WE'VE DONE A CARDIFF!
Thu Apr 18, 2013 12:38 am
It never ceases to amaze me when listening to people who call in on radio to the 606 Phone-In how some take it for granted, an almost divine right, to be at football's top table. Three defeats on the trot, for some fans, constitutes a crisis; five games without a win and you'd think the apocalypse was here. Bolton are not given to illusions of grandeur but even this week on a programme a pundit, a retired professional footballer, was spouting on about what a terrible two seasons their fans have had and it would be great for them if the club managed to go up via the Play-Offs. HELLO! I wonder what attendances the so-called top six would be getting if they had had the last 40 years we have had to endure?
For certain clubs, and therefore certain fans, their success and their subsequent privileged position has been achieved and retained far too easily. I remember a reverend gentleman preaching; his sermon title was: "Abased to Abounding." The gist of his message centred on the thought that unless a person had suffered hardships success meant nothing and was not valued.
Season 2008-09 witnessed the grotesque 6-0 defeat at Preston and we were edged out of the end of year play-off games by virtue that we scored a goal less than the Lancastrians. The following year came the gut-wrenching defeat by Blackpool at Wembley whilst the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons brought failure in the play-off semi-finals. Most other clubs would have been sunk without trace after such heartache. However we, thankfully, were made of sterner stuff.
A special mention must be made of Kevin McNaughton. In his City career, Super Kev has notched up 269 appearances and from 2008-09 has averaged a staggering 43 appearances a season (44; 26; 47; 43; 16). He, above any other, deserves a special award when the end of year trophies are handed out. What a consummate professional; certainly a man you'd want in the trenches with you when the going gets tough. His elation at the final whistle on Tuesday night must have been all the sweeter after the previous years' tears. Well done Super Kev. You are one in a million.
StT.
For certain clubs, and therefore certain fans, their success and their subsequent privileged position has been achieved and retained far too easily. I remember a reverend gentleman preaching; his sermon title was: "Abased to Abounding." The gist of his message centred on the thought that unless a person had suffered hardships success meant nothing and was not valued.
Season 2008-09 witnessed the grotesque 6-0 defeat at Preston and we were edged out of the end of year play-off games by virtue that we scored a goal less than the Lancastrians. The following year came the gut-wrenching defeat by Blackpool at Wembley whilst the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons brought failure in the play-off semi-finals. Most other clubs would have been sunk without trace after such heartache. However we, thankfully, were made of sterner stuff.
A special mention must be made of Kevin McNaughton. In his City career, Super Kev has notched up 269 appearances and from 2008-09 has averaged a staggering 43 appearances a season (44; 26; 47; 43; 16). He, above any other, deserves a special award when the end of year trophies are handed out. What a consummate professional; certainly a man you'd want in the trenches with you when the going gets tough. His elation at the final whistle on Tuesday night must have been all the sweeter after the previous years' tears. Well done Super Kev. You are one in a million.
StT.
Re: WE'VE DONE A CARDIFF!
Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:03 am
Excellent post
totally agree about kev mcnaughton,the way he responded when his form dipped and he looked like he was finished just sums up what that man is about
totally agree about kev mcnaughton,the way he responded when his form dipped and he looked like he was finished just sums up what that man is about