2016/17 SEASON ROUND UP

Matches attended

69

Goals witnessed

268

Average goals per game

3.88

Highest scoring game

Maine Road 5 v 4 Bootle FC

Ten most seen teams

Cheadle Town 11

West Didsbury & Chorlton 8

Maine Road 8

Stockport Town 7

Sandbach Utd 6

Carlisle City 6

Abbey Hey 6

Prestwich Heys 5

Runcorn Town 5

Congleton Town 4

Raffles won

1

End of season round-up

It has been a long old season this one and one I have made a real effort with.  My punk DIY spirit has been gratified by witnessing a continuing saga that, in the main is untainted by money and is supported by people who are not interested in the big idiot shenanigans of mainstream football and who just want to see a good honest game played for the sheer love of it.  I have met many fine folk along the way and enjoyed all manner of conversation and have felt welcome at each and every ground myself and my good lady have visited.  I have a few spiked souls who join me now and again on the touchline and who have also enjoyed what they have witnessed.  To add to this I have had many encouraging comments and positive feedback regarding my soccerised scribblings which I hope keeps people enthused and keeps them out there supporting their clubs and keeping things mighty real and pure.

I would be hard pushed to pick one favourite ground over the previous months and, as a neutral, I feel it would be unfair to commit myself as, in blatant truth, I have taken great pleasure in every location we have visited.  I must say though that Congleton Town have a ruddy good set up, their chips are absolutely spot on and it is a veritable must visit several times next season. 

My memories of the season are many with the 9 goal thriller between Maine Road and Bootle FC a night to look back on with sincere pleasure and the recent visit to Darwen AFC in glorious sunshine a cracking day out.  Many away trips have been combined with wildlife excursions and the 5 day jaunt up to Carlisle were we saw the home birds play, as well as Holker Old Boys, was a great success.  The 2 trips to Blackpool to spend the mornings observing the natural world and then to watch Squires Gate and Blackpool AFC were superb and will no doubt be repeated each and every year (if the missus agrees).  Jaunts to New Mills FC are always rewarding and the vibes at City of Liverpool and West Didsbury & Chorlton show that there is plenty of potential to build on at some of these well-supported clubs.  To add though, that bloody droning chant of ‘West Didsbury & Chorlton’ is a real head sticker and many a time I have had it whirling round my noggin when doing something else that has nothing to do with football .  What a bloody tune ha, ha.

What I do like about these games is the character they hold, with their long term supporters in the crowd, the on-the-cusp reality of many situations and the numerous volunteers who give up their time to do something bloody worthwhile.  A chat too with a couple of groundsmen was very heart-warming and great to know that there are still people out there who take great pride in their work. 

The weather needs a mention at this point as, as is the norm in many walks of life in this unpredictable country, it is a great talking point and separates the ardent supporter from the fair-weather fan.  Looking back though on the freezings, the sun-drenched occasions, the windblown affairs and the odd soaking I reckon all of these diverse climactic angles all breeds colour and gives the game we know and love an extra splash of untold life, something we may moan about but I am sure wouldn't do without.  There is a romantic perversion involved in shivering your knackers off on a midweek December night whilst two teams battle out a contest that, in the great scheme of things matters not one jot.  What is that thing that forces us to get up, sit tight and endure the big chill and still go home contented?  Madness or passion, perhaps a bit of both.

So I sign off here and do so well chuffed with what I have seen and with an embryonic longing for the start of the new season.  The break is necessary though as it keeps us all keen and when August comes around I wish all and sundry good health and happiness and a rousing spirit to indulge in another season of worthwhile football.

Cheers to all – keep at it folks and make sure you enjoy it all and keep it fair, welcoming and honest!  Therein the secret lies, therein success is found!