Good Weekend Turned Bad

It had been a good weekend. The party last night was good fun, albeit with some interesting interventions by the same person as usual, however, I get the feeling she has taken the last straw, so to speak, and we won't be seeing much more of the stupidity surrounding the whole episode. Long story. Feel free to ask!

Besides, I didn't want to get too drunk last night because we had a big game this morning. A top of the league clash. I was expecting it to be physical. Harpur Sunday are not renound for going easy on teams physically, but today was a different league of aggression. We started the game well enough, we were 1-0 up at half time and all was going well. We were against the wind the second half so we knew it was going to be a challenge to keep our lead. They equalised. Fair enough. It happens. After that though, we were greeted with a barrage of the dirtiest challenges you are ever likely to see on a football pitch. Like I said, I was never expecting a physically easy match, but there is "being physical", then there's "aggression", then theres "playing dirty". However, a new category has been created just for today simply entitled, "Harpur Sunday FC". I have never been greeted by challenges so dirty, unfair and downright dangerous. Our right back had his head stamped on, and finished the match with the largest bump on his head I have ever seen, most of the other players were sporting knocks and the like from the over-physical challenges, however, I feel I was the worst off. A double-footed challenge right up the inside of my knee. I can't describe the pain. I honestly thought he had broken my leg. I couldn't continue. I have continued in the past with injuries, but today was physically impossible. I was subbed off.

Not deterred by the fact they had nearly broken someone's leg, Harpur kept flying in, studs up, double footed, all the scenarios that are looked down upon by players and referees alike. I won't comment on the referee, because I have seen worse, but he did need to protect us a bit and I feel he didn't do that at all. We were bullied off the park and lost 5-1 and ended up using 3 different goalkeepers as our 2nd goalkeeper also went off injured thanks to yet another robust challenge.

You see the problem here? I don't mind playing physical teams. I'm not physical myself and I struggle in environments like that, but if a team stays the right side of what is fair, I don't mind. But when a team not just oversteps the line but takes that line and throws it in the bin and consequently runs riot, that's when I'd rather be anywhere than playing football. The time where you fear for your own safety is the time the sport I love becomes a nightmare. It could easily have been much worse today and part of me is thankful I can still walk. It really was that bad. It wasn't just the challenges that angered me either. They were incredibly unsportsmanlike, shouting things at me when I conceded the equaliser such as, "Could of done better couldn't you keeper!" and when they bagged their 3rd or 4th they shouted at my Dad sarcastically.

Aswell as this, the immaturity of our team really showed through this morning. Being 4-1 down and being bullied off the park isn't what we're used to and a couple of changes from the Gaffer sparked a large argument.. Ok, they weren't the greatest of decisions by the man in charge, but to be greeted with the shit he got from some players was totally unacceptable. The amount of time and effort my Dad puts into it and he gets treated like crap sometimes. It's not right, and I hope those players do what they say they are going to do, and stay away for good. We don't need attitudes like that. You can stay away for good.

Besides, the problem still remained that we were up against a bunch of thugs and I'm sorry, but there is no place for any team like that on any sort of pitch in sport, and football is no exception.

However, the problem for me goes much further than just the football match this morning. I now can't play a part in refereeing the Cup Final on Wednesday, even if it is a 4th official role, thanks to my knee injury. People have said that surely the 4th official doesn't move. But if the referee goes down, its the 4th official that takes over. And I don't think anyone wants a backup referee who can hardly walk. I have no choice but to come off the game. I couldn't referee this afternoon either, which means no match fee and no money and probably no money whatosever until I get my first pay cheque at BP, which is at least 3 weeks away. I can't walk anywhere without it being a large hindrance so no trips to town without huge pain. In short, I'm stuck in for a week - at least until I start my training for BP. On the plus side, Mother has given me some "sympathy money" to go out for a curry this evening. 'Every cloud' and all that. And then going back to playing football, I have no idea how long it will take for my knee to heal.. Could be a while. I'm happy to think however, that I will be fit for the cup final. I better be.

It has been a good weekend. I'm determined to not let a bunch of thugs, (or "meatheads" as my teammates call them), ruin it. But it's hard to look on the positive side when my left leg is hitched up on a pile of towls and I can't walk. Just as things were looking up...

Bye x