Football and faith: the importance of being present

Last weekend marked the FA Cup First Round Proper - a significant event as professional teams from Leagues One and Two enter the fray, often facing non-league and semi-professional squads that have battled through the qualifying rounds. For football fans, it can be both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

I was delighted when my team, Cambridge United, secured a close 1-0 victory against Woking. Sunday evening found me in my favourite armchair with a comforting cup of tea, eagerly tuned in to the BBC highlights programme. I looked forward to that forty-five-second recap of my club's hard-fought win. However, as the highlights dragged on - 90 minutes covering 40 matches - boredom overtook me. I fell asleep, blissfully unaware that my team had been drawn against Wigan at home in the second round.

It's curious - I've never dozed off while watching my team play, perhaps because we're hardly ever on television. However, I have been known to snooze during Premier League matches. If you're a supporter of one of those elite clubs, you might find it hard to understand how anyone could miss the spectacle offered by Arsenal, Liverpool, or Manchester City. But I assure you, there's a logic to my slumber. When you're nestled in your living room with a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit, even the most extraordinary players and coaches can lose their lustre.