Loyal fans like Steve are a rare breed

In next week’s issue, lifelong Chester fan and long-time football writer, Steve Hill, will be penning a piece outlining his aims to achieve the Holy Grail of football support – completing the card. ‘The Card’, as Steve informs me, is attending and watching every first team fixture, home and away, and every minute, home and away, of the season.

Going to every game isn’t the biggest of revelations and I’m sure there are some of you out there scoffing as you read these words. But when you consider Steve is a Chester fan who lives in London, and that every home game itself presents a 400-mile round trip, then his efforts are to be applauded. After18 games into the season, Steve has already covered the best part of 8,000 miles and, as he also tells me, is well into a financial hole of four figures!

While Steve’s story charts his own path following the Blues around every corner of the country, it is really a tale of what football means to someone, and it reflects how embracing the game is to us all. Every football fan will be able to relate to his plight and the lengths he is going to in order to support his club.

Let’s face it; going to football matches isn’t as straightforward as it once was. There are simply more demands and less time now. This didn’t just happen overnight. Technology, for good or bad, has extended many working weeks into the weekend. Midweek fixtures, of which there are more and more, are a ‘no-no’ for many. Young kids aren’t falling in love with the game as they once did with other distractions keeping them hidden behind their bedroom doors. And we haven’t even touched on the prices you have to cough up if you do manage to get to a ground. There is a lot more going against the modern-day football fan.

If you are going to a match this week or next weekend or next month, just remember why you are doing it – it’s because you love football. Enjoy the game, and read Steve’s column next week. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face…