Football in the winter

It’s getting darker as the clock heads towards 90 minutes.

It’s getting colder as the game goes on.

You regret not throwing on that extra pair of socks.

There are not enough cups of tea provided by the home sides squad of volunteers to keep your hands warm.

As the referee puts the whistle to their lips you begin to clap.

The cold makes it harder to feel the impact as one hand embraces the other and yet you raise them above your head.

Applause for the effort, regardless of result.

Applause for giving you ninety minutes of escape from whatever brings stress or worry to your door.

As you do so they respond in kind.

Some wish they had the opportunity to double up their socks.

The long sleeves and even gloves are not quite the required barrier for the rain, wind or maybe snow.

As the referee puts the whistle to their lips they begin to clap you.

The cold makes it harder to feel the impact as one hand embraces the other and yet they raise them above their heads.

They know that it’s dark, cold and easier than ever to maybe stay at home but they appreciate it. Maybe more than you know.

Applause for your effort to be there, regardless of result.

Applause for being there to encourage, get alongside, celebrate a win or empathise a loss.

Applause because you’ve given them support for ninety minutes and they’ve escaped whatever brings stress or worry to their doors.

It’s easier in the cold, wet and dark to not go out but we did it together.