In popped the email a few weeks ago from the coach, asking all players interested to reply if they’re “in” for the Nations Cup over-38 Scotland squad in Richmond this weekend.
Being a proud Scot, soccer (football) mad and certainly over 38, “I’m in,” was my to-the-point reply.
“Give me a call, Alan,” was the abrupt email retort from the coach. Really?
This was it, wasn’t it? The call to go “upstairs” to the over-45s, for which I also qualify, although you wouldn’t know it, considering how much grass I cover.
I prepared to regale the coach with the often-told tale of how yours truly slotted the extra-time, golden goal winner for 10-man Scotland in the 2011 final — after declaring to everyone on the sideline that I was climbing (injured) off the bench to do just that!
It’s a story that gets better with time, as my wife and son would attest.
My fears, however, of getting punted upstairs were, thankfully, misplaced (Coach just wanted to chat about the uniforms).
I can now look forward to turning out, if selected, in the dark blue of Scotland, starting with our “clash” with Italy on Friday evening at Hugh Boyd, which is soccer central for the fabulous, weekend-long Nations Cup.
Our team also faces off in the round-robin stage against Germany and India and there are teams representing countries and continents from around the globe in what really is the most positive display of so-called nationalism you’ll see in these parts.
Also tugging at my attention span and heart strings this weekend, on TV at least, will be the British Open Golf Championship, being hosted in my seaside, hometown of Troon.
I was planning to be there and take my 14-year-old son, so he could rub shoulders with the game’s greats and be inspired, as I was at his age.
The stars, however, failed to align (editor booked vacation) and I’m reduced to seeing faces of old neighbours from Troon on TV, floating by the Golf Channel’s live studio and scoffing when subtitled, former schoolfriends appear as Royal Troon caddies on said channel’s preview of “The Open.”
The Open is, though, another fine example of nations coming together, either players competing or supporters cheering on players from opposing countries.
Back in Richmond, the storied Dolphin Classic of basketball also tips off this weekend and, although it doesn’t have the same cosmopolitan feel of the Nations Cup or The Open, it still magnetizes folks of all strokes.
What I’m saying is that, in a time when many of us have tired of the trite “culturally diverse Richmond” line, this weekend at least, sport will once again shine the light on our better side and cut across all cultural differences and divisions.
Alan Campbell is a reporter with the Richmond News. He can be reached at [email protected]
