The Great Stone Roses Mystery

I hate the Stone Roses. Always have.

I remember when “Stone Roses” (their debut album) came out. I was in my second year at Senior School. Everyone went mad for it. Except me. And my best mate.

We liked Bon Jovi/Kiss/Van Halen/Gun N Roses/Motley Crue and millions of other American hard rock bands. Never liked indie. Still don’t. Never will. And I’ve got the same best mate.

Last week, I did a lot of shouting at the tele when we were supposed to care about The Stone Roses cash in….sorry I mean reunion.

“Who cares”, I yelled. Turns out, everybody seemed too. Except me. And my best mate. And my brother (who was only six at the time the debut came out, so probably didn’t have an opinion.)

There were people at the Sexy Football Offices who were buying tickets for this nonsense. They were by turns gutted when they didn’t get the first night, suicidal when they didn’t get the second night and punched the air when they got the third sorted.

I was cast in my usual role as office curmudgeon when I suggested I would help them get their money back, and also offered that they might want to join the fan club next time (my Iron Maiden membership means I can get tickets before anyone else. Very handy.)

Even odder is the fact that these tickets are going for small fortunes on Ebay . Hundreds of pounds is changing hands. Just briefly, I admit, Sexyfootball.org.uk considered entering the ticket touting business, but it never came off.

All of which proves that there is a potential for people to allow themselves to be ripped off in ridiculous ways if they are passionate about something. Something is, I guess, worth whatever you want to pay for it but that doesn’t mean you can’t shop around for the best deal. Premier League Football isn’t worth £50, but you don’t get the shop around option there, you pay whatever you are told by what amounts to a cartel.

Which is the key difference in 5 a side and 6 a side football. There are some good deals if you look – and that’s where we come in.

And if you didn’t get tickets for the Stone Roses then whilst we I can’t offer sympathy, I can offer solace. My aforementioned best mates little lad is three this week and I will wager you right now that by the time he’s in his second year at Senior School they’ll be back round for a another cash in…I mean reunion.

I am pleased to say that the then 13 year old won’t care. He likes Queen, Rory Gallagher and Joe Satriani, and Thomas the Tank Engine. He’ll grow out of the latter, but probably not the former. Its only rock n roll but he likes it.

It’s just better when it’s cheap.