Fixtures and results

There is normally one point in the summer when a mad obsessive football fan comes alive. That day is Fixtures Day. Every year the date of the new fixtures gets earlier and earlier (this years release date of 14th June is the earliest ever), but on that day the next nine months of the footballing journey starts to be mapped out.

Take myself for example. I've got twenty days holiday left this year, and I was thinking 'actually I need a break'. I thought I'd better wait until the fixtures came out just in case some juicy seaside fixtures came along in the later part of the summer.

As it happens our day out at the seaside is not until February. Morecambe any time of year isn't exactly the most touristy hot spot, but there again I can remember us all in fancy dress on our last ever Conference game, and it being quite warm. Unless global warming speeds up a lot in the next seven months or so I think it will be jumper weather. Still you've got Blackpool down the road (where I guess the 'Torquay relief' trip will be this year, or the Lakes just up the road).

The highlights for me are the first away game (Manda and Rob have already been texting me about this one, and a weekend in Lincoln looks very much on the cards). The MK Dons game a couple of weeks later (where we will be able to shout - 'Half finished stadium' - ' We went to Wembley - YOU'VE GOT NO HISTORY ;-) and other malarkey. The local derbies of course (not looking forward to the 12 p.m. kick offs though!), the last game of the season at Rochdale (which will of course be FANCY DRESS!!!), and you guessed it, the first games at NM (or whatever it is being called).

It's also a chance to go to some of my favourite grounds such as Bradford, Chesterfield, and Brentford. All the good trips are on Saturday's to the Manchester clubs, and the London trips too. The only problem is bloody Darlo away on a Tuesday night (ridiculous!)

The start of the season does look hard. The cup draw not easy, but the 'Dongs' beat Colchester before they went really close to a Premiership play off place, and with a big crowd at Oteley Road, who knows. (It's still weird thinking were not going to be a GM anymore!).

With the issuing of fixtures came the news about season tickets, and admission prices. £15 isn't too bad, and the kids' prices are excellent at £2. Season ticket options provide the best value and if you're on a budget like me, the instalment scheme soon to be announced will be a godsend, especially when guaranteeing tickets for those big games.

The excitement is starting to rise again, and the bubble of expectancy following Wembley that has been put away for a few weeks came back once the fixtures were released. Along with the excitement and wonder of a new stadium. 'How were going to get there' and all that?

For this fan, football related matters don't stop. ShrewsTRUST have their AGM at the end of July, and after taking a sharp intake of breath following the very successful 'Heroes and Legends' nite, its back at full pace, doing election procedures, nomination slips etc. As we sat round the table the other nite at the Brooklands, thoughts of all the Interim Board present turned to events a quarter of a mile down the road, and imagining the scenes to come over the next year or so, will be a wonderment.

Of course even before that, the old season seems to kick and struggle on. The U-21 Euros continue in Holland (and were all secretly hoping Joe Hart can make an appearance), and then of course the big one. No, I'm not talking about the fabulous auction that takes place at Gay Meadow on Sunday (Nor for that matter the B and A Cricket - now sadly postponed due to the new monsoon season!). No I'm talking about the ASFC v Staff game next Friday, 7 p.m. at GM. The last ever-ever-ever game. £2 and £1 to get in. No priority cards, tickets. Just simple cash for 'charity'.

Please get down if you can. It should be wonderful!

And finally thanks to everyone who has commented about my articles this season. A lot of what I write might be deemed to come out of my backside, but seriously I write from the heart, because I care passionately about this football team of ours.

Right until next week.

Ade Plimmer