'Aussie Brian' drops us off close to our hotel in Bewdley town centre. I will never see the bloke again, in my lifetime, but he will always hold a special place in my heart, as he has saved me from the mother of all bollockings. Ms Moon still has the face on after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, in Arctic conditions, to get to Bewdley Town FC. She goes back to the hotel for some rest and recuperation (Tipping Point is on). Sticky is on the loose on the real ale trail.
I've a few CAMRA Good Beer Guide entries to tick off. I partake in a Lenton Lane brew, ironically from our neck of the woods, in the Real Ale Tavern. Folk are packed in like sardines watching Ireland v England at 'funny ball'.
I then take a stroll down the river, as darkness descends on the town. I sit outside the Bewdley Brewery Tap, as the temperature plummets, sinking a pint of Baldwin IPA, named after a former MP of the town, Stanley Baldwin, who served three terms as Prime Minister for the Conservative Party - a bit like Darren Ferguson at Peterborough United.
There's a 'Gincident' in The Arches Bar, later in the evening. Ms Moon and I are having a quiet drink in a secluded part of the bar. A large group of young women suddenly burst in. They are eating junk food out of polystyrene trays; having purchased food from the takeaway next door. They share a can of coke between six of them. Most are dressed in green; it was St Patrick's Day yesterday. They plonk themselves on our table and are causing a general nuisance about the place. They get the death stare off Sticky Palms. They announce to all and sundry that "they're off." I reply "good", which they are affronted by. They bang on the windows outside and flick me the Vs.
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Sleep is disturbed by an early hours racetrack outside the bedroom window of our hotel. Wacky Races goes on until 4 am. The revellers' behaviour is noisy and raucous. We have a bang average breakfast on the riverside before seeing the morning out at Clent Hills, a National Trust trail that is 27 miles long. The views are breathtaking and the walk blows away the previous night's cobwebs.
On Monday I manage to get an hour's walk around the hilly streets of Carlton. The top of Foxhill Road, which leads to Standhill Road, usually gets my heart pumping. The evening is spent at Broadway Cinema again - tonight's treat is the 30th anniversary of the award-winning film Age of Innocence. It is directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Daniel-Day-Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer. It's a period drama that isn't, as a rule, my cup of tea. 135 minutes running time soon flies by. I mustn't grumble at £5 entry.
It's Tuesday teatime. I've just hoovered up some leftover tea and I'm now heading up towards a pick up point on Buntings Lane. 'Cafe Catherine' and daughter Chloe are also waiting for a lift. DJ Murph picks us up at five bells. We drive over to Daybrook, where Carlton Town Commercial Manager Gary Clarke is waiting for us.
The Mighty Millers have another six point relegation meet up; tonight's rendezvous is at Ossett Town, in West Yorkshire. The Club will be looking to build upon an impressive three consecutive victories - all on their travels too. Optimism is high in the car journey oop north. Catherine is excited. as she never gets to see the lads playing, as at most of the games she works her socks off serving up hot food to supporters.
DJ Murph sails up the M1. We're parked up an hour before kick off. I can hear the dulcet tones of Shaun Ryder's Happy Mondays coming from the ground's sound system, as 'Kinky Afro' is belted out. Gary knows the Ossett media man. He's a Yorkshire Tricky Tree. He proudly gives us a tour of the supporters club bar which is perched above the pitch. It's well snug and reminds me more of a Swiss log cabin.
The Millers play with the stiff breeze at their backs. Some uncouth local youths make a bigger nuisance of themselves than those lasses in Bewdley. If it was a swearing competition they'd win hands down. Unfortunately for them, Ossett concede early doors, through a close range bullet of a shot from Niall Davie, after a bursting run down the flank by Kyle Dixon.
Both 'keepers are excellent in the first half, somehow the score remains at 1-0 to Carlton. 'Boatsy' slopes off to the cosy 'log cabin' for a 'prawn sandwich' and a coffee. Sticky keeps it real and watches the fag end of the first half televised game between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday, that's being played 15 miles down the road.
The Millers switch off at a set piece. A diagonal ball is knocked back across the face of goal and is nodded home by the huge 5 jacket. 'Murph' ain't happy and takes his frustration out on an advertising hoarding. The winner for Carlton comes six minutes from time. Aaron O'Connor guides a header home after a brilliant cross from Dean Freeman. There's proper limbs and hugging going off in the away end.
I struggle to sleep after night games, as I play the key moments from the match, in my head, over and over again. I need to be on the ball tonight (Wednesday) as it's Big Al's Foxy Quiz at the Fox and Grapes on Sneinton Market. We come a respectable third and win some beer tokens which we spend immediately.
It's Thursday teatime and I'm holed up in the Partizan Tavern on Manvers Street in Sneinton. I sink my final ale just as Harry Kane puts England 2-0 up from the penalty spot. I make the short walk through the marketplace and onto Lower Parliament St. One of my old favourites, Badly Drawn Boy, is playing a 25th anniversary tour at the Metronome.
I don't bother with a beer, as I fight my way through the packed bar area into the main auditorium. I'm impressed with the venue. Someone is on the money when they say it reminds them of a small aircraft hangar. The crowd limit is 400. Badly Drawn Boy is dead engaging with the crowd and complimentary about our fine city. He is open with the audience about his mental health issues, anxiety, Crohn's disease, diabetes and his battle with alcohol addiction. It's one of the most enjoyable gigs I've ever been to. He hasn't lost his touch.
I'm back in town the following night with Mac and Limon for Friday Club. I get drunk under the table by those pair of Herberts. Strong crafts are had at BeerHeadZ, Barley Twist, Keans Head, Jam Cafe, Neon Raptor and Partizan Tavern. As Jim Bowen would say it's BFH for Sticky Palms at ten bells.
It's a champagne socialist breakfast on Saturday morning - or as I like to call it 'A West Bridgford One.' I butter some bread and spread on some pesto, crushed avocado, sprinkle some grated cheese on and plonk a fried egg on top. I then fry the bread on both sides in a pan. I squeeze some Tabasco sauce on it. It's scrumptious.
Ms Moon is dining out with her sisters and family today. I wander down to Stoke Lane, surviving a sharp shower on Burton Road. DJ Dan is spinning his 45s as I enter the clubhouse. Today's set is mainly 2 Tone and reggae. Uptown Top Ranking by Althea and Donna is the toon of the day. There's a fantastic vibe created by both sets of supporters in the bar.
Guest speaker, prior to the game, is former Watford and England U21 footballer Nigel Callaghan. There's a huge boo from all and sundry when it's announced by compere Mick Garton that 'Cally' once played for that club across the cattle grid at 'The Sheep Dip.' I can also remember him being the star of a show on Sky donkeys ago called 'Greece Uncovered', where he was a guest DJ in a resort called Kavos, in Corfu.
Stockton take advantage of the windy conditions. They could be two up before they take the lead from a spot kick after a needless handball. Carlton manage to see out the first half without any further damage inflicted.
I chance across Carlton supporter 'Edward' in the second half. I've hunted him down for a few weeks now after he announced on the WhatsApp group that the 'Manchester Ripper', Stephen, off Corrie, would get his comeuppance, following a number of murders in Weatherfield. I presume that the Mancunian plod are being led by Phil and Nige off 'Early Doors', as there's no sign of Stephen having his collar felt any time soon. I recently spent a nerve wracking night up in Manny. Mac and I double locked our apartment in Ancoats, after a heavy sesh, in case Stephen was on the loose.
The Millers can't make any inroads in the second half. There are a few half chances, but there's little to cheer the large crowd up. Some of the players seem more interested in arguing with a good referee (imo) rather than concentrating on reducing the deficit. Leadership and character is required to survive, not backchat and sulking.
Man of the Match: Dan Brown - mature, composed and classy.
Attendance: 224
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