Vagabonds...

It has been 6 weeks since White Roding 45s were at home and we do not return to action in CM6 until late January at the earliest, so in Essex Vets' terms, we are somewhat vagabonds - a title that fits us well at the moment. Vagabond (Old Boys) also happen to be the name of a football team led by a local music legend and knight of the realm, who White Roding proudly display pictures of their duels with in the club house.

The vagabond life can be eclectic, inspiring and eye-opening in the right environment - once -a-year, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and John Burroughs would become vagabonds to connect spirits, ideas and efforts that we all benefit from 100 years later. Vagabonds can also be cast adrift when life takes a path they least expect. Homelessness, poverty and hunger are the less-glamorous and more-common descriptors of vagabonds. It is the season of goodwill and particularly at this time of year, no one should be without a home, no family without food and no child without a present.

Most of us are incredibly lucky in life and the money that is present in football at all levels is really a luxury. Sponsors, sign-on fees and sweeteners from the FA Matchday App (if we can get the bloody thing to work!!) all help to pay for things that keep us connected with each other. So today, White Roding 45s have decided that this week's subscriptions should be put to a better use and making a charitable donation to those less fortunate. Barnardos the Essex-based charity that focuses on the challenges of young people is particularly relevant based on our location and the fact that it is time to give something back to the next generation.

This decision has been inspired by an interview between local lad-turned national DJ Nihal Arthanayake & Brian Clough actor Michael Sheen on the Homeless Football World Cup as well as a personal connection to The Gaffer. Every Christmas as a child we would get a visit from "Auntie" Brenda. A warm-hearted woman with a strange accent and a mysterious past - all I could tell you is that our families met when they lived on a small island in the South Pacific in the 1970's. It was only upon her untimely passing that I learnt the full story... of an orphaned child, sent to New Zealand by the well-meaning charity, adopted and then returning back to her homeland where she would think of others' happiness before hers - a vagabond in many aspects. Every yuletide visit was accompanied by huge sacks of gifts that were opened as soon as she left. She gave me what she never had, when she was without a family. One week's worth of money will not change the world, but hopefully it will make Christmas a little easier this year for some and raise awareness to many more. This week is our last match of 2019, vs Paringdon. The boys physically and metaphorically limp into Harlow, knowing that one last effort will make a cracker end to the year after securing our Semi Final spot last Saturday.

We look forward to a great game of football, a few festive Fosters and a well-earned rest until January 4th.