Boxing Day 2015: When the 38 game dream died
The tradition of playing football on Boxing Day was significant during my Christmas festivities.
Following the pleasurable and celebratory occasion of Christmas, it was pleasant to spend a couple of hours on Boxing Day in solitude, indulging in the beloved sport of football.
Regrettably, because of TV broadcasts, we hardly ever have a match on Boxing Day anymore. However, this isn't necessarily negative.
During the Christmas season, train companies take advantage of the four-day weekends and holidays to perform extensive maintenance work on their network around the clock. Although some occasional commuters may complain, this is actually the optimal time for a network shutdown as the number of rail users is at its lowest.
It can be quite a challenge for people attending football matches, especially for those who, like myself, have spent Christmas with relatives who live outside of London.
Some years back, we played against Southampton on Boxing Day, and it was quite a journey for me. I had to take two trains from Suffolk to London, then cross London and finally take another train all the way down to Southampton.
The couple of trains going to London got cancelled, which meant there would have been a need for two alternate buses. The Jubilee Line was operational, but unfortunately, trains departing from Waterloo were unavailable. As a result, three extra buses and one train would have been necessary to reach the destination. This ordeal would have taken roughly six hours.
There may be individuals who suggest "simply drive", but I refused to embark on a three and a half hour excursion after Christmas Day. I respectfully decline.
I didn't attend the match, which was the sole game out of the 38 that I missed that year. Instead, I decided to spend an additional day with my family, catch the game on the television at the nearby pub, and indulge in some delectable cold cuts and mashed potatoes for supper!
It also made me understand that there are other things in life besides soccer.
During that particular season, my focus was solely on attending 38 football matches. I often skipped important family events such as birthdays and barbecues just to make it to games. My entire life seemed to revolve around ensuring that I could make it to each one. This fixation had already been present for a few seasons, but it reached its peak in 2015, becoming more of an addiction than ever before.
After the Boxing Day, I made a firm decision to stop obsessing over completing the entire 38 game season. I decided to prioritize my family over football.
Although I used to plan my family visits in accordance with international breaks, I have become more flexible and may miss significant matches due to notable occurrences. Despite this, I plan to attend more than 25 league games this season.
While enjoying a cup of coffee in my garden, I am contemplating about what my choice would have been if the West Ham match was scheduled at noon today. Would I have abandoned my family and taken the alternative buses to Stratford for the game?
I don't have control over Sky's decision, but I'm excited for Thursday. I can hardly wait for it to arrive.
I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. It's important to cherish every moment with your loved ones. Don't worry about missing a football game, it will still be waiting for you when you're finished spending time with your family.
