Well, if anyone predicted that Torquay United would lose a play-off final on penalties after their goalkeeper scored an last gasp equaliser in injury time, then I think Nostradamus would like his glasses back.
However, that was the exact scenario when the Gulls faced Hartlepool United in the National League play-off final at Ashton Gate - the home of manager Gary Johnson's former club, Bristol City - last June. United's Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Covolan emulated his fellow compatriot Allison, who did the same for Liverpool, when he headed the Gulls level against the Pools in the 95th minute. While Covolan did help to force the game into extra time, and saved two penalties in the following sudden death shoot out, United fell to a 5-4 loss on penalties - thus ensuring that they remain in the National League.
If you found the idea of a keeper scoring from open bizarre enough, the same could also be said for Joe Lewis' goal in their 5-0 win over Wealdstone in October. The former Wales Under-21 centre back, who was also one of United's four successful spot-kick takers in Bristol, won the ball inside inside his own half before rushing the full length of the pitch to score with a shot from 25-yards - not a goal which would be typically by a central defender.
Elsewhere, across the South West there was the sad news of the tragic death of Yeovil Town captain Lee Collins in late March. The inquest into his death returned a verdict of suicid after Collins, who had previously appeared for Port Vale, Northampton Town and Forest Green Rovers amongst others, was found dead in his hotel room by Glovers' assistant manager Terry Skiverton.
Plymouth Argyle now have a new manager after Ryan Lowe left Home Park to take charge of Preston North End. Lowe was replaced by assistant manager Steven Schumacher, who takes on his first job in senior management.
In 2021, Tiverton Town joint-manager Martyn Rogers announced that he would be standing down from his position from the Southern Premier South side, only to return to his role a few months later.
All of these events, of course, happened against the continuing back drop of a Covid-19 pandemic - which hopefully we will see the beginning of the end of as we head into 2022.
As well as the death of Lee Collins, we also said goodbye of a number of other figures who served the game in the far South West with distinction. Collins' namesake Tony Collins, the first black player ever to have appeared for Torquay United, who also led Rochdale to the 1962 League Cup final, died in February.
Former Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Ufton and one-time Torquay assistant manager Alan Slough passed away in the following March. In April, former Gulls loanee Alan McLoughlin, who scored the goal that took the Republic of Ireland to the 1994 World Cup left us April, as did ex Exeter City manager Colin Appleton.
In July, former England international Paul Mariner, who played for and managed Plymouth Argyle succumbed to a brain tumour. His death was followed in the same month by another ex-England international who managed in Devon in former Exeter City manager Terry Cooper.
These are all people who added to the game and helped to bring joy to the teams that they played for and managed, and perhaps that's what we need to remember about football as we head into 2022 - that it's a game to be enjoyed.
