fritter
UTC Legend
A Saturday morning in August. First day of the new season. Possibly the best day of the whole year, definitely is if there is a home game. Used to be a thrill to see a pristine new pitch, miraculously transformed from a dirt patch in May. We are denied that pleasure now as football pitches are pristine all year round. Which is good, of course, because it means the TV and media companies are never let down. Too much money at stake. I do miss the muddy goal mouth scrambles, but that was more suited to Benson's cloggers than Howe's athletes. For the record I prefer the latter.
This is my 53rd season and I am as excited about today as any other opening day. Almost. The first premier league season was more exciting because we had gone through the back of the wardrobe into our own football Narnia. But that aside, excitement and anticipation is as it always is.
Looking back is always fun, sharing memories of success, failure and disaster. It's about celebrating what binds us.
But this is about looking forward. Narnia has become normality. This doesn't mean taking anything for granted. The only certainly is that we will be relegated at some point. But not this season. I don't think.
I don't know anyone who really believed we would stay up the first season. We did. The second season was like a band's difficult second album. We did better. Many of us a bit shocked at how poor some teams were. Seasons 3 and 4 came and we waited for the transition from league one players to new players. But we had to keep relying on the old guard, who did brilliantly but we all new it was finite and it was a worry that new players weren't up to the job. Some poor times, especially latter half of both seasons. I think it was towards the end of season 3 when we played Manchester United at home and we were in the Shed as usual. There was no enthusiasm for the game. Last season there were some desperate games, it was like safety was the be all and end all. Everyone's nightmare. Get the required points and relax. The season long equivalent of getting an early goal and shutting up shop. There was a strong feeling amongst many that without Ake we could be on our way to Luton today. Hopes weren't high for the new season, some were even guaranteeing relegation
Then I went to the two home friendlies. Friday night depressing. Saturday inspirational. So many young players, 7 under 21s on the pitch at the end. Ake staying was the big plus. Wilson and King looked sharp. But (oh my God they) Kilkenny was a revelation and Billing was one louder than that.
So maybe this is the true transition season, where the new growth comes through. Today could see the fireworks that the weather prevented yesterday. This is the most optimistic I have felt about a new season for at least 4 years.
I could be way off and we could lose today. But at the moment a new season beckons and I am so excited I don't know what to do.
Look back, look forwards, but most of all enjoy every moment of today, it only happens once a year.
Bring it on.
This is my 53rd season and I am as excited about today as any other opening day. Almost. The first premier league season was more exciting because we had gone through the back of the wardrobe into our own football Narnia. But that aside, excitement and anticipation is as it always is.
Looking back is always fun, sharing memories of success, failure and disaster. It's about celebrating what binds us.
But this is about looking forward. Narnia has become normality. This doesn't mean taking anything for granted. The only certainly is that we will be relegated at some point. But not this season. I don't think.
I don't know anyone who really believed we would stay up the first season. We did. The second season was like a band's difficult second album. We did better. Many of us a bit shocked at how poor some teams were. Seasons 3 and 4 came and we waited for the transition from league one players to new players. But we had to keep relying on the old guard, who did brilliantly but we all new it was finite and it was a worry that new players weren't up to the job. Some poor times, especially latter half of both seasons. I think it was towards the end of season 3 when we played Manchester United at home and we were in the Shed as usual. There was no enthusiasm for the game. Last season there were some desperate games, it was like safety was the be all and end all. Everyone's nightmare. Get the required points and relax. The season long equivalent of getting an early goal and shutting up shop. There was a strong feeling amongst many that without Ake we could be on our way to Luton today. Hopes weren't high for the new season, some were even guaranteeing relegation
Then I went to the two home friendlies. Friday night depressing. Saturday inspirational. So many young players, 7 under 21s on the pitch at the end. Ake staying was the big plus. Wilson and King looked sharp. But (oh my God they) Kilkenny was a revelation and Billing was one louder than that.
So maybe this is the true transition season, where the new growth comes through. Today could see the fireworks that the weather prevented yesterday. This is the most optimistic I have felt about a new season for at least 4 years.
I could be way off and we could lose today. But at the moment a new season beckons and I am so excited I don't know what to do.
Look back, look forwards, but most of all enjoy every moment of today, it only happens once a year.
Bring it on.