The underdog
Why did I do it? Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I was overwhelmed by a wave of optimism. Having checked in my diary, just on the off chance that May 17th was clear, I discovered I was free. So I logged on to the website and entered myself into the ballot for 2 tickets for the UEFA Cup Final. You may call me impulsive and foolhardy, I prefer to see it as an act of faith.You know what it’s like when you just get a feeling that something good is going to happen, that this year is going to be our year? Well, that is how it feels right now. At the time I entered for the tickets there were just 6 matches separating the Toon Army from a trip to Glasgow and a tilt at real silverware. Such is the optimism we’ve even got a song about it!
I wasn’t born and bred a Geordie. As a youngster I supported Darlington, still do, I suppose, only I’ve stopped worrying about Darlo. My first ever match at St James’s Park was a kind of epiphany. It was in 1975, a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United, Supermac the scorer, and from the moment I entered the ground I was hooked. In my first season we made it to the League Cup Final (and lost). After 14 years of standing in the Tin Shed at Feethams I was ready for a bit of glory and thought it would only be a matter of time. I’ve just had my 50th birthday and I’m still waiting!
What is the psychology of supporting a football team, what keeps you loyal after years of disappointment? Partly it is the unpredictability, the fear of not being there when something great happens. After years of loyal support you don’t want to miss out just when success comes to call. It is the unpredictability that means even when your team is playing that team which is 10 places above you in the League, has cost 3 times as much to assemble and you just know is better than yours, that sometimes the underdog is the victor. (I’m sure you’re sick of hearing about Hereford too!)
I’m a follower of Jesus too. He, also, was the underdog. Although the New Testament actually describes him as the Lamb of God, the sacrificial lamb. He chose to leave behind his heavenly powers and as he took earthly form it was not as a King or a blue chip Company Director, or even an idolised centre forward. He came as a servant and followed the path of service and wisdom and eventually suffering and death.
At Easter we remember once again how they took this Jesus and killed him on the cross and thought that was it, end of story. But it wasn’t, there was extra time, 3 days of it. And on the third day Jesus, against all the odds, was raised from the dead offering hope and life to all of humanity’s little people and ordinary people and sinful people and sorry people. A great victory had been won for all time. Of that I’m certain.
I will soon know whether my faith in Newcastle United has been vindicated. Knowing my luck, they’ll make it to Glasgow and I like thousands of others won’t be able to get a ticket. But I would settle for that.
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