Besides Styx, my overiding passion is Football, (Soccer), and in particular, Leeds United AFC. I started supporting them when I was 7, when they won the FA Cup, beating Arsenal 1-0. Although too young too do much more than say that I supported them, I have stuck with them ever since, despite a very lean spell in the early eighties, when they were relegated from the then first division and nearly into the third division. Since then, Howard Wilkinson (Sgt Wilko) returned them to the first division, and brought them their first championship title in 18 years (1992): This was the last title in the then first division before it became the FA Carling Premiership. George Graham took over as manager in 1997, and recently, the team survived a near fatal air crash at Stansted Airport, London, on their way back to Leeds, after losing to West Ham. (Thank You, Emerald Airlines).
My love of American Football is second only to soccer. I first encountered it when my local team, the Windsor Monarchs, first started playing at a local stadium in Slough: that was in 1983, I think. Now both stadium and team are now gone, but the love of the game remains. I "chose" the Green Bay Packers, simply because they are the only team which belongs to the city in which it is based. Had I known the heartache which would befall me as the Pack went through something of a lean period, which lasted throughout the eighties and most of the early nineties, I might have chosen differently, but hey, I am no fair weather fan: my support of LUAFC should give that away! Since then, of course, they have won the Superbowl, and come second this year. but, the Pack is back to stay: look out, AFC, in the words of Styx, the Pack is "Not Dead Yet!"
As a rookie fan of the NHL, I have adopted (or is it adopted by??) the Toronto Maple Leafs, as a result of my trip to Canada (see Borders). Despite my relative newness (?!) to the sport, we do have a league in the UK, and even a local team, the Slough Jets, who I have seen on a few occasions, but I still have plenty to learn!! Anyway, it's sport, and that's all that matters!!
As a frustrated Yorkshireman, I have been following Yorkshire CCC for some years now. As with all other YCCC fans, I have been awaiting the oft promised, but ne'er delivered championship: for the last few years they have appeared in the B&H Cup semifinal, and promised championship winning form: and the result eash year?? Bloody nowt!! Oh well, As a Leeds & Green Bay supporter, I'm used to this!!
