Disappointed - now you know what it's like....

After a heavy week of schools' work in Brent the solid grind has only been punctuated by the occasional break for the World Cup. While I have watched the England games throughout, my occasional "over the shoulder" glimpses of other games when ironing shirts or writing governing body minutes suggests there has been more excitement and better football displayed by other teams.

Germany's demolition of Australia, and the exciting 2-2 draw between the USA and Slovenia put the England performances into the shade. My latest "glimpsed" match was Ghana against Australia, which although it appeared to be a comedy of errors, at least had some drama and excitement.

I turned to catch the latest news headlines on TV a while ago and tried the Sky News channel for a change. Their sports correspondent was reporting live from Cape Town and suggested that the thousands of England fans there were having a great time in the city, their enjoyment only punctured by the 90 minutes of football they had to endure.

It reminded me of my regular Saturdays during the home season when a select band of Coventry City supporters travel to home games from Euston. We have a splendid lunch in a genuine Tudor-framed building converted into a CAMRA pub, enjoy the banter and camaraderie that is unique to seasoned supporters, only to have our otherwise perfect day out spoilt by yet another desultory performance from our home town team.

It was ever thus. The three seasons of glory are long past. 1963 - Third Division champions; 1967 - Second Division champions; 1987 FA Cup winners. And nothing since.

Nevertheless one has to remember that with so few real honours to win each season for the 92 clubs in the fully professional divisions, most supporters of most clubs start each season with the hope that "this year it will be our year", but are disappointed by the end.

So for all those who have shelled out to get to South Africa, and are now shell-shocked after two poor England performances, just try being a Coventry City supporter for 46 years. Not so much an excitement, more an exercise in lifelong character-building.