Football stands together. We can scarcely imagine the horrors taking place daily in Ukraine but we can show our support, united in a minutes' applause before the game begins. A special mention for the fans of Southampton, a great club with a talented team and a super manager. They raise their scarves high, a fantastic salute in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
Football, true football, has always been about support. I speak to the lovely Irish couple who sit in the row behind. I haven't seen them for two months or more, their seats remaining empty since December. There is a reason.
Eyes brimming, they explain their daughter died totally unexpectedly two days after Christmas. She was aged just fifty seven. Today is a brave step for them towards something just a fraction more normal. They repeat their story time and again as fellow fans all around ask after them. Each time there is a touch, a hug. We support them too.
After all this it's difficult to say much about the football, other than to note Villa deliver an emphatic victory whilst Southampton have a 'bad day at the office'.
This post is dedicated to the people of Ukraine and in memory of Finola.
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