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ONE OF THOSE 'PINCH YOURSELF' MOMENTS
Ian Gordon
This morning I had one of those "pinch yourself" moments. As a Boro fan
of over thirty years standing there haven't been too many of those, but they are
getting more regular.
Big name signings, major cup finals, comebacks like the Uefa Cup quarter and
semi-finals - they all make you pinch yourself the following morning.
Now, today, the biggest game in the club's history, spreading the name
of Middlesbrough across the continent and winning another trophy, which
at some points over the last thirty years I never thought I would see.
Times have changed, expectations are higher, achievements have been realised, and
the future looks bright.
Many people have dwelt on the past, the liquidation, the yo-yo years
between divisions, but this year has given me a real comparison.
When I was six, my dad let me go to Ayresome Park with him for the first
time, and I was bitten by the Boro bug. We lived in the Lake District
and visits to Middlesbrough and relatives always mysteriously coincided
with a home game.
My love affair began and it's been a turbulent time since, but we seem
to be hitting clean air now and the sun is out.
My dad died back in 1991, so he missed out on all the excitement of
Juninho, Ravanelli, cup finals, a first trophy, so many highlights.
This year I took my six year old to his first matches. He too has been
bitten by the same Boro bug I was. It seems like perfect symmetry to me,
and he's proved to be a lucky talisman: he's not seen Boro lose a match
yet.
I did have my doubts about encouraging him to be a Boro fan. We live in
Manchester, so I wondered if he should follow a Manchester team.
Then reality bit. My alternative teams as a child would have been the
big clubs of the day, Liverpool, Manchester United etc, but I would have been the
very definition of a plastic fan, never going to games.
My son's alternatives are Manchester United or Manchester City. Manchester United I'm ruling out
on general principle. Manchester City are a team heavily in debt, no major cup
final appearances since 1981, and hardly a star amongst the team.
In becoming a Boro fan I am giving him the opportunity to enjoy a club
rising and improving, and the chance to go to games together as father
and son, sharing the highs and excitement.
After we watched Boro beat Manchester City last month he couldn't wait to get
to school and rub his friends noses in it.
My excitement and his are perfectly matched at the prospect of watching
Boro lift the UEFA Cup. My only regret is that my father isn't there to
share the experience as a third generation of fan.
Tonight I hope to be sharing a very special moment with my son, and
enjoying the coming years and growing list of achievements.
Cheers
Ian Gordon (Godzilla and the Smogmonster)
We Will Win
COME ON BORO
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