SITTING on a sun lounger during my fortnight in the south of France, it was sad to keep reading unabated bashing of football players and fans in comparison to the Olympics.
So as well as the example I’ve already cited from St Neots-Hitchin, a couple of others have been brought to my attention this week to show that not all who love to play and watch this tribal, nationally-loved sport are bad.
First, in the Hellenic Premier Division, Highworth United travelled to Binfield without manager John Fisher, who had what he called a ?prior engagement”, nor assistant Kevin Maloney, attending his son’s wedding.
They lost 5-0, but did the players moan about not having any leadership and look to blame anyone but themselves? No, they took collective responsibility and hit themselves in the pocket.
As Fisher explained: “It’s a difficult situation, but I would still expect a better performance and so would the players, who have actually fined themselves.”
Stepping up a division, my NLP colleague Tony Williams went to watch one of his old clubs Hungerford Town play at Bridgwater in the Southern League South & West.
The hosts went down 2-1 to a Ben Pugh winner in the last five minutes, but there were no fickle fair weather fans at Fairfax Park.
Tony told me: ?The Bridgwater players warmed down and came off to a standing ovation from supporters who had stayed behind to show their appreciation of their efforts.
?Hopefully the Olympic Games spirit is rubbing off, because there really is very little wrong with the game when it’s played and watched with a smile.”
“I’ve played the game and know what good goes on inside clubs in the finest football Pyramid in the world. Let me know of any examples you see or hear at all levels so I can share the love!
