Well, as someone who was at the first ever meet up - Bury, whatever happened to them, my lack of involvement largely stems from getting a life. After loosing interest in top flight football a long time back, I then lost interest in the national team and after seeing the dross served up for the last game of the season at Bury a few years back, I turned my back on the professional game completely, having been a loyal supporter since the Graham Carr days. I limited my involvement to junior football with my own kids and helping run the club. I did say though that if the World Cup in Russia went okay - and I didn't think it would in any aspect, I would give it another go, so off to Morecambe I went last season. Can't say I thought it was much better, but I have then been to a couple of games and keep track of what is going on. I must say, my mood is generally better from doing other things at weekends and not depending upon a group of overpaid sportsman to keep me happy is a good plan that I can recommend to others.
In terms of the messageboard, I have always liked our little community and enjoyed putting faces to the names. Usually the reality is better than the online persona, for example, Marvo is a nice bloke in the flesh and even Fenners is worth a chat to. I don't take it too seriously, but have been very aware at times that the written word can be misinterpreted plus you don't know what else might be going on in people's lives when you are thinking that you are harmlessly taking the ****.
I don't bother reading some people's comments and am able to just skim over them, so that helps to not get wound up. Some threads I don't even start with. I don't think I have looked at the Redevelopment thread since the number of pages went to double figures. Most of all, I miss the banter with Baldy, the good Doctor and the rest of the afternoon matchday thread, but actually, I would rather be outside watching Boy Bingers play his matches for The Mighty Bingley Town (last season) or just doing something nice for myself.
It didn't ALL go wrong, but there are some bits that could make life on this messageboard be more bearable. And that is not to do with computer code.
There, more than I have written for a year or two, time to find the rest of my life and enjoy it.
I just can't help it mate. I still get that match day buzz.. Whether it’s at Sixfields (All the time) or at the Bridge (seldom) I genuinely get the butterflies...
Like you I did the youth football. Had some genuine success.. But I love football at every level. I think I always will.