60 years on (5 replies)

On 28 December 1963, I went to St Andrew's for the first time. Because you'll want to know, lost 4-1 to a mediocre Arsenal side in the old first division. A few days later, I went again. Lost at home, 2-1, to Port Vale from the fourth division in the FA Cup. I think you can say that a tone was set.

Any rough estimate tells me that even with other parts of my life preventing regular attendance between my 20s and 40s, I'm well past four figures for home games and you can stir a few hundred away trips too.

Eight promotions, nine relegations, five last-day escapes, four play-off defeats, two unsuccessful League Cup semi-finals, three unsuccessful FA Cup semi finals. One glorious cup win. A few sensational wins against the neighbours and the night of nights in Bruges.

Like all of us - especially as I've got older - I try to keep it all in perspective. War, famine, tyranny and climate catastrophe are on our doorstep. Why on earth should I allow a bunch of blokes who care very little for my city or heritage - and who I probably wouldn't like if I met them - have such an impact on my mood? I know the rational way to think: it's just that I don't always do it.

And I've decided to offer you these doddery musings because, justifiably, we're all in a lather about the current mess our (yes, our) club finds itself in. Well, it's been a lot, lot worse. Will things ever get better? I have sense that they may, given the outward ambition of these new owners, but football is, like all sport, blessed with glorious uncertainty.....and we know what our history tells us. Just enjoy the ride, grumbling as we go.

I won't be around in sixty years' time, but anyone taking their nipper for the first time tomorrow, you'll be giving them an education for life - along with fun, friendship, great stories and the very occasional success - so you'll be doing them a proper service.

KRO - see you tomorrow for 60 years plus a day

Hugging Strangers: [www.amazon.co.uk] Thousands of copies sold - none in the BCFC shop