RIP – GORDON BANKS

Former England and Stoke City goalkeeper Gordon Banks has died aged 81 after a long cancer related illness.

Part of Stoke’s 1972 League Cup winners team, he continued to appear at Stoke matches and although I was too young to see him play, I have seen him many times at Stoke games. A true club legend along with Sir Stanley Matthews.

A statement issued by Stoke City FC on behalf of the family reads: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight. We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him. We would ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this time.”

Didcot Town 2-0 Yaxley

A good home win for Didcot which keeps them in the play-off positions – currently 4th with 46pts. Early goals in both halves – John Dennis after 4 minutes and an own goal in the 47th minute – sealed the win. Decent attendance at 167.

I would urge any football supporter to get along and watch your local non-league team as there is a good standard of football. I take my young son along when I can and he loves the closeness to the action & the friendly atmosphere. There is a lot of aerial action, but hey I am a lifelong Stoke supporter and have witnessed the classic Pulis years! Plus it is good value and you are helping keep grassroots football alive.

Didcot Town have signed striker Felipe Barcelos who rejoins the club from Stratford Town, having left Didcot in the summer for Moneyfields. Also joining is Pablo Haysham on loan until the end of the season. He previously played with Didcot in the 2017/18 season.

These new arrivals do mean that Brandon Taverner has returned to Oxford United.

Sam Vokes signs for Stoke as Crouchie leaves for Burnley

Stoke City completed the signing of striker Sam Vokes on a three and a half years deal from Burnley. Going the other way was Peter Crouch, who has been at Stoke for six and a half years. A great ambassador for the club and hope he does well at Burnley.

Martina has been recalled by Everton – great news as he is one of worst players Ihave seen at Stoke in a long while and we have had some stinkers. Eric Pieters joined Amien on loan for the rest of the season and Tyrese Campbell has joined Shrewsbury Town on loan.

Afellay leaves club by mutual consent

Afellay spent three-and-a-half years at Stoke, making 55 league and cup appearances and scoring three goals. However, in recent years he has been beset by injury problems. Full story here

Book news – Michael Palin Announces Summer Live Tour Celebrating Erebus: The Story Of A Ship Paperback

To celebrate the paperback publication of Erebus: The Story of A Ship, he will take a one-man show to 12 UK venues. Tickets go on sale at 9am on January 25

Each show will be split into two parts. The first half will see Palin bring to life the story of HMS Erebus, the subject of his latest book. During the second he’ll tell his life story, including his time with Monty Python, as well as his work on Ripping Yarns and the television travel series that have taken him around the world.

Erebus: The Story of A Ship will be published by Arrow on May 30, with signed copies available to purchase at the shows.

Fri June 07 2019 – BOURNEMOUTH Pavilion
Sat June 08 2019 – BASINGSTOKE Anvil
Sun June 09 2019 – CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange
Thu June 20 2019 – CHESTERFIELD Winding Wheel
Fri June 21 2019 – MILTON KEYNES Theatre MK
Sat June 22 2019 – LONDON Cadogan Hall
Thu June 27 2019 – BRADFORD Alhambra Theatre
Fri June 28 2019 – MANCHESTER Lowry
Thu July 04 2019 – SALISBURY City Hall
Fri July 05 2019 – READING Hexagon Theatre
Sat July 06 2019 – PORTSMOUTH Kings Theatre
Sun July 07 2019 – BATH Theatre Royal

Huth and Johnson both retire from football

Glen Johnson announced on TalkSport today that he had retired from football. He was released by Stoke in the summer and had been plagued by injuries since joining Stoke in 2015 on a free from Liverpool.

Robert Huth also announced his retirement from playing last week after he had been linked with a move to Derby County. He had been without a club since being released by Leicester City in the summer and did train with Stoke early in pre-season.

The Big Garden Birdwatch is almost here

Share what you do with #BigGardenBirdWatch From bird-box makers to bird-cake bakers, the Birdwatch is a chance to get crafty and creative. Will you be inspired by what our stars have been up to?  We’d love you to tell us what you do! How will you #BigGardenBirdWatch?  Nicky is a keen knitter and likes to knit the birds she sees: “The Big Garden Birdwatch gives me a chance to enjoy the birds in my garden. I can watch them and turn them into knitted versions.”   Get pattern

What was top in 2018? Last year’s most sighted Find out which birds made the top ten in last year’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Will it be the same in 2019?   See results