New York Addick II

I knew for sometime that Feb 24th would be a day of tension and excitement. I knew for example that I would be sitting somewhere quiet in a state of considerable nervousness, trying to be supportive but realising that I was ultimately helpless.

Perhaps what I hadn't fully bargained upon was that the feelings described above would begin some nine hours earlier than envisaged, following the birth of my son this morning, six days ahead of schedule. Always eager to please, he popped out well in advance of kick-off allowing plenty of time for a quick family bonding session, before I raced home to grab a couple of hours sleep ahead of the big game.

The poor lad doesn't realise it yet, but even if it wasn't for the irrational fanaticism of his Dad, he is surely destined to be a Charlton fan. Conceived on the day that Iain Dowie was appointed as manager (and with hindsight, I almost lasted as long), and born on the morning of the club's biggest game for years, is it really any surprise that we are delaying naming him in case an unexpected hero emerges this afternoon? Knowing our luck though, it'll be Souleymayne Diawara.

By way of a footnote, when the wife was admitted they asked me if she had ever had any previous operations. "Only a minor foot op," I replied, "Do you know the date roughly?" she enquired, hoping I could just recall the year. "5th April 1999," I blurted, "Wow you have a great memory," she said in awe, blissfully unaware that instead of being at her bedside I was at Upton Park (ironically) watching Graham Stuart head a late winner. The wife never let me forget it.