Neil Rimmer: Barnet of the Century?

The author is aware that this site is in danger of becoming a simple match reports blog, but what can you do? Time’s a bitch, and I’m her slave. Wait, that sounded a bit weird – weirder even than Paul Scharner’s forthcoming 70s afro (you heard it here first!).

Just a quick reminder that you can check out some of the guest posts I’ve been doing over at Notapatchon – there’s not much difference between the drivel I post here and what I write for the blog over there. I have to say right now that NAPO is rapidly becoming my favourite Wigan Athletic fansite. I do quite like Cockney Latic, which is marginally more active, but in general I prefer stalking the forum at NAPO, probably because it feels more homely and welcoming.

The new Mudhutter Football Express is out this weekend, sold on the bridge and all the usual places the club officials can’t usher them away from. Unfortunately I don’t have an article in there this edition – you can put that down to sheer laziness and the fact I only felt really compelled to write after the Hull game. Otherwise, I’ve been saving content that usually would have gone to the MFE for here or the aforementioned NAPO. But enough o’ that site, it’s already had its plug.

If there’s anyone out there in webland that actually found my article on Latics’ new Tangerine Dream away kit entertaining, I will personally buy them a pint (of water) in the Brickmakers.

Despite the relative lack of updates here, I’ve been active over at Retro Yakking, moaning about the recent England web-broadcast match. If you feel so compelled, check some of those out, if anything to prove to yourself that I have not moved to Mongolia or something. Yeah, as you can see I have a whole load of projects on the go so you’ll have to ‘encourage’ me that it’s in my best interest to write here more often.

A final thank you to the Hull fans that commented on the previous post, the ones that took time out of their day and comment on some second-rate Will Philkinson wannabe’s blog. You’re what makes the earth go round!

That bit wasn’t meant in a sarcastic manner. I really mean it. I like it when I ruffle feathers.

Image used with no permission from wiganlatics.co.uk.

I used to buy matchday programmes religiously, until I came to my senses.

These days I instead use the cash to pay for the Latics Player (formerly Latics World) to get phone quality, induction loop commentary live from all the away games. Well, I am being a bit harsh there as the quality really has picked up since the days of Matt McCann mumbling about half time pies, and I’m going to leave a critique on that for another day.

Apart from that, I also buy the club fanzine whenever I can. A few years back, when the Cockney Latic was in its heyday, I’d enjoy thumbing through the pages of endless rants on David Graham and Geoff Horsfield by Les Bagg and the like. Not long ago, the name changed to the Mudhutter Football Express, but the content remained just as irreverent and opinionated as ever.

Don’t know why I never offered to write anything for it myself, maybe it’s my overall apathy and ‘let someone else do it attitude’ (which, I am reliably informed, puts me well on the road to becoming Prime Minister). Well, I’ve finally pulled my finger out and scribbled something for the new edition. It’s by no means perfect and a bit Motty-esque in places but still worth a look, even if I do say so myself.

Be sure to pick up the new season’s first issue of the Mudhutter Football Express, on sale this Saturday before the Man United game from all the usual places such as The Brickmakers, WH Smith (if they’re still open) and, of course, the bridge. My article is entitled ‘Tangerine Dream’ and appears under my Hindleyite pseudonym (which, by all accounts, was created wholly by myself and is in no way derivative of other, less original monikers).

For your convenience, you can now also subscribe to the MFE. Mint, eh?