WILL CLARK: League Cup group stages put me out of friendlies misery
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THE League Cup group stages kick off on Saturday for the start of the competitive football season.
Thank goodness. Not that I haven’t enjoyed the summer respite. If anything, it has been fantastic that I had a greater opportunity to focus on other sports such as athletics, golf and shinty.
However, the one thing I will not have to put up with any longer is friendly football matches. I find having to sit through warm-up matches absolutely nauseating.
Ninety minutes of absolute pointlessness, watching players running about only bothered about getting match fitness and being careful not to pick up any injuries.
Substituting seven players at half time and ending up with a completely different starting 11 by the end of full time is like watching creosote dry.
Don’t get me wrong, having the opportunity to speak to new signings does make it worthwhile putting yourself through such lethargic occasions.
But to be honest, there are friendly matches where I think it is only worth me turning up after the final whistle and getting interviews afterwards.
That is nothing against the football clubs themselves, they have to do them to get players ready for the new season as well as take a look at trialists.
But for the spectacle of friendlies themselves, I was more entertained watching episodes of Last of the Summer Wine with my grandparents back in the 1990’s.
That’s why I think the League Cup group stages is one of the great inventions of the Scottish game in recent years.
It spares the tedium of putting up with any more friendlies.
And yet, there are clubs who don’t like the group stages and would prefer to play financially lucrative (cough) friendlies.
Unless it happens to be a glamour friendly against Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester City, or even then, I would rather watch a meaningful clash between Caley Thistle and Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic or travel to Stranraer to watch Ross County.
I would even choose watching a Highland Amateur Cup clash over a glamour friendly. I love amateur football by the way and particularly the Highland Amateur Cup which is a tremendous football tournament.
I think the feelings against the League Cup group stages come from teams in the top flight rather than those based in League One and League Two. I have found that the League Cup group stages are certainly more appreciated in the lower leagues.
I remember some great atmospheres following Caley Thistle to towns such as Kelty and Peterhead.
Although in Inverness, I have witnessed group stage matches attended by fans in only their hundreds rather than in four figures.
The League Cup group stages definitely deserve to be celebrated more.
They serve as a tasty hors d’oeuvre before the main course of the new league season, offering a menu of highs and lows along with the tantalising dessert of a run in the Scottish Cup which was so sweet to Inverness last season.
For most Highland League clubs, who have to continue with friendly matches for another two weeks before their season starts on Saturday, July 29, you have my sympathy.
But for Inverness and Ross County fans, the wait is over this weekend.
I hope you make the most of the summer weather by going out to support your football club in games that matter.
