Is this a Hull thing for Good Friday? I've never heard anyone else ever say it and when I've mentioned it to any non Hullensians they've looked at me stoney faced.
In several countries, Friday is referred to as Fish Friday, it comes from Catholics fasting and not eating meat on the day that marks the crucifixion.
Yeah I know about the origins of not eating meat on said day, however I specifically referred to fish and chips, which I have never heard referenced as a tradition anywhere else. In Hull on Good Friday the chippys are besieged. in my experience in Leeds most of them are shut. And, as I said, when I've mentioned this fish and chips tradition to other people from all around the country they have no idea what I am talking about.
That's just because people in Leeds are a bit daft. It's a tradition nationally to eat fish and chips on Good Friday.
Again, as I said, I've mentioned this to people all around the country and they've never heard of it. Might just be those I was speaking to, like, but everyone in Hull knows about it. When I worked at Morrisons head office, Sir Ken insisted that the staff canteen only sold fish and chips every single Friday of the year, just cos he liked to have it. **** all the other 3000 employees and what they want to eat... I'm glad he's dead, the **** him.
In my experience, it's big around the country - although in some culturally diverse areas, it's not been as important as well as some other dietary changes making some people think again. Hull does have some thriving chip shops and with it being largely white working class, maybe it appears bigger here? Bring on the Good Friday Fish & Chips thread.
It's a bit remiss to ignore the fishing heritage of Hull, which will (did to my memory) have played a big role in establishing the strength of this tradition. Certainly most, if not all, places I have lived follow the Friday Fish Day to some extent. Good Friday has always been the day when many avoid meat, as much from a luck perspective, as a religious one. A bit like breaking a mirror ...
Joe Allen isn't fit for our game on Saturday, which is a relief. The Stoke lot aren't a happy bunch at the moment. I remember a while back being mocked for recommending Ramadan Sobhi as a signing for us. Ah well, he'll probably start on Saturday along with Walters, Shaqiri and Arnautovic. Decent front 4 that, with Berahino and Crouch off the bench too.
Form wise, Stoke are certainly off-colour at the moment - man for man though they're better than us in virtually every position; should they suddenly find their 'A' game for Saturday we'll be right up against it. Here's hoping they're still struggling!
I think our defence (although I'd have Pieters over Elmo anyday) and CM are better; I don't know how Glenn Whelan still gets a game, he's terrible. I think it'll be a great contest, we are pretty evenly matched in terms of personnel, it just depends on the attitude we have when we go out there. If we are already resigned to losing just because we aren't playing at home, it's going to end badly. If we press them like we do at home, we shouldn't have much trouble.
We should be just as worried by the thought of Arnautovic running at Elmo - Markovic will certainly need his tracking back head on.