PHILINFRANCE

My thoughts entirely. I posted yesterday with my understanding as to the origin of the word, and I believe this to be correct. Nevertheless, interpretations and meanings of words change with time, as you say; indeed, they also change due to geographical location (think fag) and context. This is what makes etymology so interesting - if one is that way inclined. In so far as it concerns football, it appears to be widely (if, perhaps, erroneously) accepted that the term 'journeyman footballer' refers to a player of limited (average?) ability who has played for a number of clubs. Steve Claridge, for example, played for numerous clubs throughout a long, if not particularly distinguished, career, which, by extension, required him to travel to numerous towns - an average, widely-travelled player; thus, by today's definition, a journeyman footballer. Our own Chris Martin, who has played for nine clubs, including loans, was described yesterday by the BBC as 'something of a journeyman', although, as he has scored 140 goals and received 17 international caps (3 goals), one might question as to whether he would only be considered 'average'. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also played for nine clubs, throughout Europe and The USA, scoring more than 500 goals and receiving 120 caps (and scoring 62 goals). I don't think I have ever heard anybody describe him as a 'journeyman footballer', however, despite being widely-travelled, thus giving credence to the idea that a journeyman footballer, as well as playing for a large number of clubs, must be of limited ability only. Finally, still in a football context, I see that ex-City manager Roy Hodgson appears set to be named as Watford's new manager. It is stated that this will be Roy's 17th club, in many different towns and countries, so he is widely-travelled by any definition. In my opinion, Roy Hodgson is certainly a distinguished gentleman and, of course, was manager of both Switzerland and England for several years, albeit with only limited success as England's manager. Similarly, whilst Roy achieved success in Europe, he failed to win a trophy during his English club career. So, Roy Hodgson CBE. A distinguished gentleman who has enjoyed a long, if not particularly spectacular, career as a football manager; somewhat average, one might say (with tongue firmly in cheek). Would anybody really describe the average, widely-travelled Roy Hodgson as a 'journeyman football manager' ??

He even manages to get in a none too subtle dig at Mike Dean ?.

New Opportunities and Horizons. I thought I had some vague recollection of reading something about this charity, but couldn't remember what. So I looked them up. Quite an interesting and humbling background, with a minor connection to Bristol. In case anybody is interested. https://noahenterprise.org/who-we-are/history/

I always thought of Blackpool as playing in orange shirts, so was disappointed when I first saw them at Ashton Gate as they played in white. I must say, though, the kit did look very nice, and it was wonderful watching Alan Skirton, who played very well and later signed for City.

Reports coming through that there has been a military coup in Burkina Faso. I wonder how that will affect their team's morale.

Unfortunately, charming and loveable as he is, it would seem (Leicester notwithstanding) that he is not that good a manager. I suppose he will be off to Everton now ?.

I must be honest; I really don’t know the programme. When I came back to the UK many years ago (I have been back since), I recall my already aged mother watching an episode, but she wasn’t really able to explain to me the point (no pun intended) of the game - I imagine the title has a lot to do with it.

So you would have learned about Mayotte, then, the fourth island - my main introduction to The Comoros. How did you get on, on Pointless?

I think it is more because it is toxic - I can't really remember the details, but I do recall when I asked whether the fish after which their football team was named was a delicacy, I was met with looks of disgust and much disdainful 'rubbing of tummies' . Should Gambia win, that would be another upset.

Hmmm.... Not recommended ?. Best stick with cod.

I posted previously (page 2) about The Comoros, a small group of islands in the Indian Ocean, and how they have a quite sizeable presence in France - mainly Marseilles, but also in Paris. For various (professional) reasons, I have had cause to meet with quite a few of them over the years and, on a few occasions, have frequented some of their local bars; unfortunately, not in one of the most salubrious areas of Paris. Whilst I have not been to the area recently, I am sure the bars and restaurants will be rocking this evening.

Excellent!

It would seem the rules are slightly more onerous. But Caf rules state a player who tests positive for coronavirus must isolate for five days before taking another PCR test 48 hours before his side's next match. But, as you say, a win for bureaucracy.

What a lovely story, on so many levels.

Very likely. As I said in my earlier post, whilst the 'dayworkers' were skilled, they were generally limited to one particular skill - perhaps this is where the suggestion comes from that (in a football sense) they were of limited ability. So, as you suggest, they were probably 'average' in the sense that, were they any better then, presumably, they would have started their own business closer to home with regular employment and orders, thus avoiding the necessity to travel across France looking for limited, unguaranteed work on a daily basis.

An interesting article, including an interesting sentence ?. Martin is something of a journeyman in the EFL, having played for nine different clubs during his 15-year career, scoring 155 goals in all competitions.

That is probably the closest 'definition' to the real meaning of the word. To understand properly, it is necessary to forget any connection to the word 'journey'; for journeyman has its origins in the French word 'Journée', meaning day. Centuries ago, skilled tradesmen (roofers, brickmasons and the like) would travel throughout France offering their services on a daily basis. They were self-employed and skilled, although generally limited to one particular skill - perhaps this is where the suggestion comes from that (in a football sense) they were of limited ability. Once they had finished the job, they would move on to the next town seeking work on a similar basis, i.e. to be paid for a day's work. So there you are. A skilled man was paid for his services on a daily basis, a 'journée', hence the term 'journéeman', and one can only assume that the travelling from town to town part has led, in football terms, to the term being applied to a player who has moved around supplying his trade to various employers.

And if the wide off the second ball of the last over had been called a wide, as it should have been....

Very generous of you.

I meant to say that yesterday. The referee was receiving a lot of stick on here pre-match, based on previous performances, but I thought he (and his officials) were very good yesterday.

Of course, but Rovers fans would have been congregating at Temple Meads (Bristol) before leaving for Swindon - I should assume there was a large presence of Police at Temple Meads waving the Rovers fans off to Swindon (Wiltshire). Are you sure, or was he perhaps stopped to savour the delicacies?

I think you'll find he came on with 15 or so minutes to play.

Once he'd changed his Scottish ancestry....

To be fair, their 'normal' fans appear rightly disgusted. Ashton Gate was a breath of fresh air for me today. Bristol City deserve to be commended for their outside fanzone style atmosphere and the welcome offered to me and my son in all areas. We had space around us in the stand and access to a pitchside snack bar. It was disappointing then to hear about the toilets being smashed and to see young lads having their collar felt for anti social behaviour outside the ground. 15 - 20 year olds giving it large and thinking they have the right to be offensive. Also seeing middle to late aged men with rage in their eyes towards other similar aged men because they support another football team. One in particular was right in the face of a Bristol City fan for no reason other than machismo was trying to intimidate and provoke a fella who was with his young son. I know Bristol have caused enough trouble themselves at times but it was some of our lot who disappointed today under the stands and when in contact with the locals.

24/4. That's what happens when you spend too much time trying ro improve red ball cricket.