A reflection on Saturday

CheshireBoro

Well-known member
Only my second game of the season on Saturday - memorable for 3 main reasons i felt.

1) - Boro were, dare I say it, brilliant for the first 70 minutes, and completely in control for the whole game. They pressed with purpose throughout, and never conceded a proper chance in the whole game - even their goal was a complete fluke. Watmore shows more football intelligence as a striker than anyone we have had up front in at least 5 years - he goes from 0-60 so quickly, and his economy of effort is brilliant. I thought the Boro were great on Saturday, and I left the ground so positive for the first time in a good while.

2) - Off the pitch - I was in the main stand by the halfway line. Boro's fans make so much noise - when you are in the away end, it is all you can hear for obvious reasons. I wasnt yesterday - but they were still all you could hear.

3) - On a personal level - I took my Dad who now lives in Holmfirth to the match - a lifelong Boro fan who is no longer able to go to games independently. He took me to my first game in the 70s. We went in the Hospitality because i was worried that he wouldnt be able to stand for 90 minutes, and the cold might be too much for him. Seeing his face when we scored the goals as he leapt from his seat like a 20 year old was one of the high points of my year. He absolutely loved it, and because he did, so did I as well. 68 years after his first match, he still loves the Boro, even if he doesnt know who the players are these days.

So, for once, Thank You Boro. You made my Dad happy, and i love you for that.
 
Great post.
There is something about seeing the Boro score away from home that is always special. No matter how you are feeling in life generally, it just blows away the cob webs and all is just great in that moment.
It has been just wonderful to experience it again after many months without it.
 
Cheshire, what a great post! Delighted for your dad, just shows when Boro do it right it can have a positive and passionate response - whatever age you are.
 
Cheshire, what a great post! Delighted for your dad, just shows when Boro do it right it can have a positive and passionate response - whatever age you are.
Every time we go together now, I always privately fear it might be the last time we do it. It takes a lot of planning and organising these days.

But Saturday was so worthwhile. We went to the pub in Holmfirth afterwards and he fell flat on his face on the ice, no lasting damage thankfully.

He got up, adjusted his hat, and started talking about Duncan Watmore again.
 
Enjoy the match experience many, many more times with your dad. So many great memories for you both to continue to have.
 
It's posts like the OP that make me wonder how anyone from a TS postcode (either originally, or living in the area) cannot support their local team. How can anyone have the same connection Cheshire describes by "supporting" Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City or whoever. I get young kids are easily influenced by the glamour but it can't mean as much.
 
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It's posts like the OP that make me wonder how anyone from a TS postcode (either originally, or living in the area) cannot support their local team. How can anyone have the same connection Cheshire describes by "supporting" Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City or whoever. I get young kids are easily influenced by the glamour but it can't mean as much.
I totally agree.

I lived in Teesside for, like, 10% of my life - in fact I had left Teesside before I ever went to watch the Boro - my love for them came entirely from my Dad. These days, I live back in the North East - but to be honest i dont go to watch The Boro as much as i used to. I watch loads of Northern League football and a few other teams, like Marske United. I have a bit of an affiliation for Jarrow FC as well.

Going to watch Boro now is more about seeing my mates or, like on Saturday, my Dad. It meant everything to us both to do it again on Saturday - just like all those years ago.

Except this time, it wasnt me with a scarf in the passenger seat excited to be going - it was my Dad, with his flat cap.
 
I enjoy stuff like this. Just yesterday, I was discussing with a mate about how my sense of fandom has waned as I have aged. I still support the Boro and am out of the chair if we score but somehow it matters less than it did when I was a lad in the late 90's. I'd love to be able to recapture that essence of emotion. I am glad your dad is still getting out of the chair at a goal 👏.
 
Lovely post, the importance of football and family is something special.

Years of going with my Dad and brother (both sadly no longer with us) and now going on my own makes you realise how important it is/was.
 
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I sat in the upper main stand on Saturday and really enjoyed seeing the away fans in action from the outside.

I was lucky enough to win the upgrade to Hospitality for this season at the Riverside. Took my Dad the other week. He also doesn't really go to the match much and it's a faff - he lives over in Cumbria. But he loved it and I was chuffed to be able to take him. Took my uncle last week and it was nice to treat him as well.

I wonder if the current state of the world is making us more appreciative of things and family in particular.
 
Lovely post, the importance of football and family is something special.

Years of going with my Dad and brother (both sadly no longer with us) and now going on my own makes you realise how important it is/was.
I hope you carry their memories with you to the matches that you still attend.
 
It's posts like the OP that make me wonder how anyone from a TS postcode (either originally, or living in the area) cannot support their local team. How can anyone have the same connection Cheshire describes by "supporting" Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City or whoever. I get young kids are easily influenced by the glamour but it can't mean as much.
It's all about family influence. We only get that bond with the club from actually going to matches. Those who's family or friends aren't bothered aren't going to head off to a match when they're a kid so they will definitely be seduced by big premier league teams they see on TV.
 
Totally agree .
Was there with son and grandson .
Smile on grandson's face at the end was worth the trip and worth every penny .
Kids for a quid , catch em young , fans for life imo .
 
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