Will Manchester United win the double, treble or anything? Can Chelsea buy the title? Will Arsenal once again be the most attractive team but win nothing?

As a new football season begins footie fans across the country are filled with excitement, nerves and most of all hope. For some the hope is of European glory, for others of a national trophy such as the FA cup and for others not being relegated is the best this world could offer them!

As an Ipswich Town fan I get used to the constant new hope of August turning to disappointment come the spring. Each year we are promised, not through words but subliminal messages sent through the skies above the stadiums saying “this is the year, this is your year”. Yet every year the same. It doesn’t matter if we make the play offs or finish in 10th place the feeling is always the same.

The reason I support Ipswich town is my mother’s family are from the area. I have lost count of the times I wished they were from Manchester or even North London! But sadly they are my team. It is not all bad. We have a history to be proud of, FA cup winners, UEFA cup winners, League champions but that is history.

And so I now brace myself for the feeling that surrounds me in May every year. That frustration and disappointment. But come August all that is forgotten, I am renewed. I have new hope and a new sense of optimism. This is it; things will be perfect this time.

I also hate that feeling when I have done something wrong. I know I have upset someone. I pretend I don’t mind when this happens, that I was just saying the truth but really it hurts a lot. I need to find their forgiveness and then Gods. It feels as if I am carrying a heavy load with me at all times. Then the release is fantastic when I know that God has forgiven me through reconciliation. That ‘August’ feeling of new hope, a fresh start.

The feeling of leaving reconciliation knowing that I can start again. This will be my time for European glory. I will win the cup! Of course I sin again, many times and I must ask for God’s forgiveness over and over. But that feeling of glory lasts at least until the new season begins. All I ask each time is that I will have the strength a bit harder this time. That I will not fall back into my old ways with the same old habits because that is what ‘Neil’ does.