Matches attended
109
Goals witnessed
400
Average goals per game
3.66
Highest scoring game
Runcorn Town 10 v 3 AFC Darwen
Ten most seen teams
Cheadle Town 13
Irlam FC 11
Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads 9
Stockport Town 9
West Didsbury and Chorlton 8
Abbey Hey 8
1874 Northwich 7
Burscough 6
Ashton Athletic 6
Chadderton 6
Raffles won
Fuck-all (bah)
End of season round-up
I set out on this annual journey with the target being to see 60 matches, mix and match the viewing matter, offer a bit of support here and there and put back a report for every match so as to pay back the entertainment given and do my small and simple bit. My good lady has been a regular escort and must have done at least 75% of the matches I have attended with a few punky dudes hopping in along the way (special mention to Stu Taylor here, grand company and a pleasure to share the touchline with). Somehow, after a prolific run I had achieved my target early on and, like the target-setting enthusiast I am, I decided to go for the century, a manoeuvre that got me a good old frown from my aforementioned loved one (one of many I get on a regular basis I may add). Extra cups of tea, trays of chips and nob-numbing freezings were partaken of, some interesting trips outside the expected soccer spectrum were had and some genuinely enthusiastic and welcoming folk met. As stated above, 109 was the total achieved, I won't be replicating that again as I have many passions and many things that need attending to but, I have no complaints and, in a very perverse way, have enjoyed the whole shebang - to those doubting my sanity - I don't blame ya.
The outcome of all the mooching about has been one of positivity with some great touchline talk had and some great folks met over and over again. There have been some choice moments and classic performances, the odd game one would rather forget and the odd silly incident where machismo-crap overruled decency and sent things AWOL. Many a good player has been seen, an abundance of quality goals and many frustrations as some sides repeatedly clutch defeat from the jaws of victory, all part and parcel of this game we adore. It all started back on the 5th August when Maine Road won their opening cup match against Winsford Utd in a 5 goal thriller - oh how the MR season went downhill from there. This is still one of my favoured haunts though but Burscough FC, New Mills, Runcorn Town, Congleton Town, Squires Gate and and FC Oswestry still rank as some of the best grounds for me. Mind you, I have no complaints about any I visit although the smaller the better I reckon and good tea and chips can swing my opinion oh so easily. Saying that, Ashton Athletic and Irlam FC have been great venues and I was so taken by the former team's efforts I took out an advertisement in their programme to help the cause and spread the Fungalised word. Applause please for the lovely folk at both of these clubs. Away from the North West Counties league we managed to fit in a few Evo-Stik matches, many Cheshire League fixtures and one from the Welsh Premier League. Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads, Whaley Bridge and Knutsford FC will be getting many more visits over the years that is for sure, what accommodating folk they are and hopefully we can continue to sneak in the odd excursion to pastures new and keep things fresh for all (cheers to Nev at Knutsford for his friendly ways and the free tea and pie on our first visit - what a gent).
The characters at Non-League level seem more sincere and colourful than those observed at the money-soaked top end and it is quite a nice feeling to turn-up to a ground and recognise a few familiars who are always up for an enthusiastic wag of the jaw. Some seem really clued in to matters and win, lose or draw carry on regardless with that inner fire unquenched and that motivation level set at 'high' - I like that! Some of these folk will be met over and over again as I pootle about, they are a blessing and to share a few words, anecdotes and general waffle is the way it should be, we are all rowing the same way and enjoying the great game in its most natural form.
So that is my brief round-up, there are too many good folk to thank individually but you know who you are and my advice to every player, every club official, every supporter and every referee and lines-man is to keep on doing what you do, enjoy, keep it fair and square and rather than bicker and spill bollocks, encourage and perspire magnetising passion - this is a game, a form of escapism and in a wicked world where many get a duff deal we should be proud to be in the know. As per, Up the Underdogs, keep it real and...sithee next season folks.
The outcome of all the mooching about has been one of positivity with some great touchline talk had and some great folks met over and over again. There have been some choice moments and classic performances, the odd game one would rather forget and the odd silly incident where machismo-crap overruled decency and sent things AWOL. Many a good player has been seen, an abundance of quality goals and many frustrations as some sides repeatedly clutch defeat from the jaws of victory, all part and parcel of this game we adore. It all started back on the 5th August when Maine Road won their opening cup match against Winsford Utd in a 5 goal thriller - oh how the MR season went downhill from there. This is still one of my favoured haunts though but Burscough FC, New Mills, Runcorn Town, Congleton Town, Squires Gate and and FC Oswestry still rank as some of the best grounds for me. Mind you, I have no complaints about any I visit although the smaller the better I reckon and good tea and chips can swing my opinion oh so easily. Saying that, Ashton Athletic and Irlam FC have been great venues and I was so taken by the former team's efforts I took out an advertisement in their programme to help the cause and spread the Fungalised word. Applause please for the lovely folk at both of these clubs. Away from the North West Counties league we managed to fit in a few Evo-Stik matches, many Cheshire League fixtures and one from the Welsh Premier League. Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads, Whaley Bridge and Knutsford FC will be getting many more visits over the years that is for sure, what accommodating folk they are and hopefully we can continue to sneak in the odd excursion to pastures new and keep things fresh for all (cheers to Nev at Knutsford for his friendly ways and the free tea and pie on our first visit - what a gent).
The characters at Non-League level seem more sincere and colourful than those observed at the money-soaked top end and it is quite a nice feeling to turn-up to a ground and recognise a few familiars who are always up for an enthusiastic wag of the jaw. Some seem really clued in to matters and win, lose or draw carry on regardless with that inner fire unquenched and that motivation level set at 'high' - I like that! Some of these folk will be met over and over again as I pootle about, they are a blessing and to share a few words, anecdotes and general waffle is the way it should be, we are all rowing the same way and enjoying the great game in its most natural form.
Thanks must go to all who have provided me with teamsheets and who have taken time to read these off-the-cuff scribblings - it is valued by my Fungalised self and, in many ways, keeps me firing on all cylinders.
So that is my brief round-up, there are too many good folk to thank individually but you know who you are and my advice to every player, every club official, every supporter and every referee and lines-man is to keep on doing what you do, enjoy, keep it fair and square and rather than bicker and spill bollocks, encourage and perspire magnetising passion - this is a game, a form of escapism and in a wicked world where many get a duff deal we should be proud to be in the know. As per, Up the Underdogs, keep it real and...sithee next season folks.
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