I’ve been to work today, which always involves a fair amount of travelling, as it’s a 100 miles plus round … More

Feelings are good in one sense, that they help us to embrace happy moments in our life. However, they can … More

Waiting for the boats to moor for the night, I set to the Staffs/Worcs Canal for another late evening session. … More

He was born early in June and we’ve been looking forward from then onwards to welcoming him into our family. … More

It’s the first video featuring my new puppy and I’m sure it won’t be the last either. Today’s thought is … More

Dilwyn the Bedlington Terrier doesn’t know it yet but he’s about to undergo big change in his life. After eight … More

I was recently in the Lithuanian town of Marijampolė. It’s a beautiful place, clean, friendly and safe. However, it hasn’t … More

I do have plans as far as the issue of retirement is concerned, and for many years my stated declaration … More

Although it’s still a busy time work-wise, nevertheless I have a few days where I can work from home. That … More

In yesterday’s reflection, we looked at how some Americans from the Second World War generation wouldn’t buy Japanese products. Today, … More

Arriving home late from yesterday’s angling session, it was my intention to be back out again first thing this morning. … More

Whether something happened one hour ago or a hundred years in the past, the principles are the same. We have … More

The last garden nature blog entry (see menu at the top of the page) featured the discovery of hedgehog droppings … More

If it’s viable, I fish every day. Of course, it’s not always possible. For example, this week I’ve been working … More

Another inspiration from the water’s edge while out fishing, this time it was the observation of a boater on the … More

We’re in a very hot spell at the moment, which means that lots of people will be complaining about the … More

Following the 5-0 victory against FK Kauno Žalgiris, there were several TNS players who were post-match player interview candidates. As … More

It’s been a good UEFA Europa Conference League campaign so far for The New Saints. The 3-1 aggregate win over … More

The visit to the Hikvision Stadium, for the UEFA Europa Conference League game between FK Kauno Žalgiris and The New … More

It’s just a short visit to Lithuania but I was still able to feed the tourist gene with a walk … More

Our normal pre-match press conferences are held indoors, this time though we were in the open. While the TNS players … More

I was up at 5.00 a.m. and less than twelve hours later I was at the stadium that will be … More

Twice in as many weeks, I’ve made a trip to Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Last time round it was destination … More

Most of us do it, some maybe more than others, as we form ideas in our mind without really knowing … More

The COVID-19 situation has meant that this was my first fishing session in Wales this year. Normally, I’ve had two … More

After TNS’ fourth signing of the summer had done his photo shoot, we headed for the technical area at Park … More

Many people don’t like to say no to others but the problem is that it can become a burden. You … More

Now that the games have been concluded, it’s time to log the items of memorabilia that I collected during the … More

Although they haven’t been spotted yet, at least one hedgehog has been visiting our garden of late. For two days … More

We all have a comfort zone to some extent and in context that’s not necessarily an issue. However, it is … More

Time flies and I’m now into my eighth season working in the beautiful game. My own personal memorabilia collection gets … More

It’s been a busy week, with the UEFA Europa Conference League game between The New Saints and Glentoran dominating my … More

It’s important that we not only have our own views but also that we aren’t ashamed to hold them. Sometimes, … More

When a penalty was awarded in the 26th minute for The New Saints against Glentoran, it was Declan McManus who … More

It was a busy TNS FC head coach, come the final whistle, as The New Saints beat Glentoran 2-0 at … More

After the 1-1 draw in Belfast last week, it was always going to be a tough second-leg at Park Hall. … More

I’m wearing a football shirt and I’ve got memorabilia from the beautiful game around me. It’s all appropriate, as the … More

The day before a European fixture sees both sides have their final training session, ahead of the big game itself. … More

At the recent game in Belfast between Glentoran and The New Saints, one of the home supporters wanted to come … More

Of course there are other angles to look at but in context, as long as the way you live your … More

Sometimes in life we can get caught up with aesthetics rather than function. The iPhone that I do these recordings … More

When we go through a difficult time, to us at that moment, it’s a big thing. There may be others … More

I’m always talking about pushing yourself and this evening I did just that. After a long working day, I felt … More

It’s important that we keep the things that are special to us very close. The closer something is, the harder … More

If you’re an angler then you won’t need reminding that fishing is the perfect platform from which to view the … More

I just watched the Euro 2020 final, where England lost on penalties to Italy. The heading pretty much tells you … More

It’s been fifty-five years since I last sat down in front of the television to watch England play in the … More

Above all, angling has to be about enjoyment, and as I did just that on yesterday’s session, this morning it … More

Yesterday’s thought was centred around the David and Goliath story. Likewise, today, with the focus on the battles that David … More

Like many others, I’m looking forward to the Euro 2020 final tomorrow between England and Italy. With three home nations … More

Since I dug the pond earlier in the year, it’s been great to watch it mature. In particular, it was … More

It was an early start for me this morning, as once again I pursued my favourite species. It’s true to … More

There’s a well-known story in the Bible where David defeats Goliath. You may be familiar with it, it’s in 1Samuel … More

I’ve enjoyed the couple of days working in Northern Ireland, and although it’s been another busy day today, I was … More

Another thought inspired from the water’s edge, and not only with a fish on the bank, but also in my … More

Come the final whistle in the game against Glentoran and The New Saints, the 1-1 score means that it’s all … More

When the draws are made for European competitions, from a personal perspective I always hope for a country that I’ve … More

Prior to the game against Glentoran in the evening, TNS FC club media chatted with Morgan Daykin outside the team … More

On the morning of a UEFA game, there’s a delegate’s meeting where the final details are confirmed and any outstanding … More

One of the benefits of working in football is that you get to see a lot more than the average … More

Although The New Saints has played a number of pre-season friendlies, we haven’t done a press conference yet this season. … More

It’s been a decade since TNS FC last played a team from Northern Ireland in competitive football. Two players who … More

Whether in the UK or overseas, I love travelling. My latest adventure is the former, but with it being a … More

I get lots of inspiration from when I’m out fishing and that’s where today’s Thought For The Day comes from. … More

I fish a lot and that’s where local waters come in very handy. It’s great having the Staffs/Worcs Canal just … More

One of the things I noticed, when I first started to blog in 2003, was the number of people who … More

Certainly when I’m at home, I weigh myself every morning. If you do as well, you’ll know that your weight … More

Inspiration can come from anywhere and today’s is from a car trip I made to Stafford. Life itself is full … More

Time certainly flies when you’re having fun and that’s the case as I look back to July 5, 2003. It … More

Although I do fish a lot, it’s very often a case of fitting sessions in when I can. That’s where … More

On this day in 2003, I posted my first blog entry and I’m still going strong all these years later. … More

After a series of blanks while mini-jigging, I put that to bed with a few perch from the River Sow … More

Today is when Americans, going back to 1776, remember their independence. I’ve been to Philadelphia and seen the liberty bell. … More

Although it was a friendly, nevertheless without doubt, The New Saints’ head coach would have preferred a win rather than … More

The seventh – and final – pre-season friendly for The New Saints was at Marston Road against the Northern Premier … More

Although it’s been a couple of weeks since flowing water opened its doors to anglers, it’s only now that I’ve … More

Looking at my pond now, it’s hard to imagine that it was only constructed on March 17. It looks very … More

Hello, July! I don’t know about you, but as we enter the second-half of 2021, I think the year has … More

Inspired by the format I experimented with while in Scotland, I’ve decided to continue with it, again to see how … More

Once a year, ahead of the season itself, there are lots of photographs taken for The New Saints FC’s website. … More

My mini-jigging trips are normally quite short anyway, this was even more so as I spent thirty minutes on the … More

Years ago, there was perhaps a more thoughtful side to people, whereby they would look out for others. It doesn’t … More

Although I’ve enjoyed the recent mini-jigging sessions that I’ve had, nevertheless they have been fruitless as far as fish on … More

I enjoy playing football and there are always plenty of inspirations from the games that I’m involved in. There’s more … More

The longest day of the year, the shortest day, the hottest, the coldest day. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter, you just … More

Having featured in three of the pre-season friendlies to date, I’ve been very impressed with Jeanny. He’s scored three goals … More

Once the final whistle had gone after The New Saints’ win against Guilsfield, I chatted with the former’s head coach … More

With two games on one day, it was an ideal opportunity for the whole TNS FC squad to get plenty … More

It’s been a week of change for The New Saints’ latest signing, as Declan McManus has featured in two games … More

The New Saints’ head coach, Anthony Limbrick, said to me recently about getting Chris Seargeant to do the occasional post-match … More

For The New Saints’ third pre-season friendly, Bangor City were the visitors to Park Hall. The Citizens are managed by … More

We all have both strengths and weaknesses in our lives. It’s important to identify them, so that we can develop … More

In terms of fish on the bank, lure angling hasn’t been kind to me of late. It was the ideal … More

Another thought from the water’s edge, there’s a lot of inspiration from fishing. There’s more in the short video here … More

I remember interviewing Ryan Astles for the first time, when he joined The New Saints. Since then, he’s had a … More

The second new signing at Park Hall has represented Scotland up to, and including, U-21 level. Declan McManus joined the … More

I have my eyes tested every two years and I have a health MOT every five years. What about a … More

I intended to go fishing the day before but it didn’t work out. Then, not planning to get out the … More

The starting line-up for The New Saints in the friendly against Buckley Town saw a mix of experienced players and … More

Although the opening pre-season friendly ended goalless, this time round it was a totally different ball game, as The New … More

The second game since the players returned to training saw an all-Welsh affair, as top-flight TNS FC hosted second tier, … More

Having been at the club for ten years – which is an achievement for any professional footballer – last season … More

If you can put yourself in a good place physically, then it’s easier for a good state of mind to … More

The New Saints’ new Head Of Sports Science And Player Performance is David Wilson. As the headline states, he’s had … More

If you’re going to fight then make sure that it’s not a lost cause that you’re taking on. There’s more … More

It’s been a busy work day but, as I invariably do, I managed to get some fishing in. This time, … More

Having previously been at the club, as TNS FC Ladies manager, Andy has returned but this time in a full-time … More

Although he’s still very much involved with the first-team squad, Chris Marriott has been busy away from the pitch, with … More

Today’s thought is based on observing a family group of starlings in the back garden. There’s more in the short … More

One of the big ticks as far as where I now live is that it’s less developed than where we … More

There have been a number of staff personnel changes at The New Saints this year, with Connor Hindley being one … More

I’ve got a busy working week ahead of me, but as I’m at home today it worked out well with … More

Another life lesson that comes from the water’s edge, and on this occasion I actually caught a fish while I … More

The New Saints’ first friendly of the season ended 0-0 at Beech Grove, the home of Ellesmere Rangers. No particular … More

On a glorious Shropshire day, Ellesmere Rangers hosted The New Saints at Beech Grove in the latter’s first friendly of … More

The New Saints’ pre-season campaign got underway with a visit to Beech Grove, the home of Ellesmere Rangers. It was … More

Although the initial illustration comes from the world of football, it’s a wider principle that applies to life in general. … More

As a keen angler I often use the phrase, as long as your bait’s in the water, you’ve got a … More

Starting his career as a youngster with his boyhood club, Wrexham AFC, Simon Spender’s footballing journey has been a blessed … More

It seems that no matter how late I go to bed, I’m still awake very early at about the same … More

We’ve all used the phrase, a blessing in disguise, at some time. The difficult period that we’re going through right … More

I started the day on a canal and ended it on a reservoir. Two very different venues but the common … More

The New Saints’ players and staff have been back for two weeks now, as preparations continue for the 2021/22 football … More

With the lure gear still in the boot after yesterday’s session, it was a case of waking up, having a … More

I wanted to record the dawn chorus at home, so I had to be up at 3.45 a.m. Good things … More

It’s been a long day but, with some lure gear in the boot, I stopped off at a pool on … More

It’s good to appreciate things, and even if you don’t think there’s anything to be thankful for in your life, … More

When something negative happens, deal with it of course, but don’t forget to let it go. If we don’t, ultimately … More

Although I’m still working from home, I’m not in work physically until Wednesday, so that meant I was able to … More

There are many applications to this principle and hopefully there’s plenty of personal inspiration for you in today’s thought. There’s … More

I went for a walk, with my wife, around one of our local woods at dusk and felt very blessed … More

Waking up at 4.00 a.m. inspired me as far as today’s thought is concerned. There’s more in the short video … More

I was awake even earlier than normal today, and all without an alarm. Up at 3.45 a.m. I spent some … More

The latest bird visitor to the feeding station is the one that I’ve wanted ever since we moved in. To … More

Today’s thought comes from an observation of incidents while driving. There’s more in the short video here (1 minute 38 … More

Although I woke naturally, without any alarm involved, I was up even earlier than normal this morning. After a number … More

Now I’m back to work after a two-week break, there’ll be plenty of interviews from now until next May. It’s … More

After a fortnight’s break, it was back to work this week, including my first day at Park Hall since the … More

They may be small, common and unloved by many gardeners, but the humble daisy can teach us an important life … More

No fishing for me yesterday but I was up again bright and early this morning for a canal lure session. … More

The inspiration for today’s thought comes from spending some time working in the garden. There’s more in the short video … More

We’ve all had splinters in our flesh at some time and we all know just how much they hurt. There’s … More

Now that we’re able to meet with people again, we’ve been catching up on lost time with our family. We’re … More

Do you remember twelve inch singles? I do and I bought a few back in the day. I’ve just added … More

The garden pond is looking very mature, and you’d think it had been there for years, as opposed to just … More

I didn’t get to bed until the early hours, but that had no negative impact on my body clock, as … More

Don’t mess around if there’s a job to be done that you can’t do. Go to someone who can. There’s … More

Although it was a scorcher of a day later, it wasn’t so at first light. I certainly didn’t feel that … More

Today’s thought comes from the bin in the kitchen at home. Inspiration can spring up anywhere. There’s more in the … More