Womens football - a fan

Monday 6th August 2012, Japan 2 v France 1, Olympic Woman’s Football Quarter Final

My first Woman’s football match live and I am now a fan – this was a nail biting match which had everything and over 60,000 other supporters joined me in Wembley.

Maybe too many Mexican waves – but this is the Olympics – but what a game. Japan took a two goal lead and then sat back- a mistake as France got one back and then their captain missed a penalty.

There could have been plenty of more goals as France put the pressure on and Japan counter attacked- a great advert for all football

Feeling a bit more confident

Saturday 4th August 2012, Ipswich Town 3 West Ham 1, Friendly - Portman Road

Now was thinking of missing this game as now an Olympic addict but glad I went as Town put in a great display but don't feel West Ham will last more than one season in the Premier if they play like that.

Copper Box rocks

Friday 3 August 2012, Olympic Handball, GB v Angola and France v South Korea, Copper Box, Olympic Park

GB may have lost (as did Korea) but what a hit handball has been in this Olympics - as has the Copper Box - at least the womens team must be supported to go onto 2016 - great sport, great effort and great arena - the 'Copper Box does rock'

Glasgow - a football city

Wednesday 1 August 2012
Egypt 3 v Belarus Under 23 1 - Olympics - Hampden Park
Celtic 2 v HJK Helsinki 1, Champions League - Parkhead

The Olympics 2012 - my first visit and not London but Glasgow, only just over 8,000 turned up for a good second half but also a well organised event - which attracted many family groups. Being in Glasgow, I was able in the evening to catch the Celtic Champions League game, a real football match- but guess what? I enjoyed both.

Olympics

Celtic

Olympics and Celtic join together

No Pre-Season buzz

Wednesday 25th July, Cambridge United 0 Ipswich Town 2, Abbey Stadium

First Pre-Season game of 12/13 but none of the usual excitement - why? The Olympics, the mismanagement of Evans, Clegg and Jewell? Not sure, but the good news after 90 minutes the buzz was coming back, the midfield looked sharp, Chopra hungry so come September, the Olympics over and it will be back to living for Saturday.

You can find a football pitch anywhere!

July 2012 - Football Stadium, Long Terawan, Sarawak - Malaysia

The School End

The Main Stand also the changing rooms

The Executive Stand

The Executive Stand, with working electric fan!

Main Stand with church behind

Main Stand

Jungle End from Executive Stand

Jungle End from Main Stand

Executive Stand from School End

Main Stand from School End

Behind the Brick wall

Saturday 30 June 2012 – Roundwood Bowls Club, Gordon Road, Ipswich

I had my first (poor) attempt at Lawn Bowls on Saturday, a great afternoon of fun, but a far more difficult game than it looks - but that is not the point of this post, it is just how many Bowls Greens we have in this country, often hidden away in some urban street behind a long brick wall.

Ipswich and Suffolk has always been a bowls hot bed, and we have some famous greens, the one behind the Margaret Catchpole pub in the town is a national treasure. we also have a number of dis-used greens - Westagte Club, Ransomes and I am sure we will lose more over the next few years, The council still has its own greens, with greens at Chantry and Christchurch Park to name just two.

So have a look over that wall, pop in, have a cuppa and try your hand at a game that deserves to thrive.