Well it's the last day. I'm impressed that I have made it this far without being involved in any footballing activities. Yeah, there's been times when I have almost broken the ban, but I've resisted temptation and feel like embracing the last day.
On the whole, I'm looking forward to having football back in my life. I've probably taken it too seriously in the past, but I have missed it throughout the forty days. I have even bought a copy of the new footy manager and have a tape of all the MoTDs that have missed in preparation for tomorrow.
Sunday 4 January 2009
Days Thirty Eight and Thirty Nine - 2nd & 3rd January
Nearly there!
The first weekend in January is famous for one thing - FA Cup third round day. The day when shocks happen and cup dreams become reality. It is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the footballing calendar, and unfortunately for me, I can't watch it. Saturdays throughout the ban have not been enjoyable, and I am glad that this is my last one.
I decide, like many people do at this time of year, that the Christmas turkey has taken its toll on me and I have to get fit. Unable to turn to f**tball, I instead choose to go for a run. I manage about 5k, but am well and truly knackered by the end of it. To toast my avoidance of football during the weekends, I go out with friends for a few drinks. In the past six weeks, I have discovered that there are actually bars that do not show football, and choose one of them to go to. As I head into the fortieth and final day of my non football spell, I am in good spirit.
The first weekend in January is famous for one thing - FA Cup third round day. The day when shocks happen and cup dreams become reality. It is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the footballing calendar, and unfortunately for me, I can't watch it. Saturdays throughout the ban have not been enjoyable, and I am glad that this is my last one.
I decide, like many people do at this time of year, that the Christmas turkey has taken its toll on me and I have to get fit. Unable to turn to f**tball, I instead choose to go for a run. I manage about 5k, but am well and truly knackered by the end of it. To toast my avoidance of football during the weekends, I go out with friends for a few drinks. In the past six weeks, I have discovered that there are actually bars that do not show football, and choose one of them to go to. As I head into the fortieth and final day of my non football spell, I am in good spirit.
Days Thirty Six and Thirty Seven - 31st December & 1st January
Happy new year everyone!
Although for me its not a happy beginning to the new year. This is due to the fact that the first of January is marked by the opening of the transfer window. I wonder if my club has been involved in any business so far. I've decided that in the bliss of knowing nothing about what has happened in football in the last six weeks I will make a few predictions about what will happen during the window.
#
Man City will not sign any world class players.
I still don't buy this whole Man City revolution thing. Why would Kaka or Buffon want to go to Eastlands? And I doubt that Mark Hughes would want a team full of fancy foreigners anyway. Expect City to aim for more realistic targets such as Santa Cruz, Lucas Neill, Gareth Barry and Michael Owen to be on their radar.
#
Andrey Arshavin will move.
With the Russian season over, I doubt Zenit will be able to deny the classy winger his desire of a move to one of Europe's best. Expect Chelsea, Barcelona and Spurs to be possible suitors for the Russian.
#
Loan moves will dominate.
With money tight, it is likely that the majority of goings on in this window will be loan moves with a view to making them permanent.
#
Emile Heskey will get one last big move.
Teams are looking for something a bit different at this time of year, and Heskey certainly offers something unique. Liverpool may feel the need for a replacement for Crouch, so the big striker may return to Anfield.
#
There will be one or two massive surprises.
There always is!
Although for me its not a happy beginning to the new year. This is due to the fact that the first of January is marked by the opening of the transfer window. I wonder if my club has been involved in any business so far. I've decided that in the bliss of knowing nothing about what has happened in football in the last six weeks I will make a few predictions about what will happen during the window.
#
Man City will not sign any world class players.
I still don't buy this whole Man City revolution thing. Why would Kaka or Buffon want to go to Eastlands? And I doubt that Mark Hughes would want a team full of fancy foreigners anyway. Expect City to aim for more realistic targets such as Santa Cruz, Lucas Neill, Gareth Barry and Michael Owen to be on their radar.
#
Andrey Arshavin will move.
With the Russian season over, I doubt Zenit will be able to deny the classy winger his desire of a move to one of Europe's best. Expect Chelsea, Barcelona and Spurs to be possible suitors for the Russian.
#
Loan moves will dominate.
With money tight, it is likely that the majority of goings on in this window will be loan moves with a view to making them permanent.
#
Emile Heskey will get one last big move.
Teams are looking for something a bit different at this time of year, and Heskey certainly offers something unique. Liverpool may feel the need for a replacement for Crouch, so the big striker may return to Anfield.
#
There will be one or two massive surprises.
There always is!
Days Thirty Four and Thirty Five - 29th & 30th December
Footballers are infamous for struggling to find something useful to do with their lives after their time in the game ends. Those that don't end up in coaching or management often find it difficult to find a new career outwith football. So this lead to me thinking about trying out some of the post-football activities that ex-footballers have taken up in their retirement years .
Lumberjack -
Former Swedish international Klass Ingesson now plys his trade chopping down trees, so I thought this would be pretty fun to try out. Our Christmas tree is looking a quite unhealthy by this stage of the festive season, so I climb in to the attic and find a small hacksaw. I gradually butcher all the large branches left on the tree, until I have separated it into quarters. Although the tree can now be easily disposed of and I have had a rare time destroying it, I don't really see this as a career option for me.
Pancake Making -
Former Southampton defender Ken Monkou has invested the money he earned from football in a pancake cafe back in his native Holland. I decide to give flipping crepes a go by making them for my whole family. The first few are decidedly dodgy, but I soon get the hang of the process and by pancake three I am producing world class crepes. I am not sure how receptive the average Glaswegian palate would be to such a continental dish, but I decide I like Monkou's career choice.
Gambling -
Numerous footballers have become gambling addicts before and after they have retired from the game. I don't have the budget of your average Premiership star, but I dedicate a whole £25 to spend on a horse racing. I know nothing about racing, and I begin by betting small. Initially, I do quite well and on my third bet I win twelve quid. My winning streak is short though and I am soon out of money. I don't really get any rush from betting and decide that it's not for me.
Stand up -
Footballers such as Neil Ruddock and Rodney Marsh now make a living by giving speeches at club dinners and the like. I decide to inflict a couple of my friends to a ten minute speech full of anecdotes about my past. I am greeted with glares and everyone seems to think that this whole no football thing has finally got to me. I decide that I am not interesting enough to make a career out of speaking.
Lumberjack -
Former Swedish international Klass Ingesson now plys his trade chopping down trees, so I thought this would be pretty fun to try out. Our Christmas tree is looking a quite unhealthy by this stage of the festive season, so I climb in to the attic and find a small hacksaw. I gradually butcher all the large branches left on the tree, until I have separated it into quarters. Although the tree can now be easily disposed of and I have had a rare time destroying it, I don't really see this as a career option for me.
Pancake Making -
Former Southampton defender Ken Monkou has invested the money he earned from football in a pancake cafe back in his native Holland. I decide to give flipping crepes a go by making them for my whole family. The first few are decidedly dodgy, but I soon get the hang of the process and by pancake three I am producing world class crepes. I am not sure how receptive the average Glaswegian palate would be to such a continental dish, but I decide I like Monkou's career choice.
Gambling -
Numerous footballers have become gambling addicts before and after they have retired from the game. I don't have the budget of your average Premiership star, but I dedicate a whole £25 to spend on a horse racing. I know nothing about racing, and I begin by betting small. Initially, I do quite well and on my third bet I win twelve quid. My winning streak is short though and I am soon out of money. I don't really get any rush from betting and decide that it's not for me.
Stand up -
Footballers such as Neil Ruddock and Rodney Marsh now make a living by giving speeches at club dinners and the like. I decide to inflict a couple of my friends to a ten minute speech full of anecdotes about my past. I am greeted with glares and everyone seems to think that this whole no football thing has finally got to me. I decide that I am not interesting enough to make a career out of speaking.
Saturday 3 January 2009
Days Thirty Two and Thirty Three - 27th & 28th December
It's the day that I have been dreading. The day when Glasgow comes to a standstill. The 27th of December brings the second Old Firm derby of the season.
If you haven't been in Glasgow on derby day then you won't understand the atmosphere that engulfs the city on this day. The whole week before the game is tense. Families and friends argue over what will happen and old scores are settled on the pitch.
Going out on the day of an Old Firm match is difficult due to the police presence and transport problems that accompany the atmosphere. The fact that glasgow Central Station is closed as well means that I can't even go shopping or anything like that. I decide that the only way I will be able to avoid this one is by hiding in a dark corner. I pace up and down in my room for the 3 hours or so that the match coverage runs. Running through all possible scenarios in my head as to what could happen. Am I missing a classic? No surely, it'll be a 0-0 or Rangers might even win. I literally recoil into the foetal position, and resign myself to having to take a nap. I cant sleep due to nervous tension.
If you haven't been in Glasgow on derby day then you won't understand the atmosphere that engulfs the city on this day. The whole week before the game is tense. Families and friends argue over what will happen and old scores are settled on the pitch.
Going out on the day of an Old Firm match is difficult due to the police presence and transport problems that accompany the atmosphere. The fact that glasgow Central Station is closed as well means that I can't even go shopping or anything like that. I decide that the only way I will be able to avoid this one is by hiding in a dark corner. I pace up and down in my room for the 3 hours or so that the match coverage runs. Running through all possible scenarios in my head as to what could happen. Am I missing a classic? No surely, it'll be a 0-0 or Rangers might even win. I literally recoil into the foetal position, and resign myself to having to take a nap. I cant sleep due to nervous tension.
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