LIGHT'S OUT: FGR look to have missed out on utopia of League football (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

LIGHT'S OUT: The weekly column full of wit and wisdom by former Gloucestershire CCC chairman John Light

11:52am Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport By John Light

THE ‘fat lady’ has cleared her throat but until any sound has emerged I shall live in hope. With just two points from the last 15, however, Forest Green have faltered.

The utopia of League football will have to wait. The team is undoubtedly talented but they have to learn to be mean. All successful teams are.

In my years away from this gracious county I learned the expression ‘all fur coat and no knickers’. Perhaps that sums up some of FGR’s football.

Sitting next to me on Saturday was Ian Randall, sports supremo at Radio Gloucestershire. He leaves his post at the end of March, taking voluntary redundancy.

In his judgment of what is important and in the sensitivity he follows up any story, Ian is an example to all young journalists. Without bias and a good sense of balance he has served this county well.

Hopefully, he will be at The New Lawn more often. His understanding of football is outstanding and he passes the chips round as well.

As I write, the nation (well perhaps a small part of it) awaits the referendum concerning the future of the Falkland Islands, a subject about which the Argentine government is getting touchy.

There is something else they should worry about. Fiery fast bowler Steve Kirby is in the country, touring with the MCC. Those who know and love Steve (it is impossible to do one without the other) will know that first and foremost he is a great patriot, but not a tactful one.

If there is a diplomatic incident in South America, I am sure a red-haired fast bowler will in some way be involved.

Very involved in Cirencester at the moment is Gerald Wilkinson. Having knowledgeable and firm views on Cirencester’s parking problems, Gerald often features in the news or letters pages of this newspaper but he has a much more important role.

He has taken over from the admirable John King as secretary of the Cotswold and District Cricket Association. An exciting and informative email has just arrived. In it, Gerald looks forward to the new season. One item that stands out is the formation of a new ladies’ league. Six teams are involved and the impetus for this has come from the Fairford and Lechlade clubs. Good for them – all we want now is some sun!

We do not seem likely to get much for the NH Festival at Cheltenham this week. The weather forecast is vile. This will not deter Mrs Light from taking me there. We do not go to the course itself, but to get our annual dose of Irish culture. This is obtained by visiting O’Neill’s bar in Montpelier. A true gathering of those who know what real sporting joy is.

Mrs Light, who has had more success in these matters than I have, suggests an investment on Silviniaco Conti for the Gold Cup, failing that any grey that may be running.

My offering is Long Run, but overall caution is advised. Both of us were going to invest in Imperial Commander. That will have to wait for The Grand National.

All this excitement shows how fortunate we are to live near to Cheltenham. You will all have your own reasons, and the cricket festival heads mine.

There is another reason now. The Everyman Theatre is about to stage the theatrical event of the year, and to my astonishment I have been asked to play a small part in its planning.

I shall say no more but anyone who has played cricket at Sheepscombe will know what I mean. The show starts on Thursday, March 21. Do not miss it. Penny and I were entertained to a splendid supper in Matchams Restaurant at the theatre and our theatrical appetite was wonderfully whetted.

There is some news from last week’s column regarding Edgeworth cricketer C Underhill. I know now that the C stands for Clive. The first informant was Mike Smith, known in so many Ciren sporting circles for all the right reasons. He remembers Clive as a colleague at Aubrey Rees agricultural business years ago.

I close with belated congratulations to Cirencester Town FC, now rising up the league and perhaps pushing for the play-offs. I shall say no more, look what happened at Forest Green!