Fantasy Football

Now the FA Cup is an occasion - next best to Christmas Day, when every team that's in the country get their chance to plaaaay. Apologies for quoting Chas and Dave ('91's epic song "We're off to Wembley (because we beat the Arse nal)") but we're at that time of year when we see something in sport that's almost entirely unique. As I sit at my desk I've spotted League 1 Notts County take the lead against big boys Sunderland. Championship side Cardiff are winning at top flight Stoke and fallen giants Leeds have just been unfortunate with a 90th minute penalty going in against the aforementioned Arse leading to a 1-1 draw at one of the toughest grounds to win at.

FA Cup 3rd round day is one chance when surprises can and do happen and one of few occasions when the little boys have a chance of glory against the big boys, some times it goes further. 13 years ago this weekend was the 4th round tie and one of my favourite memories of growing up, non-league Stevenage Borough 1 - 1 Newcastle United with Stevenage having a goal disallowed due to a tight offside call. Newcastle managed to win a replay 2-1 up in t' North courtesy of a goal which only the referee thought crossed the line, an incident for which I was suspended from school due to everyone wanting to discuss it with me in class the next morning.

Chances are the big boys will win, but as William Wallace/Mel Gibson once said about wanting "one chance, JUST ONE CHANCE!" and the pep talk in "Little Giants" where the losers remember the one time they got one over on more successful siblings to inspire them to that win it's that potential which makes it exciting. Personally, that Stevenage side were one of our weakest in recent years, but still I remember the likes of Des Gallagher, Michael Love, Robin Trott, Mark "Smudger" Smith, Ryan Kirby, Giuliano Grazioli (I once did a presentation claiming him the greatest Roman of all time in History despite being a Londoner), Neil "Sarge" Trebble or Gary Crawshaw as greats (no idea why I never remember the midfield) and with the hype for the rematch tonight on ESPN showing clips from Grazi's goal in front of the tense Geordies I still feel a bit teary eyed in the way that only sport seems to make grown men quiver. I just wish it hadn't been so long ago, would love to relive the memories on those tense ties on DVD, our VHS collection long gone, something which no sport really allows.

Growing up with rugby union, certainly in the amateur days I have fond memories of the "Pilkington Cup" which was close. Granted football has got many more professional teams but the Pilk used to do similar. I still remember the disbelief when my beloved London Wasps managed to lose to the Birmingham Pertemps Bees in a huge shock (though Wasps losing to Bees gave my mates some giggles I didn't share) and the joy when home town Huntingdon managed to qualify for the first round of this hallowed competition (as a youth player we got to play the big boys occasionally, mainly due to the regional nature. Playing Northampton at Franklin's Gardens for a spot in the Midlands cup final at Twickers being a career highlight) but that's now gone. I suppose with the move to professional status the smaller teams got left behind so much quicker and it just didn't get people's interest in the same way as the FA Cup. Such a shame as like the FA Cup those rare shocks were what appealed to me as a fan of the sport.

Tonight as I get ready to see the big game at Broadhall Way (better start checking I've got the tickets on me!) for vengeance a mere 13 years ago I know there's a chance I'll be feeling a bit dejected as the much better equipped and financially supported Newcastle beat us comfortably (that disallowed goal being our one chance) but I, for one, will be delighted that this opportunity exists. We may be a league side now but it changes nothing as we'll again be huge outsiders. Long may the FA Cup continue and here's hoping for some of those shock results!

Concerning Anticipation

Like most blog entries in late July --> end of August this is going to be a little bit about football. Some people would call it "The Beautiful Game" but frankly, that's a load of bunkum really isn't it? Every Summer we follow the transfer sagas and get built up in the hope that this could be OUR year. Just for complete and utter agony to strike us before the first half a dozen games are over.

Take me for example, after years of going to follow Spurs home and away and seeing us in the "lesser" European competition for so long, for which my ribs still hurt occasionally following the over zealous Kaiserslautern policeman (2-1 loss on aggregate, were winning 1-0 after 90 minutes of the second leg, wankers, November 1999) I finally get my chance to see Spurs in the Champions League (last entry 1961/62 a little before my time, Kate may remember it).

Well what an anti-climax, at the expense of sounding like a Tai prostitute servicing a 16 year old virgin it all becomes a let down and is totally unfulfilling. Now, it's not bad the losing as we all go through that and frankly I don't expect Spurs to win the thing but when you're 3-0 down inside half hour against a team who aren't even playing well questions start to be asked. While I always had confidence we'll get out of jail and losing 3-2 away isn't a disaster as it'll be a "Glory, Glory night" at the Lane for the second leg it reminded me of the torture we deliberately put ourselves into.

While this is just one mans suffering relating to one club we know it's no different for others. Wigan come out on day one to get slaughtered at home by newly promoted relegation favourites Blackpool (next up Chelsea away!), West Ham get thrashed in the claret and blue derby against Villa. Sheffield United and Bristol City are without managers. It's the same old story and we all subject ourselves to it every year! We know the fans of these teams will turn out in droves and write opinion pieces on "Why our manager MUST go!" and "Paul Scholes is the greatest footballer OF ALL TIME!" and rant to anyone who may be within range about why they're wrong.

The reality is though, this is why we do it. Where would the fun be without sitting there on a Saturday afternoon, in the stands or in front of "Soccer Saturday" and following our teams fortunes. I know that's not going to be the last awful Spurs performance this year and I fear what'd happen if we were like that against Man Yoo or THEM but I'll sit there every week non-the-less. We love football for the highs and - for most fans - the lows but that won't stop us. Looking forward to yet another agonising season and lor' knows everyone else is too!