Met up with Big Syd today! It was great to see him smiling, despite everything he has been going through. Looking forward to catching up with him again on the 28th of November for the David Lawrence Cricket Dinner ๐ #keepsmiling
In honour of those who have lost their lives in conflicts around the world, we pause to remember and reflect.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
#FelstedRespects#RemembranceDay#LestWeForget
As Black History Month draws to a close, in this month's blog I reflect on the career of the Gloucestershire and England fast bowler, David 'Syd' Lawrence...
https://t.co/71E37rHJS0
In my latest blog, I have finally worked out what to say about the magnificent career of Jimmy Anderson!
https://t.co/71E37rIhHy
Btw, does anybody which famous Aussie cricketer is depicted in this statue, snapped during my recent visit to the SCG?
I suggested to my H last night that we watch another episode of #Nightsleeper he shrugged his shoulders, saying he wasn't really bothered and had some jobs to do anyway.
2 hours later and we were on episode 5...๐
Gareth Southgate steps down as England manager. He transformed the nationโs fortunes in his 8 years in charge. He made us contenders again even without the same quality of players as we had in 98 and 04. A man with class as well as a superb manager. A tough act to follow.
I covered #England under 10 managers, including some caretakers, very august names and figures among them. Not one of them achieved what #GarethSouthgate has, some with potentially exceptional sides in 98, 06 and 10.
(Venables might have, but couldn't swallow his pride and do a Euro 96 'audition', though it was really the FA suits fault for insisting he did.)
Worth remembering too, that England failed to qualify for a Euros and three World Cups in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Not only is Southgate's record of achievement quite brilliant, he did it with enlightenment, by developing and empowering young men, showcasing them as shining representatives of a diverse and - largely - tolerant nation, partly bolstering a nation's self-esteem in some dark years and ridding the national team of a world-weariness.
There are those who called him woke. He certainly woke English football. The 'Dear England' letter was a masterstroke.
There were mistakes, moments he missed, opportunities that slipped through his fingers. He will surely reflect on them more than anybody.
They are not for today, nor does today belong to those who have been vilifying this most honourable, articulate and steadfast of men for perceived failures that really aren't.
Today is for him to be assured that those who have any realistic sense of English football's history and standing, and who appreciate a return to being able to hold heads high, are humbly grateful for his eight years of inspired, yeoman service.
In this month's Red Ball Radical blog, I preview the Test Match summer and draw some historical parallels with year I first became a proper cricket fan-1986!
https://t.co/71E37rHJS0
It's the 2nd Birthday of the release of DCI Dani Bevan #14 When All Is Dark! ๐๐๐๐ Currently the last of the Dani Bevan series. If you haven't got to this one yet, I'll give nothing away! ๐ค๐ค #books#crimenovels
https://t.co/cma1MhDweA
Looking for a new read? My DCI Dani Bevan Series and Imogen and Hugh Croft Mystery series have been read over 300,000 times worldwide. Great characters and top notch plots. Give them a try! #books#crimenovels
This is no April Fool! You can buy any of my books on Kindle for only ยฃ1.99 or read for free on Kindle Unlimited, whether it be the 14 title DCI Dani Bevan detective series, the 8 book Imogen and Hugh Croft Mysteries series, or my standalone psychological thriller, which is 99p!!
In this month's Red Ball Radical blog I take a closer look at Ireland's first ever Test victory which took place recently. It should be an interesting read, especially for Irish sports fans!
https://t.co/71E37rHJS0
In this month's blog, I take a closer look at Shamar Joseph's recent cricketing heroics for the West Indies and what they might mean for the future of Test Cricket. #WestIndies#TestCricket
https://t.co/71E37rHJS0