Dave Payne column: Mixed emotions all round as the football season comes to an end. WELL, it's the end of another football season, and I have mixed feelings about about it personally. Although my time at the helm of Bishop Sutton wasn't the best experience I have ever had, I did meet some decent people there, which I hope to keep in touch with. The thing I do not miss is the constant struggle to get decent players to play for you week-in, week-out. Our two local professional clubs City and Rovers are probably both glad that the season has finished. They have both spent much of the campaign in the relegation places. City, in all fairness, dramatically improved when Steve Cotterill took over the reins a few months ago. Rovers, on the other hand, went into their last fixture needing a point to ensure Football League status, which is real pressure. During the close season, the ground at Ashton Gate is being renovated, and the old East End part of the stadium is to be demolished. I spent many years as a young lad on those terraces and have some really fond memories. Interestingly enough, my best memory is from watching a match there that did not involve Bristol City playing. The game I recall with great clarity is the Bristol Suburban League cup final which featured my uncle's (Tim Hughes) team who was captain of the then Post Office Phones side, back in the early 70s. Along with my then young school pals we sang our hearts out in the old East End cheering the mighty Phones on to victory. I also have some fond memories of visiting the old Eastville Stadium where the Rovers called home for many years. Yes, along with my parents I really enjoyed walking around the weekly Sunday market held there! At the highest level of football, David Moyes must be looking back to the start of the season now, and wonder whatever was he thinking of when he went and signed Marouane Fellani for £27 million. I am not kidding, but for another three million he could have bought Darren Pool's house! I was having a conversation with Darren recently, and we both agreed that he has appeared in this column more times than anyone else. One of the main reasons for this is that he can laugh at himself, unlike quite a few people who I have written about and have not seen the funny side. Darren's mum though has told me on occasions to stop picking on her boy. Darren, along with me and many other former players that have featured regularly in this column, will be playing football in a charity match this Friday. It is being played at Backwell with the opponents being ex Bristol City and Rovers players, along with a sprinkling of local celebrities. It kicks off at 6.30pm with entrance by donation. I hope you can come along because Darren is giving riding lessons during half-time interval Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Dave-P...tory-21057750-detail/story.html#ixzz30rjVBFbL
