I can't let today go by without mentioning that this is officially the second birthday of Ooh Betis, which feels like something of an achievement for us all. That's two years, 877 posts and close on 60,000 page views - so, a mere dot on the landscape of the blogosphere, but one that's growing steadily all the time. I once knew all the readers by name (Dan, Rob and Kent); by contrast, on the day promotion was confirmed in May we had almost 600 page views.
Although I started writing about Betis purely for my own amusement, I can't pretend it hasn't been gratifying to pick up regular readers along the way - some of whom I now consider proper friends, whether or not I've actually met them. (Spanish acquaintances are never less than stunned to hear that there are people who come over from England two or three times a season to see the verdiblancos in action. "Pero - ¿vienen solo para ver el Beti'? ¡Que arte!")
Most of all, though, I'd like to thank the readers of Ooh Betis for being, without exception, so damn nice. The last thing I wanted was for this to become a place where anglophone Béticos raged bitterly about how much they hate Arzu/Sevilla/anything else, so I'm really pleased that everyone seems to agree that supporting el Betis manque pierda means accepting the club's ups and downs with (mostly) good grace and a sense of humour. Writing in English about Real Betis Balompié might have started out as a bit of fun, but after two years it has turned into a total privilege.
Just wanna say thanks for what you do. Reading your updates keeps me in the loop and I'm now a Betis fan for life. I'll even be wearing my Betis jerseys (I have 4 now) when I'm living in the US where very few know who we are.
Posted by: Roman | Wednesday, 13 July 2011 at 07:02 PM
Happy Birthday Oh Betis from Dublin.
Posted by: irmantas | Wednesday, 13 July 2011 at 07:27 PM
Feliz cumpleanos ooh betis from Norwich
Thanks for the last 2 years. Great to see that there are so many bloggers.
Posted by: Daniel Petchey | Wednesday, 13 July 2011 at 08:03 PM
Happy birthday from Ireland !!
Posted by: Beticoirlandés | Wednesday, 13 July 2011 at 08:57 PM
Congratulations with 2 years of Ooh Betis from Holland.Everyday I look at your blog for some Betis news.Betis is a great club.
Keep up the good work!!
Posted by: Mathieu | Wednesday, 13 July 2011 at 09:42 PM
Hi.This is the place that I visit every single day for more then year and a half.I am 21 years old from Split,Croatia and a Betico since I was 12.Im not sure why I love Betis so MUCHO but Im proud that I do.It has to be a destiny
Posted by: Karlo | Wednesday, 13 July 2011 at 10:47 PM
felicidades ooh beti!
Posted by: ahsan | Thursday, 14 July 2011 at 10:06 AM
You're the one doing all the work for "us" after all. Even on vacation, my 4 yr old taunts my 7 yr old about how Betis are a better side than Chelsea...in our dreams kid! I wouldn't suffer any other way. I can imagine this site becoming a nearly full time job. Thanks, it's much appreciated from very far away. (And may fat "el tanque" go suck at Rovers and bring us more $!)
Posted by: Kent | Thursday, 14 July 2011 at 04:41 PM
Happy birthday Ooh Betis, the "more than incredible Betis blog in English"! I'm so glad I found this blog, but wish I had found it 2 years sooner!
Posted by: Theresa | Thursday, 14 July 2011 at 04:50 PM
Adam, just keep doing what you are doing. It is a delight to read your blog!
Posted by: Arch Bell | Thursday, 14 July 2011 at 05:13 PM
Even though Spanish is my first language and I regularly read Betis news from the Sevilla / Spain sport websites, your Ooh Betis blog is one of my regular daily stops to read your interesting analysis.
Thanks for your hard work. Keep it up!
Posted by: NYC Bético | Thursday, 14 July 2011 at 05:36 PM
Yes, keep up the great work Adam. We visit you practically every day! Remember to look out for the Betis scarves hanging over the 2nd tier near the corner flag at the City of Manchester Stadium if you catch a City game on the box. Thanks once again for your help whilst we were in Seville. We're hoping to get over for a game again during the forthcoming season.
Posted by: Andy | Thursday, 14 July 2011 at 10:30 PM
Fantastic stuff Adam, keep up the excellent work. We're looking to see Betis at some point during the season so we might have to give you a shout!
- The guys from spanishfootball.info
Posted by: David | Friday, 15 July 2011 at 12:36 AM
This is my fav. website, and my only source for Betis news, since i don't speak spanish. So congratulations and thanks :)
Betis fan since '98 from Denmark.
Posted by: Julian | Friday, 15 July 2011 at 10:43 AM
Can’t believe I’ve only just spotted this blog. I’ve added it to my favourites now though so don’t plan to miss out!
Happy ‘belated’ Birthday Ooh Betis and I look forward to your future blogs
Betis fan from Bristol, England
Posted by: Nick | Friday, 15 July 2011 at 03:55 PM
Thanks to everyone for all the kind words. Here's to another year together - but this time in Primera!
Posted by: Adam | Saturday, 16 July 2011 at 04:33 PM
Hey Adam
I agree with all the others. You´re doing amazing stuff with this blog. Thanks a lot for all the great posts.
Posted by: Kasper from betis.dk | Sunday, 17 July 2011 at 01:20 PM