Second attempt Day 9
At the end of the 2006/2007 season Stuart Pearce's Manchester City finished an unspectacular but safe enough 14th in the Premier League. The following season under Eriksson they climbed to 9th. Mark Hughes would do his bit and dragged us up to 5th during the 2009/2010 campaign. Then, next up, Mancini, did what many City supporters never admitted, but secretly feared they would never see in their lifetimes, he ended the pain and won City's first league title for 35 years in 2012 - that's one hell of a transformation by anyone's standards.
We saw it all. When Rachel and I moved back to South Manchester, from France, with our young family in early 2008, I decided it was time to introduce the kids to English Premier League football. Having done our bit and supported our local club Lille whilst out there, we had returned to our roots where we planned to settle for good. We started going to City games for the rest of that season and the following year seasoncards were duly purchased for myself and two eldest children - without too much difficulty it has to be said. After all, the big money had not arrived at that point, seats were readily available and the renaming of Eastlands to The Etihad was still some way off.
Our timing was impeccable. Sheik Mansoor bought the club the following season and ploughed endless funds into it. The rest is history and we are now the witnesses and proud owners of priceless memories over the last 15 seasons, including many Wembley visits and triumphs, and of course the most famous goal in the history of the game itself. Aguerooooooo stuck that one in a mere 25 meters in front of our very eyes.
It now seems so fitting that my own personal transformation started at the Etihad Stadium - I say started as I am far from transformed at this point - I am metaphorically somewhere in the 2007-2008 campaign I would say. The anticipation, tense game and utter relief to have snatched victory against Chelsea sent me on a 15 hour orgy of drinking that day. I have so much to be grateful to Manchester City for over the years, but that day may be what I owe them for the most. I hit my rock bottom, and now the only way is up.
On Sunday I had my first restaurant experience with friends since my decision to remove bars and pubs from the scene. The idea is that an hour and a half in a food setting is perfect, so I'm not tempted to join in drinking. I had fun, enjoyed and really tasted the excellent fish. I did not even consider an alcoholic drink throughout, and afterwards resisted the temptation to go on to the bar with our companions - another first! On Monday I cycled effortlessly up to the little, but very high pueblo of Istan for coffee. After the bike tour last week my fitness levels are very good. There are noticeable differences in my physical appearance too, if I do say so myself. My skin appears much more hydrated and the abdominals are starting, just starting I hasten to add, to poke through. Today we will spend the morning at the Manolo Santana tennis club - more about him in a future post - for years we have only managed two sets of tennis when we play, I'm wondering if three might be on the cards soon !?!
So the transformation is gaining pace and momentum. Small victories along the way being added to the scoresheets. The ultimate goal still awaits, the Aguero moment if you like, to say I've made it after 35 years. Yes, unbelievably it is 35 since I started drinking.
In my lifetime?
Comments
Post a Comment