IT'S that time of the year again. Many non football lovers would have been momentarily relieved when the football season came to an end. ‘Thank goodness’ they must be feeling, ‘I can now have some peace and quiet, and the TV to myself for a change!’

This is what happens every May in many households where the person or people who are into the beautiful game keep the conversations at dinner table, viewing of the television all centred around football. Be it Premier League football, the Championship, the lower leagues or the Champions League and European competitions, between August and May, there is always something to watch.

So when May comes, some haters are relieved.

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This year though, it was not to last. Because the Euros are here! Not Euros in money terms (nice as that sounds) but in this case, the UEFA European Championship. And it started in June, on the 14th. And our television screens, our pubs and the roads are littered with reminders that the four-yearly football spectacle is upon us again.

For some of us, that’s just great. It’s happening in Germany. Germany is there - hosts and one of the favourites to win it. But there’s also our own Three Lions, England - looking for it to ‘come home’ at last, after 58 years of suffering!!!

Will it come home?

I was out holding meetings one day last week. And I went to the Village Hotel in Basingstoke. It was on the day England played Denmark. And the atmosphere was so good, loud, and electric. I loved every minute of it even though I could hardly hear myself breathe let alone have a quiet conversation with my companion on the day. And that was even before kick-off!

And it just made me realise - football is magical. There is a lot that we can do in this community through the power of football.

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It kind of vindicated me and my desire to use the power of football to draw people to the selflessness that my beloved Rotary Club preaches and advocates. Which is why we are holding this Family Football Festival on Saturday 6 July at the home of Hampshire Football Association, the Winklebury Football Complex.

I am excited about it. Because not only are we planning on bringing the football community - young and old - to come have a kick about on the lush Winklebury pitch, we are also inviting people of all ages and background, gender and level, to just come and share in the beauty of the game that has created many friendships and will continue to do so.

Saturday 6 July is quarter final day at the Euros. You can attend the Winklebury event brought to you by Rotary Club, sign up to the Club and make new friends, score a goal or two, and then go home and watch the quarter final games on TV.

What are the odds that England will be in that match of Saturday? We need to get through the group, and win a potential nerve-bender against possibly Italy (the way it’s looking).

Tell you what, that’s too far ahead. Stressful to even contemplate. Less stressful is the fact that we at Rotary are eager to welcome you to Winklebury, and to our fold. So let’s make a date of it. 6th July 2024!

You can still send me your predictions though - who will win the Euros? Send your entry to tunderotary@tunde-talks.com.