Page 21 - zebra_proof

C“ o m e A p r i l , although not cementing the whole truth, the league table isn’t lying anymore.
If relegation or promotion places are yet to be decided for both of the sides, these matches are full blooded and fractious affairs where no quarter is requested or given. It goes without saying, if a title is won or promotion clinched then there is a giddy and heady sense of joy and achievement that surges through the club in question. Conversely, if a relegation is confirmed, it would be an understatement to say that that brings its own morose emotions too...
Interestingly in these games though, if one of the sides has promotion hopes or relegation worries, it’s surprising what galvanising effect this can have on the opposing team who may be sitting respectfully enough somewhere around mid-table. Perhaps it’s human nature, a throwback to caveman times, but there’s something irresistible about the chance to spoil someone’s party. Mid-table mediocrity may be neither here nor there, but there’s a certain glory to be had by being able to say (coldly) “We sent them down,” or (wistfully) “If they’d beaten us they would have been promoted.”
Unfortunately, because of the fact that these games are arranged when other teams throughout the wider league system are in all probability not playing, some less scrupulous clubs will bring in ‘ringers’ – either officially “on permit” or play players under false names. This gives clubs the ability to strengthen their line-ups considerably as ‘ringers’, as logic would suggest, are brought in from teams from higher divisions. The practice leads to results that make you scratch your heads and laugh out loud when you hear them – but it’s not very funny when these phantom results kibosh promotion charges or rescue teams from the clutches of relegation who – without said ‘ringers’ –
ALL SHAPES & ZEBRAS FROM TREORCHY 21