Feet of Clay

Here is Fantasy Bob age 11 (but not a leg spinner).  He is goalkeeper for Broomhill Primary School in Aberdeen.  This is the final of the Aberdeen Schools Cup.  It is played at Pittodruie Park, home of Aberdeen FC.  The photo shows FB failing to prevent the loss of a goal.  It is the first of three times he had to pick the ball out of the net.  Ruefully in all probability - though being still in primary school he might not know what the word means.  

FB does not remember too much of this occasion.  It is a very foggy night, as the photgraph suggests. The noise of the crowd - vast in their tens and twenties - ccomes eerily from the barely discernible stands and FB is for most of the match unable to see the other end of the pitch.  Most of the action is at his end anyway.

Broomhill lose 3-1.  There follows much wailing and lamentation.

One thing FB does remember is that he was wearing a pair of Tommy Docherty football boots.  These were as up to date as you could get having a fully moulded rubber sole and studs.  FB felt quite the thing in them - he may well have worn them in bed when he first got them.  They were evidence that he was a real footballer and they would guarantee stellar performance.  FB has felt an affinity with Tommy Docherty for all those years.  

Following his extended managerial career, the Doc became a pundit and then a favourite chat show guest.  He could be relied on for pithy one-liners, often pricking pomposity in the way only escapees from the Gorbals, where he was born, can.

To his horror, FB now discovers that the Doc did for cricket in one of these quips.  'Cricket is the only game you can actually put on weight while playing,'  he said. 

FB's world is shattered.  He now sees his pride in those boots was wholly misplaced.  His confidence was an illusion.  They were made to betray him. No good could come of them.  Another hero with feet of clay - just like FB on that foggy night.  No wonder Broomhill lost.