In 1988, when we won the Simod Cup at Wembley, our ambition burned brightly. Then we were relegated!!! So started our new ten year cycles for the next three decades. Relegations occurred in 1988, 1998 and 2008. Looking ahead today, would our next relegation occur in 2018? Considering that now, in 2012, we have just been promoted to the Premier League, does this mean that we will spend the next six years in the Premier League?
I say, why not? Consider that the first iteration we were in the third tier for 6 years and then 4 years in the second tier and flip that over to 4 years in the second tier and 6 years in the top tier. A perfect symmetry. Would have been more symmetrical if the years between 1998 and 2008 had been 4 years in third tier, 2 years in second tier and 4 years in the top tier. But hey, I'd take the 4-4-2! It looks like growing pains here. We're growing into a great club, I say.
Ok, you say, 6 years in the Premier League, what about beyond that? Do we go back to being an ordinary club? I was thinking about that, we were in the second tier between 1986 and 1988, so I reasoned that we would spend two years in the Football League Championship after our possible relegation in 2018 and return to the Premier League. And beyond that? That was the point when I started to chuckle to myself. Because before 1986, we were mostly in the third tier with a couple of visits to the basement. What's above the Premier League? Europe. We're oxf*rd going to Europe!!!
I was also thinking about the years between 1998 and 2008, it doesn't look symmetrical. What's so different? We moved into the Madejski Stadium, I think. Let's just say, before 1998, we were like a little and unloved ugly caterpillar and after that we transformed into a growing beautiful butterfly that got bigger and bigger and has become loved by everybody.....
