Is this the worst free kick of all time?

Alan Pardew showing potential new owner Vince McMahon how much Newcastle United embrace the spirit of WWE. Deluded Arsenal fans (are you reading Richie Firth) still trying to convince themselves that ‘the treble is still on’. Brentford starting the next ‘unbeaten run’ with a draw at Carlisle United.

Whilst the major talking points of the weekend are clearly all about the madness at Newcastle, Arsenal and QPR matching each other ‘choke for choke’ or the ongoing state of League One, today’s column has found something you may not have seen on Match of the Day.

I’ve banged on about Gibraltar a lot this week, but last night they played their first match on ‘The Rock’ since officially becoming full members of UEFA.  The game, a 4-1 reverse to The Faroe Islands, saw the home side take the lead at their Victoria Stadium before, eventually, capitulating.

For me, it wasn’t so much about the result but the occasion. That, and the worst free kick you will, I am prepared to bet, ever see.

Former Manchester United and Stoke City star Danny Higginbotham, who has suddenly remembered he is Gibraltarian, was the man charged with executing a routine set piece just before the close of the first half. I won’t ruin what happened next; suffice to say that even Jonny Wilkinson would have been going some to match this.

You can find it here, after 01.17.10.  I’m sure Danny will blame ‘the wind’.

Higginbotham takes aim at the runway..

That’s not to belittle the GFA – from small acorns mighty oaks grow. Besides, The Faroes also struggled in the conditions as you’ll see five minutes earlier on the same video. Whilst the penalty they missed wasn’t, quite, up to Higginbotham standards it wasn’t far off.

As for Brentford, well I suggest you stick to @Bessotted for the match update this weekend. I didn’t travel and haven’t even seen the ‘highlight’s on the Football League show.

Hopefully, their service will be up to its usual standards, assuming Billy the Bee has now been able to compose himself sufficiently to write up his notes.

Come on Billy – was it THAT bad a game?

Brentford wrestling Manchester City and Newcastle for a BBC mention

Manchester City lose at home to Barcelona thanks to an ‘iffy’ penalty. Leyton Orient return to the promotion places in League one (although seem to have played all of Crawley’s games in hand for them). Hey, I’ve even seen that World Wrestling Entertainment supremo Vince McMahon is, supposedly, interested in buying Newcastle United from Mike Ashley.

Those, just a sample of the football related stories to be found on the BBC, Evening Standard and other news related websites last night. Given the theatrical nature and hammy challenges in the top flight, perhaps McMahon would be naturally at home in charge of a Premiership football club. However, I hear enough about soap operas at work without wanting to read more on them when I get home.

Besides, there was bigger news out there yesterday. I’m not naïve enough to expect it to be headline grabbing but surely it would be up there, somewhere?

To read the rest of this article, season 2013/14 is now available to download onto Kindle, in full. Containing previously unseen content, you can do so here for less than the cost of one matchday programme.

 Thanks for reading over the course of the campaign. For now I need to make space on this page for any follow up.  The ‘close season’ / World Cup columns continue in full, further on in this site.