Hard Fi review

This is a review I did for High Voltage in April 2005 just as Hard Fi were releasing their early singles.

Hard-Fi- Tied up too Tight

Following support slots with The Bravery and Kaiser Chiefs, Hard-Fi release new single Tied up too Tight. Starting with a piano intro this track leads into a strong track with a late 70s feeling, strong keyboard and guitar parts and strong vocals from singer Richard Archer. The 2^nd track, Middle Eastern Holiday takes a slightly different direction as it is very strongly bass driven with a strong performance from bassist Kai Stephens. This is again strongly late 70s influenced particularly the ska sounds of bands such as The Specials. It also has a strong backing vocal performance, but the stand out track for me is the 3^rd which is a cover of the White Stripes “7 Nation Army.” In its original form, this is a song that I can take or leave, but this version is totally sublime. Its takes the original and adds a totally dimension to it by turning it into a ska lead, skanking version. Imagine if the White Stripes were around in the 70s and signed to 2-Tone, that just about scratches the surface. In my opinion a vast improvement on the mediocre original.

Lots of things are expected of Hard-Fi in the future and if if this single is anything to go by, that expectation is totally justified.

4/5

Shadows of Salford

This was printed in issue 5 of Under the Boardwalk back in 2006.

What was it that Ray Davis sang? Something about as long as he gazes on Waterloo sunset he is happy? (I may be paraphrasing there.) Well sod that. That may satisfy him, but I need more, I need to see something more than a poncy ball of burning fire in the sky, over a grotty London station. I need buildings, I need architecture, lots of building work going on that shows the vibrancy and forward thinking of where I am.

You know where I get all this? It’s the stretch of railway track between Salford Central and Victoria, there is no finer place in the world (well there probably is, but I have yet to find it!!)

I love it. When the train gets towards town, beyond the high rises of Salford, I look forward to that part of the journey and just gaze out of the window, it never fails to give me a glow. I agree some of the buildings may have seen better days, they may even look ugly, some of the newer buildings may lack character, style even, but put them all together and it’s a view to behold.

Let me take you on a journey.

The 1^st buildings that strike you are the Lowry Hotel and The Edge apartment block. The 1^st you get to see of the new Manchester, the 1^st 5* hotel in the city and a new block of apartments built for the upwardly mobile and well to do. Both signs of Manchesters’ affluence, of how Manchester has moved away from its reputation of grimey industrial Northern city.

As you move down the track, the next building of note to hover into view is the Renaissance Hotel. In contrast to the Lowry, this harks back to the days when this was one of the top hotels in the city, but now a symbol of Manchester past, especially with the plethora of new modern hotels that are springing up in the metropolis.

As the train gets closer to Victoria, new Manchester jumps out at you, with the department stores and, currently, the big wheel of Exchange Square. To some this is a consumer nightmare, maybe even capitalism gone mad, but to me it shows how far Manchester has come since the bomb of 1996, how the much needed regeneration of Manchester has been a success. Old meets new here though, with the Corn Exchange building coming into view, now a collection of shops, bars, and restaurants, but from the outside, it is a sign of Manchesters glorious architectural past. Of course in the background is a sign of Manchesters not so glorious past with the tiled building of the Arndale, least said the better. The Premier Travel Inn building comes next into view, a converted 60s office block, bright white in colour, awful to look at with its strange windows, but with a character all of its own.

Behind this white carbuncle though, comes a view a little bit of a green oasis, yes, greenery in the city centre, located just behind the ski slope shaped Urbis, which dominates this area of the city with its glass façade and shape. Again, old meets up with new as the Printworks can be seen, now an eating and drinking centre, but once the bastion of newspaper printing, even now you can imagine the newspapers rolling hot off the press.

One of the best buildings on view at this point is Chethams school, with its beige coloured outside and library that is important to the history of the city.

But the part of the skyline that cannot be ignored at this point is the huge, CIS building. For many, the 1^st thing looked for when approaching the city. I know if I have been on a train journey back from London, when I look out of the window and see the CIS, I feel reassured that I am nearly home. This building has been dominating the Manchester skyline for as long as I can remember, though its domination is under threat from the new building going up on Deansgate, the CIS buildings’ place in Manc history is assured, a Manchester company and its building dominating the sky line like that, its enough to make you fill up.

And so onto the final part of the journey, the approach into Victoria Station, and two things stand out here, the station itself and of course the adjoined MEN Arena. To be honest, the MEN is pretty much a characterless affair, but its place as Europes largest indoor arena is yet another feather in Manchesters cap. Then finally, the final building on the journey, Victoria station itself, with its large Edwardian façade which was designed by George Stephenson. There is something about Victoria, that I can’t quite put my finger on it, maybe it is the iron and glass canopy that runs around the outside of the station, or maybe the map of the route of the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway which used to run from the station until the early part of the last century, a railway that of course is important in the history of Mufc and of course FC United. The only problem I have with the station is trying to keep my feet on the concourse on a wet Mancunian day.

Well I hope you have enjoyed this short journey looking at the buildings and the skyline that makes the city of Manchester so great. Join UTB next time, for maybe a trip round East Lancashire mill towns…….or erm…..something.

Full Circle

This is a piece I have written for a as yet unpublished book of supporters accounts from the 2006-07 FC United season. Hopefully this book and piece will see the light of day at some point.

For most people, their journey in North West Counties started in 2005. My journey in that league started in the mid 80s, at Crilly Park watching Atherton LR.

The manager at the time was a family friend, and when their game didn’t clash with MUFC home games, I would go along to Crilly, with my dad, and watch them. I barely remember much to be honest, but there are a few things that stand out.

I remember the league was sponsored by Bass in those days, and the LR programme had a sort of yellow/orange front cover.

They had a keeper called Martin Henegan, and the left back used to be a chimney sweep, who used to drive round the local area in his van.

I’ll always remember going to watch them win the Bolton Hospital Cup final at Burnden Park, and also a night game they played against Vauxhall Motors. This game was on the same night as the 1985 FA Cup semi final replay vs Liverpool. Of course in those days, these games weren’t shown live, and you had to wait until Midweek Sports Special to see the game. The LR game kicked off early, as Crilly Park had no floodlights. After the game, I was in the bar with my mum and dad, bottle of coke and crisps in hand listening to the radio commentary. When Liverpool scored, the place erupted, due to the Vauxhall team all being scousers, so we drank up and left.

It seemed fitting that when the Leigh Branch decided to organise a coach to an away game, it would be versus Atherton LR at Chorley.

The branch had been holding their branch meetings at LR. We thought that it was a good way of bringing close relationships between the two clubs, as well as the members putting a little bit of money over the bar once a month.

Our meetings usually took place in the home dressing room, with dirty kit hanging up, and a dripping shower. They would have ideally been in the bar, but as Monday is bingo night in the LR clubhouse, the changing rooms had to do.

During one of these meetings, it was decided, due to the game being moved to Chorley, we maybe put on some transport up to the game, from the Leigh/Atherton area, for branch members, and also LR fans, who may otherwise struggle to get up to Chorley for the game.

It was actually a shame that the game wasn’t held at Crilly Park, especially considering the games that actually took place at the home grounds of the clubs later in the season. Looking at grounds we played at, Crilly Park is of a slightly higher standard than those, and probably suffered from being an early game in the season, when no one had a full grasp on how many FC would take away.

Leigh branch chair John had a contact at a bus company, ironically in Chorley, and set the wheels in motion to get it sorted. The plan was to pick up in Leigh, then onto Atherton, to pick up at Crilly, then onto Hindley and Westhoughton, arriving in Chorley in good time to take in a few pre-match drinks.

The 1^st pick up was in Leigh town centre, so a leisurely breakfast was eaten, and off we went for the coach. Well, we thought it was a coach, we were expecting a coach. What we saw as we turned the corner was a bright red double decker Ribble bus. Quality, all we needed was Cliff Richard and Melvin Heyes and we had a film.

So we left our FC (Indian) summer holiday. The second pick up was at Crilly Park. In the weeks leading up to the game, I had been in touch with Tim, who edits the programme at LR as well as being involved in the club, for rough numbers who would be travelling. We were possibly hoping for around 15-20 from LR to come along with us for the ride, the actual number, was in single figures, which to be honest was a little disappointing. The idea behind the trip, as said, was to help fans of a club in our local area get to a game that had been moved from their home ground. Anyway, the fans that did join us seemed grateful, and so with scarves hanging from windows, onto Victory Park we headed.

On arrival at the ground it was straight off the bus and into the delights of the Chorley FC club house. We had arrived at the ground early, which was a bonus as it gave us opportunity to have a drink or two before it got taters deep later on. I was happy to see that the offer of two filled barms for £1 was again available, and after these and a few cool beers it was out to the game and into the second disappointment of the day.

The LR programme has always been a good one, and usually wins awards in the NWCL. This however, didn’t give them the right to put up the cover price to £2. I appreciate that the game had to be moved to Chorley, with the associated costs it incurs, but the admission price had been put up, to cover this, so surely the programme could have stayed as it usually was. It’s sad that I have programmes from the season featuring Atherton LR, but not one that was from the game played against my club.

The game itself was pretty much over in the first 9 mins, as FC raced into a 3-0 lead. By half time, the score was 5 nil, and all credit to Atherton, who put up a decent fight in the second half, as the game ended 7-0.

The bus was only due to leave Chorley, so it was back to the clubhouse for a few post game beers (well if the truth be known, it was back in about 10 mins towards the end of the game, to find it half full already.)

The journey home was spent talking to the LR fans that had joined us on the bus, and how they had appreciated the day, had a good time and were thankful we had put the bus on.

My NWCL journey had now come round full circle, I had enjoyed many a day out when I was a younger at Crilly Park, when MUFC were away, and now I was watching my club, the club I part own play LR in a competitive match.

Now, if only they had charged £1 for the programme……

Article for North West Counties League

I wrote this article to be published on the official website of the North West Counties Football League. It was published in their first ever online monthly newsletter back in 2006.

Last season was the 1^st season of non league football for many FC United fans. The general opinions were of over-riding joy, of enjoying football as they never had before, of being involved in and helping to run their own club and generally having the time of their lives. The feedback from the vast majority of places reciprocated this feeling, as we were greeted with open arms and warm welcomes in 90% of places we visited.

The 1^st thing noticeable was of course the lack of rivalry. As Utd fans we have always been used to coming up against rivals, usually in the form of Liverpool, Man City or Leeds.

Who would be cast as the NWCL pantomime dames? Winsford fitted the bill 1^st, due to their perceived proximity to Merseyside and also due to the fact that at an early season game, they seemed to be fielding a whole team of Olympic standard divers (oh and the fact that they were a good team!!)

Flixton and Darwen both took over later in the season, due to the lack of concessions offered to children and OAPs. The fact that Flixton are local and took 4 points off FC didn’t help much either!

My favourite game has to be the home game verses Winsford at the start of January. It was a game that could have gone either way with Winsford challenging at the top. They took a 1-0 lead through Rick Arnold and it looked like they were going to take all 3 points in a game that could have shaped the rest of the season, but FC grabbed the game by the scruff and when Rory Patterson hit the winner, the crowd and players reaction was something that hadn’t really been seen before during the season.

Other highlights that stand out were the minute’s applause at Gigg Lane for the passing of board member Russell Delaney and the game at Great Harwood on a wet and wild Monday night. That game, brought home to many FC fans what non league football is all about as it was watched in driving rain, hail and snow, topped off by a lovely force 10 gale.

The best moment of the season has to be the open top bus parade that accompanied the presentation of the championship trophy. The 200 yard drive down Manchester Road to the Swan and Cemetery will live with me for a long long time. This wasn’t intended as anything “big time” was just a reference to the days of old when we turned out to watch the heroes of Man United bringing home the silverware. Tongues firmly in cheeks on that day.

As for the future, well who knows?
The club is owned and run by its supporters and despite what the critics may try and say, it will be around for a long time yet. It is run on a one member, one vote basis, the board is voted on by the membership, all important decisions about club policy are voted on by members at club meetings and this situation is one that people are happy with.

Personally, I wish the club to go as far as possible, without compromising any of the principles involved in setting the club. I am happy about not having shirt sponsorship, that is one of the key decisions at the club, I am realistic to see that, difficult decisions have to be made in the future, but that is the beauty of Fc United, we have that opportunity to debate the issue and vote on it.

A world away to what we are used to, and long may it continue.

Fc United v Stone Dominoes

This is an article I wrote about a community day I helped to organise. We took 2 football team from the local area to a FC United game and also organised a training session with club officials in the morning and a Q&A session with a couple of players pre match. The article was featured on the official club website, in the match day programme and also on the printed newsletter the club distributed.

When the Leigh branch formed back in January, one of the things the members wanted to do was to include the local community in it and in FC United in some way. During our meetings we decided that we would try to bring some local kids along to a game. The Stone Dominoes game was chosen and the two teams selected were Westhoughton Juniors (their manager is a branch member) and Astley Miners, both U15 teams that play in the Bolton Boys and Girls Federation.

Contact was made with both teams, they were enthusiastic, and also the club. John Thomason came down to one of our meetings to let us know the many ways the club could help, both on the day and also the different community schemes that the club has in place.

So the date was agreed, the teams primed and readied, it was down to the day itself.

The branch had organised transport for the teams to Bury, and onto the game where they would meet a couple of players, watch the game, and be ferried back home.

The day actually started with a training session at Broad Oak School, Bury arranged by FC. The training consisted of a few drills and a short match at the end. The teams seemed to enjoy this and hopefully they got something out of it.

After a quick change, it was all back on the bus for a pre ordered meal at that world renowned Michelin rated restaurant, McDonalds, then onto Gigg Lane.

When we arrived, the teams and helpers were ushered into the ball boys room for a question and answer session with Josh Howard, Steve Spencer and Leigh branch patron Rob Nugent. After a slow start, the questions started to flow, “Do you get paid” (nothing like getting straight to the point!!) “Would you consider leaving FC and what would it take?” and “Are you all still United fans?” (the look on Steve Spencer’s face was a picture!)

After around 50 mins of questions and answers, the players signed all the programmes that were thrust under their noses and after a quick look at the flags going up in the South Stand, we were ushered out again.

After a quick drink in the social club, it was time to dish out the tickets and get into Gigg for the game.

Unfortunately, the tickets were for the Main Stand, which for a committed MRE dweller was difficult.

Despite a draught that would have frozen the brassiest of monkeys and an atmosphere in there akin to Leigh Library, the lads, enjoyed the game particularly the twirling bar scarves.

Thankfully (in the end) the team served up a goal feast, so everyone went home happy. All that remained to do was to get everyone back on the bus and raffle off the 2 signed balls and 2 signed pennants that we had purchased and had signed.

Overall the day was a success, the club were a superb help throughout and hopefully the two teams enjoyed their day and who knows maybe we will have some new fans for the future.