LUCKY 11 - A 'Murder' of One

In North Kota Kinabalu, just 350m south of the Gaya Street Sunday Market you will find a Hotel, 'The Lucky 11 Hotel'. This unrepentant mess of an establishment is an eye sore for the otherwise stunning surroundings of the Sabah state of Borneo, Malaysia. Known as the gateway to Mount Kinabalu, the town sits resplendent in all its glory in one of the most encapsulating and splendorous natural wonders in the world, the Hotel drags this place down all by its self. From the moment you approach the garish fluorescent orange front of the hotel you are damned for all eternity. You would expect, from the outside, that this be a den of back packers such as Nick Charlish and Rikesh Patel, thieves and drug lords. You would consider sending your worst enemy there on a day trip, let alone to take in a nights sleep. In each room you will find a giant mirrored wardrobe and a selection of beds that you may wish to check for cockroaches and alike, you will be pleasantly surprised by the spacious room's, only to be let down by the shower cubicles that resemble that of a Butlins caravan in the 1970's.

Imagine, if you will, the scene of an unsolved murder mystery where the only witness is a rather poorly spoken British lad, earning his keep in this run down heap, sleeping on the front desk as the apparent assailant makes his way out of the front door, never to be seen again. Reems of police surround the area, desperate to gain any information possible, however the rooms are so filthy with the previous 100 peoples finger prints and bodily off loads, that in order to narrow this down, they would have to arrest the entire backpacking community just to see who may have been there, I digress........

My point being, that the notion that 11 is lucky is somewhat ridiculous. There is nothing lucky about this hotel, unfortunate maybe, but nothing lucky, especially for the poor murder victim, all be it that they are fictitious. That brings me round to the men of SE9. There is nothing lucky about their 'Lucky number 11'................an impeccable home record from the boys in red, 11 from 11, taking from everyone and handing out nothing, a little like a rubbish Robin Hood. You could liken us more to a group of wolves, devouring all in their path, or maybe just some rather cheeky magpies, seizing upon every opportunity to take all they can get. The bottom line is, despite the C'Ville boys putting in an honest shift and not getting the rub of the green, the Champions didnt let up.

A slightly new formation, a few decisions going our way and some neat goals saw the boys 3-0 up at half time a coasting somewhat. A Fowler drag scoop had got the boys on their way after a Hughes PC hit the post, rebounded out and everyone left it, including the GK. Then, a Hughes PC was actually on target, however the post man roofed it for good measure. To finish it off, a rebound rocket was base balled into the upper 90 by our much maligned centre forward. C'Ville had 2 off the line from a PC and in open play, as Callum Mitchell 'saved' one in the fashion of an English batsman facing Malcolm Marshall and Co at Sabina Park in the late 80's, we checked his pants, there was nothing to be seen, all for the craic.......

Ironically, the BE boys maintained possession far better in the 2nd half but failed to capitalise on it, C'Ville picking up an open hand, raided volley slap to Nathans lower left, a shot to the 'piece' of the expectant father. But normality was resumed as the Number 18 was located on the far post by (Player) Coach Jade Bloomfield, Thorogood diving to reverse stick and to notch number 20 for the season. A far better effort then five minutes previous, when he squandered the chance to bury the game as a Marwarha bullet sliced a cross into the D like a David Beckham free kick........missed.

Point of information, however -
Ronaldo - 19 in 26
Aguero - 18 in 26
Salah - 17 in 30
Aubamyang - 17 in 29
Thorogood - 20 in 20

Just saying...................

Once again I digress. What followed was practically a damp squib in comparison to the week before. The bars and curry houses of Blackheath will be happy to have been saved the chants of 'Championes, Championes, Ole, Ole, Ole' although Paddy still took it on himself to have a darn good time this time around. The ''Sports day 2016' medals still shining bright will hang on the bed stead of those present for decades to come. What a season, what a joy, what a team, what Champions. However, I still hear you ask about the opening of this gambit, tales of Lucky 11 and fabled murder, well, its simple. We created our own murder.........!!!!

From moment one, we have been thrown the inconsistency of selection and availability, had lengthy away trips at some odd times and battled the elements to rise as champions. Among the animal kingdom you will find the common Crow......like us, Crows are black birds known for their intelligence and adaptability, and for their loud, harsh "caw"............"CHAMPIONES, CHAMPIONES".... They also have a reputation for causing damage where ever they go.......

A group of Crows is indeed called a "Murder"...............

We as one, are one..............in the words of Adam Duritz...............

Together, we are a "Murder of one"

Blue morning, blue morning
Wrapped in strands of fist and bone
Curiosity, kitten
Doesn't have to mean you're on your own

You can look outside your window
He doesn't have to know
We can talk a while, baby
We can take it nice and slow

All your life is such a shame, shame, shame
All your love is just a dream, dream, dream
Well, are you happy where you're sleepin'?
Does he keep you safe and warm?
Does he tell you when you're sorry?
Does he tell you when you're wrong?

Well I've been watching you for hours
It's been years since we were born
We were perfect when we started
I've been wondering where we've gone

All your life is such a shame, shame, shame
All your love is just a dream, dream, dream

Well, I dreamt I saw you walking
Up a hillside in the snow
Casting shadows on the winter sky
As you stood there counting crows

One for sorrow, two for joy
Three for girls and four for boys
Five for silver, six for gold
Seven for a secret never to be told

But there's a bird that nests inside you
Sleeping underneath your skin
Yeah, when you open up your wings to speak
I wish you'd let me in

All your life is such a shame, shame, shame
All your love is just a dream, dream, dream
Open up your eyes, you can see the flames, flames, flames
Of your wasted life, you should be ashamed
Yeah, you don't want to waste your life, baby
You don't wanna waste your life, now darlin'

Oh, you don't wanna waste your life, now babe
I said, "You don't wanna waste your life, now darlin'"

Change, change, change

I walk along these hillsides in the summer 'neath the sunshine
I am feathered by the moonlight falling down on me

I said, "I walk along these hillsides in the summer 'neath the sunshine
I am feathered by the moonlight falling down on me"

Change, change, change

2018/19 - OUT