by Staff Writer
Tuesday, 24th December 2024
Always look on the bright side of life...
Moving house recently, I came across an old school report. I was a rebellious teenager, so it was no surprise that the first comment from one of my teachers was: "He has done no work at all and will certainly fail". The next few entries were much the same, sadly.
Nevertheless, there was one positive comment, a note of encouragement from a teacher I respected, who wrote: "In his own way and in his own time, he will be very successful". Like everyone, my life has had its ups-and-downs in the years since then, but I have never forgotten the encouragement that that teacher gave me when everyone else had given up on me.
Years later, when I first became the chaplain at West Ham United, I had the privilege of meeting Ron Greenwood who, younger readers might need reminding, was our manager at the time when Bobby Moore lifted cups at Wembley three years running.
We talked about the things that he saw as important in management, and he surprised me by saying that his job had really been about encouragement. As he put it, the key was knowing how to encourage young players to make the best of their God-given talents.
And, having done that, to help them become a team of players who would succeed because they encouraged each other, building each other up, and helping each other to exceed everyone’s expectations.
Bobby Moore later wrote about how, even after he’d captained England to World Cup success in 1966, the encouragement of his manager and teammates really mattered to him and helped him to achieve what he did.
I tell you all that because it seems to me that there are two ways of looking back over the past year, especially at Christmas, and looking to the year ahead.
There’s plenty of reason for us to be negative. After the glories of Prague, we’re no longer in Europe. We might be just two or three points below Man Utd and Spurs, but all three clubs are lower in the league than they want to be and not yet performing to their best.
And, on a different and more personal level, having recently retired at 65, I’m feeling the loss of the concessionary ticket prices previously available to fans over 66. Add to that the turmoil of current events around the world and we can be forgiven for feeling down, but...
There is also plenty to be positive about. We have players who are blessed with the ability to set a game alight. We’re still in the Premier League and in a more comfortable position than a number of clubs.
And there are things about West Ham that are better than in years gone by – the fact that we have a women’s team who are competing in the Women’s Super League, for example, and the happy reality that racist, sexist and homophobic language is heard much less than it used to be. "Always look on the bright side of life" as the song goes.
If you have read this far, let me encourage you this Christmas to take that to heart. Take time amidst the celebrations to give thanks for those around you – to ‘count your blessings’, if you like – and to encourage your loved ones by showing them that you appreciate them.
'One' Stevie Bacon
That doesn’t mean ignoring the challenges and losses that you might have experienced. Some readers will know that at this time last year I had just had a Stem Cell Transplant to treat life-threatening Blood Cancer. It was a tough time, but friends, family, faith and the NHS pulled me through.
Sadly, many of us lost a good friend this year in Steve Bacon, the inimitable club photographer, but we can enjoy the memories of good times shared and be thankful for those memories.
Even when we are going through the darkest of times it is good to acknowledge those who bring light into our lives with their help, encouragement, love and faith. So, be encouraged. Be positive, and encourage the people around you.
This year, Christmas morning will find me celebrating with friends at a tiny village church in Timberscombe, on Exmoor in Somerset. Wherever you are, my prayer for you and your loved ones is that you may be encouraged and enriched by the light and love and faith that is at the heart of the season.
And that, having been enriched in this way, you may be an encouragement to every one you meet in the coming year. Happy Christmas, everyone!
* Elwin Cockett is the former club chaplain of West Ham United FC. You may follow him on twitter/X at twitter.com/elwincockett and may read his all previous KUMB Christmas missives below.
Elwin's Previous KUMB Christmas Messages
2023: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=138338
2022: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=137634
2021: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=136564
2020: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=135155
2019: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=134157
2018: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=133120
2017: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=132003
2016: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=130615
2015: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129341
2014: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=128077
2013: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=127223
2012: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=126625
2011: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=125878
2010: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=124997
2008: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=123797
2007: https://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=122943
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