After the game last weekend, I received a message from a smug Arsenal supporting colleague that said we (Newcastle United) are not mathematically safe.
No response from me.
A season to forget.
Time to reboot and think about next season without European football.
I speak to a smarter Arsenal supporting colleague, Hugo the History man, who also goes down to watch Dulwich Hamlet.
We agree the only chance of us seeing a team who we sort of support lifting silverware will be on Tuesday night at Champion Hill. The final of the London Senior Cup. Dulwich Hamlet v QPR under 21s.
So it is behind the goal with the Rabble and the opening goal courtesy of big Danny Mills sees the terracing erupt and the pink flares go off. The game has an inevitability about it as QPR have decided to take this seriously and there are some big professional footballers out there in the blue and white hoops. No mercy shown and the game finishes 5-1 to QPR.
The Rabble came prepared with and in defeat they set all these flares off simultaneously, creating a scene like you only see in Europe. The under fourteens are present and dressed all in black they pogo in the smoke. So it is no silverware and the crowd trudges away after applauding the team off the pitch. Another season to forget as the Hamlet have finished mid table without a trophy.
Today on my way to work I listened to Ben Clasper (Chairman and Owner of Dulwich Hamlet) on a podcast explaining how precarious their financial position is and how difficult balancing books and running a non-league football club is.
He defended his club when challenged about their trendy hipster image though they do have a sizeable bunch who only turn up for the afternoon social. There are the real hardcore support but there is also a large number of supporters like me and my son, Haddock (Forest) Leighton (Cardiff) Hugo (Arsenal), I could go on, plus many more who when you get talking to them have an allegiance to a bigger club.
They want to see live football but because of circumstances cannot see their team.
No more home games at St James’ Park this season for us as the ballot has not been good. The silver lining is Dave the Fulham fan has come up trumps and got us tickets in the Putney End right next to the Newcastle United away support for the 58th and final NUFC match of the season.