HAVE you ever tried to convince yourself that is not the winning that counts but the taking part?

I have, briefly.

I know it is the done thing with youngsters and rightly so.

At that age, they want to be enjoying sport and should be encouraged to take part, whatever the outcome.

Taking part is tops, winning is just a bonus.

But when you are getting on, it is all about the ‘W’. I play for a seven-a-side football, GW Flooring, in the Witton Park League and have done so for the best part of 15 years.

Back in the day, we used to win the league or at least challenge for the title. These days we are happy enough if we can challenge for the ball.

While it is a way of keeping in touch, playing a bit of football and having a drink afterwards try telling any of those players that winning doesn’t count.

We are currently in the middle of our own little battle, three sides who are generally looking up rather than down come the end of the season.

PW Signs got the better of us last week, racing to a 3-0 lead then holding off a mini fightback to win 3-2. This week it is the turn of Insure Fit.

There will be a few laughs along the way and jokes will be cracked but winning a football match will be our main aim.

Of course we enjoy it but when we have that drink after-wards, the taste of victory is so much more sweeter than the taste of just taking part!