Central Station Artwork

Often going hand in hand with Factory Record sleeves, here's some iconic gems by Central Station...

Shaun Ryder (cut for 'Bummed' cover)

Ken Dodd

Babs Windsor

Delightful EP

Wrote For Luck

Pills & Thrills 'Sweetie wrapper' cover

Kelly's Heroes

Tube Graffiti

Often see a lot of forum or blog posts regarding the graffiti on the New York subway. In fact I was browsing a fascinating pictorial book on the subject recently - may get round to purchasing it. I'm a bit of a patriot at heart though so thought I'd give a few samples of spray paint scribbles on London's Underground - do us Brits do it better?

Probably not...

The Citizens

Sometimes the Football League seems like too much fuss. Sometimes I can't be chowed with the 40 odd mile round trip to Hartlepools. Then sometimes I'm often not happy with local looneys on the terraces. I know we're all there to follow the same cause, but fuck they're annoying at times. Have to be in the mood for it these days.

And today was one of those days I was not in the mood. It's a shame that Hartlepool United is playing a less prominent role in my life, but circumstances have changed. Have had to 'volunteer' to work weekends to ease child care worries during the week, so its rare I get a Saturday off. And when I do get one I'm usually chomping at the bit to get down to the Vic. However 10 months ago I became a Dad and money is tight, so the petrol money, pie/pint and gate fee at United seems that little bit more extortionate. So when I have that guilty feeling in my gut - "£20 for the Millhouse Terrace is approx. 24 jars of baby food or 60-70 nappies etc" - I have Durham City AFC.

Used to go fairly regularly back in early 2000s as ex Pools legend Brian Honour was in charge, and a whole host of former Poolie youth/reserves turned out in City's yellow. A trip to Wembley was almost on the cards when they reached the FA Vase in 2002 only to be dumped out by local rivals Whitley Bay. The team has moved up the ladder to two below the Conference North, but now is Sunderland orientated with Dickie Ord in charge and a fair few Mackem releasees plying part time trade for the Citizens.

Popped up today with a few mates, a former Newcastle supporter who has turned his back on the Geordies and now has a season ticket at DCAFC (He gets a ribbing though - only started going a few years ago when they were winning the league. Fucking glory), and two Sunderland fans at a loose end. Enjoyed it immensely. A nice brown ale in clubhouse beforehand, sensational chips and gravy, a cool crisp sunny October afternoon and a topsy-turvy open game of passing football that resulted in a 3-2 victory for City. Plenty entertainment for the £7 admittance, the decision seemingly the correct one with Hartlepool losing at home to Wycombe.

Today I'll be Mostly Wearing...

Barbour mac
M&S Lambswool knit
Faconnable shirt
OTS Dogwalker jeans
Pointer Hopkins

My favourite Shirt

Another new bit of Ralph shirting. The polo horse has been trotting into the wardrobe in some numbers of late - Just pleased he isn't shitting in it as well. Couldn't help myself with this cool design. I'm a staunch button down man, so this unbutton collar wouldn't normally get my cash at the tills, let alone a look in as my favourite shirt. However it's all in the cool curved wings - loving them. Not only that but there's no visible branding on the shirt, except for a wee tab on the bottom of the shirt (about where Ben Sherman used to put them). A very pale blue and cream striped effort on lightweight Oxford cotton, a real winner. Hints of your dad when combined with Clarks and a plain knit as I did the other day. Looking the mutt's nuts Id say.

Stott Hall Farm

Or otherwise known as 'that-farm-in-the-middle-of-the-M62'. Just been to and from Manchester's Trafford Centre on a Christmas shopping trip, and passed the farm twice within 24 hours and felt compelled to google it to find out more.

Built in 1737, it stood for over 200 years in hilltop windswept loneliness before the motorway arrived in 1968. The future of the farm looked as bleak as the Pennines, with officials bulldozing and relocating dwellings in the path of the highways onslaught. However due to the fear of landslides on the steep hill, the motorway carriageways were split and thus Stott Hall was saved.

It's become an unlikely landmark on the motorway and according to tenant farmer Paul Thorp it's often used as an unofficial service station for people struggling for petrol. Can't imagine what it's like living there - Working hard in the fields doing a rural job, then to come back home with all this urban noise and disturbance. The M62 has been going strong for 40 odd years and won't let up until Judgement Day, so there's going to be no break in the 24/7 traffic buzz for farmer Thorp just yet.