Max's Blog
My big day dilemma
Missing one big day for another
Last updated: 17th February 2009
This is the real life version of being cup-tied or suspended or injured for the final. I now really know how Gazza felt!
Max Rushden
Quotes of the week
This weekend we won in the semi-final of the cup. It finished 4-2 in extra time. I scored twice. But I'm gutted. Why? Two of my best friends in the world have decided to get married on the same day as the cup final.
There is no way I can miss the wedding. I'm an usher. I want to be there. But I've never played in a cup final before. There'll be proper linesmen and everything.
This is the real life version of being cup-tied or suspended or injured for the final. I now really know how Gazza felt!
My housemate told me the news on Monday. My legs were killing me after running around for 120 minutes (it's always the day after the day after the game when I seize up). I'd been buzzing all weekend. And now I just don't know what to do. Well the truth is, I know I'm going to miss the cup final, and I'm sad about it.
This column was going to be me wallowing in the glory of winning that semi. It was one of those games we normally lose, despite dominating and hitting the woodwork five times. I scored a diving header (!) to put us one up, and we fought back from 2-1 down to take it into extra time.
Then with three minutes left, Dicko pinged in a 25-yard free-kick, and a minute later he put me through to score the fourth. There is no feeling like scoring a goal - especially one that guarantees your place in a cup final.
I only had one touch before I got cramp, so I didn't control it, I just hit it. As it flew in I ran to the touchline, dived Klinsmann style on the floor and all my team mates jumped on top of me. It was a proper celebration. I was completely winded for the last couple of minutes, but it didn't matter.
Bombshell
It completely made my weekend. And now, I've been hit with this bombshell. There's nothing I can do. Nothing.
And I know that my friends who are getting married won't actually notice me during the ceremony - they'll have more important things on their mind. And ceremonies are, by a long way, the least interesting part of a wedding, and I'd definitely get there in time for dinner.
But even writing that, the thought that it's crossed my mind, makes me feel guilty. The groom will probably read this and see that I've contemplated trying to do both. Matt, I'm sorry.
He's even moved the stag do from Friday-Sunday to Saturday-Monday, in some way to cater for me, and the fact I have to work on a Saturday morning. Now I feel even more guilty.
But I've never played in a cup final before. I know that's the second time I've written that - but it's just going round and round in my mind. If I was a professional footballer - everyone would understand that I'd have to play on the Saturday and come along afterwards. So that's reasonable isn't it?
Perhaps I should just grow up. I've been friends with this couple for 14 years, and it's not a wedding I'm obliged to go to (you know the ones), it's one I want to go to - and there will be other football matches. But will there be other cup finals?
I guess this feeling will subside, and if I try and stand back and look at it with a bit of perspective, I'll have a great day at the wedding and it'll make me more determined to get to the cup final next season.
But if I'm brutally honest about how I feel - I feel like Gazza did in the semi-final of the world cup.
Have a good week,
See you Saturday...
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Comments
Lesley Taylor (Derby County fan) says...
Max, think about this carefully - are these people really your friends - who gets married in the football season ? If you go to the wedding you`ll be very sad, miserable with a long face all day. If I were you I`d go to the Cup Final - win the cup and take it to the bride and groom in the evening - filled with champayne !!! Good luck Max and let me know if you need any more supporters ! Lesley
Posted 15:10 23rd February 2009
Dave Colosimo (Coventry City fan) says...
Max, you should try post-match ice baths. It may help with your leg soreness.
Posted 10:50 22nd February 2009
Cherie Tinenti (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
I think you should tell your best mates say you would love to be there usher but due to being in the cup final you have got to play and there for wont be able to be usher but you will attend as soon as possible after the match if they are your best friends like you say they are they should and would understand.
Posted 10:51 18th February 2009
Wendy Johnson (Cambridge United fan) says...
Max you fool! You should know what to do. It's obvious.Get a cardboard cut-out of yourself holding a pointer and nobody will notice.(You are so good at pointing). We all know that is what ushers have to do just point people in the right direction. And go to your match and win. Good luck
Posted 09:30 18th February 2009
Daniel Mcphillips (Chelsea fan) says...
You should do the same thing as what happens in the film - Bend It Like Beckham. Go to the wedding for 1 Hour and then quickly escape and play in your final. Say the excuse is that one of your relatives is having a baby.
Posted 23:33 17th February 2009
Mark Bell (Sunderland fan) says...
max, football is my life i love it i would even miss my own wedding for a match never mind a cup final. i would look at it as letting my team down if i did not turn up for the final, which your winning goal helped them get there! anyways all the best max- wish you's all luck!!!
Posted 21:27 17th February 2009
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