Jumping on Football Frenzy!

As you may be aware, the entire world has been taken over by football due to World Cup, so with that in mind I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and reminisce on a football related story.

I have never been a huge football supporter, unless England is playing. I am that person that enjoys running around like a headless chicken, trying to get the ball, instead of encouraging other to get it. My dad would always joke I would make the perfect goalie because most other children would run away from fast approaching ball for fear of being hurt, but not me. I wouldn’t see it till the last minute, and end up stopping it with my face. I am sure there were always some awakened laughs from other parents on the pitch side, as dad delivered this joke with a dead straight face!

Anyway when Berkshire County Blind Society asked me if I wanted to attend a Reading match and have a penalty shoot out against the Mascot, I couldn’t just say no. The Mascot for those that don’t know is a Lion. I was pretty confident I could score against a slow moving cuddly lion. So during half time, I walked on to the pitch wearing a personalized t-shirt with close to 20,000 pairs of eyes watching me and the loud speaker announcing me and the other taking part. I took up my position, kicked.....and missed. I then went in for the rebound and then scored. Not technically how one does a penalty, but I still count that as a win. I even got a hug of the Lion.

But this according to my dad this was not the highlight of the day for him. In order to do my penalty at the half time we were invited to watch the whole match. So we were in our seats, the stadium fills up. I then I turn to my dad and ask “When does it start?” his response “They have been playing for the last 10 minutes.” So there is a simple note to any parents taking their visually impaired child to a match, a running commentary is always needed, because otherwise we don’t have a clue what is going on, including when they stop warming up and starting playing.

I will start to write again now that I have finished my dis and university, so until next time remember to find the humour in whatever form it comes.@klang_28