Days when it's all worthwhile

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Sometimes it's hard to be a Blade, as Tammy Wynette almost sang, but just occasionally the Blades do us proud, and as there are no games for 2 weeks, I would like to help keep the mood of happiness going a little longer. The Villa match for me was the culmination of a perfect few days, beginning with 3 days of a family gathering in Northumberland to celebrate our golden wedding. The sun shone, the coast was spectacular, the fish was excellent, the drink flowed, and the tide-times were just perfect for a day on Holy Island. Mrs HBT insisted that we came back early on Saturday so that I could go to the Villa game with son and grandson, who is in the special position of being from Birmingham and having a season-ticket at the Lane. (You will have noted that I made a good choice of wife). I assumed that United would be the cold water poured on our happiness, but for once they were the icing on the cake, producing a performance in that first hour that is better than any I can recall. It was a privilege to witness it.
My conclusion from all this is that suffering all the bad times is worth it, because when everything comes together, it is all the sweeter. I was away from Sheffield in the late 60s, and played football on Saturdays in the early 70s, and I remember that the relegation of 1968 did not affect me in the same way as later relegations; but on the other hand, though I was at the Watford match in 1971, I did not feel the joy of promotion in the same way as in promotions since then. It is worth bearing that in mind when the times are bad.

 

[HoodedClaw]

Sometimes it's hard to be a Blade, as Tammy Wynette almost sang, but just occasionally the Blades do us proud, and as there are no games for 2 weeks, I would like to help keep the mood of happiness going a little longer. The Villa match for me was the culmination of a perfect few days, beginning with 3 days of a family gathering in Northumberland to celebrate our golden wedding. The sun shone, the coast was spectacular, the fish was excellent, the drink flowed, and the tide-times were just perfect for a day on Holy Island. Mrs HBT insisted that we came back early on Saturday so that I could go to the Villa game with son and grandson, who is in the special position of being from Birmingham and having a season-ticket at the Lane. (You will have noted that I made a good choice of wife). I assumed that United would be the cold water poured on our happiness, but for once they were the icing on the cake, producing a performance in that first hour that is better than any I can recall. It was a privilege to witness it.
My conclusion from all this is that suffering all the bad times is worth it, because when everything comes together, it is all the sweeter. I was away from Sheffield in the late 60s, and played football on Saturdays in the early 70s, and I remember that the relegation of 1968 did not affect me in the same way as later relegations; but on the other hand, though I was at the Watford match in 1971, I did not feel the joy of promotion in the same way as in promotions since then. It is worth bearing that in mind when the times are bad.

Dead right Hodgy.

Games like Saturdays make the 6+ hour round trips more than worthwhile for me.

It provided some closure to as it was a tough journey when they beat us last season, so good to get justice this time round.

The really good thing, though, is the Blades are providing worthwhile days with alarming regularity... it almost doesn't feel right. Almost.

 

[Paulus]

Where do you travel from HC?

 

[Benny and the Blades]

You get to the point where your always waiting for the other sboe to drop don't you.

Drop your shoulders and here comes the sucker punch .

It's all part of being a fan.

 

[HoodedClaw]

Where do you travel from HC?

Deepest darkest Oxfordshire

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Dead right Hodgy.

Games like Saturdays make the 6+ hour round trips more than worthwhile for me.

It provided some closure to as it was a tough journey when they beat us last season, so good to get justice this time round.

The really good thing, though, is the Blades are providing worthwhile days with alarming regularity... it almost doesn't feel right. Almost.

Thanks. I should have said I wasn't going for the Bladey Blade award - there's lots like you who work much harder than I do to follow the Blades. The people who just go with whichever club is the current fashion will never experience the highs of 'proper' fans, but they do spare themselves a lot of anguish. Each to their own, but I think the commitment is ultimately the more worthwhile.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Deepest darkest Oxfordshire

Do you get to discuss Wilder with the locals?

 

[Paulus]

Deepest darkest Oxfordshire

Ah, I do a 4 hour return from Evesham which might not be too far from your route.

 

[HoodedClaw]

Do you get to discuss Wilder with the locals?

Unfortunately it's a footballing black hole round here.

I really agree with your earlier point about going with whichever is in fashion.

It makes me feel sorry for them in a way, they have no connection to whoever it is they "support". You need the lows to make the highs all the more sweeter, wouldn't change it for the world.

 

[HoodedClaw]

Ah, I do a 4 hour return from Evesham which might not be too far from your route.

Days like Saturday make it all worthwhile

 

[ucandomagic]

Ah, I do a 4 hour return from Evesham which might not be too far from your route.

I’m in Studley - not far from you, and full of Villans - including my dentist who I’m going to see on Wednesday. Not sure if it’s the best time!

 

[RammyBlade]

Lived north of Newcastle for a couple of years and still went to watch all Blades matches. A lovely part of the country but now a bit closer living in the dark side (Lancashire)

 

[Lil red rooster]

I really fancied us through the week to give villa hiding ,it's not a feeling I can really recall having before.

Then to turn up and it actually happen wow ,it must be what its like supporting man city.