Football - a game for gentlemen?

“Football – a game for gentlemen played by hooligans. Rugby – a game for hooligans played by gentlemen.”

Well I don’t know how true that might be but judging by the behaviour of the fathers it wouldn’t surprise me.

I hadn’t seen James play football as he only took it up this year but soon got onto the team. He is a back as his ball skills aren’t as good as those of boys who’ve played since young and been to skills courses etc.

We met him and #3 daughter at Kingston Park for the last game of the league. Whitley Bay v West Denton - the winning team would be top of the league and gosh the opposition dads were aggressive and intimidating. Daughter was shocked as all the other teams they’d played hadn’t had that going on. These boys are 9 years old not Newcastle v Sunderland. The opposition were good and won 2-1. Because they were so good they gave James plenty to do so at least I saw him being involved. And he got the trophy for man of the match.

As soon as he’d had lunch he was off down to the caged area at the park to kick about with his pal Henry, also on the team. Daughter and I had a walk with Sandy to the sea but the tide was in. Mr C waited in for Thomas coming back from his rugby tournament. He scored a try but hates rugby and wants to give up but his dad won’t hear of it.

Then Mr C dropped me off at the hospital for an hour with Chris. She’s waiting for a bed at the Freeman to see what the angiogram says and what the plan will be after her heart attack. I’m going to be driving her about as you can’t drive for 6 weeks after a heart attack.

Ella was at basketball and Nathaniel at a rugby festival at Corbridge. His team won all their matches. A lot of them are at private schools so get rugby at school.

I really enjoyed the football today. Those wee boys were really good. I used to go to watch Ipswich Town but didn’t like the big stadium and less friendly atmosphere at Newcastle matches.