Into it

March 17, 2006 by Dave Earley
Filed under Uncategorized

I haven’t been all that geared up towards the new football (soccer) season this year. It’s been in the back of my mind as something that’s coming along but hasn’t filled me with excitement. I went through my traditional beginning-of-the-year angst, “Will I play soccer again this year? I’d love to go back to rugby. That one game of Aussie Rules in Narrabri in 2004 was fun, maybe I’ll play that. I’m already working Monday and Friday nights till midnight, with bible study on Wednesday nights, university till 8.00 on Tuesday night…could I really commit to training on Tuesday and Thursday nights?”

Yes, I go through that at the beginning of every year, and every year it is up until the day of the first game – and sometimes later – that I still have been unable to decide. Tomorrow is Charity Shield, the pre-season grading tournament, and I can say that at 6.30 on Friday night, a mere 14 hours before we take the field, I am well looking forward to some competition. If anyone I know is interested in coming along to support the team we’ll be at Mitchelton Soccer Club (Osborne Road), kicking off at 10.30 on Field 4. We’re the best-dressed in the black socks/shorts and red and white shirts – a fiersome sight indeed. The games are only 30 minutes and we’re play three, one each hour, so come along!

What finally brought me to the excitement this new season deserves? Yesterday I bought the new shorts and socks (in previous seasons we’ve worn red), which hadn’t changed my outlook a great deal, but this afternoon I kitted up. As I write this I sit here wearing shin pads, adidas boots, black socks, black umbro shorts and a Liverpool jersey. The fact I’ve done this is sad, I know, but that’s what it took to get me mentally prepared.

I was once sad and lonely. Now I’m married I can confidently omit the second part and simply say this, “I am a sad individual.”

Share: