I’VE really enjoyed this summer.

Long, hot sunny days, followed by warm, relaxing evenings.

And it’s been glorious outside working hours too.

For once the sun hasn’t done a runner at the weekends so we really could make the most of the nice weather.

As well as the sunshine, this summer will also be remembered for Andy Murray winning Wimbledon – at last.

On a personal note I was lucky enough to relive the excitement of London 2012 when I visited the Olympic Stadium for the Anniversary Games and saw the legend that is Usain Bolt in action.

And just this week England retained the Ashes – it’s enough to put a smile on anyone’s face!

But something happened at the weekend that brought me back down to earth with a bump – and I realised autumn is just round the corner.

No, it wasn’t the torrential rain... or even noticing that the nights are drawing in again.

It was the arrival of my annual invitation to join hundreds of thousands of other starry-eyed hopefuls in the Daily Telegraph Fantasy Football league.

Yes, football’s back.

My weekends will soon be dictated by a series of kick-off times and, dependant on the results, so will my moods.

As fellow lovers of the beautiful game will testify, euphoria one minute can turn to complete devastation the next.

Get beat on a Saturday and it can totally change your social calendar – Match Of The Day becomes something you avoid like the plague rather than rush home from the pub for.

And while it’s a long time to wait to watch your team if they’re on Sky at 4pm on a Sunday, if the worst does happen you can take solace in the fact that it hasn’t ruined your entire weekend!

On the other hand, those precious three points or, even better, victory over your closest rivals, can put you on a cloud higher than nine.

Excitement, frustration, elation, despair, anger, joy... the myriad of emotions you suffer/enjoy as a football fan.

Why oh why do we put ourselves through it?

Probably because it’s our little ray of sunshine and keeps us warm on those long, dark, cold winter nights!