Over the last couple of weeks I was fortunate enough to attend a couple of events. I like to think it’s put a nice full stop to my 2021/22 football season
I’ve being listening to the Not The Top 20 podcast since it’s first episode in May 2016. The podcast is the work of Ali Maxwell and George Elek, it focuses on the Championship, League 1 and League 2.
I was hooked from the day one, the EFL provides such great storylines week in week out and having Ali and George coming through your earphones discussing the second, third and fourth tier of English football is a joy.
Added to the enjoyment of the twice weekly pod, in the last twelve months I’ve been a part of the Not The Top 20 squad, a group of people brought together by their love of the EFL. Its like an add on to the content released by Ali and George.
’The squad’ has been life changing for me. A self confessed football fanatic, I now find myself mixing 24/7 with agents, journalists, broadcasters, data analysts, people from as far apart as America to Australia, a Morecambe in Peru, Wycombe fans in Gibraltar and even Mexico!
Whether it’s discussing the serious going ons in the football world or how you’ve managed Scunthorpe from the bottom of League Two to Premier League and Champions League double winners within ten seasons, the NTT20 squad covers all areas.
To celebrate the podcast sixth anniversary a live show was put on in Leicester Square. Hosted by EFL royalty in the shape of David Prutton, Ali and George were joined by guests Jed Wallace, most recently of Millwall and Cambridge Utd manager Mark Bonner.
The show was a great one, Wallace and Bonner were so open and engaging, Ali and George at home on the stage, Prutton with exactly the right balance of humour and seriousnes. Of all the names I’ve gotten called in my life, getting referred to as an XG nerd by Jed Wallace is my favourite.
Ali Maxwell of NTT20 get to meet virtual Scunthorpe legend Craig Bradley.
Oxford fan George Elek of NTT20 can’t hide his pleasure at Harry McKirdy’s skied penalty for Swindon.
The following day I made my way across London to find the Classic Football Shirts store. For any shirt collectors reading, I highly recommend you find the time to take in the store. It’s a real treasure chest of football shirts, I could’ve spent all day (and all my money) in there but as my coach departure time was fast approaching I had to settle for an hour in store and cme away with a Bursaspor shirt.
The second end of season event I attended was the AV40 Anniversary dinner with the members of Aston Villa’s 1982 European Cup winning team.
The event took place in the Holte Suite at Villa Park and I was fortunate to attend with some other members of the Cornwall Lions Villa supporters club.
Following a fancy dinner the guests were able to mix with their heroes and take part in a auction for memorabilia from Villa’s famous and most celebrated era.
Gordon Cowans
Jimmy Rimmer Nigel Spink. The two
goalkeepers from Villa‘s European Cup winning team.
The evening ended with captain Dennis Mortimer, goal scorer Peter Withe, Winger Tony Morley and Goalkeeper Nigel Spink talking the audience through the league championship season and the european campaign that followed.
Its been a big honour to be able to attend a couple of the AV40 foundation and show my appreciation for those boys in Claret and Blue.
Thats my 2021/22 season done and dusted. My plan is to be back towards the end of July with some predictions ahead of the new season ✌️
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