End of the Phoney War

Sheffield United 1 v Bristol City 2

Saturday 9 August 2014

First league match of the season.

Quite a bright start by the Blades. Created a few chances. But so did Bristol. A wake up call.

I'm very much a live & let live supporter. People should support their team however they like. We all have to play the hand we're dealt.

But, obviously I go to a lot of live sport. Cash at the turnstile & actually being there is my way. I want to see my club do well.

And I mean something that is recognisably MY club. I don't want A club nominally still called Sheffield United to do well. I want recognisably MY club called Sheffield United to do well.

I'm happy to be in a minority. If the price of climbing out of League 1 is a loss of identity, I'll stay where we are Thanks. Every supporter has their line in the sand. Although many will claim not. Merger. Ground share. Kit, colours, name change. Signing "inappropriate" players.

I might as well meet this head on. I am anti foreign ownership of English clubs. I am anti Saudi. I am pro #women2drive.

Yet "my team" are co-owned by a member of the Saudi Government. And an American & a Turk & are key Board members. But you know, we've had some right (English) crooks in the past. See the excellent "Fit and Proper" by Matthew Bell & Gary Armstrong.

I am for money in/money out, live within your means management. I am for Financial Fair Play. I am for good communication with the fans.  At the moment, the new management/ownership team are holding to those principles. Fair play to them.

There is an odd feelgood factor around The Lane at present. Part of it is based on the fact we finished last season strongly, including the FA Cup SF. But, part of it is based on;

The Board are good on Twitter.

The Turkish Board Member got us a friendly against a big foreign team.

We've got a major brand logo (adidas) on our kit.

The phoney war is over. Goals & points now.

1215 kick off. So today's drink was in Brewdog Sheffield. I started with Brewdog Electric India at 6.5%.

Pale & clear. Dominant smell is sour. I have to say Vinegar. But very diluted vinegar. Not unpleasant.

Mouth filling & zesty. I got an immediate abv kick on the back of my throat. Sherbert fountain. Acid drops. It's not a battle between bitter & sour. More a little tickle fight. OK. But not something I'd rush to again.

As I got further down I realised it is quite refreshing & good for " Summer Drinking".

Moved on to U Boat at 8.4%. A collaboration with Victory Brewing. Black as coal. Foaming caramel coloured head. Most appealing. But died quickly. Deep intense smell. Very heavy dark berry. Bordering on Port Wine. Then lovely thickening vanilla kicks in.

Didn't quite expect how it was in the mouth. More bitter than I expected. Then straight into swirling liquorice. Smokiness is low & balanced. I liked it a lot.