Secret Diary - 06-12 Aug
Monday, 13th Aug 2001 00:00

John's Secret Diary - 6 to 12 August 2001

Monday 6th August

There was a funny smell around the place this morning. Alan said it was something to do with the smoking grass at the Jamaican game. I told him that I watched the whole game and the grass looked fine to me but I guess that someone must have set a bit of it on fire before the game finished.

Tuesday 7th August

A nice easy day. We had a friendly against Hazard county in the evening - I was a little surprised to see that Bo and Luke Duke weren't playing but I don't think it would have made any difference as we won 5-1. It was really six but we missed the penalty. As I said we managed to go all pre-season unbeaten bar a couple of glitches.

Wednesday 8th August

Something strange arrived in the post this morning. Amongst my many fan letters from supporters there was one letter which enclosed a 'Boy's own book of football tactics' Now as much as I like minty sweets, these are one of my least favourites and I prefer things like Extra Strong Mints. I gave them to Alan instead who muttered something about 'friggin mental' to which I replied that menthol was much more freshening in flavour than mint. I'm sure Alan is losing it.

Thursday 9th August

The football season starts in two days. I love the new football season. Over the last two years I feel we have taken two steps forward and one step back. Alan says that if we keep going like that then I should be able to walk as far as the door by 2013. I asked him if it could be any earlier as I wanted to be there when EastEnders finished.

Friday 10th August

Mr Lewis has been on the internet answering some questions and talking to the fans. I thought I would have a go and sat in that Mr Owen's chair for a couple of hours but nobody answered me after I spoke to his PC. They must all have been busy speaking to Mr Lewis.

Saturday 11th August

The first day of the league season. We won 3-1 at Macclesfield - I used to love those Maccles cakes when I was younger - the currants were superb. I was a little disappointed to see that they did not have any for sale in the ground. It was a big co-incidence that there were a lot of people from Swansea there I wouldn't have thought Macclesfield was that popular a place.

Sunday 12th August

We went into training in the morning today and then I gave the players the rest of the day off. A couple of them had injuries from yesterday. Gareth Phillips had a dead leg which was quite sad but he seemed a little surprised when we buried in the goal under the East stand. It was quite a nice ceremony but Gareth seemed reluctant to leave when we all did. I told Alan that we shouldn't have placed cement in the hole.