In the Absence of a Cup Final This Week ...

... it's down the Fold instead tonight to watch Stalybridge Celtic (6th) play Nuneaton Town (3rd) ... should be interesting ...

Calmed down a bit (just a bit) after yesterday's fiasco/rant etc etc ... in fact got a "Thank You" from one of my customers as well today. I'd got the "txt of doom" about the game (thanks Andy !) about lunchtime yesterday, and while delivering in the leafier heights of Uppermill, I scribbled a quick note on the back of an envelope (!) addressed to someone who I know comes down to Seel Park warning/advising of the cancellation - seems I DID do him a favour, saving a wasted journey (and of course valuable petrol given the probable panic buying that is going on as we speak !!). Notice plenty of chat about yesterday's events on the many message boards - I'm just awaiting an entry on eBay selling off large amounts of pies - no doubt Hyde DID buy in stuff for the evening - and now they're lumbered with it - just hope that any bills for out-of-pocket expenses down turn up down Mossley way.

Whilst wandering today in the glorious sunshine (yeah - it's called "work" !) I had a quick "extrapolation moment" ... imagine ... FA Cup Final day ... everything prepared, prawn sandwiches made, football specials (coach/train) all booked up, people travelling from all over the country - nay world - for this prestigious event ... and then one of the team's Managers phone up the FA on Saturday morning ... "We can't raise a team - can we cancel for a week or two ???" ... and Mr FA says "Yes OK No Problem".

Obviously a touch "over the top", but Hyde WILL have bought in for the night - people may well have been travelling from much further afield than Uppermill (!!) (I know someone who was thinking/trying to get the day off for a trip up from Aylesbury), having booked days off - coaches may well have been booked (OK well the 'mythical' Mossley coach - had there been more than 7 (seven) "expressions of interest" - oh dear !!). It may well be a competition held in contempt by many (or at least looked upon as a 'necessary evil') - but it's a Cup Final for Frith's sake - let's have some bloody respect for that. However the many tales/actions/events over the last few years have not only devalued the competition - it's turned Manchester County FA into a laughing stock for many many clubs and people ... just been on their website and can I find anything - can I hell !

Still - all over for now - awaiting a revised date (probably 30th April - ha ha !).
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