By Mesh Johal
It’s been 308 days since I last saw my beloved Bantams win a game. Nearly a whole year! A lot has changed for me. The arrival of a newborn has seen priorities re-examined and Saturday afternoons are no longer afforded to watch the men in claret and amber.
I’ll be honest, I’ve not missed it that much. Every game is an away game when you’re making the trip to BD8 from Manchester Victoria. It’s tiring, and at times feels like a one way relationship. You do get unbelievable moments of joy. But on the whole, it’s a graft and a battle. I’m not sure if I’m talking about parenting or watching City. Maybe there is a weird juxtaposition at play here?
The 12.30pm and midweek televised games have been a bit of a blessing. I’ve seen City play far more than I would have expected. But on the whole, I’m a mobile alert Bantam nowadays. The buzzing of the phone between 3-4.45pm is often filled with anticipation, dread and angst.
What makes it harder is the score comes up on my watch first. My initial reaction is usually one of confusion. Have we scored or conceded? You have to look closely at the screen and take a moment to process the display before fist pumping in celebration or table thumping in frustration.
A note to the product development team at Garmin. Displaying football results is more important than GPS!
I lie, I have missed it a little. The weekly texts with my cousins to confirm our pre match pint location, even though the routine’s not changed for years. The planning of away games with the Manchester Bantams. Should we do another silly mid week game or not?
***
The trip to Birmingham was a reminder of what I’d been missing. A bite in the air, needle between the stands, backs to the walls defending and the occasional break that made the fans gasp and stand on their tip toes. And then it happened. The initial drive from Alex Pattison, the carving pass from Antoni Sarcevic and the ruffle of the net thanks to one of our own.
I never thought the JPT would evoke such giddyness and vigour, but it did. It was reminiscent of my feelings when celebrating Andy Cook’s winner against Mansfield in ‘21. Returning to a packed away end after the Covid stadium lock out, there was an unbridled sense of euphoria and release.
After my own self imposed lockdown all those feelings came rushing back whilst saluting the new King of the Kop.
***
My first Saturday game of the season did not disappoint and was capped off by a 94” daisy cutter winner.
Has it gone in? How’s it gone in? Was he onside? WTF has just happened?!
Similar to my confusion when looking at my watch, I wasn’t sure what to do after Michael Mellon’s goal. I froze in amazement and looked around to see the chaos in the away end. It was magical to witness. Only football can conjure up these feelings.
Heck, I have really missed it.
The defiance and conviction of the 1,300 strong bellowing “We Are Going Up” felt different from yester year. There is a genuine belief that this might happen. And I feel sad not to have seen it up close and personal. I’ve had so many bad days supporting this club, there’s a cruel irony that I’m missing the best season in a decade.
But returning home after the game, there is no better feeling than seeing your baba’s face. The goal celebration was electric, 10/10. But everything is amped up by 100 when you see your baby’s smile. That’s my little trophy! Come late April I can only hope we see Richie Smallwood lift a League Two trophy laced in claret and amber. And together we’ll all experience the happiness I feel right now…
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Nice piece. Best wishes for your family (in Manchester and BD8)
lovely work. Thank you for sharing
Must admit to starting going back to watch City after a number of years away from Valley Parade having moved to Cheshire in mid 2007 and had children in Jan 2009 and April 2012. My first match back was 20 miles away from home. Wigan away in that League Cup match in late 2012. I have never looked back and actually think going back to matches helped me with some of the little life challenges involved with parenting. Now, my lovely 16 year old son comes with me and is a Bantam since aged 7 when he attended his first match with daddy. I’m just so grateful he is one and that we can share many more wonderful moments together just like we both just did in the away end at Salford !
absolutely right Tony W. There is nothing, repeat NOTHING like going to matches with your child and I cherish the memories. Loads of fantastic memories with my lad although two in particular stand out. Stood in the perishing cold on Wembley way before the league cup final and stood in the exact same spot in the sun before the play off final. Mesh Johal, you have that to look forward to and, believe me it’s well worth the wait!
Congratulations