Not been a good week really has it. The Sussex countryside looked glorious as the blanket of snow covered hills and vales. Well, pretty it maybe but what good is pretty to die-hard football fans? Not that is has been a local issue as United Kingdom PLC ground to a halt. It must be bad when all you can resort to is a few highlights on Saturday night terrestrial television. For only two Premier League grounds to be fit for play shows how crippling a bit of snow can be. Of course, it's not just the fact that a game is called off, it's all the behind the scenes roll on effects that can affect clubs in more ways than one.

Obviously the finance side of things is at the forefront of many a club chairman, ours included, and to now fear the risk of no home gate revenue for five weeks subject to Trophy results, purse strings are at their tightest. Football is an odd business at the best of times but how many companies can go for that period of time with no "income" but still have the cost of day to day outgoings to fulfill. Long term, we at Eastbourne will be fine as Sir Len and the gang have always kept a close eye on that side of the club. Short term, and a nice gesture by the Conference governing body in releasing funds early to the three divisions under their jurisdiction could be the difference between survival or collapse for some clubs.

On the subject of survival, it was good to hear the news from the Dripping Pan that broke on Tuesday. It had appeared that the fat lady at HMRC had been clearing her throat for a week or so and was about to give a full and frank rendition of "the party's over, let's call it a day" when due to some bloody hard work and grim determination, Mr Steve Ibbotson and Co delivered over £47,000 worth of Locketts that stifled the coughs of the revenue soprano. With the 125th anniversary of football in the market town coming up later this year, I hope that they can go on and celebrate with BS south status still intact, but whatever league they find themselves in come September, I know that the real Rooks fans will do their very best to ensure red and black shirts run out at The Pan for years to come. Please note, Halls Soothers can also combat throat irritations.

Next up in the battle to watch our beloved sport, I decided to monitor the FA Cup replay at Anfield. With the pictures stuttering on my laptop from the ITV website, and the live feed commentary text from the BBC I settled to watch and read whilst indulging in Crime Scene Investigation. An entertaing game unfolded but when on the stroke of half-time, the Reds took the lead through an own goal, one could sense Reading were in for a night of injustice. As the final minutes ticked away, Mark Lawrenson was attributed with the comment "the Reading fans are drifting out, I still think they could grab something". He could not have made a more prophetic observation and on my return from an ad break and toilet stop, I spotted the scoreline. A cooler penalty take you are unlikely to see again this season. With CSI finished and text commentary running two minutes behind live pictures, ITV One was selected and 30 minutes of tension. (By the way, it was the concierge that did it) Now, I have never been a fan that leaves a ground before the final whistle blows, and to be honest, can one have sympathy for the Royals that had departed early? I do wonder if news filtered through and some brave souls in blue and white scarves were foolhardy enough to venture into Liverpool pubs to catch the final few minutes. I recall two occasions with the Boro when leaving early would have been unforgivable. Most recent of course was FA Cup day at Tooting when with 90 on the clock and 3-1 down we were stuffed. Not so as the record books will show.

But the most memorable day has to be a few seasons back at Basingstoke. With 86 minutes on the clock, and the score at 2-0 to the home team, we had our first attempt on goal. With 90 gone, there was six minutes of added time. We came away 3-2 winners, and on more than one ocassion since, when the travelling band of fans say to me "Jim, start the coach up" when we are behind, I always mutter the now famous phrase "remember Basingstoke". A lesson that I am sure the Thames Valley travelers will have learnt on a cold a wintery January night in the North West.

The Abbey Stadium in Cambridge is once again our target this coming weekend but having seen two photographs on the CUFC website, things are looking far from rosy. A pitch inspection at 2pm Friday will give us a better idea but as things stand now, the only sporting event likely there is a swimming gala. With a fixture backlog looming and two visits to the Abbey on the cards, the idea of an old fashioned double header has been muted. Personally, I would be happy to see us put out a synchronized swimming squad, or Liam Enver Marum doing the 100 metres butterfly stroke up the wing. Yes the pitch is that wet!

You never know, but this time next week, I may have actually managed to watch live football to blog about. if not, be prepared for more off beat nonsense.... Keep the faith!