It doesn't seem five minutes ago that the Albion faithful were speeding back from Grimsby on May 4 having been relegated from Division One.

But tomorrow, the new fixtures are published, optimism will kick in and last season's disappointments will seem a dim and distant memory.

If the premium bonds computer is called Ernie then the fixtures machine should be named Burke.

Albion's visit to Norwich on Boxing Day last season was a case in point, how many marital arguments did that one cause?

I would prefer all long-distance trips to be during months when the weather is fine and will not relish midweek visits to places like Wrexham, Grimsby and Hartlepool.

There is an unconfirmed rumour going round on the internet that the opening game on August 9 is Wrexham away. If it is, I won't complain.

I don't want much - nice, easy away trips in November, December and January (Peterborough, Luton, Swindon, Wycombe, Colchester and Bristol City would be nice) - Boxing Day at home to QPR, a New Year's Day jaunt to Dean Court, with the Withdean return on Easter Monday and, of course, Loftus Road on Easter Saturday.

That's not too much to ask, even from a computer, is it?

After losing on points after 15 rounds to Michael Spinks in 1985, thus falling one short of equalling Rocky Marciano's record of 49 straight wins, Larry Holmes conceded it had been one fight too many.

Eighteen years on and a similar scenario beckons this weekend when Lennox Lewis climbs into the ring in Los Angeles, at the age of 37, to fight Vitlali Klitschko after 12 months of inactivity.

There's no doubting Lewis is the greatest heavyweight of his generation, but he also has flaws. He has been in a number of lack-lustre title fights and been knocked out twice by sub-standard opponents who weren't even household names in their own homes.

But he recovered from those blips and, after beating Mike Tyson, banished all arguments about his credibility as a world champion.

What can possibly motivate a man, three years away from his 40th birthday with £100m in the bank, to carry on fighting? I don't want him to go down the Holmes route. Lewis should have retired straight after his victory against Tyson. That would have been a fitting and dignified way to end an illustrious career.

At least Lewis is not yet into fantasy boxing, which cannot be said of his old adversary Frank Bruno.

Big Frank claims he has three fights left in him and says he wants to come back and beat Audley Harrison, Mike Tyson and then Lewis. Panto has more credibility than this ridiculous and sad idea.

The new Twenty20 Cup is the shot in the arm domestic cricket desperately needs. It's exciting and doesn't have the 'watching grass grow' image unkindly bestowed on the game in recent years.

The first home fixture is tonight against Middlesex, followed by Essex on Saturday. In between, there's the bonus of a day/nighter against the South African tourists on Friday.

If you're a cricket newcomer or the kids have never been before, don't think about it, just go!

You won't regret it and I'll wager the kids will want to go again.