Allow me to self indulge - or the cricket gets it

The sportsdesk is not like every office – cakes and social gatherings don't come around very often.

There has been the odd birthday occasion leading to a few doughnuts in the office, although I’m usually away for them so I can only assume the rumours are true.

But today, I stopped off at Tesco in the pool car on the way back from this morning’s pre-match presser at Colney so we could all celebrate my National Certificate Examination pass.

Basically, it’s the sheet of paper that says I’m a fully trained senior journalist – and not just on sport, but anything.

Originally, I failed by one mark but after laying my own money on the line, sports editor Richard Willner and I appealed and the good old NCTJ obliged by giving me, not one, but three new marks. Good times.

And then, this afternoon I find out I’m on a shortlist of three for the NCTJ’s Awards for Excellence in Journalism 2009 trainee sports journalist of the year.

No, it doesn’t warrant a second helping of cakes next week.

So there we are – the most self indulgent post on this blog to date.

But you should be thankful. It’s much better than writing about the cricket, seeing as England have just lost wicket number six for 100-odd against Australia in their Champions Cup semi. Bad times.

posted on 02 October 2009 15:14 byMichael Bailey - Sportsdesk

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