Yes, it’s a Sunday morning and it’s not even 8am. I’m up and about, clothed, fed and raring to go. In 10 minutes, I’ll be in the car and on my way to Portsmouth for our Premiership fixture. But there’s another match today I’ll be following keenly. Unfortunately, it kicks off an hour before ours, so I won’t know the result until half time (barring a barrage of text messages).
Bolton v Middlesbrough at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. Playing for a supposed “nothing” Cup – the League Trophy. To us, Arsenal, ManUre, Chelski and so on maybe that’s a fair fact. Sure, it’s silverware and so what? But to both Bolton and Middlesbrough, this is the ticket that will have one of them playing European football for the first time in their club’s history next season. As such, it’s priceless. For Boro, it would be the first major piece of silverware ever.
That is important.
As a football supporter first, a Geordie a close second, and a North-Eastener not far after that – I’m more than happy to say I’ll be cheering the Boro on for the entire 90 minutes. And extra time and penalties should it come to that. I’m hoping we’ll be in the Champions League next season. But it would be wonderful to know that our North East neighbours have made it into Europe as well, by whatever route.
Look at it this way. We’re done the double over them this season. We’ll finish higher than them in the league. We’ve proved we’re a better team in that situation. Now it’s their turn for some glory. Get that cup, get into Europe and bring some more pride back up North. Let’s show Europe what great fans we all are.
I’m still not sure if that extends to hoping the mackems beat Sheffield United in the FA Cup quarter finals though.
For the record, Bolton fans – best wishes to you too. I admire the Bolton team and what they’ve accomplished on very little money. It’s just that today… Had it been anyone other than Boro (or us, Hartlepool, Darlo or Carlisle) in the other dressing room I’d have been yelling for you.
Pity I’ll only get to watch the first half because of the fixture change for our game. I’m sure it’ll be a cracker.
