Beacon of light in dark times
AWEEK off was the present received by Stanley for bowing out of the FA Cup a couple of weeks ago in the opening round.
You almost couldn’t have chosen a better time to place a rest at the minute for the lads, following our excellent run of form since returning from isolation.
A week to take stock, look back on the achievements in the last few weeks and ultimately, look forward to what may be on the horizon.
This year has hit us all hard.
As we approach Christmas it’s starting to set in (certainly for me) that there’ll be no relief from our Covid situation until at least the new year. I’m not a religious person by any means, but I am certainly someone who enjoys Christmas more than any other time in the calendar.
Seeing friends, family all together, the works Christmas do is the best night of year as far as I am concerned, but whatever capacity these things take place in this year, it won’t be the same.
It’s so minor, but it seems the only joy I’m feeling at the minute might be when I watch this Accrington team.
Hyndburn has been hit more than most, you’ll know people who have passed away or at least know people who know people.
Our community has suffered enough over the last decade and this can only add to that, it’s the club’s responsibility to deliver and provide a sense of pride for the town to live up to.
In the last 15 years, whether many in the town like it or not, Stanley has become our beacon of light.
Like the Pals and Nori for generations gone, Stanley keeps us on the map.
It keeps income flowing into the town, into our pubs, chippy’s, taxi firms, corner shops, you name it.
Without the visit of away fans Accrington would plunge even deeper into a depressive hole of obscurity.
The town may need Stanley more than ever coming out of this pandemic, and in turn, the club may need the town more than ever before.
How fitting would it be to come back and show this excellent young team just what playing for Stanley is all about. Imagine if they can deliver us something special in these darker hours. One can only dream.
I pen this piece before our trip to Shrewsbury on the 2nd and we’re heading int yet another busy period of double header weeks and then Christmas football.
So, what do we need to expect from the team? I’m not going to sit and try to predict what will happen.
I always seem to get things wrong when I do so I’d rather report on what has already happened and not get too wound up on where I think we should be aiming in the coming months.
One thing is for certain, we shouldn’t be anywhere near the relegation places and if we’ve been beaten by Shrewsbury and you’re reading this I can tell you I’m as disappointed as you right now.
It feels as though I am saying this every week now, but we have a massive few months ahead of us as Stanley fans.
Months that, without sounding too dramatic, could shape the structure of our club for the next few decades.
So, strap in, get the kettle on, and let’s enjoy the ride whilst we can glued to our sofas, you’ll never moan about a cold Tuesday night ever again once we’re allowed back.