Started counting and I've watched 36 games in 2007. It's not over yet - aiming for 40. Not counting viewing tv games here which some bloggers think is following football. Obviously not yourself. Does seeing West Didsbury v. Chapeltown in the Manchester Premier League qualify (admission free, no programme), when you go and see Manchester United v. Blackburn Rovers the next day. They all count, because you sort of remember bits of them all.

As you get older and the seasons take their tole you forget the disappointments quickly and focus on the forthcoming fixture list. England not qualifying for Euro 2008. Well basically not good enough. Then there are four other English speaking teams who could have got there - Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Republic of Ireland. They have an excuse of being a low population nation. Come next summer I'll be supporting Croatia. Play good football, small country, good flag, been there on holiday, nice place.

Meanwhile there is a grim wet, cold winter to live thru in Manchester. United are bobbing along at the top end of the table, into the knockout section of the Champions League - can't complain about the results. My other team FC United of Manchester are up at the top but finding it hard, that is not winning all your home games.

You can see the videos, pictures, and ramblings at Biffafootie.

The long season stretches ahead and no sooner than you get five games then it's the interruption of the Internationals. So what were the highlights of August, your mileage will differ on this one...

a) retirement of Ole Gunner Solskjaer - there are those few players who come on to the pitch and you know something might happen. A loose ball in the box and a goal might result and not get skied over into the crowd.

b ) watching FC United in the FA Cup Preliminary Round. A great day out in Altrincham in a 5-2 thriller. Enjoyed this so much better than watching Manchester United slug out a 1-0 win over Sunderland the day before. Video

c) watching Euro Hockey in Manchester and on Eurosport. My first ever hockey match, and if I ever get tired of football this is the sport for me. Video

Stats :
Teams seen : Manchester United (3), Sunderland, Spurs, Reading, FC United, Trafford, Flixton, Bootle.
The last four are in lower leagues so you might not have heard of them

TV Live matches : not watched a full game just bits of European matches

Radio Commentary : two, City v. United (XFM 97.7); Portsmouth v. United (BBC 5Live). Still enjoy radio coverage, sometimes that's all you have.

TV Highlights : again just bits Match of the Day (BBC1 & 2), David Beckham's Soccer USA and Football Italiano - both on Channel 5 and a good way to waste an hour.

www.biffadigital.org - footie in august

What's coming up - a couple of dull international games, the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup in China next week with an England team that actually tries to win.

New season, new blog. Starts in the summer sunshine, and ends in the spring rains. In between it's hope and expectation for at least four months. For most football fans the season ends in January. Crashed out of all the cups, bobbing along mid-table unable to collect a row of wins for any meaningful contention.

Da, da, da, da...The seasons roll on but they change year on year. Not just new players and higher ticket prices. So for myself this season will bring...

a) entry of Setanta Sports TV ( more subscriptions at a tenner a month but I reckon value for money - for the amount of games available)

b) 50th Anniversary of Munich 5th February 1958 - i expect nothing less than a special friendly match by Manchester United.

c) Going to see FC United of Manchester in Unibond Div 1 North - opposition teams I've never seen before - bring on Harrogate Railway and Bridlington Town

d) Events at City - who would have predicted Eriksson, a flurry of signings based on video evidence from agents, a dubious politician from Thailand who likes a bit of limelight.

e) No smoking at all grounds - does this apply to an open end of a non-league team?

f) Removal of football clips on YouTube if they break copyright. A lot have gone already. So if you like one, save it.

g) FC United in the FA Cup and FA Trophy for the first time.

h) A pathetic attempt to get more readers to www.biffadigital.org/footie.html