Don't panic: Warnock is heading to Plymouth

The Sunday Mirror carried a story yesterday that departed Leeds manager Neil Warnock might be heading to either Charlton or Plymouth as director of football. The Plymouth part of the story does have some legs. Warnock has already been swanning around at Home Park which is conveniently situated for his smallholding in south-east Cornwall where he grows passionate broccoli. Don't be surprised if the gobby former Palace manager gets some fancy title with the Pilgrims before too long: Warnock

As for the Charlton part of the story, one can imagine a creative journalist thinking along the following lines: not that many people are in the Green Army, we need another angle. Where were Leeds playing yesterday? Oh yes, Charlton. Chris Powell's still on a learning curve. The Mysterons can't get rid of him that easily, but they could bring in somebody to help him.

Next week: the two Isles of Scilly teams compete to bring in Warnock.

The Jonjo Shelvey deal

The Addickted were delighted to hear that Jonjo Shelvey had been called up for England. He was always a popular player at Charlton.

There has been some speculation about whether we might benefit financially. The initial fee was £1.7m but there were add ons for domestic and international appearances. I haven't been able to find any detail, but normally these are triggered by a number of appearances, e.g., fifty domestic games, rather than a single appearance. Indeed, sometimes clubs have dropped players to avoid triggering a fee. Sometimes an international call up (provided the player actually plays) can trigger a payment, but I am uncertain whether that applies here (probably not).

The Daily Mirror comments this morning, 'Shelvey's call-up is more unexpected and a bit more complicated. The midfielder has impressed in Liverpool's sluggish start to the season and was initially called up for the European under-21 Championship play-off with Serbia.'

'However, Shelvey is suspended for the first leg of the play-off so Hodgson has taken the opportunity to give him some experience with the senior squad. Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, James Milner and Tom Cleverley are all capable of playing in central midfield with Steven Gerrard suspended for Friday's game with San Marino.'

'With so many options, it would be unlikely if Shelvey made it onto the pitch and there is a chance he could go back to the under-21s for the second leg of the Serbia play-off next Tuesday.

Very much elsewhere, as Radio Scilly's mainland football correspondent, I should report that play has now started in the World's Smallest Football League. The Charty Shield tie was held on Sunday at the Garrison Field stadium between last year's champions and the runners up. After a 1-1 draw at full time it had to be decided by a penalty shoot out: Isles of Scilly

Woolpack Wanderers take title

The Woolpack Wanderers won the Isles of Scilly league title this season, but only after the title race had gone down to the wire. The Garrison Gunners failed to win the last match, allowing the Wanderers to win on goal difference.

Edited highlights from the final match at the Garrison Field are available here: Final game

Look out for the referee. He is a study in economy of effort.

Tight title race

It's a tight title race this year in the World's Smallest Football League. Former Radio Scilly sports show host Merryn Smith provides an update with exclusive photos from the Garrison Field stadium: Isles of Scilly

Football record broken

The record for the worst defeat in British football has been broken with the 55-0 defeat by Madron by Illogan (or Illogan British Legion reserves to give them their full name). Apparently Madron turned up with just seven players and no recognised keeper: Madron

The game was played in the top division of the Mining League which is a feeder league for the Cornish Combination. I happen to have a personal link with Madron. Also, my co-presenter on the Radio Scilly sports show, Merryn Smith, was at one time keeper for Madron. But, no, he wasn't there on loan. It's alleged that the keeper leaned against the goalpost.

The two team Isles of Scilly league gets castigated for 'low quality' football in an article the Non-League Paper today, but this is something else.

Barnet hoping for bumper crowd

Barnet are hoping for their biggest crowd of the season at this afternoon's Oyster card sponsored FA Cup tie with Charlton. Perhaps it will take their mind off their stadium worries: Underhill

Charlton have never been beaten by Barnet, the results being three wins and one draw in competitive matches. I am hopeful that we will overcome the black-and-amber and win by 2-0. Barnet will be without star striker Izale McLeod.

I will be the only Charlton blogger covering this afternoon's clash between Leamington and Evesham United to see if the gold-and-black can maintain their present winning streak, but arrangements are in hand to bring news from Underhill.

The deadlock has been broken in the Isles of Scilly football league after two draws marked the start of the season. On a soggy Sunday, Woolpack Wanderers beat Garrison Gunners 5-2 at the Garrison Field stadium.

Carlisle are the new Blackpool, says Merv

Ex-Addick Mervyn Day has declared that Carlisle are the new Blackpool and could well be on their way to the Premiership. This is one of the dafter comments about football I have heard for some time.

More relevant is the fact that Carlisle have suffered two injury blows ahead of tomorrow's match: Carlisle

I had this match down as a Charlton defeat at the beginning of the season and I see no reason to change my mind. 2-1 to Carlisle.

The Isles of Scilly football league has now started and after no draws at all last season the first match ended Garrison Gunners 2, Woolpack Wanderers 2. This puts the Gunners top of the table alphabetically and the Wanderers bottom.

Scilly times

Action from the Garrison Field

We haven't so far discussed Charlton on the Radio Scilly sports show, but this Friday evening might be an exception. All sorts of teams are supported on the Isles of Scilly, including Manchester City and Queen's Park Rangers.

In part this reflects where people lived before they came to the islands. However, the team of choice on the islands for native Scillonians is Plymouth Argyle. This is reinforced by their practice and sending players and coaching staff to the islands for training sessions. This is much appreciated given their remoteness.

Of course, there is one distraction as the islands' two team football league is about to get under way again. The squads for the Garrison Gunners and the Woolpack Wanderers have been chosen. This is done on the basis of the old playground practice of each captain choosing a player in turn.

However, before the league gets under way there will probably be some pre-season friendlies and I think there is also an equivalent of the charity shield.

League race is over - official

Hugh Town, St.Mary's, Isles of Scilly: Merryn Smith, host of Radio Scilly's sports show, reports that the Woolpack Wanderers beat the Garrison Gunners 4-1 at the Garrison Field this morning. There was some 'lovely football' apparently, but it means that the race for the championship title in the world's smallest football league is now officially over and it's all friendlies from now on (apart perhaps from the Wholesalers Cup). Merryn has gone off to the beach with one of his youngsters. It's a hard life.

League is still an open contest

Hugh Town, St.Mary's, Isles of Scilly: Radio Scilly sports show host and helicopter supremo Merryn Smith reports on a dramatic end to today's Isles of Scilly league contest at the Garrison Field. In time added on, Garrison Gunners managed to score to win 5-4. If the Woolpack Wanderers had won today, they would have won the championship of the world's smallest football league.

Some people think that our sports show on Friday was the best yet - well, Merryn's wife does and presenter Steve Watt who is in charge of the station while Keri Jones takes a holiday in Montserrat. Green Army fanatic Watt has, however, ruled that there must be 'no Charlton content' on the show. We shall see.

Beckford withdraws transfer request

Jermaine Beckford has withdrawn his transfer request and has informed doubting Leeds fans that he gives 100 per cent every time he puts on the shirt: Beckford

Whether this is the end of the wobble at Leeds remains to be seen, but there has clearly been some unhappiness in the camp, possibly not assisted by the tactful interventions of Ken Bates. As one perceptive Addick fan commented, Leeds fans are a bit like Spurs fans. They expect constant success and the moment something goes wrong they start to turn on the team.



BTW, sorry that we don't have a match report from the weekly clash on the Scillies yesterday. Radio Scilly sports show host Merryn Smith was supposed to send us one but instead took a deckchair down to the beach near his home. Jammy so-and-so. He is training hard for the London Marathon, though, and in due course I will give details of the charity he is supporting.

7-6 win for the Gunners

Garrison Gunners have won the Foredeck Cup with a 7-6 aggregate victory over the Woolpack Wanderers. Radio Scilly sports show host Merryn Smith sent this exclusive report from Hugh Town, St.Mary's: 'Wanderers had a helluva match this morning, looking to overcome a 6-2 deficit, it was 4-1 on the day going into the last 15 minutes and after that it was relentless....but to no avail. Gunners took the Foredeck cup 7-6 on aggregate.'

One game on

With Leamington's home game tomorrow called off, one game that should be on is the second leg of the Foredeck Cup at the Garrison Field on St.Mary's Isles of Scilly. Garrison Gunners acquired a four goal lead in the first leg, giving them a chance to acquire some silverware. At the halfway point, the league looks increasingly out of reach with the Woolpack Wanderers having won six out of seven matches. Darren Hicks is top scorer in the league with 13 goals, at least one in every match.

The captain of the Garrison Gunners broke his ankle in the Boxing Day fixture so Andrew Hicks is now in charge and was interviewed by Merryn on this week's Radio Scilly sports show. Turns out that he is a Gooner which is appropriate given the name of the team. Although he has a traditional Scillonian name, the boat builder's mother hailed from London.

Cup shock

Action from the Garrison Field


Leeds beating Manchester United at Old Trafford was the overwheming surprise in the third round of the FA Cup. There was also a shock result on the Isles of Scilly where Woolpack Wanderers have lost only one game in the two team league this year. Garrison Gunners won 6-2 in the first leg of the Foredeck cup. 2 goals from Eddie Williams, 2 from Andy Hicks and 2 Phil Greenlaw. The Wanderers' goals came through an own goal from Mark Blyth and one from Jack Stone. 1-1 at half time with the Gunners kicking against the wind - and do they have real wind on the Garrison Field which is on a plateau above the metropolis of Hugh Town on St.Mary's.

The second leg will be played on a forthcoming Sunday at the Garrison Field.

The official Fifa video about football on the islands (quite well made) is here:
Fifa

The Radio Scilly sports show will start again this Friday from 5 to 6, but with station chief Keri away on holiday for a month, No.2 and green army fanatic Steve Watt has ruled out any Charlton content - despite the discovery of Charlton connections on the island of Tresco.

One match started, one on, one off?

New team, new badge

The traditional Boxing Day game between over 35s and under 35s has kicked off at the Garrison Field on St.Mary's. Athletico Geriatico have been re-named Dribblers FC (my suggestion of Golden Oldies was not successful).

Keri on Radio Scilly has expressed the wish that no one will be hospitalised this year. This is not because it will all kick off, but because of older players knackering themselves. There will be rolling substitutions and you don't even have to bring your own boots.

There will be a noon pitch inspection at Harbury Lane to determine whether today's needle derby between Leamington and the egg chasers from Rugby Town can go ahead. We have just heard that there will be a second pitch inspection at 1.15 at the New Windmill Ground to see if the match can go ahead. It's looking 50-50. The problem is the Harbury Lane end goalmouth area which is still frozen. A salt solution is being poured on to the pitch. We heard at 1.15 that the game was off.

All seems set for today's key match, Charlton v. Swindon at The Valley.

Shock result

Hugh Town, St.Mary's, Isles of Scilly: Most analysts were expecting the Woolpack Wanderers to get their seventh victory in a row at the Garrison Field this morning. Instead the Garrison Gunners turned the tables to get their first victory of the season, a 4-1 win.

Radio Scilly sports show host Merryn Smith reports: 'It was a much changed team, with four regulars away and Matt Thompson injured, plus me in goal which doesn't help' and a lot of hard work was required to keep the margin down to three goals.

Smith has been kept busy in his job as traffic officer at the St.Mary's airport where there has been a large volume of inward and outward mail, plus some islanders leaving for Christmas on the mainland and others coming back to their Five Islands homes for the festive season. Both helicopters and the fixed wing planes have been in demand.

100 per cent record retained

Woolpack Wanderers have retained their 100 per cent record in the world's smallest football league after beating the hapless Garrison Gunners 6-2 on Sunday. Reporting on the match on the Radio Scilly sports show, Merryn Smith noted that, as is often the case, it was the Gunners who took the advantage of playing down hill in the first half to open the scoring.

On Boxing Day there will be a special match at the Garrison Field between Athletico Geratico (a search is on for a new name) and a youth team.

Yesterday was the last sports show before the festive season with my regular football report but Merryn is planning a special show over the break on the difference between a game and a sport.

The show hosted by his daughter, Katie Smith, on Mondays entitled 'I can't wait for the weekend' is customarily withdrawn from the schedule over the school holidays.

It is hoped to persuade the Plymouth mad announcer Steve Watt, one of the station's three paid staff, to allow a slot on Charlton in 2010.

Can Wanderers keep 100 per cent record?

Today's match in the World's Smallest Football League kicking off at 10.30 a.m. at the Garrison Field stadium on St.Mary's in the Isles of Scilly will see whether Woolpack Wanderers can retain the 100 per cent record they have managed so far this season. Their margin of victory over the Garrison Gunners has deteriorated to 4-3 and 3-1 in the two last matches. Last Sunday's game was interrupted by a hailstorm.

Garrison Gunners have been having their problems and had to take four players on an emergency loan from their opponents for one match.

Merryn from Radio Scilly's sport show recently interviewed the referee who has to officiate each week. A former professional, he admitted that facing the some players in every match did have his challenges. He reckoned that the Garrison Field pitch, barring the odd rabbit hole, was of semi-professional standard. It has, of course, beeen graced by David Beckham and Steven Gerrard.

A full match report is provided each Friday on the Radio Scilly sports show between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Scilly scores

The teams make their way to the Garrison Field

In the World's Smallest Football League, the Woolpack Wanderers have won all three matches so far. Last week the Garrison Gunners went down 13-3 despite an emergency loan of four players from their rivals and last Sunday they managed a more respectable 8-2 defeat. Nothing more has been heard of a controversial plan to bring in an off island player from Tresco.

Remember you can hear me each week on the Radio Scilly sports show on Fridays from 5 to 6.

9-1 victory in Charity Shield

The official football season on the Isle of Scilly started with a 9-1 win for the Woolpack Wanderers in the Charity Shield, reports Radio Scilly. Martin Tomlinson is new captain for the Reds and was sent off for hand ball. Neil jenkins scored the lone goal as a penalty for the Garrison Gunners.

In the Radio Scilly sports show in coming weeks we shall be offering pen portraits of some of the players. Some controversy is being caused by the fact that one team has imported an off island player from Tresco.

Don't forget you can see the latest episode of Island Parish on BBC tonight.