What started as a slightly selfish way of looking after my daughter has morphed into an essential bond experience
here was a moment, a simple enquiry, when I realised that my daughter had successfully been indoctrinated. A journey round the M25 to a match in north London had been halted prematurely, as the car’s engine lost all power, and we spluttered to a halt on the hard shoulder. As my uncle got out to investigate the cause, and with the rest of the Saturday afternoon traffic thundering past at terrifying speed, I hurriedly scooped her out of the car and over the relative safety of the crash barrier.
At a League One ground I failed Parenting 101, forgetting to pack baby wipes in her travel bag. I was left with a solitary white muslin to deal with what was, and probably will remain, the largest deposit in her nappy as a percentage of her size .A playoff final at tier seven of the pyramid ended in heartbreaking fashion with a defeat on penalties, an event which she slept soundly through, oblivious to the 3,000 supporters agonising over the drama.
She must also check us both in at a game using the Futbology app, which I downloaded on my work phone so she can keep her own statistical record of where she has visited. A bright pink children’s camera accompanies us to most matches, and I will openly admit to being impressed, and slightly sulky, that some of her pictures turn out better than mine do.
So not having her sat next to me as the last rites were performed on Reading’s top-flight spell – she was at a school friend’s football-themed birthday party, the only girl in attendance – made me that little bit sadder, not having anyone to talk to on the way home. I needed a hug as much as the players did.
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