October 7 2007

Retirement to Greece is tempting after an afternoon like last Saturday

Jamesey returned to his seat at Selhurst Park after a September lotus-eating in the Greek islands.

An extraordinary phenomenon occurred at Selhurst Park, half way through our 1-1 draw with Hull City, the like of which I have not witnessed for a considerable time.

The faces of many Palace supporters were wreathed in wide beams, shoulders were clapped, hands were shaken and the air was full of the sounds of triumphant sports-lovers, celebrating a superb and unexpected victory.

Yes, folks, England had defeated Australia in the rugby world cup quarter finals.

As for the reality of our presence at Selhurst Park, there was little to cheer about.

But for the heroics of keeper Julian Speroni, we would have been three down by the time James Scowcroft nodded in what ought to have been the winner, late in the game.

I would even have been happy to put up with the frankly uninspiring and dull football CPFC seem to produce under the current regime for the sake of the precious three points.

But can we hold a lead?

Can we b*ggery.

It was almost inevitable that we would concede a late equaliser, and that is exactly what we did, gifting Hull a penalty in the dying seconds of the game.

Even while chomping on my lotuses in Athens, Paros and Syros, I had been missing the Selhurst experience.

I am sometimes tempted to take myself and my pension to Greece or Spain, like many of my retired compatriots, and live a life of ease on the shores of the Med.

However I have so many interests and consuming passions in London (supporting Palace high on the list) that inevitably Mrs J and I decide that the capital city of England is definitely where we want to be.

But sometimes my faith is tested and Saturday was surely such a day.

It was supposed to be a family fun day too, although it is hard to see where the fun is listening to and watching dire Freddie Mercury impersonations, 10th rate jugglers and acrobats, shrieking cheerleaders, a bloke with a yellow aeroplane wrapped round his shoulders, and an inane competition where people attempt, usually without success, to boot footballs into giant sinks.

To top it all, our manager is quoted as saying that the team's performance was "totally unacceptable". Well, chum, you've had the job for 17 months now, so whose fault is it? I think everybody knows except him.

And what's more I still haven't personally witnessed a Palace win since April...

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