How my Daddy inspired me to be a Sports Journalist

My Dad has three daughters, I'm the eldest and then there's Rebekah and Madeleine. I often wonder if he was ever a little disappointed; no boys to take along with him to the football. But he needn't have worried, because all three of us have followed in his footsteps and become avid town fans.

Growing up in Stowmarket, my Dad started supporting Ipswich despite the fact that my Grandad supports Narwich - clearly he saw sense! He's been to watch Town play all over the world; especially in their European Heydays. He also has this uncanny knack of being able to predict match results, many a time have we been driving down the A14 when he's said 'I've got a bad feeling about today' or even ' yep, we'll be ok today'.

Some of the best memories I have involve the five of us (Dad, me, Bekah, Maddie and Town): Inter Milan being the one that stands out. From the moment we left home you could see that he was so proud to be going to this history-making match with his girls. The town centre was swarming in blue and white shirts, coaches and coaches of us there were. I'll never forget sitting at a table outside a cafe, 'Winter Wonderland' coming over the speakers and every single Town fan singing 'There's only one Marcus Stewart....' at the top of their voices. My Dad was beaming, he was in his element and I'm so proud to have shared that with him.

The other greatest memory is one I'm sure you all share: May 29th 2000, Wembley. Dad made sure the whole day was amazing; walking down Wembley Way in a sea of Blue and Red, emerging from the turnstiles into this amazing ground, finding our seats were only about 10 rows from the front. But the image that I will never forget was Reuser scoring that fourth goal: my Dad was so elated, he and the two men in front were hugging! Unlike me, he doesn't often get emotional at the football and I think that was a sign of what the whole day had meant to him.

The overall feeling that I got from these days, and the many other trips we've made to watch The Blues, is that these are stories that should be told. The ups and downs a fan feels supporting their team, the unknown tales about cafes in Milan and a little man with a microphone walking around the ground chanting before every game - these are what should be being published in newspapers and online. That's why I decided to be a Journalist and I've got my Dad to thank for showing me that world.

When I was 21 I got a work placement at the BBC Radio Football department, I was so excited about it and couldn't wait to tell my Dad. Whilst I was there I was involved in some great programmes, and each night on the way home I would call Dad to tell him about it. The best moment? Then Town manager Joe Royle featured as a guest on a show I was researching for and they asked me to look after him. I went to meet him and walk him to the studio. I remember, he was trying to figure out how to use his mobile phone: so funny watching him staring at it whilst walking along and nearly bumping into people - just like my Dad does after every game!

My colleagues there teased me that the reason I got that placement was that I'm an Ipswich fan. For some reason alot of staff there support Town, and those that don't have a huge respect for what they did in the eighties. So I guess I have my Dad to thank for that!

Then a few years ago I bought my Dad what I think was the best birthday present ever! I bought him a stadium tour of Portman Road. We were shown the changing rooms, we walked up the tunnel, we were allowed to sit in the dugouts (that was cool) and then we were shown the media suite. I loved this part!

Literally four months later I was back there again, this time working as a journalist. I got another work experience placement with Town 102, in Ipswich: They knew I was a Town fan so they asked me to go along to the Press Conferences for them and I loved every minute. Steve the Press Officer introduced me to Jim Magilton as 'legs', Jim used to try and get Matt Holland into his answers just for me and straight after every press conference I would call Dad to let him know if anything good had been said. I loved being able to give him the inside knowledge!

In every day reporting on the club he helped me too, he would text me and make sure I knew all the stories that were coming. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Town 102, it was the best job I've had so far, and I think I made a genuinely good impression as a sports reporter. I reckon I have my Dad to thank for that too.

Nowadays, I am, sadly, a little further away from becoming a Sports Journalist than I would have liked: but I'm still trying to get there. When I was a teenager Dad always used to give me advice in 'Ipswich Town terms', and I'm sure there's a suitable analogy for me now too - perhaps he would say 'It took Ipswich five years to get back up to the Premier League, your time will come'.

I'm sure it will Daddy, and I have you to thank for all the wonderful experiences I have had with Town so far - here's hoping there'll be many more in the coming years too.

Happy Birthday Daddy.

Could there be trouble ahead with Town's latest signing? Or will Bowyer bring the success we've all being waiting patiently for?

This summer Ipswich Town have been 'linked' to so many footballers I think I've lost count; but this time last week the name being thrown about on Twitter made my blood run cold.

Seven days later we have signed Lee Bowyer, chequered history and all. But was it the right move?

The debate on Twitter has been interesting to say the least; when I offered my opinion on him I was ridiculed for being childish and judgemental, being told to 'grow up' and 'give him a break'.

But I stand by my thoughts - I am not happy that a player with his personal reputation has come to a place well known for it's polite staff (on and off the pitch) who act as ambassadors for their club. For a fantastic article on this see @GavinBarber's blog, asking whether he is an 'Ipswich type of player'.

And I am not alone: @ant_itfc has been vocal in supporting me on Twitter: 'Put 'Lee Bowyer Emma Keeney' into your search engine and read some of the articles. What he said and did was sickening'.

Bear with me though, because I am not entirely adverse to giving him a chance...

As far as I'm concerned, his headline making behaviour is intolerable - particularly the fact that he is so often claimed to have shown racist tendencies. There is no place for that in football.

How did you feel when the group of people sitting in the North Stand were removed and subsequently banned due to the racist language? Digusted, disappointed, angry that Ipswich had been linked with people like that? Yeah, me too. And I don't see why I should be any less angry that I'm expected to honour someone like that on the pitch.

Along with team mate Jonathan Woodgate, Bowyer was taken to court fir the attack of an Asian student whilst he was playing in Leeds. Whilst there is, of course, the argument that he was acquitted of the charges brought against him, it is impossible to ignore the other stories that have come to light regarding similar incidents.

Former girlfriend Emma Keeney has claimed that he dumped her because he did not want to risk having a 'brown baby'. He was arrested and fined for an attack on Asian staff at a MacDonald's. And have all town fans forgotten him punching our very own Kieron Dyer whilst they BOTH played for Newcastle? I haven't.

As a society I believe that we have got to show that we are not willing to accept racist or violent behaviour. We have to do whatever we can to show the next generations that this just isn't acceptable in a civilised society. And that is why I am voicing my opinions here.

HOWEVER...

The most significant Tweet for me was from one of my favourite Tweeps, @Blue_Fred: 'He's a prem quality player on a free, what's not to like? His past is exactly that - PAST. Give the guy a break'.

I am willing to accept that these incidents all took place over ten years ago, whilst Bowyer was in his early 20's. Christ, if I was still being punished for all the things I regret doing at that age I would be a very unhappy person. (Having said that nothing I did was violent, and never racially motivated.)

Mostly the #ITFC Tweeps seem to be taking this side of the argument: @mrharrisonpage says 'I think Bowyer is a great signing for us, just what we need in midfield'.

Nowadays, Bowyer does appear to have settled down and I really do hope that the experience that he can bring to the side will help Town. I hope he's the difference between midtable mediocrity and Play Off success this year, I really do.

I am more than happy to trust in Paul Jewell who says: 'He brings bags of quality as well as experience and he will also add a goal threat... I know Birmingham were relegated last year but anyone who knows football knows Bowyer is a winner. He has been that all his career and he will bring that attitude to the dressing room'. (TWTD.co.uk)

There have been some concerns that he is now in his thirties: but, as @Blue_Fred said to me, 'although his age is a concern the deal is very good and he cliams excellent fitness levels'. His age doesn't worry as much as please me; he claims to be as fit as his younger former teammates at Birmingham and, as PJ says, I think that is a result of a pure determination to play football and win. Definetly something we were missing last year, as I repeatedly express.

But I also hope that Jewell and Clegg have made it clear to him that Ipswich Town are not a club that want to be linked to racism in anyway. I hope he has been warned that any sign of his previous behaviour will lead to him being shown the door, and fast.


THIS IS HOW I SEE IT:

Imagine your eldest daughter brings home a Narwich fan...

You know you're not going to like him, but you have no chice but to put up with him.

Deep down you might be hoping that he does something wrong and she dumps him.

But you have to give him a chance; because he just might be the one to make a difference, he just might be the one to make her happy - and by extension yourself too.


Equally, if he hurt her in anyway - by golly you would hunt him down and wring his neck...


I don't approve of this signing, I don't like the past that Lee Bowyer brings with him. But I do accept that his past is his past and he deserves a chance to prove himself.

But you mark my words: I will not be a happy bunny if he does anything to hurt my beloved Ipswich.

So which games are you going to?

Has anyone else seen Fever Pitch? You know the scene when the couple are lying in bed and she’s trying to plan a holiday, but he won’t. And she gets angry because the reason he won’t is that it might clash with an Arsenal game…

I realised this morning: that is me!

I’ve got loads planned for July… holiday with the boyfriend, going to see Take That (again) and the last Harry Potter film. But until Friday I couldn’t see beyond there.

Suddenly, by the end of the afternoon on Fixture List Day I knew exactly where I was going to be every weekend until April next year.

So here’s the pick of my favourites, helped along once again by the Town Tweeps who had lots of banter going that day.

In the absence of Naaaarwich, the first games I looked for were the first and last and I was rather pleased because I have family in Bristol. It’s a long way to go if we lose… but Town had an unexpected win there last season and it’s hard to turn down football when you haven’t seen it for three months.

Speaking of the last game I went to see; while me and my sister were in Leicester we made a pact that from now on we would always go to the last game of the season together – so I’m equally pleased to find that this year that will be Doncaster Away.

Regular readers will know that I considered this fixture the best one of last season; the score and the atmosphere were great. Can I wholeheartedly recommend it to Town fans? It’s easy to get to (more so for me as I live twenty minutes down the A1!) and there’s lots of parking. A brilliant little shopping centre nearby provides plenty of options for pre-match food and the ground itself is almost brand new. Pencil it in your diaries now!

So, having sorted those dates out I looked towards the second trip my sister and I promised to make together – Blackpool away. Joyfully, this is in September so I am, so far, able to keep to my budgeting rule of one game a month. I missed this fixture when Blackpool were last in the same league; but will not be doing so again. As an ex-Premier League side this promises to be an exciting game and I plan to party afterwards: win, lose or draw!

Next up, I always like to see where we will be around my birthday. This year Watford Away is the day after so I feel a trip to London coming on. Hope the date suits @Blue_Fred who told me this was the game he was most looking forward to: ‘I know we never bloody win but it’s only 15 minutes drive away’.

Like him, I also try and make it to all the games that are near where I live. Being from Yorkshire, there are slightly less options on offer this year with Sheffield United and Preston being relegated. But there’s still plenty to go to, along with Doncaster.

The big one is obviously Leeds, a game @dave_harrison was also keeping an eye out for: ‘I live in Leeds, so that’s the big one for me!’ Personally I have been avoiding this match, having been put off by how their fans behaved the day we got them relegated, but I’ll see how I feel a bit closer to January 21st.

There’s also my now local team, Barnsley. Hate the fans, hate the ground, but love having an away game literally five minutes down the road! So, on December the 10th I will definitely be making the trip to Oakwell.

Also being discussed on Twitter were the Festive fixtures: Leicester and Reading Away has disappointed some fans. But I’m making sure I have a Christmas at home this year so a quick trip to the Midlands shouldn’t be too difficult for me – and will give the boyfriend a break from the childlike hyperactivity that shines from me every Christmas.

Finally, Carl Marston from the EADT has also given his take on the fixture list; including what he feels will be the ‘hardest stretch’ and the ‘easiest stretch’. Whilst it is refreshing to see that the final games are considered ‘easy’, I want to make my point that this theory just isn’t going to apply in practice.

Remember last year? Remember the ‘easy games’ that ended in dull draws and defeats from last minute goals? Remember the frustration we were feeling at the lack of consistency?

But then remember the games that no-one expected us to win? Remember Bristol away, Cardiff away and of course Arsenal at home?

The best thing about the Championship is that is so unpredictable. Anyone can win, any game, on any day. I wouldn’t bet a penny on any of our games, or any other teams for that matter, because you can never guarantee an outcome.

What matters more is that the players are up for it and want to win this year. What matters more is the consistent support from the back room staff, starting with Paul Jewell.

But what matters most is that we, the fans, are there for them. So don’t get frustrated that Town haven’t bought as many players as you’d like. Don’t get annoyed with the board because they didn’t secure Jimmy Bullard or any other high profile players. Let them do their job and you do yours.

Sing your hearts out for the lads.

WANTED: something to do with my weekends until August...

Unlike the rest of the world, my calendar doesn't run from January to December: it starts in August and ends in May.


The last game of the season is like Christmas day: the party you've all been building up to.

The Champions League final and the Play Offs are that little bit of extra excitement: like New Years Eve.

But then comes June... just like January: the excitement's all gone, there's nothing to do and all you're doing is waiting for next Christmas.


Well fear not my sport loving friends because I am fast discovering there is plenty else to concentrate your efforts on. Take all your love for football and channel it into some of these sports for two months:


Tennis


First recommendation comes courtesy of one of my favourite ITFC Tweeps: @JulesHoward. She's been keeping us updated with the scores at the French Open this week, and gets overly excited by Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.


Perhaps we all should follow her lead: With Wimbledon just around the corner it's time for Murray-Mania to grip the nation again, and following England's latest result I think it'd be nice to restore some national sporting pride.


Cricket


You cannot fail to have been intrigued by England's recent cricket victory. The last minute win over Sri Lanka was a corker, a perfectly written story to entice those neutral sports fans looking for somewhere to turn their attention.


Football...!?


I was also reminded that the beutiful game still ahs more to offer thanks to @bigstuw:

'Why do commentators keep saying no more footy until August? What aboutt he Women's World Cup and the Under 21's?'



The Women's World Cup begins in Germany on June 27th. Our girls are out for revenge; having lost to Germany in the final of the Euros two years ago. If you haven't already given this sport a try - do. There's some really talented girls being forced to move to America because the popularity of women's football isn't what it could be over here.

Plus: you can't honestly resist supporting England in a battle against Germany can you?!


As Stuw mentioned, there's also the England Under 21's. who managed a rather easy 2:0 win over Norway last night. The future of our sport includes our very own Connor Wickham who makes regular appearances for the side .


MotoGP/World Superbikes/British Superbikes:


I'm a reasonably new convert to this sport, having only been following it for about four years. But the excitement you get at the races cannot be equalled.


MotoGP, like F1, is glam, full of money and highly competitive. But what makes two wheels better than four in this case is the lack of arrogance and the abundance of characters. There's far more overtaking in bikes than with cars and the riders race to win - they rarely settle for second best.


World Superbikes this year is full of English riders, making it easy to watch for neutral fans. Leon Haslam's one to watch for the future, son of three times world champion Ron Haslam. My personal favourite is James Toseland... one for the girls, he's a hottie!


But my personal recommendation, should you be searching for something to do this summer, is the British Superbikes Championship. There's much less money here so it's a lot tighter than other competitions. There's a huge range of riders taking part: the older and more experienced, the younger and more adventurous (substitute for 'likely to crash'!), the consistently clever who make their way up the pack steadily, and there's even a girl this year! There's tracks across the country too (Nearest to Suffolk is Snetterton in Naaaaarfolk) and the tickets cost £30 - same as Town only for a whole day of entertainment.

Me at Brand's Hatch for the opening round of the British Superbikes!

Let me know if there's anything you can recommend to keep the boredom away this summer - leave a comment on my post or Tweet me @tractorgirlamy


In the mean time, here's how I see the summer this year:

Take the chance to absorb some other sports, see what else there is on offer. Of course football will always be your first love and you'll forgive your self for saying, 'Bikes/Tennis/Cricket are cool ... But they're not my beloved Ipswich'. The brief change in scenery will be nice for you though!

At least it might help take your mind off the transfer window...

Transfer window? More like supermarket sweep for Town fans!

Interesting theory on Twitter this week: davegoods reckons there's seven places to fill in the Ipswich Town first team this summer. Quite a task for our PJ.

I think you've got to consider even more than that. Our starting 11 could literally be anything next year: and trying to figure out who it will be is proving to be quite exciting!

Firstly, there's the ongoing saga with Jimmy Bullard. This story has more twists and obstacles than the A14 and it seems unlikely to be resolved any time soon. Word has it he wants to stay, Paul Jewell has said he wants him to stay, and we know already how much the fans want him to stay... yet there's still now word on an actual contract.

For me, it's all a bit too 'been there done that': remember Frannie Jeffers? The man was a legend at Portman Road for a few months and my god we wanted to sign him permanently. But when it came to the crunch he chose Sheffield Wednesday and the bigger wage packet. At the moment I don't see Jimmy playing in Blue and White next year. Sadly.

But what else does the boss say? Jewell's told reporters he's after a proven scorer - Hallelujah! He says the type of player he's after is Watford striker Danny Graham: the Championship's top scorer this year with 27 goal in all competitions. I fear we'd be shooting out of our league with this particular line of enquiry because there's reportedly Premiership interest too. But I like the way Jewell's thinking:

'I want a striker who will do anything to get a goal. We haven't got that devilment, that type of player who will kick his granny to score a goal'.

Isn't that exactly what the Town fans have been wanting all along?! My confidence in Jewell grows a little bit more every day, thanks to comments like this. It does make me wonder how different things might have been had Keane left at the end of last year and given Jewell some time with 2010's summer transfer list.

Speaking of strikers, there is, of course, the rejected bid for Billy Sharp. Here's a striker with a good reputation in the Championship, who has shown signs of that 'anything for a goal' attitude. There's plenty of time for Town to come up with another bid, but again the rumours of Premiership interest may get in the way. Isn't it annoying?!

Then, there's also talk on fan site Those Were The Days that we're targetting belgian midfielder Germinal Beerschott. He's a very tall midfielder who's been capped for his country. Even if it's not true it serves as a reminder that Paul will have his fingers in pies we've not even thought of. So trust the big man I reckon.

With all these rumours flying around I was feeling a bit dizzy, so I turned to twitter and the ITFC Tweeps! 'If you were PJ who would you spend your pocket money on?' The response was a full blown shopping list from dave_harrison, though as he said it was 'more fantasy football than realistic football'.

Bullard, Goodwillie, Sharp, Coppinger, St Ledger, Montgomery, Westwood, George, Boyd .

Now, defender St Ledger's a very interesting idea that I've not seen anywhere else yet. We were linked with him in January but it was decided that the requested £2.5 million was too high. A strong defender with experience in this league and a good reputation could be just what we need with our McAuley heading to pastures new. Perhaps that asking price will have gone down now his club Preston have been relegated?

Join the Town Tweeps and follow me on Twitter @tractorgirlamy

Elsewhere, I've just discovered http://www.lewis-mitchell.com/ which kicked up some more 'realistic' ideas. Blogger Lewis suggests Shaun Derry; a midfielder who came close to a deal with us last summer but financial issues put a stop to it. Lewis also ponders the possibility that, now QPR have been promoted, Derry's 33 year old legs and stamina would be better suited to the Championship than the Premier League. Lewis also comes up with Sheffield United defender Nick Montgomery. Another player with a good reputation... previous to this year anyway! However, I am reliably informed by my boyfriend (a life long Blade), Montgomery's a true United-ike, most likely, would want to see them back up to the league they've just been relegated from.

Of course all of this speculation will come to nothing if Clegg and Evans don't back Jewell with the necessary finances. I do get the impression they understand that is what's needed to get out of this league. But, will they deliver on that? Was the lack of support from the board the reason Keane left? Did he just feel he wasn't given the money? Were McAuley and Norris not simply looking for a move to the Premiership? Could there have been more to it, more going on behind the scenes than we know?

We'll find out soon enough; but I am reminded of what one fan said on Twitter in response to shouts for 'Clegg out'. What is everyone worrying about? The football season still hasn't finished; there's plenty of time.

So, bearing all that in mind, who would I pick? Any of the above and more besides.

For me though, the important thing is not who the players are but how well they gel together next year. Town have to enter August with a confidence and total desire to win every game. In the pit of my tummy I'm getting the same feeling I was getting in the mid nineties - that we were at the start of something good. It may take us a few years to get there. It may take us four attempts to win the Play Offs. But one day we will, once again, be Premier League.

Was 2010/2011 just the season we'll soon forget?

If this was a school report it would probably read: 'Town have tried hard through this difficult year, but they must do better next year'.

Roy Keane this week told reporters, 'my only regret is that I signed the contract before I met the Chief Executive. I won't be doing that again' (www.bbc.co.uk/sport). My opinion: if he found it that difficult to work with the board at Ipswich he should have left. But c'est la vie and we seem to be happily drawing a rather thick black line under that particular chapter of Ipswich Town history. Time to move on.

The introduction of Paul Jewell as the new boss could not have been more different to the media hype of Roy Keanes entrance. Keane was practically brought to the club with a fanfare and fireworks; followed by a promise that he would get the club promoted within two years. A promise that was inevitably left broken.

Whereas the conference with Paul Jewell seemed much more calm: here was a familiar face with a reasonable reputation in the Championship, who's outlook on the coming season was somewhat more realistic: 'We all want to be in the Premier League but if you go in and you're not quite ready you can be eaten alive...Promotion is definetly the long term goal' (www.dailymail.co.uk/sport).

Town fans breathed a sigh of a relief... that's what we've all been saying!

Having come to a team who had lost ten of their last 14 games (including a 7-0 FA Cup defeat at Chelsea), Jewell's magic seemed to work immediately when we won the next three games on the trot. Something Keane had never managed.

But Town fans remained cautious, wary of getting too excited too soon, and press reports of us making the Play Offs were mostly laughed off. The inconsistency of the following results served as justification for the scepticism.

Whilst one minute the team were experiencing the highs of a wonderful Carling Cup run and an unexpected win over Leicester in extremely heavy snow. The next minute they suffered some seriously awful lows: the game at Carrow Road being the best example. They never seemed to be able to settle down and find some form.

Such is the nature of the Championship, to be fair. From game to game you never know what the result is going to be because any club can win on any day. It's what makes it exciting and it's why I love it. But, sometimes you do think you'd give up that excitement for a bit of consistency.

And that's what I wish for next year; some consistency and good form. To know that we put our all into every game and did the best we could. I'm not sure that can be said for many of the games this year.

Game of the Season:

For most people there's no question: it has to be beating Arsenal 1-0 at Portman Road. What a special night for everyone involved with the club.

Another game worth noting is the 3-0 win over Sheffield United: the day the world discovered Connor Wickham thanks to that goal!

But for me the Game of the Season was Doncaster away. I've been wanting to go to the Keepmoat stadium for years as it's less than half an hour away from where I live. I arrived on a really miserable night huddled in my car before kick off eating a packed lunch tea. But the atmosphere among the Tractor Boys was electric; still reeling from the recent win over Arsenal. That mood seemed to transfer to the pitch as the boys ruled Yorkshire for the night. 6-0 was a thoroughly deserved scoreline thanks to the organised football and pure passion from a team that actually looked hungry for a win for once. Of course Connor was on fire too, which helped a bit!

Player of the Season:

Part of me wants to say Connor for that hat trick alone.

And a personal favourite of mine is Jamie Peters; who earned standing ovations when he was brought on as a sub for the last four or five games.

But my final decision goes the same way as the vast majority of Town fans who voted overwhelmingly for loanee Jimmy Bullard. It's been a long time since we've had a player who can single-handedly change the attitude of the whole team. From the moment he joined us in January we were transformed into a team that looked like we could win any game, and more importantly like one that wanted to.

So, Mr Paul Jewell: Please do whatever it takes to bring Jimmy to Portman Road permanently. I'm sure he's tempted by the lure of the Premiership and its larger wage packets; but if he came to Town he would instantly become a living legend, a name to go down in history, quite simply - a god.

Chant of the season:

Once again so many that deserve a mention:

My personal favourite was 'Barnsley's a s****hole, I wanna go home'. To which my response was, it's alright for you mate, I AM home!

Then there's the befuddling 'shoes off for the town' which I still don't totally get, but enjoy how much it confuses the opposition fans!

But the number one spot goes undoubtedly to a chant that we apparently 'borrowed' from Newcastle. It rates up there with 'Finidi, ohhhhh, Finidi ohhhhh, he comes from Africa, he drives a big tractor' and 'Matteo Sereni he comes from Italy, Matteo Sereni, better than Wrighty'. Hopefully it's one we'll be singing for many years to come...

'Oh Jimmy Bullard,
You are the love of my life,
Oh Jimmy Bullard,
I'll let you sleep with my wife,
Oh Jimmy Bullard,
I want curly hair too'.



Quick thank you to my Dad for sorting me out with Naaaarwich tickets this year, buying me the new away shirt when I couldn't afford it and remebering to call me on that emotional night against Arsenal.

And also to my sister who joins me on many games in the North as she is a fellow long distance fan. But she mainly deserves a mention for singing the above song at the top of her voice in Leicester train station!

Toseland's Tumble Doesn't Stop Him Being Top

Ever since England were knocked out of Euro 2008 I've been racking my brains for something to do while Town are on their summer break...

This weekend I think I found a replacement, the Moto GP.

I've been watching it for a while now, every Sunday I pop on BBC 2 and wait for Suzi Perry to take me through the race track.

This week it was the British leg of the Championship at Donnington Park... and my god am I in love with this sport.

It's kind of like going to see the Blues at an away game - you travel up with fellow fans, stopping at packed out service stations for brekkie and feeling like you're part of one big family.

Except this family has 100,000 people in it and they all love the same thing!



We sat at McCleans corner (the one before the Coppice hairpin), surrounded by blue and yellow '52' flags - the colours and number of British rider James Toseland.

You know, with the footie not doing anything for national pride this summer I'd have thought JT would have got more attention than he has.

His first year in the best league of the sport and before the race he was 7th in the championship, had finished all but two of his races in the top ten and is a shining example of British pride.

Despite some poor warm up sessions, James was determined to do well for the British fans that had turned out to see him - and so, with his bike suit emblazoned with the St George's cross, he went into the race willing to except nothing but his best.

So the race began and all our heads turned to the big screens. You can imagine the collective gasp when, at the first corner, that red and white suit rose above the others and then came tumbling down underneath its bike.

To say I was gutted would be an understatement.

But the super-boy got up, dusted himself down and jumped back on the bike.

He was over half a lap behind the pack and as that gap grew it was clear that the bike had taken a battering - along with his ego.

I was so proud of him for carrying on, and clearly all the other fans were too. Each of the 29 times he rode past there was a round of applause and lots of cheers.



He knew we were there to see him and he didn't want to let us down.

What a boy.

So I'll be sticking with this new found passion for a little while longer - if only for the pictures of Mr Toseland.

Who knows what I'll do when the football season starts again and the two sports clash....

.... Maybe one day I'll be rolling up to Portman Road on the back of James' bike!!??