This has been a while, but I'm speaking to you whilst self-isolating. I dared to go out of the house and enjoy myself for one day at the Open golf last weekend and then got pinged by the track and trace app. That'll teach me for trying to enjoy myself in 2021.
This is obviously a concern going forward, if you want to go and attend a game of football next season. Will people bother if there is a risk of having to self-isolate? Will people self-isolate if asked? Will they change the rules again? Does anyone know what they're meant to be doing? That's a lot of questions and it feels like this country is losing the plot. Maybe it's time for a new leader...
Speaking of which Concord have a new leader, Chris Search has stepped up from the Under 18's to take charge of the side, after Danny Scopes departure. Dan seemed to depart whilst they were giving the medals out at Wembley. It all seemed a bit sudden and as just a fan of the club, I don't know any of the background and the reasoning why Dan left, but I was sorry to see him go and wish him and the back-room staff well for whatever they decide to do in the future.
However you can only look forward in football, especially in non-league football, as there always seems to be a revolving door aspect to it. Don't fall in love with a player, as you will find that they will soon move onto pastures new. Maybe just fancy them from afar...seems a good approach. I appreciate that a club like Concord will always be a club which gives an opportunity/ a second chance to young players and it's up to the player to take advantage of that. In my years of following the club, (not as long as some of you reading this) I've seen plenty of player's move onto a higher level...but at the back of your mind is "you bastard, you could have given us one season more!" This pre-season has been no different, and there is another new raft of players joining Concord, and there will probably be more before the start of the season, and also more arriving and departing during the season.
My spies at the pre-season games so far, have told me that Searchy, who is ably assisted by Danny Green this season, is asking the team to play out from the back more. That's always good to hear, however being an ever increasing cynic and curmudgeon, maybe a more direct approach would be beneficial in an increasingly physical National League South. It would probably be better to pass judgement once I've seen the team play this season myself. It won't be this weekend though. I'm not allowed out for another six days. What a farce!
