As events unfolded elsewhere (Carlisle and Brighton, who were also both threatened with the drop) and on the pitch in front of us the possible became inevitable and then became a stark reality.
So the Cobblers faithful decided to answer the chants from "play off bound" Leeds fans of "Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be, were going to Wembley" with their own version of "Were going to Shrewsbury" and not just Shrewsbury, you can also add Dagenham and Redbridge and Burton Albion and Morecombe and Accrington Stanley to the list of clubs we will be visiting in League 2 next season. A long way away from the expectation of visits to and from Southampton, Charlton, Norwich and possibly Leeds again?
And so it was a most disastrous season ended in relegation and a 3-0 drubbing by Leeds United in front of a crowd 34,000 where as next season we will probably start the season away at Bury in front of a crowd of 3400. That's the game, that's how unfair and cruel life as a football supporter can be.
And so it is today that despite the inevitable comments from some saying "It's only a game" I find myself wrapped deep in depression, unable to watch any football on the TV, unwilling to go out and face a world that seems not to care about the plight of us obsessive football fans. My therapy is to write this blog entry and get off my chest all of my feelings and forebodings.
First of all though well done to Brighton and Carlisle, you both really had to win to have any chance of surviving, and then also look to others (us) to foul up. We did, you didn't. You did the job asked of you, we didn't. You deserve to stay in League one, we don't.
Secondly, in speaking to just a few similarly afflicted souls such as myself I detect a stirring of "no one likes us we don't care" about our mood.
In a season when the Council couldn't be arsed to get behind us when it really mattered most, and when you felt that some in the town (thankfully not too many) almost seemed to take some satisfaction at our ongoing plight, the fan base seem to have formed an opinion of robust indifference, saying "think what you like, do your worst, we are here to stay and we are not going away and we are never, ever, giving up on our dream.
Last Thursday we met with the Council about our much revised plans, it was a good meeting, at the same time the Saints plans have really thrown a hand grenade into the planning arena just as I am sure Keith Barwell expected them to. We can only but wait for the views of the politicians at the Guildhall who I have to say have so far been less quick off the mark with their opinions than they were when the football club announced their own plans. Time will tell.
But all this means that we will be having the debate against a background I hope of acceptance from some that we won't give up on our ambition off the pitch any more than we will relinquish our hope of future success on it.
A creature is at it's most dangerous when backed into a corner and when it is feeling under threat from all those around. So beware, the pain of relegation today stings, our wounds are open, and some will be quick to rub salt into them, but we will rise again.
Now what price will Ladbrookes give me on us being champions of League Two next season?
Shrewsbury? I was so depressed I thought they were singing about going to Sainsburys!
ReplyDeleteObviously my 'Hope' that Northampton Town would be relegated overcame your 'Hate' for the BNP. You'll have a few fans less next season as I know a few long term Cobblers fans that will not stop foot inside Sixfields again after after the stunt against MK Dons. Some Commercial manager you are! You should never mix football and politics
ReplyDeleteWe won't miss you anon, holocaust deniers and those who believe that Black Britons have no place in the UK we can well do without.
ReplyDeleteTry looking at what the BNP actually stand for rather than believe what you are force fed by the media and organisations that have a vested interest in keeping the UK in Europe. Would you believe a Tobacco company if they said smoking was good for you? Have an open mind, open your eyes and don't believe the hype.
ReplyDeleteI don't need to rely on the media when your own party leader said the following under oath in court.
ReplyDelete"I am well aware that the orthodox opinion is that six million Jews were gassed and cremated and turned into lampshades. Orthodox opinion also once held that the Earth was flat … I have reached the conclusion that the 'extermination' tale is a mixture of Allied wartime propaganda, extremely profitable lie, and latter witch-hysteria"
and on Black Britons? how about his stated view that
"Without the White race, nothing matters. [Other right-wing parties] believe that the answer to the race question is integration and a futile attempt to create 'Black Britons', while we affirm that non-Whites have no place here at all and will not rest until every last one has left our land"
It is for these reasons that I dislike everything the BNP stands for. That is my right, I fully understand that some may wish to disagree, within the law that is their right too, but I also believe that the more the spotlight is on the party the more the general public will see which they dislike.
Tony, just wanted to say I feel the same as you... I know it must have been ten times worse being at Leeds then it was for me at home waiting on people's text's etc to keep me informed. And let me know the odds of us going up as champions, you know you can count on us hardy "Johnnies" to shout us on!
ReplyDeleteAnd while I'm at it; don't let some nameless, faceless brainwashed fool rattle your cage. If Anonymous has to hide behind words and false hope; then he clearly knows he is fighting a losing battle. And for the record; before you start on at me Anonymous, I have been reading BNP's own website... it made me sick and horrified that people (maybe like yourself) could be so shallow and actually believe all the rubbish that their leader spouts out... it is so clearly only being said to win votes and scaremonger people into doing what a cleaver yet naive leader/party wants....
After all, if enough people are scared enough into believing something; they will go where you lead them!
On another note, I too will be watching things at the Saints very carefully from no on. I hope to goodness that my first instincts are wrong on this and people are not out to "screw us over..." Dunno about you Tony but I think it is the last thing we need... And for the record, two last things...
You may have a point with what you said at that Council meeting... (I'll let you figure out what bit; but it ties in to my next point...)
You are a good General Manager!!! (Note General Manager there Anonymous; NOT Commercial Manager as you stated; you clearly seem to be getting you facts wrong there!!!)