AFTER working for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for a number of years, I've been asked to write a short piece on football (no money changing hands and brown envelopes).

The local side I play for in the Pendle Sunday Charity League are the Graham Engineering Redskins, who were formed in 1985. In that year we were joint bottom of Division Three. Sixteen years on we're now in the top division but a lot fatter and slower.

Most of the lads who were involved in the first game are still with us today, and so is the person that washes the kid.

Mrs Ashworth has gone through four new washing machines and all for just a few quid a week plus a bouquet at the end of the season.

So anyone who is involved in running a club would know the few quid coughed up by the players each week is a pittance, with the pitch costing £37 a game, £12 for a squinting, ageing ref, £7 for Mrs Ashworth and then the pop.

It's now very expensive without some form of sponsorship. So everyone who sponsors a local side many thanks, keep paying.

Anyway we have only had two games so far drawing both games 2-2 but at the end of the season we may be penniless but not pointless.

Before I finish, the captain of Manchester United throws a punch at Alan Shearer and gets sent off. His manager then sticks up for him. What's all that about?

I've seen local lads with a 10 week ban for abusing a linesman but the punishment never seems to fit the crime.

Anway to finish, Burnley keep up the good work -- and if there are any Swedish managers out there, fancy a job on a Sunday morning -- we need you.