I'm back..

Taken me a little while to get this thing going again.. it wouldn't accept my login details, and on my nth try, it has worked.. whatever.

Much has happened since the last blog. For one, we are in a new year - 2007 .... Happys News Years to u's... I spent 3 weeks in Mexico, seeing Mexico City and its surroundings, and the Chiapas area which is extremely beautiful... extremely... Mayan and Aztec temples, waterfalls, jungles, tequila, tacos, and the mexicans themselves who are some of the most welcoming people i've met on this planet earth.

And.... I discovered that they (Mayans) used to play a ball game within proper ball courts... and that this game could be a precursor to our game of football as we know it now.. rules were different obviously, and method of play was also different... and reasons were slightly more worthy.. The players were revered, were stars, and high up in the echelon of society - which is sadly how it is now but for NO reason.! Here's some lit I found on the net just to explain a little more...

"Originating more than 3,500 years ago, the ball game was a political/religious activity widely played throughout Mesoamerica facing captured nobles against their conquerors. In this ritual game, considered a cosmic metaphor, the ball simulated the trajectory of the stars, and the players determined their path

through the firmament. During the conquest, the Spanish forbade the game and nearly succeeded in eradicating it. However, it survived in some regions of Mexico under the name of Ulama.Today, Xcaret presents a demonstration of this ancient game. The ball court new recreates the architectural style of Monte Alban (in Oaxaca) and Copan (in Honduras). The heavy rubber ball (weighing some 8.5 pounds) rolls and bounces against the sloped side walls. The objective is to pass the ball through the stone rings embedded high up on these walls, using only the hips".

In terms of Barnesalona, there have been some interesting games in the last few weeks, with some VERY close scorelines, and some surprising results. And the league standings are still all to be played for. And all that blabla stuff.

Thank you to everyone for paying their respect in holding the minute silence for James whose passing away was on the 4th Feb, 4 years ago. On a personal note, seeing all of you there emphasises the reasons why I keep his club alive. I was reading his diary only last night which he wrote only 1 month before he left us, and its incredible how much he wanted this club to succeed. I can only keep it alive, but cannot take it to where he wanted to take it - I have my own other interests to deal with ! But, its nice to see you guys taking part and enjoying (most of the time!). There was one thing I would like to add... it is a comment he makes in I believe it was an old email to all managers - that is that should a team want to win so badly as to look to hurt / abuse other players, then he would gladly hand over the cup to that team, and that other teams would probably be happy with that - as most are there to play in a friendly manner, and not in an abusive way. I think we all think that way, but that we sometimes lose site of that.

I think I've said enough for now. There are another 10 weeks left in the season. Lets enjoy these !

And THANKS DOZZZZZZZZZZZZZER for looking after things whilst I was away.. I must remember to bring that KEG of beer in for ya...

Oh.... and the corner flags ;-)