Not dreaming
Seagulls beat Chelsea 2-1. I never thought I’d see that result!
(OK, so it was the FA Youth Cup. But it’s still a good result!).
Lord Stratford
Tony Banks, RIP.
I always admired him for being genuinely enthusiastic about sports and caring particularly for grass-roots sport, not just the big teams (even as a Chelsea supporter). You can’t help but think that he would have loved this weekend’s FA Cup matches (which were one in the eye for the Independent’s comment that there are no shocks any more) and must have really been looking forward to the Olympics in 2012. A sad loss for sport.
Goooaaalll!
Yesss! Prezza approves Seagulls’ stadium plans. At last! The right decision, in my view – and no doubt influenced by the excellent campaigning by the club and fans.
Also: Seagulls build new nest.
And: Seagulls official homepage reaction. First match at the new ground in 2008.
Flawed?
A sports round-up (which you know means this post will only be about the important issues of Sussex County Cricket Club and Brighton and Hove Albion FC). Switch off now if this doesn’t interest you.
ECB bans James Kirtley from bowling after an investigation into his bowling action. Not the first time. See also:
- Kirtley’s uncertain future
- Kirtley case not unique, says Angus Fraser (so why has he been investigated twice now?)
- Banned Kirtley vows to clear name – as well he might, but it can’t do much for his spirit or morale.
- Sussex CCC official statement
In other, happier news, Brighton recorded their first away win of the season against the old enemy, Crystal Palace. A shame, then, that the event was marred by violence outside the stadium. I think that both teams should be working with the police to identify the trouble-makers and impose a lifetime ban on entry to either team’s matches.
Stumps
The last match of the domestic season, and Sussex win the Division Two title in the League. Coupled with third place in Division One of the Championship, I think it could be classed as a good season for Sussex.
Fruit salad
Seagulls sign Frutos.
Mmmmmm frutos.
Cricket trivia
Scotland have a pace bowler in their team named Yasir Arafat. I now have a mental picture of chap running in to bowl with a black and white dishdash fluttering behind him.
In other cricket news, I’m enjoying the current match between Middlesex and Sussex. I would imagine that Middlesex supporters are enjoying it rather less.
Seagulls sell Virgo
Without doubt a great loss to the club, but needs must when the coffers are empty.
News
I’ve just heard that London has won the Olympic bidding process – and how did I hear? Not from the BBC – their server has given up the ghost. Not from Ananova or Reuters, who haven’t updated their pages with the news. I heard from LinkBunnies – officially first with the news.
Anyway, well done to the London bid team. I’m not sure if it is all a good thing or a bad thing – it’s probably good. I also think that I’ll start planning to be abroad whilst it is taking place.
EDIT: This Isn’t London comes out of hibernation to list the major new infrastructure projects the announcement brings forward:
145,000 estate agents have been mobilised in a four-mile radius around Stratford to add a zero to every house price they can find