We haven’t had the best season in Cup competitions have we? In the County Cup, we did Campion and Hatfield Main, then threw it all away against Kirk Deighton (Who are they? – Exactly). Although the weather didn’t help, we shouldn’t really be losing to teams at that level. Whilst it’s acceptable of types to lose to a team from your league, the 8-2 at home to Rothwell was a bit of a mare too. Similarly, I shouldn’t think Slonka would be too pleased with losing to Lindley Liberal Club in the County Trophy. Postponements galore in the League Cup also mean little progress there. The League Cup tie for the ‘A’ Team at the end of the month gives hope of avoiding the unwanted hat-trick of exiting all cup competitions in the first round. Our Sunday Reserves have had mixed luck in waving goodbye to the Intermediate and Supplementary Cups. So step forward all you Sunday first teamers, our Cup Team of the season to date. Aside from a first round exit in the County Sunday Cup, they’re still firing on three fronts Cup wise, with a 9-2 and a 7-1 to their credit. Sunday gives them a semi-final tie away to Harrogate CSC. If you’ve nothing in your diary, get over there and give Craig and his boys a bit of well deserved support. If we do well, I’ll get back to town and get the bar open for a party. As long as you’re buying! (PS - We should be positive and mention that we’re still in the Whitworth Cup, Hulme Cup (Reserves), FA Trophy (Sunday Reserves) so I could look a proper idiot in a few months time).

Speaking of Cup competitions, so what if Everton didn’t put out a full team against Oldham? How is that killing the magic of the FA Cup? I’m sure that the long suffering supporters of Oldham, just a few short years on from their top flight days, are loving every moment of hitting the big time again. Ask any player of Chasetown,  Havant or Staines and I bet they loved every second of this year’s FA Cup. Even Coventry and Huddersfield would have enjoyed their moments in the spotlight. That my friends, is why we love football. On their day, anyone is beatable. Even Arsenal (Wrexham) and Man United (York City). Which reminds me of what is probably the best ever newspaper headline. On the evening of 8 February 2000, lowly Inverness Caledonian Thistle produced the best result in their short history, knocking Celtic out of the Scottish Cup with a 3-1 win away at Parkhead. The following day, The Sun led with the incomparable headline – “Super Cally go ballistic, Celtic are atrocious”. Top that Ripon Gazette!!

So Saturday next sees us take on Railway at Station Road. I’m sure all our first team lads will be looking forward to testing themselves against Mr Littlefair and his band of merry men as we seek to retain the Whitworth Cup. Those who were at Harrogate FC last year will remember not only the thrill of winning, but of beating one of our closest rivals, Knaresborough Town. Whatever the level we play at, it doesn’t get any better for any football player, official or supporter than winning a cup in a derby fixture. I’m sure I saw Andy Willey pointing out how many we scored that night to his opposite number. At least that’s how many fingers Andy was holding up when I saw him waving to him.

If Craig’s lads do the biz we’ve a final to look forward too. And hopefully a bit of celebrating, which we should be able to do in our own clubhouse, now that we are responsible for it.  An inside source at the Club has told me that there are numerous events being considered which we hope will make the club a little more stable financially. But we all have to pull our weight and contribute with assistance rather than just our wallets and throats. That’s why I’m first on the list for bar duties, just in case we decide to have any pole dancing nights!

It’s a shame we don’t give an award at our season end bash for giving away the most penalties; Toves has put in a blinding performance over the last few weeks to give himself a shout for the top award. I don’t blame him; he’s a top defender and show me any defender who has never given away a penalty or own goal and I’ll show you someone who is permanently injured or on the bench. Even Hoggy and Silky give them away. But it did make me wonder who actually does give away most penalties at the Club. Maybe we’d better leave that one well alone though, eh?

In the modern world, there’s ying and yang, which is summat to do with swings and roundabouts. It’s the principle that good things and bad things occur to cancel each other out. For example, Leeds sold Cantona to Man United, but used the money to buy… well, probably goldfish if Ridsdale was involved, but I’m sure you get my drift. We wave goodbye to one hero of recent years, and another comes back. I’m not sure what Ollie Uffindal is actually doing down under, but I’m sure everyone at the Club wishes him well. He’s been a great goalscorer and some Aussie team will reap the benefits. But welcome back Smudge. A hero in the real sense of the word. A long stint in Basra, exposed to overwhelming hostility, bleak conditions and coming under daily rocket fire and grenade attacks. Sounds like the perfect preparation for playing Whitkirk  away then!