The Beautiful Game

What was the greatest game you've been to? Some people don't know the answer to this question. Some do. 

Some have cup game finals, some have historic events. Mine, like many was my very first game that I attended on my own. Número uno! I was only 16. My match. 

The game that I attended was an FA Cup game between Preston North End and Sheffield United in 2001. Now I know that you may ask the question why this game? But for me, the answer is as clear as day. It is what made me fall in love with 'The Beautiful Game'. 

What made it so special was the whole experience of the day. Starting off by a getting a good breakfast in my belly. Setting myself for the day. Bacon butty, nice one. Once that was polished off I headed for the train station, meeting up with friends whole all off to the match also. It was pure banter on the train journey from Chorley to Preston. Plenty of jokes, and they continued during the walk to the stadium. 

Upon arriving at Deepdale I felt a buzz, an atmosphere that is indescribable. Other fans, young and old. Laughing, joking, singing. 'Is it always like this?' I thought to myself.  Even walking past the away fans and the abuse we gave each other. I loved it. Just before kick off we all headed for a pre match drink  - for the win! And then off to the stand, The Town End. At the time Deepdale was in the middle of a renovation as it was changing from a standing stadium into a seated stadium. 2 stands were already completed, the Tom Finney stand and Bill Shankley stand.  The away end and The Town End behind the goal where we where were still standing. Now that is an experience. You had the ability to move around, if you spotted someone you knew you could go over and chat. If you wanted to get closer to the action you move towards the pitch. If you wanted a better view you could move to the back. Don't get me wrong, being at any match is great, but nothing will ever beat standing at a game. You felt more involved somehow, rather than sitting and watching. 

Just before the game there was a minutes silence which was not respected by the away fans. This did not go down well at all. The stand were I was, was right next to the away fans and boy, the language and abuse, threats and taunts were not repeatable. That also added to the atmosphere in the stand. 

Into the game I soaked it all in, the sport I love right in front of me, along with 10,000 other people, all there for the same reason. Being an FA Cup game it was end to end stuff but Sheffield United took an early lead just after 14 minutes - cue more abuse between fans! I remember thinking that even if we lose, I will always remember this day. But lucky for me, we didn't. 

As the PNE equaliser went in, the stand erupted. I remember being half way up the stand and by the time the celebrations stopped I was pitch side. It was crazy! Bouncing around, pushed here there and everywhere, with other people with the same emotion! My first football experience is filling me with feelings I've never felt before. I could get used to this. 

At half time I took part in the half time ritual which was a pie and brew! Lovely stuff. Scoffed it down then back pitch side ready for the second half. 

More end to end football was being played. The cup is a great competition for all teams in all divisions to put aside their league positions and battle, in a one off game. Anyone can win it! PNE were awarded a penalty late into the game which resulted in the winning goal! Through to the next round of the FA cup! 

When leaving the ground the taunts again continued but with more force now as of course we won! Hahahahaha. It was starting to go dark as being January it was still winter time but the stadium was lit up bright, the floodlights still on, a glow as we walked away. 

How do you celebrate at a win? Head to the pub! The whole town was buzzing with joy. The talk was who PNE was going to play in the next round? Any of the big guns? I couldn't stop laughing. The whole experience was incredible. Once on the train back into Chorley the adrenaline was now running out. Feet getting heavy, there was lots of walking, standing, jumping. But every minute was worth it. 

I have been to many more games and at different stadiums. I've been to friendlies, champions league games, league games, big and small stadiums each with their atmosphere and fans. All have their own feeling, 'vibe'. But nothing will ever beat the first game you ever attended. 

The beautiful game? Damn right! 

http://www.footballticketpad.com/

Rocktober the 16th

Cornershop - Sleep on the left side

Sleep on the left side was the follow up single to the successful song 'Brimful of Asha' in 1998. Cornershop had made a name for themselves when Norman Cook remixed the song. So when 'Sleep on the left side' was released it did well in the UK charts reaching 23. 

Cornershop were formed in 1991 by Tjinder Singh and their style of music mixes different types of genres including rock, pop punk, dance and Indian music. The name of the band was taken from the stereotypical label given to Indians who own corner shops. 

The song starts with an accordion intro followed the by drum beat which is echoing a hip-hop style rhythm. The melody of the song has a sample of a style of keyboard which is played backwards. This melody remains constant throughout the song where the verse and chorus fall. 

The video is another example of low budget filming and that of a band starting off in the public eye. The video itself is full of colour with silhouettes of dancers and of the band. The film also has a 70's feel about which is also taken with the possible meaning of the song. No fancy shots, no fancy effects. Just good old plain simplicity. 

 

Song Rating : 7/10

Video : 6/10

Rocktober the 15th

Pete Townshend - Save It For Later

The original song was released by the UK ska band 'The Beat' in 1982. It was a popular song in the US but it was Pete Townshend who was able to change the structure of the song and give it a fresh feel. 

It was just as The Who broke up and Townshend went solo that he took this song on a few years later. What he had done was strip the song down to a skeleton form and simplicity format. 

Pete regularly performed this song on tours, but he did struggle with the tuning. He had to contact Dave Wakeling of The Beat to get the correct tuning, which turned out as D A D A A D instead of D A D G A D which he originally presumed. He also played on the words and suggested that there was as another meaning behind the song but it was a tongue in cheek comment. 

Pete Townshend released a version of Save It For Later on his 2006 re-issued album White City : A Novel as a bonus track, the album was originally released in 1985.

The main structure of the song is a basic structure where the verse and chorus are song to the same repetitive melody of the song. 

A great song that is great to play along to as well as creating your own style. 

Song Rating : 8/10

Video : n/a

Rocktober the 13th

The Wedding Present - Kennedy

Kennedy was the only single of The Wedding Presents second album 'Bizzaro'. It was released in 1990 and was a top 40 song. 

From the very beginning you automatically get a sense of how the song will go. A fast strumming intro by Gedge is quickly followed by the rest of the band. The verse if repetitive which is repeated throughout the song. As the song progresses the song becomes instrumental and the pace continues up to the last note. 

The music video isn't one for those who suffer from motion sickness as there are lots of shots that spin around all the band members. The whole video is of the band playing so in other words. A very low budget video. 

Song Rating : 7/10

Video : 5/10