GREASEY 'UNS v TANGERINES

It is Rogation Sunday and I was tempted out into the country side to "ask" his Lordship for help with the local harvests and animal births and to thank him for what is being given to us. In fact I went on a walk with the Church, sort of "beat the bounds", sang a few hymns, had a prayer and a reading and finished of with  a bit of refreshment in the St Anne's church.

I then rushed home to catch up with another "religious" ceremony, that of the Division two play off final between Blackpool and Exeter City at the "Cathedral", Wembley. After yesterday's brilliant cup final, could we be given anymore excitement?

Well the match went well, Blackpool went ahead, Exeter drew level and Blackpool nipped in with a winner before extra time etc. My sympathies were with Exeter but I was really pleased to see the "Seasiders" (sometimes known as the Tangerines) victorious after all the issues their fans have had to put up with over the past few years. Blackpool was also my favourite club when I was a youngster because Stanley Matthews played for them 9work that out!). I soon grew up and followed Spurs, because they were GOOD!

Both teams emerged from the Play Off semi-finals having survived home and away ties each worth 11 goals in total, so we were expecting a goal bonanza. There was plenty of action.

Exeter of course has had quite enough excitement this rugby season as the Chiefs have confounded all the odds, so did they deserve any more.

Exeter manager, Paul Tisdale is the second longest serving boss in the Football League (after Wenger). Having joined up with the Grecians in 2006, he had made his managerial name with Team Bath-a university side that had a bit of luck in the FA Cup. He is regarded as a snappy dresser and has the backing of Football Director, Steve Perryman MBE, who has brought his wealth of knowledge to the Grecians after being shunned at Spurs. That's another story.

Why the Grecians? Well since I am in classical mood (did you spot the "rogare"link? It means to ask) So that is why I was having a Rogation day.

Exeter may have been named from the Welsh for the settlement, "Caerwysg" meaning fort on the Exe (the river). The Cornish equivalent is "Karesk", so a west country link there. This was often translated as "Caer Iscuns" which apparently sounds like "Grecians".......hmmmm.

The other explanation for Grecians might be from some local scallywags known as "Greasey 'Uns", who lived in the St Sidwell's district of Exeter near the ground, St Jame's Park. Rivalries between the groups of city boys often took place when the St Sidwell's boys were "beating the bounds". That happens on Rogation Sunday. YES-LINK!!

I could go into the "Illiad" as Greek forces laid siege to the city of Troy, but I will spare you that..

Blackpool's "philology" (the study of placenames) is less confused; not much to explain is there? Black water from a local stream into the Irish sea sourced from peat bogs disgorging dark water, as with Dubn Linn (Dublin) in Irish which means the same). You never stop learning.

Manager Gary Bowyer only took over in the summer 2016 and has dragged the club up the league to financial promotion. All credit to him and maybe credit in the bank?
He is the son of ex-Nottingham Forest player Ian Bowyer. Gary as a young lad once took on Brian Clough at Forest asking him why he wasn't picking his Dad! Not clear what the response was.

Well the Blackpool club has put some of its worries behind it and let us hope they get some rich rewards in Division One. KIt might dig them out of the mess linked below.
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/blackpools-day-of-judgement.html