The pitter-patter of Frank & Beans

Breaking news8888888Week 11 Table
No wonder Tim Feldbruegge cast a concern over my ability to get the N&R scores out now we have a little one to keep us awake all night. Tim should know, he has three but it hasn't prevented him and Frank putting together quite a title challenge this season and after week 11, Frank & Beans move back to the summit of the N&R FL with 389 points, 4 more than Tanus Terriers.

These two teams have opened a little gap over the pack with W Wallace Boys 23 behind in 3rd and Aston Globetrotters 39 behind in 4th. Pure Irish move back into 5th with Arsene Knows down to 6th. In 7th in their highest ever position is Morgan's Machines and 8th up two places is last week's MoW Glasgow Kiss. Wenmania are 9th and Harry Houidini (not so Houdini this week) are 10th with Keep the faith slipping to 11th.

Hannoi Utd join Francey in 11th with Ian's Goliath's big brother in 13th followed by Paris Eagles, Bermuda Addicks and Pete's billboard service Godders@mobileemail.vodafone.net.

Further down the table comes the joint threat of past winners 2Infinity and beyond and Mexican banana split in 24th and 26th respectively. Very quiet this season so far is last year's winner Neil Reynolds and Gooner win league in 32nd.

If I'm tracking past winners, which I seem to be Savlyuchenko Spurs are in 36th and now fiancee Soozie's Sooz Sizzlers are way down in 46th.

The bottom five reads Factastic Fancies (247), Goonersmoan (241), off the bottom Brighton Blues (236), Turtles Breath (229) and now bottom I have to say surprisingly is Cesc and the city (222).

Classic

Breaking news8888888Week 11 score
Scott Morgan is the latest winner of a fiver after winning the MoW award for week 11, Scott's first win. 53 points were enough and Morgan's Machines zoom into the top 10 for the first time. There was a 3-way for 2nd best with Rob Munden, Mark Dewberry and Soozie playing their own little game of N&R twister - Rob, Mark - you should be so lucky! 48 then for To Elland Back, Toothless Hoggit and Soozie-Sooz Sizzlers. Much improved for In Tatters with a 49, Nige's best score since week 3.

Then a bit of a gap to Ben's Special Ones and Ready's Hannoi Utd, both scoring 39, one less for Steve's Guinness and eggs and 37 for 8th placed Glasgow Kiss, Godders@mobileemail.vodafone.net and Megan and Hannah's Teddy Bears. Next up with 36 was Egg chasing is best, weekly winners in week 3 and ex-champ 2Infinity and beyond. Barry still off the pace in 24th.

Paris Eagles flew in with a 35, then on 34 was new leader's Frank & Beans and Goliath's Big Brother, who are making their way uo the N&R league table. A better week for Sarah's Factastic Fancies with 33 and then with 32 Mexican Banana Split and FFC 4 Ever (another great win this weekend mate).

Finally 31 for Harry Houdini and Seagulls Keep the Faith and Brighton Blues. Then 30 for Mexico City's Boys on Tour, Birmingham's Aston Globetrotters, Scotland's Killer Kilpo and Mono's Blue flag up your arse.

The week's lowest and worst effort belonged to Cesc and the city, now rock bottom with 10 points. James now has 4 of the worst 10 weekly scores of the season!

RIP David Shepherd

"To recognize most sports people, it is necessary to catch at least a glimpse of face or number. With umpire David Shepherd, who died of cancer at 68, the England and Wales Cricket Board said Wednesday, all you needed was the silhouette. Nobody else in cricket had quite that bulk or rotundity, topped with a silvery shock of hair." - New York Times

As a youngster David Shepherd and Dickie Bird always seemed to be umpiring the best games, whatever they were. Shepherd officiated in 92 Test matches and 172 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals. He was superstitious and caused a huge amount of amusement by jumping on to one leg whenever a team or a batsman's score reached 111 - the number known as Nelson in cricket - or 222, 333 and so on.

Shepherd played as a hard-hitting batsman for Gloucestershire between 1965 and 1979 and became a first-class umpire in 1981. He married Jenny last year, after the couple had been engaged for more than 25 years. Shep joked: "We didn't want to rush things!"

New York Times Obituary
Angus Fraser remembers in the Independent.

Bermuda Triangle

An unsuspecting new Bermuda Addick arrived in the world just after 5.30pm Bermuda time Monday evening. Arabella Connie weighed in at 6lb, 11.5oz and is absolutely gorgeous and both daughter and Mum are doing very well.

My son (now 9) was born via a planned c-section, and without taking away how much of a serious operation that alone is, watching childbirth and the unforgiving pain before and the absolute joy after is a truly unforgettable experience. And lads, how flipping helpless do you feel?

I brought my girls home Wednesday afternoon from the hospital. The house that seemed very empty and serene the day before suddenly came to life but age has certainly brought more self-belief in handling small bundles of joy. She did well last night sleeping from 1 until 5am in her new room. Although when White Noise is playing on ones iPod instead of White Lies you know life has turned a sharp corner. I recommend Ocean Sounds by the way if you are looking for a recommendation.

I popped into Government House today to register the birth. The Bermudian authorities will issue the birth certificate but her Bermudian association ends there. Bermudians are very fussy to whom they give status to. Even a foreigner who marries a Bermudian has to wait 10 (Ten) years for citizenship and 7 of those years have to be lived on the island, with the last two concurrent. A divorce during that 10 years leaves the non-Bermudian legally with nothing. Being British gives you no advantages at all here, and although the local regiment would probably love to have her, our daughter will have no other privileges being born here apart from a pretty cool story to tell in the playground.

Perversely but not surprisingly Bermudians can apply for a UK passport at birth, get full United Kingdom and European citizenship immediately they get the passport and live, work, drive, vote and buy any property they wish.

So despite the fact that this island is actually governed by the British Government and the Governor and Commander in Chief resides down the road, we have to apply to the British Embassy in Washington DC for little-un's passport. Crazy.

Photograph of the week

Marlon King took great joy in telling a woman in a nightclub, who shunned his attention "do you know who I am? I am a millionaire." Well King is everything that is wrong with modern day footballers. He has had a decidedly average career, played a couple of internationals for Jamaica, been a bit of a journeyman and plays in Wigan Athletic's reserve side on 40k a week.

On Thursday the no-mark was jailed for 18 months for sexually assaulting and beaking a girls nose in a London nightclub all because she cold shouldered his advances. King has a history of violence and has been sacked by Wigan. Unfortunately the prick will be out in 9 months and will probably be signed by someone or other.

Week 11 review

Birminghan put a spoke in Sunderland's good form with a 2-1 win. Goals by Ridgewell and McFadden. Wigan continued turnaround in form as Martinez's side played the ball around sweetly at Turf Moor beating Burnley 3-1. Hull and Pompey played out what one report predicted will be the worst game of Premier League football this season. 0-0 at the Zzzzzz Stadium.

Chelsea are still looking good stuffing Blackburn 5-0. Givet (og), Lampard two, Essien and Drogba scoring. Stoke's Greg Whelan got a fine goal late, late at WHL as the Potters did for the Spurs and Wolves and Villa drew 1-1 in the early local derby.

On Sunday Bolton beat Everton 3-2 in an exciting game at the Reebok. Lee, Cahill (who punched the corner flag when he scored for a change) and Klasnic for Wanderers and Saha and Fellaini for Everton. In the big game Man C drew 2-2 with Fulham, no hang on, sorry in the big game Liverpool moved away from the relegation zone after convincingly beating Man Yoo 2-0. Later Zola's Hammers showed plenty of spunk to come back to get a point at home to Arsenal. Scott Parker was sent off for nothing and Cole and Diamanti scored for West Ham. Van Persie and Gallas for boring Arsenal.

Road to Wembley - Mangos Tangoed

Mangotsfield United's FA Cup adventure came to an end with a narrow defeat against the full time professionals of Forest Green Rovers from the Conference. Despite falling behind to a eighth minute penalty Mangotsfield held their own for the remainder of a first half of limited chances. With little separating the teams during the second period and openings few and far between Forest Green scored a decisive second goal from the very interesting Steve Davies on eighty three minutes. Mangotsfield were given hope of a late comeback when JAMES PILLING reduced the arrears with three minutes left to play, however Forest Green saw out time to book a place in the first round proper.

Mangos: Court, Arndale, Smith (O'Connor), Pilling, Scott, Trought, Tooze (Wood), Bater, Page (Hendy), Knighton, Allward.
Subs not used: Prosser, Moore, Alexander, Beazer.
Attendance: 946

The Mangos did N&R proud being our Road to Wembley team for two rounds after dispensing of Wantage Town in the First Qualifying Round. Our new side Forest Green Rovers were in today'd 1st Round Proper draw and will play fellow Conference side Mansfield Town at the home ground, The New Lawn on the weekend of 7 and 8 November.

Rose bushes

Breaking news8888888Week 10 Table
Lee's Tanus Terriers moved 7 points clear of Frank & Beans after week 10, which was collectively our lowest scoring week of the season. W Wallace Boys stay 3rd, hopefully putting a smile of the Yugoslavian's face after Croatia were eliminated from next year's World Cup. The problem of finding a television in Zagreb at least resolved.

In 4th rises Arsene Knows. Is this the year Danny finally shakes himself out of Godders shadow Keith and I ask ourselves. In 5th remains Aston Globetrotters and 6th place belongs to Pure Irish, down a couple of places. Wenmania jump a spot to 7th with Keep the faith up to 8th. Francey is sure to blow it and will already be thinking of which young upstart in the office he can offload his team to after Christmas. And 10th is MoW Glasgow kiss.

Below the top 10 is a host of title material - Paris Eagles, Hannoi Utd, Loads of Roubles, Torres Rosso and Student Ninjas. You will note I didn't mention Ian's Goliath's Big Brother or Michael's No Hopers. My own Bermuda Addicks of course will be up there until the end, when at which time I will go all floppy.

Al's favourite BBQ rib place Old Bodean's jumped a couple of spots as did Morgan Machines and Steve's FFC 4 Ever was the highest climber.

Looking down the league ladder I surprisingly see Mexican Banana Split in 23rd, 2 Infinity & Beyond in 26th, Savlyuchenko Spurs in 32nd, Vodka Hooligan in 33rd, slipping further down the table In Tatters in 48th and Soozie-Sooz Sizzlers 54th.

Conversely Rochdale Allstars shock me they are so high (50th) and likewise Turtles Breath (56th). Smiley thing!

But what the heck has happened to good ol' boy James Down? Cesc and the city are now in 58th place. Shocking behaviour, but still better than Brighton Blues, who are back to the bottom just a few weeks after seemingly improving.

Smooch

Breaking news8888888Week 10 score
Our Scottish angel Kirsty won her first MoW this season after Glasgow Kiss nobbled 43 points in week 10. A fine effort from the little haggis. ex-colleague Pk and his Mexican Banana Split's were next up as they try to push their way up the table. 36 for Paul and 33 for Steve as FFC 4ever continue to hang in the right half of the table.

Next up was That's not you and Guinness and eggs, both Lee and Steve scored 30, Ben's Special Ones and league leader Tanus Terriers continued the good work with 29 points. Greg's Boys on tour made a 28, 27 points each for Rob and To Elland Back, Old Bodeanians, Martin's Turtles Breath and Student Ninjas. Then all on 26 were One Night in Paris, Gooner Win League plus fellow north-banker Arsene Knows and 25's all round for Tim and Dennis' Frank & Beans, Vodka Hooligan and Michael's No Hopers.

The week's worst effort was owned rather surprisingly by John's Loads of Roubles, who scored just 3 points, which takes over as the season's worst weekly score.

Worst weekly score update - Load of bollocks

So a new leader for the Worst Weekly Score. Top 10 as follows:

1. John McGowan. Week 10. 3 points
2. Paul Long. Week 5. 4 points
3. Soozie Syrett. Week 1. 9 points
3. Tim Harris. Week 10. 9 points
5. Dan Martin. Week 5. 10 points
5. Huw Thomas. Week 10. 10 points
7. James Down. Week 1. 11 points
7. James Down. Week 5. 11 points
9. Stuart Kilpatrick. Week 1. 12 points
9. Chris Waterman. Week 5. 12 points
9. James Down. Week 10. 12 points
9. Mark Dewberry. Week 10. 10 points
9. Alex Boswell. Week 10. 10 points

Week 10 review

Back after the International break. The weekend's headlines were stolen of course by a beach balloon as Darren Bent scored his 8th of the season for the Black Cats at home to relegation-threatened Liverpool. James Beattie scored twice to help defeat bottom-three West Ham 2-1. Old Harry didn't get lynched at Fratton Park, although Judas Defore got himself wound up and sent off as Spurs beat Pompey 2-1. King and Judas getting the goals.

Man U had to fight of a brave fight from neighbours Bolton to beat them 2-1. Everton's Russian midfielder Bilyaletdinov salvaged a late draw at home to Wolves. Bargain fantasy player Kevin Doyle scoring his 3rd in the Premier League. Arsenal beat Brum 3-1 and in the early game Villa's set pieces did the trick against Chelski as the claret and blues beat the blues 2-1.

On Sunday Wigan and Man City played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium and in the local, real local northern monkey derby Blackburn beat Burnley 3-2 in front of a passinate crowd of cotton mill workers and miners.

On Monday night Fulham beat Hull 2-0 in a game as dull as a gaggle of accountants.

What's in a team name?

No. 2: Martin Singleton's Turtle Breath
It's fair to say that long time N&R FL player Martin Singleton hasn't been one of our most successful managers, and after he'd chosen his starting XI back in August he perused Viz's Rogers Profanisaurus for inspiration for a team name to support his team's title chances.

For those not have being blessed by Viz magazine, Roger's Profanisaurus is a compendium of profanity featuring the foulmouthed Viz character Roger Mellie, the man on the telly. Flicking through Roger's Profanisaurus Martin's team could have been paired with all kinds of euphemisms, such as:

Becksfart n. Brand-specific lager hangover flatulence. Has an aroma a bit like egg mayonnaise. or Velcro arse n. medic. Descriptive of the condition of the bum cheeks after a long, hot day.

But he settled on Turtles Breath, something to do with smelly borborygmi Roger Mellie style. "This neatly sums up the performance of my selection this year," said Preston fan Martin proudly.

Road to Wembley - Penalty celebration for Mangos

On one of the most memorable night's at Cossham Street in Mangotsfield United's recent history the Mangos earned a place in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round by beating Truro City. A hugely entertaining cup tie in front of a crowd of 529 saw Mangotsfield recover from a goal down to take the match into extra time and ultimately a penalty shoot out. On an evening when every player gave their all goalkeeper Tony Court became the hero with two penalty saves. The decisive spot kick, taken with the score at 3 - 3 and with Truro having taken their five penalties fell to Jason Wood who beat Martin Rice to set off scenes of wild jubilation.

Truro took the lead on sixty nine minutes when a free kick from the left delivered to the heart of the penalty area was met by Marcus Martin who unchallenged powered a header past Tony Court.

After going behind Mango's manager Phil Bater quickly introduced fresh legs in the pacey duo of Jason Wood and Kyle Tooze. The introduction of Wood had an almost immediate impact when Tom Knighton worked the ball to Wood whose cross from wide on the left was eventually forced home by TOM KNIGHTON.

With the vocal crowd urging Mangotsfield on the woodwork came to Truro's rescue to deny Tom Knighton who slid in at the near post to divert a low cross from the left onto the bar whilst moments later a Kyle Tooze cross cum shot from tight to the goal line was palmed away by Martin Rice.

As the match entered added time the pressure on the Truro goal was maintained with Jason Wood's low driven ball from the left flashing across the face of the goal and a minute later Kyle Tooze cut in from the right to skip past two challenges only to shoot straight at Martin Rice.

In a goalmouth scramble, the final action of a stirring cup tie saw two last ditch blocks deny Mangotsfield a late winner.

Extra-time remained goalless, and after flipping a coin to determine which end the penalties would be taken Truro's first spot kick.

Truro's Barry McConnell' penalty was saved. 0-0
In response Mangotsfield scorer Tom Knighton duly obliged. 1-0
With the pressure now on Truro, recent loan signing Lee Hodges saw his penalty saved by Tony Court. 1-0
However Mangotsfield's second penalty taken by Neil Arndale hit the crossbar. 1-0
Stewart Yetton levelled for Truro when converting his side's third penalty. 1-1
Kyle Tooze was given a reprieve after his initial spot kick was saved but after the intervention of a referee's assistant the penalty was re-taken, this time Tooze found the back of the net to restore Mangotsfield's one goal lead. 2-1
Scott Walker despatched Truro's fourth penalty to level the scores. 2-2
Mangotsfield went ahead with one kick to go through Jack Allward 3-2
Andy Taylor whose nerve held to make it three all with one penalty left to be taken. 3-3
The fifth penalty was stroked home by JASON WOOD to earn Mangotsfield United a fourth qualifying round home tie. 4-3

It was a cracking night and the Mango's now host Forest Green Rovers (who are two levels above Mangotsfield in the non-league pyramid) this Saturday in the last round of FA Cup qualifying.

Mango's: Court, Arndale, Smith (Allwood), Pilling (Wood), Scott, Trought, O'Connor (Tooze), Bater, Page, Knighton, Spill.
Subs not used: Bennett, Beazer, Prosser, Alexander
Attendance: 529

The worst away end in the world

Would you like to watch a match from this fetching red and yellow cage? The away end at Poland’s Miejski Klub Sportowy Znicz Pruszków, a first division club put's the away corner at the Old Den and Blackpool’s infamous open-ended away stand to shame, and is light years away from the snug all-seater stadiums that Premiership fans will be used to. More photos here.

Click on photo to make it larger and thanks to Peter Doyle for sending me this. I love stuff like this, so remember me when you find anything mad-football related.

Photograph of the week

Darren Bent's 5th minute winner for Sunderland hit a beach ball covered in Liverpool badges and thrown by some Scouse chav from the away enclosure. The rules state the goal should have been disallowed but wasn't. This week residents of Liverpool will stage a march through the streets of Liverpool and there will be a huge church service afterwards.

South Africa 2010 Countdown

The European Play-Off games have been announced as follows:

Ireland v France
Portugal v Bosnia
Greece v Ukraine
Russia v Slovenia

That is a tough game for the Irish after they were not seeded. I personally think seeding four teams (Greece, France, Portugal and Russia) based on FIFA rankings was wrong but the games will be played over two legs on November 14, with the second on November 18.

South Africa 2010 Countdown

England were through, the USA are on their way too. Italy, Davor's friends Serbia, Holland, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Mexico, N Korea, S Korea and the Aussies and not forgetting the South Africans have started making plans for next years World Cup.

However this Wednesday is a nail biting time for Argentina, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Hondurus, Bahrain, New Zealand and a host of European and African nations all fighting to book their tickets to South Africa.

In Africa incredibly 3 of the Groups will go to the wire. In Group A either Cameroon or tiny Gabon will qualify. In Group B it is between Nigeria and Tunisa and in Group C Algeria and Egypt.

In Europe after looking dead and buried Portugal have somehow managed to drag themselves into the pole position to make the play-offs from Group 1. Sweden have frankly blown it. In Group 2 either Switzerland or Greece will automatically qualify but Latvia are still in the mix.

Group 3 has Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and N Ireland all still fighting over the spots. Slovenia have the easiest game and if Northern Ireland win in Prague, then they will deserve to qualify for a play-off.

Group 4 is decided with the Germans through and Russia in the play-offs, in Group 5 Spain won every game and Bosnia-Herzegovina will enter the play-offs. Group 7 sees the unfancied Serbians through with France having to face the play-offs. In Group 8 Italy's last minute goal in Dublin puts them through and Ireland will want to beat Montenegro on Wednesday to be sure of a play-off place.

Then finally in Scotland's Group 9, The Dutch with a 100% record easily qualify and it looks like Norway will be the 2nd place team to miss out after winning just 2 games in qualification.

Finally please give my good buddy Davor a thought on Wednesday evening, England did Croatia no favours in Ukraine (I think we are now honours even on that one), however
a word for moj prijatelju.... Ajde Andorra.

Team Challenge - Aon is one

Time for our first peep at this season's N&R Team Challenge table. Well blow me, Aon's multi-talented and multi-national team are top with an average score of 292.25 points led by Tim, but ably supported by Nobby, Davor and Huw in Adelaide. In 2nd place are AIG's massive line up with Hilary and Henry the driving force there.

Behind the AIG is Ready and Sav's Bluefin. Two points behind in 4th are QBE. In 5th come the Lloyds' subscription market, just 0.1 point ahead of the Aon Benfield mob in 6th.

7th place are Mono and Neville's Tokio, with last year's champions Willis in 8th. Ladies note that Ian is showing you up. Then in 9th and last spot are RSA.

The Team Challenge table accompanies the Week 8 email.

Road to Wembley - Mango's minutes away

A dramatic stoppage time equaliser by Truro City's Stewart Yetton denied our boys Mangotsfield United a famous FA Cup win in this third qualifying round tie.

Mangotsfield who lie 40 places below Truro in the football pyramid looked like booking a place in the 4th Qualifying Round after leading 1-0 thanks to a DAN SPILL goal after 78 minutes when in injury time STEWART YETTON, who had come on as a substitute at the start of the second half, saw his speculative cross cum shot from the right find the top far corner of Tony Court's net. Mangotsfield dominated the game and will now have to face Truro in a replay Tuesday evening at home.

The winners will face an attractive home tie against Blue Square Premier Division and local rivals Forest Green Rovers.

Photograph of the week

In a week when footballers failed to celebrate goals in front of fan's that used to worship them and Sir Alex Ferguson apologised to a referee, it is good to know that at least one player still can't buy class. Stephen Ireland splashed out £260,000 on a gleaming white Bentley for his girlfriend Jessica Lawlor, complete with full boy-racer makeover, which included changing the famous 'B' insignia to 'JL' and having a loveheart stitched into the driver's seat containing the message 'To Jess Love From Stephen'. C0ck.

Week 9

No Week 9 scores due to the final round of World Cup matches taking place this weekend and then on Wednesday.

Week 8 review

Portsmouth got their first win of the season at Wolves, Yebda getting the crucial goal. Bolton gave Spurs a run for their money holding them to a 2-2 draw at the Reebok. Corluka getting the equaliser. Burnley won at home again, this time beating Birmingham 2-1. Hull beat Wigan in a six-pointer at the KC. Vennegoor of Hesselink and Geovanni of Acaiaca getting the goals.

Sunderland were very unfortunate not to beat United at the OT. Darren Bent scoring again as did Kenwyne Jones. Rio Ferdinand scraping an injury time equaliser.

On the Sunday a late, late Stanislas goal upset Fulham's day at Upton Park. Goals from Murphy and Gera looked to have given the Cottagers victory. Everton and Stoke slogged out a draw at Goodison and Chelsea beat Liverpool in Sunday's big game. Anelka and Malouda on the sheet. And Arsenal thrashed Blackburn 6-2 despite Rovers twice being ahead.

Then on Monday night Richard Dunne followed Tevez's path a week earlier by not celebrating his goal for Villa against old boys Citeh in the 1-1 draw. Bellamy continued his good form with the Sky Blues goal.

Terriers back on top

Breaking news8888888Week 8 Table
Lee Horne's Tanus Terriers go back to the top of the N&R FL table after an absence of 6 weeks replacing Frank & Beans. Lee leads by 3 points as these two sides look to make a little break away from the pack. However Davor's W Wallace boys remain a big threat tucked in 3rd place after their MoW award winning performance in week 8. In 4th lie Pure Irish who move up from 5th. Aston Globetrotters swap with Hilary and behind Henry are big climber Arsene Knows.

Down to 7th are Harry Houdini, Wenmania drop to 8th and Loads of Roubles slip to 9th with Francey's Keep the faith stay 10th. Just below the top 10 hang Goliath's big brother - is this Kennett's year? In 12th are Paris Eagles back up near the top after a poor last season. In 13th is Hannoi Utd with Bingo in 14th.

Torres Rosso fall back to 15th, but are ahead of The No-hopers and Bermuda Addicks. Then come Morgan Machines, Blue flag up your arse, Student Ninjas, Californication
Glasgow Kiss, Old Bodeanians and Egg chasing is best are each within 30 points of the top 10.

At the bottom Goonersmoan move of the bottom and Turtles Breath take their place. Brighton Blues are 2nd from bottom, just 2 points below Factastic Fancies. Looking upwards both Guinness & eggs, Rochdale Allstars and Not a chance slip into the danger zone.

Wallace boys become men

Breaking news8888888Week 8 score
W Wallace boys surged to the MoW award in week 8 finishing a clear 15 points ahead of next best Arsene Knows. Davor cements his place in the early title running, whilst Danny moves up to 6th. Vodka Hooligan fought for 43 points, the same as Danny. Much better from Rutt's Goonersmoan who equalled a season's best with 42. Then came Mexican banana split and new league leader Tanus Terriers scoring 41.

There was a slight gap in scoring then to Goliath's big brother and Bingo FC both hammering home 36's. One point less was One night in Paris and Lamb to the slaughter. 33 for Egg chasing is best and In Tatters and 32 for Californication, Glasgow kiss and Nancy Lollygaggers.

Other scores of note were 28 from Keep the faith, 24 from previous league leader Frank & Beans, Wenmania 22, Godders@mobileemail.vodafone.net and Cesc in the city both 15.

The week's worst score of 9 was a joint effort from Megan and Hannah's Teddy Bears and Adelaide Taffs.

Old adage

What does Bryan Robson, Tony Adams, Alan Shearer, David Platt, Chris Waddle, Ian Rush, Peter Shilton, Diego Maradona and John Barnes have in common? With over 700 caps between them they help prove the old adage that the best footballing brains do not make the best footballing managers and by no way is this list complete.

So why is that? Some would say the highest profile players don't need the grief and instability of managing after they hang up their boots. These days the majority seem to go into the media, even those with an IQ and personality of an armadillo. Or many ex-pro's simply walk off into the sunset of pro-am golf and property investing counting their huge wads of money. Many actually 'disappear' within coaching academies and honourably put something back into the game at a grassroots level but few players are willing to start a football management career at the lower end of the game.

Paul Ince did, although some would say the colour of his skin gave him no option. Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce, Martin O'Neil and Nigel Clough all started at the bottom of the food chain and have successfully moved up the ladder but many have come a cropper working with players who will never be as good or football-intelligent as they were in their own playing days.

John Barnes yesterday (again) became the latest example. An absolute joy to watch with a ball at his feet, he only knew how to play the game one way but despite his footballing convictions, hard work and a huge rolodex of contacts Barnes found it impossible to relay his ideas to lesser footballing mortals. No one's fault, Roy Keane is having the same problem at Ipswich. Alan Shearer, the Messiah, oversaw one win at Newcastle. Keep an eye on Steve Staunton at bottom-placed Darlington and Chris Sutton at Lincoln for future hapless illustrations.

Come on we've all had our patience tested when you have to tell someone how to do something not twice but three or four times and footballers are no different but management skills are part learnt but part natural. Assuredness, tolerance and ability to learn will only become a skill if you are willing to open your mind to it, and for most fledgling managers that began when they played. How often do we hear of ex-players saying: "Oh I knew he'd make a good manager when I used to see him on the training pitch."

Some of the best career league managers were more of what I would call working class players , such as David Moyes and Sir Alex as opposed to those suffering from superstardom. There are some fine ex-players that have bucked trend. Kenny Daglish, Graeme Souness Gordon Strachan, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff.... yeh not many Englishman I know.

The difference with those listed listed above is that they were all 'born' as football managers with the preverbial silver spoon in their mouths. Big budgets, hero worship and most important of all being able to work with very good players. Dwight Yorke said recently that Roy Keane would only be a success managing a national team, and for many ex-players, think Jürgen Klinsmann, Marco van Basten, Dunga and closer to home Mark Hughes and Stuart Pearce this for some reason became a much easier transition into management than the day to day grind of working for a club.

But then again John Barnes tried that too, without much success with Jamaica. Oh well for some maybe the natural god-given talent they were given comes to a grinding halt once the boots are hung up for the last time.

Wtf

Did you American peeps see that the Wisconsin Tourism Federation has spent a fortune officially changing their name and website design to the Tourism Federation of Wisconsin after it became widely known as WTF?

On their website they made the announcement on October 6th saying: "TFW recently rearranged the words in our name to provide a sequence that would no longer distract from our long-standing mission: “To improve Wisconsin’s tourism industry through supportive legislation and policies”. As our Federation consists of member organizations representing the hospitality industry in Wisconsin, we appreciated the opportunity to bring smiles to many bloggers, however we found it important to move forward in retaining our focus and serving our organizations responsibly."

Personally after spending a bit of time in cheese head land I would have thought Wtf was pretty appropriate!

The Top 10 Teams With the Most Annoying Fans

Thanks to Davor for sending me this. Spike TV's top 10 world's most annoying fans in reverse order. Remember this is the world, which of course mostly only covers America, and for some inane reason does not include Newcastle United!

Anyway which set of fans are number one? "Clearly God hates you and it’s time to move on"

Click here to read.

Movers and Shakers

James Down has left Aspen in Atlanta and crossed the great divide to be a broker (clever decision) for wholesale organisation Peachtree Special Risks in Stockbridge, GA to the south of Atlanta. Good luck James in testing your wits among the snakes of US wholesale brokers (only kidding).

Roy Keane

Look how scary Roy Keane is in this interview with a BBC reporter when asked about his future at bottom of the Championship Ipswich.

Click here.

Barden barges into contention

Breaking news8888888Week 7 Table
Tim & Dennis' Frank & Beans stay top for another week. It has been a superb start for the American's and they moved away slightly from Lee's Tanus Terries in week 7. In 3rd up from 10th are Harry Houdini, Tim's colleague Henry Williams' Aston Globetrotters remain 4th a point ahead of Pure Irish.

Nicely in the mix joint 6th is Wenmania and Loads of Roubles on 269, ahead of W Wallace Boys and auld rivals Paris Eagles and Keep the faith. Five of the top 10 work for AIG.

Just outside the top 10 are Arsene Knows, who shift up the table 6 places. Then come Torres Rosso up an incredible 15 places. In 13th are Hannoi Utd just ahead of old mucker Adelaide Taffs and it's nose bleed territory for Michael's No Hopers. Behind them are the renamed Goliath's Big Brother and Bermuda Addicks, who hurdle a host of teams.

Bingo FC were big climbers as were Chris Wright's Student Ninjas. FFC 4 Ever lie in the midtable position, not far behind them are Killer Kilpo, who have now found their feet in their first ever N&R FL season. Up to 35th for Stu.

Down at the bottom the bottom four remain unchanged with the improving Brighton Blues still bottom with 152, just two points behind Goonersmoan.

Nice Harris

Breaking news8888888Week 7 score
Tim Harris who I found out has a namesake in AIG New Jersey won his first ever MoW award and Harry Houdini's nice run becomes a sprint as they move into 3rd place. Wenmania continues to catch on as Mark cheered in a 62. Nine points behind Danny celebrated Wenger's 13th year at Arsenal as Arsene Knows scored a 3rd best 53, then next up was the vasty improving Killer Kilpo who scored a season-best 52 and Stuart is now in midtable.

We haven't had much cause to mention Steve Merchant so far this season, but FFC 4 Ever had a fine week 7 putting away a season-best of 49. Pure Irish scored a 48 and the No Hopers, Bermuda Addicks and Rochdale Allstars all impressed with 46's. Student Ninjas had another good week with a 45, the same total as big climbers Torres Rosso.

Bottom side Brighton Blues were in good company on 44, as 2Infinity & beyond and Sweaty's That's not you all chimed in with a 44. It was a vast improvement from Paul Long.

Paris Eagles and league leader Frank & Beans both scored 43 while Neville White's Not a chance put away a 42, whilst down under Adelaide Taffs scored 41. Ben's Gianfrancophiles, Morgan Machines, The Toothless Hogget and Wardy's Bingo FC all waded in with a 39.

Other notable scoring in week 7 was W Wallace boys 37, early season shower Keep the faith 34, Jimmy 5 Bellies 31, 4th placed Aston Globetrotters 34, Hannoi Utd 32, Guinness & eggs 22, Turtles Breath 15 and week 7's worst of 11 points was somewhat surprisingly owned by Nigel's In Tatters.

Photograph of the week

Well, well what is all the fuss at White Hart Lane then? On Friday the bookies made 'Arry the odds on favourite to be the first Premier League manager to be sacked. He was 50/1 the day before, with only Sir Alex considered to be less likely. So why?

Rumours that the pull of saving Portsmouth can't be true can they? What else? Previous transfer deals coming back to haunt him? It is very strange indeed.

In the Papers

Rod Liddle's interesting take on racism in our game.

"Would pelting a black player with loganberries be racist? What about vegetables, for example swiss chard or purple sprouting broccoli? Are they okay, politically? It is high time the FA and the government adjudicated on such matters, otherwise I will be in a quandary next time I’m in Sainsbury’s before a match." More

Last year's winners

I have held this back for those with a nervous disposition. Taken in The Lamb in August the somewhat grainy picture has Kirsty Baillie and Sarah Sheron collecting their Team Challenge Trophy and Paul Kelleher on behalf of last season's double winner Neil Reynolds holding the famous N&R Champion's trophy and the N&R Cup.

Road to Wembley - Mangos smoothie through

Mangotsfield United eased their way into the third qualifying round and an away tie at Truro City after a comfortable win at Cossham Street. NEIL ARNDALE sent Mangotsfield on their way with a second minute opener with the lead being doubled though DAN SPILL on seventeen minutes. The visitors who were to offer very little were reduced to ten men with thirteen minutes of the first half remaining. Any hopes Gillingham had of staging an unlikely second half comeback diminished when MIKE TROUGHT added a third for Mangotsfield on sixty one minutes. Gillingham finished the match with nine men after a second sending off on seventy two minutes.

Mangotsfield: Court, Arndale, Smith, Pilling, Trought, Scott, Tooze (O'Connor), Bater, Page (Prosser), Knighton (Wood), Spill.

Subs not used: Bennett, Knapman, Allwood

Attendance: 263

The game at Truro, who beat Bridport 7-0 away from home in the 2nd Round Qualifier this week, will be next Saturday. The Mangos are running a coach if you are interested....

Week 7 review

Bolton won again, this time at Birmingham. Cohen who is becoming popular in the N&R FL getting the first with Lee the winner. A late Dunn penalty shocked Villa at Blackburn. Rovers winning 2-1. Vam Persie scored a peach at Craven Cottage as Vito Mannone was the hero. Liverpool hammered a lifeless Hull 6-1. Fernando El Nino Torres getting a hat-trick.

Pompey's misery continued as Louis Saha got the winner at Fratton Park, Robbie Keane scored four for Spurs in their 5-0 home win over Burnley, Man U saw off battling Stoke 2-0 and Wigan shocked Chelski by dishing out their first defeat of the campaign 3-1. Rodallega, Scharner and even Titty Bramble scored.

On the Sunday that Darren 'he's rubbish' Bent scored one, should have scored the 2nd from the spot but strangely allowed Jones to take the it and then made Sunderland's 5th in a probably undeserved win over Wolves, who had battled back to 2-2 after goals from Doyle and Mensah - an o.g. and not very clever.... geddit?

Then on Monday Citeh beat relegation lookers Wet Spam 3-1. Tevez sparing the Hammers no love as he banged in a double. Petrov got the other and Cole scored for the visitors.

It is Rio

I can't begrudge Rio it's month in the sun but Chicago getting eliminated in the first round will take some time to digest. The IOC is of course a tight group of old white men with grudges, more so since most of them were found to be on the fiddle after the Salt Lake Olympics. Not even the most influential broadcaster or knowledgable Games observers could work out who was going to win the vote but the collective gasps around the Copenhagen auditorium said it all.

For the thousands in Daley Plaza (photo) and I had a couple of mates down there today, there was a look utter shock and embarrasment on their faces when Jacques Rogge made the announcement. Following it on the BBC the talk was of a typically impassioned speech from President Obama, but an even more heartfelt one from his wife Michelle. However it was said the rest of Chicago's final pitch was a bit flat. Sadly it will now be the word embarrasment that will be doing the political rounds in the United States amongst Obama's opponents.

The emotive vote was for Rio though and if it couldn't have been Chicago, then what better place to hold a party. Congratulations to them on what will be a sparkling two years of sport with the World Cup there in 2014. And think how cool London's closing ceremony in 2012 will be with the added spice of the Copacabana thrown in.

Tokyo's final presentation was unsurprisingly described as efficient whereas Madrid backed by the IOC political might of Juan Antonio Samaranch and with most of their venues already complete along with their experience of 4 years ago was obviously a fine bid, but when the likelihood of Europe hosting three Olympics on the spin is practically zero, those IOC members who voted for Madrid (28) over Chicago (18) in the first round wasted their vote.

After that it was Rio all the way as Tokyo dropped out in Round two and then in the final round Rio claimed more than twice the vote over the Spanish capital.

As for the Chicago 2016's bid it's chairman and my old boss Patrick Ryan and Chicago's mayor Richard Daley, 2020 is probably a stretch for them to consider another crack at hosting, especially if the unwritten rule of continent switching continues. Many Chicagoans will be happy this afternoon that their summer in 2016 will be unaffected but hopefully some of the bid's plans to modernise the city will continue. It is a sad day for Chicago but it ain't called the city of big shoulders for nothing.