Funny Old Game

[MargateFan]

It is very strange, no-one told me, having come to be a football supporter so late in life, how it can totally consume your emotions for the greater part of a year, and then another year, and then another year, and so on.

I also mistakenly thought that this strange passion was very much dependent on winning games and achieving success, but I am rather perplexed to find that it does not.

I also did not realise, that once you start to support a particular team, that is it, and it becomes pretty well nigh impossible to support another one.

This season has been such an up and down experience, but if it does not bore all of you too much, I have a few observations.

We have survived, and overcome, such obstacles and problems that to still be in existence to me means that we are absolute winners. To go to each match fearing it might be the last time our team plays, I would not wish on anyone.

I have seen our guys go out and play with 150% commitment, when injured,when everything is down and hopeless, and I have total admiration for these young people for their heart, professionalism, loyalty and skill. How very fine it is to experience such pride, even if I do not know them personally.

My life has been enriched by how many very nice, ordinary, but exceptional people I have met that I would not have known had I not attended matches. Because of the closeness that we have achieved this season in our fight to keep our club alive, I have the privilege of thinking I have a greatly expanded circle of friends, even if I do not know their names, or just know them from their aliases on here.

I also have to say, that despite the results being, shall I say, a tad disappointing, I have had many and varied excellently entertaining afternoons and evenings, and I could not think of anywhere, during any of it, that I would have preferred to be.

So, sad though I am today, I find that I have gained more from following this club than we could ever lose by dropping down a league. We did that last year, but funnily enough, this season has seemed more meaningful than when we were up there in the Conference.

 

It would appear that 'Margate 'till I die' is something that creeps into your blood and then infects you on a permanent basis.

 

So I will take the last two games as an opportunity to show the club, management and players how very much I have appreciated their efforts this year on and off the pitch, and my fellow supporters how much I value their frienship, and then wait with expectation for next season, whatever bloody league we are in, so I can sing again on the terraces.

 

Up the Gate

[Cookie]

An great summing up June. We will come back stronger. I echo all your words about meeting guys and gals for the first time. Some I knew already and some I didnt. Am honoured to have being a small part of a loyal and super fan base.

Another small tear trickles but the smiles and laughter are around, underneath, just waiting to taste the good times again on the field. AFC Wimbledon. HUH! Got no chance next year with us to spoil things.

See you and Zuckov and others hopefully on saturday. The team and manager do deserve a great "thank you".