FOILED again. This time by a waterlogged pitch. Will I ever get to see Fairford Town play football?

Last Tuesday presented itself as the perfect opportunity to answer the open invitation from Chris Tanner but it was not to be, the game being called off, so it was the sofa again.

This time it was to watch Lincoln v Ipswich in a spirited FA Cup replay. At least Lincoln were spirited, Ipswich being very dismal.

The result did not surprise me, having seen Lincoln win at Forest Green. Now with the outstanding Cowley brothers in charge they are showing how strong the Vanarama National League is.

There are even pockets of Lincoln supporters in Cirencester, one being based at the excellent Twelve Bells in Lewis Lane. I anticipate some cheerful discussions.

Regular readers will remember my references to the young lady with the beautiful eyes who graced Cirencester Grammar School in the 1950s. Now living in Lincoln, she supports “The Imps”.

I shall be in the press box on March 25, Ann. Do come along. You have stood me up twice (an unusual experience for me) so do not miss another chance.

Managers of football clubs are very much the focus of interest at the moment and an interesting theory was put to me about the Johnson family.

Father Gary is in charge at Cheltenham and son Lee at Bristol City. It was suggested that neither could stop slumps. “Splendid at taking clubs onward and upwards,” said my source, “but the minute a slump sets in they flounder.”

The latest evidence for this is the slump at Cheltenham Town, who were beaten again by Plymouth on Saturday. Magnificent last season in gaining an automatic promotion place, but wretched this. League tables never lie. I shall wait for the season’s end before passing judgment.

Managing a soccer club is far from easy and someone like Charlie Griffin of Cirencester Town deserves every sympathy. Low gates mean a low budget and this hampers Charlie as he tries to improve his squad.

Chairman Steve Abbley always digs deep to assist but he does not have bottomless pockets. Already this season 36 players have represented the town club. Think of all the telephone calls, late night conversations and general research this will have meant.

A tremendous amount of work has to be done to put a team on the field. Keep going, Charlie.

“I would like to see the Northern Lights,” stated Mrs Light some months ago. I thought she meant relations near Tewkesbury and readily agreed.

Too late I realised she meant something different and we are heading for Norway. I do not know what to expect as the only cold climate I have experienced is in Birdlip or the press box at Lincoln City.

What will happen in the two weeks we are away? I would settle for four points from Forest Green and the same for Cirencester.

On the rugby front perhaps Cirencester will stop shipping points too and Kingsholm will see some welcome consistency. A real bonus would be the return to fitness of Henry Trinder. All of us wish him well in this respect because in playing terms there is no limit to what a fully fit Henry can achieve.

Heating problems at the Lighthouse have been splendidly solved by J Lovatt and Co. This is the same John Lovatt who scampered down the left wing for Stratton at an early age.

Also on their books – indeed their star player – was Dave Scarlett, who had connections with Swindon Town.