THE DEATH OF ROMANCE ?

I hope I`m wrong and that reports of the death of yet another romance are premature.  You see, as a bit of a romantic myself, apart from my undying devotion to Southampton FC, I have long followed the fortunes of less  fashionable or successful football clubs.  These include Truro City, Forest Green Rovers and most notably Fort William of the Scottish Highland League.

It has indeed been a romantic journey following the misfortunes of The Fort, who have graced the Highland League for 20 years, 14 of which they have finished bottom of the league.  The last four seasons have been especially `interesting` as they have ended in that position each time having failed to win a game in all of those matches, last season finishing with a goal difference of minus 221. 

Purists might say that things cannot go on like that - romantics like me hope they might as The Fort represent all that is good in sport - the taking part, the determination, the dedication to the cause and the wishful thought that one bright day things might just be a little, well, brighter. 

But now the illusion has been broken, the romance of rejoicing in unending struggle has been dented, as yesterday they won a football match.  Yes, they actually won one.  They triumphed 5-2 against Nairn County in a North of Scotland Cup game, thus ending a 73-game winless run stretching back 840 days.  Before this win, their last victory came four campaigns ago when they defeated Strathspey Thistle 4-1.

Maybe The Fort are really on the up and for their sake I hope it`s true.   And us romantics will still avidly follow their results in the coming league season and continue to support them via their excellent Facebook page and other platforms even if a little of the romance may have died. I might have to follow Nairn County as well this coming season ?