IT'S BACK .... Oh no !

April 1998 Issue 31

ELEVEN MONTHS OF HELL AND BLISS !!

The London Marathon 1997 seems only like yesderday to some but to me it was effectively the last time I properly ran and raced until four or five weeks ago. Well every cloud has a silver lining and for the moment (as we are all really running to our next injury) I’m back and so is the Newsletter. Now those of you familiar with the Newsletter will know that it has a high reputation based on factual and exclusive articles written by yours truly and other Strollers - things will be no different this time around I assure you. So whats changed since I’ve been ‘away’? In some respects nothing really ....... Chirpy is still trying to enter every bloody race in the North East, Strollers obey Bob’s every instruction as he barks out his session at 7.15 in the Ashbrooke lobby, Woody is as handsome as ever, John Wilson is still piling on the weight and getting back to Chirpy he has matured somewhat ........ his farts that is !! And then there is of course me ! What have I missed by being off through injury - perhaps it might be easier if I list the things I definately haven’t missed:
- 25 mile training runs for the London Marathon
- entering Prudhoe Cross country race
- Ashbrooke’s state of the art changing rooms
- Rodger Garrington’s singing in the showers
- Tony Howe
- noticing Strollers bruised, mangled toe nails
- the last 3 windy miles of the Redcar Half Marathon
- Mickey Crozier’s raffle
Anyway, now that I’ve got your attetion as usual I’ll be asking for any amusing stories or articles for future editions - your contributions will be well received. From time to time I will be picking on some unlucky person to write a race report (from their own point of view) and occasionally spotlight someone in an interview. If you have any other suggestions for articles then come and see me - Thanks

MUSICAL REVIEW

by music critic Geoff ‘slow hand’ Prior

It was with some concern that I reluctantly accepted a Wednesday night out down the town after the running session away from thr comforts of the Ashbrooke lounge. After all who wants to see a local rock band by the name of ‘DELIVERANCE’. I mean do they specialise in singing Postman Pat songs or what ? Rushing in then to avoid getting soaked from the evening drizzle the five piece band were already at full flow - drinking bottles of booze that is between tunes ! Obviously these were musicians who performed better when they were pissed and by the rate they were drinking that was going to take some time. Undaunted I eased myself into my music critique mode and listened to their versions of some of the world’s best known rock classics ....... ‘Tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree’ and many more. The small stage of McCann’s pub seemed to restrict the group somewhat as the bloke to the left of the stage who had an uncanny resemblance to thr Japanese World War Two General ‘Tojo’ never moved an inch. Indeed the drummer appeared to be hemmed in the back corner thus preventing him from kicking his drum kit over like ‘The Who’s’ Keith Moon. On a more serious note Malcolm’s group were a very talented lot with quite a good abertoire of classic rock tunes - my ears have just about recovered!

KEEP ON RUNNING

Yes, its that time of year again when the mad mad high milage runners speed off to compete in the marathon. This year however, with one slight difference in that the London ‘rejects’ are off to Rotterdam sporting a two fingered salute to Chris Brasher’s London organisers. Since being injured I can honestly say that I have not missed the long Sunday training sessions in the wind and snow but I expect that once I tune in to BBC’s coverage of the event I’ll be dead jealous. That only leaves me to say best of luck to everyone who are off to either Rotterdam or London with special mention to Peter Watts who is after breaking Dicka’s marathon club record of last year.

CROSS COUNTRY

Just a small mention to the cross country squad who defied my predictions of a quick return to the 2nd Division following last years promotion by finishing an excellent mid table position. To those who know me well they will not be surprised to know that whilst injured I didn’t miss Prudhoe either!

STROLLER BIRTHDAYS for April

Mickey Crozier 16th April 50 years old
Paul Dicka Dixon 23rd April 35 yrs old
Kellie Graham 27th April 22 years old
Tony Howe 9th April 26 years old
Wilson McKnight 13th April 42yrs old
Joe Swan 22nd April 41 years old
Paul Taylor 7th April 44 years old
Carol Vinter 28th April 49 yrs old
Derek Wright 27th April 48 yrs old
WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY STROLLER BIRTHDAY !!!!!

‘HOBNOB’ PROMISES A TOUGH BUDGET

With the club AGM looming on the horizon City analysts are predicting a tough budget from Strollers Treasurer, Steve ‘Nobby’ Hobday. In response to the club’s lack of income from this years cancellation of the Redhouse run if you remember, it was decided to float the club on the stock market to attract more investors. This alas it would appear has failed as the clubs rating on the Footsie Index has dropped Ł14 5s 7d since 1st April 1997. Financial solutions to save the club from even further ruin would seem to rest solely on raising more cash from existing members. Amonst the measures being considered by ‘Nobby’ are:
1. Taxing any member who drinks cider (10p in the pint)
2. Taxing any home-made food that is brought down to the club including John Wilson’s donkey’s knob sized bap sandwich and Steve Ramsdens meat and potato pie
3. Raising funds by lining ‘Nobby’s’ pocket with 50p every time you finish off the left overs from the squash players scran.
4. Taxing Paul Taylor because he runs too bloody fast. and finally
5. Taxing the Strolettes every time they fail to turn up for club running sessions wearing skimpy shorts and crop tops
Clearly ‘Nobby’ has some wicked measures in store for us if the rumours around the City are to believed. My suggestion is to buy ‘Nobby’ I mean Mr. Hobday a pint to make him weak willed.
ANYWAY DO REMEMBER TO ATTEND THE CLUB’S AGM SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY. DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.

WOR SAN’ IS 40 !!

Last month Sandra Maxwell, big Ian’s missus reached her 40th birthday. Sandra whose day commonly consists of getting the kids off to school then rushing to the Puma Centre for four games of Tennis then after lunch taking on three different Squash oppopents before picking up the kids certainly believes in making the most of her time and all that before she comes down to Ashbrooke to do 8 miles with the club!!! Special thanks go to Sandra and Ian for organising a splendid 70’s do and a extra special mention goes to the ‘Fishman’ kiss a gram who flashed his cockles and mussels!!! Outfits of the night go to Wilson McKnight for his authentic 70’s suit and platforms and Chirpy with his ‘Small Faces’ wig and flares with the amazing braid trim down his pocket edges and fly!

NEWCASTLE LASSES

Geordie girls are a delight
I met one on Saturday night
With a nose cold and we,
I just called her ‘pet’
And her barking was worse than her bite !!

REGROUP, REGROUP MICKEY CROZIER IS 50 !!! ‘W-W’

On 16th April 1948 with world war two rationing still in place and a bar of Pear’s cold tar soap costing 2d a certain John Michael Crozier was born and going by the accent - somewhere in South Shields I think. Even though I have been away from the club myself I know that since he got injured his smiling face has been a big miss from the club. With a running style like he is crushing grapes in a big bath Mickey’s best days maybe over but he makes up for it with enthusiasm, especially on a Monday night. Anyway Mick, we wish you a speedy recovery and a very happy 50th birthday on the 16th.
P.S. WHERE’S MY NEW RUNNING VEST I PAID FOR OVER A YEAR AGO !!!

BUY THE NEW WASHING POWDER ‘DICKA’

Does your existing washing powder let you down ?
Do your whites not look whiter than white?
Well if not try new ‘DICKA’ which cleans your T shirts so clean it fades the colour !!!
So if you are sick of your bright coloured dirty T shirts then use DICKA - PRICE only one pint of Cider

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