Oh well ...

My pre-season friendly featuring the team I have supported since I was a boy has been cancelled.

Instead I have been retained for the replacement fixture featuring a Unibond side vs the only team from the North East of England who still play in the English Premier League. I have lost the opportunity of working with Chuckle Elder as the game is on a different day, but I am now out with Mr H ... that will be a treat! So I've lost my dream team and favourite colleague but I get a higher quality team and an established FL referee - happy days!

As for the Achilles injury incurred on Friday, it seems to have been eased. It flared up again this afternoon after taking the dog, boy and Mrs on a walk for an hour around a local park. I think it's the high heel support on the brand of trainers I wear that's causing the problem. I wear the same brand of boots during the season, which would explain the lump and swelling on both Achilles!