International weekends are often a damp squib, with many a football fan bewailing the lack of Premier League action while the national sides play meaningless friendlies. They should of course be out supporting non league football, but that is another matter.
However this last weekend has been a bit different, mainly because all of the home nations have more or less of a chance to make it to the finals in France next year. The expansion of the finals to 24 teams is the thing that makes this possible, and although the football authorities get plenty of well deserved stick, not least from me, this is one thing they should be heartily applauded for. The more the merry for these twice yearly big championships I say. And although my travel options are restricted these days as you know, and I don't set up for a travel agent, I will say that if you can afford a tent and a bus ticket you should definitely be planning to get yourself to the South of France next June. Plenty of the old vino collapso, guaranteed sunshine, and a good time to be had by all. Only thing you need to hope for is that you don't end up in the same part of the world as England, those so called fans ruin it every time. But if you get Austria, Slovenia and Italy or some such, then game on. And you don't even need to go to the games, the towns and cities will be jumping with lots of things laid on in parks, beaches and the like. Sounds like just the job to me. If only...
A word or two on the cricket World Cup. Australia won. Not a surprise then.
But back to local matters. Out of the bottom three no less, can this last? Well, we all hope so. Long way to go and some tough fixtures amongst them, but no despair hereabouts. Wish I could make it to Billy Synners next Saturday, what a game that could be! If you are going spare a thought for us grounded characters, and keep the faith...