Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 19 December 2003

19 December 2003

Halfway through the film yesterday, it finally came to me. Samwise Gamgee looks uncannily like Dave Boylen. After two and a half movies, representing about eight hours of Middle Earth time, I could finally concentrate on the plot. And a damn fine fillum it is too, getting three thumbs up from your, now-regular, stand-in Friday guest diarist. I suppose I should be opening up a competition now for you readers to suggest your Lord of the Rings Town look-alikes, but frankly, I can't be arsed. Oh, go on then, a walnut whip to the best one, and my decision is final.

After your regular diarist's Christmas ghost story on Tuesday, I was planning to do a report on the GTFC office party but it clashed with Melton cattle market so I didn't make it this year. However, in the best tradition of journo hackery, I had already written a few choice soundbites and it would be a shame to waste them. Heard from a popular senior player, recently returned from injury, as he showered before the do: "Gimme a capon, some roguish companions, a wench, and a bottle of sack. Take me to the alehouse, take me to the whorehouse. And if I vomit, keep me off of my back." More on that story, later.

Paul Groves was verging on the very brink of garrulity in his interview with the official website today. Over 400 words tumbled forth as he explained that he really wants to replace the suspended Crowe with Marcel Cas, but as he can't play in the middle he will probably have to make do with old Disco Des Hamilton. Groves also mentions that Alan Pouton has been feeling alternately "sore and stiff all this week" (which neatly provenances the sound bite in the previous paragraph, don't you think?), and then goes in to Ranieri mode explaining that he wants two players fighting for every position in the team. Paul finishes off by telling us that Wrexham's 'best player', one Darren Ferguson, may or may not be suspended tomorrow. This may be a very pathetic attempt by Paul to ingratiate himself with Darren's dad, but I doubt it somehow.

A quick trip to Wales tells me that Darren is indeed serving the last game of a three match ban tomorrow, and that Wrexham's striker Chris Armstrong's poorly knee will not be better before Boxing Day. On the upside for Wrexham, centre half Steve Roberts has "had several good rehab sessions this week" according to their physio Mel Pejic. So he should be sober, but how is his knee, Mel?

Any old road, I have to go and bake the bread, drag out my old Loudon Wainwright III albums, and raise the Rohirrin before lunch, so I'll love you and leave yer. Have a good weekend.