Counting down the days
London
I still haven't finished washing my dirty clothes after returning from Euro 2008 but already the focus is firmly shifting to the forthcoming domestic season.
Every possible inch of copy is being squeezed out of the summer's transfer sagas, players are departing for pre-season training camps with guaranteed sunshine and managers are spending vast chunks of their life on the phone trying to bring in the missing piece of the jigsaw.
The Football League campaign starts on - 30 days from now; ridiculously early in my humble opinion.
The will be one day old, , with seven one-day internationals yet to play, and my nephew will still have three weeks of his summer holidays remaining.
Be that as it may, when the new season kicks off any timing issues will be put to one side as fans pass through the turnstiles with promotion dreams that have blossomed over the summer still mercifully intact.
Supporters will be reunited with the familiar comfort of their favourite seat and the reassuring presence of the people they only ever see on match day. They will get their first glimpse of their club's summer signings in meaningful action and perhaps a look at their new manager's antics on the touchline.
And over the forthcoming 46 League games from the Championship down to League Two there will be plenty of guaranteed action, highs, heartache and drama at each club.
Over the coming season I'll be writing a regular blog on this website focusing on all matters Football League.
I'll be endeavouring to inform about the major talking points, dig out stories of interest and respond to your suggestions.
If you think there is a good story that needs bringing to wider attention, a player who should be interviewed or a pie that really must be tried then I'd love to hear about it.
In the meantime enjoy the sunny weather and keep believing that the 20-goal striker you so desperately need will magically put pen-to-paper on a long-term deal.
Hello, I'm Paul Fletcher and I mainly write about life in the Football League. I have a great enthusiasm for a whole range of sports and love to spread the word about the great game of rugby league. You can also follow me on .
Comment number 1.
At 11th Jul 2008, Modernllama wrote:Think you should start with your thought on Luton.
I personally find it absolutely riduclous that the current administrators are being punished.
Perhaps also tips on who will do well in the PL out of the newly promoted teams.
Also whether the recently relegated teams have a chance of being promoted to the PL again this season.
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Comment number 2.
At 16th Jul 2008, Footy_Fresh_Start wrote:Never mind all this pre-season detail - football is going to die if we dont get rid of boring drawn results (especially 0-0 draws) and the tactical approach of some teams to close the game down when ahead. So, lets make some noise now about changing the rules. Cricket has made the move to "Twenty20" in an effort to keep up interest and footy needs something just as radical.
What do spectators want? Goals and goal-mouth scrambles that keep you on the edge of your seat - thats what!
So, how about we do this:
Double the width of the goal and stick two goalies on each team and another player on field - so 13-a-side. Imagine all the communication required between the goalies - and they will need helmets!
International competitions will no longer be decided on penalties - thank god.
Lets move on.
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Comment number 3.
At 31st Jul 2008, bravesophia001 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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