Old Sod's Army-from the mess

[bog]

Good morning fellow foffers. This may be old news but reading the John Mitchell feature in the Middlesbrough programme I learnt something. I don't often do that, especially when I was at school. I knew he was a successful businessman but what I didn't know was that his company, Blue Arrow Group, was responsible for him being one of three humans who instigated the play offs. This surely one of the biggest 'game changers' in the football league.
    A lot moan about these but I don't. I remember lots of sterile games played between sides with nothing left to play for as a season ambled to an end. Back then the entrance money was not so extortionate, nowadays paying £75 to watch players stroll would not be acceptable. In the
Premier the higher you finish the bigger the winnings cheque. In all divisions the hope of making the playoffs keeps the sides going.
   I will never forget the Derby play off semi 2nd leg or being in the White Wall at Wembley. Imagine being denied that.   I did meet John once walking down Fulham Palace Road after a game. A genuinely nice chap.