For 40 days and 40 nights Orthodox Christians will participate in a religious fast which is only to be broken at Easter. The ‘Great Fast’ is observed by many however in these modern times different people and families observe it in their own ways. Some fast only from meat, some only for a week, some observe the whole 40 days, and some make exceptions for exercise or sickness.

Many South fans are no different, and just recently South fans observed a great fast of their own, namely 10 days without football. This post takes a look at the spiritual sacrifices made by members of the South community as they honoured this football fast.

Pickleball

The most observant South followers are of course the players and the staff, who are compelled by the great power (money) to actually watch and sometimes even participate in every single match the club plays. Between the 3-0 loss to Dandenong Thunder and the 4-2 win against Dandenong City, players and coaches were relieved of their regular schedule (a game every second day) and instead wound down with a relaxed non-football training session featuring pickleball as advertised by the club socials. Did this contribute to the win against Dandenong City? We are of the opinion that it did and are now staunch advocates for future fasts of this nature. Why not squash before the next OFC Pro League Circuit, or table tennis before the Preston game? Perhaps the team could venture into more adventurous territory and experiment with athletics or even board games? Either way, it is clear that the less football at training, the better the football at match day.

Socceroos

Some confused fans may take the pause from regular South worship to experiment with other football denominations. The international calendar as we all know follows a different lunar cycle and offers curious adherents an alternative form of football worship. Yes, this denomination is better funded, and more supported both politically and culturally which some South fans find hard to accept. In fact, many of its great celebrations are prominent in the calendars of even non-believers! The World Cup for example is a time in which all pause and reflected on the beauty of the round ball game – not just South fans but even non-football fans, like those of Australian Rules, or pickleball for instance. However as is the case through the cycles, this year saw the calendars overlap with both the Socceroos and South fans observing match days at the same time. If you want to broaden your football horizons the Socceroos may offer an alternative view for you to peruse during the next South lent window.

Quiet Reflection – Internet style

Worship is no longer limited to the stadium these days and often these important break periods allow us the opportunity to further our South connection via considered and respectful debate and conversation. Places like Green and Gold FC, SMFC Fans Forum, X.com, Facebook and even YouTube may offer spaces for us to pass this football lent time. Here you can enjoy recurring conversations about promotion relegation, reasons to sack the board, and learn why every game South loses may in fact signal the end of the club. As is the case with most time on the internet it will soon become apparent that the end is near. How else can we really learn to appreciate life without understanding the ever-looming threat of death?

Family and Friends and grass and sky

Unfortunately for some of us, regular match-day services are our only regular connection to South with many people living non-South compliant lives once they return home. South-lent can therefore be a challenging and spiritually disruptive time for many who rather than partake in proper South-lent tradition forego their connection to the club entirely and spend time with family and friends to discuss non-South related things. Some apostates even choose to go outside, touch some grass and catch some sun in non-football related environments enjoying activities like picnics, walks or even hikes to fill the time in their non-football weekends. Let’s pause and hope these people return to the Blue and White

‘Cultural’ South fans

After the 10 days football fast we also see a high number of ‘cultural’ South fans enjoying the great football feasts – without necessarily adhering to the strict and proper cultural preperations. These fans only rock up to the big games, waiting until Christmas time for the Australian Championships or attending the big feats against Heidelberg and Preston. Of course, even their infrequent attendance is a point of hope for the adherent community. Many hope that these more casual observers may eventually see the light or even become more adherent in older age. If not, one must wonder who will be there in 10 years when we next play Dandenong City on a Tuesday night?

In conclusion

Of course the 10 day South break was a challenging time for all, however this important pause is a chance for us to reflect and cleanse ourselves. The reward for observing this fast is a more enjoyable feast day. As we triumphantly broke the fast at Lakeside this past Tuesday it was clear who enjoyed the feast the most, that was of course the most adherent South observers.

We wish you all strength for future South-lents and hope this guide helps you for our next great fast between September and October. For now thoughm we can thankfully return to regular services, which is like 12 games in April or some shit like that. See you in Fiji, or Dandenong or wherever we’re playing next.

Go South!