So, here we are, at the end of a ten-month journey across England and Europe, with a toe even dipped ever-so briefly in Asia, which culminates with another walk of apprehensive excitement down Wembley Way.
With less to play for in the Premier League than we’d have hoped for in these last few weeks, attention has been firmly set on this date: Saturday 25 May.
It’s one of those moments in the schedule you keep free when the season begins. Plans for work, holidays, birthdays or whatever else are discussed and you can spot the football fan with ease — or at least the optimistic, switched-on ones.