And so a new season begins, the World Cup but a memory to be forgotten as quickly as possible (unless you’re Spanish). The sun shone down on Meadow Lane in Nottingham, home of Notts County. Newly promoted and hoping to announce their presence in League One with a quick three points, they were soon given a reality check. Maybe they were overwhelmed by the sight of so many away fans (Town brought over 3,000 – almost a third of the total) and hteir big flag. Whatever it was, County were too slow out of the blocks and Town too quick. The new signing, Joey Gudjonsson, was terrific in the first half and made sure nothing got further than our midfield when County attacked. Town scored twice in quick succession in the first half and should have had more as they cut through the Magpies’ defence. In the second half, County were a little more sprightly, especially after they made their substitutions but they still couldn’t compete. As the Town fans cruelly pointed out when Pilkington scored the third: ‘We’re just too good for you.’
Away fans, I’ve noticed, are a different breed from the rest. They are by definition more ardent, more informed, more passionate than those who only attend the home games. Within that group are the uber fans, usually lads in their early twenties. They are the ones who chant the loudest, know all the words to all the songs and whose dads, a few rows away, are most likely to be the ones with their tops off, waving them round in the air whatever the weather. The uber fans know the history of their opposition, too. Lee Hughes, County’s hero of last season was given a hard time. Every contact he had with the ball was booed. Every opportunity they had to chant: ‘Lee Hughes is a murderer’ taken. It is occasions like this when football is at its darkest, when the stadium is at its most gladitorial. Lee Hughes is not a murderer – but he did kill someone in a hit and run accident and served time in jail for it. Since his release he has shown remorse and instigated several fund raising events for charity. Of course, none of that washes with the hard core of away fans (not just Town’s – every teams’). I wonder what it’s like, week in, week out, to be Lee Hughes? To be reminded of his crime by hundreds of away fans? I wonder what his two little girls think when they come to watch their dad play and hear those strangers chanting about him? I wonder what it’s like for the victim’s family, seeing Hughes’ name in the sports pages? I wondered about those things as I watched the match yesterday. That’s why I’m a writer.
Anyway, that was my Saturday. How was yours?
Not so good. I came the the conclusion that the Championship is a bit of a step up. Derby cut through us down the middle. No need for wing play. Stiil, I took Iris to Lincoln (h) four days later and got a great film of her watching, then celebrating, a successful penalty kick.
Shame Bradford lost…
It’s always a shame when Bradford lose (ahem). Glad Iris enjoyed the win against Lincoln.