Battle for survival is the most thilling bit

I GREW up in a football city (Liverpool) and found myself on the Blue side of the loyalty divide which has had my emotions on somewhat of a rollercoaster through my numerous decades on this planet with this year being no different and with the trap-door oiled and looming!

Rugby really got my interest some 35 plus years ago for various reasons, but mainly for the respect that was shown throughout all levels of the game. Now many aspects of the game have gone and I feel not for the better, but the respect holds on as the tentacles of professionalism grow.

I still keep an ear to the football, especially at the business end of the season and it is not the title race that grabs me, it is the battles at the bottom of the various leagues that are of greater interest... who will go down and who will survive. The passion and excitement can be gripping, mostly for the many neutrals who find themselves drawn in and then captivated.

I always remember when Nottingham Forest (under the late great Brian Clough) who were fighting for survival... The double European champions became the second supported team of all football neutrals during their unsuccesful fight to stay up that season.

I find myself drawn in to those survival battles again this season, not just for Everton, who have been in the top flight for longer than most, but for all those teams that mean so much for their respected communities. I believe that Rugby Union really needs to study this part of the football business model and in doing so they may discover the many benefits it has to offer. From the remnants of death come the shoots of life.