The Phoney War was the first eight months of World War Two. Air raids on our towns and cities didn’t happen at the start. The British government used the lull to put precautions in place. Blackouts were enforced. Strategic port cities like Newcastle Upon Tyne were targets for the bombers. Children were evacuated to the countryside but many drifted back home because the expected raids didn’t happen during the Phoney War.
In football, August is the Phoney War.
Untested new signings and young ‘uns getting a runout in pre-season friendlies.
New managers impressing the press pack. Rumours, rumours and more rumours.
The real conflict, the proper football, doesn’t start until well into August.
Like Britain in World War Two, NUFC will see hostilities break out on home soil this Sunday. And it will be hostile. Like most of Britain this month, it’s going to be a tinderbox against Liverpool. Like the rest of us, I will love it if we beat them. Love it.
The war didn’t go in favour of Britain and its Allies at the start. Like the British forces evacuated at Dunkirk, we’re not in Europe during this campaign. We’ll need to have a strong Home Guard, a Dad’s Army of older lads to shape the bairns into a credible fighting force.
David Hopkinson playing Captain Mainwaring and Ross Wilson as Private “We’re doomed” Fraser. Or maybe they’ll end the season being hailed as strategic Svengalis. We’ll see.
This country was isolated by 1940 and suffered the Blitz in 1940-41. Newcastle Upon Tyne, with its port, shipyards, heavy industry and coal mining, was a target. I suspect NUFC will go through a similar period in the early season, blitzed by teams that have wangled more investment or benefitted from long-term strategic planning.
Like Britain in the 1940s, there’ll be plenty of propaganda from our leaders. Spirits will sag and soar. We’ll pull together to go on the offensive with a strong finish. As in 1944, maybe there’ll be another foray into Europe towards the end, most likely via one of the cups.
Like Winston Churchill, Matthias Jaissle replaced his predecessor just as the real hostilities were starting. Churchill had a tough road ahead of him. Jaissle likewise.
The history books tell of Churchill’s single-minded, inspirational leadership. The truth was that he was deeply unpopular at times, especially during the Blitz.
Will Matthias Jaissle be our Churchill? Let’s hope he can negotiate the Blitz and lead us to some sort of victory this season.
In Churchill’s words: “What is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be.”