Emeralds and Leprechauns

I shut my office at 1100hrs Friday. And for the first time in over 30 years decided against a staff party. Perhaps it’s a sign of getting old, but as I walked back into Cardiff for a couple of pints with friends, all I could see was excess and tomorrows headache.

But my health conscious approach didn’t extend to my wife and her colleagues….who partied long into the night, in a hotel not far from our home.

My lunchtime self-control transformed seamlessly into a late night taxi.

At 1.15am a ‘happy’ wife exclaimed…..’what about Tesco’s!’. I initially took the outpouring to be a statement and not a question. But I soon realised my wife had hatched a fantastic plan….Christmas food shopping at 1.30am. What a great idea?

Now, I don’t do shopping in daylight hours, so the prospect of walking around a superstore in the early hours filled me with trepidation. But then I looked across to my ‘happy’ wife. Evening gown, high heels, all set off with emerald and diamond earrings. Yes, perhaps shopping could be fun…..

I have to say I was impressed….all of the store full of workers. Busily filling shelves for the expected big invasion on Saturday. Reindeers doing the veg….Santas, the toys and games….Snowmen, the freezer cabinets and Leprechauns, the wines and spirits. I put it all down to years of planning.

Hayes last Saturday in the FA Trophy turned out to be a thoroughly professional demolition of a team who must have started the day thinking….‘yes we can surprise them. They won’t fancy the cold and soulless atmosphere,’

Well sorry Hayes, but this Aldershot Town team is fit, keen and mean. Well organised and not prepared to give anything less than the appropriate effort. On Saturday it was of course no more than 85%…and for that, Hayes should be thankful.

Oxford United today, in some cup that doesn’t register on my radar, is for me, a game to miss. My car needs a rest and so do I.

Best wishes to all football followers, Worldwide…..

And to the players and management of Aldershot Town FC….thank you for bringing so much joy back to the Rec.