Something I Thought I'd Never Do

Ann Mogford. Geraint Harvard. Paul Simmonite. Carwyn Phillips. Jamie Mansel. Phil "Oggy" Holding. Phil Dayus-Johnson. Tim Macy. Alec Hepburn. John "JC" Chambers. Alistair McLean. Jack Mullins.

A varied list that includes a female football (soccer) manager who was the first and only one I remember locally, an England International & Exeter Chief, some South Wales cricket & rugby legends and also some bright American Football minds from the UK.

So what do they all have in common? Well they all contributed to me doing something I thought I'd never do. Something I thought I would never be good at, have the patience for or be able to enjoy. Something I thought would replace my ability to play a sport I loved, rather than enhance it. Each person on that list had an impact, whether they knew it or not, to a big part of my life today.

Ann Mogford was the manager of Hendy Football Club's Under 7's team when I started playing. She only started doing it because her son played and we had nobody, but she soon became a great role model. She dived into getting qualification badges and was passionate about how we trained. You didn't see any other women on the sideline on rainy Sunday mornings in the mid 90's and teams would sometimes laugh at us. She built such a good team, that we didn't notice or care what was said, simply playing attractive fun football (as attractive as 6 x 7 year olds can be chasing a ball around) and we were a pretty successful side. I remember transforming from a fairly poor defender to a goal poaching machine (no offside rule definitely helped me!). She showed me that you can start anywhere on a journey and be successful, as long as you are passionate and love what you are doing, no matter whether people think you should be doing it or not.

I've loved rugby for a long time and despite football (Soccer) being my first love, rugby quickly overtook it. I loved watching Wales & Llanelli play with my dad, loved the contact and the skill required to play certain positions. When I moved to secondary school, I desperately wanted to play and be good at it and fit in with the rugby team. One problem - I was terrible. I could tackle and run, but I couldn't catch a cold and was a complete liability in a sport reliant on ball handling. So I decided to go learn to be a better player and did this by joining the mighty Felinfoel RFC. The majority of my friends played for them and they dominated everybody. I was laughed at for saying I was going to train with them. Some people respected my guts, majority ridiculed it. Paul Simmonite was in charge at the time and he made me earn my spot. H did the forwards, Caz and Simmo did the backs. He said I had to train for 6 weeks and then they would let me sign on if I proved I was good enough. So I trained. I got hammered in tackles. I dropped balls. I got run over. Then I started to improve. I started to fit in. I started to hammer people in tackles. Started to score tries. Started to show my potential. I was allowed to play my first game from the bench. I earned my first start. I'll never forget it. Treorchy RFC at home in the cup. A big side from the valleys who hadn't lost that year. First scrum was on their 5m line. Scrum half dithered and I smashed him. Bullied him into the ground. Our flanker picked it up and scored. We won comfortably and I played my first full game. At the end of the game, Simmo gave a rousing team talk and said that he and every body else should now be scared of me and that I had properly earned my name on the team sheet that day. My time at Foel was incredibly beneficial, I learnt the dark arts & dog from H which helped me one day achieve my dream of playing flanker. I learnt skill and guile from Caz, becoming a better ball handler and passer than I could have ever realised. They showed me that time dedicated to the basics was key, drilling into us how important fundamentals were from a young age.

Jamie Mansel is the only person on this list to impact my life through more than one sport. He was my first PE Teacher in school and took us for football, rugby and cricket. Although football and cricket were his strong suits, he impacted my rugby game through kicking and also managed to play to my strengths in the other two so I could contribute. With cricket I wanted to be an attacking wicket taking off spinner but my skills didn't fit my ambition. Manse showed me the benefits of being a controlling bowler, and building pressure to assist others into changing the game. It was a tough conversation to have and a tough pill for me to swallow, but it made me a better person and a better player, even if I didn't know it at the time.  He showed me how finding a role & doing it well, even when you believe your strengths lie elsewhere, is a valuable skill and a crucial part of any team.

Two Winning Dafen Sides, Oggy On The Left

Phil "Oggy" Holding was a cricketing legend in South Wales. I had the pleasure of being part of one of his teams, but also sharing the field with him & his two sons. He had an unbridled passion for cricket, and in particular Dafen CC and taught me a lot about the game and being a fierce but fair competitor. This was the main thing I took from Og and was a basis for my white line mentality in sport. I will be the nicest guy until I cross that line onto the field and from then on I am a ruthless competitor who will always hold you to the rules. He showed me that you can be both a nice guy & a horrendous opponent who gives no inch.

Getting Props From Phil Before My Last Game in Aber

Phil Dayus-Johnson & Tim Macy were the first people who introduced me to actually playing the game of American Football. A game I have loved since being introduced to it by my dad, but had never had the chance to play until attending Aberystwyth University. We were a side limited by resources, staff members, talent and location, but in the three years I was there, I loved every minute. The detail and commitment to volunteering that these two gave pushed me on to strive for better for myself. Taught me to put the work into the details. Taught me how to be clinical and execute in a brand new sport. Seppo showed me that you can beat someone up, smile & pick them up off the ground, before doing it all over again the next play. He showed us that it was great to push somebody's shit in and then be a good sport and help them out after. Phil showed me that the devil is in the details and opened my eyes to film study and tactics that I had never comprehended before.

Running Out For Crediton 1st XV

In between my two stints playing American Football, I went back to play rugby at Crediton RFC. I've stepped back from this in 18/19 but it's been a tremendous season for the club and I'm super proud of them. We are fortunate enough as a club to be helped out by Alec Hepburn of Exeter Chiefs and England. He has made a lasting impact on the club but also on me. One cold Tuesday night at training, I'd run a drill quite well but a bit lazily. He'd asked me to run it again and I responded poorly, challenging him that I'd got it done properly. He was simple in his reply and just said "yeah you did Dan, but you can always do it better". An effective statement, unexpectedly stated by a prop forward to an inside centre. These words were profound for me and have stuck with me ever since. He showed me that appearances can be deceptive & that there is always more that you can do to keep moving & improving so that you don't fall behind your competitors.

Finally, the last three names on the list are all part of the Somerset Wyverns. We will start with JC, a man who got me to lead an entire position group (and a team) after 3 training sessions and 1 game. The trust he put into me to deliver, having not really known or met me, taught me a lot. Alistair was the second person (Phil being the first) in this article to gently encourage me to explore more into the game of football, beyond just playing it. He (like Phil) told me I would be good at it & that I had the analytical detail for it. Jack is a player and a guy I now see as one of my best friends. He became a foil for me at Exeter once I brought him on board, and is the only person who provides critical feedback to me whilst distracted by his own performance. JC showed me to trust my gut and delegate in people you believe in. Alistair showed me confidence in my own skills that I hadn't seen or been interested in seeing. Jack showed me how to constantly work to be better and how to do it in an uplifting manner for a team and myself.

With Somerset Wyverns After Beating Worcester. Hammer Twins #27 & #8 cuddle Jack #5. JC & Alistair also pictured.

So what do all of these people have in common? I'm sure most of you have guessed it by now, however it took some effort to write the entire piece up to this point without using the word. Something I Thought I'd Never Do? Yep, Coaching. Each person described above has impacted my coaching journey. I'm from the Dayus-Johnson coaching tree, but my branch would have withered and died without the others on here after him. The foundations & fundamentals instilled in me from a young age, to the gentle encouragement & belief in later life that has allowed me to become part of something I loved without ever knowing I loved it. The realisation that I coach every day at work and use the theory I've learnt to make me far better at a passion of mine than I thought capable. The little nuggets and things I have learnt. The ability to change someones mindset with a simple sentence. The devil in the details. I never thought I would enjoy coaching as much as playing. I'm glad you all helped to prove me wrong.


I can't thank you enough.

With Paul Habsburg after UEA Playoff Loss, my graduating Middle Linebacker & D-Captain

2019 - A Polished Turd So Far

 

It's amazing how much can change in the two years since my last blog post. I promised to myself I would write more regularly. I didn't. It's been a shorter hiatus this time around, and now I think I need writing more than I ever have before. 2019 has started with an unwanted break up that I am now working my way through, that was timed delightfully with not getting 2 separate jobs I'd applied for. Until this point, I had never failed to get the job I had interviewed for. The break up has been a peculiar one. I did not want it, but accepted it and began moving through it. I healed wounds and started to think what the future would bring. I have no real idea if it is the right decision, but it's a decision. I couldn't cope living in limbo. Now the situation has flipped and serious regret is being shown from the other side. A lot of soul searching has happened, and I have certainly learned that everything happens for a reason. What will be will be.

The one thing that has kept me going through all of this, the one thing keeping me sane, has been football. In my first season as DC at Exeter Demons, we made the Division 1 South Final. As a constant underdog, we defied the odds, going on the road and beating the 4th and 3rd seeds. My best moment was avenging two regular season losses by beating Southampton when it mattered. This was the first time I felt I had truly out-coached someone, creating a unique defensive wrinkle, that the opposition head coach could not work out how to beat. I have really enjoyed my first foray into coaching, which was made even better by bringing Jack on board from Wyverns. Through adversity in the last year, our friendship has grown to the point where I now consider him one of my closest allies. A great coach & an even better bloke, he has made the coaching time so much more worth it.

On a playing front, I've missed a lot of Wyverns training with Exeter commitments. I've still managed to have a key influence and am currently CO-DC with Yogi. Writing a scheme for a senior team is a fun challenge and installing it via video due to not being there has been a fun and interesting challenge. I've also chosen to add an eligible number (#27, shout out to PT) just in case all the stars align and I get RB/FB snaps. Couple this with Steve (#8) joining us from South Wales and this season is shaping up to be great. Season opener is a week today against Cornish Sharks. Much like Exeter we're an underdog too, our second year in the league, and teams are writing us off already. I love being an underdog and can't wait to go down to Cornwall to do a job on them. Arrive. Raise Hell. Leave.

I set out writing this blog for it to be a cathartic experience. I wanted to get my thoughts out of my head and onto digital paper, to clear my mind and attempt to achieve some closure. It has certainly worked and I can feel the benefit already. It has been painful to share how I've been feeling but I feel much better for it. My friends have been brilliant for the last few months and continue to support me daily. A quarter of 2019 gone so far and it has not been good, a few bright spots barely helping. Here's hoping that the rest of the year can bring new horizons in a new town and some new experiences. First milestone - beating the Sharks come Sunday.

#27

4 Years, 4 months, 24 days.

Hooooooo boy. 1606 Days. 229 Weeks. 52 Months. 38544 Hours. 2312640 Minutes. 138758400 Seconds. The amount of time since I last wrote in this blog... and i remembered the password first time!

A lot has happened in that time including: Moved to Cardiff, moved to Devon, stopped playing football, started playing rugby for Crediton, best mate got married and also broke his leg, sister had 2 kids, got promoted... twice, been to Dublin to watch CFB... twice,inducted Phil into the HoF, been his best man and watch him have 2 kids, bought a house, got engaged, started playing football again.

That last point is kind of the point of re-starting this blog. I have missed writing and I've definitely missed having somewhere to put my thoughts, or things I've thought worth sharing. It didn't feel right to write a blog about being a linebacker, when I wasn't one anymore. I've pondered the idea of blogging for some time, but now I'm back playing, it feels right.

Anyway, I promise not to be gone for as long this time but as you can see, I was kinda busy!

Dan

Ufford Is Not Far Wrong

Here is a quote from one of my favourite weekly blogs, the sex and fantasy football mailbag from KSK. It is written by a guy called Matt Ufford who is by his own words on his twitter bio "SB Nation talking head, writer, Marine veteran, dog owner, occasional CrossFitter. Will bark like a seal for good whiskey." Sounds like a pretty stand up guy to me, and judging by his written work you'd most likely agree.

Anyways, here is a quote from his answer all blog. Considering my recent circumstances, it rings a bell for me. He's not far wrong, and I must be fairly accurate for the road to recovery.

MY SIGNIFICANT BROKE UP WITH ME. I’M DEVASTATED. WHAT DO I DO?

Go ahead and feel sorry for yourself for a little while. Take two to four weeks to drink more than you should and listen to every sad song that you own. Break out photos of her for masturbation sessions that end in tears instead of orgasm. Be a miserable bore to your friends, who want to support you and hang out with you, but not if you’re just going to mope all night.
There. You got to wallow in your misery. Now it’s time to move on with your life. Let’s go to some numbered steps.

1. Realise that you shouldn’t want to be with someone who doesn’t love you.

“But what about all the hot sex and funny banter we had?” you ask. SHE STOPPED ENJOYING IT. SHE DOES NOT WANT YOU. It’s stupid and selfish to want to be with someone who doesn’t want you.

2. Break off all contact.

Don’t do that “let’s be friends” bullshit. Your ex-girlfriend wants to be your friend for two reasons: (1) so she can continue to receive attention from you, and (2) so she doesn’t have to feel so bad about rejecting you. Fuck that noise, let her feel bad. If she’s keeping you on the emotional hook by remaining in contact with you, ask her to stop because you want to focus on moving on with your life. From then on out, no contact. I SAID NO CONTACT. Block her on Gchat. Hide her Facebook timeline from your feed. No email, no texting, no anything. Pretend she’s dead. So sad she died, right? Oh well, better get a move on with your life.

3. Begin self-improvement.

Don’t worry about dating or rebound sex. (If you’re comfortable with it, go right ahead, but understand that re-entering the dating world can be a depressing experience after the emotional/sexual cocoon of a relationship.) Take your sadness and anger and your newfound free time and funnel it towards self-improvement. Start a new workout regimen. Sign up for cooking or bartending or wine-tasting classes. Throw yourself into your job. Volunteer for a children’s program or animal shelter. Out of the pyre of your failed relationship will emerge a stronger, more knowledgeable, and more caring person with new circles of friends from your new activities. YOU ARE A MAGNIFICENT PHOENIX.

In time, the more fit and more interesting person you become will also be naturally more confident, and you’ll end up dating women who are better looking and smarter than the stupid bitch who broke up with you in the first place.

Not only is living well the best revenge, it’s also living well, which, y’now, is kinda the whole point of life. And almost as nice as REVENGE!

Read more: http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2012/12/ksk-mailbag-index-answers-for-every-common-sexrelationship-question.html#ixzz2GNfaD4Wd

 

Now I'm not saying its perfect, but its pretty damn good. Though I am currently heading into my 5th week of drinking more than I usually would. I'm sure I'll be fine.

Not the most informative return to blogging, but its a start. You should all read more KSK too.

Enjoy your new years, opinions more than welcome in the comments.

 

This stuff needs some credit

If any of you have been on my Facebook recently you will have seen a video that acts as a pump up for the upcoming NCAA football season. (35 DAYS TILL KO!). I came across this video whilst searching for official hype videos for the Oregon Ducks and the NCAA made by ESPN, but frankly these are better. If you are a fan of American football in the UK you will usually have only been exposed to the NFL. The clever ones all know college football is where its at. Better playbooks, more exciting plays and a less even game all make for superb watching. Here's the video I put up, and if your not even a little intrigued in college football after it/impressed by the video I wouldn't bother reading here anymore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnABZM96AhQ&list=UUhP2_FZkiBecSbUP9GoHpDw&index=2&feature=plcp

Just to let you guys know, I watched it twice the first time I came across it and have since watched it in HD on a 42 inch TV and it was even better. Now the video was compiled by a guy on Youtube called theSeanGshow. He has put together an outstandingly well cut up video, pieced together with a top track that fits perfectly to the high quality clips he has chosen. I applaud you sir.

His other videos are of the same quality and the double plus is that he seems to be an Oregon Ducks fan, just like myself. This is his Oregon hype video for the upcoming season. Love the tune, love the plays. Oregon's offense is out of this world. De-Anthony Thomas is not completely human.

You like hardest hit videos? He has them too, here's his go. The big difference in all of his work is the quality of the video he uses.

Having watched these videos, I wanted to write a blog and show my extended Internet universe the quality of them as well as to further expose you all to college football. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

p.s on a closing note, he doesn't just stick to football. For the wrestling fans out there, and seeming it was RAW 1000 this week take a trip down memory lane and see how many of these clips you can remember watching. Wrestling - a weekly soap for men.

Waw That Was Fast - 3 Years Done and Dusted

From this
<-

to this ->





in just under three years.

A (non-exhaustive) list of things that have changed between now and then: I've grown 2 inches, I've put on two stone of (mostly) muscle, I have a girlfriend, I have a degree, I have a job and I've had the three best years of my life so far. Aberystwyth, who would have thought such a small student filled town could provide such laughter and enjoyment. I've changed from unemployed red faced teenager to a handsome young man (apparently) with a graduate job.

I was lucky enough to have three years filled with good housemates. Firstly in 128 PJM and then the last two years spent in the now legendary 16 Prospect Street. I will miss college football Saturdays, NFL Sundays, the vast amount of days spent playing games, watching films and chilling out. However I wont miss is the messy kitchen and overflowing bins. Living with you guys has been superb. Its been outstanding gents, including our regular visitors.

Changing my degree scheme going into second year was a necessary change, it would appear that years of beer and contact sports has rendered me a lot stupider than I used to be. With all that has been said and done, I would not have changed anything of my university experience if I had to go back and do it again. I joined a team that is more than just a team, and although we weren't successful it definitely made my university experience. I am now part of a family that will keep me connected to Aber for years to come. Thank you to everyone involved with Tarannau, its been a blast.

So now life presents me with a new challenge. For those of you that don't know I will be starting a graduate scheme with a popular bank in September. I will be moving to Bath for the first 6 months of my scheme. Strange place, still wondering if a small town Welsh boy will fit in. In the words of a dear friend of mine "There's always room for another exile". A flat of my own, and a new rugby club will hopefully help me pave my latest path.

So this is me at the moment, I've enjoyed being back in the world of blogging and will be returning quicker than the last time I left. Thanks Aber for the last 3 years.

p.s As its the 50 year anniversary of the Rolling Stones, here's my favourite song they ever made. Enjoy it, always reminds me of Sevens in second year.

The Devil and His Evil Accomplice

Serious title? Yeah, almost had you there for a minute. Today I write about something that has been rankling me for quite some time. This subject may sound trivial, but I'm sure I will find somebody who agrees. Today I write about sandwiches. And the devil when it comes to sandwiches is mayonnaise. His accomplice, the deadly lettuce. Now firstly I will go out and say that I do not hate either of these components. Mayonnaise fits pretty well as a base to a lot of sauces and dips and lettuce, when fresh and crunchy is a great part of any salad. However, in the sandwich world they are both massively overused. And this annoys me. It seems that every sandwich pre-made and packaged to go out in a supermarket has to have mayonnaise or lettuce in it, and the majority of the time its both. Some sandwiches need it, as they are dry, but there are other sources of luscious sauce available! Why have mayonnaise on a chicken and bacon sandwich when you can have BBQ sauce? Also on the point of lettuce, it is just unneeded watery filler that is usually soggy or going off. It does not provide a nutritious edge to a sandwich, all it does is piss me off and make the sandwich taste odd. I'm not asking for the total eradication of mayonnaise or lettuce. All I ask is that for once sandwiches were made without them, for those of us that dislike them with a passion. And that goes for burgers too, nothing spoils a cheese burger like mayonnaise and lettuce!

Just a short one, not a great one but I hate neglecting my blog. Onwards and upwards. I will leave you with a piece from the one and only George Dawes. He was right about baked potatoes, he's right about mayonnaise too!