Planet Swans ArchivesBack to The Vetch again then and with the cup draws being kind enough to throw us out a couple of home ties it’s the first of three games in a week in three different competitions. With the visits of Southend and Rushden to come it would be nice to take a break from league action with three points today to maintain that promotion push.
Last week’s win at Spotland was vital after the disappointment of the two home games previous and of course it gave the travelling support the chance to see Alan Tate (again) and Daniel Nardiello in action. One of the great things at the moment is seeing new players come in when we desperately needed them and all credit must go to the board and management for making this happen when it does. Nardiello comes with a glowing reputation from none other than Sir Alex and Tate we know all about from last season. I’m sure they’ll both get a warm Vetch Field reception this afternoon.
Next week, as mentioned earlier sees the start of the FA Cup proper for this season. I make no bones about this – I love the FA Cup – always have done. I’m old enough (!!!) to remember the FA Cup Final day rituals when Grandstand (we always watched it on the BBC in the days when it was on both terrestrial channels) started about 11am and would always include a Question of Sport FA Cup special amongst other special programmes that they had recorded. The whole family would gather round the television (colour I hasten to add before you think I’m older than I am!) and watch the football spectacle that was the cup final. And the game always (well, nearly always) used to be an exciting one. Those Cup Final day rituals may have well passed but I still love the competition and the fact that the little guy is in there with some of the most famous names in football.
You know what I mean – there is just something in there about a tie like Port Vale v Ford United or NottsCounty v Shildon. And there won’t be too many football fans out there who wouldn’t like to see the draw for the 3rd round throwing out something like “Number 57, Shildon will play Number 2 Arsenal” And something like that just sums up why I love the FA Cup. And we are due a run this year too aren’t we – I just fancy another result like the one that saw us beat West Ham almost five years ago now.
The LDV Trophy (or Autoglass as I fondly call it) doesn’t bring the same excitement at this stage but the closer the Millennium Stadium gets the more appealing the competition becomes. Probably more so now when you think of 20,000 plus Jacks heading to the capital to show Cardiff what a real atmosphere is all about! But Southend at home on a wet (it’s bound to be wet!) night in November in the second round just doesn’t have the same appeal as Rushden (or anyone) at home in the FA Cup 1st Round to me. You watch that change in March when we are in the area final mind!!!!
A final note this week to express my sympathy to Jason Smith who retired through constant injury problems. Jason was instrumental in bringing us the 3rd division championship in 2000 and I am sure that I am not alone in wishing him the very best for his future and in thanking him for everything that he has done for the football club. Good luck Smudger – you won’t be forgotten.
That’s about it from me for another programme – if you have any ideas on what you would like to see discussed in future articles then please feel free to get in touch at the details below – we’re all Jacks together you know.
C’MON CITY!
