dseagull

Did a bit of promotion today; The 'Thank The Forces' Military Fair had a stand from the local Conservatives, who offered us the chance to be photographed holding a replica World Cup for the website. Photos to follow! Best bit? I got to wear the shirt B) Pride. EDIT; Corrected terrible syntax. No idea where that came from

mmm, bleak... Last year we went to Peacehaven on 1st December. I think it was -4. I'm hoping for a slightly kinder time to visit there this season, it's possibly the coldest place I've been to in the County. And there's a sewage works going up next door now as well. Hopefully it'll be a still day...

Morning; Have been on an all nighter - printing letters looking for sponsorship for the football club. We are hitting every business in town - about 350 letters - printing, stapling and stuffing envelopes - letter and form. The end is in sight - then we need to deliver them. Reckon I'll be sitting down to breakfast in the cafe at about 11 at this rate. Feeling remarkably awake at the moment.... Started at 12.30 - still going. Running low on paper and ink though, but hopefully we'll have enough!

This Land Is Your Land - Bruce Springsteen

Yes, this as well - since 'Signs of the Times' stopped trading, there is nothing (unless you fancy some googling and tidying up!) in the way of billboard hoardings.

Signs. The Station signs pack is absolutley superb - but - and I'm not sure if licensing type issues might prevent it? - I think there could be a market for street name signs, or, perhaps even more impressively, Route direction signs such as the big Green A-Road signs, as seen here or the even more commonplace 'Arrow' style signs. If these could be set as editable to allow the purchaser to put the place names they wanted in, could be a real winner IMHO. Also scope for graffiti'd backs, once with fly posters stuck on, 'damaged' signs where someone has driven into it and knocked the bottom off, ones where something has changed and it has been blacked (or, as more common locally, 'whited' ) out with a big 'label'. I think the more modern, 'flatter' signs would work better than the traditional ones with raised lettering for obvious reasons, but worthy of consideration IMHO. I'm also very much looking forward to the forthcoming Container Ship kit, that gives me all sorts of ideas for future layouts...

Is it. Is it really?

Delighted that Blackpool are in the Premier League, absolutley made up for them.

Cheers! - Was as I said, totally unexpected. Only been on the Committee for 6 months, but we have accomplished a lot in that time - more to come as well, the grand summer fete should be a cracking day.

Tonight was our Annual end of season do. As well as winning £3.30 on the Race Night - I won Club Man of the Year. So honoured, totally unexpected - well chuffed. The glory lasts about 12 hours. Back at the club at 9am tomorrow to fork the pitch so that Percy can get the Rotivator on it

That really is impressive stuff!

And you think you've waited a while since a trophy? Not as long as this lot. A belated well done to Tadcaster Albion , who this season won 'their only honour of note since formation in 1892 as the John Smith's Brewery Football team' http://facupgroundhopper.blogspot.com/2010/04/tadcaster-albion-2-hemsworth-miners.html

That's about the 7th time this season you've made that joke, BoD Mind you, in Sussex terms, Littlehampton to Hailsham is no short trip...

Hailsham Town 0 - Wick 1 The last game of the season brought with it a typically end of season affair - for the first 45 minutes anyway. A couple of Hailsham half-chances aside, but no shot on target that troubled either 'keeper. After the break though it was a different matter - first French's header hit the bottom of the inside of the far post from Lewis' deep cross, before Wick were inches wide with an absolute rocket at the other end. 10 minutes later, Wick did hit the target - with a belter from Gaskin that no 'keeper would have saved. This spurred Hailsham on - Cooper could, and probably should, have had a penalty, whilst Barden fired over as Hailsham continued to get the ball into good positions only to be let down by the final ball. It was though a brave performance - can't fault the lads for commitment at all, on a difficult pitch which was turned quicker by a sharp spell of rain in the first half. Here's to next season - whatever league we end up in. I'd also like to thank the groundhoppers who turned up today, including one elderly gent who travelled by train from Suffolk - it really is appreciated

Last game of the season today, although I'm half tempted to do the Brighton Charity Cup Final at Worthing in midweek. Hailsham Town v Wick, 3pm kick off - the raffle prizes are bought, the End of Season review is in the programme - and it's drizzling and miserable. I thought it was supposed to be nearly summer?

Hailsham Town 1 - Mile Oak 1 Sussex County One Stringers Goalscorer; Ben Putland (19) Bit of a scrappy, end of season affair this - the ball spent plenty of time in the air early on, before Ben Putland scored his 7th in Hailsham colours in the 19th minute with a terrific turn and shot. Mile Oak levelled 10 minutes later - a deflected cross tapped in from close range. Hailsham would then hit the underside of the bar as the first half petered out. After the break Mile Oak certainly pressed - Jenner making two terrific saves, whilst Harris saw a drilled effort cleared at the other end. Right at the death, sub Mike Taylor could have won it for the hosts - a rocket of a shot brilliantly tipped wide - but it would have been harsh on Mile Oak. Game livened up in the second period, but as I said, not the best.

Rottingdean Village 2 - Ifield Edwards 2 Sussex County League Division Three Nice little venue this - fully railed, and the tinest amount of cover (complete with bench seats!) for about 6, looked like an old dugout - my first visit here. What was immediatley noticeable was that the wind would have an impact - blustery, and when it started raining early in the first half, none too pleasant either. On the pitch, Ifield took the lead through Ricky Mitchell, a powerful header off the underside of the bar, before Nick Pollard levelled with a header from a corner. When it did stop raining, it was actually quite a nice day - although the wind was ever-present! Mitchell then cracked a shot against the angle of post and bar - it might have crept in on a still day. After the break, whilst Ifield played the better football on the floor, Rottingdean's direct balls forward were the more effective, although home 10 Povis had a bit of a mare - sent clean through twice in the first half, once shanking well wide and over, and secondly shooting straight at the 'keeper. Rottingdean's second was certainly helped by the wind, although the quite impressive Mitchell did well to wrap his foot around the ball and curl home from an acute angle. It should have been three soon after - Povis again sent clear, this chance the best of the lot, only to shoot the wrong side of the post. Those missed chances came back to haunt the hosts though - 2 minutes from time, another corner, and another goal for Ifield, making it 2-2 and ending an even contest in which the visitors played the best football, but never looked like scoring, whilst the hosts created plenty, but without much finesse. Another game was about to start as I left, but decided not to stay - That was the starter - it was then on to the main course - via an extended stay in Woodingdean where I stopped for fuel, only to realise I'd left my card back in Hailsham... An hour or so later (and some determined driving), I turned up at; Brighton & Hove Albion Reserves 4 - Bognor Regis Town 0 Sussex Senior Cup Final @ Priory Lane, Eastbourne Borough FC Attendance; 605 Official Brighton Goalscorers; J Caskey 22, 39 S Brinkhurst 67 G Barker 73 With the weather rapidly shifting from pleasant to decidedly chilly, throughout the game, this wasn't bad as a showpiece. The Seagulls, with Adam Virgo and Dean Cox in a side comprising a lot of youth, took the lead on 22 when Jake Caskey, the highly rated young midfielder (son of Darren, step-son of Nicky Forster), broke through to finish well from the edge of the box. Caskey's second was another placed effort after excellent work from Dean Cox, who may have impressed any scouts watching today - he, like Virgo, is out of contract and not getting a new deal. Bognor's fans were certainly loud, but had little to shout about, other than a possible penalty appeal, before Albion made it three in the second half when Brinkhurst gambled correctly - a 'keeping error, and the young winger in the right place to slot home. The impressive Jamie Smith departed soon after - with Caskey, he ran the show in midfield - but there was still time for a fourth, George Barker's placed effort a reward for his tireless running. Bognor created a few chances of their own - the best coming just before Barker's goal when a corner was powerfully headed against the bar, although Mitchell Walker in the Seagulls goal was always comfortable when called upon, and looks a decent prospect. The Young Seagulls always looked comfortable though, and it was a deserved win for a side who simply passed Bognor off the park - always calm and collected in possession, and worked hard to regain it when Bognor took over. Pleased for Charlie Oatway, one of my heroes as a player, and a trophy in his debut season as Reserve Manager. Next up; The (hopefully), 'delicious pudding' - certainly the one I've been looking forward to all day - Hailsham Town v Mile Oak, Kick Off 7.30PM.

Arundel 2 - Hailsham 1 Sussex County One Stringers Goalscorer; T Jarvis 63 Disapointing result, but a brave performance. We began brightly, getting the ball into the box on a number of occasions, but as the first half the hosts began winning more and more ground, and five minutes after having a goal disallowed for offside, did make one count when a cross into the box was nodded home from close range. On the stroke of half time, Cooper had a penalty shout turned down, whilst Alexander cleared the bar with a free kick from the edge of the box. The second half however was much better for Hailsham - Lewis unlucky from distance, before on 63, Tristan Jarvis equalised with a lobbed finish from 30 yards out on the left hand side. This rattled Arundel, but within 10 minutes, they had retaken the lead, after a succession of corners, a shot fired in took a huge deflection off Ashley Jarvis and went into the net. It was now time for Hailsham to gamble, and they came mightily close - Skan caught the 'keeper off his line, only for the ball to be headed behind, whilst Putland saw a terrific shot matched with an equally impressive save from Griffiths. There was still time for more - Lock dismissed for Hailsham after a firm challenge as the last man, whilst a late flurry saw Cooper free in the box, but quickly closed down. This result, combined with others, means we can now not escape finishing in the bottom 3, and unless East Grinstead lose their remaining two, we will finish 19th. Relegated? Possibly. God (or the Sussex FA) only knows.

As has been noted by others, there is far more to Zamora's game than goalscoring. His hold up play is excellent - back to goal, recieving the ball and laying it off to his strike partner etc - and he certainly can finish.

For me, you will always need a hold up player. That's Heskey, Zamora or Cole. Crouch, despite his height, is better on the ground, although does represent an excellent 'Plan B'. Rooney and Defoe work well together, and JD is a proven international goalscorer. For me, it would be Rooney, Defoe, Crouch and Zamora, who is the form man at present, and is, although untried, somone who will give you 'something else'.

Pagham 1 Hailsham Town 0 Good effort and workrate from both sides today on a hard pitch and a warm day in the West Sussex sun. Hailsham began well, Reeve's header hitting the post from a corner, while Tristan Jarvis shot just the wrong side of the post after a counter attack. Pagham too had their chances - Jenner making a terrific save from an equally excellent strike from distance, before the hosts went ahead after a neatly worked goal. Our players seemed to think it was offside, but I was at the other end, so couldn't judge - whatever, it was well taken. Hailsham again began brightly after the break, but both sides saw a lot of the ball in midfield - although Pagham were unlucky not to score when Jenner made another fine low down save, and Hailsham equally unlucky not to level 10 from time when Alexander's wickedly curling free kick crashed against angle of post and bar. A point would have been deserved, I feel - sometimes you don't get the run of the bounce, and we didn't today, although we could have been more clinical as well when going forward. Better news though; Eastbourne stay up, Lewes stay up \o/ I don't know if we are going to stay up or not. 3 games remaining, need 6 points to get out of the relegation zone, but no idea if it will count for anything with this ground grading thing. I can only imagine the League have some kind of idea which they will tell us mere mortals after the end of the season.

Hailsham Town U18 1 - Eastbourne Borough U18 5 Entrance; Free Tea; £1 Attendance; About 90 h/c - very healthy! , should have taken a gate, but the bar did a decent trade anyway On paper, a hammering - but considering we were playing the Youth Team of a Blue Square Premier (at the moment!) side, and considering our 'keeper Olly Nicholls was out after having an operation on his foot, not too bad. Three goals in the opening 25 minutes killed it as a spectacle - the first should have been dealt with better in the middle, stand-in 'keeper Corson could only help a powerful second home 5 minutes later, while the third was soft as well, turned in at the far post after nobody had dealt with a cross. After the break though, Hailsham looked brighter - George Marshall a constant danger when on the ball, whilst the pacey Jamie Dickinson pulled a goal back with a fine, half-volleyed finish after a ball into the box wasn't dealt with properly. It was then tense - Dickinson causing problems, whilst Mike Taylor, operating deep in midfield, opened 'Boro up on a couple of occasions with direct balls into the channels. The visitors though regained their composure - after having one cleared off the line, a corner came deep and was powerfully headed home. The fifth came when I was at the other end of the pitch, trying to retrieve a ball from the tennis club behind the goal, and to be honest, I didn't see what happened!. The lads can take heart though, apart from the first 25 minutes they were always in it, but by then, at 3 goals down, it was too late.

Must say, I was very impressed with Portsmouth. They might be in the mire, but they still found time to reply to the letter I sent all 92 league clubs, plus the SPL and selected Non League sides, asking for items to raffle for the Hailsham Town stand fund. They sent a signed photo of Kanu B) - very generous, considering the member of staff who wrote the letter probably had to pay the price of the stamp out of her own pocket. Other clubs who have sent stuff; Northampton Town; 2 Tickets Millwall; 2 Tickets to any game next season Burton; Signed pennant Hearts; Signed first team shirt St Johnstone; Signed football Ex-Brighton legend Peter Ward; Signed autobiography Blackburn; Signed team photo QPR have offered us a signed shirt for a tenner, and Motherwell have offered us a signed football for 20 quid.

Well, no idea what's happening regarding promotion/relegation now. Had heard, which appeared confirmed, that only Sidley could go up. Now Rye won last night, and the SCFL site says that they have 'finished in a promotion position', whatever that means... Hopefully we'll find out before June :/ Bank Holiday Monday will see me take in 3 games - Hailsham v Mile Oak in the evening, Brighton Reserves v Bognor Regis Town in the Sussex Senior Cup Final at 3, and in the morning, Rottingdean Village v Ifield Edwards, my first jaunt into County 3 (Level 11 of the Non League Pyramid). Not been there before, but the ground looks rather picturesque (Picture taken from SCFL website, hosted elsewhere to save their bandwidth)

Wick 0 - Hailsham Town 0 A patched up Stringers side missing the banned Alexander and Putland put in a very gutsy performance at a sun-drenched Crabtree Way today, earning a vital point. Straight from the off, Hailsham were keen and wanted the ball, with Tristan Jarvis a shining light in the centre of midfield alongside brother Ash, and Lee Lock a menace coming forward from right back. Jarvis had the best chance of the opening exchanges, with a shot across goal that was deflected for a corner, whilst Cooper and Schaaf both also came close. Wick moved the ball around nicely, but couldn't find a killer ball, with Jenner called into action to make two good saves late on. Hailsham did tire as the second half went on, but found a second wind 10 or so from time, and Schaaf was desperatley unlucky with a looping header, whilst Bryant did well to deny Cooper. All in all, a very well earned point, and a great performance with some players in unfamiliar positions. Really, really pleased with our fight and determination today. This result, along with Mile Oak's 4-2 defeat at leaders Whitehawk, and most importantly the news that only one side will be relegated this season means that Hailsham Town are staying up!!! To quote Jonathan Pearce; "It's like Birthday, Christmas and New Year's Eve rolled into one" :)