Return of the Jac

Jac35

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

The Baseball Ground was great, I thought, loved the atmo there. Course, it helped that they had a proper team in those days.  
Posted by Tikay10

Haven't you gone on your jollies yet?

HENDRIK62

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

Someone reminded me the other day of a game we went to at the Victoria Ground. Proper ground that. Right in the middle of some rundown back streets. I guess it may have been described by some as a posh part of Stoke, but not me. New grounds are obviously great but they have no soul. When I'm looking go away games now, I pretty much always dismiss the teams that have a new ground. Doncaster was the last of those I went to. Actually a pretty nice ground but as usual, slap bang in the middle of an industrial estate. Whereas Turf Moor is a great ground to go and watch football and in the right environment. Tonight we're at the Pirelli Stadium. I'd have gone if it had been at their old home, Eton Park. The Baseball Ground of course was rather unique. A wonderful ground in a lovely area. They even had street entertainment that you could indulge in for a small fee close to the ground. Best grounds in dodgy areas?
Posted by Jac35

Ha ha great stuff, I know exactly what you mean about 'new' grounds. I once mentioned Easter Rd (Hibs) in a previous post. Funny how surrounding streets and 'entertainment' leave an indelible mark on your memories in a way no modern grounds can.

As an away fan to get  from Easter rd to The ground you got sheperded along Bothwell street over a bridge and onto Albion rd. A lovely spot surrounded by friendly locals in the tenements lining the streets....

The first time I went along that street was with my cousin (A dumbarton fan) who had stayed with me the night before and was meeting friends to go to the game, Dumbarton is a small town in the West with a tiny ground (google it) and an equally small support, I never even saw the milk bottle before it exploded on my shoulder.......

My second memory of that street is slightly less traumatic, the site of The Bayern Munich Emblazoned 'Super Bus' reversing back out of the street having taken a wrong turn was truly surreal, local legend has it that the Bayern Team trapsed over the bridge and walked up Albion Rd (Lovely as it sounds its not true :-( ).....This was to play the mighty Raith Rovers whose ground was deemed unsuitable for such high profile opponents.......The Germans must have wondered just how bad Kircaldy could be if Easter Rd was an upgrade :-)

Just round the corner from the ticket office over the road is The Albion St Sauna....It always used to amaze me how many men were desperate to cleanse their pores prior to and after watching a football match.......Only later did I learn it related to the 'street entertainment' you mentioned above. :-)

unknown_username

you could get lost in the maze of back streets of Boothen , great memories so many pubs lots of dodged half enders coming from the away end..i miss the Vic the new ground is nearly 20 years old sadly its not the same two pubs on site one a harvester the other a sports club with 5-a-side pitches behind it no atmosphere and its a fair walk to Stoke town center,did i say i miss the Vic ..well i do

hhyftrftdr

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac : Maine Rd - great atmosphere Cobbled back streets Got a brick on my head for my troubles!
Posted by VespaPX

And were City fans just as welcoming when you were in town for the football?

hhyftrftdr

I have many memories of Maine Road. Questionable if they are fond or otherwise, but memories nonetheless. When I was going there, it was towards the late 90s and early 00s, and I was only a nipper myself (9 - 14 ish)

We'd usually get the train, but sometimes my dad wanted to drive over. We'd park up not far from the stadium in one of the many side streets. Upon exiting the car, there would always be a small group of youths offering to ''mind the car'', so my dad gave them some shrapnel and off they went. Obviously I was oblivious at the time, but it was simply a case of 'give us money and we won't slash your tires', and to be fair to them, in some kind of warped sense, they actually did mind your car as we never returned to a smashed up vehicle. Well worth paying 50p or a £1 to be able to drive home!

I remember a midweek night game vs Millwall. It was the season before both sets of fans were banned from each others stadiums (I don't recall playing them in the years since but I think the ban is still in place). At their gaff earlier in the season there had been a lot of trouble (shocking, I know), and for some reason the return fixture at Maine Rd was penciled in for a night game, a recipe for disaster. The atmosphere in the build up to the game and ultimately the walk up to the stadium was toxic, with a heavy police presence. It all kicked off not far from our entrance to the Kippax, and I remember a police horse steaming in to try and control the chaos, and in amongst said chaos a Millwall fan got knocked over by the horse and kinda trampled on a little bit. This was pretty shocking to see for my 10 yr old eyes. There is no love lost between the 2 sets of fans, and there was actually a story from last season that only surfaced recently about how a bunch of 5 Millwall fans were refused entry to watch City vs Swansea; they'd traveled up from London to see their team playing (I think) Oldham, but it got postponed so they decided to head to City to not have a wasted journey. It became apparent when they were trying to buy tickets at the stadium that they were Millwall fans and the club refused to sell them a seat. City ultimately got fined and a slap on the wrist for doing so. Old habits die hard.

Watching the rise of Shaun Wright-Phillips was particularly pleasing. Even from an early age you could tell this kid had talent. I guaranteed my schoolmates that he would eventually play for England, and they quite fairly dismissed this notion cos we were bloody awful at the time. But SWP was like a diamond in the rough, and he had something about him, that raw pace that you can't teach or train. So it was a very sweet moment when a few years down the line, with City back in the PL, SWP pulled on an England shirt for his debut. If memory serves me correctly it was vs Ukraine and he might have even got on the scoresheet. It's pretty ironic now given that City are swarming with riches, but the club might have folded had Chelsea not bought him for £21m. SWP didn't want to go, but he knew he had to, not only to further his career but also save City from financial meltdown. It's easy to forget now but the club was incredibly mismanaged from top to bottom for many years and came very close to disappearing on more than one occasion....a lot can change in 15 or 20 years though

unknown_username

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

I have many memories of Maine Road. Questionable if they are fond or otherwise, but memories nonetheless. When I was going there, it was towards the late 90s and early 00s, and I was only a nipper myself (9 - 14 ish) We'd usually get the train, but sometimes my dad wanted to drive over. We'd park up not far from the stadium in one of the many side streets. Upon exiting the car, there would always be a small group of youths offering to ''mind the car'', so my dad gave them some shrapnel and off they went. Obviously I was oblivious at the time, but it was simply a case of 'give us money and we won't slash your tires', and to be fair to them, in some kind of warped sense, they actually did mind your car as we never returned to a smashed up vehicle. Well worth paying 50p or a £1 to be able to drive home! I remember a midweek night game vs Millwall. It was the season before both sets of fans were banned from each others stadiums (I don't recall playing them in the years since but I think the ban is still in place). At their gaff earlier in the season there had been a lot of trouble (shocking, I know), and for some reason the return fixture at Maine Rd was penciled in for a night game, a recipe for disaster. The atmosphere in the build up to the game and ultimately the walk up to the stadium was toxic, with a heavy police presence. It all kicked off not far from our entrance to the Kippax, and I remember a police horse steaming in to try and control the chaos, and in amongst said chaos a Millwall fan got knocked over by the horse and kinda trampled on a little bit. This was pretty shocking to see for my 10 yr old eyes. There is no love lost between the 2 sets of fans, and there was actually a story from last season that only surfaced recently about how a bunch of 5 Millwall fans were refused entry to watch City vs Swansea; they'd traveled up from London to see their team playing (I think) Oldham, but it got postponed so they decided to head to City to not have a wasted journey. It became apparent when they were trying to buy tickets at the stadium that they were Millwall fans and the club refused to sell them a seat. City ultimately got fined and a slap on the wrist for doing so. Old habits die hard. Watching the rise of Shaun Wright-Phillips was particularly pleasing. Even from an early age you could tell this kid had talent. I guaranteed my schoolmates that he would eventually play for England, and they quite fairly dismissed this notion cos we were bloody awful at the time. But SWP was like a diamond in the rough, and he had something about him, that raw pace that you can't teach or train. So it was a very sweet moment when a few years down the line, with City back in the PL, SWP pulled on an England shirt for his debut. If memory serves me correctly it was vs Ukraine and he might have even got on the scoresheet. It's pretty ironic now given that City are swarming with riches, but the club might have folded had Chelsea not bought him for £21m. SWP didn't want to go, but he knew he had to, not only to further his career but also save City from financial meltdown. It's easy to forget now but the club was incredibly mismanaged from top to bottom for many years and came very close to disappearing on more than one occasion....a lot can change in 15 or 20 years though
Posted by hhyftrftdr

and deservedly so. them millwall fans were a family of 5 with a disabled son who didn,t want to waste their day..holligans eh

hhyftrftdr

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac : and deservedly so. them millwall fans were a family of 5 with a disabled son who didn,t want to waste their day..holligans eh
Posted by stokefc

Think it was the ticket office being a tad over zealous. Can kinda see where they were coming from cos of the 2 clubs history but certainly some discretion should have been used. It reflected pretty poorly on City and I think lessons have been learnt.

We can spend £30m on Bony but not a few quid on a decent ticket office, as much as things change, some things never do.

Phantom66

Hyyyfty still persisting with the life long city fan bluff then.

Jac35

Going pub

splashies

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

Going pub
Posted by Jac35

He's gone for a Burton!

hhyftrftdr

Gotta take the Clough with the smooth.

splashies

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

Gotta take the Clough with the smooth.
Posted by hhyftrftdr

tbf it's been brewing for a while

Jac35

I'll ignore the tosh written above 

Jac35

Mighty Rams have signed someone for 8 million and I've never heard of him tbh

Spent stupid amounts over the weekend on new stuff for house

Will go bankrupt if I play much more O8

Had Craig Bryson in the group in front of me at golf today. Plays cack handed!

Is also slower at golf than he is at getting around a football pitch.

Going pub while I can still afford 1 and 1/2 pints.

Phantom66

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

Mighty Rams have signed someone for 8 million and I've never heard of him tbh Spent stupid amounts over the weekend on new stuff for house Will go bankrupt if I play much more O8 Had Craig Bryson in the group in front of me at golf today. Plays cack handed! Is also slower at golf than he is at getting around a football pitch. Going pub while I can still afford 1 and 1/2 pints.
Posted by Jac35

Fools and money easily parted. and all that.

Not sure whether that refers to your shopping spree, Derby owners, or O8. Time will tell.

Hang on, £8M for a striker with 3 goals in 31 league games? Derby owners ftw.

hhyftrftdr

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac : Fools and money easily parted. and all that. Not sure whether that refers to your shopping spree, Derby owners, or O8. Time will tell. Hang on, £8M for a striker with 3 goals in 31 league games? Derby owners ftw.
Posted by Phantom66

Can you lend me a tenner please Phants?

Phantom66

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac : Can you lend me a tenner please Phants?
Posted by hhyftrftdr

Sure just give me your bank details and I'll send it over.

Jac35

Oops

Had my once a year proper blow up last night when I got in.

Was in no mood to listen to anyone which was totally stupid. Cpfc is a proper bloke. He tried very hard to get me to pack in and I was an idiot and carried on. It's really nice to think that people do look ouy for you and I feel very bad for ignoring him.

Was down a lot but in the end got a bit back and only lost £120.

I've noticed before that a well known player who likes to ride a bmx is pretty awful in the chatbox. Him reacting after a £296 pot where  I'd cold 4bet with AKss and him shoving with no fold equity with 55 and holding was irritating.

We live and learn

Got a shitload of points though so it's all good

Jac35

Been a bit ranty recently. Not good.

Bad few days of poker but so what? I've heard it enough times and it's very true. It's all about the long term. 

Happy Jac is back.

Just one quick one before I become extremely positive and nice.

I played the rebuy at Derby on Sunday night. Tried doing it sober. Big mistake. Was one of the first out.

Had one of those guys that you all know next to me. Wanted to tell everyone about where they'd gone wrong after every hand whilst being extremely average himself.

A player I hadn't seen before joined us at the table. He had put in some very strange raises and got folds and then this hand happened. At 150/300 he raised to 6k from a 13k stack. Player next to me shoved and I looked down at Aces. Wiiiii!

I reshoved and it went back to the 6k guy. He tanked for ages. Said he had Queens.

The mouth next to me who had already been giving him stick started to get angry. Stuff like if he had Queens he'd have called already and to stop lying and wasting everyone's time. 6k man looked a bit upset. He tanked a bit more and eventually passed his QQ face up.

Mouth then decided to launch into him about being terrible and being the sort of player that had stopped him coming to Derby because the play is so bad.

At the addon break 6k man looked a bit confused as people were pulling £30 out of their pockets and leaving it on the table before wandering off. I went over to him and explained that you could get more chips for £30 and it was now a freezeout. I told him not to worry about the idiot next to me as well.

He thanked me but said he wasn't going to give the casino any more money and he'd just come for a good night. Said he normally played in his local boozer and it was his first time here. Then said he wouldn't be coming again.

No winners there 

hhyftrftdr

I just skimmed that story ^

The gist is you play sober for the first time ever and it was enough to deter a new player to the casino from ever returning?

Phantom66

Glad you are happy again.

You were very quiet on my plo8 table last night.

I am sure that Derby's deadline day dealings will cheer you up even more.

I thought selling your star striker to a scottish club was bad but loaning one to a championship rival?

At least you have £10.5Million from the Hendo sale sat in the bank gaining 0.01%interest until the January transfer window.

Jac35

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

Glad you are happy again. You were very quiet on my plo8 table last night. I am sure that Derby's deadline day dealings will cheer you up even more. I thought selling your star striker to a scottish club was bad but loaning one to a championship rival? At least you have £10.5Million from the Hendo sale sat in the bank gaining 0.01%interest until the January transfer window.
Posted by Phantom66

Sorry i was quiet. I was in a state of shock having won all my plo8 games.

This might surprise you but I'm pretty happy with our deadline day deals.

It'll be interesting to see how Hendrick gets on with Burnley. I think it's a good deal for all parties. 

Not being sour but most Derby fans wouldn't put him in our best midfield. He's very inconsistent.

However, he has plenty of ability as shown in the Euros and the play off 2nd leg v Hull.

Maybe it's due to how he has been managed and Dyche will get the best out of him on a regular basis.

Also nice to get the max out of Burnley after they did the same last year with Shackell.

I remember Dyche whining about moneybags Derby trying to buy their way out of the division. Then a couple of days later Burnley spent 10 million on Grey.

Derby fans are mixed on Martin. He can be so frustrating with his antics. His goals record is tremendous though and I'm a fan. 

I think it's time for him to move on. We've tried and failed for the last 3 years and we need to change things. The whole team had been based around him and he hasn't played well for a good while now.

To be honest I don't really know Vydra but I know he's well thought of. Wilson looks like a quality player and I've rated Anya when he's played against us.

Jac35

Dyms are tough at the moment

Lots of good regs in most games and not too many edges. Put in a lot of volume over the last couple of nights and I'm £11 up including rakeback. So in other words I'm losing

Not playing very well at Dyms doesn't help either

I've been mixing in some cash as well and that's saving me just now. Always been hopeless at online cash but I've had a bit of help from a very good player recently and that's making a difference.

A load of boxes have arrived and although it's 4 weeks until we move, we need to start packing apparently.

bbMike

Apparently the standard wasn't great last night, or so said the chat

Didn't get a chance to respond to you properly at the end there as still had a fair few games running, and well, you didn't stop by long in that one

Jac35

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

Apparently the standard wasn't great last night, or so said the chat Didn't get a chance to respond to you properly at the end there as still had a fair few games running, and well, you didn't stop by long in that one
Posted by bbMike

Yes

Just outrageous that you won a flip v that player. Obv makes your play very poor

I had a similar thing in a £11 game.

I'd already seen all sorts as you do when you play a lot of games. 

The Reflex was having a horrible run of luck. On the bubble of one £30 we were all on similar stacks and the sb limped into him. Reflex shoved with AK and was snapped by 34. I don't need to tell you who won that one.

A couple of mins later his luck started to change a bit and Reflex shoved 22 utg and I found Aces. I don't need to tell you who won that one 

Just standard stuff that happens.

Anyway in one of my last games, the £11, we got to the bubble and I think the blinds were 200/400. I shoved A5 on he button and was snapped by A7 in the bb.

I got there and that led to the comment about "you play wonderfully" in the next game by that player

Pretty sure that it was a perfectly standard shove from me and an ok call as well.

Obviously upset her though.

Jac35

To add to that the cash games were totally different last night. A much better atmosphere on there than the dym tables which was unusual

Always good fun playing and chatting with Dtm and Liamboi 

Played for quite a while on a few tables with Supercrazy as well.

He got horribly unlucky in one hand v me. I flopped the underset and turned quads. No getting away from that for him.

No grumbles though. He took it in his stride.

Proper bloke

Jac35

Some life stresses and poker not going well over the last week have meant that I have been more of a knob than usual. Yesterday was top knobbishness so far.

Tool

Been having a little think this morning. Life is pretty amazing and I need to wake up to that.

Penny is much better and has just gone back to work one of those phased return things which basically means she does next to nothing for half a day.

Harry is fit and healthy and other than the odd tantrum, and even those can be pretty funny, absolutely perfect.

House move this month is exciting.

I've also got some fantastic friends in real life plus the same with poker friends who put up with me.

And so

For the millionth time, I vow to be less grumpy in future*

Have a nice day everyone

...

*I may still be a little grumpy on occasion about The Mighty Rams.

Jac35

Happy Days!

Put 5 hours in from 4.30 yesterday afternoon. Got a "late pub" text and was happy to escape. Head scrambled. Just under a 1000 points and an awful lot of games and I finished...£2 up

So not quite the dizzy heights of £1.50 that our elderly friend gets. But still, a chunky 40p an hour isn't to be sniffed at.

As often happens when I 8/9 table, I got kicked out a few times and had to reboot sky and click 'I'm back' on every game. It's frustrating but it happened at the right times last night when mostly games were in their early stages.

Did have a fun hand in a £16.50. Player limps into my bb and I have 87. Flop 887. He had J5. How did he win?

First competition of the year for me at golf today and then I may have another dabble later on

It's bloomin warm

HENDRIK62

Gwan The Rams!!!

Given most of your team is now Scottish I feel I need to lend my support, unfortuntely for you given my habit of bokking everyone and everything, combined with Derbies own skill in that department.......your chances of success are now slim to none.

Morning :-)

Jac35

In Response to Re: Return of the Jac:

Gwan The Rams!!! Given most of your team is now Scottish I feel I need to lend my support, unfortuntely for you given my habit of bokking everyone and everything, combined with Derbies own skill in that department.......your chances of success are now slim to none. Morning :-)
Posted by HENDRIK62

I can see from the other thread that you're a bit of a mardy moaner.

Switching allegiance to Derby is a fine idea.

The Mighty Rams will give you plenty to be mardy about.