Vertigo…

Not just vertigo ‘cos I’m 6 foot – but because WBA are top of the league! (Well, someone told me we are, and I almost don’t want to jinx it by looking just yet….as I’ve not checked the tables this weekend….)

I’ve been at WBA this week for the launch of the Albion Foundation which does most of the community based stuff I’ve been shadowing so far on this project – great bunch of people, so a good day. I was covering a radio show on BBC WM the same day, so I managed to get them on the show as well:)

Even got to see the new boss Bobby Di Matteo in action, although it seems informal to call him Bobby when I’ve not yet spoken to him…..so should I say Roberto? He looked elegantly Euro casual in a cashmere looking jumper amidst a sea of suits, so I’ll have to get him into one of the poems soon. The day wasn’t about the players or boss though, it was celebrating the stories and journeys of the team that run events in schools/community etc and who are genuinely some of the best people you could want to work with. Some are still teenagers themselves and many were not that enamoured with school themselves till one of the WBA crew appeared, then with encouragement to buckle down and aim for coaching qualifications…… a path to a future begins. In turn these young men and women inspire the next generation with energy and enthusiasm.

You can read statistics on how Sandwell is one of the most deprived boroughs in the UK, but thousands of people benefit each week thanks to the Albion Foundation team, who make Sandwell a lucky place to be with their commitment. Anyway, you catch my drift – and they’re a good laugh – shockingly, some of them aren’t WBA fans and may be wearing Villa pants under their baggies uniform!

I’m shadowing the Mascots at the game on 26th Sep, so will be penning something of the ‘Hariboed’ excitment of the young fans who get to go on the pitch with the players at the start of the game:) Meantime, am still, yes honestly, still….. trying to write a Goalkeepers sonnet for my mentor Jo, who’s phoning in a few minutes for a catchup…… one day soon there’ll be a sonnet, but it still feels like trying on a pair of jeans several sizes too small that I can’t breathe in and need to use a coathanger to yank the zip up properly. One day though…..  Jo’s very patient in the meantime I must say, bless her glorious mentorial halo:)