Nigel Thornton: Marching on together
Thornton on Thursday - 09/10/08
Published Date:
09 October 2008

COME on, you didn't really expect me to get all down in the dumps just because my team Leeds United had a little blip and went down 2-0 to the mighty Posh on Saturday did you?
Down in the dumps? My Special Friend put me on suicide watch for the rest of Saturday. But credit to Posh, and here I'm going to take a deep breath, they deserved their victory. There, I've said it.
Okay the crucial first goal was dodgier than a city broker short selling HBOS shares (handball, ref !) but you win some, you lose some, and then in my boys' case, you lose some more.
I went to the game on Saturday as the guest of the good people of the city council, who I thank for their hospitality.
I'd also like to thank Cambridgeshire Constabulary for providing all of us Leeds fans with our very own personal officer for the day.
There were so many cops in Peterborough city centre on Saturday I thought the donut van in Cathedral Square must have had a special promotion on.
Police with dogs, police on horses, police up in the sky in a helicopter, and van after van full of, yes you've guessed it, more police.
Blimey, how much did that cost? And that's without taking into consideration the translation costs of explaining to irate Yorkshiremen that "No, you can't take your whippet into the ground.''
To be fair to the boys in blue, it was a difficult call – if trouble had flared and they hadn't enough manpower to handle it they would have come in for some flak.
As a veteran of many Leeds games both home and away, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and just say they weren't taking any chances.
But as we taxpayers' foot the bill we should be told how much that little operation cost. If not, the chief constable shouldn't expect too much sympathy the next time she's complaining she needs more cash.
Anyway, after I was escorted back to Thornton Towers by my own personal policeman, I settled down in front of the telly for the second helping of my Saturday sports double header– the rugby league grand final.
Thankfully, Leeds Rhinos had all the things Leeds United had lacked at London Road earlier in the day – passion, poise and power and emerged deserved winners over hot favourites St Helens.
They restored my faith in all things Leeds and because I'm now back to my usual happy self, I asked my pal, former Spice Girl and Leeds lass Mel B to model our new away strip (babes' section).
I hope I've proved I'm a good loser . . . especially as I didn't mention Dagenham & Redbridge. (... and you didn't mention Rotherham either – Ed.)
CATHEDRAL SQUARE VEHICLE WATCH
At 1.00pm on Wednesday in the "pedestrianised'' area of Cathedral Square and Church Street: 2 vans, 3 cars, 2 lorries.
CREDIT, where credit is due . . . although the area is still full of vehicles I have seen traffic wardens out and handing out tickets.
Maybe, that explains the vision a colleague had last week. "I've just been into the city centre and there wasn't a single vehicle there,'' she enthused, "Cathedral Square looked wonderful."
Mind you I am thinking of adding a new category to "Vehicle Watch" and that is for Group 4 Securitas vans. While, I'm sure they have permits, I'm fairly confident these don't include the clause "and you can park up while you eat your lunch".
Continues on next page: Fishermen are always carping on
The full article contains 601 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
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Last Updated:
09 October 2008 5:21 PM
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Source:
Peterborough ET
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Location:
Peterborough