If anything illustrated the truth behind the above cliche, then it must surely have been the events of yesterday at the extreme ends of the self-styled and allegedly beautiful game.

Now of course, as a Saints fan, I was over the moon with the 1-0 win at Swansea`s Liberty Stadium last night which puts the Saints tantalisingly close to ensuring Premier League survival for another season.  The hope is that, on Sunday, Swansea don`t beat already relegated Stoke 4-0 and the Saints don`t lose to already champions Manchester City 6-0 - if those events or a similar combination of mishaps come to pass then those dancing in the streets of Southampton last night will be brought back to earth with a huge bump.  The fat lady is warming up but que sera, sera is still just about alive.

So much for the `top end` of the game and in direct contrast I learned yesterday that after 125 years, the Maidstone and District Saturday League is to close.  Efforts to attract more teams have failed, leaving the committee with no choice but to call time on the oldest local league in the country.  Now, in the mists of time gone by, I played in the Saturday League for Maidstone Dolphins at a time when it was fiercely competitive and had any number of `divisions` - `The Fins` played in Division 3b, which was really Division 7,  such was the popularity of the local league all those years ago.

It was a different game in the Saturday League back then, of course - all Dubbin, Sloan`s liniment and half an orange and a fag at half time and the `facilities` were, shall we say, quaint.  I recall playing away at Frittenden when the sheep were herded off the pitch just before the game, leading to a game more reminiscent of ballet than football.  But it was fun, enjoyable and I am sorry to see the local league disappear even though the memories linger on.

But, you win some and lose some - Kipling`s twin impostors still prevail and the game of life`s two halves goes on.