I remember when I was 5 yrs old and my mate lived next door. Every weekend his dad would come in drunk on Friday evening then Saturday afternoon then go back out and come home late each time falling all over the place. He then repeated this on Sundays. His mam ( who was a gem ) used to tell us to go hide he would be in soon and in a bad mood. So basically we ran into the street to play football but could always hear his mother crying and saying don't please don't. On one occasion he was in the back door before his mam noticed so we ran half way up the stairs and keep quite as possible. Then it started he was slapping here about and she must have fallen because she screamed to stop standing on her head. It went on for a good few minutes before he made her apologise for making him mad. Strange thing was she loved him regardless and just put up with it. I told my mother and she said that's why she wears lots of dark eye shadow and makeup. She remained married to him and had a golden anniversary. He died after 65 years married and she is now alone. I bumped into her recently and asked why she used to put up with it and she said he got into my head about beating the children so better me than them. But the biggest surprise was she got strong as time went on and she ruled the roast. So much he hadn't had a drink in 30 odd years. She said they eventually had a wonderful marriage even though she hadn't dare believe it was possible.

The reason for that rant was she was so used to a crap life she never thought it could change. Well that to me is similar to supporting Pools we are so used to nothing but heartache it makes us negative when a possible good situation is right in front of us. We need to believe in our club and hope its time for a good season.