It's my son's last year at home before he goes off to university.

"Why don't you do something as a Father / Son for his last year" suggests my wife.

Now, as some of you will identify, relating to a seventeen year old with attitude is never easy. However, we do share an interest in sport in general, football in particular.

"Why don't we spend your last year before Uni, doing something useful together - Let's get season tickets for Northamton Town F.C."

Yes you read it right - Northampton Town F.C. English football league. Division Two. (That's "The Cobblers" for the uninitiated, based on Northampton's heritage gone by as the nations capital for the shoemaking industry).

Now, I'm born and bred in Northampton and have been a lifelong follower. Supported them fairly often with my dad as a child, until I was forced to emigrate to Reading just 'cause my parents moved. (I was only ten at the time so there were no other options!).

Tainted by my parents, my brother, my sister in law, my nephews, nieces and all their mates, my son on the other hand has been following Reading FC. (all above mentioned have been season ticket holders and have bribed him into supporting Reading).

The battle is on. Over the course of the next 46 league games can he be swayed from the dark side to see the light that is Northampton Town.

It's bound to be a journey with it's highs and lows, and like all football supporters across the world, expectations are always high before a ball is kicked in anger, it's only as the season unfolds that you either question your own sanity or suddenly realise that your judgement and assesment of the team before your very eyes is sound, and that football management should have been your chosen career!

So it's time to start the conversion.

21st July - Pre-season friendly; The Cobblers v Coventry City
This is a bonus - a warm summers evening to watch a football match - very pleasant. The visitors this evening to Sixfields, (home ground of the mighty Northamptoin Town FC, capacity 7653 (all seater!!!), are near neighbours from up the M45, Coventry City.

We're only using two sides of the ground tonight - One end filled with Coventry supporters, (probably a quiet night in Coventry on Wednesdays), and the West Stand scattered with Northampton Town die-hards, press-men and men in suits.

The strange thing about football is that quite often you can be on the back foot before the game has started - well in this case Coventry scored an early goal - don't think we'd been in there half!

1-0 down is not great this early, it's uphill from here lads!

Now this is one thing I am going to enjoy for the season - life around the stadium!!

They say that there's "Nowt as queer as folks, " which leads to some interesting observations.

I am only a newbie season ticket holder and am interested in what it takes to voice your support for your team.

After 90 minutes I now know that all you have to say is "Come On Cobblers", "Stay tight", "That's it".

Well that's all the bloke sat near me said all night - over and over and over again. At one point I'm sure the players were fed up hearing him cause all the play was condensed over the far side of the pitch. Doesn't matter though - you just have to shout it louder!! (If he's my regular season ticket neighbour, I will spend one match counting the "Come on Cobblers!!!!"

What else happened - well we had plenty of possesion without looking threatening. We can boast a fairly good mix of youth, with promise, and experience, with experience. (Never sure what of, but they have experience).

Half time refreshments were cold, (very welcome). My son shared his chips, (it's a father son bonding moment), then I realised why he shared them - they were crap and it's the last time I'm forking out £3.00 on chips!

Hot news get me Sky Sports! - "Messi" spotted in crowd at Sixfields. Realised after a few minutes that it wasn't really Lionel Messi but some kid with a Barcelona shirt - ah well we can dream - he must be out of contract sometime!!!

Coventry missed a sitter in front of their own fans - early contender for miss of the season - 4 metres out - open goal - cleared his own supporters and the stand - new ball please!

Things look promising for the season ahead and we will win more than we lose. Football was neat and positive. Bit more work on creating an opening and we should be on our way.

My son is smiling at the end and enthused by what he has seen - looking forward to the next home game (Watford, they lost to Barnet tonight so it should be easy then!!!!!).

"Come On Cobblers"