Merry Christmas From The Stacey West

Merry Christmas from the Stacey West!

This message always feels like it should be about more than football, and this year is no exception. It’s been a big year for me, watching my Dad recovering from his lung cancer, and as you read this, I am blessed by his presence, doubtless arguing about football around the dinner table. Christmas is always a big time for family with me, and both Mum, Dad and their partners will join us today in celebration. I hope wherever you are, that applies to you also.

I needed my people around me this year – I didn’t make a song and dance about it, but in July, I was made redundant, and a month later, I sold a website I’d built from scratch. It was a turbulent time that has only really started to settle recently, and on a personal note, there’s probably still some stuff to work through in early 2025. The Stacey West team, and our brilliant readers, helped me through that, and I’d like to raise a glass to you today.

On that note, I’d like to issue a big thanks to everyone connected with the site, Chris, Ben, Charlie, Stu, Malcolm, Darragh, Kyle, Bubs and doubtless others I have omitted to mention as I rush this out. A huge thank you to our Patreons who have really helped out during some tough times this year, and a massive thank you to everyone who drops by daily, weekly, or whenever they can.

It’s been a big year on the field, with the amazing run at the tail end of last season. The team perhaps lost their way a little in the latter stages of Michael Appleton’s reign, and certainly under Mark Kennedy, and it was nice to feel togetherness once again. It is often short-lived, just like the goodwill to all men at Christmas, and after an ovation during the Portsmouth game, we were back to mumblings of discontent as November brought little in the way of points or wins.

I guess that’s where I want to finish today (short and sweet). We are sitting in our homes today with loved ones, wishing people good tidings, and yet very soon, the season of goodwill is gone. It has crept up on me this year anyway, and I don’t feel quite as in the festive spirit as I should in terms of drink, songs and good cheer, but I do feel that empathy towards others at Christmas, and therein lies the magic of the season. It’s not about gifts, drinking, eating and everything, it’s about our outlook towards everyone else. When Wizzard sang ‘I wish it could be Christmas every day‘ I suspect they meant the whole package, presents and the full shebang. For me, I wish we could just have that kind, giving spirit every day, the empathy and appreciation of those around us, and the patience that Christmas brings.

Maybe I am getting a bit pretentious in my old age.

Up the Imps.