Barking mad

2020 was an eventful year in football to say the least.   Amid all the understandable concerns about health and safety and finances, a little light relief was provided by a story in The Non-League Paper headed 'Barking mad as dog ends a match.'

The United Counties Premier Division match between Leicester Nirvana and local rivals GNG Oadby Town appears to have been a fiery affair with two players having been sent off.

Then a large Alsatian belonging to a home supporter repeatedly invaded the pitch.   The owner did not respond to requests to bring his dog under control.   The owner and dog then stood in front of the opposition technical area for three minutes and refused to budge, despite coaxing from match officials.

With 12 minutes left to play the match had to be abandoned.

Before the pandemic I received pictures on Twitter of well-behaved 'non-league dogs' attending games.  Indeed, more than one dog attended Leamington matches and the most frequent attender wore colours and took a keen interest in the game.