I make friends easily enough at the club. I comfort myself that we are pretty much all in the same boat and I enjoy the chat as I hold my pint in my palms, calmly. Practically none of the other wives or girlfriends go along to the games. I prefer Jenny to join us. The way I see it, she needs a break from her art from time to time. It provides me with an opportunity to impart my football knowledge to her. I was a great player in my time but age has not been too kind to my skills. I recognize I am not as quick on the ball as I once was, and I also recognize that Lionel Messi I am not, but the coaching that I do with Maurice is a medium for me through which I can stay involved in the wonderful world of football.

Our boys run around the clubhouse high on chocolate and some cheap sweets called Millions. I swear each week that they are not permitted to spend their two-euro ration on such a heady combination but it’s as if they lose their resolve once they reach the top of the queue at the tuck shop. In a way I understand, I would have done the same thing as a child myself if I had had a chance. We go into the clubhouse at half-time and I join the end of the queue of other like-minded freezing-cold dads. Jenny and Maeve find a seat by the door and Jenny removes her heavy wool coat. She looks well, wearing an olive green cashmere sweater that I’m fond of. Sitting there, with Maeve nibbling her chocolate and me looking over at them, we are the perfect family.

I come back to the table with a pint of Carlsberg and a small bottle of Merlot. Jenny tries to start a conversation with me about the first half of the match. In truth I am in no mood so I continue to stare ahead and ignore her comments. I want her here but when she starts needless talk and asks irritating questions I wish that I had left her at home. Sometimes it isn’t easy to work out what I want, at all.

That cost almost six euro, that little shitty bottle of vin rouge.

Jenny says nothing, she rubs Maeve’s hair and they both stare out the window of the clubhouse.