FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Well, technically, I suppose it’s not ‘again.’ Due to the diligence of our hosts, last week’s game was postponed well before most of the players and supporters set off for Abbey Hulton United. But “We Go” isn’t much of a title to grace the world’s leading totally independent Droitwich Spa fan’s bloggy thing.

So, subject to there not being a surprise hurricane, a beast from the east, plague of frogs or a sit-in by Just Stop Whatever It Is You Don’t Fancy Til Rag Week, we will be making our way up the Ms 5 and 6 to the town which can rightfully boast being the home of Britain’s most successful sportsman, ever! Phil “The Power” Taylor. Sixteen times champion of the world! Count ‘em. Forget your Redgraves and Hoyes, your Kenny’s and your Capes. Hurricane Higgins, Stephens – Hendry and Davis. No-one can hold a candle to The Power!

The Potteries area has a strong football history too, bringing us such superstars as Garth Crooks and Aaron Ramsdale, Mark Bright, Steve Bould and some fella called Matthews from the time before colour was invented.

The world of popular music has certainly been enlightened by the local talent. Slash, yes, the legendary top hat toting Guns & Roses guitarist, he was born in Stoke before moving to somewhere a lot less glamorous…. like LA. Bet he’s kicking himself. If he’d stayed he could have formed a band with the most rock n roll man in the history of everything – Mr Lemmy Kilmister of Hawkwind, Motörhead and occasionally The Damned fame, also a native of the Potteries. Oh….and the ‘fat dancing boy‘ from Take That.

Comedian and quiz show host Nick Hancock is famously a fan of Stoke City. Former Radio One DJ Bruno Brookes is a local as is … erm…celebrity Anthea Turner. Even Harry Potter’s dad is from the five towns area! Which seems appropriate.

So, bring your autograph books with you because we’re off to the land of the stars, although they cannot lay claim to Rik Mayall, Ashley Giles, Sir Paul McCartney or Dean Ashworth like what we can.

See you there.

Cheers

Steve