June 30 2007

Selhurst Park

It's only a piece of plastic but it brightened the day for Jamesey.

There it was on the mat this morning (June 30) as the postmen resumed work after their 24-hour strike (Do trade unions ever learn?

One-day strikes hardly ever further the workers' cause and only leave them a day's wages short at the end of the week).

It came in an important-looking envelope marked "Strictly private and confidential for addressee only".

Yes, after several decades as a season holder, my card was the earliest ever and at least I won't be worrying as the week's roll by to the start of the season...will it or won't turn up before the first game?

Like most football enthusiasts, this time of year is a particularly bleak one for me, especially without a summer World Cup or Euro-Cup to enjoy (or not maybe if you are an England supporter). Incidentally it is interesting to see that our under-21 side are emulating their senior colleagues so precisely - giving away last-minute goals and losing penalty shoot-outs.

I saw my last live game at Selhurst on April 29 and plan to go to the Anderlecht and Everton pre-season friendlies, so that will be three months' soccer celibacy. Who needs that?

Fortunately I love tennis so the Wimbledon fortnight always keeps the sporting area of my brain happy and, as a golf addict, the British Open is something to look forward to in July.

Also inside this morning's envelope was a panoply of bumf, entreating me to join the Golden Eagles, attend disco nights or hold a Christmas party at Selhurst, etc, etc.

I am unlikely to avail myself of many most of these offers but I applaud the merchandising and marketing effort behind it all. A sound commercial base to our club can only benefit everyone from supporters to players at the top of the pyramid.

No, but Everton and Anderlecht at £5 each (concession) look an extremely attractive offer to this fan and I will be breaking my three-month abstinence with a bang (if readers will pardon the expression).

*To go briefly off-topic, I am specially looking forward to my pre-dinner couple of pints in one of Wandsworth's fine, traditional Youngs pubs tomorrow evening.

Reason? It will be Sunday, July 1, and tobacco addicts will be persona non grata.

I will be able to enjoy my ale without people breathing noxious fumes all over me, hurting my lungs and making my clothes and hair reek.

Roll on, smoke-free drinking...

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