It's Murder, On The Orient Express ....

[Ally]

Absolutely bl**dy fab read Ossie!

But dear gawd! Pork (only because I don't eat it) and Otter (only because I absolutely couldn't!)

[Kaz]

I was shocked for a sec too Ally, but then remembered something from our holidays in Devon Phew!

https://www.otterbrewery.com

Another brill report Ossie

[miasmum]

OH Ally imagine otter sausages, although I'd rather not

[Ally]

Still yuk to pork though.

[TheOstrich]

[cromwell]

Only a rotter, would eat an otter
And they're awfully hard to chew.
Only a rotter would eat an otter,
and I bet that's none of you!
Great read Os, you do have a gift.
Up here Northern Rail are wanting to get rid of guards on trains, there have been repeated strikes about it.

[TheOstrich]

Only a rotter, would eat an otter
And they're awfully hard to chew.
Only a rotter would eat an otter,
and I bet that's none of you!
Great read Os, you do have a gift.
Up here Northern Rail are wanting to get rid of guards on trains, there have been repeated strikes about it.

LOL!

The Northern Rail strikes have now been settled, Crommers, and I understand the latest SWT ones have been called off in the last 24 hours too. Reading between the lines, the Gov't (Transport Committee - Lillian Greenwood MP?) have laid it on the line with the rail companies that they should back down from driver-only operation, and they have done so on the grounds that disabled passengers - boarding and alighting from trains - would be rendered at a serious disadvantage. It has perhaps allowed the train operators to throw in the towel gracefully after (certainly in SWT's case) talking themselves into an ever-deepening hole.

[Kaz]

Crommers, that's hilarious

[TheOstrich]

23/02 – “Where to today?” I asked the Ostrich.
“It’s an “L” of a choice,” mused the bird.
“What do you mean, Ossie?”
“Well, it’s either Lychett Maltravers or London!”

As it was a nice day, unbroken blue skies and unseasonably warm, I eschewed a rugby field near Poole where Lychett Maltravers RFC were involved in a big Cup tie, and opted for a trip “up the Smoke”.

“Split tickets today – an off peak day return to Clapham Junction and an anytime return from Clapham to Tolworth”
“Hmmm,” says Tony the Booking Clerk, “Why do you want to do that? I can issue you a through return ticket via Clapham for £31.90”
“Not according to the National Rail Journey Planner you can’t,” I responded, “It says they’re not available. ”
“Oh for goodness sake! Never believe anything you read on that website …..”
Yet another triumph for modern technology!

In contrast to my last visit to London, everything went smoothly today (apart from a brief hiatus on Clapham Junctions Platform 11 where they reversed the running order of the trains and I very nearly boarded the wrong one and headed off goodness knows where , but I managed to find the right service, and was joined en-route by a rather worse-for-wear Master O (after several night shifts) for the final leg of the trip.

Tolworth station is on the Chessington line, and is interesting in that it is pure Hercule Poirot 1930’s art deco in design – all curved concrete station canopies, with a classic booking office constructed in the same style, and cream, dark green and black tiles in square patterns up the walls of the staircases to the platforms. Lest it sounds idyllic, actually it’s pretty grim and in need of some TLC but if restored properly, it could be quite a sight:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolworth_ ... ilding.JPG

A short walk alongside the traffic-choked A3, past a bowling alley and a derelict site which I think is ultimately destined to become a 150-bed hotel and conferencing centre, brought us to the grandiose-sounding King George’s Arena, Queen Mary Close, the home of Corinthian-Casuals FC for today’s game – a gloriously ramshackle old ground in the non-league tradition. A dark and gloomy clubhouse (it probably just seemed that way as we stepped in out of the sun), the “Megastore” (a garden shed selling club kit and souvenirs ), a very busy burger-wagon, a low-slung stand with plastic bucket seats purloined from other clubs, a varied assortment of outbuildings and portacabins, and that’s it!

Now Corinthian-Casuals FC have an interesting history. Formed in 1939 by the merger of Corinthian FC and Casuals FC, the original Corinthian club (founded 1882) was set up to bring together the best amateur players of that era, and it is said that within twenty years, the Corinthians became the greatest and most attractive team that football had then ever known. According to their history, "with an intelligent nonchalance and in their tailored shirts and well-cut shorts they set out to bring a quality and culture to the game" (Wiki). They embodied “the Corinthian spirit” of fair play; their view was no gentleman could ever commit a foul – so if they were awarded a penalty kick, they took great care to miss it!

The Corinthian team back in those days also toured the world playing friendly fixtures, inspiring the founding of many football clubs in different countries - including, in 1910 after a tour of Brazil, five railway workers in Sao Paulo who were moved to form the club that is now Sport Club Corinthians Paulista – one of the biggest and best known sides in South America, with a following today, like Manchester United, of millions of fans worldwide. In 1988, the Corinthian-Casuals club travelled to Brazil again, and played this Brazilian Corinthians Club – mind you, the English side had to enlist a few ringers to equal things up, including fielding the legendary Brazilian World Cup midfielder Socrates in their line-up! We saw a humongous golden challenge cup on display in the clubhouse that I think (judging by the Spanish on the plinth) must have been something to do with that tour.

Currently, Corinthian-Casuals are fundraising to send a team to play a sister Corinthian club in Budapest next June.

So today, they were up against Margate in a rather worrying bottom of the table clash that both sides, looking over their shoulders, really needed to win. Margate are interesting in that their shirts are sponsored by a rock band – Pete Docherty and The Libertines – who have a recording studio in the town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqM11bt9QvI (warning: flashing images and indie pop )
Back in the 1990’s they were apparently sponsored by Buster Bloodvessel and Bad Manners – the lead singer ran a local hotel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6fQnTyEniM (warning: reggae and fat man jumping up and down )

So to the game. Well, a deserved win for the away side. Analysing it professionally, I thought Corinthians had no real game plan, looked weak in midfield, tried to play too much individual ticky-tacky football, had little cohesion with the attackers, and defensively never really got to grips with Margate’s strike force.
Or as Master O succinctly put it: “They were a bit shite, really.”

Margate scored three cracking goals, two in the first half through Kadell Daniel (on loan from Dover – a full Guyanese international) and Noel Leighton (previously with Millwall), and Leighton added a third on 51m to kill off the game. This was Corinthian’s fifth successive defeat, and their next few games are going to be pretty crucial. A bit concerning they created only a few chances in front of goal today. Margate were by far the better side and should be able to climb away from the relegation zone. Anyway, overall, not a bad game!

Now some of you are probably saying: This Ostrich, does he REALLY go to all these far-flung games, or is he just wildly inventive? Ha! Well, now! Ossie and Master O were asked today if they would take part in a video being made about the Corinthians club. Interviewed before the game, why we were here, where had we come from, so on. Just a short clip. If it makes the final cut and gets onto YouTube, I shall triumphantly post you the link!

Finally, you don’t have to be barking mad to support the Corinthians, but it obviously helps ……
Altogether now, in harmony with the Corinthian Ultras:
“We’ve got four cheeses on our chips,
We’ve got four cheeses on our chips,
We’ve got four cheeses on our chips,
We’ve the best cheesy chips in the League!”
I kid you not ……

Bostik Isthmian League Premier Division (Step 3): Corinthian-Casuals 0 Margate 3
Admission: £6 concession, glossy informative 40pp programme £2.50
Refreshments: today’s “Star Buy” from the burger van – pork sausage, apple sauce and stuffing bap £4. Could have been bigger, perhaps ……
Attendance: 347

[Ally]

You can't beat a good footy chant Ossie.

Nice to not see any mention of aquatic creatures on the menu.

Great read Ossie....and loving Master O's summing up of play. Tis a favourite expression of mine.