Yet again the addage that it ain't boring being a Carlisle fan came to bear with a last day escape. Our repeated inability to score a second goal or hold on to a lead made that last week as stressful as I can ever remember. What it did do was to make for a fantastic day as matchday sponsors against Millwall. A special appearance from Sir Jimmy pre match was topped by a fabulous performance including two super strikes and a win by Leeds ( never before have Carlisle fans cheered a Leeds' goal ).
The weekend continued into one long celebration as Mr Glass turned out for our supporters' team the following day and scored a hat trick in a 3-0 win and then we rounded things off at the Awards Dinner. You could not have scripted it better. Over the whole weekend the club were so helpful, none more so than the tireless Jenny Anderson who was always on hand to sort things out. Even Nigel Moss got his wish to place Olga on the centre circle before kick off !
It is becoming so predictable that there will be 4 additional minutes at the end of the second half. Do you think that the referees actually bother to count up the stoppages? Does anyone actually know what constitutes the adding of time? Another controversial aspect of matches is the optional use of Multiball. It is so beneficial to the home side and causes so much aggravation.
Did anyone notice the whole dynamics of the ballboy activities change at Cheltenham once we went a goal up? Thank God that we don't have to watch the Premier League rubbish with all those prima donnas falling over all the time and throwing their toys out of the pram. Match of the Day does not do it for me anymore I'm afraid.
The expected announcement about Greg being confirmed as manager allows his first real opportunity to build his team. The cut throat business that is football and the expectations of the fans mean that results are the be all and end all, and they will determine how long his tenure is.
We have seen from this season compared to last that there is a fine line between a great season and a disappointing one. The signs at the latter end of the season were positive and to be fair the contract decisions and offers made were probably right. I guess that the travelling distance for the 23 away games will be in excess of 10,000 miles this season for the Carlisle based fans.
The 09-10 season will give the Exiled fans loads of opportunities to get to games with Charlton, Norwich and Southampton being at the top of most peoples list. This season was an excellent one on the social front with group travel becoming a really good experience. I'm sure this coming season will continue in that vein and I personally can't wait for 10am Wednesday 17th June. In the meantime I have to prepare for the huge challenge of doing a triathlon on 6th September. I'm praying for a home game the day before otherwise I won't be able to partake in the red wine club.