The Diary

28 September 2003: Albion, The Potters, And Those Potty Sendings Off!

Looking at yesterday?s sending-off controversy once more, will somebody now please explain to me just what it was that ignited the ire of Mr. Laws so rapidly? Since the incident in question, this column has racked what few brains it still possesses ad nauseam, but is still stumped. I haven?t seen it on TV, as yet, but some Albionites have, one in particular being The Fart. Apparently, Sky replayed the whole thing today on their ?Goals On Sunday? programme; according to our resident sage, as the corner was about to be taken, Eustace grabbed AJ?s shirt, and he responded by pushing the bellicose Stokie away. I don?t know about you lot out there, but having watched Albion games for about 40 years, that sounds like pretty normal behaviour from both parties when a corner is about to go sailing into the goalmouth. In fact, I reckon most people present at yesterday?s game could put their hand on their heart and say that they?ve seen far worse go unpunished in the past.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other, and, as someone so pertinently pointed out today, if referees penalised everything that went on at corner kicks in so zealous a manner, most games would be lucky to finish with six men, never mind the full ration. Just what was the referee thinking of? It?s telling that so far, I?ve read about four accounts of the incident, both tabloid and broadsheet, and not even the professional journos could make head or tail of the decision. Both tabloids (The Mirror, and The People) gave the referee a rating of ?four? only. That?s about the lowest you can decently give without humiliation and embarrassment creeping into the equation. Mind you, both sets of supporters had the definitive comment on Mr. Laws and his application of the rules of the game: ?YOU DON?T KNOW WHAT YOU?RE DOING!? they chorused in unison, and quite right, too!

In his post-match press conference, our leader said he?d appeal AJ?s red card, and, from what I?ve since heard about the circumstances, amen to that. I?m sure his Stoke counterpart will also set the wheels in motion, because the whole thing was quite clearly a nonsense. In fact, I?m wondering if the referee is now, privately, having second thoughts. Meggo also quite rightly pointed out that technically, Eustace?s foul on AJ should have been punished by the award of a penalty. The offences were classified as violent conduct, which incurs a 3-match ban for the offender, which, if upheld, would deprive us of Andy?s services for some pretty important fixtures. When confronted with the video evidence, surely the FA will restore common sense by rescinding both dismissals? If they don?t, then something is going badly wrong with the game. In my opinion, the incident also eroded the referee?s authority somewhat; having unleashed the ?ultimate deterrent? early doors, he then had very little sanction left in his armoury. Luckily, the game didn?t degenerate into a farce afterwards, despite the raw ingredients being introduced into the mix by Mr. Laws. At least the third early bath was a ?bang-to-rights? job, and looking at the Stoke fanzine website today, they concur wholeheartedly.

Had a call from Laraine Astle today asking how we were, and all that jazz. As is usual, it turned into something of a marathon, between myself and ?Im Indoors, two hours, almost; BT must have whooped with joy at the thought of the profits! Laraine said she was at yesterday?s game, and also travelled to both Wigan and Palace. Apparently, for the second of the two away games, they ran into heavy traffic on the M25, then took the wrong turning as they exited the motorway, nearly ending up in Brighton. Realising their mistake, they headed in a reverse direction, but even so, they only pulled onto Palace?s car park about ten minutes before the kick-off. Laraine had lots of lovely words to say about our board, and how well she was treated by them, but was less than complimentary about Palace?s toilet facilities! I?m also given to understand that she and her daughters will be making the long trek to St. James?s Park for our League Cup tie versus The Toon; as you might know, the place has special memories for Laraine, as Jeff always enjoyed playing there.

Another little story I was told today concerns Andrew, Laraine?s grandson, aged around six. He can hardly remember when Jeff was alive, but he?s already well aware that his granddad was a famous footballer in the past. Recently, he played in a cup final for his (very!) junior side, who emerged the victors. The first thing he asked was for Laraine to put his medal alongside the Cup Final one won by Jeff, and that?s where it sits now, proudly, in Laraine?s display cabinet, along with The King?s. Oh, and the team coach is also very impressed with the lad?s prowess. Apparently, all Jeff?s grandchildren are absolutely mad about the game; she tells me it?s a regular Sunday occurrence that she and her daughters take the children to a handy beauty spot nearby, and just let them indulge in a kickabout, while the adults have a good natter. I?m given to understand this annoys some people, but, as Laraine quite rightly pointed out, if children can?t be allowed to be children by playing on open land, what?s the world coming to? I?d like to think that one day we might see yet another Astle wearing the famous stripes, but as there are so many activities competing for childrens? interest these days, a lot can happen between now and the age of sixteen.

Another quest for tickets, tomorrow, this time a la Rotherham. Had I known they were on sale on Saturday, we?d have brought our away season-tickets with us, but we didn?t, so Muggins has to make the trek. Then, once back in Dick Towers, some photography for the next Dick; it?s illustrations for a specific article we need, and the joy of ?going digital? is you can both see the finished product and have it committed to the innards of a PC in a trice. Keeps me off the streets, I suppose!

And finally?.. A little bird tells me that when Albion score, our directors all jump up and punch the air as enthusiastically as the most ardent Brummie Road Ender. Quite commendable, as it proves incontrovertibly that they really do care about the club; I?d be far more concerned if they all sat there like a great load of lemons and did nowt. Trouble is, Great Auntie Glynis isn?t completely satisfied by this, and now wants more. Come on chaps, the next time the ball goes in the net, what I really want to see is the whole Directors Box not only celebrating, but manically ?boinging? also!

 - Glynis Wright

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