6th March 2010

Matthew 5 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. This is my message to all SACFL leaders whether they are on the sidelines, or coaching or playing today. Let your light shine today. It’s been a cold and wet season since the league began. Apparently in Scotland it’s been the coldest winter for even longer (the 1962/63 winter when according to my mum I seemed happy enough outside in my pram most days). Keep everyone’s spirits up. Having had a waterlogged pitch last week, and no scheduled match this week I decided to text all my players anyway and invite them to watch our A team fixture and even going so far as guaranteeing selection for our next B team match. I am looking forward to some good chats on the sideline, talking about football and God, and being blessed with watching a cracking match. Some messages for prayer: Hi Nick, It would be great if you could include Surbiton Churches FC in the prayer letter this week. I was approached by a couple of the guys after training this week with pastoral needs in their lives. I can't give details but if you could ask people to be praying for God's touch in their lives and Godly wisdom as we respond to their needs. It is encouraging, after 18 months of building relationship, they felt able to turn to us at the club and ask for help and prayer. In Christ, Adam Hi Nick, I hope you are having a good week? When you do your next prayer letter, I would appreciate it if you could include a request for prayer for me. I am changing jobs and will be working a role in London for a new start up company. and secondly I have recently been reffered to a cardiologist as I may have a heart defect caused by stress, i have yet to recieve the results however prayer for a positive outcome would be appreciated. Many thanks Stuart

06 Feb 2010

Matthew 5 The Beatitudes 1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Good morning. I'm up bright and early for one reason only. We have a morning kick-off today at Molesey or at another pitch depending on whether we are going to play football or water polo. It will be a great day anyway. This is my favourite message from the bible. When you are teaching youngsters you can have the adventure put on the mountain gear and climb all over the furniture before sitting down ready to learn. It cannot have escaped anyone's notice that the football world has been dominated by the sacking of the England captain and individuals have expressed various views on whether JT should captain the team. This whole passage and the rest of Matthew 5 explains Jesus' view very clearly. Personally, I have a lot of sympathy with the players, their partners and ex-partners and their children and less so with the gossip mongers. But that is from having sinned, having experienced the gossip mongering, shunning of friends, loss of my marriage, my children, my house, my life, and being made redundant at the same time was the least of my problems. I had to speak to leader whilst the gossip was rife and that was from my own decision to resign from my leadership role as youth co-ordinator. There is good news through this. I am a lot happier. My faith is stronger. God knows what was happening before I did but to heal needs repentance. My relationship with my ex-wife and children is excellent. Some of my friends are no longer friends. Those that have helped me through the church and through the CCNM football team are my best friends, and I am grateful for that. But mostly it is those youngsters that have grown up and talk to me, and support James and Andrew. And it will be good to see those youngsters play football today. Finally, I look forward to Chad playing his first SACFL game today, and I know that he will have a great experience as it always is with those guys from Molesey. Time to get socks on and down to the car park! Nick

30 Jan 2010

16 Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. 17 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; 19 but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. 20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66 I have not been able to get away from miracles and awe expressed in the media recently. From the miracles of a one well played turning point rally in an Andrew Murray v Marin Cillic tennis semi-final creating the awesome possibility of a male British tennis grand slam winner for the first time since 1936. On the next page it was the comparison of Wayne Rooney being the White Pele, and suggestion that a hat-trick in a world cup final may be needed to secure his place at the top of the game. Until it was pointed out that Pele took a starring role in winning 3 world cup finals, and could leap like a salmon above centrehalfs even if he was only 5 foot 7. And maybe a 1000 goals later may be more apt a comparison, rather than half a season. There is Steven Baldwin and Alex Reid talking about God and Jesus on live national TV and the prayer of salvation in the Big Brother House. And after all the votes were counted why am I surprised that Alex won rather than Vinny Jones? That has got to have been God's work. I'm looking forward to watching the film Invictus. How South Africa won the rugby world cup in 1995, beating the invincible all blacks and uniting the country with a little help from Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon and an awesome amount of prayer. Though my recollections go back to some home group at the time when I was a young christian openingly praying for a Rob Andrew goal to beat Australia in the quarter-final, and bringing the following home group to ask whether that is an example of how God can answer prayers. When Jonah Lomu trampled over the England defence a few times in the next match we simply reflected on how Jonah was a far stronger Christian than Will Carling and company. Having watched a miracle of a final with South Africa winning we were not a bit surprised with Nelson Mandela wearing a captains jersey and the South Africans opening praying and giving thanks to God. We have a lot to be thankful for and give praise to God. For those that have come back enthused from the Football Ministry conference, to those fixture secretary's who have been re-arranging matches, and to all of those that are able to take part or not in today's games. Let's pray for Jason Pugh (Molesey's veteran keeper) who broke his ankle last week. For Tim Parker (one of CCNM's youngsters) who has just texted me at 2 am to say he will not be able to play because of a twisted ankle. For all those refereeing too, and particularly for Dave Bennett if he is fit enough to, and also for myself who has got an awful stinking cold so bad that he could not even watch a game last week, and hopes to be able to get out to manage this week. Lemsips, strepsils and paracetemol only get you so far. At times like this you just have to pray and ask God for a little help. A miracle please! Finally, lets give thanks to God for Norman Bave's new job. And thanks to for him allowing all the cup game, league and friendly games to be played today. Got out there, enjoy, and see the wonders of God's work on the Surrey football fields. I look forward to your reports, and answers to prayers. Nick

12 Dec

How did it go last week? I prayed before the match last week for Chris and his family, for safety on the pitch, and then the magic of the cup got to me again... I prayed for loads of goals ... I remember doing so against Molesey a few years ago and seeing 13 great goals. We were really blessed last week. Our game got called off at 3 on the Friday. Colin and Peter performed miracles getting the game on with a little help from above, and I got to witness and play in a 12 goal thriller. 7-5 after extra time. Well done CS United. And we got an answer to prayer. I'm not convinced that all my players saw it like that, but sometimes us managers like to think that we can see the bigger picture. And then bluff our way through next week's team talk. I had been really worried, too busy at work, lack of resources, and this week was going to be even more hectic. But worse than that I was worried by my 1st diabetic retina test. Putting drops in to dilate my pupils. Even those that have had the same tests were trying to convince me that I would be OK. Where's my faith in the experts, and my faith that he is looking after me. And even if it all went it's a big party in heaven for me. I'm saved - Jesus died for me - and I believe in him - so I have eternal life. Wow. Apologies for missing the meeting, and training. The floodlights or lights were too bright, and I turned the lights off and listened to some music rather than football on the radio. No message from me this week. That's because I really have had no inspiration, been really down, and not open to God's word. And it's really difficult to do that if you are too tired to read or listen. However, the e-mail at work blinked on - a football message from Shervin. See the attachment... It was good to have a break. And it was thoughtful, inspirational, and definitely about how I was feeling. Why? GRACE Yes I need to walk the walk and talk the talk, constantly, and believe. And so do we all. Have a great game today. See you in a few hours...Sunningdale. It's gonna be a good one. Good morning, and god bless, Nick

11 Dec 09

We are all praying for Chris Woods and his family. Chris plays for St Peters and broke his leg in two places in a game with Duke Street. He has been told that he will not play again. Chris is a roofer and has a wife and small child. This is a difficult time them with a long time out of work. So please give generously at your games so we can provide some financial support as well as our prayers. I pray for the players in both teams that witnessed this. Leg fractures and knee dislocations are some of the worst things that I have seen in my life. Either on the rugby field, football pitch or walking mountains. I have treated them as an emergency first aider and have turned as white as a sheet and thrown up. And yet with the grace of god got on an dealt with the situation. I also believe in miracles and God's healing. A few days before my 24th birthday I was told to give up the game. I enjoyed watching, and also mountain walking. Managed to run again some years later, but never football. Did a little coaching with the juniors through the church. Jamie Mackay got me involved. But it was those youngsters in the CCNM team that pursuaded me to kick around in the park one summer. They also had a lot more faith than me. I thank them and God for that and for those that are still playing today that they keep encouraging me to continue to be involved. So we are also praying for God's healing, as well as peace, comfort, and rest. It's up to us in SACFL to show Chris what this game is really about. It's not a matter of life or death - it's far more important than that. Let's also pray for St Peter's leaders too and support them, Chris and his family. We also pray for Norman Bave in his search for work, and Walton Baptists who are struggling to keep team going. End of Part 1... I know it's late but I'm on a roll.... God bless. Niok

31st Oct

We have had some answered prayers. From Shervin. Pls give thanks to everyone for praying and for answered prayers: Armand has been offered a job in a Kingston library. Although it is part-time and temporary, it is a step forward and a great encouragement for him. My brother's is fine after the operation and his knee is on the mend. He still needs saving though! God is very patient with him. I had a phone call from Colin Pincott who told me that he has been given the go ahead to play, and was going out to buy a ball to kick around and get ready asap. Wow. It's been a long year praying for Colin, and has no doubt been worse for him. It will be great to have him back. We need to pray for Mark Blyth too. supporting him in his ministry. For the Football Ministry Conference. I'm sure you have seen his latest letter - let's get a link on the website. And another wow for Alex's baptism with the whole family praying together. Hugh Richardson is getting married today - so wishing him all the best, and a long and fruitful union. And maybe a weekend pass to kick a ball around. For Chad and Roz too, baby number 2 imminent. And Esther Chesterman, who has got a job in Bristol, as well as a ladies team to play for. As`for tonight's message. I will start off by saying that last week I was watching Poker Stars Million Dollar Challenge on Friday night. The first entrant was Father Andrew Trapp, a catholic priest from South Carolina. In this made for TV show the contestant gets a little help from a poker pro, playing against a celebrity. But as John Salle pointed out it was a bit unfair having Daniel Negreanu on his left AND JESUS ON HIS RIGHT! Having won that round Father Andrew was really blessed, taking down another pro and then Daniel himself winning $100,000 dollars and a final seat for $1 million in a few weeks time. Father Andrew is going to give it all away for rebuilding his church. Father Andrew plays under the name BeHolyGoesAllIn Anyway I was really blessed that night too, winning a seat to a Betfair Final on Sunday, and also winning a place in PokerStars Final Fantasy Poker Caribbean Adventure. On the Sunday evening I found myself up against 30 other players, got heads up with a 6:1 chip deficit but chipped away and on the final hand it was a real OMG moment - I won a holiday, and tournament buyin, to the Betfair Poker Open Vienna in Feb 2010. So I've got to miss a Division 2 SACFL fixture and get a passport. The real question is Ok I will be wearing a Betfair sponsored shirt, when I play, but during the day I've got my CCNM 'God is Love' shirt, a Molesey Vet Jersey T shirt, a Bristol 'Hope' T shirt, and my Ishmael 'Today's Church, Tomorrow's Leaders t shirt. That should give the other winners something to start a conversation about. As for my opponents I'd better start learning German. So yeah, yeah I wanna be a rock (poker) star. So what are you gonna do with it? Let's put it this way. I'm a really conpetitive person. I think I can play and beat the best in the world, whatever I do. And I have nothing to lose. I have my strategies and tactics, I think well, read the game well, and also bluff my way through a football game or two. As for the poker well being able to calculate stats and pot-odds quickly helps too, and thinking calmly under pressure. And if I win something is it spend, spend, spend? It cannot be, I'm not like that I give generously, and even when it's been tight, like being made redundant. Well it is God that has provided. And.. Matthew 6 Giving to the Needy 1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. The Old Testament encourages tithing - so that's 10% (5% to CCNM/5% to SACFL). As for the rest my left hand will not know what my right hand is doing (just like my feet on the football field) so it will go to my ex-wife and children. They will know what to do with it a lot better than I. OK I've revealed all. It's not a secret. Just remember, give thanks with a generous heart. And give generously of your time on the field with your players. But do not announce it with trumpets. God will see what you are doing, for his glory. Amen Good morning! and God Bless. Nick

Sat 24 Oct - Prayer Letter

Ephesians 4 Unity in the Body of Christ 1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Hi all, the busiest half-term ever is over. Hopefully our headteachers, and teachers can have a well deserved break this coming week. That will give me a chance to catch up with trying to get budget papers and forecasts ready and digesting Government Grant papers when the phones are not ringing. Enough of the day job, back to the real weekend work. Take inspiration from the scripture and try to apply it to managing our teams. I try to do all these things. Sometimes I get frustrated and I wonder if my team are all on the same side. We wear the same shirts with God is Love on the back. On many times we are very encouraging to each other, and play great football. But equally on many other times all the arguing, selfishness, not concentrating and blaming each other comes out, and then we seem unable to grasp why we have lost again. With a bit of experience some of us have seen this for a long time, others have not and we seek to help each other. It would be easy to say that if we were all of One Body, One Spirit, One Lord, One Faith we would win all the time. For those that believe in Him we do not have to, Jesus saved us, God is victorious, and we are on the winning side. Enjoy your footie this weekend, whether you win, lose or draw. Please e-mail any prayer requests. I'll have to speak to our webmasters and see if we can get a prayer request/answered prayers/box on that wonderful SACFL website. I am playing particularly for teams playing in the Surrey Cup games this weekend. Dear Lord, help us to show other teams the right way to play football, in good spirit and fellowship, and as one body as you have shown us. Amen. Nick

3 Oct 09

It has been a difficult week at work, I've had computer problems at home, and also troubled in keeping everyone happy in trying to get 2 teams out when our club has 60 or so registered players. And yet I've been feeling worse all week with a sore throat and cough, headache and flu-like symptons only to be told by a colleague that Nick you ought to really look up from your desk, and not do everything. She then told me that as well as the boss being off sick, so have two people that sit directly opposite me. Anyway if it is just man flu I'll winge and get no sympathy. Having said that if I turn up for football I'd better put a coat on. If it rains that's good. God gave us the rain to make the grass grow, as well as the football to travel better across the pitch. Here is a message for all of you: 3 John 1 2Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 6They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth. Let us pray for Rev Steve Brunn, Manager of St Peters. Steve has asked us to pray for his future ministry as he has completed his time as curate at Chertsey and needs to find another parish as from July he is out of work. And this one came in from Shervin this afternoon... Not footy related, but can you please pray for a lady at my work who is in the distribution list of our Christian Fellowship, and is under great personal stresses. Please add to your prayers, any players or their friends and family who have minor or major personal issues which makes them anxious, restless, tired, unsure of the future, depressive or causing them physical symptoms. Ok guys can we pray for our players, and friends, and work colleagues and ask God to comfort them tomorrow. Stuart Lewis (CS United) has also been in touch, and asked us to pray for healing a bad case of the shingles, very sore. I'm sure there are other players in our teams needing some support and prayer, so please remember them when praying before the start of your games. Finally, one of our supporters, Kiri, who is Steve Rawling's better half, is running a fundraising event for the British Heart Foundation at the Royal Oak, New Malden, on Sat 3rd October from 6.00. I am organising a fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation. As my dad died suddenly of heart disease 4 years ago, my dad was displaying no signs of the disease and it was a sudden shock for me and all my family. So please come and show your support for those whose life has been affected by heart disease and raise the awareness of the biggest killer in the UK. What’s on: · Children’s lucky dip · Children’s face painting · Adults raffle · TombolaAnd more So please can we pray for Kiri and her family for this fund raising event, in memory of Michael Carpenter, and raise awareness of heart disease. Any support is welcome, and I and many of CCNM players will be in the Royal Oak pub, opposite Christ Church immediately after our game. Please join us. I have been in correspondence with Kiri. and explained some of my own personal circumstances surrounding my dad some years ago. And it gave me the opportunity to explain why we pray before our games. Nick, Thank you for the reply, I am happy for my reasons to be circulated as i hope others wont end up in the same position and hopefuuly survive. (Like your dad) Its my pleasure for you to start the prayer for my family- just hope my dad is looking upon us- i will try my best to be there too for the start of the game. And thanks again for the support you guys have offered As a gesture from me to say thank you I have brought some water bottles and a holder for the team. Please look after them and i will try and fill them every week as well as provide the oranges. Have a great day tomorrow, and whilst I cannot play myself I will be leading the prayers at our game v Sunningdale, and look forward to watching a great match. Goodnight (morning) and god bless. Nick

26 Sep 09

Isn't God good? What a wonderful day for football. I'm pleased to see that Bobby Traynor won the player of the round award for his hat-trick in the 1st Qualifying Round of FA Cup, so he is off to Wembley even if the K's do not make it themselves. Kingstonian away to Hendon this afternoon. What is there for a Battersea lad to do staying in New Malden for his football fix. I have just turned down James' offer for a kick around in park, or even throwing the American football around, and reminded him that dad turning up at training in a suit was not his Mourinho impersonation, but a knee injury in the same game that he twisted his ankle. Ice can get you so far, and the younger you are the quicker you are healed. That's the way God has made us. I also believe he prays harder than me. Mum and dad are proud of him, but also grateful for his youth leaders at St John's and their teaching, and the encouragement that he gets from football players at CCNM, and those in the league too that encourage his running of the line. Looking at the SACFL website there are a lot of great games going on for free entry. A recession busting answer to prayer. Have a great day playing football in the right spirit. Competitive but fair. That's why we play in the best league in the world, despite what the premiership and sky tell us. Lord, we give thanks for this glorious day to play football. Keep us free from injury and help us play the way you want us too. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our faith with others, and use the love of football as a way to meet in fellowship. For your glory. Amen.

26 Sep 09

I will start off with yesterday's message from Stuart Lewis of CS United: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you as Team Secretary (and assistants) for your commitment to the league and I wish you and your club all the very best for the season ahead. I have prayed that this will be an enjoyable season for everybody involved and that through our combind efforts we can achieve our end goal of bringing un-believers to Christ. Thanks for Stuart and Colin Pincott (our club secretary) for their efforts in trying to get a friendly for CCNM B team v CS United today, and wishing everyone has a great time with partners, wives and children. And Dave Bennett too for trying to get players out for Duke Street yesterday. Anyway, the weather forecast is good, and isn't God wonderful when he gets the sun out for football? A lot of us had a great time in the sun at Bristol, and the last 2 saturdays have also been fantastic, and we've got loads of football on. On my front my knee is still sore after last fortnight's match so it will be a while until I'm kicking a ball again. Still it gives me a chance to spend some time with James who is really looking forward to next season when he will be old enough to play in the SACFL. And anyway I should be spending more time on the sidelines encouraging, and managing, rather than playing. I have had a real blessing over the past few weeks. One of my ex-cubs Sam Watley, and a former pupil of Christ Church school told me he had just got back from Australia where he had been playing footie for England with the paralympic team - and he has trained with CCNM and wants to join us to get ready for 2012 - wow. We've got a few new players too - one who has played in other church leagues and has moved into the area, andothers from just having an open kick around in he park every Monday - we've not had an off season at all! Nick, I would appreciate being on the list regarding a painful achilles which I have been told to persevere with at present. A healing touch to keep me involved fully with the lads would be wonderful. Regards, Colin White Thanks Colin from Molesey and we will pray for that healing touch for you and all those struggling with injury. Please send those requests in. At the start of the season I'm mindful that Joe Maloney has retired from football at such a young age and I have been praying for him over the summer and will continue to do so. Apart from the pleasure of playing with him, and also trying to defend against him at training I have a favourite memory of the impact that he made in training some of our youngsters. We had a father and son's game a few years back and we had won a penalty. I'm standing on the sidelines with Jamie Mackay and he calls for the youngest player on the pitch, my James to take it. Anyway, James picks up the ball, carefully placing on the spot, and then walks purposely back and Jamie says who does this remind you of? Anyway, James is really concentrating, takes his steps forward, skips, and then blasts it forcefully right in the corner of the net - and Jamie and I both say - Joe!! On my own side, I damaged my right knee a couple of weeks before my stag night playing football after work, and retired from football, on the advice of my doctor at 24. It was not until I was 37 that one of the youngsters that was helping in sunday school, Richard Chevalier, and his brother Andy, John Lammiman, and Dave McCarthy convinced me to kick a ball around the park even if only to get fit over the summer. I checked with the doctor, and he said I was mad, but that the work that I had been doing at the gym I should be OK. It was great recently to get Richard and John back for an over 30s and under 20s v 20-29 year olds game and it was their encouragement through the church football team that has got me to this stage. Finally, How about for work situations generally; those who have been affected by the credit crunch directly, made redundant, struggling to make end meet, anxious for the security of current job, and/or looking for jobs (Armand being a new graduate without a job in particular); plus the witness of those who are in employment. Shervin J This is a difficult one, and we need all of you praying on this one. In Armand's case I remember what it was like in 1984 (the year of Big Brother/Room 101 for those of my generation - and that was bleak) when I graduated. Having to move back wih my parents having been away for 3 years. I did not start work until 10th October 1984 having just had a couple of interviews (one as a computer programmer the other as an accounts assistant). Its hard out there at the moment - my Andy is still unemployed and is really depressed. The only time that I have seen him happy over the past year was coming away to Bristol, at the last minute. Many of us are struggling at work, and dealing with credit crunch directly. I've been in a succession of meetings about savings (i.e. job cuts), and even wake up last Sunday to hear Andrew Marr talking about Ed Balls £2bn cuts in education by federated schools. That means 1 headteacher running more than 1 school, and how is that going to effect millions of young people's education, as well as putting lots of stress on top of the already stressful work of the head teacher. Most of my colleagues are doing 60-70 hour weeks at their school already. Anyway, it's my job to help them with financial management, and that means ensuring as much Goverment Grant that we receive is passed over to schools fairly and equitably, and spent wisely. We can only do this by team work so here goes. On the pitch tomorrow (in a few hours time) before you start your games, lets pray with our players through their work situations, or school, or being out of work, or being injured and ask Jesus for support, comfort and wisdom in dealing with each of their personal situations. Then draw them together, a good huddle if necessary and say that for the next 90 minutes put those situations in God's hands and let's concentrate on teamwork, communication, encouragement, passing the ball and scoring goals. And then give thanks to God for saturdays. Lord Jesus, we pray for all those struggling at this time and comfort them in their individual situations. We thank you for the opportunity to show our players the right way to play football, and have fun and fellowship. Amen. Have a great day today. God Bless Nick Grey Prayer Co-ordinator

3 Aug 09

I'm going to pray for some more sunny and dry weather just like the glorious start we've had to the season. Sometimes God gives you that kick up the backside you really need to get out of the hole that you have dug for yourself. And after another round of blood tests and chest x-rays last Friday morning I had the following news on saturday morning;- (a) our captain, Rob Farris telephoned at 10 am saying he had just got in from work (i.e 25 hours flat out) and would meet us at the ground after having a couple of hours kip and would hopefully be good for a half. (b) at noon at centre midfielder said he had last minute tickets for fulham so are we OK so I said yes we have 11 and I will run the line. (c) 5 minutes before we were due to leave our goalkeeper, Tobias, phoned to say that his father had just been involved in a car crash in Germany so he will be manning the phone. Fortunately we had a female footballer supporting to run the line for us, Esther Chesterman. And so I ended up doing a full 90 minutes even when I've been told to take gentle light exercise like walking only. Rob took an early knock to the ankle but limped through a full 90. Tobias father had concussion but no serious injuries. Rob has his name on the credits in the latest Bond film, and is fit to play tomorrow. AFC Wimbledon ladies won 5-0 in the FA cup and whilst Esther did not play it was a good celebration afterwards. I did a gentle 10 mile walk on sunday and then did football training on Monday. My illness appears to be nothing other than I've become diabetic. And once controlled there are plenty of players that get over that. My biggest worry is that if I have to play a full 90 minutes that I'll have to ask the ref permission to leave the pitch to go to the toilet - and he cannot stop the game for that. Let's pray for good weather, healing for those that are unwell or injured, safety on the pitch, and some more glorious games of football.