Shamik Das


Sunday, December 30, 2007

Samoresh Das: 1939-2007

Dad

Dear dad,

So here we are, this cold winter's day, a million miles from the heat and humidity of mother India, as you prepare to take your final journey.

The sadness we all feel today cannot be described; family, friends, colleagues, all over the world, our words cannot even come close to expressing the grief, the sense of loss, the hole in our lives that has been left by your passing.

You touched many, many lives with your kindness, warmth and generosity, always smiling, seldom short. You instilled in me and Sandip the values of decency, respect, discipline, fairness and effort, values by which we live our lives, values all men should hold true.

More than four decades of working in this country, nearly a half-century of employment from Selfridges to JFS and not a single day absent or late. An incredible record, a record of which to be proud, one to inspire and extol.

You also passed on to us a great passion for sport, namely cricket. I can see you shaking your head in resignation at the horror-show at the MCG, as appalled at India's capitualtion as you would have been delighted by the Windies' resurgence at Port Elizabeth.

And, come midsummer, the Saturday of the Lord's Test, the glorious twelfth day of July, amidst the sizzling sun and lengthening shadows, I just know you'll be up there in the Long Room in the sky, alongside Johnners, the Don and WG, pint of Old Speckled Hen in hand, bemoaning another batting collapse by England or marvelling at the class of Smith and Ntini.

We've also inherited your passion for politics, for the cause, for doing the right thing. I remember the first time you took me to vote, that historic May day in '97, when all was rosy.

It feels like only yesterday.

The boycott of South Africa, forgoing the opportunity to watch the great Graeme Pollock, refusing to buy their produce, marching, protesting. Just one man playing a small part maybe, but, in this era of apathy, an example of real people effecting real change, saving real lives.

The voluntary work cannot go unmentioned, nor can the charity donations. The Scouts, Bangla School, Mitali, Sribhumi, the alleygating committee, in the neighbourhood, in the community, globally whenever disaster struck. The time, the energy, the money, appreciated by all.

So much to say, so many memories, a life lived to the full but with so much more to give, cruelly cut short.

You'll be with us forever, in spirit, in mind and in soul.

We'll never forget you.

Till the next time dad, till the next life, till we meet again.

Your loving son,

Shamik

Sri Samoresh "Manthu" Das (1st June 1939 - 25th December 2007)

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Brucie's bonus culls Gulls

THE NON-LEAGUE CARLING CUP: Setanta Sports, sponsors of the 2007/8 Conference League Cup.

Clarence Park, Setanta Shield, Round 4:
St Albans City 2-0 Torquay United



A MOMENT of madness and a sublime show of skill combined to down high-flying Torquay and send St Albans through to the fifth round.

Paul Bruce's stunning volley at the end of the first-half maintained St Albans's fine recent run, unbeaten this month and on a run of three wins in a row.

The midfielder chested the ball down on the edge of the centre circle, spotted Simon Rayner off his line and volleyed home from all of 40 yards.

Bruce's sweet strike could not have been more different to the opener, a desperate own-goal after just four minutes' play.

Kevin Nicholson's weak back-header, under pressure from Richard Butler, forced Rayner out of his area, but the keeper could not find safety.

Instead, he leathered the ball point-blank at the unfortunate Mark Ellis's chest, the ball looping back over Rayner's head and into the goal.

St Albans    Torquay

The visitors had their chances to equalise, Chris Roberts coming closest, his header mid-way through the first-half from Kevin Nicholson's corner cleared off the line.

Gulls skipper Kevin Hill, firing over from 20 yards, and Danny Wring, blazing wide when teed up by Ishmael Welsh's through-ball also wasted good opportunities.

It was the same story in the second-half. Straight after the re-start, Ellis wasted a golden opportunity to make amends for his earlier own-goal.

In oceans of space inside the six-yard box, he planted the easiest of free headers from Matt Hockley's inviting cross inches over the bar.

Then, eight minutes from time, Elliot Benyon - unmarked and ten yards out - fluffed his lines, placing his shot too close to Nicky Eyre, who gathered with ease.

Torquay sorely missed top-scorer Tim Sills, out injured, and weren't helped by having strikers Chris Zebroski, Lee Phillips and Chris Todd all starting the game on the bench.

Star Man: Paul Bruce (St Albans City); Entertainment: ****

Read my full report, including line-ups, ratings and quotes in tomorrow's Non-League Paper.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Last-minute Louis set to swap Dorset for Dominica

POACHED BY THE CARIBBEAN: Jefferson Louis with a trademark finish.

Northwood Park, FA Trophy, Round 1:
Wealdstone 0-1 Weymouth



GOAL-SCORING hero Jefferson Louis could find himself playing in a World Cup qualifier in February.

Louis scored the only goal of the tie three minutes into injury time to crush the Stones and send the Terras through to round two in freezing temperatures last night.

Though born in Harrow, the 28-year-old qualifies for the Dominican Republic through his mother, and would relish the chance to play in the Caribbean.

"This is my only chance to play international football," said Louis. "I'm very keen to go and play for my mother-country."

The visitors started much the brighter, Louis and strike partner Gavin McCallum squandering excellent openings in the first ten minutes.

It was only after the break that Wealdstone, Ryan Ashe and the excellent Peter Dean going close.

Dean was a cut above, all neat flicks and blind passes through the Terras defence, finding a teammate in space almost every time.

Wealdstone    Weymouth

But it was Louis who settled the tie deep in added time.

He outmuscled the Stones centre-backs, skipped into the area, drew the keeper forward and curled the ball beautifully into the top right-hand corner of the Wealdstone goal.

'Twas a rare moment of accuracy on a night of missed opportunities.

Weymouth manager Jason Tindall cut a relieved figure after the game, though he insisted the prospect of a replay never entered his mind.

"I always thought there would be a chance in the game and thankfully it came to us and it was nice of Louis to score," he said.

"At the end of the day, we came here to win - we want to win every competition we enter.

"The main thing is we're in the next round."

Star Man: Dean (Wealdstone); Entertainment: **

Read my full report, including line-ups, formations and player ratings in tomorrow's Non-League Paper.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Dyer's droogs cut through Lions into last 32

DREAM TEAM: Danny Dyer (right) and Tamer Hassan (left), the new guv'nors down the Eltham Green Road.

Harrow Meadow, FA Vase, Round 3:
Greenwich Borough 2-1 Wembley



DANNY DYER was a riot of delight as he watched his new acquisitions stay on the road to Wembley with a win over Wembley.

The Football Factory star only took control of Greenwich on Monday, amidst dreams of glory.

Dyer, who plays hard nut Tommy Johnson in the cult film, has joined forces with Borough chairman and fellow actor Tamer Hassan.

"What else you gonna do on a Saturday?" asked Dyer. "I'm a man's man and I love the game.

"This level of football is where the passion's at. Real men playing real football - if they don't win I'll get the boys down!

"And if I can help get some more birds down here even better. We'll be laughing!!!"

Greenwich Borough    Wembley

Greenwich left it late to secure a place in Monday's fourth round draw, Peter Smith's calm finish ten minutes from time proving just enough to see off a wayward Wembley.

Smith pounced after Ben Yiadom's effort could only be parried by Wembley keeper Mark Jessop, the striker strolling into the box and unleashing a fierce strike from 15 yards out.

Borough had taken the lead on 30 minutes in controversial circumstances, scoring from a re-taken free kick.

Having tried to steal a yard or five, referee Graham Atkins ordered the set-piece to be taken from its original spot, whereupon Yiadom swung in a deep cross and Dave Walters glanced the ball into the net from eight yards.

Wembley, totally outplayed for most of the first half, came out much the stronger after the break, equalising within minutes of the re-start.

Paul Shelton collected the ball on the edge of the Borough area, shook off a couple of feeble challenges and smashed the ball slap bang in the middle of the goal and straight through Michael Holder.

But Smith's goal ensured there would be no replay at Vale Farm for the visitors, now able to devote all their energies to promotion back into the Ryman League.

Star Man: Smith (Greenwich); Entertainment: ***

Read my full interview with Danny Dyer and Tamar Hassan in next week's edition of The Non-League Paper - out Sunday 16th November.

Monday, December 03, 2007

Mural of delight

HIGH-FIVE! Muttiah Muralitharan jumps for joy upon overtaking Aussie legend Shane Warne's Test wicket-taking record following Paul Collingwood's dismissal.

SO, where were you when it hapenned?

Watching on television? In the stands at the Asgiriya Stadium in sweet, sweet Kandy? Or tucked up in bed at a quarter past six in the morning listening to TMS!?!

The latter, of course! History in the making, from a truly amazing man.

Worried about his action?

Well, so is John Howard ...

RACK OFF: John Howard, finally shown the exit door by the Australian public.    709th HEAVEN: Muttiah Muralitharan, draped in the Sri Lankan flag, holds aloft the match ball after breaking Shane Warne's Test wicket-taking record on his home ground.

And where, you might ask, is Mr Howard now? Don't know, don't care.

The swivel-eyed tosser was booted out by the Australian public in a general election last week - he even lost his own seat.

Yes, the man who called Murali a "chucker" and in 2001 refused to let a ship of ill immigrants enter Australia has had the smirk well and truly wiped off his face.

Justice at last!

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Classy Clarke batters Bromley

Lee Clarke    Andy Walker

Clarence Park, Conference South:
St Albans City 1-0 Bromley


SAINTS skipper Lee Clarke rifled in a last minute penalty to gift them their first home win of the campaign and up a place to within two points of safety.

It was the striker's fifth goal this season and third against Bromley, the 24-year-old bagging a brace against the South Londoners in October's
4-3 win.

St Albans had taken only two points from a possible 24 at Clarence Park before yesterday's success, winning only one home game since January.

The visitors started the brighter, Danny Hockton and Sam Wood hitting the post in the first-half, with Gareth Williams twice denied by good defence.

St Albans also struck the woodwork, Richard Butler grazing the bar with a spectacular overhead kick from Clarke's knockdown late on.

Finally, as full-time neared, Mark Corneille and Butler chased a long ball into the Bromley area, Corneille clumsily bundling the striker to the ground.

Clarke then sent Andy Walker the wrong way from the spot to seal it for the Saints.

Star Man: Clarke (St Albans); Entertainment: ***

Read my full report, featuring the reactions of both managers,
in The Non-League Paper - out tomorrow.