Annual depression at a new football season

SIR – I am a Sunderland supporter and can assure Jeremy Parr (Letters, August 1) that he is not alone in being depressed at the start of the football season. Alan Bennett

Carterton, Oxfordshire

SIR – The thing that depresses me about the football season is the television coverage.

We see endless replays of incidents we saw perfectly clearly the first time round; the post-match interviews with players and managers who have nothing to say; the studio “experts”, ditto; the close-ups of gum-chewing team managers; and, on the pitch, the ludicrous “away” strips.

The football itself is fine. Michael Round

London SW19

SIR – If Jeremy Parr is thoroughly depressed at the prospect of the football season starting this weekend, he should stop watching football.

If he doesn’t watch football, then what is he moaning about? David Sands

Milton of Campsie, Dunbartonshire

SIR – I have found an effective remedy for Mr Parr’s entirely justifiable ailment: pay attention to the results of teams followed by one’s friends. Much satisfaction is to be had from pointing out the inadequacies of their team’s performance, particularly when they are thrashed – as will inevitably happen at some point in the season. Ian Thompson

Bristol

SIR – The football season is indeed grim.

There is the false optimism of walking to the match. The trudge back to the car after another underwhelming performance.

There is the experience of listening to Chelsea or Man City fans complain because they only won 3-0. Giving Match of the Day a miss. Not reading the sports pages on Sunday.

And finally, there is the challenge of avoiding the plastic Manchester United fans at work on Monday.

The last two months have been blissful. G W Doggrell

Bordon, Hampshire

SIR – What makes the start of the football season so depressing is that it is a reminder the summer is nearing its end. David Bennett

Hove, East Sussex