As I write this blog, I am on the coach to Bedfordshire where I will watch Bath City take on Luton Town.
There is more significance to this match than your usual Bath City tie. Today’s game shows how far Luton Town have fallen and what progress Bath City have made, by the fact we are meeting in the same division for the first time.
Just over three years ago, Luton were in The Championship, one division below the Premier League. They were playing some giant clubs, including my own Leeds United, who they destroyed 5-1 (it still hurts). At the same time, Bath City were making trips to Northwood, Cheshunt and Hemel Hempstead.
Besides still seeking revenge over the 5-1 raping of Leeds United, I also hold animosity towards Luton over a particular football player – Kevin Nicholls…
Non-football fans will find this petty. OK, everyone will find it a petty, but it still annoys me. When Leeds were facing relegation from The Championship in 2007, Nicholls, Leeds’ captain, requested that he be released from Elland Road to play for one of their relegation rivals… Luton Town. A disgrace.
That said, I do think Nicholls’ act of treachery was partly my fault…
The picture below was taken in 2006 at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park. While waiting to get into the ground, I met Mr. Nicholls along with Jermaine Beckford.
With Leeds struggling and in awful form, I gave the players an inspirational speech, demanding they play for the shirt or leave. I felt like Winston Churchill.
A few months later, Beckford was banging in the goals, including scoring against Manchester United, while Nicholls went AWOL.
Hopefully Jim Rollo and the Bath City Galácticos will destroy The Hatters and end the years of hurt.
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