Neil Gits No Goals

Here’s a conundrum for you ! How do you really enjoy a good day out on a Big Road Trip where almost everything goes smoothly, but at the end of the day you had fail to achieve a target you’d set yourself eight months ago ? Last Saturday I went on one of my longest journeys of the football season, a drive to Manchester and back to complete my mission to see a game in each of the top 15 divisions of the “Non League Football Pyramid”. It took some doing (and a LOT of petrol!) but come 5 o’clock last Saturday, on the final day of the regular National Game season, I’d done it – box ticked.

However, I had another ambition that ran alongside that project, but whereas getting to 15 football matches in 8 months was mainly in my own hands, subject to weather & traffic, this target could only be achieved by numerous teams of players who had (and still have!) no idea who I am or how much I was relying on their ability on the pitch. I was trying to get through the season by not seeing a goalless draw once ! This could partly be done by picking my chosen games wisely, but in reality it could happen any week anywhere, but up until last Saturday, at the 36th time of asking, with just four more games pencilled in my diary, two teams eventually drew a blank between them – I was absolutely gutted !

There I was, in some glorious Northern Sunshine, after a totally trouble free trip up the motorways that saw me actually arrive EARLY for once, enjoying the company of proper decent football fans, tucking into my tasty cheeseburger, whilst reading the match programme pre kick-off thinking “What can possibly go wrong? The next 4 matches are all cup ties, so there has to be a goal if only a penalty ! Come on lads !!” But those 22 lads had their minds on their summer hols on the beach and were playing as if they had their flip flops on already …

The visitors from Runcorn, based on the southern bank of the Mersey, supported very vocally in accents that definitely affiliated them with the City of Liverpool were enjoying a stress free day in the Manchester sun, just four miles from the “Theatre Of Dreams” with their side’s place in the edn of season play-offs cemented and the home team of Trafford FC having already sealed their highest league position ever. A toothless stalemate of a game ! One home player contrived to head wide of an open goal and the away goalkeeper somehow got himself sent off very late on, but still the white goalnets remained unruffled … oh well, c’est la vie.

You’ve probably zoned out on the fourth line of this blog at the mention of the word “football” so for those who have skipped past four paragrpahs and are only interested in what tunes I played last Monday, here is my latest playlist crammed full of fabulous soul, jazz-funk & disco goodies …

The Tunes – Monday 24th April 2023

Gladys Knight & The Pips-Come Back & Finish What You Started

Billy Paul – Thanks For Saving My Life

Sound Of Superbad ft Joyce San Mateo – You’re The Best Thing

Al Green – Sha La La La

Al Green – Take Me To The River

Down To Earth – In The Shadows Of The Night

Temptations-Do You Wanna Go With Me

Commodores – You’re Special

Sharon Redd – Beat The Street

Imagination – Music & Lights

Chic – I want Your Love (Groovefunkel Dub Mix)

Trammps – Soul Searchin’ Time

Marvelettes – You’re My Remedy

Herbie Hancock – Getting To The Good Part

La Toya Jackson – Camp Kuchi Kaiai

Rebbie Jackson – Centipede

Janet Jackson – All For You

Full Flava – Love Holds No Limit (Nigel Lowis Mix)

Sargent Tucker – Don’t You Blow It

Nat King Cole – Unforgettable

Jeffrey Osborne – Eenie Meenie

Terence Trent Darby – Dance Little Sister

Real Thing – You Can’t Force The Funk

Feel free to get in touch with your soulful request or just for a mention on the show – put a post on “The Old Gits Soul Show” page on Facebook, text (01268)833978 or message me via e-mail : [email protected].

The Old Gits Soul Show is broadcast LIVE from 7pm–9pm every Monday, repeated on Saturday evening from 5pm–7pm, on Gateway 97.8FM in Basildon & East Thurrock and available nationally via the Radio Player at Sky TV as well as online via www.gateway978.com You can listen on your smart speaker or your phone too … plus you can hear it again anytime you like via the “Listen Again” button on the Gateway website – just search “Cool Soul” !