As Phil Brown once sang on the pitch – “this is the best trip I’ve ever been on…”.
While this season may not end with another unexpected and fairytale promotion to the Premier League, from a personal perspective, it’s been one to remember as a supporter and now a writer somewhat documenting the Tigers’ fortunes.
Logistics and geography have also allowed me cover my local sides Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. But, having the chance to report on your club several times is an indescribable feeling, even if you are left with no choice but to stick it out at the MKM Stadium until bordering on midnight on a wet, December night after being 4-0 down to Middlesbrough at half-time following a delayed kick-off!
Having started as an EFL-accredited writer in October 2024, even though City laboured to a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth at the start of a dire period culminating in Tim Walter’s exit, it was a bucket-list item ticked off, and I have since had the privilege of living that dream a further 43 times.
As a result, irrespective of what happens between now and the regular campaign’s end a week on Saturday, or potentially the play-off semi-finals and, who knows beyond that, this season, on a personal level, tops the feeling of when City were victorious over Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley 10 years ago.
Getting to network and know some of the journalists/reporters who I’d grew up listening to on BBC Humberside etc. ahead of a game or the eventual two-hour journey back to the West Midlands has been a personal highlight away from the on-pitch action, and so has being in several of Sergej Jakirovic’s press conferences.
That is despite ‘freezing’ when asked what was so amusing in an exchange of words between himself and Charlie Hughes after the fine win at Southampton in January. In fairness, describing them as stand-up comedy events would also be apt, alongside the professional description… does ‘Britney Spears’ at Bramall Lane ring any bells…?
Being in Jakirovic’s presence makes you realise how lucky City are having such an open, honest and relatable manager who isn’t afraid to sugar-coat the good or bad. Supporters and journalists aren’t silly, they see the same 90 minutes unfold. Why some would rather listen to a 15-minute interview about ‘vertical movements’, ‘expected entries into the final third’, etc. over a straight up, honest opinion is a mystery.
What the Bosnian has been able to mastermind in the face of much adversity, on and off the pitch, can only excite you for the future, even if City are to miss out on the play-offs.
On the here and now for a second. Yes, the Tigers are the biggest overachievers in the Championship right now by some distance. Can supporters be extremely thrilled with a seventh-placed finish all things considered? Absolutely!
On the contrary, can it also be met with a huge tinge of disappointment if, after only spending two weeks of 2026 outside the top six due to the initial Watford postponement, the club fell short? Yes, expectations change.
Regardless though, even as a reporter whose job is to offer balance and impartiality, nothing can prepare you for the goosebumps when Tigers, Tigers Burning Bright belts out over the PA system five minutes before kick-off, or watching the pre-match montage to the tune of Republica – it takes me right back to sitting in E7 between the ages of 5 and 13.
The same adrenaline that ran through me then in the Premier League and prior Championship years is still there at the top of the West Stand watching the likes of Oli McBurnie, Joe Gelhardt, Liam Millar, Kyle Joseph and others driving forward, as well as the nerves, naturally, when the ball comes within 25 yards of Ivor Pandur’s box.
Even though, especially after the recent matches against West Brom, Oxford, Sheffield United, Birmingham and Leicester (and countless times beforehand in the stands), I have jokingly questioned why I followed my Dad’s lead, this is still the greatest football club in the world, and it has now allowed me to live the dream.
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