I know many football folk who like to pile up at a game as late as possible. My view is that if I am travelling a fair distance – and let’s face it, the majority of grounds I ‘need’ are now 150 miles or more away! – it makes sense to have a look round the town or some nice countryside nearby. Each to his/her own.

THIS evening, I am back at my old stomping ground: Meadow Lane. The Magpies are offering tickets for a tenner to watch the FA Cup first round replay against Rochdale.

THE Fox occasionally justifies my awesome friendship by coming up with a good suggestion regarding fixtures. While I am struggling to pick out anything of note from a mass of matches, a message arrives with details of a cheeky double header: Boom!