So what do you want to read about? A Tory election victory? Katie Hopkins? Princess Charlotte? Well, you’re getting none of these. Instead, I am going to concentrate on something far more important: football. And not just any football. It’s Stoke Gifford United football.
Just a few short weeks ago, I was at ‘The Field’, as we call our home ground, watching ‘The Village’ in action. Actually, it was more a case of inaction than in action! We were at home to Easton Cowboys and losing 2-0 when Ben Hiscox smashed a sensational long range strike past a bewildered goalkeeper. Well, not really. Ben Hiscox scuffed in yet another scruffy goal from close range, as he did so often, which somehow inspired the rest of the team to buck up their ideas. We went on to win 3-2.
There was plenty of banter afterwards, much of which revolved around Ben’s alleged lack of impact on the game prior to his goal. “It was the only flipping thing you did all game!” said one of his team mates, not actually using the word flipping! Of course, it wasn’t the only flipping thing he did all game – I think he was involved in the restart kick offs a few times as well! – but it suited the village banter. It is an unofficial rule at the Gifford that you rarely get praise for anything you do in a football match. And there is a consequence to this: egos are there to be pricked. There is no need for an ego at the Gifford. Anyway, Ben never had an ego to puncture!
The Easton Cowboys game was a top of the table clash and it seemed this might be the catalyst for a sustained challenge at the title. Then the team had a blip, surprisingly losing a couple of games. Then, on 28 March 2015, the Gifford had a home game against Mangotsfield Sports. Prior to the game, Ben Hiscox did the team talk and it galvanised the team to win 4-1. He also got injured in the game in a tragic accident which led to his passing several days later.
In the days that followed, the Gifford understandably lost their way, tripping up against teams they would normally have been expected to defeat and the league title seemed a million miles away. It didn’t really matter anyway, did it? Well, yes it did, actually.
Form has picked up in recent weeks and tonight Stoke Gifford United travel to Cossham Street to once again play Mangotsfield Sports in a winner takes all clash for the league title. (Actually, the Gifford need just to draw.) An unbelievable state of affairs which if someone had dreamed it up, then no one would have believed them.
Sadly, the Gifford will line up without Ben Hiscox but they will feel his presence as much as if he was actually on the pitch. He will be giving the invisible team talk. When it comes down to it, it is only a game of football. Both sides will want to win and the stakes are high. We know that, one way or other, there will be tears after the game, tears of joy or tears of sadness. If I am being honest, I want the boys to win, too, because it would give a boost for everyone in the village and a few beyond the village too.
But we have to be realistic: it’s a football match, not a matter of life and death. Just do your best, boys. Whatever will be, will be.