A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to you all, from your good friends over the fence in the always here, cemetery freelance supporters club.
So, well, well, well, what could possibly go wrong now? Is this the best it has ever been come Christmas in Ryhope? I speak only of football of course, as no one should underestimate the capacity of Ryhope's finest, and not so finest, to enjoy the festive season, which, it seems to me, runs from September to August hereabouts. But I digress, and swiftly back to the football, so I say again, best ever at Yuletide? Few old boys shaking their heads at that, including a good few residents in here as it happens. But if not best ever, certainly best for a good few years, which is why those same old boys are in here. By my reckoning the club could well be on course for the best end of season position since 1987/88, touching several pieces of wood, not hard to find; and anyway that was the season when the club was relegated from the First Division after our only four seasons in the top flight!
Since then 19 years of not much, a highest place of ninth, and six seasons in the bottom five. Most ever second division points 59 in 2001/02. So, not a lot to beat really?
Only 15 League games so far under the new management team, and disregarding the two beltings in cup ties, thankfully both away games, it seems like every game a win, and some good football being played, and by a settled side where the fans have half a chance of naming more than one or two. Nice competition for goals from the front men, which includes the wing back, some system this. The little Scotsman not shouting as much as before, guess they must feel like his lads now. The manager quite calm, only shouting "Mossy / Wayne / Gary, what you f***in' doing?" twice a game now. A nice new light for the car park, didn't look like council workmen doing the job mind, would have took them a month to dig that trench; only joking lads. And fairs fair, the car park being worked on, and fencing being repaired by Sunderland Council's finest, and the pitch is holding up well too, thanks to the same outfit.
Ozo's boy the first fan to wear a nice new replica team shirt (buy your loved ones theirs for Christmas, luvvly, jubbly, best on the market, you'll be the only one on the beach in Benidorm this summer; you know it makes sense), but by the sounds of it the Secretary hasn't seen the money yet, not likely to either from the senior one of that ilk. Claims he is paying the expenses for the young un's...
But where is this new clubhouse? And, pending same, what you going to do about the ref's netty, which has the gentlemen of the league management committee, always mindful of the comfort of officials, so exercised? And why have you got to board the fence so we can't watch from the cemetery? And where are the bobbies when you need them?
Sounds like still more questions than answers, and when that's the case the only answer is a drink. I won't join you, but raise a glass for the lads, the lasses, the fans, the foes, the good times and the bad, enjoy the holiday, keep your family close, and then let us see what the New Year brings. Cheers!