…and there in a flash, that was it. The tuktuk tour comes to a glorious end and whilst it was originally scheduled for 90 days, yes, it went a bit over! So, here I am pulling a few strands together today.

Firstly and perhaps most importantly thanks to everyone who has supported me. It is really appreciated. Whether you shared a page or a post, whether you were kind enough to donate to FC Deportivo Galicia or Prostate Cancer UK or whether you went one step further and actually wrote some content (see below), all of you are forever in my mind.

Another group of people who I wish to mention as I tidy up this tour are all the people who were kind enough to wish me a Happy Birthday this week. Thanks to each and every single one of you. I have tried to thank you individually but in 2024 Birthday Wishes come flying in from all directions so if I have missed sending a personal reply on LinkedIn or Instagram, I apologise right here, right now …. as the lyrics go. Something else to comment on was I was surprised how many friends did not know the purpose of the tour. If you have not picked this up in the last six months, here is an overview. Whilst the tour might be over, ANY donations to FC Deportivo Galicia or Prostate Cancer are still welcome. Pretty, please? Hopefully the two organisations are grateful for my efforts. I know my local club are and I have promised to continue to fundraise for them. I have a couple of irons in the fire and I will update soon.

So, what is the state of English football? Obviously, as I have been digitally circumventing the country I have learned much. Bottom line? I am actually quite surprised. The majority of clubs are “surviving” ….even if we accept that funding a football club at every level is a bottomless pit for money! I suppose I can put it better. The overwhelming majority of clubs are cutting their cloth accordingly and showing a fiscal prudence that the Tories never did. Obviously one of the highlights for me of the past 6 months is the slow death and subsequent destruction of the Conservative Party. Let us see what the future holds!

Rather than turn this into a rant about Tory corruption, nepotism, in-fighting etc etc, let’s look at the positive. I was delighted to have met Christian Obray, Darryl and Clare on my travels. I am hoping they will all be prepared to continue to share their thoughts on the non-league scene and the women’s game on this blog in the weeks to come. Chapeau. They have added much interest to the tour and I thank them sincerely. Without doing a Richard Attenborough, there are so many to thank Leo, Jose, Ed, Rogelio and all the others at FC Deportivo Galicia who encouraged me as well as Matt , Dave and Jim.….all great artists who I was thrilled to showcase.

And the final reason to tidy everything up this week is the departure of Gareth Southgate from the England role. I am not going to hide. I thought he did a magnificent job and his record over the past eight years can be held up alongside any manager in Europe. Obviously, everyone is disappointed that we failed at the final hurdle against a magnificent Spanish side. Would anybody else have done better? Personally, I think not. Howe? Potter? Poch? Klopp? Carsley? The names are already being bandied around but I don’t see much international experience, never mind success. I am sure we will know in the next few days.

THANKS AGAIN, the tour winds down and the pre-season is in full flow. I have already seen three games this summer and I am sure there will be another dozen before our BIG kick off in the Combined Counties at Step 6. I will continue to build this blog into its fifteenth year and hope you will pop back to see what’s happening. It just will not be daily. Personally, I am mainly on Facebook nowadays so that’s where you will find me. Personally Twitter, Instagram and the others have not captured me. If they are your home, I wish you well.

Finally, and I will die a fighter, please let me remind you for the xxxxth time who I was fundraising for. Take a bow, FC Deportivo Galicia at Heathrow and Prostate Cancer UK. Any final donations, however small will be gratefully received, amigos!