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.
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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
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