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THERE'S A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GO 15-11-06
Stuart Thompson
When you're down, depressed, and lonely,
There's a place where you can go...
Ever wondered how thousands of other Boro fans cope with the shame of spineless defeat and the torture of MOTD and other buzzardary flesh-picking TV analysis?
Why, in defeat, do we become insular, and consider our own misfortune and depth of sorrow is greater than our peers? Why is our anger self-directed? Why do we utter the words, "I can't be bothered with them, if they can't be bothered with me". Why, when our kids say, "What's up Dad?", does a voice come from the kitchen, "Just ignore him kids, the Boro lost again!"
It IS torture, being a Boro fan. There's no reason at all why something so far out of our control should be so controlling for us. I can't tell Steve Gibson how to run a successful football club. I can't manage sulking, overpaid (often mercenary) players better than Gareth, or anyone else for that matter.
I bet Stewart Downing, following the Watford defeat, got home, and thought, "I bet Tommo's feeling down tonight". Did he fuck.
Mind you, did any of them think, "wahey, Tommo'll be chuffed to pieces", when they won the Carling Cup. Did they fuck.
But how does it become so important a part of our lives? Even in the face of such blatant disregard. Why do we continue to revere those who couldn't give a flying fuck what we think or feel?
It's simple. The red and white is a bond. A shared love, hate, distress, sympathy, elation. It's not really the players we love. Not even the manager or (dare I say it) the Chairman. It's good old-fashioned triumph against adversity. One-upmanship. Community.
It hurts the most when we go down with a whimper. When we don't even fly our colours or defend our honour. This seems to be happening far too often for my liking, but it's only when you discuss this with the "underdogs" when this spirit comes through in abundance. Ask a Watford, or Wigan , or Sheffield United fan what he gets every Saturday? "100%", will be the answer. This is often qualified with "But it isn't pretty", but who cares?
We are the original underdogs. We're the Spitfire pilots, in the face of a thousand ME109's invading our territory. We're iron, we're steel, not satin & silk.
Just remember this. Remember our heritage. Remember WHY you're a Boro fan. We love this town, it's history, it's pain and misery. We love the hardship, the rugged comradeship. Most of all, we love triers. Those who give it their all, especially those who do this even though they are blessed with special talents.
When you're feeling down, try to remember, that most songs, thought to convey or promote suicidal tendencies, are actually written to polarise feelings of love and harmony. Rumoured to be about suicide, (Don't Fear) The Reaper is actually about the eternal power of love and learning to accept death. Songwriter Buck Dharma explained," I felt that I had just achieved some kind of resonance with the psychology of people when I came up with that, I was actually kind of appalled when I first realized that some people were seeing it as an advertisement for suicide or something that was not my intention at all. It is, like, not to be afraid of it (as opposed to actively bring it about). It's basically a love song where the love transcends the actual physical existence of the partners".
This Boro is nowhere near the noose. It's pretty awful to behold, but it represents a love which transcends our own physical being. It is our opportunity to inflict this same pain and misery on our children, and our children's children. Then who'll be laughing?
I got a text, the other day, saying, "Could be worse, could be a Geordie"! That's true, and funny, but I kinda think, "Could be much worse, could be a Chelsea supporter!"
In the meantime, follow Iron Maiden's advice. Get yourself to 22 Acacia Avenue , or wherever you want to be, and be happy.
COME ON BORO
NOW HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE NEW HOLGATE FORUM
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