LEEDS away
Meeting FET in the interchange at 3-15 to catch the 155 to Ferriby for our lift to the Carnage stadium was an interesting experience!
I never realised that there were so many scruffy people in Hull - but thankfully FET came sauntering along in a 25 year old shirt and unshaven to save the day!!
When the 'Duke of Cumberland' was mentioned I thought at first reference was being made to FETs passion for sausages and not the pub in Ferriby that was to be our meeting point! Anyway, we managed to track down the establishment with Clivvy's precise directions being beamed direct to our mobiles - a new version of satnav can now be purchased from SETAMs and is titled Clivvy Clivvy (instead of the quickest most direct route it takes you to your destination via unused buildings and garage forecourts!!)
We plumped for the guest ale, 'Pomp and Circumstance' which I must say was rather spiffing old boy and had us bobbing up and down at the bar until Clivvy joined us and went for a large Shiraz which after setting FET back £47-20 a glass had him looking more agitated than someone with Turretts who had a wasp in his trousers!!
We were soon bombing down the M62 in the Tommomobile sending text messages into Golum Lloyd when I suddenly realised that my bladder was about to burst! The Pomp and Circumstance had become Pump and Circumcision such was the pain I was experiencing on the back seat! I can honestly say that the relief I felt at the latrine inside Headingley has only ever been matched at Maffakin!!
To the big match and I thought for the first 40 minutes we were superb and when you consider how the injury to Chev must have affected the boys it makes us all even more proud of their efforts. I suppose the first score in the 2nd half was going to be crucial and once Leeds pushed ahead we were looking not to pick up any more injuries - 44-8 flattered them somewhat.
All the boys deserve our plaudits this week so I am not going to pick out an individual for praise - instead lets all hope that Chev makes a full and speedy recovery from a horrible injury.
So, the Worriers are coming back to CP for what on paper could be the best game of the lot in the current play-offs?
I'm really, really looking forward to it and might even have a couple of diet lemonades before the game to get me going!!
Let's cheer the boys onto a famous victory and raise the roof at CP - we can do it.
Yours in anticipation - Eddie Palace x
WARRINGTON home
So, the curtain falls on our 3rd Home league campaign in the Super Duper League - and what a way to do it!
To stuff those whinging over-rated woofters from Warrington was fantastic. In front of the national cameras too - oh how I enjoyed it!
I'll cut to the chase with the MOM award as it is obviously gonna be that adonis from Oz Clintybaby for his awesome hat-trick, his first was something special wasn't it and it also put Vinnie Anderson back on the bench where he belonged!!! Collecting the ball just in front of the well possee he snorted like a wild bull before launching himself at and through Anderson who proved he was no Superman (ah ah ah ah ah ah)!!!! Unlucky for Pauline though from the Golden Girls who had to go to Grimsby for a wedding bash and missed her favourite man on the planet strutting his stuff - tee hee!
Just heard that the SKY cameras cannot get enough of Rovers at the moment as the Wakey game next week has been switched to the Saturday night at 6-00!! Note to the possee - bring red wine, cheese, grapes, crackers and chocolate - yes, I'm on a health kick again!!
I bumped into Rhys Lovegrove the other day with a pair of small pink booties and having heard he was soon to be a dad I offered my congratulations on the impending arrival of a daughter. "It's a little boy mate" he said - obviously like father, like son!!!!
Well done to the whole squad for a great season and it hasn't finished yet!!
Who knows where we will end up? Old Trafford on October 10th? Am I pinching myself after every great win - you'd better believe it!
Here's to a great night out at Wakefield and look out for the piccies from the possee papparrazzi!!
Edwardo (no, I don't dive in the box - have you seen Mrs Eddie!!)
HOLA I am back
You may be pining for my most recent ramblings but things at Palace Towers have been a bit scue-wiff recently!!
Firstly, young Eddie Jnr Jnr decided to be ill on derby day and ended up in hospital so I missed that match and then the old steam powered lap-top went on the blink and I've only just got the damn thing working again!!! Anyway, all is back to normal now thankfully.
I managed to make it to Cas for a thoroughly entertaining day (thanks to Lee for driving) and how about the boys on Sunday eh?
To rip the Saints apart like we did was marvellous. Dare we dream of OT on Oct 10th?!?
The tackling we put in against them was awesome inspired by a superb hit by Newton on Ridley which sums up the Rovers Return (one for the Corrie fans there!!)
I personally thought the MOM could have gone to one of about 17 players from Rovers on the day but Eddie has decided to bestow the coveted award upon Jake the one legged wonder Webster for a sensational display in attack and defence. The more I see of him the more it reminds me of my display for The Ramblers away at Pocklington 3rds!!! Or was it 4ths?
Anyway, it was nice to see Sir Stanley at the ground looking smart in a suit and tie having just got back from PNG to see his ill grandmother. Apparently, she is rather worried about her current illness as it has sidelined her from the PNG all-star team for the last 3 games and her contract is up for renewal at the end of the season!! Sounds familiar!
Today is Mrs Eddie's birthday and as a show of how much she means to me after all these years I am going to York races with the lads for a couple of days to soak up some sun, ale and pies!! Yes, I know she wanted to go sight seeing around the Mackeson Distribution warehouse for a sampling session but there is the small matter of Eddie Jnr and Eddie Jnr Jnr to look after - for God's sake woman get your priorities sorted!!!
I asked Uncle FET for some tips for the races and he said "don't eat the yellow snow", "don't stand up in a canoe" and "don't kiss your granny when she is shaving!" Stupid boy - he didn't tell me what time races they were in!!!
Good luck to all who are travelling over to 'Shameless' country on Friday night and I hope the boys do us proud again just like our last trip to The Willows when I understand FET spent most of the match looking up at the floodlights 'cos he was that nervous!! I will don the Dodger T and Barca shorts in time honoured tradition whilst banging on the advertising hoardings with the 8 year olds (well in spirit anyway)!
Wish me luck for the Knavesmire and I will see you at CP next month when we will seek revenge against The Wire.
Edwardo Palazzo xx
LEEDS away
When I heard the news that the worlds oldest man had died I nearly broke down in tears. "No, No" I cried - I couldn't believe Stanley had gone!! Had he really played his final game for his beloved Rovers? When I saw him on Road I ran across to him and kissed his feet! "Stanley's alive" I cried in my best Flash Gordon voice!
Today is the 40th anniversary of the first moonwalk and I can't believe it is so long since I first saw Michael Jackson perform it on stage. Since he passed away people have asked me if he'll be missed and I just reply that he may be gone but his catch-phrase will live forever - "What you talking about Willis" always had me rolling in the aisles! The poor little man can't have had it easy being so small.
Anyway, to the game at Leeds Carnage!
Me and Uncle Fet met at Stanleys Brasserie for a pre-match nosebag and I ordered the bubbly bangers from the waitress (and my word did she have bubbly ones!) whilst FET ordered the Fish and Chips for one (when it arrived we realised the words 'coach party' had been missed off this menu item)!!! You won't be surprised to know that we both finished our main courses with aplomb! It was good of the staff to manouvre FET out of the restaurant in a chair hoist when he finally needed to move.
Fet had mentioned that someone called 'Fet Who Tie Rack' was in town and so we were just chatting about him when lo and behold he walked into Stanleys not looking a day older than the last time I saw him about 6 years ago! Whetu Taewa had been an excellent player for Rovers during our fallow period in NL1 and it was great to see him again - harking back to a previous long forgotten night out I offered to carry his golf bags!!!
To the actual match and I thought that the boys played ever so well against what has been the best team in the country for the last 2 years only being seen off in the closing minutes and with Mr Thaler giving his usual unusual performance!
For a MOM I must say a lot of the boys were fantastic but filling in at Full-Back into what have been immense shoes I thought Ben was superb and once again gave 110%. Dare I say he might even get in the team for this weeks game?
To this weekend then and all I can say is 'C'Mon the Boys' - lets give them from the other side of the city a good scudding (again).
See you on Saturday for a beer or two.
Eddie Palace x
BRADFORD home
Oh how I love beating Bradford!! They can't win fairly so they try any means to beat the opposition including Mac the moaner giving the ref a verbal blasting at half-time!!
But it was all ultimately futile as the mighty Robins nailed 'em today good and proper. We actually nilled them in the second half and our defence was back to its awesome best.
It was good to see the sponsors getting the un-official MOM right on the button as once again Shaun Briscoe was fantastic and his defence unbelievable. I actually lost count of the number of try saving tackles he made today! Well, as the FC fans said when we signed him "We've got Motu Tony"!!!! The best signing we've made in recent years I would venture to suggest? The boys played well as a collective today and lets hope we've turned a corner.
On the subject of Motu Tony I thought the recent HDM headline of him not playing for FC again 'cos of an insect bite needed a bit of looking into!! So, donning my investigative reporter's hat (becoming Jack Magee) I rang the KFC asking to speak with Kath Hitlerington! I expected a frosty reception after the last time I did business with her. I got her to sign up for a pre-season warm weather trip for the full FC squad to an exclusive complex in the Carribean with all food and accomodation thrown in - yes, Guantanamo Bay was not the success story she had hoped for!!!
"Kath, Jack Magee here" I opened with as she answered the BatPhone! "Mr Magee, don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry" she said. "No worries" I said, "I don't like you at the best of times anyway"!! "I want to know what's happened with Motu?" I said hastily. "Well, he was bitten by an arachnid on his big toe whilst doing a spot of sun-bathing during the Warrington match and he is not himself. As we speak he is on the web". "Good idea" I said, "You can find all sorts out on there". "No" said Hitlerington "He is actually on a web that he has spun between the posts on the training ground! It has caused havoc with the kicking practice as currently there are 47 balls stuck between them!" I wondered if there was any chance of an exclusive interview with 'Tarantula Tony' but Hitlerington said he was last seen swinging between the lamp-posts down Anlaby Road after a night out at Spiders!!!!!
Well, as you all know Uncle FET is thirty-ten this week and so to celebrate this achievement we had a night out for him on Saturday down Newland Avenue and Prinny Ave'
It was good of him to dress as an extra from Only When I Laugh and he got a rendition of 'I'm H A P P Y' in the Ruby Lounge as a gesture from us all!! It was a good night even with the rain and thanks to AlNoonia for keeping us all entertained with his superb performance of Adam and the Ants!! To thank us all for such a good night FET jumped into a taxi at Midnight and left the rest of us stranded in SUBWAY munching on Meatball Marinaras!! Thankfully I shared a CAB with Charlie Mullen Junior (U2 drummer) and was soon home with my 6" (sandwich you filthy minded people - tut!!) and a cosy bed.
Speaking of food, Ali G has been berating me for not mentioning his Sausage Pasties which have been keeping us going at HT during home games - so there you go!! ALI Boom Ba Yay!!!
Looking forward to going to the Leeds Carnage on Friday night and lets hope we can stick one up 'em!!!
Rally Round
Edwardo Pallazo
WIGAN home
Finally, after being to a match I've got a few minutes to myself to write up the report - being a dad takes up all of your time I can tell you!!
After a sad week for the famous singer of Rockin Robin (his career high I might add) I envisaged a rendition of it before the game by Rufus, but after realising that anyone who sings about it being OK to be a Black and White I was glad they binned it!!!!
A pre-match carvery at the Oyster Catcher whetted my appetite for another feast of rugby down at the theatre of dreams and after ten minutes I thought we were in for a treat - sadly, the best before date had been reached and at the end we were all left with a bitter taste in our mouths!!!
Looking on the bright side we are still 3rd and looking OK for a play off place although we will have to start turning things around soon to stop it becoming a season of high hopes that turned to dust before our very eyes!
Well done to FET for coming out with the best comment of the day just after Ben creamed a Wigan player in the tackle "Not the first time a Wigan player has taken a big hit off Cockayne" - bravo young man!!!
Congratulations too to Gav who during the 80 minutes passed his RL Coaching badge from within the confines of the tunnel posse - not an easy feat I might add. I understand that he will be replacing Chris Chester any day now!! Joking apart, there are a few strange player selections at the moment, not least of which is why doesn't Ben Fisher play the full 80 minutes? Still, trust in Morgan as they say!
My MOM for this week is handed to that young man who plays with his heart on his sleeve every week and always gives 110% - Ben Cockayne. He was the only player to come off the pitch looking dejected to have lost and wasn't smiling and waving to whoever in the bar!! Keep it up Ben.
Good luck to all the fans travelling to Perpignan this weekend, I hope you have a great time and say hello to Pepe Le Poo for me!!
My record of the week comes from the greatest living Aussie in honour of my young family - 'Two Little Boys'.
So, until the Bradford game and FETs 40th (birthday not sausage) this is Edwardo Pallazo for Rally Round The Robins x
WARRINGTON CC
After what seemed like a lifetime of waiting I am pleased to announce the safe arrival of the newest Rovers fan in East Hull! Yes, Eddie Junior Junior was born on Tuesday 26th May 2009 at 8-24 PM weighing 7lbs 10ozs - and I know he is gonna be a red and white 'cos as he was born the midwife dropped her stethoscope and he cried "Ooooh, knock on, scrum down, Rovers head and feed"!!
Mrs Eddie tells me the pain she endured for about 80 minutes was only made bearable by the amount of gas and air she took in during that time! So, being a bit of an entrepeneur I'm gonna stand outside the KFC on friday night and sell some to the Dullers fans before the Saints game to help them get through 80 minutes of torture!!!!
I know you are asking what we called him and being a Liverpool as well as Rovers fan the usual connatations were bandied about such as 'Rafael Justin' or 'Justin Rafael'!! But that would have been silly so I just settled on 'Sir Stanley of Gene Clintybaby Morgan The Dodger Palace' - much more sensible!!
His actual name is Noah James which isn't after the biblical character but more for the fact that when we play FC in the league the points just keep coming to Rovers 2 by 2!! I'll just refer to him from now on as Eddie Junior Junior.
Unfortunately, Saturday afternoon for me was spent being pinned down on the living room floor in a half nelson by Eddie Junior as Mrs Eddie was incapacitated in bed following advice from a midwife!! I'm sure she was a black and white who found out I had a ticket to the match!! Anyway, "you need more iron in your blood" she told Mrs Eddie and half a crate of Mackeson later the job was done!!!!
It's strange watching a match Live on the box when you know you should have been there but I managed to contain my emotions for the best part of a minute during the full 80!! Jake's try was class and I thought at that point we would win but alas it wasn't to be and the sorry spectacle of defeat in extra - time meant the Palace household was in the doldrums all evening! Not even having to change a nappy at 3-30 in the morning cheered me up!!!
Having retired to the kitchen to kick next doors cat I returned to the living room and was shocked to see FET and B'Lo on the pitch trying to cause trouble but was quickly relieved as I realised it was infact Stavros Flatley in the final of Britain's Got Talent and Mrs Eddie had turned the tele over to ITV1!!!!
It is hard to pick out a MOM after such a shock defeat but once again Mr Briscoe was superb and so I will give the honours to him.
Let's keep our collective chins up and make sure we keep in the top 2 to launch an assault on the GF!!!!
For now - this is Eddie Palace, knee deep in nappies for Rally Round The Robins xx
CASTLEFORD home
Well, I thought that I would be regaling you all with stories of poo-ey nappies by now - BUT, no sign still of Eddie Junior as I pen this little tribute to the winner of this weeks coveted Eddie P MOM!!! It won't be long now until he or she comes kicking and screaming and complaining into the world, but I'm hoping that's were the similarities to Richard Agar stop!!
A beautiful evening beckoned as I sauntered into the Nest for a pre match snifter and had a chat with Ronnie about life in general. Soon out onto the hallowed terracing to be met by the usual Motley Crue of messrs FET, Clivey, Tommo and the Golden Girls!! Apparently, I'd upset one of the little ladies with my last ditty and she threatened to send her daughter round to sort me out! "I'm not into that sort of thing" I said, "but I'm free any Wednesday round at number 53!"
The atmosphere was building, Rufus was mowing down anybody who got within 5 yards of his car and Tommo uncorked the flask of chateau Remi Moses with added Kenco - aaaahhhhhh, I sensed a vintage night!
The boys returned briefly to the linament drenched changing room for final instructions and after a rousing version of 'Red Red Robin' from the East Stand we were off and running.
I must say what a fantastic, committed, nail-biting 80 minutes we were served up with on the pitch from both sides with Rovers finally edging it by 10 points and by their sheer guts and determination in defence especially they came out worthy winners - in my unbiased opinion!!
The highlight for me was when FET tutted and commented as Sir Stan geared up to receive a short pass in the Cas 20 "What a waste of time he is" - just as Sir Stanley of East Hull proceeded to bounce off two would be tacklers before charging towards the line and slipping a delightful inside pass to the supporting Briscoe to score the match clincher!!! TUT indeed!
On the subject of Briscoe, what a fantastic player he is and whoever it was over at the KFC who decided to release him will have my eternal gratitude 'cos he is CLASS! Didn't drop a high kick all night, doesn't miss tackles and always returns the ball with aplomb gaining vital yardage for his team-mates. Well, like they said at the time - "we've got Motu Tony"!!!!!
Every player put in a 110% effort during the game in attack and defence with little old Wolfie on the wing looking hungry and menacing every time he got the chance. Which leads me nicely into this weeks record of the week which is chosen by FET (NO, not 'My Friend Stan' by Slade!!!) but of course the 80s classic from Duran Duran 'Hungry like the Wolf' - in honour of our flying wing man.
I've got my ticket for the QF 'cos I hope to be a daddy again before 5-30 PM on Saturday (if not Mrs Eddie will just have to put a bung up there!) - so all that is left for me to say is "We're on the march with Justin's army, we're all off to Wembley"
COME ON THE ROBINS!!
Eddie x
SHEFFIELD home
Mrs Eddie decided to invite the in-laws for tea (must have had too many Chestnut Milds in the boozer!) and so I was rushing around like a mad man before getting aboard old trigger and shooting off to CP (I set all the 30mph flashing signs off on the way in!!) I nearly creamed Big Bob Lovegrove too as I sped into the car park - both arms nearly in a sling!!
Anyway, I made it to the hallowed terracing where I was mobbed by my fans as usual and I also helped Clivey get to his feet as he had a numb bum for sitting down too long!!
Apparently, the Sheffield Eagles players had all come down with a cross between Swine Flu and Bird Flu during the week after stating they could beat Rovers - it's called 'pigs might fly flu'!!
Little did we know how close they would come!
Anyway, a dodgy opening from the boys but we still led 22-6 at HT and looked OK for a straightforward victory. The news at HT from the other side of the city was they had contacted Joanna Lumley to help with the Crocker appeal !!
What followed in the 2nd hafe was nerve-wracking to say the least - 3 tries from the Eagles before Ben Fisher clipped their wings in the final minute to steady all our nerves. As FET said as we sauntered out of the ground "how we will chuckle about today as we walk down Wembley Way"!!
The MOM goes to Jake Webster for being Shirts' favourite player and also scoring a decent try before copping for one off Chas' kneecap!!
The record of the week - 'Frankie' by Sister Sledge for the debut making Mr Mariano who equipped himself well amongst the big boys - well done son!!
Hopefully by the time the next MOM report is penned by me Eddie Junior Junior will have appeared (I can't go to Wigan on Friday 'cos of him / her - tut!!)
Eddie xx
My word - how time flies! Since penning the Derby report we've had 3 more games, PHEW!!
I won't dwell on the Huddersfield match as there wasn't really much to write home about anyway and as Mrs Eddie is expecting rather soon I wasn't allowed to play out with the boys on their little jaunt down to the smoke - although as you can see from the piccies Hitler is more than a little excited at the prospect of him replacing Ali G Papparazzi as the official snapper for the site!!
Which leads me onto last Sunday's visit of the Frogs to the Theatre of wet Dreams!
Picture the scene, I awaken bleary eyed to the sounds of Eddie Jnr dismantling his bedroom furniture with his bare hands and the beeping of an incoming message from Ali G (chef extraordinaire!) It was only 7-44 AM and the piccie of the still hot quiche had already been sent through the static of East Hull. This time, it also had Onions!!! My appetite had been whetted.
Later that morning I found myself in the loft with Mrs Eddie rummaging around for God knows what (it was filthy and full of cobwebs, but she's good with the kids!!) when I came across a box full of old Rovers programmes. Ha Ha I thought, this gives me an idea for the web-site. How about famous programme covers or even better there must be some fantastic old photos in them of bygone matches and star players of yesteryear? Keep watching this space for more details.
Anyway, back to the action and taking my usual spot on the terracing I was accosted by the now back in full glorious technicolour Beverley Sisters demanding my autograph!! I supposed I should be used to the addulation by now but it is difficult to get ball-points to write properly on suspender straps!!! And PANIC?!? Why, one of them has even forced her sweet and innocent daughter to move in around the corner from Palace Towers just to get near to me at every opportunity!!
So, the teams entered the arena and lined up ready for KO when with an almost wimper of a voice Ali G came out with "How long have them in goal refs been there?". To quote Capt Mainwaring "You stupid boy"!! I wonder what else he will notice at the next game - an oval ball perhaps? Although we'll let him off just this once as the quiche scored a 9.5 out of 10!
To the match and it was great to see Dobbo pulling all the strings, this kid is the Jimi Hendrix of the Sooper Leeeg!! Kicking, passing, chasing, you name it he did it and rallied his troops who all played superbly to pummel the little garlic munchers into submission. They even took Fakir off!! My MOM for the game then had to be Dobbo - well done son.
Not wanting to let Ali G have the monopoly on daft comments dear old Clivey during the second hafe mused with Rovers in possession "Why don't we just kick it downfield?" just as The Fish broke from his own 20 before putting Dobbo in 80 Metres later to score a wonderful try!!! Well, he has only just started coming!!
This weekend is a weekend that I have been scratching my head over and over again to try and formulate a plan for!! A plan that would see me get out of the wedding night invitation to Fred Shuttleworth's shed near Cottingham and into the nearest hostelry to watch the lads in action against the Wire! But, alas - I have failed and will have to rely on FET sending through updates via carrier pigeon - assuming it can safely negotiate Orchard Park that is!
My record of the week?
I had thought of "You win again" by the Bee Gees, but I heard this and thought it just fitted Rovers (Club, Players and Fans) to a tee at the moment;
"Put yourself in our hands so our voices can be heard - and together we can take on all the world" - JUDAS PRIEST.
C'MON THE ROBINS - lets stick it right up them Playboys from Warrington like we did in the Cup a couple of years ago.
Eddie x
Well, it was another Good Friday!!
Having sauntered to the bus stop for the 10-33 to town I realised upon arrival that being 20th in the queue wasn't condusive to actually getting on board the damn thing!! So, a 'Fox' like sprint to the stop before put me in the driving seat or as Hitler put it "anything to save 10p on the fare" - charming!!
Being greeted at the Empress by the outstretched arm of RU holding a pint of John Smiths Smooth is one of life's nicer moments and after the sauna bus from hell journey I'd just had was right on the button. Ali G had brought along the quiche which had been freshly baked that morning (I know 'cos he sent me a text picture of it at 7-00 AM!!) and all was well with the world I thought. The funniest moment of the day so far then ensued as from the top deck of the number 57 came cries of derision eminating from a baseball capped, FC shirt wearing 'Ed de Ball' who when not kissing the club badge showed us how to drink copious amounts of Vodka straight from the rapidly emptying bottle - "Just think" I mused, "some lucky fan is gonna sit next to him for a full 80 minutes" and how we all chortled!!!!
We eventually summoned up the strength to make a move towards the KFC stadium ignoring FETs pleas to go in a cab as his feet couldn't take the strain!! As we passed over the rail footbridge Ali G commented on how trains always reminded him of 'strange actions with goats!' - "Is that why you've got a goatie then" came Shirts' reposte, very good Shirts!! We ended up in 'Lovegrove corner' as usual and took in the pre-match atmosphere and the excitement was reaching fever pitch as we waved to Fozzard and complimented Rhys himself on the lovely pink boots he had chosen to wear for the big day!!
So, from the first kick off we ended up on the attack and when Jake caught Dobbo's nicely weighted cross-field kick we were off and running, 6-0 up in only the 2nd minute!! We could and possibly should have added to this before they scored a decent try of their own to bring it back to 6-4. As you know we ended up 18-4 in front early in the second half and I thought at this point we would win by about 30 points but, nothing is certain in derby's so to be hanging on at the end to win 18-14 left me a little bemused!
Strong performances from our lads throughout the team and once again Mr Galea was outstanding but unusually for such a game the Eddie Palace coveted MOM for the big day went to Liam Colbon who was outstanding going forward all game and took a mighty weight off the forwards shoulders. Well done Liam, keep it up and don't be tempted to wear pink boots!!
So back into the Empress to watch the match again (or until we went 18-4 up anyway!!) and the ale went down very nicely I can tell you. Several drinks later and the call of the Eikona was too much for us all to bear and so it was I found myself snaffling the usual, Kiev Pizza which is very nice after a few beers. FET sent us a heart warming text as he drove past us at the bus stop in his taxi home - all of 307 yards!!! Ali and me sat cosily on the 32 as we snaked our way back towards home and his ability not to eat the pizza on the bus is worthy of a mention, as was his vice like grip on the box as I tried to nick it off him as we walked down the road!!!
All in all an excellent day was had by all especially with yet another win over the old enemy. Let's hope we can follow it up with a home win on Monday too.
Up The Robins.
Eddie x
CELTIC Home CCup
Having just read the article by FET it has inspired me to also don the reminiscence trilby and look back at one of the most memorable weeks in Rovers history (by the way FET, having seen your attire on Friday evening I do hope the lady loves Milk Tray!!)
Coincidentally, the 3rd April 1986 saw the Cup Semi-Final replay at Elland Road between Rovers and Leeds. It was a Wednesday night in front of over 32,000 fans and followed possibly the most breathtaking semi-final in history the previous Saturday when the 2 teams had drawn 24-24 in a truly memorable encounter. Paul Harkin was sent off for tripping in the first half, David Laws 'scored' a debatable try, Paul Medley was Leeds' saviour with a couple of trys but my main memory of the match (stood in the Kop with my elder brother) was Mike Smith's performance which was awesome.
To the replay then and I stood in the old Gelder End down by the touchline to see a pulsating first half finish 0-0! George was imperious at full back, Zook led the charge in the forwards and what can you say about Miller, Prohm etc etc? Rovers took control in the 2nd half and eventually overpowered Leeds 17-0 to book a place at Wembley again - what a night and what a team!!
To Friday night then and Rovers current attempt to reach Wembley. I was certainly ready for the match as I had been decorating the nursery in readiness for Eddie Junior Junior all day!! Getting to the Well in time for KO I was disappointed to see that the Beverley Sisters were only a duo and not a threesome this week, apparently one of them had gone to renew acquaintances with Billy Fury in the afterlife! It was many happy returns too to Hitler who was celebrating his 121st birthday and to celebrate he had recently invaded Canada!
Dare I say it? Rovers were far too strong for another Super League opponent and we ran out comfortable winners again. No major injury concerns as well so a great night all in all. The Fog caused concern at a few points in the match and that old ship full of leppers got in the way around the half - way line on a couple of occasions but thanks to Jamie Lee Curtis for sorting that out!
I enjoyed the tries Rovers scored on the night but my fave of the 5 was Colbon's, a great break by Ben G and a superb pass to Jake who cantered past his marker and offloaded superbly to his wing man to go in at the corner. I'm glad they took my advice on that particular play!!
Debating the MOM in the Well (in between Ali G feasting on meat pies) I did state that Jake had just sneaked it for me to much cries of derision from the assembled press, but I was correct of course!! The Beverley Sisters had obviously been staring at Clinty Baby's legs for too long as they kept on shouting for him to make it up to a threesome again in the absence of Kerry Katona!!!
Moving up to the Harry Poole bar after match for a quick snifter (thanks to Tommo for providing the Remi Moses Cognac at half time) it was great to see so many ex-players gathered and the first one I saw was George himself still looking as fit as a fiddle. It took me back 23 years to that 3rd April night in 1986 and Rovers in their majestic heyday, could it be our year again?
My record of the week has to be 'We're on the March wi' Justin's army - we're all off to Wembley' (yes I know it was sung by a scottish twerp for the 1978 World Cup but we've used it before for previous Wembley campaigns!!)
Oh by the way - there is the small matter of the Good Friday derby looming large on the horizon, see you in Empress pre-match (and the gutter post-match!) for a few lemonades etc etc.
Up The Robins
Eddie
SALFORD home
Firstly, may I apologise for not posting a little ditty last week as unfortunately Eddie Junior was taken ill and I ended up on the 13th Floor at HRI for a couple of nights with him. It certainly affords a great view of West Hull from up there but can I now confirm that the Boulevard is definitely not within spitting distance of the hospital, I certainly tried often enough during my short stay!!!
It was nice to see Ali G Papparazzi in the Nest before the game on Sunday and what a lovely jacket he had on. He made it himself by sewing a Rovers badge onto a plain red blouson - this is officially the first time he has ever had anyone in stitches!
Taking up our usual position in the Well it was nice to see Mr McRae 'The Pizza Muncher' himself looking resplendent in his official match uniform - that chefs hat certainly suited him!! He even inspired me to go for a post match Ham and Mushroom with a Spicy Tomato bread myself, with chips of course.
Another dodgy opening half from the boys gave us speccies a few nail biting moments but the boys certainly made up for it in the second hafe. To outscore the City Reds (or was it Pinks?) 36-0 tells it's own story and there were 2 hat-tricks to boot from messrs Dobson and Fox. There were a number of good displays on Sunday and it was nice to see Jake back on song in the centres too.
My Eddie P MOM for this week though goes to that unsung work-horse in the pack from down under who never ever puts in a poor performance - Ben Galea. When he was signed to replace Mark O'Neill I thought he had a lot to live up to but he has done so and never fails to impress. Reminds me of myself in my heyday - what an afternoon that was, and he has even gone for a short back and sides too just like myself!!!!
My record of the week this week is for Ali G and is a classic from The Kinks - 'They seek him here, they seek him there, he's always round, but never square - 'cos he's a dedicated follower of fashion'!!! Keep those bespoke jackets coming!!
See you on Friday when the Celts are back in town for the start of our Wembley escapade.
Edwardo x
CELTIC home
I nearly didn't make it to the Theatre of Dreams this week as I myself blew the cobwebs off the old boots and took to the park for a Veterans Footy match in the morning. Considering it was the middle of March in Pocklington it sure felt hot, or was that just the burning rubber as I sped across the pitch?!?
Anyway, we won and I also won the bus stop afterwards - marvellous!!!
To the big game at CP and it was nice to see some Crusaders fans in the Nest prior kick off sporting shirts with the word 'Brains' on them. Was this a request for some I wondered considering they had travelled 5 hours just to see their team get pasted!! I was always a bit of a Crusaders fan myself in the 80s, whatever happened to Randy Crawford?
Taking my spot on the hallowed terracing of The Well it was good to see The Beverley Sisters had returned from their jaunt to Oz and they had even had time to become founder members of the Clint Newton fan club (here on in he will be referred to as Clinty Baby!!)
A slightly sluggish start by the Robins saw Celtic take a lead and play some promising Rugbeeeee! Thankfully, both Kris Welham and Clinty Baby knew their way to the try line and so we sneaked in at hafe time 16-12 up. I saw the first rocket flying high into the afternoon sky coming from the changing room but I missed the other 16 so I guess they must have been inserted somewhere else?
Anyway, whatever was said did the trick as in the second hafe we were far too strong again for the opposition and ran in some nice tries in the process. It is at this point that I have to point out that myself and Atomic Kitten, who stand behind me, had a disagreement about whether Clinty Baby would get his hat-trick!! Obviously I lost!! The Girls were merciless in their praise of Clinty Baby and my lack of faith in him - silly me!!
So, there can be only one Eddie P MOM this week.
Without doubt, the best looking Aussie in the Northern Hemisphere, the best Aussie RL player in the Northern Hemisphere and if he ever gets too close to his new fan club the most licked Aussie too - NO, not Rolf Harris or Stefan Dennis BUT The Rock himself C-L-I-N-T-Y BABYYYYYYYYYY.
That's 2 weeks running now - can he make it 3 on Sunday, Mothering Sunday - with a silent 'S' from the dream girls!!
I cannot make the match myself as Mrs Eddie has promised to carry a crate of Mackeson over to her mothers for a bit of a family shindig whilst I clean out the Ferrets - TUT!!!
Eddie x
PS - Ali G baked me a quiche on Saturday but he reckons he then binned it 'cos the pastry was off!!!! Pull the other one!
WAKEFIELD home
My apologies for not penning last weeks ode to the mighty win at the Saints but Eddie Junior had the Chicken Pox and so I was left at home following events on Teletext instead of being there!!! Thanks to my army of roving reporters I also received some heartwarming messages at the end too - a great result boys.
So it's farewell for the time being to Kingo and Mrs Kingo as they take a sabattical in Spain for a few months - I will miss them or more to the point Daves Spanish Omelette!!
To yesterday then and what an overpowering win for the boys I thought. From Scott creaming Nancy Drew, to Clint powering through for a great try and Dobbo with his immaculate goal-kicking we were far too strong for them all over the park. I suppose in the end it was a little disappointing to only win by 13 points but I'm just being picky!!
Even Inspector Cluseau had a fairly decent game in the middle of the park - being French he showed more resistance than the opposition did!!
My MOM for the game is this week given to my favourite current Robin - THE ROCK that is Mr Clint Newton (otherwise known as Clint or Mr Newton!!) Some surging breaks capped by a fine try when nobody was gonna stop him and like a brick wall in defence he just shaded Briscoe and Galea for me. Things are looking good for the boys me thinks?
My record of the week is for Brad Drew - 'Half a Minute' by Matt Bianco (self explanatory really!)
Bring on the Celts
Eddie x
LEEDS home 20 feb
After day one's thrills and spills at Bradfutt I couldn't wait for the match on Friday night and was on such a high I managed to clothes line Mrs Eddie before skipping to the car and nearly running over the neighbours cat (scraggy little black and white thing) - and the cat doesn't look much better!!
Tension was mounting as I sauntered into the Nest for a pre-match sherbert dip but I was OK - FET had missed me sidle past on my way to the bar so I'd avoided buying him a drink! Bugger, those dulcit tones of "Gerrus a Guinness" flew over and smacked me right in the wallet. I don't know how he does it, first into a pub but never more than third to the bar - Genius!!
Assuming the customary position next to the tunnel those long months without seeing my beloved Craven Park seemed like a mere twinkling of an eye as countdown to KO approached. The teams were announced and Rufus appeared from nowhere, it was good to see him finally come out of his shell I thought!!
First half and the mighty Robins were superb throughout with a defensive performance matched only in determination by the night FET clung onto the £1-20 bus fare he had just withdrawn from a cash machine!! Half time was only a hindrance to the boys one sensed as it would give the Whino's and their travelling army of 47 fans a chance to regroup and bribe the video ref!!!
The second half was just as ferocious but with Keith Senior pulling all the strings (he runs like one of the Thunderbirds!!) it looked like only a dodgy decision from one of the officials could swing it for one of the teams - and guess what happened next?!? I don't like to knock my beloved game of Rugby League but surely we can manage without Ray Charles making decisions from outside in his Burger Van? Apparently, Jake hadn't trimmed his nails on Friday morning and this proved to be a costly misjudgment on his part!
Whinge over - I can only applaud the team for their two efforts so far this season but with St Helens away next there is the real possibility of having only 1 point on board after three games (only going on recent results there). Wait and see though.
My Eddie Palace MOM award this week goes to two players who I thought were superb all night and they are Shaun Briscoe and Nick Fozzard. The full back was awesome again and caught everything Leeds bombed at him and Fozzard was unbelievable with the ball in hand and really did take up the reigns left by the missing Micky V. Fozzard even found time to dress up as one of the wise men from the nativity before leaving the pitch!!
Just for a bit of fun I thought that this season I would sum up the week in a song title. Last weeks, following FETs run in with 2 rodents would obviously have been 'There's a rat in me kitchen' by UB40 but the one song I thought of for Friday night's match was that 80s classic 'Video killed the radio star' by Buggles (or in the video ref's case - Bungles!!)
Bring on the Saints!!!
Eddie x
BRADFORD away 15 Feb
It was early Thursday and I was taking Eddie Jnr for a bulldoze through some local front gardens en route for the shops when a little Robin jumped out before us singing his little head off and I thought what a good omen for the impending season. Even better, on Friday FET rang me to tell me I had dropped a few quid on the Rovers Lottery!!!
So, by Sunday (match day) I was positively brimming with confidence for Sooper Dooper League 2009 and the first boys trip of the regular season. I had my beer, Pork Pies and Pringles (standard fodder for athletes!!) and couldn't wait for the culinary treats which awaited me on the coach to Odsal. Clivvy had brought the Merlot and Shiraz, FET the Camembert and Chorizo, Kingo the Spanish Omelette and Tommo some Indian nibbles which were home made and DELICIOUS, yum yum!!!
FET explained he had been thrown out of his own pad by a couple of hoodlums in the wee small hours (Roland Rat and his side-kick Kevin to me and you!) which explained the teeth marks in the cheese I thought! I must admit, I did feel sorry for the poor little blighters - just think, they were getting all excited rummaging around for food when all of a sudden the light flicks on and there is FET in the buff trying to get them between 2 slices of thick white for a quick snack!
Ali G better watch out - Kingo's Spanish Omelette was world class and really has thrown down the gauntlet to Ali G and his quiche. I can't wait for the contest to begin!
Having downed a few we finally decided to make our way to the game and just about got in for KO. Great, I thought, won't miss a trick now. We watched the ball roll dead from a Bradford kick and headed off to find a decent viewing pitch when all of a sudden we heard a roar. TUT, we'd missed the first try of the season could you believe! Never mind, it was only a length of the field effort from Wolfie!!
To the match itself and I thought it was very entertaining for a first outing with thrills, spills and drama right up to the hooter. Rovers bombed a couple of chances and spilled the ball early in the tackle count too many times but showed a real determination in defence. The first Eddie Palace MOM for the 2009 season though goes to that little fire cracker of a scrum hafe - Dobbo Dobson. Led the team around the field well, had a decent kicking game and of course majestically stroked over the point saving drop goal with the last kick of the game!!
A thoroughly entertaining start to the new season then and from the efforts shown so far I think one that will be very exciting for the fans. BRING ON LEEDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any culinary tips for the Palace Posse please feel free to send in to me and to quote Ms Craddocks side kick Johnny "And remember to tune in next week viewers when I will be making donuts that taste just like Fanny's!"
Eddie x
CARRY ON TO BATLEY
STARRING
Clivvy as Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth and Compo.
FET as Sid James, Bernard Bresslaw and Foggy.
Eddie as Charles Hawtry, Harry H Corbett and Norah Batty!!
The start of a new season dawns and Eddie agrees to a request for a boys trip out on the trains to Batley to celebrate this and his impending birthday - only Clivvy and FET agree to join him !!!!
The day starts well with a full English in the 3 Terry Scotts - the sight of FET (Sid) demolishing his brekky in a mere 27 seconds was worth beholding. The next time you go in there look out for the 3 fingered waitress who sadly got in too early when trying to clear his plate away!! I had to endure the usual FET conversation as he informed me that Rovers had agreed to play a friendly against Salford on the first February in March - the boys a baffoon!!!!
So it was off to the station to catch the 10-58 to Leeds via Brough and Selby - I even managed to get a shot of the train we travelled on for Fletch as I know he is big on these!!
Luckily, the fodder we had just devoured gave me and FET extra energy as we had to sprint from platform 3 to platform 5 to catch said train as they had switched platforms but neglected to inform anyone!!! Thankfully FET only had 3 students, 2 OAPs and a twin buggy to pile through in order to make it.
A pleasant journey ensued in which we picked up Clivvy (Compo) in Brough, although he inadvertantly got on at the front of the train and so couldn't join us until Selby!! We even saw the biggest herd of deer in Yorkshire at one point although FET swears they were stuffed! Personally, I think he always sees anything on 4 legs as potential scran!!!
Eventually getting to Leeds we headed for the Scarborough Arms for a couple to whet the whistle and have a chat on Rovers fortunes for the coming season.
Landing in Batley we took a couple of shots for posterity and it was at this point I realised Clivvy had turned into a french onion seller!!! I don't know why, but, Batley station always reminds me of The Railway Children and I half expected Jenny Agutter to appear with a white flag!!
Setting off for the ground and poor old Compo and Foggy really struggled to negotiate one of the many steep streets in town!
Compo also advised me and Foggy that he had a prostate problem (funny I thought, I've often seen him lying down!!) and he really really needed a wee wee NOW! The only place he could find was the local TARDIS museum which he reckoned was OK because anything that goes in looks infinitely bigger!!
Getting to the stadium we had a few beers and enjoyed a good game of Rugbeeeee Leeeeeegg and all said how much we had missed it. Well done Rovers for giving some young lads a chance and they looked very promising too.
Back to Leeds after the game and it was to the nearest pub with a TV for Eddie to watch his beloved LFC rampage their way to another draw!! I forgot where I was though and realised after leaping around to Stevie G's goal that I was being monitored by the local LUFC cannibal squad!!! A hasty exit and it was off to Bella Italia for a smashing meal and we all posed for our version of Sean Connery, Kevin Costner and Andy Garcia in The Untouchables!!!!
I had a really great day out and here's to many more in the coming season.
EDDIE xx
PS - I don't get much chance to post my observations on the World according to EP at the moment as Edwardo Juniory is growing rapidly and takes to getting ready for peepies on a night as readily as Nick Fozzard takes to being tackled by Ben Westwood!!!!!!
