A welcome return in our eco system

Well it finally happened, season 2012/13 is up and running.

Just 3 days after the draw for the 1st round of the Cup and 3 managers on from the start of pre season, Bury have broken the seemingly never ending winless run that formed the worst start in living memory and has cut the Gigg Lane core support back to pre-Dobson era levels.
Having said all that the Blackwell era so far has been nicely positive, lots of enthusiasm and a return to siege mentality that the club thrives on in times of (so called) crisis. The influx of loanees has been a mostly improving feature yet on Tuesday it was the returning faces that cheered my evening.

Arriving into the ground at 7.30ish it was clear to see it was going to be a lonely old evening, Brian on the Mic was treating us to his early 90's playlist and it seemed slightly surreal to be singing 'Tony, Tony Tony, Tony Tony Rigby' along to Too Unlimited's original at a relegation 6 pointer in October. However as kick off approached there were some welcome returns. Efe Sodje was back in the team, complete with bandana, tights and gloves and (some of) the boys behnd me were back too.

When we chose our seats in the South Stand in 1997 we had no idea who we would sit near, but faces have become friends, some have come and gone, others now cheer on the lads from the grandstand in the sky sending celestial positive vibes. Others have joined our little posse of H Block protesters and the return of these guys cheered my evening on Tuesday. Always entertaining, these guy's views of the game are well worth a listen and the banter that accompanies it has educated my Mum over the last couple of years immensely, I'll leave it there. I heard Nick Hornby discussing his move from Highbury to the Emirates a few days ago, he said they had carefully moved their 'eco system' of matchday friends lock stock an barrell when they transplanted thier club, I would hope our similar network may stay together should we ever be uprooted.

Anyway, Tuesday evening was a lovely return to normal service. The boys behind discussed the chicken balti pie with an enthusiasm usually reserved for Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry dissecting the results of the technical challenge on GBBO. I had to agree that the morsel under discussion had a great flake, but the filling seemed stingy and it certainly had a soggy bottom. We moved onto our opponents, who would be in the 'your boys took a hell of a beating' rant should the first win happen tonight against Hartlepool? Jeff Stelling (obviously) topped the list, Captain Cook was suggested, H'Angus the monkey came the offer from the Bramhall Whites section of our area but beyond that we were stumped.

Of course there was a game going on but I was enjoying the evening too. The Shakers taking the lead raised spirits, and also started the checking of watches towards half, then full time. Worrall's glorious second was eclipsed by a wonder goal only seconds later leaving the slenderest of leads again. Efe was performing heroics, I asked the boys behind if removing his bandana would be a bookable offence? In a style that Kendo Nagasaki had to wear his mask, would Sodje be able to function if a Mick McManusesque opponent tried to remove his talisman? Suggestions came that the bandana covers the wires and robotics of a terminator style cyborg who would keep going even as his functions expired one by one, then the penalty came.

The law of Sod says that if it can happen, it'll happen to Bury (especially this season). However for once the stonewall pen was blasted against the bar, Efe resisted again in the dying seconds (as did the woodwork for a 2nd time) and even 5 minutes of injury time couldn't spoil the evening.

I set off home happy, equilibrium starting to return to the matchday experience.

In an SOS sandwich on the M62

Halfway home after yesterday's dismal defeat to Preston I could bear it no more. I rang radio manchester. I'd been listening to Jimmy Wagg and Steve Eyre talking about the game and wanted to have my say.

Not many did, from Gigg to pulling over at Saddleworth (despite a bit of a queue to get away from the ground) no one had wanted to moan, vent, criticise or (improbable as it would be yesterday) praise. Radio Sheffield's original phone in - Praise or Grumble - would have been white hot after a derby capitulation during, what feels like, a prolonged dither over the replacement manager. But no I was the only caller during my ride through reception distance.

I'd wanted to ask how we had the least potent strike force in living memory, I'd wanted to politely suggest that Peter Shirtliff return to his assistant job, let Futch return to playing at Halifax and talk about the ongoing issue of the day with why lower league football fans are feeling marginalised and out priced. I think I got about 50% of my aims in with Jimmy trying to steer me to who I wanted to be the next manager and getting Steve Eyre to put himself up for the Shakers job.

Such was the Shakers heavy presentation I found myself neatly segued between a resigned sounding manager, and a frustrated sounding Skarz, the O (for other) in an Shirtliff Other Skarz sequence. No one offered any way out, we all bemoaned our lack of firepower and Shirtliff acknowledged that surely now a recruitment process would begin - with the transfer kitty spent and the team next to bottom.

I returned home mostly vented of my frustration, only to then read the various twitter comments later in the evening which filled my frustrat-ometer back to over brimming. Captain Schumi blamed everyone but himself (and he's been dismal since Barker's departure) and Marcus Marshall happily retweeted every comment supporting his inclusion and denouncing the current management set up. I read with amazement that the club believe LJL and Cullen will get goals and replied to the clubline tweet saying I believe in Santa and the Tooth fairy and that strike combination has more goals in it than our current selection.

Much has happened since I last posted to this blog, but the events of yesterday have raised me from my commenting slumbers. Hopefully the start of the process towards a new manager will set the Shakers back on a positive course, otherwise it could be a long winter on the M62 talking to Jimmy.

Bradley Hardacre's Letter From Hungary

As some of you must be aware I've recently become the Blades' pioneer in Magyar land.

Just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know how our Empire is progressing out here.It's certainly an honour to be given the chance to help a people still emerging from decades under the Stalinist yoke.

And it was a blessed relief to be sent here and not Chendzu, with surveillance under the bog seat, pollution blocking out the sun and everyone spitting in the streets.And all those bloody bikes.I was a bit let down to see that the Danube isn't really blue at all, more a sort of grey colour, like the water in the bottom of the wife's mop bucket. Still, its a more graceful stretch of water than the Sheaf or the Wicker.

"Watch out for those Magyar mammaries" said McCabe as he waved me off at Doncaster Robin Hood airport. By 'eck, he wasn't joking. Brings back memories of Matron Braithwaite ..perhaps the only saving grace of those grim days at school. Bobby Davison's eyes have been on stalks ever since he arrived. Lets just say he hasn't lost his scoring knack yet...

Curative therapies are cetainly a bit of a Budapest speciality, as I found out on my first visit to the Gellert Turkish baths last week. Had my legs wrapped back over my shoulders and came out feeling as supple as Olga Corbutt. Takes a while to get used to being man-handled by a great moustachioed hairy Hungarian,but in a way it's not dissimilar to a visit to Caesar's Emporium back in Sheffield !

Thats all for now. Keep a look out for the Green Eagles!

WWYATS? Gold

The cartoons of WWYATS? were almost always of a very high standard. There was the unknown cartoonist (and then son of the unknown), and also Erik the Unwashed who is also known as DJAsh of message board fame.

This offering fom the great away days series recalls the trip to Brentford in 1997 when the championship was brought a step nearer with a 2-0 win.

Warren Flood

Warren Flood was one of the WWYATS? originals, there from issue 1 and his death last week has shocked everyone who knew him.

The tribute in yesterday's match programme on the FB page was written by Chris Bainbridge (formally the mad Hatchet man) and I and I hope he won't mind my reposting it here. I've also included Ivan Lewis's touching poem that was read at Warren's funeral.

Warren was such a lovely fellow. A true Bury supporter through and through, I often saw him at both home and away matches. Warren served on Bury Council with dedication and distinction for many years, he was always willing to give time and thought to the cause of helping others as a councillor and as a caseworker for Ivan Lewis MP for Bury South. He was passionate about so many things, from football and politics to real ale and prog rock, I'm sure he'd been to more Hawkwind gigs than most members of Hawkwind!He was one of the original WWYATS? Fanzine team, contributing regularly and selling it out in all weathers. His contributions reflected his local outlook, including pieces about Prestwich Heys and other Non League football, not every piece made it into an issue but he never complained and contributed regularly throughout the life of the fanzine.He was a character you could rely on to be there, in the pub, at an away game and always have a sensible conversation in that quiet but intellegent manner he had.> Yet despite the strength of his beliefs, Warren was infinitely patient and tolerant of other people's opinions. He was always ready to look at things from the point of view of others, and could converse and debate without ever losing his patience. In all the time I knew him I don't believe I ever heard him even raise his voice, with the notable exception of when he was urging on his beloved Shakers of course and when riled by the activities of the other lot who moved to Horwich!!!DJAsh tells a great story on the tribute thread to Warren on the message board, of Warren disinfecting the soles of his shoes after visits to Burnden Park or the Breezeblock, I don't know if they're true or a legend that has built up over time but that sums up Warrens passion and commitment to the cause.When he had a little more time in recent years Warren became a board member of Forever Bury, as with everything he did wanting to go the extra mile to support the causes he believed in, and his imput was always worthwhile and considered.Warren was knowledgable about so many subjects and his warmth and good humour shone through in everything he did and said. Everyone who knew him liked, admired and respected him, and we are all still shocked that he has been taken at such a young age. Farewell Warren - a real gentleman in every sense of the word, and a lovely man. He will be remembered fondly by all who were lucky enough to have known him.

More than a Nice Man

It is not the title that you held But the difference you made

Not the speeches you made But the lives that you changed

Not the sound of your voice But the fabric of your soul

Not the wealth that you chased But the justice you craved

Not the bad words we all attract But only good words we all really seek

Not the demands that you made But the love that you gave

Not the Armani suit But the great crested newt

Not new Labour or old But real Labour like your ale

Not City or United But Forever Bury of course

Not Blair or Clinton But Castro the great

Not Mirror or Guardian But Star, that’s Morning not Daily At least that’s what you told Cath! Today we shed a thousand tears One for every life that you touched

We will go on fighting for noble causes Be there for those you loved

And we will try to be kinder, gentler, more compassionate Less judgemental

You see you taught us more than we ever realised.

Be in peace Warren

A little taste of chocolate?

If all the signs are correct then BFC will be sporting different kits next season, the annual firesale is on in the clubshop and kits that were retailing around the forty pound mark are suddenly far cheaper.

This year this point of the season causes a little more of a pang of disappointment than most, as I feel that this year?s offerings from Surridge have been far superior to anything that the lads have worn for many a season, simple and brilliantly inderstated, and I fear that it will herald the end of the historic Chocolate and Sky Blue kit that has been so successful and, despite some contributions to the official moan board, hugely well received by the faithful.

Ever since ?Bury?s own? Gemma Atkinson appeared, wedged into a medium childs prototype on Soccer AM last summer, we couldn?t get enough of the kit, it was one of the fastest ever sellers of a new shirt and for much of the season was far more successful on the pitch too.

If this is the case that it?s days are numbered, I fear Surridge will be missing a trick to show they are aware of the club?s historical colours, appease the traditionalists and maybe even cash in on the impending 125th anniversary which will happen in the 2009-10 season. Evidence shows that the first two kits were the halves kit (marketed for many seasons by TOFFS), followed by a striped version. Both of these could keep the chocolate & blue theme running in the change kit, keeping us nicely historic up to the big anniversary.

The cynic in me wonders if they are slightly grumpy at having finished second in the scarf stakes with the success of Forever Bury?s simple choccy and blue bar scarf and that a potential change of colours would make these items obsolete. Hopefully that is just me being a cynic as I have been impressed with the efforts made by Surridge this season to provide an excellent service to the Shakers fans, of course not every item in the shop appeals to everybody, but the range and prices have been a very acceptable return to common sense.

Recent history suggests that Surridge are a firm that listens to opinion and takes on board suggestions, hopefully the success of the Brown and Sky kit will not be a one season wonder but a step in the right direction for years to come.

WWYATS? Gold.

In issue 13 the Gigg Lane Rock Lyrics section featured this brilliant parody of 'A Town called Malice'.

With the unmentionables from Horwich heading downwards again at last, it's a good time to give it another airing.

A Town Called Bolton

Better stop dreaming of the premier league
Cos its the one you'll never know
The only way you'll leave division one
is to drop back down below.
Stop fantasizing about things you'll never do,
its a better that 12 months from now
we'll see you in division 2
In a town called Bolton.

Rows and rows of disused seats
in your old graet lever stand.
And you talk of ground improvements
Is another supermarket planned?
So you got promotion
did a bus tour round the town,
but your time in division one is short
'cos this year you're going down.
In a town called Bolton.

Struggle after struggle
Year after Year.
Then you bought half of Bury's team
and they moved you up a gear.
In a town called Bolton.

In the embankment rain,
our view of the game
gets dashed against the Co Op.
But we're tanked on beer and we always cheer
'Cos we've stuffed the buggers again.
In a town called Bolton.

The ghost of Wanderers victory
Lost in your great grandfathers brain,
It's over 70 years ago
since their league win at Gigg lane.
But our annual Burnden victory
Well we all remember this,
I could go on for hours and probably will
'Cos I love to take the piss
Out of a town called Bolton.