Crazy drivers and sporting hero's

I witnessed this bizarre piece of driving at the weekend. A silver Alfa Romeo was driving the wrong way down a one way road. Even more shockingly, it was driving on the narrow cycle path. Nothing ceases to amaze me now days. Quite how there was no traffic coming the other way was a miracle.

The whole point I was back to the place I grew up was to see one man. As an twelve year old kid I remembered this young and amazing footballer saving my local team, Southend United, from relegation on his own. When your team goes on to drop down the leagues after that, you tend to remember the good old days. I watched with interest as he left our club for millions, went onto play for England and then sadly wasted his talent by retiring from the game early.

If you mention the name Stan Collymore in England now, most people’s reactions would not be favourable. People would belittle his visits to the Priory clinic when he was playing. After all, how could a millionaire footballer suffer from stress? Was he worried about which car he was going to buy next or which shade of crème he was going to decorate his mansion with? Unfortunately the British public will long associate him with the indefensible Ulkrika Johnsson moment, hitting her after an argument in Paris. After finishing his book ‘Tackling my Demons’ the other day, it really makes you realise that the media can portray someone however they want to.

From a truly sporting point of view he remains my sporting hero, the chance to meet him at his book signing would be an opportunity to good to miss. Whilst waiting in the queue for an hour I was preparing all my questions, this was going to be good. Did we chat for long? Of course not, I struck the star, I mean I was star struck. Maybe it was because this guy is huge, I'm 6ft 1 and he made me look like a school kid.


Going back home always makes me laugh. Nothing ever changes. As I drove the way to my old house as I had done thousands of times in the past I became slightly agitated. The stationary traffic had blocked my way into my old street. Damn drivers. When the traffic cleared I accelerated up the street. That’s strange. Seems a bit narrow. Why are all the cars pointed the same way? Shit.