Daily Diary (DD) - Day 116 of 2026

1240hrs:

First of all, I must congratulate all my co-citizens of AJK in particular and JKA in general for helping me surpass 1 million views on this weblog, which even until 2023 looked impossible to achieve in this lifetime.

Consistency does ultimately generate milestone after milestone and let's help each other to achieve those collective milestones that we so aspire for.

I am getting to sleep at night, albeit closer to midnight than to the 2000hrs sleeping watershed and waking at about 0900hrs, six hours later than the waking watershed. Local solutions to my nagging health issue are also finally coming good, after a brief detour into 'Western' medicine which created temporary reprieve but not a genuine solution.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 115 of 2026

1119hrs:

Almost a repeat of yesterday's routine, whereby I tried to go to sleep by 2100hrs and despite struggling for a few hours I managed to get up at 0900hrs this morning.

The flu and temperature has now been nagging me for 3 weeks and I can't wait to be rid of it, so that my 'active' life resumes.

....

Luton Town's promotion push:

Background context

Luton Town have now won 7 of their last 9 games, with 1 game to go (earning 23 points from a possible 27). When there were 10 games to go I did feel that they needed to win them all to ensure they achieved a play-off position. They have only dropped 4 points (drawing 2 games) but such is the competitiveness of this league that they are still 1 point behind the final play-off position of 6th. 

With 1 game to go the picture is much clearer now:

Table source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/tables#LeagueOne

Bolton's draw with Bradford ensured that they have secured a play-off place. 

Stockport just need 1 point from their last 2 games to secure their position too.

Which realistically leaves Luton competing with both Bradford and Stevenage for that spot while Plymouth can only complete with Stevenage for that play-off position.   

Out of control:

Stockport - 3 points (2 games left & they only need a point while they also have a +1 GD c.f. to Luton)

Bradford - 3 points (1 game left & 5 goals advantage to Luton in GD)

Stevenage - 1 point (1 game left & 9 goals advantage to Luton in GD)

There are now effectively 5 teams vying for 3 promotion play-off places.

Stockport have a game in hand which they play on Tuesday the 28th of April, against already relegated Port Vale. This will be our next update on Wednesday (given the time difference).

Our final update will be next Saturday and the following fixtures will be noted with interest:

(Barnsley vs Stockport) 

- This may be irrelevant if Stockport obtain at least a point against Port Vale on Tuesday, which is very likely. If Stockport somehow lose, then this match away against Barnsley will be hugely significant. Meanwhile, Barnsley have only won 1 of their last 6 matches while Stockport have won 3 of their last 6.

Bolton vs Luton

- Bolton have qualified for the play-offs while only winning 2 of their last 6 games, whereas Luton have won 5 of their last 6. Luton need a win while hoping either Bradford lose to Exeter (who need at least a win while hoping Leyton do not beat Burton at home, to avoid relegation) or Stevenage do not muster more than a draw against Wigan. Or unrealistically expect Stockport to lose their last 2 games against Port Vale at home (on Tuesday) and against Barnsley away on the final day of the season. 

Exeter vs Bradford

- Exeter have only won 1 of their last 6 while Bradford have only won 2 of their last 6. Bradford are uncomfortable away but need only a point to secure a play-off position while Exeter must win at all costs to even have a chance of avoiding relegation, subject to Leyton not winning at home against Burton.

Northampton vs Plymouth

- Northampton are rock bottom of the league having lost all 6 of their last 6 games, while Plymouth with an outside chance of entering the promotion arena having won 3 of their last 6 games. A Plymouth win plus a Luton draw or loss against Bolton, plus a Stevenage draw or loss against Wigan would provide Plymouth that gateway to the play-offs.

Stevenage vs Wigan

- Not many people would have considered Stevenage to have given themselves such an opportunity to make the play-offs but a win against Wigan would secure Stevenage's place, irrespective of whatever happens elsewhere. Stevenage have won 3 of their last 6 while Wigan have also won 3 of their last 6. This could make for an interesting match!

Overall, Luton are in the ascendancy (surpassing even 100 point Lincoln over the course of the last 10 league games) but their destiny isn't in their hands, unlike last year in the Championship (tier 2 of the English league) when they just needed a point away to West Brom to secure their place in that tier. They lost (even though West Brom had little but pride to play for) but this year's ascendancy at the right time by Luton is something else. The following is what I wrote on various Luton Town related YouTube channels post-match after beating Barnsley 2-1:

Jack Wilshere and his team approached the Luton malaise very patiently and methodically and it has shown just at the right time. Winning 7 of your last 9 league games is no mean feat, as it even eclipses Lincoln. 

Hard work and perseverance is a universal recipe for success.

....

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

215

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

715

Cash in Hand: -6,870

Cash Deposits: 270,772

Immediate Debts: 3,000

..

Social Welfare Budget (Zakat/Sadqa):

Current Deposits: 257,000 

Arrears: 22,776 (pending from 17/03/2026 - money that has been spent elsewhere momentarily but needs to be rightfully returned to this fund)

Distributed (today): 0

Balance: 257,000

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 114 of 2026

1127hrs:

Working hard to get back into an active fully-immersed-in-society routine, as has been the norm for over 80% of every 24 hour cycle, for the past 21 years. I took some 'Western' medicine yesterday having failed to normalise myself with purely 'Eastern' ways of repairing the body.

I got up at 0900hrs today but I did try and sleep from 2100hrs onwards last night.

....

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

215

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

710

Cash in Hand: -5,940

Cash Deposits: 270,862

Immediate Debts: 3,000

..

Social Welfare Budget (Zakat/Sadqa):

Current Deposits: 257,000 

Arrears: 22,776 (pending from 17/03/2026 - money that has been spent elsewhere momentarily but needs to be rightfully returned to this fund)

Distributed (today): 0

Balance: 257,000

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 113 of 2026

0752hrs:

I got up at 0600hrs this morning in Khuiratta, despite sleeping beyond 0100hrs. A change of environment has had a positive effect.

....

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

215

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

705

Cash in Hand: -5,140

Cash Deposits: 269,962

Immediate Debts: 3,000

..

Social Welfare Budget (Zakat/Sadqa):

Current Deposits: 257,000 

Arrears: 22,776 (pending from 17/03/2026 - money that has been spent elsewhere momentarily but needs to be rightfully returned to this fund)

Distributed (today): 0

Balance: 257,000

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 112 of 2026

1917hrs:

Some travelling today. Hence the delay in posting. 

Luton Town's promotion push:

Background context

Luton Town kept me up till late and they have redeemed themselves somewhat. Returning to winning ways by beating Rotherham 2-0 away, which has now seen them earning 20 points from a possible 24, over the last 8 games. Those 2 draws against Stockport (at home) and Mansfield (away) are perhaps the reason why they are are still 3 points away from a play-off place, with only 2 games to go. 

Half the riddle will be solved this Saturday I suspect but the other half will only surface at the final whistle, on the final day of the season (next Saturday 2 May). 

Out of control:

Stockport - 6 points (3 games left & if they win game in hand, level on GD)

Bradford - 5 points (2 games left & 4 goals advantage to Luton in GD)

Bolton - 3 points (2 games left & 9 goals adrift in GD too)

Stevenage - 3 points (2 games left & 8 goals advantage to Luton in GD)

There are still effectively 6 teams vying for 4 promotion play-off places although Plymouth have dropped 1 point below Luton (with identical GD).  

Our next update will be on Saturday and the following fixtures will be noted with interest.

Doncaster vs Stevenage 

- Both have won 3 of their last 6 games. A Stevenage loss followed by a Luton win will give Luton control over their destiny.

Stockport vs Peterborough 

- Stockport have won 3 of their last 6 games, although they have been faltering of late while Peterborough have not won any of their last 6 games. It seems difficult for Peterborough to get anything here, even though they still haven't quite got out of the relegation zone.

Bradford vs Bolton

- Both have only won 2 of their last 6 games and there is potential in this result for Luton. Bolton just need a point to secure their play-off place and given their unassailable goal difference (GD) compared to Luton (viz. 9 goals) even a win for Bolton might favour Luton. However, if Bolton lose that would also give Luton control of their destiny albeit having to beat Bolton away on the final day of the reason and making up for that GD gap today against Barnsley and hoping Bradford score a few against Bolton, before Luton make up the difference on that final fixture viz. Bolton vs Luton. Meanwhile, Bradford losing or drawing would mean Luton need Exeter to get something against Bradford at home on the final day, as they fight against relegation.

Luton vs Barnsley

- Barnsley have only won 1 of their last 6 games while Luton have won 4 of their last 6. However, Barnsley did give Luton their worst defeat of the season (5-0) earlier and Luton could do justice by winning 6-0 and narrowing that GD gap with Bolton.

 

Plymouth vs Port Vale

- Plymouth have won 3 of their last 6 while relegated Port Vale have won 2 of their last 6. I can't imagine Port Vale getting anything out of this and I think Plymouth (who have had a much better second half of the season) will continue to knock on that play-off door by the end of this match. 

....

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

215

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

700

Cash in Hand: -3,590

Cash Deposits: 270,662

Immediate Debts: 3,000

..

Social Welfare Budget (Zakat/Sadqa):

Current Deposits: 307,000 

Arrears: 22,776 (pending from 17/03/2026 - money that has been spent elsewhere momentarily but needs to be rightfully returned to this fund)

Distributed (today): 50,000

Balance: 257,000

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 111 of 2026

1344hrs:

There has been a marked shift in my condition as well as habit for the better today. I did get to sleep at around 2300hrs and got up at 0800hrs. Yes, it is still a a distance from the ideal routine but I am now more confident than before that I will imminently get this right.

....

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

215

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

695

Cash in Hand: 1,290

Cash Deposits: 271,281

Immediate Debts: 3,000

..

Social Welfare Budget (Zakat/Sadqa):

Current Deposits: 307,000 

Arrears: 22,776 (pending from 17/03/2026 - money that has been spent elsewhere momentarily but needs to be rightfully returned to this fund)

Distributed (today): 0

Balance: 307,000

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 110 of 2026

2148hrs:

Leaving it later than usual, perhaps a rare occurrence this year so far, when I'm already on an unprecedented 110 not out. 

Slept as late as 0700hrs this morning, to be woken up by a relative at 1100hrs.

.... 

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

215

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

690

Cash in Hand: 4,750

Cash Deposits: 271,418

Immediate Debts: 6,150

..

Social Welfare Budget (Zakat/Sadqa):

Current Deposits: 307,000 

Arrears: 22,776 (pending from 17/03/2026 - money that has been spent elsewhere momentarily but needs to be rightfully returned to this fund)

Distributed (today): 0

Balance: 307,000

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 109 of 2026

1125hrs:

The intent is there, as in targeting sleep at 2000hrs in the evening, in order to get up at 0300hrs. I did turn off the lights at 2100hrs but struggled to sleep till 2300hrs, while getting up at 0700hrs. Thus, there is a 4 hour gap on both ends that needs to be addressed. I'm fairly confident about tomorrow.

....

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

215

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

685

Cash in Hand: 5,130

Cash Deposits: 271,494

Immediate Debts: 6,150

..

Social Welfare Budget (Zakat/Sadqa):

Current Deposits: 317,000 

Arrears: 22,776 (pending from 17/03/2026 - money that has been spent elsewhere momentarily but needs to be rightfully returned to this fund)

Distributed (today): 10,000

Balance: 307,000

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 108 of 2026

0540hrs:

My routine is improving albeit just at the bottom end (waking up). Getting up at 0500hrs just puts me 2 hours away from the perfect daily start. It's the top end (going to sleep) where I need to focus on more as last night I didn't get to sleep before midnight, 4 hours later than intended.

....

Luton Town's promotion push:

Background context

You have to take the rough with the smooth and Luton Town have narrowed their chances of a promotion play off place by drawing 2-2 at Mansfield Town. Yes, all the other teams fighting for a play off place also drew but this has let in Plymouth (the only team to win amongst those below Luton Town today) and of course there is one game less to play with, before the end of the season.

Out of control:

Stockport - 9 points (4 games left & if they win game in hand, 3 goals adrift in GD too)

Bradford - 7 points (3 games left & 2 goals advantage to Luton in GD)

Bolton - 3 points (2 games left & 11 goals adrift in GD too)

Stevenage - 3 points (3 games left & 7 goals advantage to Luton in GD)

Plymouth - 1 point (3 games left & 2 goals adrift in GD too)

So now, there are effectively 6 teams vying for 4 promotion play-off places.

Luton have now gained 17 from a possible 21 (in their most recent 7 league games) and can now only obtain a further 9 points from the remaining 9 available (in their remaining 3 league games) and still need to improve their GD to better Bolton's current 11 goal advantage, within these 3 games.

We'll now update you next on Wednesday, as 5 of the 6 teams (bar Bolton) fighting for 4 play-off places will be playing on Tuesday evening but their results will emerge beyond midnight here in AJK. 

Can Luton Town re-tilt the balance in their favour?

....

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

215

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

680

Cash in Hand: 5,930

Cash Deposits: 271,494

Immediate Debts: 6,150

..

Social Welfare Budget (Zakat/Sadqa):

Current Deposits: 317,000 

Arrears: 22,776 (pending from 17/03/2026 - money that has been spent elsewhere momentarily but needs to be rightfully returned to this fund)

Distributed (today): 0

Balance: 317,000

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 107 of 2026

1800hrs:

I feel a lot better today, especially given that I got to sleep at about 2200hrs last night and got up at about 0600hrs this morning. This is reorientation in the right direction once again. Now, I just have 2 hours to close at the top end (sleeping time viz. 2000hrs) and 3 hours to close at the bottom end (waking time viz. 0300hrs).

....

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

215

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

675

Cash in Hand: 22,200

Cash Deposits: 271,789

Immediate Debts: 3,150

..

Social Welfare Budget (Zakat/Sadqa):

Current Deposits: 317,000 

Arrears: 22,776 (pending from 17/03/2026 - money that has been spent elsewhere momentarily but needs to be rightfully returned to this fund)

Distributed (today): 0

Balance: 317,000

....