‘Due to Contractual Obligations’

It’s 3.51am and I have just spent 105 minutes watching Blackpool FC beat Yeovil Town 2-0 in the English Football League Division One Play Offs.

‘Watching’ is actually too strong a word for it. Reading the BBC’s ‘LiveText’, updated every two minutes, is sadly more like it.

The build up on BBC Radio Lancashire had been great: Interviews with fans and players, the Wembley roar, the national anthem; and then, with one minute to go before kick-off, the BBC’s continuity lady.

‘Due to contractual obligations, your local BBC radio station cannot broadcast the current event.’

So 12,000 miles away, in New Zealand, I watch (read) Blackpool FC’s finest hour (and a half) in 30 years. Back in the top-flight of English football where we belong, I celebrate alone with a bottle of Heineken and a sudden and quite acute dislike of ‘Auntie’ (The BBC). I’m not sure I understand what ‘contractual obligations’ prevented a ‘Pool supporter in NZ from listening to its coverage from the UK. And then…..

But focus for a moment on the positive: Promotion to the Championship League and the last mention of the super ‘Pool on this blog until the start of next season. Another beer please, Auntie. No. let’s make that two! And then to bed.