A Bridge Too Far....

.... is the inevitable phrase to open this blog post with. To the surprise of no one, Grimsby's FA Cup run came to an end on Sunday. The media circus spun in to overdrive on the days running up to the day. Business as normal for Premier League clubs, but off the scale for Grimsby. Those of you in the UK will be sick of the sight of blow-up fish.

The frenzy went international. Someone in our group shared an article from the Malaysian press, there was an interview on NZ TV with Kiwi goalkeeper Max Crocombe, and an article in the German press.

Fill in your own punchline about "Paul Hurst's Mannschaft" 

Tickets sold out within 12 hours of going on sale, and that included bedtime. I managed to secure mine online after they went on sale to season ticket holders at midnight. It was a bit of a race as the number of season ticket holders outnumbered the number of tickets available. My immediate concern then was who will I actually watch the game with. These things are best shared. The Nundanket branch in Liverpool was offered an early Christmas present of a hospitality package, which he readily accepted. Over the course of the next week, a few more non-season ticket holding pals were able to get tickets from family and friends who weren't going for one reason or another. 

A small group of us assembled on Sunday morning at Clapham Junction for the train journey to the south coast. On arrival in Brighton, Nundanket II was sent on his way to the stadium to enjoy the meal part of his 'package', whilst I was left babysitting his Harry Haddock. Note there's no definite article in said piscine creature's name, and it's correctly pronounced "Arry Addock". The rest of us sought some refreshment prior to heading up to the stadium. Inside the atmosphere was building up, but not quite up to the levels of the Southampton game. The game itself was not anything like as competitive as the previous round either. That probably had an effect on the atmosphere. Discussion today on social media offered some other reasons for that too. The stadium design (acoustics), the lack of a drummer to keep things 'together' (musical instruments being banned from the Amex Stadium), a friendlier disposition amongst the home fans, the fact we didn't 'sniff blood', and a change of demographics of the Grimsby support with it being a weekend match.

After match some more refreshments were consumed, at the stadium whilst waiting for queues at the station to die down) and in the amusingly named 'Prince Albert' pub near the main station in the city. The citizenry of the place, fans and 'civilians' alike, were very hospitable. We were made to feel welcome all day, unlike the usual experience of football fans.  Strange. There has been a massive 'love in' on social media since the game, with Brighton fans saying very nice things about us, and us wishing them well in the next round(s). Many of the older ones remember their own club's flirtation with the bottom end of the Football League and homelessness in the 90s and early noughties.

There's not much to report about the match itself. The 5-0 scoreline tells you all you need to know. And you can forgive me for not wanting to dwell too much on the actual game. 

Disappointed? Yes. Not to progress further in the competition. But delighted with the whole campaign. The first time Grimsby has been this far in the competition since 1939. The experience has brought the fanbase, club management, and playing squad closer together. Another chapter has been written, to use an old cliché. Or to use a new one, more memories have been created. It's helped to raise the profile of the town in a positive way. And the extra revenue will come in handy for the next season.

So the most appropriate image I want to finish on is this clip, of Grimsby fans celebrating(!) at the end of the match. Excuse me, I seem to have got something stuck in my throat.

https://twitter.com/TheBrightonBard/status/1637718212585443332?cxt=HHwWiMC-9bGCrLotAAAA

It's all gone quiet over here

Since an initial rush of wargaming activity in January and to a lesser extent February, things have been quiet at the Schloß Nundanket. I'm not having one of those periods when I've lost my mojo. A number of 'real life' things have brought this about.

I've had a couple of spells of ill-health. Nothing serious. A mega cold, then a bad back, then another 'mega cold'. The second 'cold' is looking more and more like another type of coronavirus. One we've all become familiar with over the last THREE years. I say this, because, in my usual way, I treated it as a cold and that was it. My wife, who works in an environment where she indirectly comes into contact with vulnerable people, has to test herself regularly. With the same symptoms I had, but a few days afterwards, she tested herself on Wednesday and the dreaded line came up on the little plastic 'doobrie'. So I tested, and there was no line but a very feint blob (maybe the infamous 'leftie blob') or it may have been the light. The test cam up negative next morning, but I was pretty much over my symptoms by then.

Then, I recently had to move to a new office for work, so there was a bit of prep for that, and eventually the big day, and a change of commute style. Back from driving, to catching the train. No biggie, but a significant change. Same company, but new location. And boy, is it nice. No names, no pack drill. But bloody hell, I'm chuffed. However, without going into details, this has affected my 'technical solution' for remote gaming, so that's probably off the agenda until I get some new kit. Many apologies to those waiting for me to get promised games organised.

After a period without any new books I picked up a couple of 'analogue' books and a couple of digital ones. The real books were The Campaigns of Sir William Waller, 1642-1645 by Laurence Spring, and The Anatomy of Victory: Battle Tactics 1689-1763, by Brent Nosworthy. Don't ask me what the digital books were - I've forgotten and will need to look up my Helion orders!

The book on Waller was very enjoyable overall. Waller is probably my ECW hero. Pretty successful, politic, astute and honourable. What's not to like, as a certain podcasting historian says. 

The Nosworthy book is a bit harder going in my opinion. Ironically, this is something I've been looking for, for YEARS. Clearly in high demand as the price is usually ridiculous. I paid c £40 for a paperback, second-hand copy. Still, it's packed with learning. It breaks down the period into several sub-periods, where tactics gradually changed, so is a very useful book for a wargamer into the 18th century. A distinguished blogger based in North Britain once asked me what was the difference between the WSS and SYW. Well this explains it better than I ever could. Trouble is, at times, there's a bit too much on what appears to my mind, minute differences in methods of deployment (and 'ployment') and firing. From what I read, it looks like the systems were over-complicated at times and it's no wonder generals didn't like to risk their troops in battle given the amount of training that must have been necessary to carry out some of these evolutions.

I've also consciously cut down my hobby time, because some weeks, between remote games, football going, swimming etc I felt like I hadn't seen much of the Margravina. A chap needs to remember on which side the margravial bread is buttered! This makes it sound a chore, but it isn't. Your correspondent is happy to admit to his uxoriousness, and time spent with the Margravina is both pleasurable and educational. She is truly a product of our enlightened age, and on our walks entertains me with her knowledge of horticulture and the naming system developed by that Swedish cove Karl von Linné.

Now finally we come to sport. This has also been pre-occupying me. Many of you will know with what affection I hold the Mariners. Not those upstart rounders players from Seattle. The original Mariners. And how excited I was by their progression in the Football Association Challenge Cup. The excitement went up a notch on Wednesday a week ago, when Grimsby Town (the said Mariners) knocked out Southampton of the Premier League at their own ground. That's 3 divisions or, 64 places in the League, difference. Grimsby rode their luck at times, but came out worthy winners. Part of the 'luck' was playing at a Premier League stadium, because it mean the Video Assistant Referee ("VAR") was in operation. In League Two games, a couple of the decisions that went our way because of VAR, would not have been favourable. A handball (leading to a penalty) and an offside (leading to a disallowed goal) would most likely have been missed by the officials on the pitch.

I was lucky to be in the crowd that night and never has the term "Twelfth Man" been more apt. For those not up on football, the team on the pitch has 11 players, and the supporters, if particularly vocal in their support could be said to inspire the team to the extent it's like having a 12th player. I also truly believe that participants in such crowd singing/chanting get the mental health benefits of 'communal singing' you often hear about these days. A cracking night, and not just because of the result. Meeting up with family and friends on these occasions is a big part of it. 3 cousins and 3 of their offspring turned up, and I had the company of Lincolnshire Tom (designated driver) there and back. Good stuff. The result was a competition record (beating 5 teams from a higher division in succession - since it started in 1872, no other team has done this) and it means Grimsby are in the last eight of the competition for the first time since 1939. I prefer to ignore the omens of that. 84 years makes it truly a once in a lifetime event. Back in the late 30s, Grimsby were one of the better teams in the top division (believe it or not) and changes in the financial structure of the game since have meant the chances of repeating this have become lower and lower.

OK, maybe it was unfair having a Fishman from the planet Gadidae on the team.

Next up is Brighton and Hove Albion (we're so good they're having to send two towns against us 😉), again away at their ground on 19th March. Tickets sold out overnight after going on sale after a match on Tuesday evening. Fortunately, due to my foresight in the Summer, I was able to get a ticket again, but many people I know weren't able to. This is a bit of a dampener as, for me, a lot of the satisfaction comes from sharing the experience and having those shared memories to look back on and talk about in years to come. Still I'm going, and thanks to paternal generosity, Offspring Number 1*, will also be going. For his generation, who have only seen the all time low point of the last two decades, it is a rare chance to experience the good times. Chances are, this is our Arnhem, but .... but.....as every wargamer knows, you always have a chance to roll a six**.

* Offsprings #2-4 are not interested.

** The odds are more like getting a 19 on a D20, but that's not so poetic.

My Grandad's War

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP7o2JoPjLY

A twist in the tail

Well that was a turn up for the books. In the third remote game of Hubbardton the Jolly Broom Man (British) faced off against the Two Daves (David in Suffolk and Napoleon Dave) playing the Americans. Max Foy joined as an observer.

JBM elected to start the grenadiers and 24th Foot in column of march on the road, with the Lights in line. The plan was to race towards the road junction seize it and turn the American flank. For the first couple of turns the Americans won the initiative. Most of the American units retired over the fence, but David in Suffolk opted to keep the riflemen on the British side of the fence to take some shots at the Brits whilst they were still in column. 

Fairly safe you might think. But then the British won the initiative a couple of turns running, and the grenadiers, by now at the road junction, formed line and threatened the riflemen with a bayonet charge in the flank. Disaster for the Americans! They took a number of hits and routed, but not fast enough to stop the British keeping in combat range. A second round of combat saw the rifles further, across the fence, with half their bases lost and several DPs.

On the American right, Napoleon Dave opted to stick to the fence line and exchange musket fire with the British Lights in skirmish order. Hits were inflicted on each side but not enough to cause either any real problems. But the Lights were tying down two American units.

The grenadiers continued across the fence to attack the 11th Massachusetts Regiment who had retired back from the fence to form a line conforming to the British attack.  Things were looking good for the British. They had achieved one of their two objectives (seize the junction) and were on the way to the second (seize the hill). Unfortunately, the grenadiers had picked up DPs with each of their combat turns and wheeling. The American commander on the left (DiS) saw the disorder in the British lines and took the chance to chase them off the ridge. Down the hill came the Americans, with a sharp crack of musketry and a whoop. The weary, disorganised grenadiers turned to run down the hill. Here the initiative stayed with the Americans and they charged the retreating grenadiers again. Disaster for the British who ended up back across the fence and down from 8 bases to 1 with a stack of DPs to rally off.

Only the presence of the 24th Foot, to the left of the grenadiers, dissuaded the Americans from following up further. The 11th and 24th traded shots, as did the other New Englanders and the British Lights on the far flank. Back on the road, the Hessians arrived, but too late to do anything.

By the end of turn 9, the British held the road junction and the Americans held the hill. Honours even? Perhaps not. The British had lost 9 bases to the Americans 3. Each lost British base is worth 1.5 points to the Americans in this scenario, and the American losses only 1 point each. So the Americans were better off in strategic terms. The Americans were free to retire from the field (though not by the easiest route), but could the British bear another encounter like this?

This is a very difficult scenario for the British. With such a limited number of turns they have to advance quite a long way and fight. The problem is the urgency to 'get there' has to be balanced against the impact of disorder. Disorder Points impose a heavy burden on troops in combat and this is what did for the grenadiers. A tough choice to make.

Just the one picture from the end (I forgot during the game). The much depleted grenadiers nearest the camera. The rifles on the far right. Lights near the top with the Hessians marching up behind them.

The whole session took 3 hours, but this included a fair amount of time with me trying to stop a a repeating echo. The cause: I hadn't muted the second laptop in the room. Doh! There was also a goodly amount of very enjoyable chat after the game finished. So all that remains is for me is to thank the chaps who participated and observed this evening. I think it's time now to move to a different war.

AWS campaign changes

At New Year I ran a solo campaign based on the Wars of the Austrian Succession in Europe. After I finished I dug out the board game Maria for some inspiration for tweaks to the rules. I was generally happy with the way the game worked but felt there cold be a little more 'flavour'. 

I made a couple of notes but never got to write them up. So before I forget them completely I thought I'd jot them down here. As I said above, the inspiration came from Maria, so credit is due to the creator of that game.

Supply

Troops must able to draw an uninterrupted line back to a friendly city/city controlled by that side. Lose 1 point per base per turn where this isn't the case.

Hussars

Austria can deploy a 'hussar' base to represent its advantage in the Petit Guerre. This can be place on any hex inside the Austrian Empire to interdict enemy supply chains. The enemy must redeploy one base to counteract the hussars or suffer the attrition referred to in the Supply rule.

Russia

Dice for political machinations in Russia. On a certain dice role Prussia must withdraw one base to guard East Prussia.

Colonies

France and Spain have to dice to see if they send a base to the colonies to counteract British predations.

Subsidies

Major powers (except Prussia) may subsidise (allocate resources) to a friendly minor power (reduce the major power's resources proportionately)

Britain may also subsidise Austria by n bases without impacting its own resources, from Spring 1743 onwards.

Our Cup runneth over.

I couldn't let last night's (football) game go by unmentioned. And to be fair, I did warn you that this blog will have "occasional forays into obscure Nordic music and opinionated 'dribble' [sic] on Grimsby Town Football Club."

Last night was FA Cup, 4th round replays night, and whilst the national media's attention was fixed obsessively on "Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham" at Sheffield United, steaming silently under the radar was little old Grimsby Town. 1st round, Plymouth (then top of League 1) were despatched 5-1. Then in the 2nd round League 1 Cambridge were beaten at their home (just 2-1 this time). The third round is when the big clubs enter the competition, but Grimsby got Burton Albion. Not a 'sexy draw' but a winnable game. And they were duly beaten 1-0 too. Round 4 entailed a trip to Luton. In a way, the worst of all ties from our point of view - Luton going great guns in the Championship were heavy favourites, but it wasn't like playing against one of the big clubs. i.e. a good chance of being beaten but not in front of a big crowd. Unkind souls noted it was a contest between two 'shit towns'. Nevertheless a Good Day was had. Friends old a new were met along the way. Other acquaintances were chatted to in the pub. Songs were sung. And the Mariners came away with a well deserved draw. (I made good use of the previously  Freedom Pass and only had to pay for the last leg of the journey from outer-London). 

So on to the replay. Not being motivated enough to make the 400 mile round trip 'home', I settled in to listen on line. Commentary courtesy of the BBC Radio Humberside team. Speculation, chat and 'bantz' passing across t'internet via WhatsApp. This felt like, well, something good. It sounded like the ground* was rocking. * Blundell Park somehow doesn't qualify as a 'stadium'. On the way to collect the Eldest of the Youngest, I listened to the commentary. I must have looked a right loon shaking my fist and yelling when Harry 'one of our own' Clifton scored on 10 minutes. I hadn't been back long when the marvellously coiffeured, and too good looking for division 4 football, Danilo Orsi scored. Luton were obviously shocked and were not on their front foot, but they are a good team and worked their way back in to the game. Pressure, pressure. I messaged 'the lads' that "we need another". And it arrived direct from a free kick right before the half time whistle. 3 shots. 3 goals. Clinical.

Tweets of the goals were in circulation. Including one of the third, filmed by someone amongst the Luton fans behind their goal. As the free kick was lined up, you could hear one of their fans (let's call him LF1) shouting "the far post. Post. The far post." Then another voice (LF2) as the ball was hit. "It's going straight out". Then "THWACK" as the ball hit the far post and rebounded into the net. Should have listened to LF1. That thwack is a most satisfying noise. There's another clip of the same goal from a similar angle showing one of the Luton players stood near the far post after the goal was scored, looking totally confused by the whole thing. Looking up and down, trying to figure out what had just happened. Marvellous!

3-0 up. Half the game to go. Decades of disappointment kept my feet on the ground and stopped me thinking we've got this wrapped up. Any sane person would have thought, with good reason, we have got this wrapped up.  Listening on the radio, there is always that extra moment of doubt before you find out what had actually happened. Especially with that particular BBC Radio Humberside commentator, who, let's put it this way, is renowned for causing heart attacks amongst the listening faithful**. Luton switched it around and dominated possession in the second half. To be honest, they wasted some of it too. And I think 2 or 3 good saves were made. The clock wound down. 30 minutes. They could easily turn the game round. 20 minutes - it's still possible for Luton to get one, then two, then who knows. Clearly they have the better footballers. Much better. Individually. But hardwork, and spirit and teamwork count for a lot. And add in a bit of intelligence to the mix. Substitutes were made by the Grimsby manager. Why am I, 200 miles way, with one-way communications, applauding a player leaving the field that I couldn't even see?! 15, 10, 5 minutes. OK we can dream now. Only 3 minutes time added on. Right breath. Peep! Pandemonium. Lovely stuff.

I'll save my moans about the FA switching all 5th round ties to midweek. In any case I think I would break the profanity checker.

** we still love him though. Here his (John Tondeur) radio commentary is superimposed on brief video highlights

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/64497395

And one for the purists. Extended highlights (7+ mins) with commentary from local legend John Moore. What a voice! 😊

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuHj6SSRo0w

Zooming in on benefits

Things have been a bit hit and miss blogwise of late. The last month has been disrupted by being various degrees 'under the weather'.  January saw me catch the Mother of All Colds, and then a few days after recovering from that I was even further 'under the weather' and required a visit to the GP. No sooner had I got over the last ailment than I was afflicted with 'hay fever' so I'm now popping antihistamines.

Now the particular day when I saw said medic was a bit of a revelation. Firstly, with all of the bad publicity about how the NHS was crumbling with lack of resources I had low expectations of speaking to a medical professional, let alone seeing one, this side of Easter. My last brush with primary care involved a wait so long that what was ailing me had gone. Things were different this time. The practice website had a lengthy questionnaire to complete as part of the 'book a call/visit' process. On completion the 'we will contact you within 48 hours' acknowledgement message did not fill me with hope. I duly went back to bed feeling sorry for myself. An hour later the phone rang, 'Dr Soandso from the Thingame Medical Centre here. ......Are you able to come in at 11:00?' Blimey. Of course. After the brief consultation and examination I was told that my prescription would be waiting for me at my local pharmacy. In the pharmacy I went to pay and was informed I only had to pay for the Fishermans's Friends I picked up on impulse. "But what about the prescription?" says I. "You don't pay for that," says the attendant. "I do." says I (not being on benefits or having one of the designated chronic conditions). "You don't any more because you turned 60 recently". Result, thinks I. I'll have to get ill more often. I genuinely thought this free prescription thing didn't kick in until much later. Nice to get something back for my tax (January being tax return month, that was in my mind). That big round number was probably part of why I got a call back from the GP so quickly. And also why I received a testing kit for bowel cancer as a routine thing for all people over 60. So a big round of applause for the NHS. Long may it continue to be a free at the point of use service. I honestly don't mind paying the tax.

Last month I was also delighted to receive my 'Freedom Pass' Oyster Card from Transport for London. As a resident of a London borough, over 60s are also entitled to free travel (on buses, underground, trains and trams) off peak. A case might be made that this should be means tested, but that would be costly in terms of admin, and be counter-productive in the drive to get people out of cars. And it works. I leave the car behind a lot more now. Excellent. Thank you Ken (Livingstone) who introduced it many years ago. Anyway, it seems I am on benefits after all!

Now as you might know, I've run a few remote games recently too with friends from the Blogosphere. So far 3 AWI games with one more planned. The first was a totally made-up scenario and the rest were the Hubbardton scenario written by Steve of the Disgruntled Fusilier blog. So far it's 1-all on Hubbardton, with the Jolly Broom Man as the Americans beating me, and Steve W, as the British, beating Jonathan Freitag (Palouse Wargames Journal) and David (the Ragged Soldier) as the Americans. The decider will be run next week between JBM and David.

I have to say that all participants have been good sports and good guests (shoes off in the entrance hall, no coffee cup stains on the table). Very civilised. And it's been good to spend a bit more time getting to know fellow wargamers albeit remotely.

Below are a few shots of the last game. Rules used were Loose Files and American Scramble again.

Early on. Brits to the left. The Green Mountain Boys (rifle armed skirmishers) have 'bravely' gone forward to take potshots at the British grenadiers. 

The grenadiers showed them the cold steel. And as we know, 'they do not like it up em. They do not like it.' Here are the GMB running off. Loose Files is particularly harsh on skirmishers in this situation. Lesson learned.

This opened up the American left, and the grenadiers advanced into the gap and started to roll-up the American line.

British lights in open order engaged in a long range fire fight with the New Hampshire infantry. 24th foot bottom left face off against the 11 Massachusetts.

Warners Continentals have been bounced by the grenadiers and there's no way back for the Americans.

If you'd like to take part in a game, drop me a comment. I won't publish any contact details. I'm toying with the idea of ECW and SYW next.