Max's Blog
Our rightful place
League Two awaits... or so Max hopes
Last updated: 13th May 2009
Max: has everything crossed
For me, each team's 'rightful place' is where they were when I was getting into football.
Max Rushden
Quotes of the week
So we are now less than a week away from finding out whether Cambridge or Torquay manage to make it back into the football league.
Helen and I are nervous. This is serious. Getting back in the football league matters. And it matters to me more than I thought it would.
Not just, as Helen says, 'cos your scores are read out on the radio, and your league table pops up next to Georgie Thompson's head on Sky Sports News, rather than jumping over it and going straight to the Scottish Premier League.
But also because I miss League Two. To be honest I still call it Division Four. Cambridge were in Division Four when I started supporting them, so it's where they deserve to be. I wouldn't mind them going higher - but it's not right them being lower.
A lot of fans talk about their side's 'rightful place' - and I heard a manager or a pundit saying the other day that teams deserve to be exactly where they are. And I suppose he's right.
And maybe I'm alone on this - but for me, each team's 'rightful place' is where they were when I was getting into football. 1986. Or more specifically when I filled up the Panini '86 sticker book.
That was the first division. So even now, I think of Oxford, Luton, QPR, Norwich and Charlton as First Division or Premier League Clubs - and it doesn't seem right they are where they are.
Friends
As for Sunday's game, there is one question I've been asked more than anything this week: "Will you be sitting with Helen at Wembley, then?"
I'm not sure if anyone really means it. But of course I'm not. Why would I? I don't want to sit with the oppo. I want to be with my own fans.
Against Stevenage in the second leg, I stood behind the goal with my mates, but when the goals started going in I was hugging/dancing with/high fiving anyone close to me (turns out from the emails into Soccer AM, it was mainly a bloke called Barry - but he seemed OK with it).
You'll be pleased to know that Helen and I are friends. I tend to go to her house more than she comes to mine (i.e. she never comes to mine - she's worried quite rightly that I still live in a student house).
But it's fair enough - there's a better supply of fresh eggs at her place, and for some reason, loads of those jars of sweets you used to get in newsagents about 20 years ago.
But despite our blossoming friendship it doesn't mean I want to spend 90, or 120 minutes of my life, at Wembley, with her. And I'm certain she doesn't want to spend it with me. I'll say hello before the game, and then go off and sit with my Dad, and my friends, and forget about her.
When Torquay (fortuitously) beat us 1-0 at the Abbey earlier in the season, she crowed and crowed afterwards. In fact she almost got beaten up by our former striker Lee McEvilly after the game, for a less than sympathetic choice of words.
Humble
However this time, I can't help feeling that victory on either side will be a more humble affair.
The fact that both of us got so close last year, and have done so again, means we'll be civil after the final whistle. At least I will be.
It's probably lucky that we've only got one show to do after that - it will give us a couple of months to get used to being one division higher, or lower.
Finger's crossed.
Have a good week...
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Comments
Michael Reid (Torquay United fan) says...
Just want to say how sorry I feel for Max and the Cambridge Utd fans on losing out at Wembley twice in a row. Unfortunately, someone had to lose. I watched the game at home. I hardly slept for 3 or 4 nights before the game and I was very nervous about the outcome. Max, you have to believe that it's going to be third time lucky next season. You've got a very good team there and should quickly get over this latest setback and go for the title next time around. Pass on my love to Helen - please tell her from me NOT to tease you about the Final. ALL the very best to Cambridge Utd next season. I've got Sky & Setanta - so I will be watching and cheering for both teams!!! Best wishes from Mike.
Posted 11:03 18th May 2009
Andy Burton (Crystal Palace fan) says...
Know exactly what you mean - Palace always a '2nd division' team - and I like it that way!
Posted 10:03 18th May 2009
Harry Kettle (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...
Great column as always Max, and yes I do agree with the whole teams in the rightful place thing. I'd like to say that I was born in the 1950s-60s, as we used to win alot of football matches back then. Shame we don't win as many now. But, we are in the Premier League again so I suppose I'll have to enjoy the one disastrous season that we'll spend there. Oh, and on a side note - commiserations about losing the final to Torquay 2-0. Down to 10 men aswell, must of hurt.
Posted 18:24 17th May 2009
Simon Walker (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
My missus will be there with the Amber Army on Sunday. She was a long term season ticket holder until 2001 and then she moved away from the area. I couldn't deny her the opportunity of going to see Cambridge get promoted at the new Wembley could I.... even if it means I have to look after the kids as punishment!! She's still bitter about losing in the play-offs to Leicester.
Posted 10:37 14th May 2009
Michael Woodington (Cardiff City fan) says...
Max, I know exactly what you mean about the teams rightful place. For me, it is around 1998. Thankfully my team Cardiff are much higher than we 'should be' now!! Hope all is well :)
Posted 22:14 13th May 2009
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