Cod Almighty | Diary

He wrote a pocket novel called ‘the state I am in’

19 August 2020

BOTB Diary writes: As pointed out by Miss Guest Diary earlier in the week the rules around attending football matches seem rather irrational. In the broader context of course this isn't a surprise because everything in society is currently irrational. A relative told me about the high street in Kendal last week in which the shops were doing their usual miserable, desultory trade involving face masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing, whereas the cafes between them were a happy mess of crowded tables, smiles, coffee and cake.

The trouble with fear is it is very difficult to shake off even when it becomes counter productive. Many people have irrational anxieties that stop them living life to the full but are unable to put the fear aside and set themselves free. If you are creating rules in this regard for the broader public, the responsibility is immense, and we should not be surprised if officials tie themselves in knots trying to do what's best for everyone and end up producing guidelines best described as bizarre and nonsensical.

So where does that leave us? Well, the ban on singing won't affect us at Blundell Park though it might cause problems in away grounds. 2,700 people in the ground will mean we are in a state of permanent League Cup round one, which is the footballing equivalent of chronic back pain. But most of all we continue to dwell in uncertainty, which makes decision-making, analysis and predictions rather futile.

In the meantime we have some new players, all of whom are forwards and score goals, theoretically. But, you know, lockdown has wrecked the world as we knew it, so whether we get to see these future superstars and scapegoats in action is another matter. Bugger.