The season
It’s time for those of you who aren’t really into football, but humour me on the subject from time to time, to resume the humouring. The new season started today. WHAT? (this is you, I’m doing a really good impression of your voice) OH NO, IT PASSED ME BY BECAUSE OF THE RANGE OF OTHER INTERESTS I HAVE. I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR BELOVED BRISTOL CITY!! Well, they got soundly thrashed unfortunately. Terrible start. You might remember last year we came to an arrangement that the majority of readers without a football allegiance would casually cross their fingers for City and this would take some of the load off me (I have to eat lucky pizzas, wear certain clothes, it’s a lot of admin). It seemed to work because we went from bottom of the table to a position of safety. Now, I’m not pointing fingers, but I’ve got a feeling one or two people have maybe let it slip a bit, and not everyone was concentrating today, and this allowed Ipswich to catch us cold. For all I know, they might have a more powerful blogger than myself stirring up good luck on their side.
People will put it down to other factors like City’s alaming lack of defenders, but that is mere superstition. I think we know we could’ve done better today. So let’s be switched on. It’s a long season and I know you guys can steer us to respectability once more.
It began raining this afternoon about 3pm – the time the match started – and in Edinburgh’s pitiless way it is still chucking it down outside now after 10. And not even in that sneakily-enjoyable-and-cosy-when-you’re-inside way. I’ve said it before, but the rain in this city has a special quality of depressingness which I have never known elsewhere. It just gets under your skin and stays there. If the Edinburgh rain were a person it would be someone who sits too close to you on a bus and makes you shiver a bit, and keeps quoting death statistics out of nowhere.
And there is still the possibility – I don’t have scientific weight behind this yet – but the possibility that the rain is linked to the football in some way and it won’t stop raining till City get a win. Again, people may talk about ‘causal fallacy’ and ‘everything I’m saying being nonsense’. They’ll even suggest that I don’t have any control at all over football scores and that the weather is a neutral phenomenon which does not in fact set out to wound me personally. But I know what I see. That’s all I’m saying.
Posted by Clembear on August 8, 2011
What’s on (hah!) the lucky pizza?
Posted by Andrew on August 8, 2011
I was stuck at work listening to the commentary of Rotherham-Oxford, and I noticed the Bristol City scoreline. It’s horrible to lose on the first day. Although these days, I struggle to get too emotionally involved in August. You know, there are still two Test matches to go (and how much more exciting are they than yet another football ‘game of the season’ between the same old teams?) But that’s a side issue – the main problem is that after having a season ticket for nearly 20 years, I think I’m starting to fall out of love with football. I won’t bore everyone here with the rationale though – it’s on my blog should any football fans (which I think is probably just you and me round here Mark) care.
Posted by Rachael on August 8, 2011
Sounds like the worst kind of bus companion there is, I bet they smell too.
Posted by Lydia on August 7, 2011
Travelling in the rain is so depressing. Driving in thunder and lightening is scary though. I did not enjoy it.
I am humoring the football. I only know it’s happening through reading this, which I like to think will one day save me from football related embarrassment.
Posted by amycool on August 7, 2011
It is lovely not having to leave the house when its bucketing down outside. But the darkness feels quite depressing.
I remember having to watch football (or even worse, just the scores) as a child and as I remember it, it was always raining.
As I have no allegiance, I will gladly support Bristol City. But you’ll have to forewarn me of games as I am oblivious.
Posted by Katy on August 7, 2011
As always my football vibes were with my own team, and boy did we need them yesterday. 2-0 down with 5 minutes to go and I was cursing football. We pulled it back though. Also dont be too disheartened about losing to Ipswich, I think they’re going to have a really good season sadly.
Also I’d love it to stop raining before I get to Edinburgh. It has 2 weeks to get it out of its system before I arrive without an umbrella.
Posted by Misha on August 7, 2011
Sorry! I was so tired when I fell into bed last night I forgot to read the blog.
It’s still raining, and I think the meadows may soon flood. So i’ll cross my fingers, if only to make it stop pishing down.
Posted by Tibbs on August 7, 2011
You know, I was randomly thinking about Bristol City earlier today; I think ‘soccer’ was the answer in a crossword puzzle. But I didn’t realise the season had started, so sent no vibes. Will try to do better in the future! Especially if it means sun in Edinburgh
Posted by alot of rachels on August 7, 2011
sorry for not crossing fingers as I am technically a rovers girl (who won!) :p my ex is an Ipswich fan big time and was most happy that they are top of the table tonight….sorry
but if you fancy being nice and crossing fingers for newcastle next weekend I may ignore my birth place once in a while and cross them fr city.
Posted by Knox on August 7, 2011
Damn – i had my fingers uncrossed – sorry! Will you give us not-in-the-knowers advance notice of fixtures, so we can especially turn up the good luck vibes?
Up until about 5 or 6 years ago, I didn’t even have any idea that football had a ‘season’ – I just thought it was played all year round. Looking forward to the casual-but-not-fanatical updates of Bristol’s fortunes this season.
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on August 6, 2011
Leeds United were also soundly thrashed. We don’t have Sky, so hubby walked to the pub to watch the game. This may be why they lost. Or it may be that they have an even more alarming lack of defenders than City do.
He has to support Leeds because he was born near there. I dont support them but I support him by making the right noises when they win/lose. I even accompany him to the odd game. I’m quite prepared to do the same for you, should the need arise. Just say the word. Anything for a friend and all that
Posted by Jen on August 6, 2011
Sadly I am the ‘I’ll humour you on the football’ type of blogger – all day its been the never ending city/utd debate here- Manchester I mean – will this be the season city overtake utd – at this point I just nod and smile wondering why suddenly everyone is talking about football (your blog has now answered this-season has started) – I do try n look knowledgeable but for all I know this comment might just sound like waffle-sorry …I will however give positive vibes to Bristol if it means it is remotely possible I’ll get some sun in Edinburgh next week!Jx