In recent months, I’ve been somewhat preoccupied, as some of you might have noticed. I’ve received emails from concerned readers checking on my well-being. One reader, who shares my passion for Crystal Palace, has become a good friend, even helping me secure tickets to five out of six of the team’s European away matches. These experiences have been priceless. Following a club like Palace, qualifying for Europe is a rare chance, and I’m lucky it came at the right time in my life. If Palace, currently favorites, wins the UEFA Conference League, they could compete in the UEFA Europa League next season—though that’s not guaranteed.
My wife joined me for the Strasbourg match, coinciding with the Christmas market opening there. Unfortunately, her experience wasn’t ideal—she was knocked over in the excitement of Palace taking the lead and was either tear-gassed or pepper-sprayed on our way back to the hotel, after being held in a muddy, pot-holed area and funneled through a small gate. Palace losing after leading didn’t help, though it affected me more than her. She was thrilled to meet Mark Bright, whom I also encountered on flights to Dublin and Bosnia. Mrs. Cassini seems in no hurry to attend future European games, but after staying up late in Bosnia with Andy, that’s probably for the best. Despite the good meal, I couldn’t remember what I ate.
I’ve been traveling to the game locations early in the week, exploring areas like southern Norway, eastern Poland (Lublin being a delightful surprise), Dublin, Sarajevo, and Mostar in Bosnia. Before the Strasbourg match, I spent a week in Rome with my wife, a couple of days in Basel, and afterward, visited Baden Baden and Bruges. Old and new friendships have blossomed, sometimes in the most unexpected places, such as the Majdanek concentration camp in Lublin, the War and Genocide Museum in Mostar, and Sarajevo Airport, where a group of fans made a lengthy flight delay enjoyable.
It’s not all been positive, as we suffered a family loss to suicide last November, deeply affecting us, especially my daughter and her young son. The statistics are alarming—suicide is a leading cause of death for men under 50. If anyone reading this struggles with mental health, please seek help. It’s devastating for those left behind.
On a different note, while updating a spreadsheet recently, I discovered £48,000 missing from one account, followed by another £30,000 the next day—both transferred to an unknown Charles Schwab account. Luckily, I caught the issue in time to prevent further loss. Despite recovering the funds, the breach’s cause is concerning. I was advised to check my PC for viruses and made a police report, though I doubt any action will be taken.
On a happier note, a new granddaughter was born to my son and daughter-in-law last Friday. We’re traveling to Surrey to see her and then spending Easter in Berrynarbor, North Devon. We’ll also see my older granddaughters during half-term and attend a couple of Crystal Palace home games.
Despite some tough times, the past months have mostly been positive and busy, with betting taking a back seat. A new project has also occupied my spare time. I’ve started updating results for some systems, and Dr. Tsouts reported good outcomes with Greek draws and Serie A away wins. Meanwhile, Peter shared that recent EPL and NFL draws have significantly boosted his bank. While these updates are from January and things may have changed, I hope to provide updates next month.
The blog continues to receive visitors, even without frequent updates, which makes me feel a bit guilty. However, I’ve been enjoying life, and that’s what truly matters.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com