That Was Then, But This Is Now

Gillingham 0 v Sheffield United 4 

FA Cup 3rd Round 

Saturday 6 January 2024 

SUFC 2023/23 Game #36

Manchester City 2 v Sheffield United 0 

Premier League 

Saturday 30 December 2023 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #35 

Here. You can have this one. I've been working on it all week.

The Past is better than The Present.

Past & Present Gillingham

15 Canterbury St, Gillingham ME7 5TP

Is the Carrier Bag Firm MicroPub of choice in Gillingham. We recall it as a higgledy piggledy sort of place. With red n white decor. And no bar front in the trad sense. Beers, many, chalked up. Members of staff patrolling and taking your orders and disappearing off camera to get them “from somewhere”.

But, that's the Past. Because they've now moved lock, stock and cask to a new, but nearby location. Still the same road I believe. Taking over what was another small (described to me as Gin) Bar. Gone blue n white decor. Same people running it. You can just shout up your orders as per the Past if you want. But, there is a bar you can now walk up to. 

Ales still dispensed on Gravity in a sidecellar. And chalked up as you come through the door. But, somewhat uninspiring I felt. Charrington IPA from that Heritage lot. Vocation & Friends which I can get on Division Street. One pukka local brewery. But that was a Christmas themed beer. Sixth of fucking January this. Still. You can only drink them one at a time. And, there was some churn as casks kicked.

I'm not normally a Grass. But, the Editor of Dem Blades and The Pinch joined us in the Past & Present. Got caught out because it's cash only (the Past). And he'd only got Cards (the Present). So I had to sub him. He's adding it on to the advance for the Carrier Bag Firm book deal.

This is the Present. (Boooooom)

Kent Brewery, Starry Night, English Bitter on Cask at 4.2%

A straight down the line Bitter. Made ever so Christmassy by the addition of cinnamon. Lazy, but Jingle fucking Bells.

Heritage Brewing Co (Burton on Trent), Charrington IPA on Cask at 4.5%

You know the narrative. Brewed to an original recipe. Using the original yeast strain. And. Fair play. Very nice beer in the trad English IPA style. Deffo a Greene King buster. Hops come in floral.

Vocation & Friends with Adnams, Coffee Stout on Cask at 5%

Nice beer. Tasted great first up. Not too sweet. Coffee is deffo there. But nice n subtle. Against a malty back. Lovely.

Wantsum Brewery (Kent), Imperium, Bitter on Cask at 4%

Named after King Ethelbert's true rule over the sub kingdoms of Kent. Everyday is a school day.

All supped ahead of a traditional FA Cup tie. The Gills gave it a bit of a go. In a get it up top way. But, really, couldn't get anything going. Osula staking a claim for Rebound King. And some McAtee Magic. Sealing the fourth round up for The Blades.

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Do You Recall Wembley 1988?

Manchester City 3 v Sheffield United 0 

FA Cup Semi Final 

Saturday 22 April 2023 

Played at Wembley 

SUFC 2022/23 Game #64 

"Have you got any good photos from the pubs on our day out at Wembley, Phil?"

"That one do you?"

I suspect many, many Blades fans will have chosen rocking, lively pubs to experience, but mainly contribute to, the atmosphere. I hope you had a great time. I did.

That final photo of the evening taken in;

The Queen's Head

66 Acton St, London WC1X 8DU

"He starts barking if he's not allowed to sit at the bar…"

Oh. That's alright then. My tale of the tape in there was;

The Kernel Brewery (Southwark), Pale Ale Citra Simcoe Centennial on Keg, served Gelato style, at 5.6%. 

Brick Brewery (Lewisham), Table Beer Galaxy/Enigma on Cask, served Dimple style, at 3.3%

But, outstanding beer of the day can go to;

Drop Project (London), Flow, American Pale Ale on Keg at 5.2%

The tastes that made us fall in love with craft keg in the first place. A throwback to the days before pratting about. Bit of peach, icing sugar dancing on the lips, leading into contrasting bitterness, stop the recipes.

"What does Wembley hold for you these days, Phil? Been loads-a-times to see England. And that's now the Blades with empty hands in 1993, 1997, 2009, 2012, 2014 & 2023. Getting sick of it, I bet?"

"I'll tell you, but you'll need to know about the aborted 1988 Sheffield United Wembley Campaign."

"1988? What the fuck you on about? The Blades were relegated from Division Two in 1988. Bury knocked us out of the League Cup that year. And Pompey dicked us in the FA Cup. What 1988 Wembley Campaign? You're losing the plot."

"WRONG - 1988 was the first realistic chance of a Sheffield United team playing at Wembley in my lifetime."

Let me explain. Sheffield United had last played at Wembley in the FA Cup Final of 1936. Football League play off finals were not to be played at Wembley until 1990. The 1991 FA Cup Semi Final between Arsenal and Spurs was, exceptionally, the first to be played at Wembley. The Anglo-Italian Cup Final was not played at Wembley until 1993.

I'm making the point that in the 1980s;

Sheffield United had not played at Wembley for fucking ages,

Very few club games were ever fucking played at Wembley.

There seemed no fucking prospect of us playing there in my lifetime.

In those circumstances, you take what you can fucking get brother. I remember being sat in the Wagon & Horses on Abbeydale Road on a Sunday Dinner, with my Old Man.

"Dad, I wonder whether we'll ever play in the Top Division again. Or even ever play at Wembley. Even in some Mickey fucking Mouse game."

1987/88 was the Centenary of the Football League. A number of events were planned to celebrate that. A Football League XI played a World XI at Wembley. I was at that one. So was Diego Armando Maradona. Everton played Bayern Munich in a challenge match, at a time when English Clubs were banned from Europe. The top eight Division One teams played a one off Football League Centenary Trophy. Won by Arsenal.

But, the thing that sounded the KLAXON for the Carrier Bag Firm was the proposed Football League Centenary Tournament. That was announced as an April weekend at Wembley. Involving all 92 clubs. Playing a six-a-side tournament. With all 92 clubs involved. The clubs, all 92 of them, would play at Wembley over a weekend. Did I mention, all ninety fucking two clubs, including Sheffield fucking United would be playing at Wembley. Que Sera Sera.

We were having that. Large. Be fucking chaos on the terraces an' all. And, I think that was one of the reasons the Football League eventually canned this - the Sheffield United 1988 Wembley Campaign.

In the end, they went conventional 11-a-side, just 16 clubs involved, Twenty minutes each way. Nottingham Forest beat Sheffield Wednesday in the final on Penalties.

Let me get back on track. Yes. From a position of thinking I'd never see Sheffield United play at Wembley. Yes. Having been incredibly excited, then disappointed, by the 92 All In Football League Centenary Tournament. Yes. I will never tire of seeing The Blades play at Wembley. Next year too please.

I'm going to say - it's fine margins. Not as in, we were going to win it. But, as in the game and our enjoyment of it will turn on fine margins. Iliman sticks that really good chance away right at the start. We get some more out of our day in the sun. What a Do that would have been on the terraces if that goes in. Let's see how The Galacticos cope with that for a bit.

And, if Dan The J doesn't make that clumsy challenge. And we go in level. That's the first objective. The team are cheered in to the rafters. And any fucking rafters left are gone as we cheer them out for the second half. Margins.

Sat deep. Sander doubling with Baldock on the right when Grealish has it. See if we can ever get Jebbison on it facing goal as an outlet. I've heard worse game plans. Basham as a Sub, refusing to conform to any known system.

And, as if all that wasn't enough. I have to say. In the real world. With major, industrial beer brands paying for sponsorship and pouring rights in sports stadiums. That Goose Island, Hazy Session IPA on Keg at 4.6%. That's about as good as it gets for major stadium in ground beers. Lovely.

I'd be more than happy to put that in front of Rover.

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Attack after Attack on his Jacks

Sheffield United 1 v Watford 1 

Premier League 

Thursday 26 December 2019 

Manchester City 2 v Sheffield United 0 

Premier League 

Sunday 29 December 2019 

Liverpool 2 v Sheffield United 0 

Premier League 

Thursday 2 January 2020 

SUFC 2019/20 Games 41, 42 & 43 

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That "new" Manchester City ground, opened for the 2003/04 season, was the 225th ground I have seen a Sheffield United XI play on. Although, I have actually been to the ground before (England). 

All a bit flat really. Man cannot live by ground ticking alone. Mad kick off times. On mad days. Meant I was on the Coach. Visiting some great pubs. But, the surgical precision needed essentially meant - great pubs I've already been to. Just one point across the lot. Flat.

In the crazy world of Sheffield United, that Liverpool game finally felt like we'd arrived in the Premier League "as expected". 21 games in. The New fucking Year. Before I've felt - nowt to come here. I'll take that. It didn't help that we conceded early. Following a defensive oooohhhh he's fallen over. But, we never really got going. The back three had to back. Precious little attacking threat from them. At one point, it seemed like Basham was just clearing Liverpool attack after attack on his Jack's. Header after header. Liverpool had a simple plan. Work hard. All the time. And, when you've got the ball, move quickly to exploit every little squint of space.

On playback, I marveled at how Salah plays Mane in for the second. And, after Wilder had slung Sharp on, I swear….. At one point, Billy got the ball just in the attacking half, and was immediately swarmed by four of 'em. Including Salah. FFS.

For Blogging sake, I'll mention - The Crafty Pint, Stalybridge. That's just down the street from the more familiar to me - Bridge Beers. A nice place. It felt a bit cliquey. But, that's just time of day, time of year. Four on cask. The best was;

Donkeystone Brewing Co, APA on cask at 3.8%.

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I have now Blogged from 890 games in 1,962 days

The Beer now standing on Platform 1

Manchester City U19 4 v CSKA Moscow 2

UEFA Youth League at Hyde FC

Wednesday 5 November 2014

My route from Sheffield to Hyde requires a train change at Romiley. Gave me a chance to try a new pub. Platform 1 bang there at Romiley station. Very convenient.

First impression is this is a lovely pub. Clean & green. 6 casks on the bar. Nice mix of industrial & micro. Very nicely furnished. Welcoming.

There is (apparently) a restaurant upstairs (Platform 2). The lady at the bar was very helpful. She let me take my time & gave me a taste. Lots of smiles & life. Good pub. I'll be back.

I plumped for Titanic Tomahawk at 5%. It was OK. Slight vinegar hint. I wasn't too sure.

I'm not sure why, but I felt a bit more of an abv kick than 5%. There was a good bit of nutty maltiness on the palate. With a nice sweetness coming through. Then the bitter profile is quite upfront. But not intense. Sort of an English bitter vs American IPA hybrid.

Nice. But falls a bit between the two stools.

The football was enjoyable but a bit scrappy. City looked the better team. But defensive frailties on both sides added to the goal count.  Some good finishing.

I counted two CSKA Scarfers. They even started a chant at one point. Oh and a gaggle of Russian Plod. Maybe they have to have 'em to accompany the team.

More clubs than Rory McIlroy

Manchester City Youth 2 v AS Roma Youth 1

Tuesday 30 September 2014

UEFA Youth League

Played at Hyde FC

Twitter @ball_sup

Today I dragged myself forward & I have become a modern football fan.  As well as Sheffield United, I now support Man City, Chelsea & Arsenal.  I thought I might as well cover the bases.  I’m going to give the UEFA Youth League a go.  I can easily get to Hyde (for Man City games).  When I’m in London, I’ll see if I can get to Chelsea & Arsenal games.

Basically, it’s a shadow competition.  As the first team full-fat UEFA Champions League Groups are being played, the Youth teams get to grips in the afternoon.  To my outsider, untrained eye, it looks a good idea.  The top elite teams clearly see the Champions League as the tournament to aspire to.  Their own National Leagues are essentially just climbing rungs to the Champions League.  The Youth League is a way of giving their Development Players experience of playing against different systems & foreign opposition. And of travelling to foreign countries.

Maybe, just maybe, it’ll even help the England national team out in player development.  Although that’ll require the English clubs to play English qualified players.

Anyway. Good excuse to try The Sportsman Inn, Hyde. An outlet for Rossendale Brewery. Desperately quiet on this Tuesday lunchtime. Barman very helpful. 7 of their own on cask & a Thwaites guest.

Old School pub. Multi room but quite open & bright. Wooden & tiled floors. Bit frayed around the edges.

I started on the Floral Dance at 3.8%. Oh & £1.09 for half. Nice head & lacing. And, yes, lovely & floral in the mouth (but not much aroma). I'm a fan of big powerful hopped bitterness. But, this one has a nice sort of hidden bitterness. It's not powerful, but it's a stayer & you don't notice it at first. There's a bit of sweetness on the lips. It's grown on me.

Then on to Hambledon Bitter at 4%. First impressions - oh yeah, an English bitter.  Nutty & toasty on the palate. Swirling almost fudge like sweetness. The malt giving both sweetness & flavour. We forget don't we. Feels thick & coating. Not sugar water like some industrial bitters.

Finished with Pitch Porter at 5%. Didn't enjoy that. It did get better but it felt a bit sour at first. Even a bit of vinegar. Maybe I just got a duff 'un. The bitterness got there in the end. But it wasn't great.

The Hambledon Bitter was the stand out Beer of the Day. But the amount of Stone Roses, Happy Mondays & Inspiral Carpets being played over the loudspeakers at Hyde FC, I'd have been better with half an E.

Here is what I notice about games played at levels "above" what I am used to. Played at pace. Not injected pace. Consistent pace. Players get shots off quickly, minimal backlift, at power, and with accuracy. There you go. Get me Clough & indeed Hodgson on the blower.

Game opened out a bit in the 2nd half. City came from a goal behind to win it. Three good goals. It got a bit tasty & lippy late on.

Good day out that.