As 2024 draws to a close, looking back, what have been your highs and lows? Football, and non-football, it can be either or both. For me on the football theme, Watford appointed Tom, and it doesn't look as if he will be sacked any day now. However, on the football theme still, the club has really made a pig's ear of its PR. On a personal level. Still married after 60 years, and my best mate who has cancer has been told he is unlikely to die for a few more years. What I haven't liked has been the weather. All those vegetables that never even had seed put in the ground. I really need the exercise.
I should have added to the highs the Paris Olympics that caught the imagination of all who live here, and were a success on many levels.
Football yes TC...a great guy. 6 months in France including a great trip to Corsica Lowpoints ..has to be the destruction of Gaza by the Israelis whilst the world watches. .. some personal health issues that have gone on and on.. And here's hoping for peace in troubled parts of the World in 2025 .... and perhaps a deserved upturn in our performance leading to a top 6 finish. ..... and health and happiness to us all
In terms of football, I don't see the appointment of TC as a highpoint - he has exceeded my expectations, but still has a way to go to convince me that he'll be anywhere near as good as GT. Maybe I'm just a hard taskmaster... My highpoints in sport in general were more of a personal nature - four of the children of my two nieces in Sydney represented New South Wales in the Australian Championships in their age groups for three sports - two in Hockey, one in Football and one in Surf Life Saving. All four are now national champions and I couldn't be prouder. Lowpoints include the state of the world in general - thanks to the Israel/Gaza & Ukraine/Russia conflicts we appear to be possibly heading into World War III. And then there was the UK general election - with Starmer leading Labour into it then coming out successfully as Tory leader as well. On the personal front, I've had a succession of health problems throughout the year - and after a four hour session in A&E two days before Xmas, I know that one of them is going to plague me next year too... On the bright side, my offspring are all healthy and gainfully employed, and with my wife now retired I get to spend more time with her in the future.
Low points - as Yorkie mentioned Israel's war on Gaza and the continued readiness of the Western World to close their eyes to it. Secondly Elon Musk trying to influence democratic processes in other countries and, apparently, succeeding. Thirdly 3 broken ribs for me through believing that a 69 year old can still play football with youngsters - they say theres no fool like and old one !!! Thankfully all healed up now. High points TC. and some stability at the Horns. Man. City going downhill fast !!! And the Tories are out (not sure that the replacement is much better but time will tell).
Difficult to see high points when one is living with someione suffering serious depression into her 4th year. It's relentless , but the only option is to keep going. So it isn't difficult to see only low points - the world generally, the re-rise of Trump, and Farage for goodness sake - and my US friend who is a serious thoughtful person, well-educated, much travelled, whoi thinks climate change is just natural, and Trump is a good thing. However, WFC aren't a managerial laughing stock any more , even if their PR would make GT wince ( See how easy it is to find low points !) . The club is improving on the playing side, giving the supporters lots of hope. I do think TC has grown into the reality of the job very quickly. The ground looks good, still feels distinctive and Harry does a good job. The continual shifting of start times ( I live in Cheshire...) has driven me mad - especially as I need Avanti to get there. I'm also missing my friend Michael who sat next to me until his death in September 2023. But - the national team is getting better, the emergence of Jacob Bethell along with Brook Atkinson Carse and Shoaib means we'll thrash the Aussies next winter. Hope springs etenal. We just need Starmer to do what TC has done , in very smilar situations, if on a slightl;y differing scale. Happy New Yeat everyone.
Overall, a year of change for me. Sold my house, had a trip back to England and took the Mrs to see Rome, Madrid, Barcelona and Ireland whilst over. Moved back to where my Mrs is from, now we have our own place and not living with the father-in-law anymore, despite his kind hospitality. Need to investigate a proper job come 2025, but patience is needed. Have finally, I hope, got all papers in order that goes with moving. Footballing wise, at least I feel less dread tuning in to stream games. Here's to a tiptop 2025!!
