Doer Gone

In a slow news summer there is now some news that seems to have caught many by surprise.

I recently wrote here that Doer's popularity was never higher and he could easily win re-election based on his performance. I questioned if the the NDP would ever find someone that matched him in appeal.

For some time now, I have been speculating in one of the larger political forums in the country about Doer's future. Doer appeared a little worn out this spring after the latest session than he had been in a long while. The Tories were more effective in opposition albeit the polls still show the NDP ahead.

This fall looked to have more challenges for any governing party. It was with this in mind that I started thinking if Doer might not be receiving some job offers. There has been the occasional talk of a few things such as a university job, candidate for a political party federally (either Liberal or NDP), an international position and even a few business or non-governmental positions.

I have written numerous times about the good relationship Doer seemed to have with Harper. While, I thought it was unlikely that a Senate job was in the offing, I wondered if Michael Wilson was staying longer in Washington. Given a new U.S. ambassador appointed by Obama and Wilson's very long public service, it made sense to consider that a replacement might be needed in Washington.

Doer is a perfect fit for the job. He has the relationships in the U.S. through years of work with people in Washington and various states. He is on a first name basis with quite a few governors.

He has left the NDP in a strong position save for the fact that much of the strength comes from his leadership and personality. My guess is that over the course of the days before the caucus meeting, many NDPers will be contemplating a leadership run for themselves. Others will be looking at retiring from politics themselves.

Change is coming. For the first time in a long while, politics in Manitoba will be broken wide open.



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Doncaster Rovers FC

Doncaster Rovers 1 Tottenham Hotspur 5 - Football League Cup, Round Two

Doncaster is located about 20 miles from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny". The town began when the Romans built a fort in the area about 71 AD. After the Romans left the Saxons invaded Eastern England. The Saxons called a Roman fort a ceaster. When they arrived in South Yorkshire they called this one Don ceaster. In time the name changed to Doncaster and they created a village nearby. Doncaster is one of the oldest established centres for horse racing in Britain, with records of regular race meetings going back to the 16th Century. In 1776 Colonel Anthony St. Leger founded a race in which five horses ran. Today the St. Leger Stakes remains the world's oldest Classic Horse Race and features in the Horse Racing calendar as the fifth and final Classic of the British Flat racing season. This takes pride of place every September on the famous Town Moor course.

Doncaster Rovers FC was formed in September 1879 by Albert Jenkins, a fitter at Doncaster's Great Northern Railway works in response to the emerging popularity of the game in the nearby city of Sheffield. They were first elected to the Football League in 1901. In 1920, with the help of Doncaster Corporation, a new ground was built for the club and named Belle Vue. This remained their home until the Keepmoat Stadium was opened on New Year's Day, 2007.

The second round of the Football League Cup presented this Pieman with a rare opportunity to visit a new ground with Spurs. I had visited Belle Vue on a couple of occasions, the first time being to witness an emphatic 0-4 victory for the visitors Reading in 1985.

The draw for this round of the competition was made less than a fortnight before the matches were due to take place, not very convenient when looking to book cheap advanced purchase rail tickets. For this reason I travelled early to get a 'deal' and arrived at 'Donny' late morning.

I took the opportunity for an early visit to the ground and reached the Keepmoat Stadium in 25 minutes. Following a pleasant stroll through the centre. I was also pleased to be allowed access to the stadium in order to take some photographs.

This interlude was followed by a return amble back to town, where I headed for the excellent Corner Pin public house. Lunch for this Pieman consisted of an enormous homemade Yorkshire Pudding filled with chips and gravy. The landlady informed me that such is the demand, she prepares the batter the night before. This delightful meal was washed down with a few pints of Texas Brown from the Saltaire Brewery. The Corner Pin is only a few minutes walk from the railway station and presents a decent refreshment option for anyone changing trains.

The Keepmoat stadium is a tidy, if unspectacular, venue. A good view of the proceeding is afforded from all areas. 'Functional' best describes the place, with all four sides resembling each other. Clearly the club had to move from Belle Vue but the fans I spoke to, still desired the atmosphere of the old place.

Tottenham Hotspur eased through to the third round with five goals. However, early on in the match, Carlo Cudicini had to be at his best to thwart early attempts by Rovers. In the end Rovers did score from the penalty spot. An emphatic win for Spurs but the home side did play some decent football.

Doncaster Rovers: Smith; Chambers, Lockwood (Webster 45), Hird, Roberts; Stock (Fairhurst 59); Oster (Fortune 59), Woods, Spicer; Hayter, Guy. Unused substitutes: Wilson, Shiels, Sullivan, Heffernan.

Tottenham Hotspur: Cudicini (Button 82); Naughton, Corluka, Bassong (Prince-Boateng 59), Hutton; Bentley, Huddlestone (Rose 72), O'Hara, Giovani; Crouch, Pavlyuchenko. Unused substitutes: Lennon, Palacios, Defoe.

Referee: RJ Booth
Assistants: KJ Mattacks & D Naylor
Fourth Official: SJ Cook






Attendance: 12,923
Admission: £23-00
Programme: £3-00
Yorkshire Pudding in Corner Pin: £2-60


Photographic Archive

The Pieman's initial visit to Belle Vue

Coulsdon United FC

Coulsdon United 0 Staines Lammas 7 - Combined Counties League, Division One

Combined Counties League

Coulsdon, known by locals and historically as Coalsden, is a town on the southernmost boundary of the London Borough of Croydon. It is surrounded by the Greater London greenbelt of the Farthing Downs, Coulsdon Common and Kenley Common. Coulsdon has a strong and vibrant local history, which includes ancient burial mounds on the Farthing Downs, an ancient church recorded in the Domesday Book and Marlpit - an industrial chalk quarry. Old Coulsdon once boasted one of the oldest cricket clubs in the world - founded in 1762. Old Coulsdon were one of the strongest teams in the country in the late 1700 / early 1800s and once boasted 8 Internationals (England) in their ranks, as well as a young Stuart Surridge. The club was quite possibly the first to use three stumps and two bails.

Coulsdon United FC was established in 1968 as Reedham Park F.C. and played in the Croydon Saturday League. In 1975, the club moved to the Surrey Eastern Intermediate League, which became the Surrey South Eastern Combination following a merger. In 1989, Reedham Park joined the Surrey Premier League, changing its name to Netherne F.C. in 1992. In 1994, they were promoted into the Combined Counties League, where they played for a few seasons before once again changing names to Netherne Village F.C. in 1998. The club dropped out of the Combined Counties League following the 1998-99 season, but became founder members of the league's new Division One in 2003. In 2005, the club's name reverted back to Netherne F.C. Only a year later, they once again changed names to Coulsdon Town F.C. In 2007 the club merged with Salfords and changed the name of the club to the present Coulsdon United Football Club.

I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to get to Netherne Community Amateur Sports Club. I jumped on a fast train at London Bridge, changing at East Croydon, from where I caught one of the frequent (4 per hour) services to Coulsdon South. On leaving the station and turning left, I followed the Brighton Road as far as Woodplace Lane, where I took a left turn crossing the railway line. To stay in Woodplace Lane requires a right turn into the continuation and to reach the ground you follow this road as it climbs until you pass the last of the domestic dwellings. Soon afterwards you will see the football ground on the left.

It is fair to say that the clubhouse and changing facilities are in need of a bit of TLC and have certainly seen better days. In the gents toilets there is a sign detailing the progress of the fund to repair the roof. The pitch is fully enclosed, with a small covered standing area opposite the dugouts for shelter in adverse weather. No such climatic issues on this fine hot August afternoon though!

Visitors, Staines Lammas FC, have won this division the past two seasons and on the occasions that this Pieman has seen them, they have played some fine attacking football. This continued at Coulsdon where they were ahead after 10 minutes. Further strikes before the break ensured a 3-0 cushion prior to a well-deserved cold drink. In the second period Lammas looked likely to score whenever they went forward. The final tally of seven was conservative considering their domination of proceedings. The home side deserved credit for sticking to their task despite the obvious gulf in class.

Despite the second half not starting until 16:07, This Pieman was back at Coulsdon South station in time (just!) to catch the 17:16 fast service to London Bridge. Accordingly, the Netherne location is not as difficult to access as I had long though it was.

Attendance: 24
Admission: £3-00
Programme: 50p
Tea: 50p
Mars: 60p
Fare: £5-00 (all Zone Travelcard with Goldcard discount)

Photographic Archive

Polo Park Part 6 Fifty Years Old

The old Eaton's building (now The Bay) on the north end of Polo Park in the 1970s



Exhibit area of Polo Park in the 1970s



Fountain at Polo Park 1970s



Exhibit area of Polo Park in the 1970s



Interior shot of Polo Park in the 1970s



Interior shot of Polo Parl in the 1970s



Interior of Polo Park in the 1970s



Another angle of the sculpture looking out on to Portage Avenue



Sculpture at the east entrance



The Polo Park Cinema



Sculpture outside the north entrance.



The old yellow and black Polo Park sign. Photo and all others from the U of M archives.

Polo Park celebrates its 50th birthday this year. I have written extensively on the mall as it is the oldest and largest shopping centre in the city. In 1963, it became the first covered mall in Manitoba and possibly the second in Canada since the first was in B.C. in 1962.

The former racetrack was converted to its present retail format in 1959. At that time Simpsons Sears department store began construction and was completed in May. The rest of the open air mall was completed in August of the same year.

The design of the mall was Simpsons Sears at the south end and two retail strip malls facing one another running north from the department store. There were 40 stores in the first incarnation of the mall, only seven of which remain with the mall in 2009.

Those stores are:

Simpsons Sears
Broadway Florists
Fashionette Hair Stylists
Mario's Beauty Salon
Perth's
Tip Top Tailors
Zellers

The Polo Park Bowling Centre was also an original tenant.

The present owner of the mall Cadillac Fairview is celebrating the anniversary of the mall's opening on August 20 by honouring longtime employees and the original stores.

Today the mall, after five renovations and three expansions, is home to over 200 stores, a 500 seat food court and 6000 parking spaces. The last major expansion in 2008 saw Sport Chek move from its basement location to a large store fronting the south entrance. This made way for McNally Robinson to take over the location. The old food court on the second floor was expanded atop Sport Chek below.

As I have detailed here before, the mall still lacks a theme and is poorly organized. The food court is off to one side of the mall and lacks the great hall feeling that St. Vital Centre has. Women's fashion has no discernible groupings.

Still, after 50 years, Polo Park has survived and prospered. It will be interesting to see if it will be here 50 years from now.



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CB Hounslow United FC

CB Hounslow United 2 Knaphill 4 - Combined Counties League, Division One

Combined Counties League

Hounslow is the principal town in the London Borough of Hounslow. It is a suburban development situated 10.6 miles west south-west of Charing Cross. Hounslow grew up along both sides of the Great Western Road from London to the West Country and in 1211 the Order of the Holy Trinity built a priory at the western end of the High Street, on the site of the present church. These friars used one third of their tithes to pay for the release of hostages captured during the crusades. Edward I granted the Holy Trinity a charter allowing them to hold a weekly market and an annual fair where they levied duties on goods sold.

For some time I had been curious as to what the CB prefix to the Hounslow club's name stood for. One hopping acquaintance (Nic Adamou? - Ed) suggested Crawfords Biscuits. However the club website and match programme explain that CB stands for Cater Bank, the current Chairman's late father's company - an early sponsor.

To reach Osterley Sports Club I was able to follow the precise directions provided by Andy of Kent on his superb site. Specifically, Left out of Southall station into South Road, left at roundabout into Merrick Road, right at next roundabout to stay in Merrick Road, straight over next roundabout then left into Havelock Road, right into Poplar Avenue and over bridge, left to remain in Poplar Avenue and ground is opposite junction with Tentelow Lane at end. Excellent directions although I took a slight detour to walk via the towpath of the Grand Union canal (two Saturdays running following Kings Langley - Ed)

On reaching the Osterley Sports Club, it was a pleasant surprise to find a fully enclosed ground – not always a case in this division of the Combined Counties League. There is a clubhouse building, which serves as the changing facilities for the outside pitches too. There is also a functional licensed bar with satellite TV. It was at the bar that I was able to purchase a match programme (£1). At no other point was I asked to part with any additional cash and perhaps the programme covers admission for anyone honest enough to buy one.

An additional refreshment facility (tea, burgers & bacon rolls) is located in the car park, near the ‘turnstile’. The ground boasts cover on three sides with a substantial 4 rowed seated stand behind the goal at the clubhouse end. The club is ambitious and aspires to having a purpose built ground. For them to progress up the football pyramid this would be essential. However, I was impressed with the spirit of the place, everyone was friendly and they certainly make the best use of the facilities they have.

The match was a slow starter but by midway through the first period, visitors Knaphill FC had started to create some very good chances, some of which should have been converted. The goal free first period seemed to inspire the home side who started the second half in a far more assertive fashion. The decisive breakthrough came in the 62nd minute when a cross shot from the left found the net to give Knaphill the lead. Further goals within the next ten minutes sealed victory for the visitors who were able to relax and apply their passing game in the 79th minute a red card for a Hounslow player was severely contested by the individual. His threatening outburst indicated that he strongly disagreed with the decision.

As he made his way back to the changing facilities, he took a kick at a batch of water bottles sending them hurtling over the fence and flying past a startled Pieman. This journalist has experienced much over the years but it is some time since he has been so close to the action. However, I obliged in returning the said bottles (6) to appropriate area. A further Knaphill goal from the penalty spot on 85 minutes was surprisingly followed by two late strikes for the home side. An eventful end to the match!

Attendance: 30
Admission: ?
Programme: £1-00
Tea: 50p
Cheeseburger: £2-50
Fare: £5-00 (all Zone Travelcard with Goldcard discount)

Photographic Archive

Michael Vick

So in the interim of my long DCB hiatus, Michael Vick got released from two years of prison and house arrest for running a dogfighting ring, and has now signed with the Eagles.

Now, what Vick did was fairly reprehensible in a moral sense, though probably not too far removed from, say, running a greyhound racing track. He bred dogs in abusive circumstances for the purpose of adult entertainment and gambling purposes, and of course eventually killed off the animals that ceased to be useful.

According to pet owners, however, Vick basically shot the president, killed his kids and then skullraped their corpses. There is a subset of the population that wants Vick to never work gainfully or have any sort of a life ever again.

This is understandable in the sense that most pet owners have a maniacal, obsessive love for animals... and hold dogs and cats in an esteem they don't even grant their fellow human loved ones. It is this obsessive love that fuels the hateful bile of animal rights activism in general and organizations like PETA, which has come a long way from their rightful causes of the 80's (such as their villianization of orangutan trainer Bobby Berosini for beating his trained animals)... cultivating some outrageous causes to protest against over recent years.

So it's no surprise that they tirelessly vilify Michael Vick, and would not be a surprise if they chose to vilify him regardless of his penance paid or future actions for the rest of his life.

As morally reprehensible as his act was, animal lovers have painted Michael Vick as a far greater sociocultural enemy than he ultimately is. What he did was wrong and he served a career and life wrecking two year prison sentence as penance, which is justifiable. He leaves prison with dim career prospects, insurmountable personal debt and the negative social stigma of a felonious organized criminal. Oh yes, and genital herpes (though he had that well before his arrest). Prison's purpose is to break a life that has gained through wrongful terms, and it's clear that Michael Vick emerges from the punitive catacombs a man whose life is broken, possibly beyond repair.

But that's not enough for scorned dog lovers. With an obsession typically reserved for celebrity stalkers, PETA, pundits and citizens across America keep the torches lit and soaked in gasoline to further destroy and destroy and destroy any chance Michael Vick has at salvaging his life until there's nothing left to destroy but ashes that one of these nutbars will somehow chemically reconstitute into a destroyable form so that everyone has something to destroy in his name again. Frankly, I'm surprised someone hasn't tried to kill him yet.

At some point, dog lovers ought to accept that Michael Vick organized a criminally malicious dog fighting ring, was caught and has paid an uncanny penance whose scope stretches far beyond the legal terms of his sentence. And they ought to do the one thing they seem unwilling to do: Move on.

Let the man collect his relatively marginal paycheck (well, relative to NFL standards and relative to his millions of dollars in debt) to be a career backup. He wasn't a productive quarterback, and he's reaching an age where his durability and football skills will begin to diminish, if two years imprisoned haven't already began taking them away. His career is likely not long for the NFL, and there's likely no endorsement or TV deals waiting for him on the other side. Michael Vick will spend the rest of his life scrambling not downfield, but around millions of dollars in debt that will not be forgiven until everything to his name is liquidated and absorbed by all lending parties, leaving him a penniless man whose legacy is a stint of organized crime and the unforgiving bile of a large, dog obsessed segment of the American public.

Winnipeg South

One of the federal ridings to watch for the next election will be Winnipeg South. Rod Bruinooge won it handily in 2008 over John Loewen. The election in 2006 was a squeaker with Bruinooge taking it from Reg Alcock.

Talk about the future of Winnipeg South have come to the fore following Dan Lett's column in the Free Press about Terry Duguid vying for the Liberal nomination.

Duguid was a city councillor from 1989 to 1995. He has vied unsuccessfully for the mayor's chair, the legislature and the Commons. I'm sure there will be a lot made of these past attempts. Bruinooge took two turns to win. Doer took four to become premier.

Still, it is going to be a challenge for Duguid to appear fresh and innovative for people in the riding. He will have to get up to speed on the quickly changing Winnipeg South. New homes go up all the time and new people take up residence all the time.

Anyone who says they know who their constituents are or what they believe in is probably wrong. Some believe that the suburb is more conservative and that might be true but there is no evidence that is overly conservative.

Bruinooge has staked out an even greater position on social conservative issues, especially abortion. It could hurt him with some women voters.

Duguid doesn't have Dion around weighing down his campaign. He came very close in 2006 with Martin to taking a federal seat. If Ignatieff continues at his present strength, it isn't a stretch to say that Winnipeg South will be in play. A strong performance by Duguid coupled with a better national leader and policies will help the Liberal vote in the riding.

At the moment, the factor of incumbency favours Bruinooge. He will have to be careful in regards to his own personal stance on issues being out of tune with the riding. One factor he won't be able to control is how popular Harper is. This could be the anchor around Bruinooge's ankles.



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Kings Langley FC

Kings Langley 1 Ampthill Town 3 - Spartan South Midlands League, Division One

Spartan South Midlands League

Kings Langley is a historic English village 21 miles northwest of central London on the southern edge of the Chiltern Hills and now part of the London commuter belt. The major western portion lies in the borough of Dacorum and the east is in the Three Rivers district, both in the county of Hertfordshire, England. It was once the location of a Royal palace of the Plantagenet kings of England. The twelfth century parish church of All Saints houses the tomb of the first Duke of York. His first wife, Isabella of Castile, was buried in Kings Langley Manor House. The London orbital motorway, the M25, passes just south of the village (Junction 20) on an imposing viaduct across the River Gade valley.

Kings Langley was the home of the makers of Ovaltine and the listed factory facade is now all that is left and still stands alongside the railway line among a new housing development. The Ovaltine factory itself has recently been converted into a series of flats and duplexes. Ovaltine was based on the vitamin-rich properties of malt extract and combined with Milk, Eggs and Cocoa it quickly became recognised as an ideal combination of essentials nutrients in a delicious and satisfying warm drink.

Kings Langley FC spent the majority of their history in the Herts County League, they joined the Spartan South Midlands League in 2001, and are currently members of Division One. My 'competitive' season is now up and running following my trip to Gaywood Park, the home of Kings Langley FC. I travelled via London Euston from where the journey takes just over 20 minutes.

On reaching Kings Langley, I took a detour in order to get a photograph of the Ovaltine development. This building will be sight familiar to thousands who have travelled on the main West Coast route over the years. The railway and the Grand Union Canal dissect Kings Langley. Effectively I had two options to reach the ground. Rather than backtracking towards the station, I continued along Railway Terrace as far as Nash Mills, turning left along Red Lion Lane, over the Grand Union Canal and left along Hempstead Road. This route takes you past a couple of decent looking pubs.

Gaywood Park is easy to spot from the main road as the club now have floodlights in place. Promotion to the top division was denied last season despite the club clinching the runners up spot. The required ground improvements being completed too late. However, from the comments of others, it is clear to see that major improvements have been made. On entry to the ground there is clubhouse containing a bar and tea bar hatch. The changing facilities are also housed in the block with the car park adjacent.

An extended wooden stand, containing bench seats is situated along the Hempstead Road side of the pitch. Currently it will be possible for 100+ spectators to view proceedings from there under cover and I have to say, the view was decent, providing shelter from the scorching sun! The opposite side of the ground, where the dugouts are situated backs on to the Grand Union Canal, with the West Coast main line crossing the waterway just north of the ground.

This match was slow to get going only livened up on 16 minutes when the home side took the lead with a fine volley. With further chances to increase the lead spurned, the visitors took the initiative and netted a 37th minute leveller with a tap in at the far post following a cross from the right. In the second period, Kings Langley again had chances to score but were made to regret not doing so when they were reduced to ten men with ten minutes to play. A handball on the line saw the resulting penalty converted and visitors Ampthill Town FC secured victory with a 3rd strike after 86 minutes.

Gaywood Park is good venue for watching the beautiful game, the people are friendly and the improving facilities will certainly assist the club’s ambitions. On leaving the ground I walked in the Watford direction along Hempstead Road, through the village centre where there are a few more pubs, fish and chips and an Indian restaurant recommended by a colleague. Heading in the direction of the imposing M25 viaduct, I turned left along Station Footpath, crossing the Grand Union Canal and up to the railway station. This particular match was late starting (something about a goalie’s jersey) and did not end until nearly 16:55. An earlier conclusion would have given me a sporting chance of catching the 17:11 train. However, the 17:41 still got me into Euston at a decent hour and I was back at Cheshunt before 7pm – a decent excursion.

Attendance: 45
Admission: £3
Programme: with admission
Tea (in a mug): 60p
Chesseburger: £2-00
Fare: £7-60 (All Zone Travelcard £5-00 + Day return Zone 6 - Kings Langley £2-60. Both with Goldcard discount)

Photographic Archive