From Berlin to Bishop Auckland. The historic Olympiastadion to the Vest Construction Stadium. EURO2024 final to pre-season friendly.

Not much of a break since last season ended and preparations for the new season have begun.

Pre-season is a chance for fans to ease themselves back into football, to see any new arrivals, assess our chances as the team build up their fitness and the manager builds up his squad. Friendships renewed, we travelled with the Lancaster Whites across country, through Kirkby Stephen and Barnard Castle to the home of Bishop Auckland FC, the most famous amateur club in England. Championship Middlesbrough provided the opposition.

Before the match we had lunch in the March Hare, a pub with nearly no beer, well no bitter on. The Hunters Chicken went down well, accompanied by some Neck Oil. The traumatic ending of last season was discussed and then confined to history. All talk turned to the new season and how tough this season might be. New signings were assessed and potential new signings were put forward.

In the first half, we looked good and more than held our own. We looked sharp, creative and competitive. In the second half, we started to make changes and by midway through the second half, we were playing a complete second string team.

Unsurprisingly, Boro got on top and ran out 3-0 winners, although the referee should have gone to Specsavers before giving a penalty against Scott Arfield, for the cleanest tackle I have ever seen. Even their players were surprised to get that one.

Bishop Auckland have a quaint little ground, surrounded by the Northumberland hills. We were on the open end, exposed to the elements. We got drenched with some of the showers but managed to dry out when the hot sun finally broke through.

As with most friendlies, you cannot read too much into the result. But, I think that the squad is looking a bit light at the moment, especially with the number of injuries already building up. It will be interesting to see who comes in and who goes.