick is saved in the dying embers of the game. I'm sad to report (fuming) a 0-0, a scoreline that always grinds my gears - it's the first one since July, when Duncan Ferguson's Inverness and Arbroath drew a blank. Ollie is still a blog legend though. It's gut-wrenching to see him upset.
There's some good news incoming from my local, the Old Volunteer, on Burton Road, The CEO of Magpie Brewery has secured the lease of the building, so there will be some better quality beers on offer, as I've never been a huge fan of Flipside beers, whose brewery tap room it once was. 'Prima Doners' is still shut down on Coronation Street. Poor old Chesney is at his wits' end. He has the family the size of the Waltons to feed, and has now been reduced to delivering pizzas on his bicycle - it's a bit of a bumpy ride on those cobbled streets too. The owner of the kebab shop, Dev Alahan, the guy who over acts and exclaims in every scene, is blowing a gasket, that due to monies lost, he may have to stop his membership at Weatherfield Golf Club - I bet he gets cross if he misses a three foot putt.
One of my favourite bands, The Cure, dominate the 6 Music airwaves on Thursday. They've released their first album in 16 years. Robert Smith is interviewed on the Huw Stephens show and they play a live set too, from the Maida Vale Studios. I was in from the off, with the band, back in late 1978, when my mate Ackers tipped me off about a double A side single they released called Killing an Arab and 10:15 Saturday Night, that he had heard on the John Peel show. I used to send off a stamped addressed envelope to a lady called Mary, who lived in Horsham, Sussex, with a £1 cheque placed inside. In return you would receive the latest Cure fanzine. Robert Smith is still married to Mary.
I meet Tony Mac in town on Thursday evening. Earlier I'd done an about-turn in the Cock and Hoop, on High Pavement, having received the grim news from a red-faced barman that no cask ales or craft beers were available until next week ..... mmm ... I smell a rat here. After a couple of drinks in Keans Head, Angel Microbrewery and Six Barrels, we head down Pelham Street and have our tickets scanned in at The Bodega.
Local goth/punk band, Bloodworm, are headlining tonight. If you like the haunting voice and music of Bauhaus or The Cure, then you'll love these. They are starting to make their mark, and have already had their new single played on 'BBC Introducing'. Add to the mix that it's Halloween, it should make for a good night.
Support band Swallowtail, with their shoegaze and post-punk melodies, begin proceedings. Bloodworm blow the stage apart with a blistering 50 minute set. DJ Murph is in the mix, at the front, as the mosh pit and crowd surfing reaches a crescendo with the final song of the set called 'Cemetery Dance.' I retire to Six Barrels, post gig, to catch up with Murph, Nige, 'Unders' and Sean, a Notts County fan and fellow lover of cricket and purveyor of real ale.
The FA Cup first round draw has caused quite a conundrum at Chez Palms. Dean and I put a date in the diary to view one of the ties with a 3 pm kick off. We were looking for a game where higher opposition might be turned over. Dean fancied Tamworth. This was declined due to rule 1a, paragraph 3 -"Sticky doesn't do 3G unless the Millers are playing or he's in Tenerife. I fancied Oldham could beat Tranmere at Prenton Park. We were kindly offered a lift to Birkenhead by Rovers fan and local Non League photographer, Steve Mack. But we fancied a full day out in a town where we could have a walk around and chalk a few pubs off. Crewe Alexandra v Dagenham and Redbridge fits the bill and meets the criteria.
Ms Moon was meant to be away this weekend, hence a full itinerary on Saturday. Her trip has been cancelled, but she has very kindly rubber stamped my pass. Dean is already on the Newark Castle to Crewe train at 9,30 - of course it's bloody late - East Midlands Trains, as buffoonery goes, are right up there and a leading light of comedy gold along with: Carlton Tesco, Ryanair and the Conservative Party.
I'm flicking through the football fixtures when I suddenly yelp. Stoke City are playing 'The Sheep' in a 12.30pm kick off. The train is rammed from Derby onwards as we cross the 'cattle grid.' Some of the Rams are rum 'uns. One lad has a full bottle of vodka - I wince at the thought. A couple of Swedish groundhoppers are near to us. They took in Notts County v Alfreton last night. Today they are squeezing in games at Stoke and Port Vale before an overnight stay in Chesterfield. They have a thirst for knowledge of the English League scene.
I've lined up brunch at Spedalis, a gourmet cafe, a ten minute walk away from the train station. Dean tucks into a local delicacy called the Oatcake; a savoury pancake. The food is worthy of a five star google review.
Crewe is a railway town in Cheshire with a population of over 70,000. Notable people from the town include: cricketer John Morris and ex Blackpool, QPR and now head coach at Hearts, Neil Critchley. The town looks tired and in need of some love. Five years of 'Conservative Crewe' and a massive BREXIT leave vote has seen little in return. You can hear a pin drop on a high street with more To Let signs than shops open.
It's got a few good pubs though. The Borough Arms and Hops, a Belgian bar, are worth the long hike across the other side of town. The landlord of The Borough is from my manor (Carlton) whilst the proprietor of Hops, who is immaculately dressed, says with immense pride that his cosy bar has been running for over 17 years.
We take our seats in the main stand as the players file out of the tunnel to the music of Dario G's 'Carnaval de Paris' the theme to France 1998 World Cup. It's a popular chant worldwide with football supporters. The dark horses of the Conference National, Dagenham and Redbridge, rock up in 13th place. They make a very bright opening, with everything going through on loan Junior Morias, who has made little impact at Notts County. He's targeted by the Railwaymen for some rough treatment.
It's 0-0 at the break. Crewe up the tempo in the second half. Daggers defend heroically. Totally against the run of play the ball is launched down the Crewe end, where a defender is caught napping and beaten for pace. Crewe's keeper comes careering out of his goal and upends the attacker. The resulting penalty is dispatched with aplomb, much to the delight of the travelling Daggers army, as they smash and grab their way into the second round draw.
Attendance: 3,123
Men of the Match: Daggers' Backline
Credit Steve McKeown Sport Photography