AS THE football season kicks off again, can I put forward a word on behalf of the long suffering families of people, regardless of which team they support, who are about to endure approximately another eight months of torture.

At the moment our bathroom is in need of a complete overhaul. It needs new wall-covering, storage units, carpet, blinds etc etc. Ditto the tiles that need putting up again in the kitchen. I am seriously thinking of running a book as to when these jobs will get done.

I live with two people whose whole lives revolve around sport -- mainly football. Both have season tickets, luckily for the same team. I have known them to attend a live game on Saturday, come home and watch highlights on television which they record and then watch the recording. Then there are the other games on TV, Spanish, Italian football and a whole host of European and various Cup games. Sunday lunch is often eaten from a tray as there are often three consecutive games on television, so I wonder why recently was a lot of money spent on redecorating our dining room?

So where does that leave me and countless others? I can sit in another room and watch a programme which is more to my liking, but if football is on Sky this is impossible unless I buy another package. If I remain in the same room as them I must not distract their viewing except to brew up at half time or when required.

So to all you sports lovers in Lancashire Evening Telegraph land, enjoy your sport whatever it might be. May your teams be successful but please remember those who do not share your sporting interests. They have a right not only to the TV but they would like to be included in what goes on at and in the home. And maybe do something that they would like sometimes.

JEAN C LEWIS, Ernlouen Close, Blackburn.