With that in mind and in an attempt to keep the blog ticking over, these are the 'Top 10' games which I've enjoyed the most this year...
10. SLOVAN BRATISLAVA 2-0 SPARTAK TRNAVA - Sunday 3rd March
This makes the list for no reason other than it was the first match in Slovakia's new national stadium.
It was close to a sell-out and a 'grudge match' as Spartak Trnava are the second most successful club in the country, with Slovan Bratislava being the first.
The game wasn't a classic (both goals came in the second half) but there was a lot of pre-match razzmatazz, etc, with a light show, balloons, kids on the pitch with flags, etc. During the second half, the ultras unveiled flares and a banner which translated to 'Welcome to Hell' - such lovely folk.
They also blatantly aimed monkey chants at a Trnava player taking a throw-in, but it went underreported because these things tend to happen quite frequently in Central/Eastern Europe. However, it came as no surprise when they were forced to a play a game behind closed doors in the UEFA Europa League earlier this season, for committing a similar offence.
9. SALFORD CITY 0-4 FOREST GREEN ROVERS - Saturday 28th September
An absolutely outstanding performance by the away team and one which convinced me they'll get promoted from League Two this season.
On a stereotypical wet day in Greater Manchester, the visitors dominated, out-passed and out-classed Salford and it was impossible to get the ball off them. They were two goals clear quite early on, 3-0 up by the half-hour mark, and then added a fourth in the second half.
Aaron Collins, who I once scored an absolute screamer for Notts County against Boreham Wood, bagged in this game and set up another before doing a daft goal celebration.
Salford fans dished out plenty of criticism towards Graham Alexander and their own players, but did at least come up with a witty chant 'Stop eating our grass!' aimed at their vegan-loving visitors.
8. DONCASTER ROVERS 0-2 CRYSTAL PALACE - Sunday 17th February
A monumental day where the TV cameras flocked to the Keepmoat Stadium though there was no cup upset.
It was the FA Cup Fifth Round (Last 16) - the first time Rovers had reached this stage in something like half a century, it was a sell-out and had all the razzmatazz to go with it.
Palace won comfortably enough with Jeffrey Schlupp scoring early on, but the key moment was when Max Meyer doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time. From that point, Donny never looked likely to get back into it, but there was a proud moment for Rieves Boocock when he came on as a late substitute.
I also took a brilliant panoramic photo before kick-off too, which I'm still proud about now.
7. BURY 3-1 NORTHAMPTON TOWN - Monday 22nd April
A game which has since proved to be the penultimate Football League fixture that was played at Gigg Lane.
It was Easter Monday, the weather was absolutely glorious, and there was a lingering smell of smoke in the air as there'd been moorland bush fires over the previous weekend. Northampton boss Keith Curle, somewhat oddly, also had a brand new car delivered to the ground about an hour before kick-off.
Bury's problems were documented at this stage though it hadn't quite become a big topic of discussion amongst football fans - that was yet to come.
Andy Williams put the visitors ahead after a sluggish start before Chris Stokes quickly levelled. Danny Mayor put Bury into the lead midway through the second half, then Nicky Maynard scored in injury-time to seal the win.
The result meant the Shakers moved back into an automatic promotion spot - again, something which has since proved to be a contentious topic given what happened over the following months!
6. DONCASTER ROVERS 2-0 COVENTRY CITY - Saturday 4th May
The day when Doncaster Rovers secured a play-off place and there was a partisan, albeit somewhat nasty, atmosphere in the South Stand with some idiots fighting with stewards.
There were plenty of sub-plots given the other team hoping for a top six berth was Peterborough United, who had sacked Grant McCann a year or so before and they now had Darren Ferguson as manager.
On the pitch, Kieran Sadlier struck an opener on the half-hour mark before John Marquis extinguished any lingering doubts of a successful afternoon with a second goal with five minutes to go.
It meant more wild scenes and a pitch invasion at the final whistle.
5. SCUNTHORPE UNITED (U18s) 1-2 DONCASTER ROVERS (U18s) - Friday 27th September
This was by far the most enjoyable youth team game which I've seen this season as it was a comeback victory which also put an end to a poor run of form.
The weather was wild and wonderful throughout and it was a new ground for me with the game being played at Winterton Rangers.
Scunny led courtesy of a great set-piece strike and although Junior Smith equalised before half-time, a massive improvement was needed in the performance at that point.
In a pleasant surprise after the break, the lads raised their game and Jack Watson converted a penalty to get the three points. Will McGowan was also stretchered off with a neck injury which meant there was also a boat load of added time, too.
It was a great win and just gave everyone the boost they needed.
4. CHARLTON ATHLETIC 2-3 DONCASTER ROVERS - Friday 17th May
One of them nights where, although Charlton progressed, you couldn't help but applaud the efforts of the Donny players who were absolutely outstanding and played their part in a nail-biting play-off classic.
The game reminded me a lot of England's Euro '96 semi-final - penalties coming after Rovers had fought back from two goals behind on aggregate. John Marquis bagged again in extra-time before Charlton equalised, then came the 'if only he'd connected' moment when someone (can't remember who) just missed getting on the end of an inviting ball across the goalmouth deep into extra-time.
Due to train times and potential problems, I rushed around the ground and witnessed the penalty shoot-out from the home end where Tommy Rowe's missed effort ultimately proved decisive.
Again, despite losing, the Rovers players were absolutely magnificent. It's a shame (albeit not surprising when put into context) that the team broke up so quickly in the aftermath.
The song which always reminds me of this game is 'Run Boy Run' by Woodkid which, up to a few years ago, was used on the title sequence for Sky Sports' play-off coverage.
3. NEWCASTLE UNITED 3-2 EVERTON - Saturday 9th March
A highly-entertaining game as Newcastle came from two goals behind to win their fifth straight home game and wipe the smirk off Jordan Pickford's little face.
The England 'keeper was sticking his tongue out when the Toffees led 2-0 on the hour mark - a lead which was fortuitous as their first goal was dubious and the Toon weren't playing badly.
However, Salomon Rondon pulled one back before Ayoze Perez scored a quickfire double in the closing stages; the second of which was absolutely miles offside. The three points were another massive step towards securing safety and Newcastle's best home form in the top flight since the 2003/04 season.
Despite perfect blue skies, it was absolutely f**king freezing as well!
2. NEWCASTLE UNITED 2-1 MANCHESTER CITY - Tuesday 29th January
A night when St James' Park was absolutely bouncing as Newcastle inflicted an unexpected defeat for Man City which should have cost them the title.
I joked beforehand to the geezer sat next to me that it might still be 0-0 after 30 seconds, but even that proved untrue as Sergio Aguero scored with the first attack of the game.
A second goal was disallowed, which upset Pep Guardiola big style, before Rafa Benitez's black and whites fought back with Salomon Rondon equalising before Matt Ritchie converted a spot-kick after a lengthy delay. Tensions and nerves were high during the closing minutes but the hosts hung on.
The final whistle was met by huge cheers and celebrations (comparable to the Everton game mentioned above). It turned out to be the only time City dropped points in the second part of the 2018/19 campaign as they battled back to win the Premier League ahead of Liverpool.
1. ASTON VILLA 2-1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION - Saturday 11th May
An absolutely rip-roaring, roller-coaster of a play-off semi-final and easily the best atmosphere I've experienced in this country in a long while.
I was very, very, very lucky to get a ticket (in the Doug Ellis Stand) and Villa Park was just full of pure noise, passion and utter adrenaline for 90 minutes with those flame-throwing machines and flags draping from the stands beforehand creating a f**king brilliant atmosphere.
Villa took some time to get going as Dwight Gayle's penalty put WBA ahead, but they slowly got back into it and finally equalised through Conor Hourihane with a quarter-of-an-hour to go. They were absolutely roared on at this point and after Jack Grealish was brought down, Tammy Abraham scored the resulting penalty to provoke more wild celebrations.
There were no further goals though Gayle was red carded late on which meant he missed the second leg. With him, it could have been a very different outcome in that game.
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