I'm really bad at this

Firstly, its becoming more and more obvious that I am truly terrible at blogging. This is my first entry for more than three weeks, which is simply not good enough. Its not like I've not had anything to write about, I've just been very slack. Please forgive me. I might be a bit rusty at this so stick with it.


Yesterday, I spent my Bank Holiday Monday wrestling a six foot robin. Let me explain...

For the past few weeks I've been running an internet campaign backed by a weekly radio broadcast to be a ball boy at a local football match. I was inspired by the daughter of then Norwich City caretaker manager Brian Gunn, who launched a Facebook group backing his full time employment. He got the job, so I thought I'd see if it would work for me.

Now, those of you who know me will know I have limited managerial experience. I once coached a team of under-11s to victory in a local 5 a side tournament, but as far as top level football goes, I'm hardly Harry Redknapp. I love Harry Redknapp, but I digress...

So, knowing that managing a team was right out, I pitched for something more realistic, and the 'Tim McSweeney for Ball Boy' campaign was born. A few weeks later, and with enough people signed up to the group for it to be respectable, I contacted our most high profile local football clubs. Bristol City FC came up trumps.

Which means that yesterday I spent the day sat on a tiny plastic chair in front of thousands of football fans, hoping to GOD that I don't fall over or discover that I cannot throw a ball to save my life. Oh, and being attacked by City's mascot, Scrumpy Robin. It could have been a bit annoying, but I didn't really think planting a knee squarely between his scrawny bird legs would have been in the spirit of the day. The worst thing about it is you're never sure whether to talk to the mascot or not. Its essentially a man in a costume, but does he have to remain mute? Can you engage a robin in conversation? In front of children? It was a real dilemma.

It was such a good day. I got minimal abuse from the fans (they were more concerned with calling long-haired opposing centre half Ivan Campo a 'gypo'), I got to wear a proper club tracksuit, and it was a beautiful sunny day. Why not try it yourself next bank holiday?