King’s Lynn Town deserved to win their first two home matches of the season. They didn’t, they drew them. That’s football.
It meant that first victory needed to come sooner rather than later before any psychological demons started to creep in.
Therefore, Saturday was a special day for all connected with the Linnets as they roared to a 4-0 triumph against Merthyr Town. But it probably meant even more to me.
While we can all remember our first live game, I’m sure we’ll never forget the time we took our child, or children, to theirs. And that’s exactly what I did at the weekend.
At the age of eight and four, my boys finally set foot inside a stadium that has been a massive part of my life since the age of 10. As a fan, player, journalist and columnist, the boys in blue and gold have meant the world to me.
My journey started in the main stand and behind the goal so it seemed appropriate for Elliott and Jacob to taste the same experience now they’re showing genuine interest in football with little to no encouragement.
The YouTube generation probably find it harder to understand the lure of non-League football, let alone mustering up 90 minutes of concentration, so it was interesting to see how they approached a whole match without star names in bitesized reels.
As they walked down the alley beside the famous old stand, my heart swelled as I walked past the doors that I used to enter as a youth-team player. The magic was lost on them, but it certainly wasn’t me.
The opportunity to walk around nearly the whole stadium is something they won’t ever be able to do at the Premier League grounds they watch on the internet and Match of the Day. Nor will they be able to walk to watch a top-flight game either.
A variety of Doherty Walks Stadium vantage points were enjoyed as a result of paying for a seated ticket which allowed us to experience the clash from up high. The sights, the sounds, the smells – it was something they weren’t used to and may take a little while to fully enjoy it in the way I do, especially for the youngest.
The brilliance of Michael Gyasi’s first-half double may have passed them by, but the catchy song from over in the North Terrace where I usually stand didn’t. “Duh, duh, duh, duh, Gyasi” became the soundtrack of our weekend.
The Hospital Road end, pre-rain, was the location for more home goals as they stood within touching distance of professional football – an experience they won’t replicate higher up the pyramid.
Hopefully the lucky charms will want to return soon, especially if they enjoyed it as much as their faces suggested.
In the meantime, I’ll stand and sing my heart out for this exciting group of Linnets.
It’s going to be a special moment when a heartwarming sporting initiative officially kickstarts.
Ride United will hold its first session on the athletics track at Alive Lynnsport from 2-6pm as it brings inclusive cycling to one and all.
Participants can bring their own bike or try one of the club’s specially adapted bikes or trikes.
The group provides a safe traffic-free experience to provide fun, burn off some energy, strengthen muscles and boost social interaction.
There’ll plenty of smiles, given the community support that has helped get things on the road.
Nikki Collins, one of the figures behind the project, said: “Since beginning the set up of Ride United we have had so much wonderful, invaluable support from so many organisations for which we are truly grateful.
“Wheels for All in Warrington kindly donated eight adapted bikes for us to get started.
“Lynnsport very generously donated £2,000 towards the project, which enabled us to purchase three new bikes and, with the support from Tony Gostling at Surf 55, we have been able to make some adjustments to them to create some adult balance bikes.
“Lynnsport have also further supported the project by giving kind permission for us to have our bike storage container positioned directly next to the athletics track for easy access for our service users. The container was very generously donated to us by Workstories.”
The cost of the sessions, held every Friday, is £5 but carers and parents of children riding are free and welcome to ride.
Professionalism doesn’t pay off in football too much these days.
The dark acts on the pitch can reap the bigger rewards while behaving poorly off it doesn’t seem to do much harm when it comes to transfers.
Take the examples of Alexander Isak, Yoane Wissa and Marc Guehi now that the transfer window has slammed shut.
The former pair refused to play or train for their clubs and forced moves to Liverpool and Newcastle, respectively. The latter acted with class throughout, played for Crystal Palace 24 hours before deadline day and scored, and saw his move to the champions fall through at the final hurdle.
Sure, he’s only 25 and will probably end up at Anfield as soon as January, but it hardly feels fair that Guehi was the loser in this trio of long-running sagas.
The message is here – if you do what everyone says is the right thing you don’t get your move. Isak and Wissa get their deals. Guehi doesn’t.
It won’t do clubs any favour when it comes to player power with many now looking at the centre-back knowing he will still be plying his trade at Crystal Palace after not sullying his reputation.
Isak and Wissa will have earned a packet and did so by holding their employers to ransom. They signed lengthy contracts and then decided to throw their toys out of the pram when they weren’t getting their own way.
They aren’t the first but they certainly won’t be the last. And what now for players who act in the way that a professional football should do; turning up to play football. We need more players like Guehi but won’t get them.
