SUNDERLAND (Home)

This will be the first visit back to the New Den since Southampton in the FA Cup in 2012.

The ticket is for Cold Blow Lane (upper) previously called the South Stand.

Remembering the old days there would be stalls selling merchandise – I’m told that there’s only one now.

Ill be visiting the store and depending on stock be collecting these two shirts I used to have.

I’m also told that most fans nowadays don’t don replica shirts – that’s kind of frowned upon where adults are concerned though in my view these are made to be bought and shown – and remember the old adage – growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. So I may conceal mine under the hoodie but travelling up and back on the train is a different kettle.

So what will have changed in this time? Firstly most who know me are aware that I’ve spent half a century almost travelling the length and breadth of the land watching Aldershot. Am I turning my back on the Shots? Certainly not. But Millwall, my Dad’s team, have also played a big part in both my upbringing and adult life.

I would say that Cold Blow Lane and the New Den combined, I’ve seen over a hundred home games.

Not just that but I’ve seen Millwall away at Old Trafford, Goodison Park as well as less glamorous places like Reading, Southampton, Oldham and Port Vale.

I can remember the days of Reg Burr as chairman, Theo Paphitas and players like chicken George, Peanut and Rhino of course.

The problem with Aldershot Town now, once a proud member of the Football League IS the Chairman. Azeem came from Woking and has no interest in the club, appointing a procession of questionable managers.

And as a true football fan when you are one of 75 away fans at Barrow on a cold wet Saturday in December on a 700 mile round trip, that’s a bit of a marker I think – I put myself in that category.

So with little prospect of Aldershot gaining Football League status anytime soon, I want to be happy on a Saturday or whenever.

Anyway, let’s move on to this weekend.

As we can see, the Lions are top ten and after a very decent run of results and some impressive defensive displays, are play-offs botherers.

Sunderland visit on Saturday top of the pile and have sold out their 3,000 allocation.

Of course they are beatable: anyone can beat anyone on their day in the topsy turvy Championship.

And I’ll be prepared to travel home disappointed too – it simply won’t be the end of the world if Sunderland take all three points but I’d hope Millwall can prove a tough test for them.

So far as players go in my fantasy team, I have three of these in O’Nien, Mundle and Isador.

What, no Millwall?! Well it’s served me well so far but with my free transfer this week I may want to add Cooper or Tanganga

After the game for sure I’ll write a match report and post it up in this new chapter of life with the Lions.