Enlarge for best view, if you have time. Thank you
Friday, 6th – Gozo. What a fun night out we ended with on Friday. After leaving the theatre we drove to Nadur to a quiet little bar and restaurant for a meal. On the walls I saw an English soccer flag and other soccer memorabilia. The restaurant owner was going round the tables talking to his patrons and sometimes serving food so I said to him “You support English football from what I see”. He said “It’s Stoke City – I have supported that team since I was 9 years old.” Then I told him that my son lived for some years close to Stoke and I have been to Stoke several times and to the football club’s souvenir shop. I told him that for that reason I had some sympathy for the club. At that he was so excited to meet another Maltese Stoke ‘supporter’ - I think he is the only one on our islands. We had such a buzz time talking and chatting – at that stage, I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I don’t actually support any particular English team. At one time he even pulled out some Stoke memorabilia to show me and we took this photo to commemorate our meeting (I am the one on the left). I have sent him this (unframed) and another photo for him to keep. Next time I go to Gozo I will visit him and I’m sure I will see the pictures hanging on one of the walls of his establishment. BTW on the food menu he even has a pizza which he has named Stokey.
Joke: THIS IS FOR MY FRIEND PHIL. Dougie Freedman, ex-Bolton Wanderers Manager couldn’t make his team win a game for many days. Supporters were on the warpath against him for the poor performance of their side.
One Monday morning, after another defeat, he was wheeling his shopping trolley across the supermarket car park when he noticed an old lady struggling with her shopping.
He stopped and asked, "Can you manage dear?" to which the old lady replied, "no way - you got yourself into this mess, don't ask me to sort it out!"
Thank you very much for looking and for your lovely comments on yesterday's picture.
Great pic dione and thnx for the dedication :-)
i will post a longer reply when inam home tonight as i have quite a tale to tell about (2011, bolton v stoke)
Looked like a fun night Dione and great information, I was in The Merchant Navy and sailed with a Lad from Malta, his name was Larry Lorento, he loved football but his best sport was Dog Racing, he live in London at one time with his father who owned several Racing Greyhounds.
well dione bolton v stoke city has bad memories for me
we lost in the FA Cup semi final in April 2011 , FIVE nil
that was the begining of the end for us, we have gone down hill ever since. we drew 2-2 in may 2012 at stoke (when we had to win to stay in the premiere league)
Well, it looks like you have become an Stoke supporter by default! But how fun to make a friend through soccer. You will have to show him one of your team photos in the future.
i will post a longer reply when inam home tonight as i have quite a tale to tell about (2011, bolton v stoke)
we lost in the FA Cup semi final in April 2011 , FIVE nil
that was the begining of the end for us, we have gone down hill ever since. we drew 2-2 in may 2012 at stoke (when we had to win to stay in the premiere league)
Here are two shots from the wembley nightmare in 2011
http://365project.org/phil_howcroft/365/2011-04-17
http://365project.org/phil_howcroft/365/2011-04-18