Published: 02/01/2009 00:00 -
Updated: 29/01/2010 12:36
WELL folks as seems to be the custom now we know our honoured guests who will be starting the 2009 games!
The greatest honour our town can bestow has fallen onto two well known faces throughout our community. As for the ball painters days of intricate work now lays ahead.
We are responsible for the finished image of the ball, pictorially how it will fleetingly remain in the eye of the public and how they will remember it before the hours of painstaking detail will be erased forever by the hands of the hug.
I'm painting the ball this year for Sean Griffin. I'm fortunate that I know Sean already as he often comes into the Telegraph office with Ashbourne Town FC reports. He is a great character and does alot for local sport in town, and personally I'm pleased to be executing my designs for him this year.
At this point, late in December I have spoken to Sean and we have briefly discussed possible themes which I'm sure Ashbourne Town FC will feature quite strongly.
I will go and see him at home after Christmas and collect the images that are required for the ball.
Pre painting treatment has already begun with the killing of the grease in the leather with spirit before any priming can be done. I am at the priming stage at the moment and more progress reports will be added in due course.
One word I will say! and I think this is an important factor to how the ball may be played this year, is that it is... HEAVY!
A large ball, certainly bigger than the ones that used to crop up in the 1960s and 1970s and certainly larger than recent years.
The weight is really noticeable... I have NEVER in 19 years of painting balls painted one quite so heavy, and I doubt that it will be able to be hugged for long periods especially if it retains water in the river.
There, I think, will be noticeable open play on Wednesday for sure! and an early Down'ard goal... I hope!
The greatest honour our town can bestow has fallen onto two well known faces throughout our community. As for the ball painters days of intricate work now lays ahead.
We are responsible for the finished image of the ball, pictorially how it will fleetingly remain in the eye of the public and how they will remember it before the hours of painstaking detail will be erased forever by the hands of the hug.
I'm painting the ball this year for Sean Griffin. I'm fortunate that I know Sean already as he often comes into the Telegraph office with Ashbourne Town FC reports. He is a great character and does alot for local sport in town, and personally I'm pleased to be executing my designs for him this year.
At this point, late in December I have spoken to Sean and we have briefly discussed possible themes which I'm sure Ashbourne Town FC will feature quite strongly.
I will go and see him at home after Christmas and collect the images that are required for the ball.
Pre painting treatment has already begun with the killing of the grease in the leather with spirit before any priming can be done. I am at the priming stage at the moment and more progress reports will be added in due course.
One word I will say! and I think this is an important factor to how the ball may be played this year, is that it is... HEAVY!
A large ball, certainly bigger than the ones that used to crop up in the 1960s and 1970s and certainly larger than recent years.
The weight is really noticeable... I have NEVER in 19 years of painting balls painted one quite so heavy, and I doubt that it will be able to be hugged for long periods especially if it retains water in the river.
There, I think, will be noticeable open play on Wednesday for sure! and an early Down'ard goal... I hope!
