The end of the match...

Cappielow Park, Greenock - the home of Morton Football Club.

I've supported this team since I was a boy, travelling to matches home and away for years with with my dad and his pals. Indeed, the supporters' scarf I was wearing today dates back to the early 70s.

Morton beat a stubborn Cowdenbeath team 1-0 The visitors lined up with a nine man defence, and at any standard that's a difficult barrier to penetrate. The young sub, Lewis Hawke (son of Morton stalwart, Warren) came on and scored a cracking late winner. Phew!!

I hate the myth that lower league football in the UK is sub standard, and of little value. The buffoons and empty vessels that are paid gross sums of money to spout bland generalisations on the BBC and SKY (stand up Messrs Shearer, Lawrenson, Lineker et al) routinely denegrate this level of football. I guess that the seats at Morton or Scunthorpe or Torquay are less comfy than those at the Emirates or old Trafford.

The fact is that a player who makes his living playing football is a very talented individual indeed. Every player in the blue and white hoops of Morton today will have been the best footballer in his year at school, by a mile, and probably one of the best every produced in his town. He'll have battled through a myriad of trials at his boys' clubs, won through to regional selection teams and represented his county at every age group. His skill level will be so far ahead of every armchair fan, that it is hard to quantify. Any middle age bloke who has played five-a-side football against an ex pro will testify to that.

Football at Morton or Shrewsbury or your local lower league team is cheap, cheerful and deserving of your support. This year please don't buy a Chelsea or Man City shirt for your kids - get along to your local shop and buy a kit that shows that you are a thinking person and a true football fan.