Sunday, November 16, 2008

Half a world away

Once again its been a long time since my last post, and once again a lot has been happening.
Some of it very good, and some of it very sad. I will come to all that soon enough, but to cut a very long story short, Amanda and I now find ourselves across the Atlantic and in Nottingham.

I got my place on a Post Graduate Journalism course here in Nottingham, and having successfully negotiated the employment department, Amanda is now job-hunting.
All is going reasonably well, and though busy, the course is totally absorbing.
As a point of getting used to writing as much as possible, I'm going to attempt to write as often as possible here, and upload as many of my articles that I can.
I've got an area of the city to cover (my patch) which very conveniently is Forest Fields, the area we're living in, so I'm regularly out and about chatting to locals and finding out just what is going on of interest here.

And the answer is quite encouraging. So far I've found plenty to write about, and if I had more time and energy, I'd have probably written far more and spoken to far more people than I have already.

So as it approaches midnight here I will write soon.

Friday, August 08, 2008

Buffalo's Decline

As a very nice follow up to the post about my visit to Buffalo, Forbes magazine in the US has just published a list of the top ten declining cities in the US over the past decade. And one of those cities in the list... yes, Buffalo. It appears the new millenium has been treating Buffalo even worse than I had first thought, and at the moment, it appears there is nothing the city can, or is willing to, do about it.
The picture on the report below, is the cross-roads at the heart of Buffalo's "Entertainment District", and I'm afraid that is about as lively as it gets there. A sad case of a once important and powerful city, now very much declining and showing no sign of slowing.

See the Buffalo report here.

Read the whole report here.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Saturday is a long time in Buffalo


One of the joys of living in Southern Ontario, is the fact you can be so near, and yet so far away from the US at the same time. Its kind of like having an ill-disciplined crazy relative, who gets ignored by the family most of the year, but every so often, has something that you just can’t do without, and so you pull down the shutters, don the hard hat, and brace yourself for impact as you knock on the front door.

Yes its nice to have that arms-length distance, where you can ignore and dismiss their inane near-madness ramblings when you like, but then take advantage of the few good things they offer. For me in June, one of the advantages that Buffalo (and Western New York State in general) offered, was a border with Canada. As the end of my working-holiday visa neared, I realised that to avoid staying in Canada illegally (and potentially cause any number of problems for future plans), I would need to exit the country and re-enter as a tourist.

From Toronto, the quickest, cheapest and easiest way to do this is to catch a greyhound around the “Golden Horseshoe” of Lake Ontario, past Niagara Falls, and down into the city of Buffalo. This was a journey I should have taken about 18 months before to fly south, but due to other, far more powerful forces at work, I never made it. So this was to be the first leg of the trip that never happened.

*As a brief aside here, I still actually have copies of the tickets for the flights I was supposed to take heading south from Buffalo to Nashville and New Orleans, and even the long out-dated bus ticket from Niagara Falls to Buffalo.

So, arriving on a very warm and bright Friday evening, I gave myself the chance to see the city in its lively happening Friday night party outfit, and then in its chilled-out relaxing summer dress on Saturday, before heading home in the late afternoon. Buffalo may not have the vast blocks of mile-high skyscrapers that Toronto and New York boast, but the few it does have were shining in their grand, regal and elegant best in the evening sunlight.

A steady stream of people greeted me on their way to the ballpark for an evening baseball game, as I left the bus station and headed for my hostel. All boded well for a fun 24 hours. How wrong could I be?

After checking-in, I headed, full of anticipation, straight for the bustling entertainment district to grab something to eat, and experience Buffalo’s party side. That entertainment district came as a bit of a shock to find just two sparsely populated street blocks with a handful of bars and restaurants. It would be fair to say the atmosphere was less than buzzing. Still, it was safe, friendly enough, and I was able to get a nice meal and enjoy the evening. Tomorrow was sure to be a bright sunny day full of promise for a bustling Saturday in the heart of the city.

As you can probably sense from the way this story is progressing, a bustling city centre is not what greeted me on that fine Saturday morning. Infact, there was no-one to greet me on that morning. I walked for almost 20 minutes up and down the main streets of the city to find somewhere for breakfast, before finally resorting to a branch of Tim Horton’s, that appeared to be the only thing open for miles around. I counted the total number of people I saw on that walk on both hands.

Still, sightseeing is better without the masses, so I took a path around the city that meandered past all those elegant and grand buildings, pausing regularly for photographs and long leisurely gazes at the skyline. Fancying I might not be short on time, I even read all the very interesting (if rather dry) information points posted around the city, detailing how each structure was built, and how Buffalo came to be the powerhouse city that it now is. Surely now was time for lunch and then the bus home. Alas no. I could have stopped to chat with all the thirty or so people I saw on that walk, and still had an hour before even needing to think about lunch. Yes, it was turning into one of those days.

This is not to say that Buffalo city centre has nothing to enjoy, it just seems people stopped enjoying it a long time ago. Many of the buildings are very impressive, and include the first ever “skyscraper” built in the USA. Somehow, the city manages to combine architecture types from many different design styles, and far from looking out of place, they actually compliment each other. The baseball stadium is a lovely example of an “old American ballpark”. It’s the concrete boxes built in the last 50 years or so that put the city to a bit of shame.

Like many cities in America, and the way some cities in Britain now appear to be developing, people are no longer drawn into the city. They no longer want to enjoy it, live in it and use it as a social space. They would rather drive around to out-of-town shopping malls, eating, shopping, drinking, and even nightclubbing in carbon-copy boxes. City centres aren’t like that. They’ve grown-up. They’ve evolved. They’ve developed of their own accord, going through all the growing-pains it takes to reach maturity.

But as the people start leaving the urban centres, so to do the businesses and attractions that draw them there, and so it’s a vicious circle. Hopefully soon, people will start tiring of these identikit concrete boxes, and return to enjoy the sights, sounds, people and general environment of cities like Buffalo.

As a final, ironic, twist to this story, when re-entering Canada, I was puzzled why the border guards didn’t stamp my passport. When I asked the guard, he replied “you’re ok for another 4 months with this one they stamped in April”. Yes, that’s right! On returning from the FA Cup semi-final in April, immigration at Pearson Airport stamped my passport. The realisation that the whole trip was effectively pointless hit me as I sat down on the bus, and I could only smile the rest of the way back up the QEW to Toronto.


I’m pleased to have finally got down to see Buffalo, but I left with a real feeling of disappointment that I was too late getting there to see it in its prime. Sadly not 18 months late, probably more like 18 years.







Sadly poor Izzy was left with nothing to do but read the paper for a Saturday in Buffalo.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Updates soon... honest!

Just a quick post to say that I haven't forgotten about you all my loyal readers. This last month has been just a little bit hectic, and so blogging time has been pretty much wiped out. I am however now getting back up to usual operating speed, and have some updates and writings planned for you soon.

I was going to have a picture of the best Hamburger stand in Toronto to keep you amused, but it won't upload, so you'll just have to imagine the real flame-grilled juicy beefy-ness all on your own. (And no BK and the other places DON'T count!)

......

Well, it appears to be working today, so here is Mike's Munchies. Doesn't look much, but as ever, don't judge a burger shack by its rickety building!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Sporting Catch-Up

Just a week after returning from the FA Cup Final, we headed back down to Detroit, this time for game two of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. The chance to see a Stanley Cup Finals game doesn't come about often, so when Amanda's sister Kim had the chance to get tickets for game two between the Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, we jumped at it.

The Penguins had won the Eastern Conference play-offs very convincingly, and include some of the fastest, most skillful, and youngest players in ice hockey, with soon-to-be Canadian legend Sidney Crosby their captain. However, they did not have it so easy against a very strong and experienced Red Wings team, some of whom were playing for their fourth Stanley Cup title. This experience and all-round quality proved too much for the Penguins, and though they did find their feet occasionally in the series, it was only the game 5 win in the third period of over-time, that really saw them play near their peak.

So Detroit won the series 4 - 2 to claim their fourth title in less than a decade. An excellent team and organisation, that in all fairness could probably have won a couple more in that span. The game we saw in Detroit never quite sparkled, although the home team looked polished enough and cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory, after taking an early 2-0 lead that Pittsburgh never looked like threatening.

The video above is the very entertaining introduction to the game and welcome to "Rally Al" for the Red Wings fans.

Its also finally summer here, which means baseball season! I can't think of many nicer things to do on a warm summer evening, than sit in the top deck of Sky Dome with the roof open, basking in the setting sun as the CN Tower watches over the Blue Jays.

Sadly, with the weather being so humid and thundery so far this summer, there's been almost as many days with the roof shut, as with it open to the sun. As we approach the mid-point of the season with the All-Star break, the Jays are trying to pick themselves up. The pitching has been incredibly strong, amongst the lowest runs conceded in the whole on baseball, but sadly the hitting just hasn't been productive enough, and too often games have been lost that should have been won. With the management team now replaced one week ago, results seem to be improving, as is the hitting, and there is now hope for a positive second-half of the season.

This video is the very funky graphic introduction that is played on the "Jaysvision" big screen at SkyDome before some home games. Just a taste of the atmosphere. Enjoy.


Monday, June 23, 2008

Last photos of Wembley!

So here we have the last few photos from our trip to Wembley.

The Wembley Arch shining brightly saying goodnight to us after our FA Cup adventure.























So we popped down to say goodbye to the stadium itself and "thank you" for the many happy memories.

















The Final shot of the PONTYPRIDD BLUEBIRDS on our famous and legendary FA CUP run of 2007-2008.
It was a wild ride, and crossed several thousand miles, but was worth every penny and every second.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Wembley Videos

The atmosphere builds outside the turnstiles as City fans queuing to enter warm up the vocal chords and let Wembley know that "With our Little Pick and Shovels, We'll Be There!"





The Welsh National Anthem

One of the things I had most been looking forward to before the game, was the chance to sing "Abide With Me" as one of the great FA Cup Final traditions. Sadly this was taken away from me and the other 90000 fans there, and ruined what should have been a very special moment. Firstly the two "singers" Kathryn Jenkins (who was not as bad) and Lesley Garrett (truly awful) decided to scream the lyrics as loud as they could, and then, despite it happening in practice, the microphone and speaker system failed just three lines into the song, so we were left with vaguely hearing Lesley Garrett screeching out the two verses at the top of her voice.

Fortunately they managed to sort the technical problem out for the anthems, and so we had Kathryn Jenkins to accompany the Cardiff fans for "Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau". This sounded wonderful, as I hope you will agree, though my only gripe about these events, is the professional singers always try to sing far to slowly, rather than keep up with the natural pace of the crowd and the band.

Anyway, I hope you will enjoy our version here.


Saturday, May 31, 2008

More Photos More Inside Wembley




Our semi-final goal hero (and local Cardiff boy) Joe Ledley. He scored the winner against Barnsley at Wembley with just 9 mins gone, and meant 80 minutes of glorious torture for the 35000 Cardiff fans on that day in April.















Roger Johnson celebrating after scoring in the quarter-final game up in Middlesbrough to take us to Wembley for the first time.












Sadly all our hopes and dreams were not to be realised, as Portsmouth won 1-0.
Here we see the players taking their fully deserved lap-of-honour after the game. To a man they played their hearts out that day, and I for one will remember and thank them for their efforts as long as I live.

The way football has become now, we may never see Cardiff in the FA Cup Final again (or a final like the one we took part in) and that would be incredibly sad.
So despite the result, I will always look back on that day in may with joy, pleasure, yes disappointment at what could have been, but with a very happy heart.


Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Photos Inside Wembley

Showing the Maple Leaf in Wembley. It was worth the trip, and great to meet some other fans who'd traveled from Canada and even further afield!



Kevin, Rakes and Arkwright (l to r)


Family shot: John, Jeff & Steven (l to r)



Karen & Steve. Thomas, Michael and Joseph were tucked up at home watching the game on TV and cheering on the Bluebirds!

More Wembley Photos



Even the grey and drizzley start to Cup Final Saturday couldn't dampen the atomsphere for the 90,000 fans at Wembley. From early in the morning Cardiff fans were found all around North London, and our Portsmouth counterparts were soon to join us.

It didn't take long for Wembley Way to fill up and become the hive of activity that its so well known for.












A pre-match beer in the hotel to settle the nervous, or in some cases, make them worse! Archie, Steve, myself, and Rhys Gabe here enjoying the local hospitality.













And here is the full crew (along with some Pompey gatecrashers!) before heading for the ground, full of hope, excitement, (a couple of beers) and lots of nerves!

Wembley Photos

Here are some photos from Wembley and around London during the FA Cup Final weekend.




The advantage of arriving and staying around Wembley a couple of days before the final means you get to take lots of photos without the massed ranks of other fans clogging up the picture. Even without those fans, the stadium still had a special feel to it with all the banners and posters and flags flying.



On the Friday afternoon, the Cardiff City team came up to London on the train, and arrived at Paddington Station, to be met by a army of well wishing and cheering Bluebirds fans. A very classy and unique way for the club to do it. Not only did it give the fans at both Cardiff and Paddington stations a chance to congratulate the team, but also far more novel than the usual bus trip down the M4. Here Chairman Peter Ridsdale leads the team off the train.



On Friday evening, Nelson's Column at the centre of Trafalgar Square was adorned with a huge flag, paid for and produced by Cardiff City fans, to mark the semi-final and Final trips to Wembley. It was a very amusing and proud scene to see the tourists wondering just what it was all about, and then explaining that we were in fact playing in the famous FA Cup Final the next afternoon.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Leighton James Don't Like Us

Another excellent supporters song, this one aimed in a humourous jibe at local "football pundit" and ex-Swansea City player Leighton James.

Leighton James Don't like Us

James Fox-Bluebirds Flying High [Official Video]

With all the mayhem of getting ready for my trip back over the pond, and then arriving in London and sampling so much of the atmosphere around the city, I never managed to update the pre-match build-up as much as I'd hoped.

So this is part of the retrospective build-up to the Cardiff City v Portsmouth FA Cup Final.

And we begin with some of the songs (good and not so good) that were released as part of the occasion.

Do The Ayatollah - music video

Here's a Cardiff fans' version of the wonderful "Macarena" song. Yes its very cheezy and silly, but thats part of the fun of the build-up to the FA Cup Final. Enjoy.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

FA Cup Final Reaction

Having had a couple of days to now unwind and take-in the events of the last few days, I'm feeling like talking about it at last!
Or rather, finding out what everyone else has said about it.

And that has been overwhelmingly positive. From the moment I arrived in London (on the Thursday before the game) all media coverage about the two sides was positive. Everyone concerned was pleased it wasn't the same teams as ever in the final, who would likely produce the same soporific, tactical bore of a game that had been so common.

The media were also pleased that the fans were so involved in the game, that the fans were "genuine" fans, who had seen their clubs through thin and thinner times. Yes the romance was well and truly back in the FA Cup Final. This would have been the case with any of the four semi-finalists to make it through, I was just lucky that Cardiff City were one of them.

Before, during and after the game, the atmosphere was one of passionate but friendly support for one's team, and a general feeling that everyone was there first and foremost for a good day out and may the best team win. And this was still the case after the game as well. Celebrating Portsmouth fans were clapping the coaches of disappointed Cardiff fans out of the car park, as the Cardiff fans returned the gesture, congratulating the Portsmouth fans on their victory.

I met several Portsmouth fans in and around Wembley and our hotel over the weekend, and to a man they congratulated us on our performance, wished us luck in the coming season, and hoped we'd be getting promoted to the Premiership to join them soon.

And these are the type of events that have been reported and celebrated in the national media, even more-so after the horrendous actions of Glasgow Rangers fans in Manchester during the previous week. Reported and celebrated in all but one national media outlet that is. TalkSport (or TalkSpite... and other variations... as it has been called) have decided to attack Cardiff fans and their general behaviour for no reason and with no evidence whatsoever. So for what good it may do, if you happen to listen to this tragedy of a radio station, please stop now and realise that they will happily attack anyone that doesn't fit their "identity". Letters and e-mails of complaint have been written to Ofcom about their accusations from both Cardiff AND Portsmouth fans. Hopefully we will receive a full apology, but for some reason I'm not holding my breath!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Saturday, May 17, 2008

So near....

... and yet so far!

Well, its a couple of hours after the FA Cup Final, and Cardiff City's (and my) dream has finally ended.
Portsmouth won the game 1-0, but just about everyone I've spoken to thinks Cardiff were the better side, we just couldn't put the ball in the net!
So, we move on to a new season, and all the promise that that brings with it, starting with those friendlies in July!
Only a couple of months to start it all over again.

Disappointing? Yes.
Sad? Yes.
Heartbreaking? ........ Very nearly!
But I'm proud to be a supporter of Cardiff City today, and for the rest of my life (and this may not happen again given our previous record!) I can say "I was there!"

Do the ayatollah everyone!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Commence Lift-Off!

It's finally here, the week of the FA Cup Final. OUR FA Cup Final!
As a result of this I'm throwing myself into just about everything FA Cup and Cardiff City related, and trying to savour as much of the experience as possible.
Yes, I've bought the official Cardiff City FA Cup Final song which has reached number 15 in the UK charts (and its not bad at all as these things go, certainly better than all of the manufactured pop-idol inspired rubbish thats around, and it actually has some heart and soul put into it), the unofficial fans one "Do the Ayatollah", and downloaded several other home-made ones.

So from now on, I expect to be talking, thinking, and posting about just one thing..... go on... have a guess!

To kick-off this week long celebration, here we have the words to the hymn "Abide with me". The origins of this tradition are way back in 1927, in Cardiff City's second FA Cup Final appearance, (the one we won) and its been sung before every FA Cup Final ever since.

A copy of the crowd singing this 81 years ago has even been found, and can be heard HERE.

I won't be at all surprised if I end up getting a bit emotional when we start singing this on Saturday. I never believed that I would see Cardiff City in an FA Cup Final, and while of course sport isn't the only or most important thing in life, its the shared memories and achievements (and failures too) with friends, family, fellow fans, and even total strangers, that can make the most unlikely events seem that much more special.



abide
with me


abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.


Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.


Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.


Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.


Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.


I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.


I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.


Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.


Henry F. Lyte

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Hockeytown.... USA

Last weekend Amanda and I took a trip down to Southwestern Ontario to visit her sister Kim. This trip included a journey across the border and down to Detroit for the day to see the Red Wings Stanley Cup playoff game against the Colorado Avalanche. (Go on, you knew there was going to be a game in there somewhere!)

This was Kim's first NHL game (being a Canadian, its one of the 100 things she "had to see"), and so living next to the border, the Red Wings are closer to her, and have a decent team (actually, as much as it pains me to say it being a Leafs fan, they have an excellent team) but the recession south of the border is really biting in Michigan, so tickets are easier to come by.




This is an example of one of the strangest rituals in the whole of the sporting world. Its a long standing tradition which according to Wikipedia originates from 1952. You can read the whole background and explanation there, but suffice to say, it brings the crowd to its feet, and really helps build the atmosphere in "The Joe".




Here, however is the more sanitised version that the NHL wishes would be the only memory of this unique ritual. This is the inflatable version of "Rally Al" that hangs from the roof above the ice during the game, having made his entrance with the team.



And here we see another example of the wildlife found in Joe Louis Arena: Ursus maritimus Isadore.... other wise known as Izzy the Polar Bear!
Yes, Izzy had her first trip across the border (but don't tell immigration, she's not been vaccinated!) and enjoyed the game immensely.
To be honest, I think alot of it went over her head, but she was particularly elated when Kim and Amanda had some "Dipping Dots" ice cream between periods. Yes, the idea of diving around covered in lots of cold balls of ice cream was music to her ears. Fortunately both Amanda and Kim were willing to share!



Incidentally the Red Wings won the game by a commanding 5-1, and went on to a 4-0 best-of-seven series sweep, winning the final game in Denver 8-2. OUCH!
They are now facing the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference finals, and are 2-0 up in that series, having won the first two games in Detroit.

Some practice for me: Marlies v Crunch match report

Most of you will hopefully know that for a very long time now, I've had my heart set on becoming a sports journalist. So, as I'm now in the process of applying for Universities to attend this autumn for my Post Grad training course, I feel the need to pracitce some of my "journalistic writing skills". As always, any constructive comments about my writing would be very welcome, as I really want to improve and practice as much as possible. Either leave a comment here on the blog, or you can email me at: owaint@hotmail.com.

So to start off, we have a match report from the Toronto Marlies game tonight, against the Syracuse Crunch (don't laugh at the back there!.... yes it is their name!), the first game of seven in the second round of the AHL playoffs.


AHL Calder Cup playoffs
North Division Final: Game 1
Toronto Marlies 1 Syracuse Crunch 5

Netminder Karl Goehring backstopped the Syracuse Crunch with a 31 save performance and Defenceman Clay Wilson added a goal and two assists to a comfortable road win at Ricoh Coliseum over a distinctly below-par Toronto Marlies side. Syracuse scored three unanswered goals, including two in the opening 12 minutes, before the Marlies woke from their game one slumber.

Derek MacKenzie took Gilbert Brule's reverse, back-handed pass from the slot to put the puck past Scott Clemmensen close in with just 1.40 on the clock, and Wilson doubled the advantage, to add to his earlier helper, as he roofed a slapshot over Clemmensen from between the circles. On both occassions the Marlies had chances to clear the puck from their defensive zone, but poor defensive decisions and miscued passes turned possession back over to the Crunch, who made Toronto pay.

It was a pattern that was to repeat itself throughout the game, as too often Syracuse forwards were given time and space, and able to attack with odd-man rushes and lone breakaway chances on the Toronto goal. With David Ling in the penalty box serving a two minute minor for tripping, Nate DiCasmirro was given the freedom of the ice infront of Clemmensen's net as he tipped in MacKenzie's shot from the point 10.06 into the second period.

Mark Rycroft and Derek Brassard, completed the scoring in the third period, quickly ending any hopes of a comeback by the hometeam. The first of those from a two-on-one counter-attack as the Marlies pushed forward, while Brassard was on hand to tap-in after MacKenzie's high long-range shot was inadvertantly blocked into his path by Jaime Sifers. While Clemmensen was not directly at fault for any of the five goals conceded, he did appear to be shaky and fighting the puck at times, and it seems likely that the calls for Head Coach Greg Gilbert to start young goaltender Justin Pogge will now grow louder.

The Marlies forward line of Kris Newberry, flanked by Bates Battaglia and Ling were the most effective for the homeside, battling, creating chances and causing turnovers, and so it proved that the trio were all involved in the lone Toronto reply that finally brought the crowd of 2931 to life. This time it was the Marlies powerplay that finally took advantage, as Ling squeezed a shot from the boards past Goehring and into the far corner with Newberry and Battaglia providing the screen infront, pulling one back from the three-goal deficit.

The tough, physical tone for the series was set from the opening face-off, as it took just three second for Toronto's Colin Murphy and Syracuse's Zenon Konopka to drop the gloves, following a conference between the pair as the teams lined up. Konopka also scuffled with Marlies enforcer Phil Oreskovic late in the third period, while Kyle Rogers and Derek Dorsett had to be seperated by the linesmen after the former's big open-ice hit on Dorsett's Syracuse colleague, Duvie Westcott. Game two is back at Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday at 4pm.


by Owain Thomas at Ricoh Coliseum


You can find some other reports and highlights of the game HERE.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

More Wembley Photos

I hope you're enjoying these photos, because there's going to be ALOT more of them come mid-May.

I have to admit I had a good feeling about the whole weekend right from the start of it. First of all the flights leaving Toronto, and then my connection at Montreal were in beautiful clear, bright blue skies, that gave wonderful afternoon and early evening views of both cities from the air.
Then, as we came in to land at Heathrow in the early morning sunlight, the route took us over Central London. And what was the first thing that I saw right below me as I looked out of the window when we broke through the blanket of high cloud covering the city?
That's right..... Wembley Stadium with its brand new arch.

At that moment, my mind start to wander to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, this was going to be a very special weekend that would see us reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1927, the last and only (so far) time the Cup was taken out of England.


Steven & I proudly display the Pontypridd Bluebirds flag at one of the bases of the now famous Wembley Arch.


Most of the Pontypridd/Pontyclun Bluebirds crew pre-match in our hotel.


In the stadium. Pre-match. The tension builds!


Post-match celebrations. Nice little story this, honest!
After the game we headed back to our hotel, and "retired to the bar" for a quiet celebration pint.... or 12.
A couple of hours after the game, talk around the bar suddenly spreads that the players might be putting an appearance in. And sure enough, first Dave Jones (the manager) appears accompanied by Peter Ridsdale (Chairman), and then the players who quickly head off to one of the suites to celebrate with family and friends before the drive back to South Wales. At this point Steve & I grabbed the opportunity to congratulate Mr Ridsdale, and of course the cheesy photo.

A nice point here as most of the players came out of their private reception to mingle with the fans, which gave us a chance to congratulate them ourselves, shake hands, and say "Thank You" for one of the most amazing days of my football supporting life.
I had the chance to speak with midfielder Stephen McPhail, central defenders Roger Johnson & Glenn Loovens (who were the best players on the pitch that day... and I told them so!), Darren Purse, Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and goal-scoring hero, local boy Joe Ledley.
Unfortunately by this time Steven had left, so no photos of us with the players this time......
......
......
...... but maybe, just maybe!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Take the weather with you....

So, on Sunday 6th April, I woke up, opened the curtains and THIS is the sight that met my eyes!


Snow in Canada in April is not uncommon, however, there was one slight problem with this.... I wasn't in Canada anymore. Its was FA Cup semi-final day, and Wembley Stadium was waking up to a covering of about an inch of snow. It was cold, and the wind was biting, but somehow the unusual weather seemed fitting for the start of an unusual day!


And this is what we were all there for!


The famous Wembley Way starts to get busy as City fans arrive in the morning and enjoy the pre-match atmosphere.

The Bobby Moore memorial statue stands proudly at the top of Wembley way, welcoming everyone to the stadium. A fitting tribute to a fine player, and a fine gentleman.

More sporty fun!

So this week we took a quick trip up to Ottawa for Game 3 of the Senators first round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sadly not all has gone well for the Sens since the game against Detroit earlier in the season, and so being 2-0 down in games became 3-0 down as, after a very spirited first two periods, the Penguins went on and blitzed Ottawa in the third period, and ran out 4-1 winners.

Along with this disappointment, but a great although too brief trip, I forgot to take my camera to the game.... so no shots of Amanda, Mr Brian, Yvon and Izzy (yes, Izzy was there again!) in the stands enjoying the atmosphere.

However, let us brush over this and return to far happier matters......
.....




All of which means that I will now be returning BACK to London, AGAIN for a weekend in the middle of May, for THE FA CUP FINAL!
I still can't believe that I have seen Cardiff City in (and WIN) an FA Cup semi-final!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

I refer you to my previous statement!

Yes I've had a few days to come back down to Earth and regain my senses......... and I've totally and utterly failed!
I still don't think I've even processed that we were in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley to begin with, let alone the fact that I was actually at the game, with all the greatest fans in the world, AND that we WON the game, and are now in THE FA CUP FINAL!

To those of you not familiar with British football, the FA Cup is a knockout tournament that basically means, along with the luck of the draw, any team in the country can win the trophy, simply by winning their match and progressing to the next round, and so on. Until there are just TWO teams left.... and this year, from the 731 teams to start the tournament, CARDIFF CITY and Portsmouth are those two remaining.

Over the past few years, the Cup has become rather stale, bland and dry as its become dominated by the so called "big four" teams in English football: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool & Manchester United. This year has seen shock after shock as smaller teams have beaten the bigger richer ones, and brought the romance back into this competition.

Now, after 81 years since our last appearance in the Final, when we became the only team to take the FA Cup out of England, the 2008 version of the Bluebirds are once again flying high into the final.

Here are just a few of the wonderful memories from the semi-final against Barnsley on Sunday afternoon. There's plenty more to follow!













Hope you enjoy these small samples of the build up to the big game!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

YYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!

YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

I have a love-hate relationship with it but....

... I hear LONDON CALLING!

Yes, thanks to the magic of the FA Cup, and the lure of Cardiff's first visit to Wembley in 81 years, I am coming back to "Blighty" for a brief, but sure to be exciting weekend.
This really was an opportunity I couldn't miss, and despite the obvious costs involved, and whatever the result maybe, its going to be worth every penny.
And it seems I'm not alone in feeling this way, with Bluebird fans from Alabama, Arizona and Bangkok even coming back for this one.

So, on Thursday April 4th Air Chaos (Air Canada to most people) will be chauffering me to Heathrow, and after a hectic weekend of family, friends, fun AND FOOTBALL, I will be returning to Toronto on Monday 7th.

And dangling at the end of all this excitement, is the potential for a place in the FA Cup final, and another Wembley appearence in May.
See you all SOON!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

"WEM-BER-LEY, WEM-BER-LEY....

.....WE'RE THE FAMOUS CARDIFF CITY AND WE'RE GOING TO WEM-BER-LEY!"

It's a good job I wasn't watching the Middlesbrough v Cardiff FA Cup quarter-final in a public place on Sunday morning, otherwise there would have been a lot of people thinking something very strange was going on with the welsh boy jumping up and down singing songs and tapping his hands on his head in a very strange way.

All this in response to the mighty mighty BLOOOOOOOOOOBIRDS winning up in the northeast of England quite emphatically 2-0.

So now we face Barnsley in the semi-final at WEM-BER-LEY in what has been quite a fantastic FA Cup competition this season. Shock, after shock, after shock, and this weekend was probably THE most shock filled of all.

The magic of the FA Cup is alive, well, and kicking back irresistibly this year!
LONG LIVE THE CUP!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

We're on a road to... Wembley, OR California!

Just a quick one this, and time to plug a couple of websites that are really worth a few minutes to read.

Firstly is THIS ONE from my cousins Sylvie & Marie-Anne from Ottawa. They, along with a couple of friends are in the process of cycling..... yes, cycling!.... across the southern US, a place I'd really love to visit, and return to Arizona especially.
Anyway, they started in New Orleans about a month ago, and have now made it almost all the way across Texas! That's some good going, and great timing to avoid the winter up here north of the border too!

After beating Wolves 2-0 yesterday at Ninian Park, the Mighty Bluebirds of Cardiff City, are now through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup! Yes... the LAST EIGHT teams! Something we've not done since 1927, when we actually went all the way and won the FA Cup itself, beating Arsenal 1-0.
Now, one nice chap called Andy has been following "The Road to Wembley" since it started way back at the start of the season, and its now brought him to Cardiff. He was at the game yesterday (making me very jealous, and just a little bit homesick) and now will be following our next game (or more). You can read all about it HERE.

BLLLOOOOOOOOBIRDS!

Monday, February 11, 2008

The Greatest Show on Ice! - "Go LEAFS Go!"

This past weekend was quite simply brilliant, and the summit of that brilliance was on Saturday afternoon, when after many years of dreaming from across the Atlantic, and then many months of hoping here in Canada, I finally got to see my first Toronto Maple Leafs game.

Tickets for the Leafs are harder to come by than one of Willie Wonker's famous golden tickets, so when Amanda's sister Kim managed to get us two spare tickets from a friend of her's in work, I was utterly overjoyed. The fact that these tickets were for the only game this season against the Detroit Red Wings (as previously mentioned in the Ottawa game, the Wings are currently the best team in the NHL), and the first time they've played in Toronto since 2003, due to the mess of the NHL fixture list, was extra special.

These two teams have been long time and bitter rivals for over 300 games and about 80 years, and with the cities just 5 hours or so apart, it always provides a great atmosphere and mix of fans from "Hockeytown" Canada and USA!

Toronto have been having a rather rough season, but despite a couple of good wins against Ottawa and Montreal this week, were also hammered 8-0 by lowly Florida. So what to expect against Detroit? Which side of Leafs Nation would we see in this game? I was desperately trying to remain hopeful and optomistic in my Maple Leaf heart, but my realistic hockey head was saying nothing but a defeat was likely.





The game started well with the Leafs holding their own , and actually getting some very good shots away at the Red Wings net, and as in the game up in Ottawa, Detroit didn't seem to settle well........ and then........... midway through the first period......... from a bit of a freak deflection.... the Leafs score! I think it took most of the Air Canada Centre by surprise as it seemed the cheers were muted from our lofty perch, but we were actually in the lead! we held on until the end of the first period, and then Amanda and I were able to catch our breath, and let some small glimmer of hope shine that we might possibly win the game.

In the second period it was again fairly even, with chances being traded pretty equally at each end. Toronto were playing a very controlled tactically aware game matching up against the clinical play of the red Wings, a change form the usual high pace and tempo and harder hitting fore-checking usually seen in most NHL games. On one rare occassion where the Leafs did send someone in Detroits end to challenge, the Red Wings broke away and scored the equaliser on a tip-in close to the net.

Hope for the Blue & White waned, and then as so often happens, Detroit seemed to take a bit more control of the game, and with about 7 minutes left in the third period, took the lead themselves, sending the Red Wings fans around the ACC into joy, and the Leafs into despair.
BUT WAIT... there were two who would not be denied. Goalie Vesa Toskala had been outstanding all game for Toronto, and the Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin stood-up and pulled the team with them. In the last seven minutes Sundin barely left the ice for breath, and deservedly scored Toronto's equaliser. this time it was the Leafs fans chance to crow, and that they did well. Urging on the team giving them the support to hold on until overtime, and a guaranteed point at least.

THEN... a minute into the four-on-four first-goal wins action, Toronto surged into the Detroit zone, goalie Dominic Hasek lost an edge, went sprawling and then lost his hold on his stick in the process, Anton Strahlman shot from the high-slot, and Nik Antropov tipped puck infront, and..... well... the rest is a bit of a blur to me! There was lots of cheering, shouting, jumping, hugging, bouncing, flag waving, and I've never been more glad to hear "Zombie Nation" come over the speakers. Quite an adrenaline rush, and the closest I've come in a long while to the feeling of Cardiff scoring a last minute winner. HIGHLIGHTS HERE!



Our post match dinner was a very happy one surrounded by equally happy Leaf fans in a very happy city!


Don't worry, there will be more on this to follow soon! ;-)

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Another view of Toronto

While I'm here, there's a couple of things that I found while nosing around on YouTube that will hopefully interest and amuse most of you.

Firstly THIS, which is a funky little film of the ice rink in front of City Hall where I go skating after work, and then the Eaton Centre, Toronto's busiest and most well-known shopping centre, and the commercial heart of the city.

And secondly, in more of a bit of fun HERE, so just watch and enjoy how the city was "put together".

There's also a couple more good tours of the city HERE (which features some really good music too) & HERE, and another clearer slightly better version of the New Years fireworks at City Hall.

There's plenty more if you want to look for them and take in this wonderful city that I'm very happily calling home at the moment.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

A Winter Blanket

On Friday we had the second major winter storm of the season come through Toronto (and most of Eastern Canada), which lasted almost 24 hours, but fortunately was much nicer and less messy than the first one.

That meant Amanda and I had the chance to go out and enjoy some of the wonderful wintery conditions and play in the snow after work on Friday evening. I think this one storm produced more snow than I can remember seeing in the last few winters combined back home, and so I'm making the most of savouring the sights, sounds & fun of the city covered in a blanket of white!

Here are some of the photos of our adventures:

The streets of Toronto look very fresh and enticing in this winter wonderland.



Amanda & I "made a new friend" who wanted to say hi to everyone.





Now here's a real snow angel!


And just before we headed home, the snow came back to wish us goodnight!

AAAAAHHHHHHH! How cute!


I'm a little bit late in saying this, but its been a busy week, so accept my apologies...... but please welcome to the world Carys Megen Sofia Evans!
She arrived on Friday 25th January, at about 10pm, and weighed in at a healthy 7lb 12oz. She is Rhys & Heather's second "bundle of joy", and means Rhodri now has a little baby sister to take care of.

And speaking of my godson, it was a busy couple of days for the Evans family as Rhodri celebrated his third birthday! Three years already... how time flies, and how quickly he's grown.

So Happy Birthday from Uncle Owain!

Monday, January 21, 2008

So cold you could make ice cream outside!



We had the pleasure of a trip down to Niagara Falls last weekend and a visit with my great uncle David and Aunt Valerie, which was as lovely as always.

Along with the chance to escape the city for a weekend, we also took the chance to introduce them to possibly the best ice cream in the world.... despite the fact it was -12c (-22 wind chill) outside! Sometimes, only an ice cream will do!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!

Let's all laugh at swansea, let's all laugh at swansea.......! He he!

Havant & Waterlooville 4 - 2 swansea!
If you haven't heard of Havant (he he!.. get it?!) then don't be surprised, not many people had either, but then that didn't stop them from beating dear old swansea city in a real FA Cup upset, and proves what the meaning of this tournament is in British football.

The fact it meant that those poor neighbours of ours from down the M4 miss out on a glamour trip to Liverpool in the next round, was just even more sweeter.

In other football news....
.. Just WHAT IS GOING ON AT NEWCASTLE?! First you sack your new manager after only 8 MONTHS, and THEN go and do THIS?!
I mean really..... have you learnt absolutely NOTHING since the last time about 5 years ago!

And finally, I must just say a well done to the mighty BLUEBIRDS for a very nice turn around in form since mid-December, and by all accounts we seem to be playing top-draw football and getting the results we deserve. (We also managed to negotiate our FA Cup banana-skin far more comfortably both on and off the pitch than those down west!) Keep up the hard work, and good luck boys.


Happy footballing days all!

Friday, January 18, 2008

More from Ottawa

The "Welcoming Party" outside the Senators home.


Ottawa raised, and Red Wing (and ice hockey) legend Steve Yzerman was honoured in a pre-season ceremony. A real treat seeing this guy and being able to recognise his talent and part in NHL history.



The Senators banners hung from the roof. On the far side, those from the original Senators team that last won the Stanley Cup in the 1920s.



The crowd get involved in some third period support for the team, passing a huge Senators banner over our heads around the stadium.


And here's what it looks like... sort of.