Wakefield AFC 2-0 Goole AFC

I'm wandering down London Road towards Nottingham city centre during a light rain shower. Notts County have just dished out a good hiding to creepy Crawley Town, from West Sussex. The band members of The Cure will be blowing a gasket after that sub standard performance.

The King Billy pub, across the road from a bustling and re-invented Sneinton Market, is showing off its freshly green-painted new mural in all its glory. A young lad pours me a pint of cask ale called Zip Gun Boogie, from the Liquid Light stable; a brewery that is only a stone's throw away on Alfred Street.

I sidle through to the back room where some applause has broken out. England women's rugby union team have just beaten France in the World Cup semi finals at Ashton Gate, in Bristol. That's some achievement. 

A group of young couples settle in on a table adjacent to me. They ask politely if the Man Utd v Chelsea game can be switched on. Nobody objects, as some folk in the pub admit to enjoying the demise of what was once a great club. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a successful businessman, who founded chemical giant INEOS, has almost a 30% stake in the club.

It's a cracking first half with plenty of drama. There are two sendings off, one for each team and two goals for United. Even the miserable old sod Ratcliffe, who has sacked so many loyal servants at Old Trafford during his brief tenure, manages to crack a smile. 

It's Tuesday evening and I'm back up on Mapperley Top. There were a couple of options this evening as the 2025/2026 Notts Senior Cup kicks in. The mighty Millers of Carlton are hosting Clifton All Whites, whilst Gedling Miners Welfare are playing a Notts County B team that's mainly made up of lads who are 20 years of age or under. I was Head of Recruitment at the Meadow Lane academy when it was overseen by their former 'keeper Mick Leonard, so I've always kept an eye on any progress since I left the club in 2015.

I'm joined by Jon Gilbert and Faggsy. It's a lively start with chances spurned at both ends. The young Pies get a grip on the game and cruise into a 2-0 half time lead. It amazes me that some of these lads have never experienced men's football. I had the same conversation with the agent of NFFC's exciting young prospect Kyle McAdam, who was in the same predicament, but now finds himself being mentored by Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough. The Pies run out 4-1 winners. I make a mental note of a couple of lads who would benefit from a loan spell in the Non League.

It's the final week of the cricket season. I've been warned off by Herr Harlow about broaching the subject on the Carlton Town fans whats app group. Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club are within touching distance of being crowned County Champions. It will be their first title since 2010 when they were superbly led by Sir Chris Read.

I miss a nerve-jangling first day as I can't get anyone in the shop to cover my afternoon shift. I walk to the ground with Faggsy for day two. After grabbing a coffee we plonk ourselves in the Lower Radcliffe Road. After an eventful final session yesterday evening the visitors, Warwickshire, were bowled out for 258. Things were looking fairly rosy when 'Barthez' and I crossed over Bridgford Road for some snap at Mrs Bunns Cob Emporium on Musters Road. An hour or so later the game hangs in the balance as Notts have a mini collapse. 82 further runs are required with only four wickets remaining.

We pin our hopes on South African Test wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne and Nottingham-born all-rounder Liam Patterson-White. Both rise to the occasion. Verreynne bludgeons a delivery over the boundary rope to bring up the 300 and secure the title. It's a beautiful moment for the couple of thousand spectators who have attended Trent Bridge today. Faggsy and I celebrate with a couple of pints of Harvest Pale ale at the Fox and Grapes in Sneinton.

Poor Ms Moon has been confined to bed for a couple of days with a heavy cold - Sticky is feeling a tad under the weather too. We're meant to be staying over in West Yorkshire at the weekend, but right now it's looking touch and go. 

Day three at the cricket goes to plan. Warwickshire are rolled out. Benny Slater hits his 1000th first-class run of the season. The stage is set for Our leader, Haseeb Hameed, to hit the winning runs with an off drive. We hang around for the trophy presentation before seeing the season out at The Embankment on the north side of Trent Bridge, where Jessie Boot (Boots the Chemist) had his first office.

My mood darkens when I waltz through the automatic doors of Tesco Carlton, the worst supermarket in Western Europe. Not only are they playing the glass-shattering voice of Gary Barlow on Tesco FM ('Rule the World' if you're asking) but they only have one checkout open on a rush hour time Friday payday - my blood is boiling during the five minute walk home. Some Friday night comfort food brings Ms Moon round as we finish the night off watching the latest episode of Gogglebox.

Saturday morning gets off to a filthy start courtesy of Northern Trains. Sticky's got the monk on at Nottingham Railway station when it's confirmed the 10.15 train to Leeds is cancelled. It's another 90 minutes before the next one. A bright-eyed and bushy tailed Ms Moon clocks on the app that there is a connecting train we can jump on at Derby.

We arrive in the cathedral city of Wakefield just shy of midday. On a previous visit a sozzled Sticky and Tony Mac were waved out of Wakefield Labour Club for taking the p*** out of the steward for voting in favour of BREXIT. After a wander around we have lunch at a local eatery called Marmalade on the Square.

Now then reader(s),there was no intention to watch a football match this afternoon, BUT having scoured the fixture list I'd noticed that Wakefield AFC are playing a game at Featherstone Rovers rugby league ground. I broached the subject (by text) earlier in the week and got the green light. I jump on a bus that takes around 30 minutes to arrive in Featherstone. An elderly gentleman very kindly tells me what bus stop to get off at and points me in the general direction of the ground.

I'm greeted by low hanging black clouds and some grim surroundings. It perks up on the high street as I approach the ground. I actually saw Wakefield play their last ever game on their old ground. It was on a public holiday (a Friday) and I was with Trumpy Bolton. Prince William and Kate Middleton were wed that day.

Featherstone Rovers are immensely proud of their history. There's a photo of their captain being presented with the Challenge Cup trophy in 1967 by Queen Elizabeth II. I go for a warm in the bar before taking my seat at the end Wakefield attack.

The first 25 minutes is good value and entertaining. Four chaps behind me are drinking beer and enjoying the game too. One of them is a Nottingham Forest supporter who is fairly pleased with the draw the Tricky Trees made versus Real Betis in Seville, on Thursday evening.

Wakefield's young American substitute scores a smart opener for Wakey. Veteran striker Ashley Flynn scores the second as they ease to victory late in the second half. I make the short walk up to the train station where a fifteen minute journey sees me return to Wakefield Westgate station.

I tick off the Old Printworks and enjoy a lovely evening out with Ms Moon where we dine at a Brazilian restaurant called Estabulo where the Scottish Bavette is cooked to perfection.

Attendance: 307

Player of the Match: Haseeb Hameed

Best Song Heard on the Radio This Week: 'Nightwalking, by GANS

Real Ale of the Week: Secret, Small World Beers, in Old Printworks, Wakefield

Notts County 4-0 Crawley Town

It's Sunday afternoon and I'm on the Northern Line from Kings Cross, that's shortly about to pull into Stockwell station. On 22nd July, 2005, there was a nervousness in the City of London, still lingering from bombings two weeks previously, which claimed fifty two lives. Only twenty four hours earlier there had been four failed bomb attempts by Islamic terrorists on the London underground system and a number 26 bus.

A flat in Tulse Hill, in south London, had been under police surveillance. A Brazilian electrician called Jean Charles de Menezes emerged from the block of flats. He was on his way to a job in Kilburn. Officers said he matched the description of one of the bombers from the botched attempt the previous day. Menezes was followed by police on a bus that he'd caught. 'Gold Command' headed up by Cressida Dick instructed officers that 'the suspect' was not to be allowed into Stockwell station nor to board a train. 

He was followed onto a train by specialist firearms officers. Eleven bullets were fired by two officers. Menezes was shot seven times in the head and died at the scene. No officers were prosecuted. After a long legal battle the family of Menezes were awarded £100,000. It was said to be a case of mistaken identity.

I stretch my legs as I stroll up Dalyell Road towards the Marquis of Lorne pub. Built in 1880 this wonderful street corner pub has heritage status. There's no real ale on, so I have to settle for a Guinness. The James Bond theme, by The Skalites, is booming out of the bar sound system, as a group of Jamaicans play dominoes. They laugh and tease one another when someone can't go. They knock so loudly on the table that the pub floor starts to shake.

My new favourite area of London is Brixton. It's re-invented itself since troubled times in the 1980s. It has a mural of silent movie film star Charlie Chaplin, who grew up in the area. His childhood was fraught with poverty and hardship.

I visit a total of six CAMRA heritage pubs. It's a long eight mile slog that takes me through Camberwell, Walworth, up Old Kent Road and onto Bermondsey. I'm fagged out and wet through when I finally pitch up at my hotel in Canning Town, which is one stop up the line from West Ham. I book a two night meal deal, which should save me a few bob in the long run. It's lights out by 10.30. I've got a long two days ahead of me.

I eat like a king at breakfast. Fully loaded, I jump onto a train on the Jubilee Line, alighting at London Bridge, where I rejoin the Northern Line. The final destination is The Oval, home to Surrey County Cricket Club.

It's a massive week in the Rothesay County Championship. Notts are on Surrey's tail. A win for either side would see the victors edging towards clinching the title. There are plenty of familiar faces from Trent Bridge in the crowd. I bask in the sunshine in a stand opposite to the pavilion.

I'm joined by my brother and his father in-law, Tony, a Yorkshire CCC member. Notts are asked to bat on a green top wicket. You can't take your eye off the game. Notts are all out for 231. Surrey lose a wicket before the close of play. I tick a few pubs off with my brother. Mayflower, at Rotherhithe, is a beauty. Despite it being a Monday, the pub is bustling with cheery drinkers and hungry diners.

I'm back at The Oval for Day Two. I arrive an hour before the start of play as I want a shufti around the three-floors of the Mickey Stewart Pavilion. I have a coffee in the long room, engaging with a few friendly Surrey members. The pavilion is like an Aladdin's cave, with a nod to its past and present. There's a touching tribute to their legendary batsman Graham Thorpe.

The second day's play is as good as it gets. I sit on the top deck with Rich Drury and an old British Coal colleague called Steve Tagg, as events unfold. Close on 350 runs are scored for the loss of 17 wickets. England and Wales Cricket Board are looking to reduce this format. They are added to the buffoon list that includes: East Midlands Railway, X-Country Trains, Carlton Tesco, Tommy Robinson and caged 3G football 'stadia.

'I arrive home late on Tuesday night. The next few evenings are spent in the kitchen rustling up supper, as brownie points are required after the London passout was rubber-stamped and approved. I did manage to watch the nailbiting finale of the Surrey v Notts game on TV. The visitors held their nerve to win by twenty runs. Josh Tongue bowled the spell of his life.

I'm back on a train again on Friday - and it's an early one too. Tony Mac has planned a day out of walking, culture and pubs, in the city of Oxford. After changing in Birmingham we roll into town at just after 11 a.m. The sun is shining brightly over the city centre. We have a list of 14x pubs to tick off (half pints in most). There are a couple of heritage ones, the first is called Rose and Crown, which is located on a narrow street to the north of the city.

Oxford has welcomed students old and new to the city for the start of term at the university. The boffins and great young brains in the universe are gathered alongside Tony Mac and Sticky Palms. We clock up over eight miles and complete our task of visiting every Good Beer Guide entry in the 2025 publication.

Regular readers of these diary entries will have become familiar with how difficult it has become for me to find a train driver late on a Friday evening or at least one that can be arsed to clock on for work. Let's not forget the strikes and work-to-rule these train company employees chose to go on over the last few years. Add Cross Country Trains to the joker list folks. Announced as the worst train operator in the United Kingdom only five days ago. I roll in at 1 a.m. thanks to another no show from a train crew on the 10.03 p.m. train from Birmingham to Nottingham.

A return journey full refund is confirmed via email by Trainline on Saturday morning. I expect to be invited to the Trainline Customer Service Christmas lunch, such is my familiarity. I laze around as the skies darken and Ms Moon goes food shopping. I jump on a bus after lunch, alighting at the bottom of Sneinton.

Notts County have made a slow start to the season. There was an upsurge in form due to the goalscoring feats of Matthew Dennis. Tony Mac was in attendance at Priestfield Stadium last week where they narrowly lost to Gareth Ainsworth's unbeaten Gills. Dennis is an absentee today.

I engage in conversation with a lovely, elderly gentleman who's adjacent to me in the Derek Pavis Stand. He suggests that high agent fees have led to the departure of their Director of Football - who knows?

Crawley have returned to some good form of late after a shaky start. They play a high tempo passing game in the first quarter of the half without harming Notts too much. Scottish midfielder Scott Robertson has returned to the Pies team after a long term injury. He's already had a sighter when he picks the ball up unchallenged, strides forward and hits a clean left-footed shot into the corner of the net.

The visitors fall like a deck of cards in the second half. Substitutes Luker and Hall combine to put the game beyond reach. Jatta looks hungry again and has improved his all round game. He blasts home from an acute angle before Hall, with his second, completes the rout.

Attendance: 8,974

Player of the Match: Matty Palmer - covered every blade of grass.  A class act

Best Record Heard on the Radio This Week: Mount Palomar - 'Pass the Parcel

Favourite Ale of the Week - Animal Brewing, Hop Kitty, in St Aldate's Tavern, Oxford  

Matlock Town 3-0 Carlton Town

It's midway through the second half up at Gedling Miners Welfare. Jack Jepson brushes an opponent from South Normanton, just a few yards away from where we're standing. He theatrically falls to the floor, holding his head and crying like a baby. I berate him and call him a cheat, as it infuriates me when a player tries to hoodwink an official into (a) giving a free-kick and (b) cautioning the 'offender.' Ms Moon is embarrassed by my outburst "You can't call anyone a big girl's blouse anymore babe." She quickly makes an excuse to leave the game early, as she wants to open her The Waltons box set.

The good lady misses two pearlers from the Clarke brothers that puts the game to bed. South Normanton throw the towel in. I walk briskly up Plains Road whilst checking a few scores on my phone, from a threadbare Football League programme - everybody is dead mardy when it's an international break weekend, aren't they?

The sun sets on Mapperley Top as I wander through the front door of The Blues Dawg, a Good Beer Guide micropub. I enjoy a couple of pints from a brewery located in Bury called Deeply Vale. I'm tucked up in bed early doors as the Reform lads will be up bright and breezy for their papers in the morning.

'Shoey', the physio from Radford, pops into the shop on Monday. The word up on the streets of Hyson Green is that I will be in attendance for the Radford v Bread 'n Lard Island game on Tuesday evening. "Sticky, we're on a bad run of form right now, the last thing we need is you rocking up you Jonah", says the Shoemeister. DJ Murph saves the day when he invites me to Southwell v Gedling the following evening. For the record Radford won the game 1-0. Taking Shoey's advice I stay away from Raddy and watch an impressive England bamboozle a mediocre Serbian team.

Post work on Wednesday there's time for a chippy tea and a quick scoop with Faggsy in the Old Volunteer on Burton Road before DJ Murph picks us up. 'Clubshop Ken' is waiting a mile or so further away. It's like a trip down memory lane as we drive through the villages of Lowdham, Thurgarton and Fiskerton. I've particularly fond memories of the latter where I used to meet Mum and Dad for lunch at the Bromley Arms before enjoying the August Bank Holiday meeting at Southwell Racecourse.

It's £6 on the gate that includes a free programme. I'm very fond of Southwell City. I've always admired their trust in youth, rather than chasing 'the dream' by bringing lads in from far and wide. The new ground is a beauty. It looks even better under the lights with its lush playing surface and plush clubhouse. Malc Brown and Danny Harkin join us for the first half.

There have been some filthy black clouds hovering over Brinkley. They unload 15 minutes into the game. We dash for cover into the small stand. Gedling play some slick football and are unlucky not to take the lead when Hastings sees a penalty hit the frame of the goal.

Jack Jepson hits a pearler from distance after a mazy run to put the Miners 1-0 up. Kieran Harrison finishes emphatically after another slick move. You can't fault the energy and effort from the Zebras, but they are below par in the final third.

It's Thursday morning and time for a haircut. Mr Eko, my Bosnian Barber, is cleaning his shop front window on Sneinton Market. He's just returned from a 10 day holiday in Switzerland, where he's stayed off the fags and vodka, preferring to enjoy some mountain air and peace and quiet. He makes me coffee and gets down to business. He finishes off with a head and neck massage. I feel as fresh as a daisy as I wander up Hockley and down some steps, close to Nottingham College, towards the railway station.

It's a short choo choo ride today, as EMR are not to be trusted following recent shenanigans. I alight at the north Notts town of Kirkby-in-Ashfield. With a 70% vote for BREXIT and 42% vote for Reform, there's little surprise in seeing a sea of St George flags hanging out of bedroom windows and tied to lamposts, as I walk out of town towards the village of Nuncargate.

The reason for my visit is two fold: one of the greatest cricket players to grace the hallowed turf of Trent Bridge lived here and also there is a CAMRA heritage pub adjacent to the village playing fields. I walk up to17, Chapel Street. It's where Harold Larwood grew up. As mentioned in these chronicles before, he rose to fame during the 'Bodyline' Ashes series of 1932-33. On arrival home he was cast aside and hung out to dry by the powers that be. He ended up living in Blackpool where he ran a sweet shop - imagine this happening to Freddie Flintoff. I doff my Notts cap outside his house where a plaque is still fitted to the brickwork.

The licensee (can we still say landlady?) is unlocking the front door of the nearby Cricketers Arms. She pours me a pint of Guinness. I settle in the corner where I catch up on the cricket scores. Astonishingly Notts have won a cliffhanger of a Championship game at Worcester by 3 wickets. I make my way home via the pit villages of Annesley and Newstead.

It's rinse and repeat on Friday morning. I have breakfast at the Hungry Pumpkin before heading down to the train station. I'm in the hands of East Midlands Railway today, folks. Andre Onana's mitts are safer - and that's some statement. 

I've already completed the Good Beer Guide pubs of Stoke on-Trent. Many a mile has been pegged out with Tony Mac. But I have another mission that I'm giving my all to complete. There must be well over 600 two star and three star Heritage status pubs in the United Kingdom. I currently stand on 278.

A lot of folk will tell you that Stoke has its challenges; they are people that have never been. It's steeped in history and is also a fantastic drinking town(s). The hill up to Penkull takes my breath away. I stroll up to The Views, an old Georgian house, which is pretty much a ruin now. Sir Stanley Matthews used to live here. So did Sir Oliver Lodge, the inventor of the spark plug. A few old boys are propping up the bar of the Greyhound Inn. There's not much that takes my fancy. A pint of Timothy Taylor's best bitter quenches my thirst.

It's a 6 mile walk to the next boozer. I manage to walk three miles of it, mostly uphill, before booking a taxi. The Vine has recently reopened. The doors have been closed for the last five years. The proprietor, Lisa, makes a fuss of me at this locals' pub. The Bass is well looked after. The rooms are amazing and it has a beautiful back garden too. I manage a Titanic plum porter at Bod, a pub located on platform one at Stoke train station. Amazingly the train is on time and we have a driver too.

I rustle up a chilli con carne on my return to Sticky Towers. I start to write this blog whilst watching Gogglebox with Ms Moon as I'm off to London for a few days on Sunday to watch Notts at The Oval on Monday and Tuesday.

I call by the Hungry Pumpkin on Saturday morning on my way to the station as I noticed yesterday that my payment for breakfast didn't go through. I settle up and grab a sandwich to accompany me on my short walk.

The main group of Carlton fans caught the train an hour earlier than me. I catch up with them all at Twenty Ten, a cafe bar and GBG entry. They are showing the Arsenal v NFFC on the big screen. Talk turns to today's game, most are optimistic as the Millers are playing some good stuff of late.

A bleary-eyed 'Casually Dan' has rocked up on a later train. He was playing a DJ set at Billy Bootleggers post and pre-gig until the very early hours of Saturday morning. 

It's £12 on the gate because we have to pay for Conor Washington's win bonus. The Northern Irishman has won 43 caps for his country. According to news sources QPR once paid £3 million for his services. Back in 2012 Non League Cambridgeshire club St Ives sold Washington to Newport County for £6k - I hope they inserted a transfer clause.

Carlton are all over the shop for the first 20 minutes. It's only due to good fortune that they find themselves 1-0 down. They are getting rinsed in wide areas and their frailties are exposed time and time again. Once they settle they start to play a beautiful game. A succession of corners are won as they begin to rattle the home side's defence.

There's been a healthy turnout of Carlton Town fans. The consensus at half time, after an encouraging 25 minutes is that this game can be won. The second half is scrappy, with not much doing, There's good natured banter between the Matlock fans and former player Oliver Clarke, who flashes them a smile. The Millers look disjointed after a flurry of substitutions. Washington hammers home the final nail in the coffin. The scoreline is harsh, but they've paid the price for a poor start to the game.

Attendance: 507

Player of the Match: Casually Dan - great effort son

Best Song Heard on the Radio: Crime by Youth Sector

Beer of the Week: False Idols,  Anarchy Brewery, at Partizan Tavern

Gedling Miners' Welfare 3-1 South Normanton Ath

The mood is buoyant in the Millers' clubhouse after Carlton's 3-0 victory over an off-colour Cleethorpes Town. The visiting fans are in a sombre mood as they pack up their flags and head off home to the North East Lincolnshire coast. There's no post match interview with their mardy manager due to a 'technical glitch'  Not only do they sing when they are fishing, but ONLY when they win too! Compare this to the fist pumps and smiles as wide as the nearby river Trent, as the home fans party, prior to the Leeds United v Newcastle United game on the TV set.

I order an Uber taxi and head off into town. I'm meeting Tony Mac at the Angel Microbrewery, in Nottingham's Lace Market. We're due to see American post-punk band Bambara, at The Bodega, on Pelham Street, in the city centre. The pub bar (Angel) is ten deep with customers. I check my phone whilst I wait for Mac. He messages me some bad news: "gig's off mate, due to illness."

Well, there's nowt we can do about it. Ms Moon has her bestie, Jill, round for a drink tonight. I don't want to spoil their evening by arriving home unexpectedly. We get stuck into a few ales at the old crowd favourites: Six Barrels, Cock and Hoop, Kean's Head, Junkyard and the Barrel Drop.

We have a lazy Sunday. I spend the afternoon knocking up episode one of Season 21 of The Groundhopper. It can't go on forever, but I'll give it another season. I'm motivated to write by listening to four hours of back-to-back Radcliffe and Maconie on 6Music.

It's back to the grind on Monday morning, at MSR News in Arnold. There's a new sheriff in town on Front Street that needs introducing to you, the blog reader. His name is Basil the Bluenose, who is a Dachshund puppy. His mum, Elaine, works at a nearby bar. His partner in crime is Dad, Steve. They are as thick as thieves folks. Frequenting pubs not only in Arnold, but also Mansfield. 

Basil and I got off to a bad start when he chose to have a whoopsie in the shop. To be fair I let him off a yellow card as it was close to where the Daily Mails are piled up - I used a copy of one to wipe up his mess; I quite enjoyed it to be honest. Basil won't talk to me if I'm wearing a baseball cap or if Birmingham City get spanked. He's still mardy on Monday after their 2-0 reverse at the King Power Stadium on Friday evening.

I'm back in Nottingham on Tuesday evening. I dine at Slice 'n Brew, an independent pizzeria near to the Cornerhouse complex. I love their salami and hot honey thin crust pizza with a truffle and Parmesan dip. After tea I wander down to a pub at the bottom of Hockley called Bunkers Hill, a popular haunt for Nottingham Panthers ice hockey fans. Our man Mac is sat in the bar. We watch Lincoln City take the lead over Notts County in the Football League Trophy.

We take a wander past the Bath Inn in Sneinton Market before turning right onto Aberdeen Street. We're making our debut at a venue called J.T. Soar. For the princely sum of £15 they are putting on four bands. I'm particularly impressed with local group Sofftness, who I'll definitely take a second look at on their next outing. New South Wales, Aussie rockers, R.M.F.C. finish off the evening with a powerful set.

On Monday evening Ms Moon and I watch a documentary on BBC iPlayer called 'The Vanishing Cyclist' - thanks for the heads up 'Our Kid.' It's about a charity cyclist who vanishes into thin air whilst on a ride from Fort William. I don't want to spoil it, but it's compelling viewing with a desperately sad ending.

I'm up in Greater Manchester on Thursday on a Heritage Pub and Victoria Cross grave memorial day. Cotgrave Trev is piloting. Crazy Steve and Little Al  complete the quartet. On 23rd April, 2013, 25 year old Fusilier Lee Rigby, a drummer and machine-gunner, was attacked and murdered by Islamic terrorists near to Royal Artillery Barracks, in Woolwich. Rigby was mowed down by a car and then hacked and stabbed to death. He is laid to rest at Boarshaw Cemetery, in Middleton, close to Rochdale. We pay our respects at his grave.

The pub of the day is the Old Cross Inn, in the town of Radcliffe, which is near Bury. It's a relatively unspoilt heritage pub that's from the Joseph Holt stable. The landlady makes a proper fuss of us when she hears how far we have come. She takes a photo of the group for the pub Facebook page and gifts us all with a Joseph Holt pint pot - what a lovely touch. 

There's no rest for the wicked. I have breakfast with Mac at The Avenues, in Sneinton Market, bright and early on Friday morning. An hour later we board the 8.41 EMR train to Ipswich. On board are Coops and Matt Limon. It's another Keyworth Jolly Boys Outing. We change at Ely, where we hook up with Mad Dog and Ackers. By twelve bells we're basking in the autumnal sunshine at the Steamboat Tavern, a popular, historic riverside tavern.

Sticky Palms gets in bad books when he drags the lads on a long, uphill hike out of town to the Margaret Catchpole CAMRA Heritage pub, only to find it's been shut down for a week. I try to make amends by shouting a round up at the Fat Cat Brewery pub, another half an hour walk away.

The day is great fun until I receive an email at 7pm. Those tossers at EMR have cancelled our train home due to a shortage of train crew. The sickness culture created by full pay for illness, fought for by the Union, needs reviewing, as this is prevalent, particularly at weekends. We arrive back in Nottingham, via the Leicestershire pork pie capital, Melton Mowbray and an expensive Uber ride.

I'm still blowing a gasket on Saturday. It's not helping me that Ms Moon is watching the back catalogue of Little House on the Prairie on the Great TV channel. I crank up the laptop and fire off a complaint to Trainline, who immediately agree to compensate me. Ms Moon says it's probably not a good idea to connect with the cowboy CEO of East Midlands Trains on LinkedIn as I might receive a lifetime ban. I agree for now to let it rest, or at least until I've had a couple of stiff Hendricks gins.

Ms Moon and I have lunch at the Old Flower Shop on Mapperley Top. The food and service is excellent. The cheesecake that I have for dessert is to die for. They've certainly upped their game since knocking through into the old fruit and veg shop next door, which has enabled them to double their capacity.

It's a short trip up to Gedling MW's Plains Road ground today. It doesn't take long for Sticky's favourite, Joel Stevens, to open the scoring after a powerful run. The goal deflates the visitors who started the game brightly. They restore parity shortly after half-time, but soon lose heart after two stunning goals from the Miners. 

It's the wee right back, Orlando, that catches the eye. He's only a young 'un but already has an excellent football brain. He's neat, tidy and comfortable on the ball. The lad has no interest in being petulant or immature, he just gets on with his game. Hopefully he gets another outing at Southwell on Wednesday evening.

Woman of the Week: Landlady at the Old Cross Inn

Attendance: 84

Best Track Heard This Week: 'Echoes', by Sorry

Favourite Ale of the Week: Wylam, Frenzied Reveller, Fox and Grapes, Sneinton