The Last Rites

Brief Lie In. Not so brief sex.

Bike over to Derby to for the match, via Long Eaton. A very hard ride and my first for a week. Old age feels like it’s well and truly kicked in. So slow is my pedestrian pace that I struggle to out sprint a fellow pensioner in his electric buggy. Then I realise that I've been battling against the wind the whole way, so perhaps I'm not quite destined for the old folks home just yet.

For months everyone has been convinced that the final game of the season between Derby and Leeds was going to be one hell of a match. Both the clubs futures would be decided in this game. The Rams would beat Leeds to secure promotion for themselves and at the same time send Leeds down to Division Three. Or not. Consequently the game has been a sell out for weeks.

In the end it turned out to be a game that didn't matter for either team. Oddly, neither of the Leeds supporters that I know even went to the match despite having tickets, in fear of the grief they might get. The game though had almost a carnival feel to it. It was as close to a friendly as you can get between Leeds and Derby. There was the usual bit of banter between the supporters but nothing more than that. Nobody likes to see a team relegated, appears that rule even applies to Leeds. There’s always been a distinct solidarity between clubs in this division, even if some of the clubs only see themselves as temporarily out of the top flight, which is one of the reasons I prefer this league.

Derby hero and former Leeds villain Seth Johnson made a rare appearance, as Billy Davies rested several players and he was made captain for the day. It was possibly his final appearance for the club, he and BD don’t get on and he hasn’t been offered a contract for next season.

Seth made his mark early on with an off the ball clash with the referee, which resulted in the official being stretchered off with two broken ribs and an eight minute delay to the game.

Seth also gets plenty of abuse from the Leeds end, mainly for being a money grabber when he was at Leeds, bit unfair, he was hardly the only one. To balance that he gets several appreciative ovations from the home crowd. He almost scored, in front the Leeds support, which would have been a nice touch.

The replacement referee then sent off one of Dennis Wise’s youngsters, making his debut, for going through the back of Craig Fagan. Then when he got abuse from Fagan for the tackle he aimed a head butt at him, which missed by a mile. Seems it's not only the ball the Leeds players have trouble connecting with.

L's fave Pesch changes his shorts in front of us. L would have been impressed, to a point; he's not naked under them like us tri-athletes, the wimp.

In the end comfortable and satisfying 2-0 win, together with an improved performance. Although against possibly the worst Leeds United side I’ve ever seen. I think most of their players were just intent on avoiding getting injured before they desert the sunken ship.

Now it’s George Burley and Southampton in the play offs. The Derby supporters oddly seem to be full of supreme optimism which isn't shared by me.

L's walks Doggo to Bramcote where there's a mini dog event on. His brother is demonstrating a heelwork to music routine. Unfortunately when they get there, the routine has to be restarted after Doggo's brother leaves the ring to come and greet them.

I bike back home, the same way I came, via Long Eaton.

I cook up a fairly decent curry. AF tonight but 33 units for the week.