Our winter sport

I got over the ‘flu but was listless for a few days. This was unusual for me, because I tend to have at least three lists on me, e.g. the fixtures for next Saturday, the World Cup schedule in South Africa and a breakdown of Winchmore Hill’s FA Vase ties in the 1980s.

After six days without a match on the orders of this fab nurse at Holland Park, I was desperate for some action on Saturday. But it all went horribly wrong. From 1.30 to 2.30, I visited five different grounds in the Fairlop-Barkingside area, all of which were due to host matches, but everything had been called off.

With one exception the pitches weren’t even muddy. I don’t understand some of these postponements. Perhaps it’s just a case of taking the easy option.

I know of at least one league that has suffered 500 cancellations this winter. Teams are already playing four times a week. Is football our winter sport or isn’t it? When I watched amateur matches in the ‘60s, there was no such thing as a ‘waterlogged pitch’.

So I was standing on the platform at Barkingside tube station at 2.30, feeling quite stressed. But there was still time to get to a League One fixture at Leyton Orient. I decided to go for it and arrived as they kicked off. A match is a match but it was a dismal 0-0, a complete waste of 20 quid.

Midway through the second half, perhaps to relieve the boredom, some visiting fans started a fire in the Main Stand. Stewards and police rushed in and it was stopped very quickly. A couple of gormless-looking lads were pulled out and quickly escorted from the stand.

Last night I attended my 118th match of a miserable season, Clissold Casuals v Origin in the Islington Midweek League’s Division One. I thought ‘origins’ were what the players had at half-time. (That joke will be discussed on BBC2’s ‘Newsnight’ – but not at any great length.)

I counted eight spectators on the grassy bank, a decent turnout considering Brazil were playing about a mile away.

We’re having dry weather this week, so I’m expecting all the pitches to be frozen solid by Saturday. Both AFA Senior Cup semis are due to be played at Old Parkonians FC and I’ll be there around 1.45, ready to find the whole place locked up. I also have a ticket for Chelsea’s FA Cup tie on Sunday – I’m sure there won’t be a problem there.

And there’s England v Egypt tonight, of course. They sphinx it’s all over!