Notts County 2-1 Swindon Town

I exit Bramall Lane with seconds remaining. The Blades are head and shoulders above anything Ipswich Town have to offer. They've hassled, harried and tackled all over the pitch. It's only on my walk back to Sheffield railway station that it dawns on me that my train is to Norwich and that it will call at Peterborough and Ely.

It's standing room only on the EMR 17.40 to Nottingham and yes, it's full of whinging, bleating Tractor Boys (what about the girls?) fans. The manager has lost the plot according to them. They have too many round pegs in square holes, with injuries to key players too. It's a relief to alight in Nottingham 50 minutes later.

Ms Moon and I breakfast up at the Old Flower Shop on Mapperley Top, late on Sunday morning. They do a decent fry up that will hopefully set me up for the day. I'm going to need it, as I'm out in the afternoon and into early evening. Tony Mac and I have made a late call to attend Beat the Streets, a music festival that brings Nottingham music fans together to raise funds for the homeless. Over £500,000 has been raised in the last seven years.

I collect my wristband just shy of 2 pm at East Midlands premium music venue, Rock City. We stand with Casually Dan, his wife Katy and Daz, a Notts County and Carlton Town fan, who also sings in an Oasis tribute band. There's a great underground scene in Nottingham right now. The band who impresses me the most are called The Rossettis, who play at Rock City Beta. They remind me of early Babyshambles. 

Bloodworm play the main stage at Rock City. They've really pushed on since I first saw them a couple of years ago. Chris Hawkins has been plugging their new single on his early breakfast show on 6Music and they have also been supporting Suede on their recent tour. The final band we watch are high energy rock outfit Marvin's Revenge, who play a superb set to a large and appreciative crowd. They list Sonic Youth and early Pixies as some of their early influences. Ms Moon is watching Celebrity SAS when I arrive back at HQ. I ask if that big baby Graeme Swann has left the building yet. She says he has. He has form for clocking off early.

I've been invited down to Meadow Lane by a former MSR Newsagents delivery driver called Barry, who I get along well with. I meet him outside the Meadow Lane Sports Bar where he has just had a pint and some tea. Barry's an interesting character who has a fantastic CV. He's been a pub landlord at three different hostelries in inner city Nottingham, as well as running a chip shop on Haydn Road. He was also a lorry driver for many years.

The game tonight has the makings of a classic. Notts have picked up six points from their last two fixtures, whilst the Robins have lost their last three games including an FA Cup defeat to in-form Salford. Swindon are excellent for the first 20 minutes. They fashion a chance when a header flashes wide of the County post after a cross is whipped in from the left.

The Pies begin to get on top. Jodi Jones is skinning his full back alive. He sees a shot thunder off the underside of the bar and onto the opposite post. It's hit with such venom that it forces the net to shake. Jatta has a header acrobatically saved by the 'keeper. Swindon take the lead against the run of play in sensational style, with a vicious volley from the edge of the box by Ollie Clarke finding the back of the net. County respond immediately through Jatta.

Matthew Dennis wins the game for Notts after only being on the pitch for 15 seconds. But it takes a brilliant save from James Belshaw to thwart a Swindon attacker in the dying embers of the game, to ensure victory. Ian Hollway gives a great post match interview where he compliments both the Club and Pies fans. He is generous in defeat, but they were well beaten in the second half.

I bought a £10 return train ticket to Birmingham at Christmas in the Rail Sale. There's nothing much doing on Thursday so that's the day to visit Brum. I swing by my Italian cafe for a coffee and a bacon roll. It's full of Ferencvaros fans who are here for the Europa League fixture at The City Ground this evening.

Once I reach New Street I jump on a train to Kidderminster. Time isn't on my side as it's an advanced ticket that has to be used by 4pm, so I'm pretty annoyed that my West Midlands train has a fault on it. I alight at Cradley Heath and walk up a steep incline towards Brierley Hill.

Victoria Cross recipient, Anthony Clarke Booth, is laid to rest in the local churchyard. His VC was awarded during the Zulu War. He was born in Carrington, in Nottingham, where one of my favourite haunts, The Gladstone is located.

The purpose of the visit is to tick off my 310th two star or three star CAMRA Heritage pub. After a long slog up the hill I come across the Vine Inn, a Batham's brewery tap. I squeeze into a traditional front bar room that has an air of vibrancy and order up a pint of mild.

There is a staggering choice of rolls, cobs and pies to choose from, but I'm still full from breakfast. A pub regular sporting a The Stranglers baseball cap, boasts that he's seen the band 17 times in the last 12 months. I have a shufty about the place. There are plenty of other rooms for folk to sit in. There's time for a quick pint up the road at The Bell Inn before returning to New Street. I have a swift craft ale at Cherry Reds, an independent cafe bar, a stone's throw away from the station

I promised Ms Moon a football free weekend, as we didn't have much of a Christmas, due to the good lady being laid up with a slipped disc, which left her in severe pain and a lot of distress. We do pop down Carlton Town Football Club on Friday evening to support Casually Dan and Unders in their community coming together called 'The Shed End Presents', which includes a live band and folk playing their favourite vinyl. I sup a couple of pints of Liquid Light's delicious Starburster as we watch the excellent Alex and The Christopher Hale Band. We both don't recognise some of the vinyl people are spinning, but that's what it's all about, introducing new music and old bands to one and all.

On Saturday morning I enviously look on social media at Millers fans on their travels to watch Carlton play away at Wellingborough Town's Dog and Duck ground. Ms Moon and I jump on the 27 bus into town. We enjoy lunch at Delilah's, an indie deli on Victoria Street. Sue enjoys wild garlic mushrooms on toasted sour dough bread with a fried egg sat on the top.

Due to Hamnet having received 8x Oscar nominations, it has returned to the screens at Broadway Cinema. When I booked tickets there was a spare seat next to me. Thirty seconds before screening a bearded man with wild hair inches his way down the row, annoying cinemagoers. He has two backpacks that would see him to the summit of Mount Everest and back down again, In one of his plastic shopping bags is the board game Buckaroo. I remark to Ms Moon that he better not set it up as it will make one hell of a racket. He noisily gnaws his way through a packet of pumpkin seeds, instead, much to my chagrin.

The film has a two hour running time and is excellent. We're both a wee bit confused with the ending, but hey, it's Shakespeare innit. Irish actress, Jessie Buckley, will definitely be in the running for best actress. Ms Moon can't 'arf pick 'em.

Attendance: 8,931

Player of the Match: Ollie Norburn

Best Song Heard on the Radio: Bloodlust, by Bloodworm (Bauhaus/Cure esque)

Real Ale of the Week: Two by Two, New England Pale, from Newcastle

Sheffield United 3-1 Ipswich Town

I've not had a chippy tea in ages. The stars align on Tuesday evening, as time isn't on my side. After a full shift in the media world (paper shop) - and let me tell you it's a grueller with all those bloody soap magazines being published - I dive into Oceans chippy at the bottom of Carlton Hill. The grumpy owner is perched on a stool watching the fag end of Deal or No Deal. His lad is pleasant enough though. He throws me a fresh haddock into a fryer that's bubbling and sizzling with piping hot oil. I wolf it down ten minutes later, accompanied with a small tray of chips and some Chinese curry sauce.

Runaway NPL Midlands League leaders, Carlton Town, are hosting Long Eaton United tonight. I peg it down to the game with Faggsy. I thought it best to get there 15 minutes early as they'll be a queue snaking from the turnstiles - and I wasn't wrong. DJ Dan is playing New Order's first ever single, Ceremony. It was originally going to be a Joy Division release, but was hastily re-recorded following the sudden death of lead singer Ian Curtis. I recommend watching the Anton Corbijn film, Control, that documents Curtis' struggles with depression and severe epilepsy. A lot of scenes are shot in Lenton and Sneinton. The film stars Nottingham born actress Samantha Morton, who plays the part of Deborah Curtis. The script is taken from the superb book Curtis wrote, called Touching From a Distance.

I have a brief chat with some Notts County Cricket Club members before wandering over to the far side of the ground. The Millers have had a couple of feisty games with 'The Blues' this season, with both results ending in a draw over 90 minutes. There's also been some beef with their 'keeper, Lewis King, who looks like a man who could fall out with someone in an empty room. King's name crops up on the 'Group Chat' a lot. Some of the comments are negative and churlish. I hope the Carlton fans rely on their quick wit and good humour when the visiting stopper defends his goal this evening. It would be a shame to tarnish the good reputation the Millers have as a friendly and welcoming club.

From the off Carlton are magnificent. They should be 3-0 up before they finally take the lead through a sublime finish from former York City striker Ash Chambers. The game has been on simmer but the referee has kept the lid on it. Long Eaton are trying their best to get midfield influencer Nat Watson sent off, but Mr Moreton sensibly calls over skipper Dan Brown to defuse the situation.

Our man King, in the nets, looks like he's about to blow a gasket when two goals are scored in quick succession in the second half. In fairness to him he has a safe pair of hands and a kick like a mule. His distribution is also excellent over the two games I have watched him play. Fags and I dissect the game and sink a couple of pints of Harvest Pale ale back at the Old Volunteer, in Carlton Square. It's recently been taken over by Star Pubs - so it's a wave goodbye to beers from Magpie and Bang the Elephant. 

My weekend starts on Wednesday evening. I enjoy a couple of drinks in the Partizan Tavern, on Manvers Street, in Sneinton. Tony, the landlord, keeps a lovely pint and is a massive Notts County fan too. I rustle up some supper on arrival back at HQ. I've quite a collection of easy cook books now from the likes of Nathan Antony, Jon Watts and Alex Hughes. As long as no skill is required, then I'm your man  .. lol.

Thursday is a special day. I catch the Keyworth Connection to go and meet my one week old granddaughter, Romy, for the first time. I can't describe the feeling when I hold her in my arms. My heart beats ten to the dozen and my spine tingles when she grips my fingers. She's soon fast asleep after I've bored her to death. A few bedtime blogs in the future will soon see her hit the sack and zonk out.

I recently purchased the 2026 issue of the Good Beer Guide, so there's a few new entries in the East Midlands I need to mop up. Three pubs in Leicester are on the agenda. It's drizzling with rain as I wander out of Leicester station and onto Granby Road. I pass the market where Gary Lineker used to help his dad sell fruit and veg. A Wetherspoons called Corn Exchange is the first tick off. It's also one of the few 'Spoons where you aren't required to book an UBER to the toilets.

The next pub is close to Leicester Castle and was formally two cottages knocked into one. A couple of Yuppies take advantage of the free wi-fi as they tap away on their laptops - they call this 'working from home.' They slowly nurse their cappuccinos as I down a Titanic Plum Porter, poured by a jolly licensee, before heading out into the wind and rain again.

The Clarendon is my final destination in this gem of a city. Google maps takes me through Nelson Mandela Park and a very impressive Victoria Park, where there are a number of memorials to soldiers lost in battle over the last 150 years. The park was previously a racecourse but now has 69 acres of open space.

A golden coloured Spaniel dog runs up to me for some fuss. Its owner shouts out my name. What a coincidence, it turns out it's Rachel a former colleague of mine at Ideagen PLC, who are headquartered in Ruddington, in Notts. 'The Clarry' is in the Clarendon Park area of the city. It has a hipster feel about the place. The beer choice isn't all that. 

I make the long slog back to the railway station after an enjoyable three hours spent in this multi-cultural city. Ms Moon is still at work so I have a quick pint of Headless from the Red Willow stable in the King Billy in Sneinton. Before I head home I swing by Neon Raptor taproom to grab a couple of rocket fuel craft ale cans for the second half of the weekend.

Supper is homemade doner kebab meat made by my own fair hands. It's accompanied, unfortunately, by the final episode of The Traitors. Almost 10 million viewers have tuned in. I'm not allowed to talk whilst the programme is on - I don't know why, we're hardly going to miss 'owt. I finish off my book which has stories about how the Anti Facist Action group kicked the living daylights out of the British National Party (Reform in new money) all over Lancashire and London in the 80s and 90s - it's far more entertaining. 

I've been given permission to speak on Saturday morning by Ms Moon. I haven't got long though, as there is another train to catch. I announce that it is going to be a football free weekend next Saturday. On Friday night we'll support DJ Dan down at the club for 'The Shed End Presents' where a live band will play and folk will spin some of their favourite vinyl. On Saturday we'll have lunch in town and go to Broadway Cinema to watch a film. There will still be a blog as I'm at Notts County v Swindon Town on Tuesday evening .. lol.

I'm sat in a bustling and hustling Sheffield Tap by 12,30 p.m. It's stacked out with groups and couples pre-drinking before catching a train for a day out in Leeds or Manchester. I'm sat in the St John's Street Family Stand an hour before kick off. Rihanna's 'Please Don't Stop the Music' (please do mate) is blasting out of the Bramall Lane p.a. system. 

The last time I was here Mark Kennedy's Lincoln City won a penalty shootout. I got so overexcited I left my rucksack under my seat in the Tony Currie Stand. It gave me an excuse to return and visit a few new pubs.

A pumped up Chris Wilder gave a spiky press conference yesterday after a dip in form and three losses in a row, one of which was an FA Cup defeat to Nigel Clough's Mansfield Town. They could easily be 2-0 down in the early moments of this game but the Tractor Boys fluff their lines. The Blades twice come close themselves, before taking the lead, ironically following an Ipswich corner. O'Hare pounces onto a ball, holds off a few opponents before lifting the ball over an advancing 'keeper, whose boot leaves a wound to the attacker's head. Minutes later it's 2-0 after a series of shots rain in on the visitor's goal.

It's been a breathtaking first half with more to come. Ipswich look shellshocked. Their passing is sloppy and they are caught in possession too often. They are thrown a lifeline when their best player Jack Clarke scores from a spot kick. Patrick Bamford lashes a left foot shot home to put the game to bed. He's later sent off for a dive, having rounded the 'keeper. I can't 'arf pick em.

Attendance: 28,638

Man of the Match: Callum O'Hare

Best Ale I've Supped This Week: Eclipse, Flying Gang Brewery, Newcastle

Best Record Heard on the Radio: Alabaster, by All Those Witches

Radford FC 1-1 Stapleford Town

After the Leyton Orient versus Cardiff City game, Dean and I hang around the sponsors' lounge for fifteen minutes or so, to let the ground empty. As we leave Brisbane Road a number of autograph hunters form an orderly queue outside the car park the players drive out from. The footfall at Leyton tube station has reduced by the time we arrive there.

Over the last two days I have ticked off 13x CAMRA Heritage Pub two star or three star pubs in the north London area. Dean wants to see what all the fuss is about. We alight the tube a few stops down the line at Mile End. After turning off the high street, Google maps takes us through a dimly lit park that was created from industrial land devastated by the bombing during World War II. 

In the distance, through the trees, is the Palm Tree, which sits in isolation adjacent to Regents Canal. It appears at first glance that it may be closed, as it's poorly lit. There's a hum about the place as we enter through the front door. The pub is a stunner with a historical nod to the past. It has a neo-Georgian design and is without a TV or a fruit machine. They have a couple of cask ales on. I politely ask the landlord to pour us a couple of pints of Porter. There's an awkward moment when I'm charged £12. It's cash payment only. I manage to rustle up an amount of cash close to this - "settle up the rest the next time you swing by" says our man behind the pumps. Whoops. The pub is in an area called Bow, where the rappers Dizzee Rascal and Tinchy Stryder are from.

I arrive back at HQ at 9.30 p.m. Ms Moon is watching Lee Mack's 1% Club. I shriek loudly when I see Mack chatting with a contestant. Her name is Sylvia and she often pops into the shop. By chance I see her on Tuesday, when she tells me all about her experience on the show. She got knocked out before there was a chance to win £1,000 by using her pass.

I dash home on Tuesday and rustle up some tea before jumping on a bus into town. The heavens opened this morning. I could hear the rain hammering down onto the front shutter of the shop. I felt it was highly unlikely that tonight's Notts Senior Cup quarter final between Radford and Stapleford would take place. Great work by volunteers gives the game a chance. Big Glenn confirms it's 100% ON.

I get off the tram at the Noel Street stop and wander through ASDA car park. I take a left turn onto Selhurst Street, passing the Chappati Junction curry house that was recently in the news, with a previous owner being banned from running a business after illegal workers were discovered at the premises.

I pay £6 on the turnstile. Big Glenn, for bants, checks with the guy on the gate that he hasn't allowed me in at the concessionary rate, which I'm actually entitled to, but would never pay in at, except at Basford. Faggsy joins me to watch the game. Overall it's a scrappy encounter, with Stapleford looking the more likely to score. Radford defend brilliantly and take the lead just before the break after a goalmouth scramble. 'Stabbo' equalise but neither team can force a winner.

It's getting a bit nippy now, so thankfully the tie goes straight to penalties. Radford win 5-4. 'ASBO' says I'm allowed to attend the semi-final game. Who knows, it might be against the Mighty Millers of Carlton.

I'm still recovering from my London trip, so don't do a deal on my day off on Thursday. Having cleaned the house from top to bottom, I park my backside in the armchair where I read a book whilst listening to Huw Stephens on 6Music. The book is a good 'un, I was given the heads up by Mark E Smith, the lead singer of The Fall. Well in fact it was mentioned in dispatches in Smith's autobiography. The book is called No Retreat, and is basically about all the scraps and rucks the Anti-Nazi League had with the BNP in the 80s and 90s.

I'm reminded in the book of the death of Blair Peach, a teacher from New Zealand, who was killed during an anti-race demo in 1979. The author also mentions about the racist bloke from Leamington Spa who put  his house up for sale. On the board it said 'To an English Family' (white people only). His name was Robert Relf and he was part of the British Movement at that time. He was jailed for contempt of court when he refused to take the sign down back in 1976.

Friday Club's monthly trip is to the West Midlands. Tony Mac and I have breakfast in the Lace Market at Hungry Pumpkin. We change trains at Birmingham New Street. A WMT takes us to Walsall. It's a town that lies close to the Staffordshire border, with a population of over 70,000. Notable folk from the area include: Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts off Corrie,) music artist, Goldie and ex MP, John Stonehouse, who tried to fake his own death.

We visit a Heritage Pub on the outskirts of town called Pretty Bricks. It opens at midday on the nose. A chatty barmaid lights an open fire. She has relatives who live in Carlton, where I reside. The town's football team is nicknamed the Saddlers. It's due to its long history in leather and horse saddle manufacturing.

Black Country Arms are doing a mighty fine job in the West Midlands and Staffs. It's whilst we are in their HQ pub that I receive the news from my eldest son, Jack, of the birth of my granddaughter Romy, who was born at 1pm. I breathe a huge sigh of relief, shed a tear and raise a glass. We finish up in the town of Cannock. It's an area of Staffs where Stanley Victor Collymore, the finest centre forward to have ever played for Nottingham Forest Football Club, grew up.

The first two pubs are nothing to write home about, but the third is a belter. On the bar at Arcade is a crusty, burnt top, cheese and onion cob, that Staffs pubs are famous for selling. Mac treats me to one. It's to die for.

I arrive home to hushed tones after a nightcap in the Barley Twist. Ms Moon is immersed in The Traitors. It's a typical BBC middle-class production. Twaddle, tosh and full of posh folk including Claudia Winklepicker. I'm surprised that one of their weather forecasters isn't on it after last week's faux pas.

I laze around on Saturday morning whilst Ms Moon nips to Sherwood to see the chiropractor. I get my Bored of Lunch slow cooker book from off the shelf and flick through the pages. I wander down to the worst supermarket in Western Europe, grab a few bits, and get out of the hellhole as quick as I can. I brown off some mince, throw all the ingredients together into the cooker, set it on low and then head off to Mapperley Top.

Gedling Miners Welfare is going through a transitional period. I rate their young manager Reuben Wiggins-Thomas. But right now the Club are experiencing tough times and are having to re-build by putting faith in youth. An experienced South Normanton Athletic team prove too strong for the youngsters as they coast to victory. Hopefully the Miners can come good soon. 

Attendance: 58

Player of the Match: Romy Palmer, age, 2 days

Best Ale Supped This Week: Pentrich Brewing, Melt Me Down, Fountain, Cannock

Best Record Heard on the Radio This Week: Radio Free Alice, Rule 31

Leyton Orient 1-1 Cardiff City

It's 5pm on Saturday 20th December and I'm slouched in a seat at a table in Carlton Town's clubhouse with 'Gilly' and 'Biscuit.' We've just witnessed a thrilling and breathtaking game of football with the Millers squeezing home 2-1, after a dominant second half display. Lamin Manneh continues his impressive scoring streak by bagging a brace. He's the quickest Non-League winger in the Midlands .. FACT.

The visiting fans from Rugby Town have been magnifique. They are easily the best to have graced Stoke Lane this season. They are still singing Christmas carols in the clubhouse when I depart in an UBER just shy of 7pm, as the raffle draw has dragged on a wee bit. More importantly vital funds are raised for the promotion push towards Step 3. If successful, every game will be a Cup final next season.  Although, in my opinion, many of these lads are ready for the test at that level.

The supporters' Christmas party continues at Lincoln Green's Brickyard pub, which is perched on top of Carlton Hill. It's good to see the fans choose to support local businesses. It's one of the group's core values, be it chip shops, pubs or indie stores. The Millers following has grown so much in recent years, as disillusioned supporters of professional clubs look elsewhere for their footy fix, having been priced out by the likes of Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur - who some of the lads follow. There's a proper sing song in the pub backroom which will no doubt have cheesed off some of the regulars but it will be kerching as the tills ring out for Christmas. My favourite chant is "Basford United .... we're coming for you", which they certainly will be on Boxing Day.

Christmas Day is a quiet affair. Poor Ms Moon has had a slipped disc for over a week now and has barely moved out of the armchair. I decide that gallows humour is the best form of medicine. Add to that the good lady can't move quick enough to give me a clip around the earhole after another gag at her expense.

I have a lazy day on Boxing Day monitoring the scores. Carlton blow a two goal lead at Greenwich Avenue, conceding two late goals. 'The Carlton Cattermole' is enjoying his best run of form since his return to the Millers from Stamford. He was the stand out performer against Rugby and I bet he enjoyed scoring against former club Basford United, a few days later. It certainly got me off the settee, punching the air.

Christmas Day was tinged with sadness when Nottingham Forest announced the passing of legendary left winger John Robertson, who contributed majorly towards their League title and two European Cup wins. I used to watch 'Robbo' a lot with my schoolmates back in the 70s. He was that good that opposing managers used to double-mark him; without much success too. There's a minute's applause, in his memory on the Saturday, prior to the Manchester City fixture at The City Ground.

I catch the bus down to Lenton with Faggsy to watch Dunkirk v Radford. I used to love following the club when Harby and Uppo were joint-managers. Their youth teams were revered and feared. It was only a few years ago that the Boatmen Under 18s knocked out Lincoln City and Coventry City out of the FA Youth Cup. It just seems dead down there now. I enjoy some craic with Big Glenn and 'ASBO' as Radford come away with a 3-3 draw. Fags and I enjoy a few beers in The Navigation, on Wilford Street, in town, after a brisk walk in freezing conditions.

The football schedule is kept to a three mile radius due to Ms Moon's glass back. There are signs of improvement following a few visits to the chiropractors. It puts the kibosh on a New Year's Eve outing to the Comedy Club, which was being hosted by the Secret Garden.

A day earlier I grabbed one of the last remaining tickets for the Forest v Everton game. The Tricky Trees had plenty of possession but big Igor Jesus up top was running scared of James Tarkowski from the off. James Garner ran the show for the Toffees and killed off any hope of a return to The City Ground with a man of the match performance.

New Year's Day afternoon is spent down at Meadow Lane. The Pies are going through a sticky patch with key leaders missing in midfield (Palmer and Robertson) through injury. Jatta has gone off the boil too. Accrington Stanley, built on a shoestring budget, are excellent value. I chat to a player's father during the game - it's surreal watching him witness the highs and lows of his lad playing football at a professional level.

I booked a cheap train ticket to London (for Thursday) a few months ago. The plan was to have a day out, tick off a few CAMRA Heritage pubs and travel back late evening. That nincompoop, Alex Beresford, on ITV weather (we don't watch BBC News anymore since the Huw Edwards thingy) has put the fear of God into me, with a weather forecast that is predicting Armageddon. I throw some spare socks and pants into my rucksack before heading off for breakfast at my favourite Italian haunt in town. 

I do get anxious about affected travel during bad weather and have spotted a deal at a Premier Inn in Canning Town. I'm back down London again on Saturday with Deano for the Leyton Orient v Cardiff City game. I phone Ms Moon to talk about whether she's happy for me to stay a few days. I get the green light unless there's a worsening of her back condition. Her daughter Becky only lives around the corner.

I head up to Highgate for a stroll around and tick off a few classic pubs before wandering up to Crouch End and Hornsey. The weather takes a turn for the worse as Storm David Guetta sweeps in from the west. I finish up soaking wet through after wandering the streets of Poplar, in Tower Hamlets. It's not a place to be on your 'Jack Jones' folks. The final pub is on its last legs. The 80 year old landlady says they only have John Smiths or Carlsberg on. It's like being given the choice of watching a game at Basford United or Derby County. I head back on the Docklands Light Railway for a bite to eat at the hotel and to change into some dry clothes too.

It's rinse and repeat on Friday, minus the rain. After a hearty breakfast I jump on the Piccadilly Line towards Harrow. A few more Grade II pubs are visited in Pinner and Ruislip before I return to the City. I do a recce up in Hampstead as I fancy setting up basecamp there when Ms Moon and I visit London Town in springtime. The Holly Bush is my favourite pub. I clock a hotel for the notebook, down the road, opposite Belsize Park tube station.

I'm loitering outside Leyton tube station at 11.30. the following day, after taking a steady walk from Stratford International. My mate Dean Gripton emerges from the escalator. We immediately engage in a conversation with a couple of Orient fans as we head towards the ground. We stop to admire a statue of local hero Laurie Cunningham - read  his biography, it's bloody brilliant. He joined Real Madrid in the 1970s at a time when the fascist Spanish leader/dictator, General Franco, had died only a few years earlier. It paved the way for future black players to make a living in La Liga. Cunningham died in a car crash in 1989 at the age of 33. 

There are three Good Beer Guide entries to visit today. The Leyton Orient Supporters' Club has ten cask ales to choose from. We move further up the road to the wonderful Leyton Engineer, a glorious building on Leyton high street. The final destination is Coach and Horses where the O's supporters revel in the glory of Macclesfield Town knocking out FA Cup holders Crystal Palace at Moss Rose, in Cheshire.

I'm a guest of Dean's today, so enjoy some hospitality in the sponsors' lounge. The food is first-class and the staff are friendly. Table-topping Bluebirds have sold out their allocation. They make a sloppy start when they get caught out with the Orient forwards putting pressure on the ball. An alert Dom Ballard whips the ball off the keeper's toes leaving himself with an easy tap in. 

Cardiff's star striker, Yousef Salech, misses a golden chance when he can't lift the ball over an advancing 'keeper. His second bite of the cherry results in a sublime finish, having turned a defender, running powerfully in a diagonal direction before blasting the ball into the roof of the onion bag. He is a man mountain of a player with a deft touch. A big move will come his way soon. He is of Palestine descent but made his mark in the Danish Superliga.

There's time for a cup of tea and a slice of cake before returning for the second half. It's scruffy and disjointed for a while. A flurry of substitutions disrupts the pattern of play. Orient manager Richie Wellens kicks every ball whilst his counterpart, Brian Barry-Murphy, remains measured, calm and collective. The game finishes all square. It's a fair reflection on the game. Cardiff haven't done enough to win it.

Attendance: 8,423

Player of the Match - Ms Moon, slept in the armchair for three weeks

Best Song Heard on the Radio: Suede, Antidepressants

Best Beer Supped This Week: Had a Porter at Palm Tree, in Bow. Forget the name

Notts County 3-2 Milton Keynes Dons

 

A far post tap-in by the Heather St John's centre forward completes a five-goal rout for the visitors. My jinx on the Pheasants continues. They exit the third round of the FA Vase. Big Glenn and 'ASBO' won't be wining, dining and troughing at Club Wembley, when the final is played there in May. It will probably be Stabbo away instead.

I pull the peak of my baseball cap down to cover my eyes and lift the collar up on my coat. I don't want to catch any committee members' gaze. I exit onto Selhurst Street, where I wander past Curry King and onto Radford Road. I dodge the crawling traffic as I cross over the tramlines.  I was going to have a couple of scoops at the Lion, in Basford. I decide at the last minute to jump on a tram that's heading in town.

It's complete chaos in Nottingham city centre. It's a mixture of late night shoppers and afternoon revellers. The crowds thin out slightly as I drop down into hipster Hockley. I enjoy a couple of alcoholic beverages at Partizan Tavern, a micropub just around the corner from Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena. I'm tucked up in bed by 9.30 p.m. as I'm on 'media duties' on Sunday from 5-2 and 12 hours the following day.

It's Tuesday morning and I'm on another 8 hour shift at Arnold's number one papershop - MSR Newsagents. It's a big day for customers who own TV sets, as the Christmas schedules are published today. Arnold's elderly residents will be coming into the shop, in their droves, to pick up a copy of the What's on TV magazine or TV Choice. I have to explain to each and every one of them that it's a double price issue as it covers off two weeks' of terrestrial and satellite TV listings. I'm worn out (mentally) when I close the door at 5 pm.

One of my best mates, from back in the day, has flown in from Spain, where he resides now, to catch up with his family and friends prior to the Christmas festivities. Ian Driver ('Babs') is also a big Notts County fan. I ring up the Meadow Lane ticket office and secure a couple of seats in the Derek Pavis Stand for the visit of MK Dons.

Babs is lurking in a shop doorway on Lister Gate. I've just wandered down from the Cornerhouse area of town, having just devoured a salami pizza from Slice 'n Brew on King's Walk. We snake our way through Green Heart, a public green space that's been created as part of the gateway to the city centre which begins at the railway station and leads to the bus station. It's certainly a better visitor experience than say 15 years ago. The blot on the landscape, the remains of Broad Marsh Centre, is still stinking the place out. Nottingham's Labour City Council have made a pig's ear out of that demolition and have had to go cap in hand to both a Labour and Tory government.

We're sat in our seats before the keepers emerge from the tunnel for their warm-ups. The DJ plays a track from Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures 1979 album that takes me by surprise. The Pies midfield is paper thin this evening. Robertson, Palmer and Hall are all notable by their absence. Big spending Franchise FC name a star-studded line up. Their Grand Fromage is 33 year-old forward, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. It's ridiculous that he's dropped down to this level. He has followed their likeable manager, Paul Warne, from across the cattle grid at Derby County. He fires the visitors into an early lead having been slipped in by Paterson.

Twenty six minutes in and it's 2-2. You can't take your eyes off the game. Dennis equalised with a thunderbolt from distance, only to see Mendez-Laing score a Panenka penalty. An alert Jatta pounced on a 50 pence back header to restore parity.

Former County wing back. Aaron Nemane, is a lucky lad not to receive a second yellow card after a late tackle. The Kop End vent their anger at a sub-standard official as the half-time whistle is blown. Nemane doesn't appear for the second half. The Kop hurl abuse at another former player, Dan Crowley, who turns a deaf 'un as he warms up from the bench near to the home end.

Milton Keynes dominate for large periods of play in the second half, but see chances go begging. The Magpies have their opportunities too. On 88 minutes a goalkeeping faux pas and a goalmouth scramble sees the ball fall to Huddersfield Town loanee, Tom Iorpenda. He shoots home through a gap the size of an eye of a needle to send the home fans into wild celebrations. Even I am on my feet, clenching my fist and punching the air. Babs is loving it. I give him a hug on London Road, wish him a merry Christmas and say we must do the same again next year.

The Notts County manager, Martin Paterson, gives honest, insightful interviews post-match. We call him Fagin in the shop, as he looks like the scary Dickens character from Oiver Twist. I wouldn't want to cross him, as I think you'd feel the wrath of his tongue, like the fourth official did the previous evening. I just hope he can bring a couple of players in during the next window.

I swing by town on Thursday afternoon to do some Christmas shopping. I need a few bits for myself too. Word on the street is that Santa isn't buying Sticky any books for Christmas. I bag the 2026 Good Beer Guide from Waterstones and a diary so I can plan all my beer trips, groundhopping and weekends away, now I'm not working so many Sundays. I retire to Junkyard, a craft ale bar on Bridlesmith Walk. They have some mouth-watering ales chalked up on the blackboard. I have a couple of strong ones from Rivington Brewery, located in the north-west of England, near Preston, and a brewery from Barcelona called Doskiwis.

Tesco Carlton is visited on my way home. The temporary staff hired for December are actually more approachable than the Herberts on full-time contracts. The resident DJ on Radio Tesco is taking the rise when he spins 'Feels Like Heaven' by Fiction Factory. I'd have popped a BP pill if I'd got one in my pocket.

I'm at Nottingham train station by 7.15 a.m. on Friday. It's Tony Mac's and Sticky's final trip of the year and of course it's oop north. We catch the train to Newark Castle, take a steady walk across the town to Newark Northgate station, before boarding an LNER high speed train. Within 75 minutes we are alighting at Darlington, in County Durham. We grab a 'bacon bun' from a local bakery and then head up, by train, to Bishop Auckland.

There's a statue of Stan Laurel in the town and a Wetherspoon pub called Stanley Jefferson (his real name). Stan, who was born in Ulverston, was educated in Bishop Auckland, where his father was born. I'm also impressed that the local football club has a museum and club shop situated in the town. We tick off a few pubs before returning to Darlington to continue our pub crawl. The locals make us feel so welcome and are keen to recommend hostelries that aren't in the beer guide. We catch the 7pm train back home with another 10x pubs ticked off.

I'm outside the shop, on the Christmas chocolate stall, early on Saturday morning. The footfall isn't quite as busy as I thought it would be. We'll try again next Friday in the lead up to Christmas. I jump on the 25 bus and alight on Mapperley Top. I presumed, having rested their pitch on Tuesday evening, that Gedling Miners' Welfare have given the green light for their game against Clifton All Whites to go ahead today.

I stand with Faggsy and Carlton's media guy, Ben, who is here with his lad Jonah. We witness a 2-2 thriller. It would have been harsh for either side to finish on the losing side. I can't 'arf pick 'em this week.

Attendance: 8,872

Man of the Match: Tom Iorpenda

Best Record Heard on the Radio This week: Hercules and Love Affair, Someone Else is Calling

Best Real Ale Supped This Week: Cirrus, Trig Brewery, York

Hucknall Town 3-3 Carlton Town

A two week break in Tenerife was just what the doctor ordered. The day before I flew out I took in Notts County v Harrogate Town, which turned out to be a very entertaining 1-1 draw. The Magpies equalised in stoppage time through a Matthew Dennis penalty kick. I admired Harrogate's siege mentality. They nearly pulled it off,

Wayne, our taxi driver, picked us up at 3 a.m. the following day. We were at our apartment in the resort of Los Cristianos by 11 o'clock. Ms Moon's daughter and brother arrived on Monday, so we had a few heavy evening sessions. We enjoyed a late lunch in the harbour at La Caleta, where, if you're lucky, you can bag a window seat, so you gaze at the Atlantic Ocean, whilst eating your freshly caught fish accompanied with a bottle of local white wine.

On the first Saturday of the holiday Liverpool were playing Nottingham Forest in a 3pm kick off. I took a 5 km stroll up the coast to Costa Adeje to watch the match with Bish and Adrian (a Liverpool fan). We'd agreed to meet at McGuires, an Irish Bar. I wasn't so keen myself as I knew it would be full of Irish Liverpool fans. The place was packed, so we settled into a bar called Unique. Forest played the Scousers off the park. Adrian got the monk on and wouldn't pose for a photo at the end of the match following a 3-0 drubbing.

Ms Moon and I spend the rest of the holiday walking, reading, drinking red wine and playing cards (Rummy) on the balcony. If you're asking I won 85-75 at cards, but did manage to lose 12 games in a row, Luckily I wasn't drinking gin at the time, otherwise the card table would have been tipped over. I enjoy my annual 30 years of no smoking ciggie.

I only took in one football game as I didn't fancy being stranded in some remote village up in the mountains. CD Marino thrashed UD Tenisca, from  La Palma, 5-1. I sing 'easy easy easy' as we exit the stadium. It was quite a bad tempered game with the away coach sent off shortly before half time, as well as two unused subs being shown a yellow card by an overzealous official.

I managed to read three books whilst I was away. Renegade, the autobiography of The Fall lead singer, Mark E Smith, was the pick of the bunch - thanks for the tip Alan Murphy. Smith had me in stitches with his forthright views and cutting, deadpan humour. He (Smith) also recommended three must-reads by Les Dawson, Malcolm Allison and a book called No Retreat, a Secret War, that's about anti-fascists outing the far right. All three are ordered on eBay.

We arrive home in wintry conditions on Sunday evening. Ms Moon gets stuck into Strictly and I'm a Celeb. I listen to music and read before turning in, as I'm back on Media duties tomorrow.

It's Wednesday evening and I've just locked the shop up. I jump on the 25 Nottingham bus that goes via Mapperley Top, an area well known for its eateries. I've hammered the Plains Fish Bar over the years whilst on groundhopping travels. I go upmarket and plump to have tea at The Old Flower Shop, where Ms Moon and I have breakfast on occasions. 

OFS is doing a roaring trade already and it's only teatime. Its evening menu serves up British and Mediterranean classics. I opt for a gammon steak with two fried eggs and some French fries. It goes down a treat. Johnny Hand has very kindly agreed to take me to tonight's Notts Senior Cup tie between Hucknall Town and Carlton Town. The rush hour traffic is clogging up the roads around inner city Nottingham. Nonetheless we arrive in good time at the RM Stadium.

It's £8 on the turnstile. I don't inquire about concessionary rates. The Carlton fans are congregated in the bar. I sit with Morecambe supporter Julian Wilson (not the horse-racing commentator) and local photographer Steve Mack, who is a diehard Tranmere Rovers fan, as well as being a bloody good snapper of footy action.

It's a fast-paced game, both teams play without fear. The Millers fluff their lines in front of goal and go into the break a goal down. Hucknall look lively on the break, with both Ashurst and Coyle impressing the judges. The game turns on its head early in the second half. Carlton's Shea Thompson-Harris takes one for the team and is shown a straight red card for handling the ball on the line. The resulting spot-kick cannons off the crossbar.

The Carlton Cattermole (Sticky's favourite) equalises with 20 minutes remaining as the Millers look to tighten their screw on the game. Hucknall score two very well worked goals. The Millers have bags of character and never give up the ghost. Chambers and then Clarke make it 3-3. The home keeper produces two incredible saves that defy belief. The visitors win on penalties 5-4. There's a huge sigh of relief. Hucknall have been magnificent too. I must visit again soon as there are some good people over there who make you feel welcome.

Thursday evening is spent with the Notts Cricket Lovers Society, in the Derek Randall Suite, at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. The first guest speaker is Paul Harrison, who has been the dressing room attendant since 2015. He has a few amusing anecdotes to tell that usually include Luke Fletcher or Samit Patel and Paul also gives us an insight of the mindset and expectation of touring teams from Australia and India. Former New Zealand Test cricketer and current coach of The Blaze, Craig Cumming rounds off another excellent evening down the Bridge.

I venture out to Newark-on-Trent on Friday lunchtime - even EMR can't muck that trip up. There's a new entry in the 2026 Good Beer Guide called Loose Cannon. It's a rather odd looking pub that's struggling with its identity. It has posh, expensive food and a pint of Bass weighs in at £5.20 (ouch!). I enjoy it much more across the road at Just Beer. The local cribbage club is holding their Christmas outing there. They seem to be a jolly bunch.

I get off the train in Carlton and take a wander up to the worst supermarket in Western Europe. The DJ is on flames at Carlton Tesco. They play a single release from Jalen Ngonda before unleashing 'Lady' (Hear Me Tonight) from Modjo, which has a few toes tapping down the wine and spirits aisle.

I'd pondered over whether to go to the early kick off at Pride Park where Leicester City are the visitors. The early start and inclement weather has put me right off. Radford FC, a club where I'm usually told to eff off at, on arrival, have an FA Vase 3rd round tie against Heather St Johns from Leicestershire (I won the raffle there once). Director of Football, Glenn Russell, confirms that the game is ON.

I arrive in Nottingham in plenty of time. Old Market Square is thriving as Christmas shoppers visit all the pop up shops. For some unknown reason I fancy a Five Guys burger. It's a costly error as it takes 30 minutes to make. I feel quite proud that I order on the computer thingy and add all my toppings without asking for assistance. I arrive at Radford's game ten minutes before kick off.

I stand with Big Glenn for the first 45 minutes. It's a disastrous opening few minutes. The 'keeper has to deal with an unnecessary backpass that he shanks out of a heavily sanded penalty area. The ball eventually falls to a Heather forward who curls in a shot from distance. They are 2-0 down soon after, having once again failed to clear their lines. They then concede a penalty in added time. I hide in the clubhouse at the break.

I stand with the Goulder brothers in the second half. They are big NFFC fans as well as following Notts CCC and Nottingham Panthers. Radford concede two late goals which slightly flatters the visitors. The Pheasants pay for a poor first half. I make a hasty exit before I'm run out of the ground by the Raddy Massive.

Attendance: 136

Man of the Match: Nat Watson

Best Record I've Heard This Week: Maybelline, Gretel

Real Ale of the Week: Mojo Risin' Birch Cottage, Sawley, at Partizan Tavern