Clarke Carlisle's Blog by Clarke_Carlisle

Hello folks! It’s been quite an eventful few days since I last wrote, two matches, a day at university and my birthday! First though, in answer to a couple of your questions, I have been sent off about 6 times in my career fatherjack, only one more undeserving than the last one at Millwall. I remember being sent off for diving once, a ludicrous claim, but one that is always down to interpretation, especially when there is a level of contact. I had one rescinded when I was playing for QPR, the referee claiming I had spat at someone! Virtually every player on the pitch backed my cause, including a letter from the player I allegedly spat at, Julian Alsopp! Video evidence further supported my defence and the decision was rightly overturned.

In response to Michaeltheclaret, it is probably the most frustrating thing in football, the lack of consistency from one referee to another. You quite rightly say that there were far worse tackles that went unpunished that weekend, even in our own match! But, paradoxically, it is one of the greatest elements of the game, human error/interpretation. It gives us the talking points when we’re with our mates or listening to the phone-ins and it’s a part of what makes football so special!

Celebrations were afoot in the Carlisle household this week as I celebrated my 31st birthday! My wife took me out for a lovely meal, Elgato Negro in Ripponden, a little tapas restaurant that won Gordon Ramsey’s ‘F Word’ last year. It was lovely to spend some quality time with my good lady, and even better that I didn’t have to get my wallet out! Happy days! Co-incidentally, it was also Steven Thompson's and the Gaffer’s birthday on the same day! I read a poster once on a tube train in London that you only need 60 people in a room and the odds favour that two or more people will share a birthday! How on earth does that work?!?

Two action-packed games have been and gone, the lads were unfortunate to only draw 3-3 at Sheffield United, before totally redeeming themselves with a 3-0 battering of Barnsley. I always say how tough it is to watch the boys when I’m not playing, but these games were different because I did the co-commentary for Clarets World. It’s completely different when you watch a game through analytical/descriptive eyes, especially from a position of experience. The game moves so fast that you’ve barely got one explanation or opinion out of your mouth before the ball is rattling the post at the other end! I think I need to learn how to be more concise in my comments, giving the main commentator the chance to do his job properly!

But it’s all good experience for my degree course, for which I had a lecture day on Wednesday. I genuinely didn’t realise how much work was going to be involved! We have to study the law of journalism, learn the art of writing for different markets, as well as getting 600 hours of work experience in! It’s going to be difficult, but I do love a challenge! Well, only one more match of my suspension to serve, and then I’m available for the game against Villa, how I’d love to get straight back in! Here’s hoping! Have a great week and many blessings.