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Diary - September 2005
I hope to update the diary on a regular basis, so do come back often to keep up with the latest information!
As my diary has been so popular and got so large I have now split it into months, which you can access by using the sub navigation at the top of the screen.
Leeds Match Preparation
30 September 2005
Preparation for the Leeds game begins. The gaffer desperately wants to win against his former employers and hopefully we can oblige!
Quiet afternoon at home and Friday is the one day when the kids have nothing on so can relax all evening!
Post Match Analysis
29 September 2005
In later than normal after the game last night. Have our usual meeting about the game and discuss what we did well and what we could have done better. The lads that played warm down and the rest of us train a bit longer.
Home in time for a family meal, and then taxi Ryan to cubs.
Coventry v Watford
28 September 2005
Travel to Coventry in the morning to have lunch and then bed in the afternoon.
Get to the Ricoh Arena in plenty of time to look around. Very impressed with the facilities and the pitch and surrounds look fantastic. The weather isn't as welcoming though, as the rain starts falling heavily as we warm up.
We start the game badly and after 20 mins we are 2-0 down! Have a good 'chat' at half time and score a great goal from Ashley with 30 mins to go-game on. We dominate the rest of the game but can't get the equaliser and in the end get caught on the break. It's our first away defeat but still isn't a happy dressing room after the game.
Coventry Preparations
27 September 2005
Back in for training and we have a meeting to discuss the Crewe game. Then it's outside to prepare for the Coventry game.
Taxi the kids around for their various activities later. Tash has ballet and Ryan has training with his club.
A Day of Sport
26 September 2005
Day off, so have a game of golf as Jane is working and the children are at school. Pick Ryan up from school and make him his tea before taking him down to Milton Keynes for training at Watford's football development centre. Natasha stays on at school for cross country!
Back home after training for a quiet night in relaxing.
Crewe v Watford
24 September 2005
After a bright start at Crewe they got on top and we were relieved to get in at half time on level terms. Second half though we did much better and were unlucky not to have won the game. Still a good point though.
Back home about 8pm and we had friends staying for the weekend: Kev, Tina and their two boys Michael and Daniel.
Watching my Son Play Football
25 September 2005
Early start again for training at 9am. Managed to get back for Ryan's game this week as he didn't kick off until 11.30. Glad I made it as Ryan scores a hatrick! The team win 5-1. Have lunch and then up the park playing cricket with the boys. Kev and Tina leave about 5pm.
Crewe v Watford
24 September 2005
After a bright start at Crewe they got on top and we were relieved to get in at half time on level terms. Second half though we did much better and were unlucky not to have won the game. Still a good point though.
Back home about 8pm and we had friends staying for the weekend: Kev, Tina and their two boys Michael and Daniel.
Catching up with Friends
23 September 2005
Training and then travel to Crewe. Share with Ben and after dinner a couple of friends call in to the hotel to catch up. Ian Cranson and Gary Macmanus were at Ipswich when I joined in 1981.Cranna made it into the first team and had a long career in football. Macca got released with me but didn't stay in the game. He has worked very hard though and has done well in business. It was great to see them both.
Training & Cooking!
22 September 2005
Meeting first thing with the psychologist, then out to train. Start preparing for the Crewe game.
Have friends over in the evening for dinner and I have a bash at cooking the main course! No one has got food poisoning yet!
Watford Reserves v Chelsea Reserves
21 September 2005
In at 1pm for a meeting and then a warm down. Discovered I'd got a puncture overnight so had to get that sorted and then on to the reserve game at the Vic against Chelsea. We had a very young side out and Chelsea had several internationals! James Beasant was making his debut in goal so I wanted to be there for him. They lost 4-0 but James saved a penalty so it's a night he will never forget.
Watford v Wolves
20 September 2005
In for a meeting about the Sheff Utd game and then Aidy names the team for Wolves that night. I'm in!!
Spend the afternoon at Ben's flat relaxing and then onto the game. Wolves start the game well and are on top. They score but as the half progresses we get back into the game and right on half time Clarke scores from a corner.
2nd half we are on top but can't get the goal to win it. Then in stoppage time I'm called into action and block a shot from Cameron. Extra time and early on I make a good save from a corner. After that though Clarke scores again and we see the game out quite comfortably.
A great night in the end and we are delighted in the dressing room. Tash and Jane had come to watch so it was a late night for Tash!
A Day of Housework!
19 September 2005
We are given the day off today which is unusual the day before a game. Take Ryan to school as Jane wants to get into work early. It's nice to be able to do those kinds of things as I'm normally travelling on the motorway.
Spend the day tidying up letters and phone calls that need sorting. Also spend a bit of time tidying the garden up.
A Quiet Day
18 September 2005
In for training at 9am so miss Ryan's football match as he kicks off at 10.10am. Am home when they all get back and hear that they won and Ryan scored a cracker! Good lad!
Have a day at home in the afternoon.
Watford v Sheffield Utd
17 September 2005
It was all going really well! 2-0 up and playing well but we conceded too soon after getting our second and their tails were up. They got their second and then Malky got sent off. Not an ideal sequence of events, but then we lose the game with an own goal. Clarke was the unlucky man to score after the ball had bounced around our area for what seemed an eternity.
The lads were very disappointed in the dressing room having let Sheffield back in the game, but we can't dwell too long on this as the next game is just around the corner!
Training
16 September 2005
Prepare for the Sheff Utd game. We have a short sharp session and feel confident we can cause Sheffield problems.
Planning the Next Testimonial Event
15 September 2005
Morning meeting with the first team about the Norwich game followed by training. After lunch the reserves have a meeting to discuss our poor performance the night before.
The evening brings another meeting! This time it's a testimonial meeting where we look forward to the next event, which is a race night in the club lounge on November 3rd.
Leicester Reserves v Watford Reserves
14 September 2005
Day off for the lads that played but I am playing at Hinckley Utd for the reserves against Leicester. Go straight there as it's not far from Northampton but not a good game from our point of view. Leicester go about the job far better than us and we end up well beaten 2-0.
Watford v Norwich
13 September 2005
Prepare for the Norwich game with set pieces. The game is the classic game of two halves. We are on fire in the first and go in 2-0 up but Norwich hit back and we are hanging on at the end for the three points.
More Training
12 September 2005
In for training and we talk through the Stoke game before going out to get some work done. Another game tomorrow so not a long session.
The Referee's a ..!
11 September 2005
In for a warm down and then rush back to see Ryan's first league game of the season. End up refereeing on a drizzly, cold, windy day! First time I've done that but don't get too much stick from the u/9's!! Ryan scores two in a comfortable 6-1 win.
Dychey calls in later with the family to catch up so it's football time again in the garden with Ryan and Max!
Stoke v Watford
10 September 2005
A change in the weather as rain greets us at The Britannia Stadium. We start the game really well and take an early lead from Dev's header. The rest of the half is Stoke's though and we are pleased to come in with our lead intact. Ben makes several good saves and we get two more goals to make the game safe. Late on their keeper gets sent off which doesn't go down well with the locals!
Training and Travelling
09 September 2005
We train and then travel to the Stoke area for the game next day.
Training
06 - 08 September 2005
Training, as the build up to the Stoke game begins.
The Joy of Being a Footballer!
05 September 2005
It's back to school for the kids and back to work for Jane! Back to the golf course for me!
Attending a Memorial
04 September 2005
Ryan has a friendly at Bugbrooke, which we all go to watch. They are a bit rusty and get well beaten 4-1. Ryan looks tired after his late night. Not the best preparation for him which was our fault.
Later in the day we go back over to Ramsey to attend a memorial day at Ramsey colts for a lad that was tragically killed by a hit and run driver. Saw the second half of the game and caught up with a few faces from the past. Then it was over to Warboys to see the family again who had gathered at my sister's house.
A Family Wedding
03 September 2005
Family wedding back near Ramsey as my nephew Oliver and his bride Hazel tie the knot! Good chance to catch up with all the family and actually be at a wedding on a Saturday afternoon. We hear the England result as the photos are being taken. Late night for the kids as we get home about 12.45!
Training & Birthday Celebrations
02 September 2005
Short sharp morning with the goalies getting the young lads prepared for their games on Saturday. Ben and I do the work also and then join in with the pro's for some sharp games at the end.
It's my father-in-law Colin's birthday so the six of us go to a nice pub/restaurant in Hackleton to celebrate in the evening. Not in 'til Tuesday!
More Training
01 September 2005
Double session today as we work hard in readiness for some time off at the weekend. Had a long goalkeeping session in the morning and did some work with the strikers in the afternoon.
