So how did the Stags get to their current position? A position where the Stags couldn’t put together a suitable touring party to Galiza; a touring party of sufficient numbers to allow some kind of challenge on the AG Cup battlefield, and to provide the camaraderie between the battling foes away from the football pitch and into the bars, restaurants, gigs, prazas, praias and whorehouses. A position worsened by the creeping numbers against the ages of the Stags (without bringing through the ‘Stags Youth’). A position requiring a heartfelt apology from the Stags and an understanding, however reluctant/unsure, from the Porcos.
This hasn’t been the first Stags’ set back in being able to tour the second home of the AG Cup – Galiza. Previously ‘life’ had provided several stumbling blocks; Covid; finances; serious illnesses to key Stags, to name a few. Before that in the early/mid 2010s, my ventures into Arabia created a little uncertainty for some Stags in continuing to participate and resulted in a ‘New Stags’ on the football pitch with only a smattering of the ‘Old Stags’ turning out for the game. Whilst the ‘New Stags’ ensured AG Cup matches were played, some of the ‘Old Stags’ slowly drifted into the background. Despite this the ‘Muso Stags’ continued to heavily participate within the AG ‘Scene’ and ties between both sides of the musos strengthen all the time.
This is no reason or excuse for any of the above but a suitable opportunity to remember the memory of two great Stags, lost far too early; Julian (Batty Boy) and Steve (John Terry). Two Stags enjoying football and beer from another place and reasons why the AG Cup cannot end and why more memories and friendships need to be built.
So, can the Stags rebuild sufficiently to tour in 2023? Of course they can and of course they will. Already four, maybe five, new players have ‘signed’ for the Stags. Some Stags have also started playing football with other groups of friends; groups from which it is likely other Stags will be signed from. In addition, there are six sons of Stags, new and old, that will form the ‘Stags Youth’ (not all have blond hair and blue eyes) who are currently aged between 14 and 16. It’s likely that 2023 will be too soon especially for the younger Stags Youth but they will all be available for the next time the Porcos travel to the first home of the AG Cup – Sheffield.
The fact that the next tour will be also part of my 50th birthday celebrations will ensure not only new Stags will travel but will also hopefully bring back a few of the older Stags into the AG-fold, as well as other friends wishing to celebrate in the disbelief that I’ll be turning 50.
This is not RIP Stags, this is time for the Stags to rebuild and to rise like ‘Stoenixes’ (a creature sired by a Stag and born from a phoenix*), from the mythical ashes of the AG ashes…
Our sincere Stags’ apology!!
Thomo
*Phags – a creature sired by a phoenix and born from a stag. We are not Sheffield ‘Phags’ – ha ha ha.
