Long Life

The Guardian's correspondent here in Jakarta, John Aglionby, wrote about the Schapelle Corby case on Tuesday. He said nothing that hasn't been said or commented upon by numerous bloggers such as myself and Indcoup here and all and sundry in Australia. The resulting brouhaha has been, I suggest, predictable.

"Writing a world dispatch about Schapelle Corby ... was always going to be akin to waving red rags in an antipodean bullring. All I can say is that it's lucky I didn't have any pressing appointments this morning so I could respond to the flood of invective that came my way.

Everything from "execrable rubbish" to "excellent article" littered my inbox, with the majority of messages - dispatched with a fair dose of emotional vitriol rather than reasoned argument - tending towards the former."

For Corby, the prospect of 20 years in a Bali jail is no joke. For the rest of us, there is always a funny side.

Firstly, here's one from the feedback to John's article:

Schapelle's song...
Don't blame it on the sunshine
Don't blame it on the airline
Don't blame it on the Bali Nine
Blame it on the Boogie

And this is one doing the rounds which all local expats will appreciate.

Indonesia has a little known alternative to the endless trips to Singapore, b*ggering around at imigrasi and kantor polri doing your 178th set of fingerprints etc. It's a 20 year single entry visa & residence permit; you don't need to start a business or invest money, but unfortunately it has no exit permit. All you need is a boogie board, a huge bag of laughing grass, the mistaken belief that your cleavage will distract any stupid airport official and an IQ no higher than your age. Comes with free clothing, board and lodging and handy craftwork lessons such as sewing mail bags.

And now for something else guaranteed to generate more hits.

Today Charlton Athletic celebrates its centenary.

I've been a supporter for 48 of those years and my father a follower of their fortunes for 68. Unfortunately, my grandfather was a Woolwich Arsenal fan but then that predated Charlton turning professional in 1920.

I haven't been at the Valley for more than twenty years and I'm sure I wouldn't recognise it now. Having stood in the middle of the terrace facing the only stand amidst a crowd of 60,000+ on a Saturday afternoon remains a distant, yet crucial, memory. I could walk there and back, on my own, yet feel comfortable, a sense of belonging. It was, for me, a rite of passage into independence and adulthood.

Much of what I value in society was formed by those afternoons. I am quoted here as having written that I used to live near 'the rangy right back John Hewie ... I don't ever remember him smiling. His honest graft, however, was always something to admire.

Support of Charlton, I surmise, is essentially British in that we Londoners generally appreciate honest endeavour above flashiness. Certainly, talent is important but week in, week out professionalism and team loyalty have long been the hallmarks of our club.

Loyalty, teamwork and professionalism, the continued hallmark of Charlton from the ground up.

I saw Colin Powell play as a lively winger; he has been head groundsman at the Valley for the last 15 years. Keith Peacock was always a crowd favourite and has been at the club, now as the assistant manager, for 40 years. Alan Curbishley, the manager for 15 years, was a player before that.

And today sees many of my 'heroes' at the Valley for the unveiling of a statue of Sam Bartram, the greatest goalkeeper in all those 100 years.

Addicks manager Alan Curbishley will say a few words at the unveiling ceremony, where more than 50 former players are expected, including some of the club's most famous custodians who have followed in the footsteps of the great Bartram - these include Albert Uytenbogaardt, Nicky Johns, John Dunn, Mike Rose, Andy Petterson and Jeff Wood.

Outfield legends such as Derek Hales - who was recently voted as the club's greatest striker alongside picking up the Cult Hero centenary award - John Hewie, Mike Bailey and Steve Gritt will also be in attendance, with a chance for supporters to mingle with their heroes in the north-stand lounge after the event.

When this all takes place I'll be in dreamland ~ it'll be 3am here. But, as always, my conscious thoughts will be 'back home'.

Here's to another hundred years down at the Happy Valley. .

 

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¶ 6:00 pm