Back to college. Frustration. Still delivering papers. Frustration. Receiving an employment rejection letter (from McDonald’s). More frustration.
Ice skating on Wednesdays was over and we were now promised some fun and frolic in the pool as water polo was our new option. I say ‘we,’ because I was doing my damnedest to remain part of the group and since ‘they’ had chosen water polo, so too had I. Hence the pronoun became ‘we.’
In other news, I report on parents’ evening – got off lightly; being alone in a room full of people – Industrial Studies; attendance at football and avoidance of football hooliganism – Shrewsbury v Cardiff; reporting on football matches; buying football tickets; buying crap records; and the start of the 1986/87 Ashes series in Australia which ultimately, England contrived to win.
Saturday 1 November 1986
It being Saturday, I went into town today.
To what I did in town, I make no reference. However, we did go to Tesco’s out of town, where I bought some black corduroy trousers which I wore about 3 times. I think this was mainly because they were fucking horrible.
In football news, Liverpool beat Norwich 6-2 whilst Shrewsbury Town lost 1-0 at Elland Road.
Sunday 2 November 1986
“Nice day – very sunny, but a little cold.”
So at least trudging those mean streets collecting the paper money wasn’t too uncomfortable!
This afternoon we had the delights of Everton losing 1-0 away at West Ham on BBC1. Alan Dickens’ header from Alan Devonshire’s corner did the damage.
In a Bunter/Woosterish turn of phrase, it was, I noted, “college tomorrow, worst luck!”
Monday 3 November 1986
God, the gloom was unremitting, wasn’t it.
“It seems like we’ve hardly been away from college, straight back to work with no let up.”
Really, what was I expecting? Some sort of holiday camp?! Perhaps, just perhaps, the 3 months that I had off over the summer had been poor training for the rest of my life? Yes, work is a four-letter word, and it’s the curse of the working classes, but did I really think that I had a choice?
Still, it would all be worth it. Wouldn’t it?
Tuesday 4 November 1986
“Nice day today. Bit boring though.”
In sports news today, I discovered that I had the water polo option for tomorrow’s recreation afternoon. Whoop and indeed de-doo!
Wednesday 5 November 1986
Wow! Some enthusiasm. “Water polo was an ace laugh.”
I was very annoyed at Nigel. I can’t remember why and at the time, I didn’t elaborate, suffice to say “Nigel bastard is getting on my nerves. Still, it’s not his fault he’s a twat.” Once again, you will notice how very articulate I was when I let rip… in my diary, just between the two of us.
In calmer moments both before and after water polo, we played pool. They were “good games.”
Thursday 6 November 1986
“Another duff day.”
Indeed. Thin pickings for you dear reader.
In [other] news, I reported that I was upset that there was still no reply from McDonalds, calling them by my current mot du mois, “bastards.”
It was parents’ evening tonight, and I was invited. I mentioned nothing regarding the fall out outcome. Mustn’t’ve been too bad.
Friday 7 November 1986
“Life saving was a doss, know what I mean?”
Then “Physics was bewildering,” and “Maths was dull.”
I dragged myself down to Gay Meadow to buy tickets for the Bob Wardle Testimonial between Shrewsbury Town and Liverpool which was due to be played on 16 December.
This was very chivalrous of me; in that I didn’t send Mum down there to pick them up!
And still no mention of last night’s parents’ evening so I must’ve got off scot-free.
Saturday 8 November 1986
Ah the weekend.
However, it was a “bad day weatherwise.” In the second Rugby League test match, GB were hammered by Australia 34-4 at Elland Road.
Liverpool beat QPR 3-1 to go top of the table and Shrewsbury Town drew 1-1 at home versus Plymouth Argyle.
I finally had a letter from McDonalds – it wasn’t good news. I started doing some revision for test week which I noted was still two weeks off.
Sunday 9 November 1986
Remembrance Sunday, UK
It was a “nice day until teatime when it started raining properly.”
We had guests for lunch and for tea. Dad’s mum and Mum’s mum’s mum – Granny and Great Granny as we called them. My Great Grandmother was born in 1896 so she was quite the article. Raised as a Methodist, she’d always frown on alcohol but always say ‘Oh, yes please,’ when offered a sherry on Christmas Day. Only a small one, mind.
You always had to mind your Ps and Qs around Great Granny. I don’t think that this was because of any puritanical streak, it was more that she had been in service since she had left school at fourteen so had always needed to mind her Ps and Qs. I guess that’s just how old ladies of a certain age were brought up and how the world [had] treated them.
Dad’s mum was as deaf as a post and seemed always to answer anything you said to her with ‘What?’ Whenever we’d go around to see her, the television was so loud that you couldn’t hear what you had said, never mind her. Oh, and it was always sweltering in her house, no matter what time of year it was.
Otherwise, it was a “boring day,” although I did do some homework.
Monday 10 November 1986
“Windy but otherwise ok.”
I noted that the “Maths pace [was] quickening, but I [was] hanging in there.”
Physics on the other hand was a different matter altogether. I had to do a write up of a practical tonight and I was a little bit lost.
Using a classic procrastinatory ruse, I had a bath between 5.30 and 6pm – nothing like hiding when there’s work to be done. Furthermore, I also watched another episode of The Story of English this evening – and I never once thought, ‘Shit I’m doing the wrong A Levels.’
Tuesday 11 November 1986
Remembrance Day, Canada Veterans Day, USA
Of course, in the UK we remember formally on the nearest Sunday 11 November.
However, of what happened today, 11 November 1986, I could remember nothing.
Wednesday 12 November 1986
You know, I just didn’t get the point.
In my (ultimately) failed A Level, Industrial Studies, I noted that we “played some boring old game about an orange factory and a green factory.”
My team won – perhaps more despite me being on the team, but then maybe because of me. I did really well in this subject throughout the two years but in the end, I failed it, and got an N grade. But I think I told you that already.
What I perhaps haven’t mentioned is the fact that this subject was the one area of the sixth form that I had actually struck out on my own. I knew nobody in this class. Consequently, I would not speak to anyone, nor would I even make eye contact.
I remember, we sat in a horseshoe arrangement with the teacher’s desk in the middle of the open end of the shoe at the front. I sat directly as you came in through the door. I sat there so that I didn’t have to communicate with anybody, not even to say excuse me if I had come in later than others.
Two lads sat diagonally opposite from me, and I felt incredibly intimidated by them. For a reason I cannot divine even now, I would constantly think that they were looking at me, watching my every move, which of course they weren’t. They couldn’t care less about me.
This paranoia that they were watching me was borne solely out of my chronic lack of self-confidence. It was nothing that they ever said or did.
Because of this paranoia, I would focus on the corner between the ceiling and the wall above the teacher’s head. I couldn’t even look at her.
This afternoon it was water polo again. Splish splash.
Thursday 13 November 1986
Today it “rained a lot and everyone got wet!”
I noted that today’s “Physics [lesson] was quite ‘easy’ after last week’s ‘outrage’.”
Why didn’t I pack it all in then if things were that difficult or boring? Should I have left off the A Levels for a year and started again next year doing ones that I really wanted to do?
God, imagine if I had done that and found a job somewhere? Built my confidence and earned some cash. I could have been a contender you know…
Friday 14 November 1986
Ah, a pleasing distraction.
The “First test [of the Ashes] started in Brisbane.” England were put into bat and had reached 198-2 at the close of the first day.
“Today,” (in England) it rained a lot and, “Maths was bewildering.” Ho hum!
Saturday 15 November 1986
“Shrewsbury [Town] beat Portsmouth 1-0 at [Gay Meadow].”
Arsenal went top of the league after their 4-0 drubbing of Southampton at The Dell. This was, hopefully, to be only until tomorrow afternoon, as Liverpool had a home game versus Sheffield Wednesday.
In Brisbane, England managed 456 all out – a bit of a let-down after the strong position at the close of the first day. IT Botham’s contribution was 138.
Sunday 16 November 1986
Liverpool drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday in the televised game from Anfield.
On 58 minutes, Ian Rush equalised Lee Chapman’s opener scored barely a minute before. The point was not enough to go above Arsenal.
England’s 456 all-out was now looking like quite a good score. Australia’s first innings garnered just 248, so they ended the second day on 2 without loss after being asked to follow on.
Monday would provide them some respite and/or allow contemplation of their first innings failure.
Monday 17 November 1986
This was a very black day.
My own Black Monday if you will. Quite why I did it, I’ll never know. What’s more, why I’m admitting it now is another thing.
Today, Monday 17 November 1986, I bought the 12″ version of Sinitta’s single, So Macho.*
What?! They included the 7″ version of her new single too, what a bonus! I think I knew it at the time that I had done wrong, my diary entry admitting, “Bit of a duff buy perhaps.”
No question mark, so I knew. I also noted that this was my tenth 12″ single and that I “may get [the] 7” of [Quo’s latest offering], In the Army Now.” I didn’t.
So much about me in the tiniest of pieces of commentary.
*I now cannot find either the 7″ or the 12″ of So Macho or the giveaway 7″ single I received with today’s purchase. They are, presumably, burning in hell.
Tuesday 18 November 1986
Was this my closest brush with football violence?
If you recall, Shrewsbury Town had drawn Cardiff City in the Littlewood’s Cup, and the winners would advance to the quarter-finals.
My brother and I were dropped off somewhere near Gay Meadow and then made our way into the ground, probably with about half an hour spare. The footballing fayre on offer that night was not particularly good, Second Division Shrewsbury huffed and puffed against their Division Four opponents. Cardiff, in fact, did create more chances and looked more likely to score.
A tad disgruntled, we were on our way out of the ground, when on 87 minutes, Bernard McNally, Shrewsbury’s Northern Irish international, scored the only goal of the game.
After a brief jump up and down, we wandered off to meet our lift home. Our visitors from the Welsh capital were less than enamoured with Bernard’s late strike, as I was to witness the following day.
Wednesday 19 November 1986
What are the causes of football violence? I mean, it can’t be just because you lose a game of kicking a bag of wind around, can it?
I only ask because, last night, frustrated at seeing their team snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, Cardiff City fans must have been mightily peeved about things.
Accordingly, after they were released from the Gay Meadow, some of them went on a bit of a rampage. I took a walk down to see the damage at lunch time and two things stuck out for me.
The first was the removal of a concrete dustbin, bodily from its plinth, which was then launched through a shop window and the cartoon quality of the human shape in the window of another shop, through which some unfortunate individual had been hurled.
The good old days, eh?
In proper sporting news, England were made to work for their victory in the first test, eventually prevailing by 7 wickets after knocking off the required 74 runs in 22 and a bit overs.
Thursday 20 November 1986
Wow and indeed wowee!
Today I recorded that my record-buying spree had continued, with yesterday’s purchase of Mel & Kim’s Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend). On 12″! Oh yes.
Following the purchase of So Macho on Monday, part of me is retrospectively hoping that this week marks the lowest point in my record-buying career. Another part of me knows that this was not the lowest point… there was more Mel and Kim to come, amongst other things.
If that post is light-hearted fluff, then what I am about to describe fills my heart with shame. I wrote, “Today me (sic), Nigel, Ed and Jem ran away and hid from shit face ugly twat Theo.”
Now, I have mentioned our running away from Theo before – it was a bit of a recurring theme. You could brush it off saying ‘it was boys being boys,’ ‘it was only a joke and all that.’ But it wasn’t. Not least for Theo. He didn’t want to be dropped by us, and of course, when it was my turn, I certainly did not either.
This was bullying by exclusion and regardless of the fact that it happened to me next, I am ashamed of my part in it. And let’s not go there with the choice of words I made in writing my diary.
Friday 21 November 1986
A reference to Theo “[finding] us before we could hide again.” Bloody hell, just leave it out will ya?
Otherwise, it was a slow day – no reference to dodgy 12″ singles, the weather, the word ‘boring’ or football today. Just a comment re doing some Christmas shopping next week.
Saturday 22 November 1986
Australia’s Rugby League team finished their series against GB, at “Wigan[‘s Central Park],” with a 24-15 victory. It was therefore, a 3-0 whitewash.
Shrewsbury Town drew 1-1 draw at Roker Park with Mickey Brown grabbing the equaliser with his first goal for the club.
Sunday 23 November 1986
On BBC1 this afternoon, no goals in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
Meteorologically speaking, it was a “nice day… apart from the wind,” though it, “rained a bit this afternoon.”
The final note is full of doom, laden with portent… “Test week starts tomorrow.”
Monday 24 November 1986
So, here we go with Test Week.
Maths was first this morning – I made no comment about how I thought I’d got on. Our Maths teacher gave us homework too – “Golly!”*
In Industrial Studies I “had a sleep.” I say again, if it was so bad, why did I persist with it? Surely, this was my chance to realisezzzzzzzzzzzz…
Then, in the afternoon, Physics too dealt us a test. “Was it hard?” I asked, “Yes, very bloody hard,” came the reply. Oh dear.
*In actual fact, she was as mad as a box of frogs. She was a lovely lady who was, to my memory, always covered in chalk dust, this being in the days before whiteboards became the norm.
Tuesday 25 November 1986
She was very efficient, our Maths teacher.
Accordingly, our results were delivered this morning – we only did the test yesterday! On the face of it, I was quite chuffed, having managed 60%.
However, going through the paper, I realised that carelessness cost me 28%. I celebrated/commiserated by throwing myself in a largish body of water – unclothed apart from my swimming trunks.
Wednesday 26 November 1986
No mention of tests – just water polo and pool.
In the pool, we played the same teams as last week and our team won this week after we had lost previously.
The life and times, eh?
Thursday 27 November 1986
Thanksgiving Day, USA
After the nonsense in the summer with my contact lenses, I was still experiencing problems with them from time to time.
Today was one such day – I may have been wearing only one at this point in time, and today it was giving me some fierce gyp, “bastard eye,” I wrote. Would it have occurred to me to go to tell Mum or go to the opticians? Nope, not me.
I noted that we had some rain at dinner time – and that this rain and my contact lenses apart it was an “OK day.”
Friday 28 November 1986
A “nice day” today weather-wise.
After lifesaving this morning, I suffered for the rest of the day with a headache. Despite this I did win at pool – my opponent potted the black.
Typically, even suffering from my headache, I recorded that it was a “boring day.”
Saturday 29 November 1986
A big day out today or the usual Saturday routine. You decide.
I went into town on the bus at twenty minutes to eleven. In big traffic news, there was a traffic jam for a whole quarter of an hour.
Liverpool beat Coventry City 2-0 at Anfield whilst at Gay Meadow, Hull City were defeated 3-0.
In the second test at the WACA in Perth England finished their first innings on 592-8 declared.
Sunday 30 November 1986
First Sunday in Advent St. Andrew
Newcastle United defeated West Ham United 4-0 on the telly and Steve Davis won some snooker tournament.
Apart from all this, it was an “awful boring day.”
Still, December tomorrow.