FOOTBALL is like Wagner – some dreadful half-hours, but some marvellous moments. This is how Forest Green’s most famous fan, lovely, literary lady Jilly Cooper described the game, but this was her Fulham watching days.

She has a valid point. It is moments that define a game, even define a season.

Think Wembley, as so many of us often do. A long diagonal pass found Christian Doidge wide on the left.

He was confronted by “Desperate Dan McNulty”, lynch pin of the Tranmere defence. McNulty was left for dead and a fierce drive from Christian brought a goal worthy to win any game.

That moment made our year. Promotion was ours! It also made Christian Doidge my man of the year. His goals took us there and now they are gaining us vital division two points.

A model professional Christian works hard at his game and sets a fine example to all. Selection for Wales would thrill all of us but not as much as the man himself.

To represent the principality would be the ultimate honour.

Club of the year is Cirencester Town cricket club. Every visit there last season was a delight, especially during cricket week which so splendidly celebrated the 125th anniversary.

Brian Woodcock worked unstintingly to make such a success of the week but he would be first to claim he had a team behind him.

Chairman Nick Price leads the club with an easy grace and Secretary Gerald Wilkinson as secretary shows all the diligence that he does in holding the same position for the CDCA, He is treasurer as well, deserving the title of administrator of the year.

These quiet post-Christmas days are ones for recollection and reflection and writing about the town club has brought back memories of my last game there.

It was probably 1958 and Rodmarton were playing against the club 1st XI. It seemed unlikely the, and even more unlikely now!

Rain curtailed play with Rodmarton 58 for 6. John Light was 28 not out, having enjoyed a battle with Dave Collis and John Haggerty who was pretty quick.

As well as his cricket John could dash down the wing for the town football club. I remember Brian Court at Cover, throwing fast and accurately but more clearly one of the spectators.

It was Lorna Pegram, one of the prettiest girls at the Grammar School, a form below me. Unfortunately this was a situation I did not take advantage of. In my case instead of “opposite” read “not much” sex.

Perhaps this was because of my level of sophistication was somewhere between that of Just William and Wurzel Gummidge. In addition I believe I may have had my priorities wrong. One young lady dismissed me in arch, acid and acerbic fashion with these words “I do not wish to come third behind Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and Swindon Town Football Club, “Being young on Cotswold, under the summer sun” was not all sweetness and joy.

My mid-teens were a time when I can now own up to underage drinking. The venues make a magical list, The Daneway, The Falcon at Poulton, Trouble House and the Wheatsheaf at Oaksey. Without exception these stolen, illegal moments were after cricket matches.

On one occasion after a fine Oaksey bowl victory over Bibury I pedalled swiftly to Trouble House, burst breathlessly into the bar and blurted out the result, before ordering a half pint. I noticed no-one else there. A familiar voice said “I will pay for that” I turned to see English teacher Geoff Romans and clerk to the governors Jack Pady.

It was English O Level the next day and I doubt if any other candidate had spent the evening before playing cricket before enjoying a drink with his teacher. I passed anyway as easily as we had beaten Bibury.

As well as nostalgia this is a time of year for looking forward. Jordan Stephens is a Forest Green footballer, seventeen-years-old and full of promise. One of the joys of 2018 will be watching his progress.

Another will be seeing how promising Gloucestershire batsman James Bracey advances. We need a home grown batsman to emerge. Good luck to both these young men and good luck to former Gloucester legend Andy Deacon, who is turning out these days for Cirencester RFC.

To close I return to Jilly and her marvellous moments. Nothing can beat Wembley March 1969. Don Rogers latched on to a pass from Roger Smart and ran from inside his own half, with supreme skill he rounded Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson and Swindon were 3-1 up. The league cup was won. For all of us all the best moment of all.