It's been quite the ride. The sheer length of time away from the top division certainly left yours truly unprepared for the intensity of it all. This was nothing like the late 90s; the standard of the football, the ruthlessness, the pure desperation for every single point. Looking back, each and every one mattered so much and that we always knew they would only added to the melodrama. I'd started the season genuinely concerned we'd 'better' Derby's eleven point record, not sure where any points whatsoever would come from. The massive number of signings was a gamble, but something had to be done. If nothing else, that rattled enough people - West Ham fans mostly, it seemed - to be fun. Even Jesse Lingard, our very own Bez, as someone funnier than me said. Ultimately, of course, it worked out just fine, though not without the influence of the vast majority of supporters who got behind SC when his hold on the job began to look tenuous. A significant example of fan power and perhaps evidence that as a club, NFFC are just about the right size. The Goldilocks effect. Much bigger and actual paying fans, 'legacy fans' to use a horrible phrase, become a bit of an irrelevance to the corporation/state running you. Maybe.
Anyway, job done. The Arsenal match will be right up there in the list of all-time greats, an atmosphere perhaps unsurpassed. And it's that home atmosphere that has won us most plaudits this season, with the vast majority of visitors coming away reporting how much they've enjoyed it. It's not always been that way and we owe gratitude to Forza Garibaldi for kick starting it, keeping it going and also to the A Block for keeping it real and (mostly) on the right side of edgy. We've still got our unpleasant types, but by and large we remain a decent bunch. A true reflection of society, perhaps.
Whilst we're patting ourselves on the back, the demonstration of support at Anfield seemed to be well received and hopefully set the ball rolling for a backlash against all tragedy mocking. This week's FA Cup final with the United fan in the grim '97 Not Enough' shirt and the City fan with the inflatable plane providing evidence that there remains work to be done there. The praise, from individuals, groups and the media around the world, for the banner at Anfield was very welcome but not the point. No one involved was after self-glorification and we've tried to maintain some level of anonymity. We're collectively glad that our club's reputation and that of our supporters was enhanced though. It was nice that NFFC and SC in particular commented on it. More importantly, we'd hope that the message is out there and that change will come. Many of us would love to see an end to poverty mocking too, and we know some of our own supporters gladly engage in that, but that's for another day.
Since I last wrote, I've seen Forest stay up, Dulwich Hamlet go down, Notts get back into the League and Partick Thistle blow a three goal lead with 45 mins to go to scupper what had been a fantastic run-in that seemed to have promotion written all over it. I missed a cup final defeat for Maltby Main as it clashed with that Forest-Arsenal match.
Over the season, I've taken in Sampdoria (sadly relegated, bankrupt and in the process of a take-over by Leeds' owner Andrea Radrizzani) and 1FC Köln (bang-middling safe) as well as Anderlecht (a pleasingly mediocre 11th for the fucking cheating bastards). I've enjoyed a match at Cov and been sorry to see them go so close only to not quite get over the line. A remarkable resurrection anyway. I've seen Forest Women do the League and League Cup double, though I've not used the season ticket as often as I'd have liked. Must do better on that front next season.
I've enjoyed the Premier League, but that intensity is wearing. The volume is turned up to eleven and the brightness/contrast knob permanently cranked as high as it will go. It's loud and dazzling. It's weird being trolled for supporting a "shit, small, meaningless" club by United fans in Bingledeeboing, Illinois or Chelsea fans in Lagos. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone is right. That said, whatever the results, for now it's preferable to losing three nil at home to Preston on a wet Tuesday night, which is what we'd become acclimatised to. We're not going to win the Premier League. The State funded clubs will tie that up for the foreseeable. In fact, in a perverse way, I was glad City won the cup as a United win would've given false hope and belief that these state clubs don't have an unfair advantage. They do. As a competition, it's about over. Which might sound glum, but it's not. It just matters less and less. Being a football fan has to become something else. That something else could be good or bad. A competition to see who can become the biggest bunch of c*nts, defined by who and how you hate, or a challenge to do some social good and to have a positive influence. To have some fun too. At the ended of the day, no City fan's actual life is any better than anyone else's as a result of them winning everything. The moment they've done it, it's all over, starts again anyway. There... I've just persuaded myself that staying up is the biggest triumph in football. Get in! ;-)
Related to all of this philosophising, the current read is David Goldblatt's very heavyweight 'The Age of Football: The Global Game in the 21st Century'. I'm only a quarter through, but the general theme is around the ongoing commercialisation, the involvement of states (usually unsavoury ones) and the change from football being something that brings people together to being divisive. Obviously, football without rivalry is pretty pointless - to watch anyway, if not to play - and that edginess has always appealed to many, me included. God help me, but two of my most loved and played tracks are the Cockney Rejects War on the Terraces and West Side Boys. But it has changed. Whether it's social media or something else in the air, the level of blind hatred is on another level, even compared to the old days. You knew you might end up in a 'ruck' or get legged over the pitch but that was Saturday (or ten past nine on a Tuesday night, 'stabbing time') and you took your choice. We now seem to have people proclaiming proper nasty hate for entire swathes of the population just because of where they're from and/or who they support. And it's relentless. 24/7. You buy into the whole package; hate them, their city, their politics, even when they're just like you really. You side with their enemies, even though their enemies hate you too. You're divided. The enemy have won. We carry on being duped, but it's OK because we hate them too.
Goldblatt cites plenty of positive examples of football being used for good, alongside the cynical use of it by the elite. The good comes from fans. Fans who have decided to make their love for football something useful and cohesive. It's not all hopeless. Which is what keeps me turning up. And ranting!
(Continues below the gallery)
So, to the plans for next season. Well... obviously the Forest season ticket is renewed, although I had genuinely toyed with the idea of a year off. Proper consideration made me realise I could do without the football, but not the people I enjoy being with. And that's it for me now. The people. So... I shall be back at Maltby (season ticket renewal incoming), Hamlet and Thistle. I'll watch and support the 'Pies as and when I can and hope for them do do well. There'll doubtless be a trip or two to Köln, hopefully an away day with them too. At Easter, the Zaggers are off for a football-centric trip to Argentina and we'll also be trying to take in Cadiz for the first time in the Autumn. Any additional new clubs to visit would be a bonus. Bohemians appeals, as does Livorno. Most importantly, I'll want Forest to win as often as possible and for the club and supporters to continue to earn respect for the history and the present day.
Finally, it would be remiss not to note the sad recent passing of my long term best football buddy, Martin. Top mate, Newshouse legend, season ticket next to me for many a year, away days galore (mostly to watch rubbish), gigs a plenty, the Irish Centre, Northern soul nighters and weekends. Forest stayed up and Stevenage got themselves promoted. Who'd have believed it, mate? Always the Clash ahead of the Jam, great as they were, though.
It remains only to thank a few people:
Mrs Z for her endurance and tolerance. Eleven hours at the wheel back from Partick and still seeing the funny side!
The Lower TE crowd: Little Pete, Paul, Louis, Finn, Jack, Mikey, Mick. Not forgetting the lovely fellers to our left whose names I can never remember and the equally lovely ones to our right whose names we've never known. Maybe not the miserable Jonno-haters behind us though, eh?
Julie 'Brian' Pritch for company, especially the 2 hours stuck on the M6 on the drive back from Old Trafford. Rob too.
Sticky, The Groundhopper, for inspiration and a regular fun read
SHAG fanzine - thanks for your encouragement, Ryan.
Peachy for encouragement and friendship. Bailey too.
Kev for the pre-match pints at Cured, chat and updates on all things German (Eisern Union, mate!)
Everyone in Nottingham, Liverpool and elsewhere who supported the banner thing, in no particular order: Peachy, The HSA, Spirit of Shankly, LFC's supporter liaison team, Boatsy, Jitz, Blackie, Rich at the 1865 podcast, BBC Radio Nottingham (especially Sarah Julian) Forza, all the Pauls at the Dark House, The LFC Red Poets, Danny Taylor, Joe Blott, Peter Hooton, Tony Evans, Ian Byrne MP, Joe Thomas, Sue Roberts, Charl Hennessy, Matt Appleby, Peter Scarfe, Diane, Peter Warburton
All at Maltby Main, especially Dave, Wilf and Peter, who always extend a warm welcome.
All at Dulwich Hamlet, Beneath the trees, behind the car wash and Sainsbury's, particularly Mel and Scolly.
All at Jags For Good, everyone but notably Neil and Heather who have helped us feel so at home at Firhill. Maryhill is, indeed, wonderful.
Jamie and other associated Pies
Peter Walker for his ongoing help with all matters Argentina
Anyone else who has sent messages/tweets of support, friendship, good, honest banter or polite challenge.
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