Ok, so my Dad was a rugby fan, and Welsh, and liked a drink…..and now I think about it, it wasn’t even him that said it, but it’s my feeble attempt at blaming someone else for not producing a column so far this season – hopefully I can manage a more regular submission from now on. 

Three wins in our first five league games – what’s going on?!! Normally by mid September we are beginning to look at the rest of the clubs around us and thinking, “they’re certainties for the drop, surely they can’t stay up this season” and other straw-clutching clichés, but here we are, sneaking into the top ten, and looking upwards instead of down to the murky underworld of the First Division. 

It’s been a curious start; two three goal wins, a three goal and a four goal defeat, and a last gasp win against an Ipswich Wanderers side that should already be getting the directions to Long Melford and Godmanchester. But we have a better look about us, a bit of a swagger, more confidence, and our young men are getting more experienced, stronger and, if they had any worries about their direction and purpose in life, their worries are over – Leechy’s back to spread his gospel of debauchery and tales of hat-tricks galore in the dressing room. No need for a Mick Stockwell team talk any more, just tell them about Paul’s hat-trick at Wisbech, and even the most laid-back character will be suitably inspired!!

Unlike this time last year, when my son was delaying his entrance into the world I have seen all the games so far this season, and I like the look of us, some rough edges to smooth out, and still some way to competing on equal terms with the very best, but for me, the best thing to happen so far this season occurred five days ago - Grant Monaghan signed a contract to stay at Woodbridge, in the face of an offer from Leiston which would have turned many a youngster’s head. 

The importance of young Grant’s decision can’t be understated. These days, so many players are following the highest bidder, and clubs are so desperate to find the sugar daddy that will give them an outside chance of short term success that no thought is given to where they will be in five or ten years time – last year it was Wanderers, this year Tiptree appear to have money to burn, no doubt someone else will soon come up with promises of fame and glory and so it goes on. 

I have told Grant how pleased I am that he’s staying – I haven’t learnt the reasons behind his decision, but whatever they are, he has thought about it, considered his options, had guidance from his family, and decided Woodbridge is the better option – one of the young players the Club has nurtured and developed has shown his loyalty, and in this day and age, what a statement that is. Can we dare to hope that the amount of time and effort being put into producing young players is about to be rewarded by a new age of players who are not driven by mercenary aspects? 

On Saturday, I noticed a new wave of optimism when I had a chat with Mick after the King’s Lynn game. He knows only too well what we have here and needs the players that we produce as teenagers to stay with us for the long term. When the likes of Joe Francis move on to higher things, that’s great, it advertises the club and gives a young man a great opportunity of progressing, but the last thing we need is for players of huge promise and talent to head a few miles up the road to a club that’s actually dropped more points than us so far this season. 

So here’s to you Grant, you’ve made the right decision, good luck with the rest of the season, we look forward to seeing you improve and develop into the class act that you undoubtedly will be – and if nothing else, it means your Dad and I can still ram home to my wife how great Celtic are!!! 

DC