What should we talk about today?
The world according to Kirkey
Football is, for me at least, a metaphor for life. I’ve spent time in the National League of existence, trudging through those dark, grey afternoons when every result seemed to go against me and the table didn’t make pleasant reading. We’ve all been there. Looking over our shoulder rather than ahead of us. Wondering where … Read more
The essence of genuine football support is not happiness but fluctuation. A proper fan moves endlessly between irrational optimism and profound depression, often within the same ninety minutes (plus additional time). “Fucking Hell” becomes the central philosophical principle, equally applicable to moments of brilliance and disaster. In this way, football teaches life’s deepest lesson: expectation … Read more
Catching up with my old mucker John, he casually dropped a bombshell: apparently we feature in David Davies’ autobiographical romp FA Confidential: Sex, Drugs and Penalties. The Inside Story of English Football. Henry Winter’s review in The Daily Telegraph retells Davies’ version – a late night knock at his Burnham Beeches hotel door during Euro … Read more
Since the dawn of consciousness, humanity has wrestled with one question more than any other: What is the meaning of life? Philosophers have pondered it, poets have wept over it, and pub philosophers have debated it between sips of lukewarm lager. From Plato’s cave to Camus’ absurdity, from Nietzsche’s will to power to Sartre’s existential … Read more
A recent Facebook post provoked a sudden synaptic spasm: Some people think it’s peculiar that I am a Notts County season ticket holder and follow them all over the country whilst living in Berkshire, questioning my sanity and the amount of money that I spend on this enduring pursuit. But I’m not daft! In comparison … Read more
Division, disruption, and derision are the cruel consequences of right-wing ideology. In this space difference is framed as dangerous and contrived tribal tensions are sustained by agent provocateurs who frequently occupy positions of power. Currently, our own nation is plagued with this condition where prejudice is propelled to the pinnacle of public discourse. Nonetheless, disagreement … Read more
I’ve been to some big games: Wembley playoffs, promotions and championship clinching matches ─ and, being a Notts County fan, more relegation nail biters than I care to remember, but this match eclipsed the lot. The debut of my best friend, partner in crime, and ─ by reason of osmosis ─ a committed Magpie: Arthur … Read more
Leaving base camp at a little after 8am, the train journey north from Reading would traverse to Birmingham New Street, then up to Leeds, and finally across to the promised land: Bradford. As a southern-based Notts County season ticket holder, I guess I could class most fixtures – in terms of distance ─ as away … Read more
As a lifelong supporter of Notts County, who currently languish just outside of the playoffs in the National League (fifth tier), you may think that what happens to the glamour teams in the Premiership is just a distant speck on the horizon to me, and that I should be simply ushered away from any engagement … Read more
Buildbase FA Trophy semi-final Notts County 3 v Hornchurch FC 3 (Hornchurch FC win 5-4 on penalties) After that result I’m popping out to the shops. In 2007 The Daily Telegraph revealed that Notts were the most stressful team to support. Today they became the most embarrassing. Yet tomorrow I will wake up and still … Read more