Erithacus

It comes down to the definition of a club. On the one hand it is a clearly defined and legally-binding organisation, with rights and responsiblities apportioned to those who are the legal owner/s. This is a well trodden path. The other hand: a club is a gathering of people with like minds, hearts and souls. It makes little legal sense but it is nevertheless also a well-trodden path that we all feel is truth. We all feel a kinship, a comradeship and common passion, despite having no real legally accepted substance. Which aspect of a club you deal with depends on which end you look from.

Big Ben takes a Bow. Won't be a Steeler championship to round off the career - unless he sticks around for another year? One of the youngest QBs to hold the Lombardi, but that seems such a long time ago now.

Crazy finish at AT&T! Talk about don't give the officials a chance to ruin your day. Cowboys were giving away penalties all game but in the end they made it difficult for themsleves with some amateurish plays. Sort of redolent of the nonsense that took out the Raiders earlier.

Chargers-Raiders game was nuts. I bet the Steeler fans couldn't sit down all game - like their britches were full of fire ants. And yours too, Giffy?

This thread seems to need a little reinvigoration. After tonight's weak and exasperating displays from teams like the Colts, it's finally got to the stage where I can feel the pain in the 49ers-Rams overtime period. Some very beaten and tired bodies out there, giving whatever is left in the tank. Hearts and souls on display - just what the NFL delivers best.

There was a tsunami in Burnham a few years ago - it caused over £1million worth of improvements.

Indeed. Keys v Briz on Monday, 3pm. Got to be a good one.

Went to see Bris v Ashton & Backwell down Ironmold Lane. Home side won 4-0, with hat-trick at the finish. Healthy crowd over 200 too. Checking the fixture list for the coming week.

Merry Christmas to all from this side of midnight, wherever you may be.

Hmmm, it's just gone midnight (GMT) and old Santa has had to circle to the east of the Shetland Isles. Is it something to do with Covid passports? Either way, he's dropped to 261 kts and is going to be a bit late this year. Maybe one of the reindeer has pulled a hammy or summat.

I note Santa and the gang are currently at 38,000ft over the Ukraine border, doing a leisurely 569kts and at the same altitude as other commercial flights. Presumably he has priority and Rudolph's beacon will give sufficient warning. I hope there won't be a problem or else Santa might end up on a National Geographic episode.

I saw him give a talk at the M Shed rooms a few years ago. He was a really down to earth and humble bloke, with a good sense of perspective (something modern footballers seem to struggle with). It is quite a story, not only of his route through football but also the story of post-war Bristol. Times we will not see again, I suspect.

Poor old Jethro. He lived every day as if it were his last - and on December 14th he was right.

Interesting the Women decide to effectively lockdown now, yet the Men don't, despite them playing more games. Perhaps it is something to do with the impact of lost income?

Some might say Rodgers' ball-handling skills are unbeatable. I'll leave it there...

Steven Joyce has a long history in this area: he created a number of works whilst at Spike Island, and his portfolio includes the fireman statue by the old fire station on Temple Back and well as the prominent Rodin-esque sculpture of Cabot by the Arnolfini. Also close to the Pets' Paradise is this one in St John's old churchyard off East Street:

Apparently it's some sort of motorbike madness, jumping around all over the place. Sort of Evel Knievel/Eddy Kidd stuff? I know, showing my age now.

I thought for a moment we were resigning some old players, but has anyone seen them? What is their show like?

Sad to learn of this. Our family were big fans for many years and we had a big stack of videos/DVDs to amuse us. Went to see him down the Hippodrome on a few occasions and I last saw him playing in Salisbury year 1 B.C. (Before Covid). He was walking among the crowd and taking selfies with everyone before and after the show; he really was a very down-to-earth person and disliked all that show biz flummery. Although he did confuse a few gags that night (he mentioned his memory was not as good) it was a merry evening and everyone loved his special way. Sad that he didn't have a chance to carry on his tour when the lockdown happened, as it turned out to be his last nights. Often said he would announce his retirement and play his final appearance at the Hippodrome (mind you, that often changed according to where he was at the time!). Not to be, regrettably. As a young man he played for Newquay and Penzance rugby club. He also owned a stable as well as a night club, which were his great passions - a proper countryman. I'll leave with one gag that springs to mind (although there are hundreds I could choose from): I went to a flower shop; behind the desk was a woman. I said 'I'd like a bunch of a dozen roses.' She looked at me and said 'I'm sorry, sir, I think you are under a misapprehension. This isn't a florist's, this is the sexually transmitted disease clinic.' I said 'But you've got loads of flowers in the window!' She said, What do you suggest we put in the window?' R.I.P. Jethro Chriiiist

I used to follow F1 more in my younger days, less so of late, but I am struggling to understand the sport now. It seems the mere glory of racing has become a side-show to the off-the-track games.

Can't wait for the movie of this to come out.

A comfortable win for CIty - don't think the visitors were keen to return here after the league game. Some interesting changes in the starting line-up but the match took place almost entirely in the Lewes half. Shame to see their player being taken off the field on the buggy, sounded a nasty one.

Strikes me this season how many leading teams have lost a handful of games, whereas in years gone by top seeds would be 15-1 or 14-2. Best currently is the Cards, who have gone about their business quietly but effectively. Could be anyone's guess who'll get to the big game.

The stewards and their metal scanners obviously don't pick up smoke flares either - must be made of cardboard.

Whilst it's always been part of the game, the modern professional era has evolved it as a whole sport in itself. I reckon there must be a Hogwart's School for Football Dark Arts. Whilst it's always been part of the game, the modern professional era has evolved it as a whole sport in itself. I reckon there must be a Hogwart's School for Football Dark Arts.