RODGER THE FAITH-HEALER

By Mark Smith

I'm not sure I like football very much any more.

I can't really decide whether that's because there's less to like or whether my opinion is tainted by following the worst football club in the land.

I don't go in for this fanciful talking up of County. The facts are clear.

Last season we were the worst professional football club in the country.

Our owners made a series of baffling decisions which led to our demise, though they could understandably point to previous failures being the overall cause of us now being a sixth tier football club.

I've spent the last eleven weeks trying my best to avoid football. I didn't quite manage it though.

The Confederations Cup provided a suitably distant spectacle of football which allowed us all to simply marvel at the quality on show without prejudice, bitterness or the panto villains we've come to regard at our own club.

There were interludes of teeth grinding though. Listening to such luminaries as Alan Shearer trying to sum up Brazilian politics, or 'Lawro' becoming a parody of himself time and time again. Not for me anymore, this.

My one and only live experience came at the Son Moix while on holiday in Majorca. I've been to the island many times but until this year, all my visits were at times when Real Mallorca weren't playing.

We saw the home side defeat Real Valladolid 4-2 with football I'd forgotten was possible. No huff and puff but plenty of endeavour. Goals of real quality. And this was the bottom club in the Spanish top league.

Inevitably, perhaps for me, the game ended negatively. Despite a resounding win, Real Mallorca were relegated from the Spanish top flight for the first time in 16 seasons.

When that fact was confirmed, for me the familiarity kicked in. Protests in the 23,000 crowd, a solitary pitch invasion, riots, riot police and a tangible desperation and anger in the air. Though it was enjoyable, if I was looking for my faith to be restored, I went to the wrong place.

So onto the next one as they say. And you know for once, I think maybe I'm looking forward to it. I think maybe my cynicism and misanthropy might just be put to the test.

Rodger Wylde represents everything in football that hooked me in. As a player he was known as a showman and a character. Anyone who tries to stand out these days is derided or vilified by the press.

We don't want robots. I vaguely remember him playing for us in his final season as a player. I was 10 and while I'd been a regular visitor to EP since the mid-80s, I wasn't as invested in the club as I later came to be.

I remember Rodger having long hair. Back then, this would invariably be met with "Get yer hair cut" from the terraces. Rodger has been there for the vast majority of my years following the club.

I'm a geek for County facts but I couldn't tell you who the physio was before Rodger. He's been here forever.

We're told the first half of the game against Sheffield Wednesday will feature a team of ex-players and looking at some of the names brings a lump in the throat. It's testament to Rodger's standing in the game that current Premiership players are making the trip to turn out.

Likewise long since retired lads like Mike Flynn who himself should have had a testimonial. Luke Beckett and Gareth Owen. I could go on. County players who simply 'got it'.

It's the chance to pay tribute to a true County legend that is the headline here of course, but the fact he will do so alongside so many fellow legends he worked with along the way is what has made me look forward to this game.

It's a timely reminder that at rock bottom, County still has the capacity for wonderful things.

Those players are evidence of that and we should never forget our rightful place in the grand scheme of things is several levels higher. We all hope the first step back up the ladder begins next season.

Rodger has been at County for 25 years. It's often stated that the fans are the only constant at a football club. But Rodger has been here longer than many fans have.

That's true loyalty and if anyone is due a second testimonial, he is.