Howay the Lads ..........

I guess I enjoy a game of football as much as the next person.

But I am a watcher not a player.

In fact I have occasionally commented that I am a Manchester United supporter like many are supporters of the Church.

I never attend their matches but I am always pleased when they win.

Over the years I have been encouraged/persuaded to watch a match in the pub, indeed on one occasion in Barcelona I was watching a Manchester United match on a small screen in the bar, whilst the large screen was showing Barcelona it wasn't until near the end of the game when United equalised and I cheered that I realised the whole pub had gone silent and my cheering suddenly became very audible and was followed by a gentle hum of Catalonian laughter at this strange Englishman.

My support for Manchester United arose partly because I was, and still am, a Mancunian even though I am now part of the great Mancunian Diaspora but also and mainly because my Uncle was a Manchester United supporter.

I am old enough to remember that Manchester United was the Catholic Team in the City whilst Manchester City was the Protestant Team.

I am also old enough to recall travelling on the number 19 Bus from Gorton to Droylsden on the night of February 6th 1968 and seeing the Bus stop at every stop and the Conductor alight, knock on a door to ask the news and then share the news with the passengers.

That was the first time that I saw grown men openly weeping.

So football is not quite in my blood but as I type I am aware that Manchester United have lost out on a Champions League place by drawing 1-1 with Huddersfield.

Although I doubt that  grown men will be weeping over the result? Nevertheless .......

Most recently I have stood on quite a few windswept touchlines shouting encouragement to my grandson who played for Warwick Wanderers our local team in Warwick Bridge where I lived before my move to Shotley Fields.

Today when the doorbell rang I wasn't sure who I might be expecting, it certainly wasn't to add to the many and varied offices that I hold in this hamlet of Snods Edge.

In fact it was the coach of the Snods Edge football team asking me to sign the application forms for the North East Christian Football League, NECFL of which Snods Edge are in the first division.

The team finished the season 7th out of 8 clubs with a 1-1 Draw with Hope Church, Sunderland and a 5-1 defeat by YAV SIFF FC.

Congratulations are due to M Clark out top scorer with 6 goals from 6 appearances.

I doubt if at my age I will be playing next season but I am sure that I will find an opportunity to be a watcher on the touchline.

As Vicar of St Andrew's in Newgate Street, Newcastle I had St Jame's Park in my parish and we shared an Architect in Faulkner Brown a Newcastle based Architectural Practice.

Now in Snods Edge I have the Snods Edge Football Club in the parish to which one can only say: 'Howay the Lads'!

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