Notts County 1-2 Salford FC

It's 7.30 pm on Monday evening. The announcer on ITV has just said, prior to the theme tune of Emmerdale Farm striking up, that viewers might find some of the scenes in tonight's episode upsetting. The camera immediately pans to the soap character Mandy Dingle in her beauty salon. I ask Ms Moon if this is the upsetting scene. The Princess isn't speaking to me since I let slip the world exclusive spoiler that Mandy and Paddy are set to tie the knot. I clocked this in What's On TV magazine when I was displaying them on the newsagent's shelf the other day. Paddy can't 'arf pick 'em. Well, actually he can't, as he's already been married four times and is still only in his early 50s.

I jump onto the 58 bus, on Tuesday evening, after a full shift at the 'fun factory.' It's always a busy one on EuroMillions day. Whilst I was tucking into a hearty breakfast, recently, at the Hungry Pumpkin on High Pavement, Nottingham, I asked the Italian owner where the best pizza experience was in our great city. He said, in his opinion, that his top two in no particular order would be: Pizzamisu and Rudy's Pizza Napoletana.

Rudy's 'follows the tradition and artistry of pizza from Naples - the birthplace of pizza.' It's located in a wonderful old building with a high ceiling (probably an old bank) that was previously French Connection, until its closure in January 2020.

I'm stuffed after a spicy sausage pizza. I walk it off around the city centre as the working day comes to a close and the student nightlife begins. I kill an hour looking up at the stunning architecture Nottingham has on offer, and is quite rightly proud of.

I part with £6.50 at the counter, as a concessionary member at Broadway Cinema. Tonight's film of choice is called Perfect Days, a co-production between Japan and Germany. It's a gem of a film about a public toilet cleaner from Tokyo. It captures a series of unexpected encounters he has during his routine working day. It warms my heart and make me cheery. No wonder it won awards at the Cannes Film Festival.

I'm back in town the following day with Ms Moon. It's a cheap lunch date with a window-watching seat at Birds Bakery, on Lister Gate. We wander up to the Cornerhouse complex and buy a couple of tickets at Cineworld. The weather is too unpredictable to venture out much further.

Cabrini is another two hour plus epic, based on the life of the missionary Francesca Cabrini, as she encounters sexism and anti-Italianism in late 19th Century New York. Her life was celebrated when she was later to become the first American saint (patron saint of immigrants). Ms Moon was disappointed as she thought the film was called Lambrini. She settles for a bottle of Oasis orange instead.

The Millers of Carlton Town are forced/ordered by the Northern Premier League to play their Wednesday night home game versus Pontefract Collieries at Basford United's ground. It's no-go for Sticky. I don't do Basford or 3G. The final score is 0-0. I don't do them either. I knock up sweet and sour chicken for Ms Moon and I as we enjoy a quiet evening in.

I get 'shit done' on Thursday including my two monthly trim at the best barber in Notts. Mr Eko, is Bosnian, and is mad as a box of frogs. He makes me a strong cup of coffee before getting down to business. Let's be frank about this, a haircut doesn't take too long when you reach the age of 60 years old. He finishes off with a head and neck massage. He's up there as a massive Sneinton legend, alongside the boxing champion Bendigo.

The evening is spent at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground for the final meeting of the Notts Cricket Lovers' Society. The guest speaker is a former Test and First Class umpire called John Holder. He also appears on radio's Test Match special, usually at lunch, for a spot called 'Ask the Umpire'. Holder is a brilliant storyteller. He shares some fantastic anecdotes on a career that spanned over five decades.

Friday Club has been meticulously planned by Boots method study man, Tony Mac. We travel with the UK's worst rail operator in its 100 year old history. EMT's carriages are shabby, the wireless connection never works and as Boy George said in 1983, 'It's a Miracle' if you can find a phone charging socket.

A full English breakfast is devoured at Bank, in the City of London. As you'd expect, The Ned, a posh hotel, is full of filthy rich businessmen. I hope you're sitting down folks when I say we part with £22 each for nosh, which excludes the pot of tea for two and the service charge. It was bloomin' lovely though.

Mac and I are passionate about CAMRA Heritage pubs and Good Beer Guide entries. He's built a list of 16x classic watering holes that we're to swing by at some point today. The first pub, Jamaica Wine House is a beauty, sadly the beer, Whitstable Bay, from Shepherd Neame, in Kent, is below par.

Pub of the day, without a shadow of a doubt, is the George and Vulture. We're loitering around outside the pub front door at midday, on the nose, as the landlord opens up. We're made to feel very welcome by our hosts. The proprietor explains that they are only open five days' a week, as are most pubs in the banking area of the city. I ask if the working from home culture (skivers) has had an effect on trade. 'TWATS' he calls them - they only work Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, he chuckles.

We're given a history lesson about the early 18th Century chop house. Charles Dickens penned some of his novel, Pickwick Papers, here, as he resided at the pub and name-checked the watering hole many times in the book.

We spend the rest of the day pounding the streets of London or jumping on and off tube trains. Places of interest we pass include: Savoy Hotel, The Ritz, the Great War Memorial and a building in Westminster where the RAF was first formed. 15x pubs are ticked off including some belters such as: The Tipperary on Fleet Street and the Black Lion in Kilburn. I'm dog tired when we finally tip up at close to 10.30 pm at Nottingham station. Of course we're late on arrival, thanks to those buffoons at East Midlands Trains. 

I wake up at 7.30 a.m. the following day. I open up my Untappd beer app. The drinking machine that is Tony Mac had a tipple or two more at the Brew Tavern before heading back to Hucknall. Sticky Palms Easter Egg Independent Traders is meant to be doing a roaring trade this morning at MSR on Front Street, Arnold. Squally showers and 18 mph winds result in an early finish.

I meet Keyworth United and Notts County diehard supporter Alan 'Jacko' Jackson and his son Stuart at Meadow Lane half an hour before kick off. The Pies are in freefall since the departure of popular leader Luke Williams to Championship side Swansea City.

We're sat high up in the Derek Pavis Stand, level to the 18 yard box at the Kop end of the ground. I know it's Non League Day but this fixture caught my eye as I liked what I saw of Salford FC at Field Mill a few weeks ago, despite the 5-1 reverse.

There's no sign of Ammies manager Karl Robinson on the touchline. I can only presume that he's sat up in the Directors' Box with Ryan Giggs due to a suspension, if his behaviour at Mansfield Town was anything to go by. Robinson is a brilliant coach though, and I'll be having a punt on them to get promoted from League Two next season after only losing a few games since his arrival.

The game is lifeless and without creativity for the first 45 minutes. Conor McAleny seizes upon a loose ball and hits a sweet strike into the corner of the net. County are back on level terms shortly after the break through ex Arsenal midfielder Dan Crowley. Salford are on the ropes, but by hook or by crook they stay in the game.

Jacko, a tireless volunteer at Keyworth United for over two decades is happy as Larry after bagging a selfie with former Pie, Dave Regis, in the concourse. (Jacko messages me later to say he thinks it was actually Carlton Cole). He (Jacko) still sits with lads who won him a cup final back in the day for the 'Green Army.' 

Notts have played a 'Russian Roulette' game of tippy tappy ball in their own half. Slocombe and Cameron are the main perpetrators. Ironically it's a long ball that's their downfall. Matt Smith has won headers for fun all afternoon. Once again he's the architect. It's deja vu as McEleny bursts through before smashing a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

It's an uncomfortable post match interview with BBC Radio Nottingham's Dave Bracegirdle and manager Stuart Maynard. It's good journalism with some probing questions fired at the under pressure manager. He responds with a plethora of FA coaching cliches such as 'big moments' 'levels' 'zones' 'switch up.' He's like a rabbit in the headlights. The owners look to have made an error of judgment. Would this appointment have happened under the previous CEO?

Attendance: 9,967

Man of the Match: Charles Dickens

Lincoln City 5-0 Bristol Rovers

I arrive home on Saturday evening after Carlton's narrow defeat to Stockton Town. My mood darkens when I see that Ms Moon is watching irritating 'comedian' Michael McIntyre on the TV set. I crack open a strong can of craft ale and boot up my laptop. I scroll through all the scores. 'The Lincoln' have battered Barnsley 5-1 away at Oakwell. The time has come to make a call to get the band back together.

On Sunday afternoon I fish my phone out of my pocket and swipe down my list of contacts to the letter T. I press the green 'call' button. I feel my heart flutter, and my face light up, when the person on the other end of the line says "Hi Chap." This 20 year old diary has unearthed some blog legends over that period of time: Tosh, Big Glenn, Big Man, Tony Mac, The Taxman, Crazy Steve and Ms Moon are amongst many - but I'm sorry folks, nobody comes near to Trumpy Bolton. 

I'm not sure whether it's interference or incoherence on the line, but I piece together that he's on his way home from Kingston upon Hull after viewing a disappointing 2-2 draw for the faltering Foxes at the KC Stadium. Him and wife Jayne are stopping off in Newark-on-Trent for a 'couple of glasses' and a bite to eat. 16th March has been pencilled in for some time. The resurgence of Lincoln hasn't gone unnoticed. The following day I ring up the LNER Stadium at Sincil Bank. Two tickets are secured as is the 10.38 train to Lincoln. As Peaches and Herb said in 1979 'Reunited,' 

It's Tuesday evening and I'm slogging it up Talbot Street in Nottingham city centre, to the iconic music venue Rock City. Tony Mac and I, earlier in the evening, had sunk a couple of jars in the Barrel Drop and Yarn. Tonight I'm seeing a band I've watched many times over the last 40 years.

I was into Echo and the Bunnymen from the off in 1980. I remember the cool kids in South Wolds sixth form, in Keyworth, used to wear long green raincoats and combat trousers. As a teenager I wanted to be the Liverpudlian lead singer Ian McCulloch, who was as cool as Clough.

I recently read part one of the Bunnymen memoirs, written by guitarist Will Sergeant. It's a riveting, captivating capture of growing up in poverty stricken Liverpool in the late 60s and early 70s. Tonight, Rock City is packed to the rafters. It's fair to say that McCulloch is struggling to reach any notes of significance. The music is spellbinding. Show of Strength, Over the Wall and Killing Moon are my favourite three from tonight's two part set.

Wednesday is Ms Moon's day off and the beginning of a four day break from the shop for Sticky. We lunch at Delilah Fine Foods, on Victoria Street. Nothing tickles our fancy at the flicks. I've got a good 'un lined up for us both next week, called Cabrini.

I took a stroll down to Nottingham Central Library later in the afternoon. Former BBC Midlands Today, Radio 4 and Radio Nottingham broadcaster John Holmes is giving a talk about his 50 year career in the media. He tells some charming, amusing anecdotes about Spike Milligan and Joan Collins, but of course the best one is based around Brian Clough.

Cloughie and Taylor had arranged, at short notice, a testimonial game at The City Ground, and needed some publicity. Clough phoned up Holmes at home to pull him in for a favour. John asked old Big 'Ead into the studio for a phone-in with the supporters, so he could publicise the match.. Everything was going swimmingly well until Beryl from Beeston called in. "I've been a supporter of the club for over 35 years Mr Clough and was hoping with the development of the new stand that you might consider installing more than one 'Ladies' toilet as the queues are long at half-time and we are missing some of the game. Clough replied: "We won't be building any additional toilets, Beryl, and I suggest that you make time to go to the loo before arriving at the game" .. lol

It's Thursday and I'm on the train to Doncaster after bagging a bargain £15 choo choo return. God, I love my senior railcard. I'm meeting my brother for a few scoops and a mooch about. Donny has a population of 90,000 and is well known for its railway history and horse racing. 69% of its population voted to 'Leave' the EU. Famous people from the city include: Last of the Summer Wine writer, Roy Clarke, Jeremy Clarkson, Louis Tomlinson from One Direction and the footballer Danny Rose.

As I wait for my brother I stand in awe looking at one of the best murals I've ever clapped eyes on. It's a commissioned piece of urban artwork. It captures Doncaster's historic past and took the Nomad Clan two weeks to complete.

Around the corner is another beautiful piece of architecture, it's known locally as 'Little Plough' and was remodelled in the 1930s by Doncaster's largest pub owners at the time, Hewitt Brothers, from Grimsby. A few blokes start piling in for an afternoon of betting and boozing as the Cheltenham Festival is on TV. 

We visit a few other CAMRA pubs including Queen Craft where the barmaid excitedly told us that they hold comedy nights. My reply of "I presume all the comedians come from over the border, in Lancashire" is met with a stony face. 

 Alehouse

I say goodbye to Our Kid on the platform at the railway station. I enjoy a pint at the Draughtsman as I wait to begin my journey home. I even manage time for a swift one at the newly opened Brew Tavern, in Nottingham, which in old money was BeerHeadZ. It's located at the old Transport Police hut on the corner of Queen's Road.

Ms Moon and I have Friday tea time drinky poos at crowd favourite Lillie Langtry's and the more modern Copper City, which was Cafe Royale back in the day. We enjoy a lovely dining experience at French Living, a 30 year old family-owned restaurant at the top of King St. I plump for snails soaked in garlic. We wrap up the evening at the Fox and Grapes in Sneinton where I enjoy a pint of Dr Rudi Smash from the Lenton Lane stable.

It's Saturday morning and reports are coming in (by text) that Trumpy Bolton has been necking a glass or two, very early doors, in Spoons' Joseph Else since 9 a.m. Else sculpted the iconic Left Lion and Right Lion that form part of the Council House. An hour later I chance upon Bolton at a dive bar called Industry. I have half a Guinness as the train is due to leave soon.

For first time readers here is the drop your bacon sandwich news: for the last 45 years Trumpy Bolton's mission is to make a financial transaction in every village, town and city in England, Scotland and Wales. He has more box files than GCHQ. A crumpled atlas has each place visited highlighted. Every new pub is recorded in a book that holds more value than the Crown Jewels.

Sticky Tours take Trumpy down High Street, where there are a few alehouses he's never been to before including: Golden Eagle, Imp and Angel and Tiny Tavern. He engages with some Bristol Rovers fans in the pub and asks if Jason Roberts is in the squad. For any younger readers,Roberts is 46 years old. The whole pub erupts when Coventry City's USA forward, Haji Wright, scores a last gasp winner in an FA Cup tie at Molineux. 

We're sitting in our seats ten minutes before kick off. Bolton's beer count is at the bottom of this blog. The Red Imps are in a hot streak of form which has resulted in a late charge for a play-off position. It's been masterminded by their new head coach Michael Skubala, a Nottingham lad, who has pitched up from Leeds United academy, after serving time there under the popular Argentine, Marcelo Bielsa.

The Pirates of Bristol are blown away by a fired-up, foot forward Imps. They're 3-0 down inside 23 minutes and have two of their players hooked before the half hour mark. Remarkably honours could be even had it not been for some outstanding 'keeping from the Imps' 24 year old Danish stopper, Lukas Jensen.

Trumpy is miffed at the lack of alcohol available at the bar. He enjoys a light lunch instead (a bag of salt and vinegar crisps and a Twix chocolate bar). Things go from bad to worse for Rovers who miss from the penalty spot. Lincoln play the last 20 minutes with ten men after a couple of quick yellow cards for the impressive Ethan Erhahon.

Attendance: 9,392

Man of the Match: A return to form for Trumpy Bolton

Beer Count: a tin of Charnwood at home for breakfast, 2x pints in Joseph Else, a glass in Industry

5x pints on High Street, Lincoln. Tame by his standards, but no clubhouse to get

spangled in during the game. I'll get him down Carlton Town one day.

Lincoln United 2-2 Eastwood CFC

It's Tuesday teatime and I'm hanging around at the bottom of Westdale Lane East, in Gedling, outside the Royal Kebabs takeaway house - it's a tad early for one of them. I've just demolished a chippy tea at The Plaice. The bloke who dished up was proper grumpy. He best cheer up for fish 'n chip reviewer Danny Bhoy, when he tips up on his next spot check.

'Chief Wiggum' arrives at bang on six bells. Club Shop Ken and Herr Harlow are waiting in the village of Burton Joyce. We sail through Newark-on-Trent as we zip up the A46 towards the cathedral city of Lincoln - for once Sincil Bank is not the final destination.

There is a massive Carlton Town connection and gathering at Lincoln United's Ashby Avenue this evening. Former Millers cult hero Jack Steggles is in the nets, whilst a number of Eastwood players have played at El Stadio Stokeld, including the joint managers. We have a quick chat with Carl, who is Jack's dad, and a lovely bloke.

After a light refreshment in the clubhouse I pay £9 on the gate and part with a few quid for some raffle tickets and a go on the golden goal. I won a tin of out of date biscuits here a few years ago. The Taxman and I often used to chuckle about that. 

I browse at the Eastwood CFC line up. An astonishing, jaw-dropping 47 different players have donned a Badgers shirt this season. This comfortably surpasses any previous records held by Barry Fry when managing Barnet or Birmingham City circa 1990s. It would also explain why they have only won two games in the last 15 outings. A measly 13 pts chalked up from a possible 45 pts available, sees them requiring snookers to reach the play offs, when only two months ago it looked a formality.

Hopes were high at the beginning of the season, as was the budget. The last few post match interviews, with the gravel-voiced Carl from Badger TV, (he should audition for a Guy Ritchie film) has painted a picture of Stan Laurel head scratching and Brian Blessed beard-stroking from the management team, as they mull over another disappointing outcome. Key players have left. A promising, aggressive, committed centre half is one of them, after being called out on Carl TV,  He'll push on and play at a higher level than Step 5.

Eastwood's players put a shift in for the first 45 minutes. 40 year old Aaron O’Connor is psyched out from the penalty spot by Steggs, who stands his ground and gives him the eyes. OC's stop start run up sees his spot kick smash into an advertising hoarding instead of the back of the onion bag.

They deservedly take the lead on 55 minutes through the on loan Eratt-Thompson. But their joy is short-lived when McMenemy evens things up after some schoolboy defending. Robertson looks to have earned the Badgers three deserved points. The goal of the game from Park, after a flowing move down the right, sees Lincoln steal a point. They’ll have to improve on Saturday when Deal Town from Kent rock up for an FA Vase quarter final clash. 

I somehow manage to visit Trent Bridge Cricket ground twice in the space of a few hours on Wednesday. I renewed my season ticket for the summer and bought some nice Adidas clobber from the club shop. Within a few hours I'm walking back down to the ground with Faggsy for a Notts Cricket Lovers' Society speakers' evening.

Five Live journalist and presenter Eleanor Oldroyd is tonight's guest speaker. She is staying with relatives in West Bridgford, before driving up to Media City on Salford Quays, where she will present the weekend breakfast show on Saturday morning. The BBC studios, in the north, have been christened by Radcliffe and Maconie as the Piazza de Stan Ogden, named after the layabout, chain-smoking, beer-supping slob from Coronation Street. 

Oldroyd describes her tough journey in journalism, as a female in a male-dominated industry. Fleet Street and TV closed any doors on her that were slightly ajar. It was BBC Radio Shropshire where she made her breakthrough. Later she moved onto Radio 1's Newsbeat team before joining Radio 5, which was later to become Five Live. She became the first woman to present Sports Report in 1995. Eleanor has also covered for the BBC the funerals and marriages of the Royal Family. I ask her what her favourite venues are. "Trent Bridge, Lord's and Adelaide", she replies, with an interesting anecdote to match each ground.

I have a lazy one on Thursday. I view the final episode of the excellent Channel 4 documentary: 'The Miners' Strike.' It's another tough watch. In 1984 over 73% of Nottinghamshire miners voted against strike action. Citing intimidation by Yorkshire flying pickets, and a flouting of the constitution, with no national ballot held by NUM President Arthur Scargill. The courts ordered that all the assets of the Union be seized. Thatcher's advisor, David Hart, played a major part in the break up of the strike. He was her eyes and ears on the frontline. Nonetheless, it was a very sad, tearjerking moment, when the mineworkers' returned to work, after a poverty-stricken and anxious year, without income.

It's Friday morning and I'm sat in Bear, a coffee house in Hockley, whose story began in the Staffordshire town of Uttoxeter. I've been tipped the wink by ex work son Tommy T that they do a mighty fine full English. He ain't wrong folks, as Mac and I mop up what's thrown at us.

We catch an early train to South Yorkshire, stopping off at Sheffield, where no excuse is needed for a quick jar in the taproom on the station platform. The next port of call is not far up the line. Rotherham has a population of 100,000. Labour hold a slender 3,000 majority with only 57% of the constituency bothering to vote. 13% more rocked up to vote LEAVE in the BREXIT vote with a 67% majority.

Famous people to come from Rotherham include: Lynne Perrie (Ivy Tilsley), the Chuckle Brothers, Jive Bunny, Paul McShane, Howard Webb and David Seaman. I'm in charge of today's itinerary, so anything could happen.

We stand on top of the railway bridge taking in the breathtaking view of a viaduct to our left and the forgotten Millmoor football ground to our right, with it's old school floodlights that tower above the town. After a wander up to the new ground we walk back into town to tick off pub number one, New York Tavern. The theme for the day will be Chantry Brewing, whose ales are scrumptious and to die for.

Across the road is the Cutlers Arms, it's a Grade II listed building and a CAMRA heritage pub. It dates back to 1825 and was rebuilt by Stones Brewery in 1807. It was saved from demolition in 2004. I love the Art Noveaux architecture and green tiles.

We head up, after, to the town of Mexborough, where the real Brian Blessed is from, as is former Formula One world champion, Mike Hawthorn. The two breweries we visit double up as music halls. So not only does the beer flow, but bands play too.. Tony Mac is mortified to see Nottingham St Ann's cheeky chappies, The Chase, are topping the bill later in the month. He had a strop at one of their gigs at Beat the Streets a few weeks ago,

It's Saturday morning and I'm knocking up a bacon and Stilton sandwich as I prepare a slow cooker Chinese chicken curry for this evening. The clouds clear and the sun peeps out as I make the 30 minute walk down to Stadio El Stokio. I grab the final can of Castle Rock citra craft ale. I catch up with Casually Dan who has it all on playing a DJ set whilst doubling up as Director of the Millers' Creche.

I stand with Smiffy who is doing some opposition scouting for Belper Town. Carlton are still rubbing sleep from their eyes when they get caught cold and concede an early goal. It should be two after another faux pas, but 'Felix the Cat' comes to the rescue. Playing with a stiff breeze at their backs the Millers gain momentum without troubling the Stockton stopper. Jebbison fails to get a shot off despite being one on one with the 'keeper.

I check on the half time scores. Lincoln are on my mind, as in City and United. I've piled on the Imps as they are in a rich vein of form. United have their big day out with up to 1,000 attendees expected.

Khyle Sargent scores a beauty to peg back the League leaders. The Millers can only hang on for a few minutes. A cross from the left hangs in the air like a pitching wedge shot on the 18th at St Andrew's. A big 'un, who plays in the heart of their defence, nods a looping header into an empty net. 

Attendance: 136 and 155

Star Player(s) Eleanor Oldroyd and 'Felix the Cat'

Gedling MW 2-0 St Andrews

It’s been an intense TV soap watch for Ms Moon this week. Corrie’s Steve McDonald has taken his eye off the ball, whilst clocking up overtime by ferrying too many folk around in his Street Cars cab. I’m not sure how many weeks work painter and decorator Tommy Orpington quoted for, to decorate the two up two down terrace, but it's not just the wallpaper he’s been stripping. The former Weatherfield Rovers striker, an idol of Steve's, can certainly score on and off the pitch. They think it's all over for Steve and Tracy; it is now.

It’s Wednesday lunchtime and we’re heading up to Mapperley Tops in Ms Moon’s daughter’s car. It’s the same drill as last week: Capital FM is on the car stereo. They are spinning a rank awful version of Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise, which was a chart number one on both sides of the Atlantic in 1995.

I thought I’d have a gleg at how Coolio was getting on these days. Sadly, he died in Sept 2022 from an accidental fentanyl drug overdose, at the age of 59 yrs old. The rap that made him famous is a sample of an old Stevie Wonder song from 1976 called 'Pastime Paradise', which is from his classic album Songs In the Key of Life. Listen to it; it’ll blow your mind.

I switch off Capital FM as Ms Moon parks up. We walk through a passageway that leads us onto Mapperley high street. Lunch is spent in a popular Asian-fusion restaurant called Tamasha. We enjoy some tapas accompanied by some bread and soft drinks. A 20% discount voucher comes in handy when settling up the bill. Tamasha has a sister restaurant called Rawsha Grill, on Gordon Road, in West Bridgford. The Google reviews at 4.7 suggest a visit is well worthwhile. 

I had hoped to watch a film at Broadway Cinema in the evening. It’s a 2014 documentary called Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist. I’m gobsmacked to find out that tonight’s showing is completely sold out. Not bad eh, for a 10 year old film.

I rent it out on Amazon Prime for £3.49. Director, James Erskine, tells the tragic story of cyclist Marco Pantani, who became the first Italian to win the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, both in 1998. It documents doping charges and Pantani's six year battle with cocaine addiction. I buy the book written by award-winning author Matt Rendell.

Thursday is one of the saddest days I've had for many a year. My close friend Steve Belz ('The Taxman) is laid to rest in the village of Stragglethorpe, close to Cotgrave. Steve was a season ticket holder at The City Ground for over 51 years. At the service he requested that some of the NFFC pre-match tunes were played such as 'Right Here, Right Now' by Fat Boy Slim and 'Born Slippy' by Underworld. It brings a smile to my face.

The wake is held at the Carriage Hall which is behind Perkins Bistro restaurant in Plumtree. I meet a few of Steve's colleagues from the Inland Revenue. We exchange amusing anecdotes of our time spent in Steve's company. I decide not to drink any alcohol, as I know I wouldn't be able to stop.

I feel sad, empty and flat on my solo journey back home. My mood isn't lifted when I watch the second episode of Channel 4's documentary on the Miners' Strike from back in 1984. It covers off the Battle of Orgreave, when Margaret Thatcher gave the Met Police carte blanche to behave in any way they chose. Pickets were charged by police on horseback who converged on the pickets from three fronts. They were ran back into town. 

123 miners were injured. 95 were arrested. 55 mineworkers were charged under the Riot Act which carried sentences of up to 25 years imprisonment. All 55 were cleared of the charges and set free from court. It makes my blood boil when I watch the TV footage. This was all on Thatcher's watch.

On Friday morning it's pelting it down with rain when Ms Moon and I dash out of a taxi at Nottingham railway station and onto an escalator that leads us up to the platforms. I'd earlier had an alert on my Trainline app to say that the Norwich to Liverpool train had been cancelled due to a signalling fault between Ely and Peterborough.

It looked like we were going to have to catch a train to Derby, in an effort to reach our final destination, York, where my brother Mark lives. There is a rare moment of commonsense from the usually underperforming and incompetent East Midlands Trains. They cobble together four carriages and find a driver, so we can get to Sheffield where we change trains.

The weather isn't much kinder to us in York. We dive into a cafe called Cocoa Joe's on Museum Street whilst we wait for 'Our Kid' to pick us up from outside York Minster. The incessant heavy rain puts paid to any visit to one of the abundance of National Trust gardens that are nearby to York. We drink tea and chit chat in Mark's kitchen until booking an UBER back into town at teatime.

The first port of call, on the cobbled streets of Jubbergate, in York City centre, is a Thornbridge Brewery tap house called The Market Cat. I enjoy a pint of creamy vanilla 5% stout called McConnels, as we sit at a table at the top of this three storey pub that's bustling with weekend revellers.

My brother very kindly treats us all to a meal at an Italian cellar restaurant called Delrio's, which has Sardinian influences. It's to celebrate my 60th birthday. We sink a couple of bottles of red wine during the meal. The scallops followed by medallions of beef, melt in the mouth.

The plan on Saturday was to travel back to Nottingham before dashing down to El Stadio Stokeld to watch Carlton Town versus Ossett Town, who are from West Yorkshire. Despite the valiant efforts of a hardy band of volunteers, the match fails a mid-morning pitch inspection. Realistically there is only other game I can go to, but complicated logistics will all need to fall into place.

Northern Rail do their utmost to muck my day up. The connecting train from Chesterfield to Nottingham is running late due to having 'too many trains to repair.' I've never heard so much tosh in my life. Time is against me as I scurry up Lister Gate towards Queen Street.

Ms Moon and I part company in the Market Square. The good lady is jumping on a 24 bus: destination is Marks and Spencer Food Hall on Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield. It's a very proud and exciting moment for Sticky Palms. A tear rolls down my eye as I set foot on the Gedling 45 bus for the first time ever. I know how trainspotters feel now when they chance upon a locomotive that they've never set eyes on before.

I make the short walk from Mapperley shops to Gedling Miners Welfare, Plains Road ground. Despite my best endeavours I arrive five minutes late to the game. The groundhopping Gestapo will haul me before a kangaroo court in the morning for a disciplinary meeting. I dash to the loo as that's been on my mind for a wee while.

There's a large Carlton contingent in attendance. Club legends Jon Hartstone and Clubshop Ken are sat in the stand. On the far side are Faggsy, Chief Wiggum, Herr Harlow and Lou Lardi. The visitors are St Andrews from inner city Leicester. It is them who look the more likely to break the deadlock in the opening half.

There's an incident in the clubhouse at half time. Carlton diehard Stuart from Stoke Bardolph has brought Millers legendary dog mascot 'Joey' (Barton). The Carlton mutt has kicked off with another dog in the bar. Joey has previous for banning orders in a number of East Midlands clubhouses including Lincoln United. I catch Stuart on his way out of the bar and ask him what's gone off. "I don't want Joey fraternising with any dirty dogs from Leicester" he remarks.

Two moments of class from the Miners put the game to bed in the second half. 'Kezza' keeps his head as he rounds the 'keeper and rolls the ball into an empty net. Substitute Gianfranco Ciaurro hammers home the final nail in the coffin with a smart finish. I can't 'arf pick 'em.

Attendance: 103

Man of the Match: Stuart, Joey's owner