Being Nicky Law: The secret diary of a City manager

By James Ramsden. Sunday 01 December, 2002

Week Three

Monday 28th October

Monday morning blues - it's hard work getting up in the morning once the clocks have been changed, Mind you it was very hard work this morning, due to the fact that the Mrs had put the clocks forwards instead of back - I'm walking round the house, having me honey nut loops, and I'm thinking 'its supposed to be easier getting up, and lighter too'. When I got into the office at 8.30am (half an hour early cos of the lack of traffic) everything was shut. I only realised what had happened, when by pure luck, Cadz comes round the corner - he'd been to an all night rave and then on to a lap dancing club club before he was asked to leave - he then told me it was only 6.30am - nightmare! Couldn't be bothered to go back to the house, so I got changed in the car park and went for a run down Mannigham Lane, got to keep fit, like I say - I could end up playing this week with all our injury worries.

Tuesday 29th October

Down to Reading today, so we watched episodes of 'The Office' to get us in the mood. Most of the team, with the exception on Juanjo, agreed that David Brent was a very similar standard of manager to Jim Jeffries. Couldn't believe we lost, especially as Banksy looked so good in goals today - he'd had a new haircut and shave especially for the trip. Still Brighton tommorrow, we're not gonna lose that one - I fact I'm so confident, I've bet the lads that if we do lose, I'll run down the beach with my Y fronts on my head.

Wednesday 30th October

So, Bradford haven't won through to the next stage of 'City of Culture'. My Mrs was quite upset by this, as she was hoping we would win it, so that the city could turn into a sort of cool capital. She keeps harping on about that England should have a more 'laid back attitude' like Amsterdam, Stokholm or Copenhagen. She's never been to these places, but she mentions that she has seen them on videos and read about them in her magazines. Whatever videos they are - as far as I'm aware, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves is her favourite film - and that's filmed in America. Disturbing news, my Mrs also informed me that Brighton is apparently the UK's premier gay resort.

Thursday 31 October

Ok, I'm getting a bit worried about my bet. Standing, Myers and Gus are all injured for the game against Brighton on Saturday. I went onto the website to check out Brighton's 'nightlife' and I was shocked - in my day, a gay nightclub meant a happy, jolly nightclub. In my day, a darkroom was somewhere where you developed photo's, and in my day, watersports meant water ski ing and jet biking. I tried to cancel the bet, but the boys didn't have any of it. At least if we do lose, there won't be much of a crowd, because according to the website, most blokes in Brighton enjoy supporting Fulham.

Friday 1st November

Ok, really worried now after Paul Evans told me that most blokes in Brighton do not support Fulham. In my day, Cottagers were people who supported Fulham. Think we won't go down the extra night, and just travel down in the morning.

Saturday 2nd November

I will not be writing in my diary for some time. I need to get certain events into perspective, and certain details out of my mind. My therapist has advised that writing things down on paper may improve things, but I think it is a bit early yet. I'm going to walk before I run ( to be honest, I can't even sit down, let alone walk). I should be able to sum things up and start thinking straight (literally) in about a month. In the meantime, I apologise for any dismal run of defeats that we go through. I just need time to focus on what has happened to me during the last 24hrs.

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