Post by gazz on Dec 5, 2013 2:35:42 GMT
Birch Vale and Thornsett Amateur Football Club. (now known as New Mills FC)
bringbacklenwhite
My first ever senior team appearances (aged 15) were made for them at the High Hill Road ground. A sloping pitch that needed the cows driven off before each game. Primary School debut in goals for Hayfield also made here against Thornsett School (lost 0-5 !).
Second team debut (again in goals) in the Stockport and District Sunday School League best remembered for being looked after by Ben Burgess' Dad. As our centre forward he would come back for corners to protect me. First corner resulted in me finishing up in the back of the net still clutching the ball having been bulldozed there by the opposition. As I climbed out of the goal I heard the immortal phrase spoken by Ben's Dad - Clutching the opposition number 9 by the throat, he asked "Have you ever effing woken up surrounded by an effing crowd ? Because if you effing touch our effing keeper again you effing will !!".
First team debut (and only ever appearance for the 1sts) lasted 17 minutes. Lancashire and Cheshire League level - The opposing midfield was sent off and he refused to go. This resulted in the referee abandoning the game at 0-0. Thus, starting and ending my BV and T AFC career all in less than half an hour and being the only goalkeeper never to have conceded for them.
The team took over from New Mills FC when they went into liquidation and a meteoric rise has seen them recently gain promotion to the Evo Stick League 1 (Southern Division) where they are holding their own.
Fond memories of grass roots football.
Brighton Away - 22nd August 2009
sandbachhatter
This has to be one of my most enjoyable and poignant away trips of all time.
Myself, Captain Beefheart and a friend of mine (let's call him Tim - because that's his name) set off from Sandbach Towers at around 7.30am on the Saturday morning and due to some luck with the traffic we had parked up at our Jury's Inn, checked in (as best we could - had to get changed into our County shirts in the car park) and were sat on the pier in glorious sunshine sipping our first pints by 10.30am.
This was miraculous. Not because of the traffic, but because it took us almost as long to find the beachfront from the hotel as it had done to drive from Sandbach.
Tim, God love him, had suggested at one point that we 'follow the seagulls' in order to find the beach. When confronted with the question "Do seagulls fly towards the sea or away from it?" Tim had to accept he hadn't the foggiest. It was a moot point anyway as they appeared to be flying in circles.
So, Captain Beefheart decided to ask in a nearby shop. He wandered into what seemed to be some sort of pharmacy and approached the only sales assistant who was stacking shelves whilst up one of those ye olde ladders on wheels. The sales assistant in question had long legs and long blonde hair, presumably why Beefy selected this particular establishment in the first place and, despite being in a long-term committed relationship, decided to open his conversation with "All right darling? Which way to the beach?"
Naturally when the sales assistant turned round to reveal she was in fact a fella with facial hair (I never did get the name of his shampoo and conditioner as even I was fooled), Beefy let out a little yelp of shock and legged it.
Anyway, we found our way to the beach and got our pints on the pier. Glorious day and, for once, we were mildly optimistic about the result.
We found the ground, eventually, having taken a slightly dodgy country path, and went for another pre-match pint in the sports bar at the ground (I forget the name). I'd arranged to meet Only Grey (Misunderestimaterised in old money) and sure enough he hobbled in having only recently had surgery to his back. Committment. That's what we like to see.
Little did I know that in a few months time I'd be walking into the offices of Leonard Curtis with him to meet with our then adminstrators. The rest, as they say, is history. Or at least it will be until we get to 'K' and 'M' on here and I can have my say about Kennedy and Maguire respectively.
So, off to the game which involved walking past the long and triple jump sand pits behind the away end. We tried to pursuade a friendly looking steward to lets us have a go (I once did quite well in the triple jump at a school sports day due to my 6'4" height) but alas, he wasn't having it. He did promise to check with his supervisor before half time but had understandably legged it by the time we got there shortly after the whistle had gone to end the first half.
Unusually, I won't go into the game itself, suffice to say we won 4-2, Oli Johnson scored a belting solo-effort and Bridcutt got sent off. All in all, a good game - despite the fact we were half a mile from the pitch (see photo which follows).
I also got sunburnt it was that nice a day.
At full time we began to head out of the ground/race track and were pondering whether to take the longer, but safer, main road or the woodland short cut we had taken on the way there.
"I don't mind going up the back way" said Tim.
"F***ing hell, you can't say that with this lot around!" said Beefy, gesturing at the large hoards of home fans who were suitably annoyed at having just been beaten 4-2 at home. It turns out that "a big bunch of nancy boys" can be pretty intimidating when you're outnumbered 10-1. Still we made it back safely and had a really good night out afterwards.
I suspect it wouldn't have been anywhere near as much fun in sleet and snow on a cold January evening, but I actually quite liked Brighton's Withdean Stadium. It certainly had character.
"Blackadder's Blue 'n White Army"
Sir Roger
McStay: Don't worry Mr. G, I have a cunning plan to solve the problem
Mr. G: Yes, McStay, let us not forget that you tried to "solve the problem", by trying to move across the sea to Derry City, did you not?
McStay: A mistake Mr. G, a simple mistake, anyway, your thoughts on Tom Elliot. What a player, half way to being the new Liam Dickinson
Mr. G: Why only half way?
McStay: Well, he's still young and raw.
Mr. G: Leave him to me, I'll make a player out of him and then we'll sell him.
Lord Snape (pops in): Sell?, Never!, I'm the Chairman, Mr. G, I'm a Lord, a roarer, a rogerer, a gorger and a puker, I'm firm buttocked, Im.....
Mr. G: Broke?
Lord Snape: Well, yes, I suppose so.
Mr. G: Paul Turnbull is out of favour at Northampton, but.....
McStay: What's up with him?
Mr. G: Get me more coffee!, it's horrid!, change it!, take me from behind! no, not like that, like this!, trousers off!, tackle out! walk the pitbull!, where's my mate Tansey!
McStay: All right!, which one do you want me to do first?
Mr. G: No, not you, you fool, that's what Turnbull's like!
Mr. G: Have you ever been to Burnley, McStay?
McStay: No, but I've often thought I'd like to.
Mr. G: Well don't, it's a ghastly place. Huge gangs of half witted inbred roam the streets terrorising people and counting each others fingers. Never ask for directions in Burnley, McStay, you'll be wandering around for days.
Mr. G: It's a crisis, McStay, a crisis I tell you!, no decent players, no money and we've got Luton away coming up next. For the first time in my life, I'm following someone else's suggestion, which just so happens to be yours, we're venturing up to Scotland.
McStay: Oh sir, you're not going to Motherwell again, are you?
Glennon (pops in): Take me with you to live a life of the wild rogue, cuddling under the haystacks and making love in the branches of tall trees.
Mr. G: Matty, sadly I must decline.
Mr. G: At times you amaze me, McStay
McStay: Oh that's alright, thank you, sir.
Mr. G: Have you no idea what irony is?
McStay: Yeah!, It's like goldy and bronzy, only it's made of iron
Mr. G: Start the car, McStay
McStay: Lord Snape has taken it, something to do with the budget and cutbacks.
Mr. G: We shall stay and save the Club and take it back to better days!, McStay
McStay: Oh good!, shall I stick the kettle on?
Mr G: Yes please, McStay
McStay: One lump or Two?
Mr. G: I told you, Chadwick and Blackburn have gone!
Mr G: Say good night, McStay.
McStay: Goodnight McStay.
Bristol Rovers Away - Tuesday March 2nd, 2010
bigfudge
This game had been postponed from a few weeks beforehand and stupidly, myself, my mates Dave, Sargey, Liam and Paddy all went along in the same car, we were happily pootling along but soon time starting catching up on us and we scheduled to make a stop just South of Birmingham but we realised that we would most likely be late for the game if we stopped so we decided to carry on right through, it was around this time when Sargey decided that he could no longer hold his bladder and with the rush we decided not to stop with our friend deciding to use a bottle to go in, Paddy decided to hold a coat up to protect us from the sight (and splashback!) when the bottle was full and his bladder empty, he decided to throw it out of the window without putting the lid back on and as soon as the bottle was out of the window all of his 'waste' splashed out onto the back window (it was one of those fancy 7-seaters).
Upon arrival at precisely 7:41pm with 4 minutes to spare we got into the ground and took up our positions with the rest of the 67 fans who had travelled down (bringing it up to 72) and watched County lose 1-0 but not for a lack of trying, we actually played very well that day but just found the Rovers keeper in inspired form.
On the way home way got into a very heated ABC game, the one where you have to pick someone/thing from the category given, for example Goalkeepers, for A, you may say, Anders Lindegaard etc. and every other letter seemed to cause some sort of argument before we were made to stop playing by Dave because the arguing was driving him up the wall!
We finally got back at 1am after one of the best away days I've ever had, just goes to show, football really does get in the way of an away day!
Bung
bringbacklenwhite
Former currency of the now defunct First Division. A sweetener.
It usually consisted of a brown envelope containing many low denomination notes of various dubious backgrounds - invariably green in colour.
Transactions could only take place at Motorway Service Stations (usually under a table) by managers/representatives whose name was always prefixed by the word "Big". as in "Big Stan".
Once described as "a bit like a cinema hot dog - everyone knows they exist but no one admits to ever having one".
These have now been replaced by dollars in an assortment of middle eastern coinage.
Birmingham away
dudleyhatter
FA cup 4th round January 1998
Went to the game with my in-laws, they had blues scarves out their side of the car I had county scarf out my side. Got a few funny looks I must say. Walked up to the ground together then I turned into the away section to see a host of coaches. Always a good sight! We were in the top tier of their old railway end which had a fantastic pitched roof giving reverb on any singing! We played okay but then Bretty Angell got sent off and then came that sickening moment when three quarters of the ground cheers. Details go a bit sketchy but we then had a second player sent off. The backing of the fans was incredible and then yes YES.....YEEEESSSS we equalised. 9 men, we only need 9 men was sung deliriously by one and all. Of course being County we then conceded a late goal and went out but boy was it in a glorious way.
'B'...
hatter in macc
... is very much Macc Junior's letter, so far as CHAOS is concerned, for his first-ever County match (at three months old) was away at Blackpool, and the first player whose name he learned (slightly later on!) was Briggsy.
I think that I may have told on here before the story of when the little 'un was Match-mascot, but it bears repeating...
As the match - against Grimsby, at the tail-end of 2006 - and his third birthday approached, Macc Junior's excitement focused on being able to run out on the pitch with the Briggsman, who, at the time, was skippering the side. Unfortunately, however, his hero proceeded to break a leg in the Boxing Day fixture which immediately preceded it! Mrs Macc and I then deliberated long and hard about whether to deliver the crushing news to our lad just days before his moment of glory - and decided not to, on the basis that if Briggsy wasn't there, Macc Junior might very well not want to be either.
And yet, when the day itself dawned, we realised that we had given ourselves something of a dilemma, as the birthday-boy, on arriving at EP and meeting the players, would be sure to ask where his hero was. During our pre-match tour of the ground, and with my courage fuelled by a couple of early-afternoon drinks, I hit on the idea of asking the stand-in Captain - Tony Dinning - to pretend, in front of the Mascot, that he was not TD but, rather, KB.
The moment for the Mascot's entourage to visit the home dressing-room arrived, and, on being introduced to 'Dindo', I begged the favour of him. He initially looked at me as if I were quite mad, but kindly, and not to mention thankfully, agreed without further hesitation to go along with the deception. TD was a proper star that day - despite one or two of his team-mates winding him up in the players' tunnel with shouts of "Way aye, Briggsy!" - and helped ensure that there was one very happy Mascot, running onto the hallowed (ok, soggy) turf, too.
Not only that, but a belter of a match it proved to be: County had it sewn up early on against ten men, eventually winning 3-0 and being able to afford a missed Dicko penalty into the bargain. Perhaps we should put 'lucky' Macc Junior's name on the list for another Mascot appearance any time soon...hell, he's eight now - he could bring his boots as well!
Bringbacklenwhite
bringbacklenwhite
Here I am, named after the County hero of the late 1960's (goal scorer extraordinaire) signed from Newcastle in the end stages of his illustrious career. Sadly died in the 1990's - hence the forlorn hope in my username.
Educated - Hayfield Primary, New Mills Grammar and Loughborough Colleges. Wasted (?) teenage years playing cricket and football instead of studying hard. Rejected by Bolton and Rotherham as being too small to be a professional goalkeeper (5ft 10ins) i.e. not good enough- so trained as a PE teacher and became a "professional sportsman".
Taught in Coventry and Blackpool areas, switching to Primary Education when the knees packed. Coached at District Boys level in Coventry and various school teams up until April last year. Played up to minor semi-pro level in Cheshire League Reserves (Hyde Utd Res) and West Midlands League (Hinckley Ath) many, many years ago.
Retired from teaching in 2009 after 18 yrs as a Head and now play golf, walk the dog, set up courses for school leaders and act as School's Liaision Officer for the Blackpool FC Community Trust. Also the President of North West Region of National Association of Headteachers.
Life is brilliant and sport is good for you despite my list of injuries - perforated eardrum, split cheekbone, broken nose, dislocated shoulder, 2 missing teeth, heart attack (with quad by-pass), 2 broken fingers, laminectomy on a herniated back disc, hernia, 2 dodgy knees and a fallen arch. Nicknamed - Lucky.
CH allows me to keep in touch with all that is County and I love bantering with all you young guns out there. Highlight of the week has to be Sandy's quiz and Downey's Prediction league followed closely by reading all your budding poetic efforts in the limerick Competition.
Brinnington (Away)
bringbacklenwhite
Any game in the Brinnington area resulted in us always parking the cars in Merseyway car park and travelling in by bus.
No one was prepared to have their aerials, wing mirrors and tyres removed by the locals during the game.
Apologies to anyone from Brinnington but I am talking about 40 odd years ago.
Bramhall Victoria
downunderhatter
Unknown (Please feel free to claim this one if it's yours)
Where do I begin with this lot? Definitely not my most hated team (you’ll have to wait until the letter ‘F’ for that) but a very close second.
“Why’s that downy?” I hear you ask. Well maybe this is on the wrong thread and it might be only an irrational dislike but I’ll try to explain.
They were always knocking about with my team at the bottom end of the SDSFL and we did have some decent games against them.
Exhibit (a)
They had a centre-back called Arthur who played for them who was older than our back four’s ages combined. But the guy could play. Very frustrating.
Exhibit (b)
They had a young guy in midfield who wore a polo-necked shirt under his top (irritating enough you’d think?) but he went into a pretty robust challenge with my fellow centre-back and after a few handbags, came out with, “Do you know who I am?” To which our CB said, “No.” “Ask your mate,” came the reply and pointed to our centre-mid, implying that he would know him as he was some Stockport hard-man or something. So the CB goes over to the CM and says, “Do you know who he is?” The reply was swift and direct, “Haven’t got a clue.”
Exhibit (c)
They had a striker called Soapy who wasn’t a bad player but he could whinge for England. By half-time, in one game, there was only me out our back 4 plus keeper who hadn’t been booked for fouls on him. In the second-half he got me booked and then tried to get anyone he could sent off. An unforgivable way to behave.
Exhibit (d)
In 1997/98, my team had our finest season ever (whilst I played for them anyway). Semi-final of the cup and promotion. But we were only runners-up in the league. Who stopped us being champions? Bramhall bloody Victoria. So when we went to Quaffers to get our medals off the big table appearing out of the dance-floor to the Thunderbirds theme tune, who did we play second fiddle to? Them!!!
All this is bad enough, but not bad enough to hate a football team, I agree.
So we get to exhibit (e)
By far the worst crime that Bramhall Victoria FC committed. Their manager was a cockney. Not only a cockney but a loud cockney. Not only a loud cockney but a high-pitched cockney. Not only a loud, high-pitched cockney but one that only dogs can hear when the third goal goes in against them. And that, your honour, is the most unforgivable crime.
I rest my case.
Next week, my thoughts on Chelsea buying the Premiership title.
Best
Sir Roger
Roy Chapman was only manager of Stockport County for nine months, but he'll always be remembered as the man who brought George Best, arguably the greatest footballing talent produced in the British Isles, to EdgeleyPark.
It was November 1975, with the Hatters involved a real battle to avoid re-election, that Chapman, amazingly, persuaded the Irishman to weave his magic before the Edgeley faithful.
A crowd of 2,789 was present at Edgeley Park to witness a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town in the previous home game, County crashed out of the FA Cup, 3-0 at next Saturday's opponents, Hartlepool.
Without George Best, the attendance for County's next game, against Swansea City on November 28, would have probably been under 2,000. With Best, the attendance was recorded at an incredible 9,240!
And the mercurial Irishman didn't disappoint the admirers.
19 minutes: County 1 Swansea 0
George scored with his third successive in-swinging corner from the left. The first two had the defence in such a tizzy that goalkeeper Steve Potter could only help it into the net.
55 minutes: County 2 Swansea 0
Best with heart-warming artistry beat three men, held another three off, and glided the ball into the path of a young Lee Bradley to crash the ball past a now bewildered defence.
72 minutes: County 3 Swansea 0
The piece de-resistance! George started the move with a pass to Ian Seddon. The cross was headed on by McNeill, and Best, with his back to the goal, perfectly balanced, swung and volleyed the ball into the net with tremendous power. The noise from the crowd shattered the night air!
Swansea pulled back two late goals through Alan Curtis and Dave Bruton, but Best was not to be denied as County hung on for two valuable points.
The George Best bandwagon pulled in another 5,055 fans for his next appearance, against Watford on December 12, when another marvellous goal from the genius helped the Hatters pick up a point from a 2-2 draw. Another Northern Ireland international, Ian Lawther, was the other County marksman.
Best didn't score in his final game wearing Blue & White, against Southport, but his presence again attracted a bumper 6,321 crowd and also inspired Chapman's side to a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Micky Hollis.
Best, had certainly put the club in the headlines and although he was being well paid on a match-to-match basis, he must have kept the Hatters' Bank Manager happy by pulling in over 20,000 supporters in just three appearances.”
I borrowed the above from COWS and there is nothing for me to add to it, other than to say what an honour it was see George in a County shirt.
I’d just like to mention a comment from Northampton player Roy Fairfax, who had been marking Best when he scored six goals in an 8-2 FA Cup win for M** U*d in 1970.
“The closest I got to him was when we shook hands at the end of the game“.
Backing of the Chairman
bringbacklenwhite
Everyone knows that this means - "You are out of the door mate 30 minutes after the next defeat".
Backing of the Manager
Everyone knows that this means - "You are out of the door as soon as I can can get some idiot to stump up a stupid price for you and I have no cash to replace you with someone slightly better, yet.
Backing of the Fans
Best described by a set of dedicated supporters prepared to walk from Stockport to Manchester to soundly berate the Administrators of Stockport County. Power to the people.
Lennie's 'Backing of the Fans' entry prompts a memory about early-'90s left-back, Steve Bullock
hatter in macc
As our Division 4 promotion-season drew towards its close, we were happy souls indeed. And, one evening at the Racecourse Ground, with an emphatic away-win against Wrexham in the bag, the in-fine-voice County fans went through the whole of the team by name, chanting "There's only one David Redfearn...", "There's only one Darren Knowles...", and so on.
Stevie B, who, whilst a trier, never suggested himself to be one of our obvious heroes, was on the bench that night - and warming up as the chants had continued...but had failed initially to include him. Realising the oversight, a small, but well-intentioned, section in the away-end rather halfheartedly piped up with "There's only one Stevie Bullock...". On hearing what had probably been the first terrace-song about him ever, a beaming Steve waved gratefully in our direction...only for some wizened old cynic to shout straight back: "Yeah, but you're still cr*p though!".
Cruel, maybe, but it got a good thousand or so laughs...
Birmingham - home March 2001
dudleyhatter
Apologies for a semi-recurrent theme!
My dad who is a manure fan arranged for an "executive" package for 4 (himself, me, my sister in law and my father in law). With the opportunity for much consumption of liquid refreshment we decided to take the train up from the midlands. After entering the Cheadle End suite for the first time and awaiting the Member of management team to talk to us whispers and rumours began to abound. This was the time that ex-Liverpool boss Roy Evans was brought in as an "advisor" to Andy Kilner and Killer and his team refused to do any additional duties.
I went through to a meal and much to my disgust in the executive rooms I was the only county fan of 8 sat at my table. Outnumbered even at a home game! On to the match, or rather the " executive box" seriously I have never been more embarrassed to be a county fan. There were wooden benches to sit on!!!!! Two rows in front was sat Birmingham super fan Jasper Carrott. We gave them a pretty good game with OOOOHHHH Shefki Kuqi scoring a great header just before half time.
Down to the bar for a half time drink, I say bar it was more like the snug of a 1950s pub I don't think you could have fitted a cat in never mind swing it. Anyhoo off for the second half and in an action replay of the first Shefki powers in another header with 10 minutes to go. Cue Jasper Carrott standing and leaving to a few charming comments. We went on to hold out and I made it home somehow!
It is a little sobering to think how in just 10 years the two clubs have changed so much. While we failed to reach the FA Cup first round blues picked up 10 points playing in the Europa league group stage.
bringbacklenwhite
My first ever senior team appearances (aged 15) were made for them at the High Hill Road ground. A sloping pitch that needed the cows driven off before each game. Primary School debut in goals for Hayfield also made here against Thornsett School (lost 0-5 !).
Second team debut (again in goals) in the Stockport and District Sunday School League best remembered for being looked after by Ben Burgess' Dad. As our centre forward he would come back for corners to protect me. First corner resulted in me finishing up in the back of the net still clutching the ball having been bulldozed there by the opposition. As I climbed out of the goal I heard the immortal phrase spoken by Ben's Dad - Clutching the opposition number 9 by the throat, he asked "Have you ever effing woken up surrounded by an effing crowd ? Because if you effing touch our effing keeper again you effing will !!".
First team debut (and only ever appearance for the 1sts) lasted 17 minutes. Lancashire and Cheshire League level - The opposing midfield was sent off and he refused to go. This resulted in the referee abandoning the game at 0-0. Thus, starting and ending my BV and T AFC career all in less than half an hour and being the only goalkeeper never to have conceded for them.
The team took over from New Mills FC when they went into liquidation and a meteoric rise has seen them recently gain promotion to the Evo Stick League 1 (Southern Division) where they are holding their own.
Fond memories of grass roots football.
Brighton Away - 22nd August 2009
sandbachhatter
This has to be one of my most enjoyable and poignant away trips of all time.
Myself, Captain Beefheart and a friend of mine (let's call him Tim - because that's his name) set off from Sandbach Towers at around 7.30am on the Saturday morning and due to some luck with the traffic we had parked up at our Jury's Inn, checked in (as best we could - had to get changed into our County shirts in the car park) and were sat on the pier in glorious sunshine sipping our first pints by 10.30am.
This was miraculous. Not because of the traffic, but because it took us almost as long to find the beachfront from the hotel as it had done to drive from Sandbach.
Tim, God love him, had suggested at one point that we 'follow the seagulls' in order to find the beach. When confronted with the question "Do seagulls fly towards the sea or away from it?" Tim had to accept he hadn't the foggiest. It was a moot point anyway as they appeared to be flying in circles.
So, Captain Beefheart decided to ask in a nearby shop. He wandered into what seemed to be some sort of pharmacy and approached the only sales assistant who was stacking shelves whilst up one of those ye olde ladders on wheels. The sales assistant in question had long legs and long blonde hair, presumably why Beefy selected this particular establishment in the first place and, despite being in a long-term committed relationship, decided to open his conversation with "All right darling? Which way to the beach?"
Naturally when the sales assistant turned round to reveal she was in fact a fella with facial hair (I never did get the name of his shampoo and conditioner as even I was fooled), Beefy let out a little yelp of shock and legged it.
Anyway, we found our way to the beach and got our pints on the pier. Glorious day and, for once, we were mildly optimistic about the result.
We found the ground, eventually, having taken a slightly dodgy country path, and went for another pre-match pint in the sports bar at the ground (I forget the name). I'd arranged to meet Only Grey (Misunderestimaterised in old money) and sure enough he hobbled in having only recently had surgery to his back. Committment. That's what we like to see.
Little did I know that in a few months time I'd be walking into the offices of Leonard Curtis with him to meet with our then adminstrators. The rest, as they say, is history. Or at least it will be until we get to 'K' and 'M' on here and I can have my say about Kennedy and Maguire respectively.
So, off to the game which involved walking past the long and triple jump sand pits behind the away end. We tried to pursuade a friendly looking steward to lets us have a go (I once did quite well in the triple jump at a school sports day due to my 6'4" height) but alas, he wasn't having it. He did promise to check with his supervisor before half time but had understandably legged it by the time we got there shortly after the whistle had gone to end the first half.
Unusually, I won't go into the game itself, suffice to say we won 4-2, Oli Johnson scored a belting solo-effort and Bridcutt got sent off. All in all, a good game - despite the fact we were half a mile from the pitch (see photo which follows).
I also got sunburnt it was that nice a day.
At full time we began to head out of the ground/race track and were pondering whether to take the longer, but safer, main road or the woodland short cut we had taken on the way there.
"I don't mind going up the back way" said Tim.
"F***ing hell, you can't say that with this lot around!" said Beefy, gesturing at the large hoards of home fans who were suitably annoyed at having just been beaten 4-2 at home. It turns out that "a big bunch of nancy boys" can be pretty intimidating when you're outnumbered 10-1. Still we made it back safely and had a really good night out afterwards.
I suspect it wouldn't have been anywhere near as much fun in sleet and snow on a cold January evening, but I actually quite liked Brighton's Withdean Stadium. It certainly had character.
"Blackadder's Blue 'n White Army"
Sir Roger
McStay: Don't worry Mr. G, I have a cunning plan to solve the problem
Mr. G: Yes, McStay, let us not forget that you tried to "solve the problem", by trying to move across the sea to Derry City, did you not?
McStay: A mistake Mr. G, a simple mistake, anyway, your thoughts on Tom Elliot. What a player, half way to being the new Liam Dickinson
Mr. G: Why only half way?
McStay: Well, he's still young and raw.
Mr. G: Leave him to me, I'll make a player out of him and then we'll sell him.
Lord Snape (pops in): Sell?, Never!, I'm the Chairman, Mr. G, I'm a Lord, a roarer, a rogerer, a gorger and a puker, I'm firm buttocked, Im.....
Mr. G: Broke?
Lord Snape: Well, yes, I suppose so.
Mr. G: Paul Turnbull is out of favour at Northampton, but.....
McStay: What's up with him?
Mr. G: Get me more coffee!, it's horrid!, change it!, take me from behind! no, not like that, like this!, trousers off!, tackle out! walk the pitbull!, where's my mate Tansey!
McStay: All right!, which one do you want me to do first?
Mr. G: No, not you, you fool, that's what Turnbull's like!
Mr. G: Have you ever been to Burnley, McStay?
McStay: No, but I've often thought I'd like to.
Mr. G: Well don't, it's a ghastly place. Huge gangs of half witted inbred roam the streets terrorising people and counting each others fingers. Never ask for directions in Burnley, McStay, you'll be wandering around for days.
Mr. G: It's a crisis, McStay, a crisis I tell you!, no decent players, no money and we've got Luton away coming up next. For the first time in my life, I'm following someone else's suggestion, which just so happens to be yours, we're venturing up to Scotland.
McStay: Oh sir, you're not going to Motherwell again, are you?
Glennon (pops in): Take me with you to live a life of the wild rogue, cuddling under the haystacks and making love in the branches of tall trees.
Mr. G: Matty, sadly I must decline.
Mr. G: At times you amaze me, McStay
McStay: Oh that's alright, thank you, sir.
Mr. G: Have you no idea what irony is?
McStay: Yeah!, It's like goldy and bronzy, only it's made of iron
Mr. G: Start the car, McStay
McStay: Lord Snape has taken it, something to do with the budget and cutbacks.
Mr. G: We shall stay and save the Club and take it back to better days!, McStay
McStay: Oh good!, shall I stick the kettle on?
Mr G: Yes please, McStay
McStay: One lump or Two?
Mr. G: I told you, Chadwick and Blackburn have gone!
Mr G: Say good night, McStay.
McStay: Goodnight McStay.
Bristol Rovers Away - Tuesday March 2nd, 2010
bigfudge
This game had been postponed from a few weeks beforehand and stupidly, myself, my mates Dave, Sargey, Liam and Paddy all went along in the same car, we were happily pootling along but soon time starting catching up on us and we scheduled to make a stop just South of Birmingham but we realised that we would most likely be late for the game if we stopped so we decided to carry on right through, it was around this time when Sargey decided that he could no longer hold his bladder and with the rush we decided not to stop with our friend deciding to use a bottle to go in, Paddy decided to hold a coat up to protect us from the sight (and splashback!) when the bottle was full and his bladder empty, he decided to throw it out of the window without putting the lid back on and as soon as the bottle was out of the window all of his 'waste' splashed out onto the back window (it was one of those fancy 7-seaters).
Upon arrival at precisely 7:41pm with 4 minutes to spare we got into the ground and took up our positions with the rest of the 67 fans who had travelled down (bringing it up to 72) and watched County lose 1-0 but not for a lack of trying, we actually played very well that day but just found the Rovers keeper in inspired form.
On the way home way got into a very heated ABC game, the one where you have to pick someone/thing from the category given, for example Goalkeepers, for A, you may say, Anders Lindegaard etc. and every other letter seemed to cause some sort of argument before we were made to stop playing by Dave because the arguing was driving him up the wall!
We finally got back at 1am after one of the best away days I've ever had, just goes to show, football really does get in the way of an away day!
Bung
bringbacklenwhite
Former currency of the now defunct First Division. A sweetener.
It usually consisted of a brown envelope containing many low denomination notes of various dubious backgrounds - invariably green in colour.
Transactions could only take place at Motorway Service Stations (usually under a table) by managers/representatives whose name was always prefixed by the word "Big". as in "Big Stan".
Once described as "a bit like a cinema hot dog - everyone knows they exist but no one admits to ever having one".
These have now been replaced by dollars in an assortment of middle eastern coinage.
Birmingham away
dudleyhatter
FA cup 4th round January 1998
Went to the game with my in-laws, they had blues scarves out their side of the car I had county scarf out my side. Got a few funny looks I must say. Walked up to the ground together then I turned into the away section to see a host of coaches. Always a good sight! We were in the top tier of their old railway end which had a fantastic pitched roof giving reverb on any singing! We played okay but then Bretty Angell got sent off and then came that sickening moment when three quarters of the ground cheers. Details go a bit sketchy but we then had a second player sent off. The backing of the fans was incredible and then yes YES.....YEEEESSSS we equalised. 9 men, we only need 9 men was sung deliriously by one and all. Of course being County we then conceded a late goal and went out but boy was it in a glorious way.
'B'...
hatter in macc
... is very much Macc Junior's letter, so far as CHAOS is concerned, for his first-ever County match (at three months old) was away at Blackpool, and the first player whose name he learned (slightly later on!) was Briggsy.
I think that I may have told on here before the story of when the little 'un was Match-mascot, but it bears repeating...
As the match - against Grimsby, at the tail-end of 2006 - and his third birthday approached, Macc Junior's excitement focused on being able to run out on the pitch with the Briggsman, who, at the time, was skippering the side. Unfortunately, however, his hero proceeded to break a leg in the Boxing Day fixture which immediately preceded it! Mrs Macc and I then deliberated long and hard about whether to deliver the crushing news to our lad just days before his moment of glory - and decided not to, on the basis that if Briggsy wasn't there, Macc Junior might very well not want to be either.
And yet, when the day itself dawned, we realised that we had given ourselves something of a dilemma, as the birthday-boy, on arriving at EP and meeting the players, would be sure to ask where his hero was. During our pre-match tour of the ground, and with my courage fuelled by a couple of early-afternoon drinks, I hit on the idea of asking the stand-in Captain - Tony Dinning - to pretend, in front of the Mascot, that he was not TD but, rather, KB.
The moment for the Mascot's entourage to visit the home dressing-room arrived, and, on being introduced to 'Dindo', I begged the favour of him. He initially looked at me as if I were quite mad, but kindly, and not to mention thankfully, agreed without further hesitation to go along with the deception. TD was a proper star that day - despite one or two of his team-mates winding him up in the players' tunnel with shouts of "Way aye, Briggsy!" - and helped ensure that there was one very happy Mascot, running onto the hallowed (ok, soggy) turf, too.
Not only that, but a belter of a match it proved to be: County had it sewn up early on against ten men, eventually winning 3-0 and being able to afford a missed Dicko penalty into the bargain. Perhaps we should put 'lucky' Macc Junior's name on the list for another Mascot appearance any time soon...hell, he's eight now - he could bring his boots as well!
Bringbacklenwhite
bringbacklenwhite
Here I am, named after the County hero of the late 1960's (goal scorer extraordinaire) signed from Newcastle in the end stages of his illustrious career. Sadly died in the 1990's - hence the forlorn hope in my username.
Educated - Hayfield Primary, New Mills Grammar and Loughborough Colleges. Wasted (?) teenage years playing cricket and football instead of studying hard. Rejected by Bolton and Rotherham as being too small to be a professional goalkeeper (5ft 10ins) i.e. not good enough- so trained as a PE teacher and became a "professional sportsman".
Taught in Coventry and Blackpool areas, switching to Primary Education when the knees packed. Coached at District Boys level in Coventry and various school teams up until April last year. Played up to minor semi-pro level in Cheshire League Reserves (Hyde Utd Res) and West Midlands League (Hinckley Ath) many, many years ago.
Retired from teaching in 2009 after 18 yrs as a Head and now play golf, walk the dog, set up courses for school leaders and act as School's Liaision Officer for the Blackpool FC Community Trust. Also the President of North West Region of National Association of Headteachers.
Life is brilliant and sport is good for you despite my list of injuries - perforated eardrum, split cheekbone, broken nose, dislocated shoulder, 2 missing teeth, heart attack (with quad by-pass), 2 broken fingers, laminectomy on a herniated back disc, hernia, 2 dodgy knees and a fallen arch. Nicknamed - Lucky.
CH allows me to keep in touch with all that is County and I love bantering with all you young guns out there. Highlight of the week has to be Sandy's quiz and Downey's Prediction league followed closely by reading all your budding poetic efforts in the limerick Competition.
Brinnington (Away)
bringbacklenwhite
Any game in the Brinnington area resulted in us always parking the cars in Merseyway car park and travelling in by bus.
No one was prepared to have their aerials, wing mirrors and tyres removed by the locals during the game.
Apologies to anyone from Brinnington but I am talking about 40 odd years ago.
Bramhall Victoria
downunderhatter
Unknown (Please feel free to claim this one if it's yours)
Where do I begin with this lot? Definitely not my most hated team (you’ll have to wait until the letter ‘F’ for that) but a very close second.
“Why’s that downy?” I hear you ask. Well maybe this is on the wrong thread and it might be only an irrational dislike but I’ll try to explain.
They were always knocking about with my team at the bottom end of the SDSFL and we did have some decent games against them.
Exhibit (a)
They had a centre-back called Arthur who played for them who was older than our back four’s ages combined. But the guy could play. Very frustrating.
Exhibit (b)
They had a young guy in midfield who wore a polo-necked shirt under his top (irritating enough you’d think?) but he went into a pretty robust challenge with my fellow centre-back and after a few handbags, came out with, “Do you know who I am?” To which our CB said, “No.” “Ask your mate,” came the reply and pointed to our centre-mid, implying that he would know him as he was some Stockport hard-man or something. So the CB goes over to the CM and says, “Do you know who he is?” The reply was swift and direct, “Haven’t got a clue.”
Exhibit (c)
They had a striker called Soapy who wasn’t a bad player but he could whinge for England. By half-time, in one game, there was only me out our back 4 plus keeper who hadn’t been booked for fouls on him. In the second-half he got me booked and then tried to get anyone he could sent off. An unforgivable way to behave.
Exhibit (d)
In 1997/98, my team had our finest season ever (whilst I played for them anyway). Semi-final of the cup and promotion. But we were only runners-up in the league. Who stopped us being champions? Bramhall bloody Victoria. So when we went to Quaffers to get our medals off the big table appearing out of the dance-floor to the Thunderbirds theme tune, who did we play second fiddle to? Them!!!
All this is bad enough, but not bad enough to hate a football team, I agree.
So we get to exhibit (e)
By far the worst crime that Bramhall Victoria FC committed. Their manager was a cockney. Not only a cockney but a loud cockney. Not only a loud cockney but a high-pitched cockney. Not only a loud, high-pitched cockney but one that only dogs can hear when the third goal goes in against them. And that, your honour, is the most unforgivable crime.
I rest my case.
Next week, my thoughts on Chelsea buying the Premiership title.
Best
Sir Roger
Roy Chapman was only manager of Stockport County for nine months, but he'll always be remembered as the man who brought George Best, arguably the greatest footballing talent produced in the British Isles, to EdgeleyPark.
It was November 1975, with the Hatters involved a real battle to avoid re-election, that Chapman, amazingly, persuaded the Irishman to weave his magic before the Edgeley faithful.
A crowd of 2,789 was present at Edgeley Park to witness a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town in the previous home game, County crashed out of the FA Cup, 3-0 at next Saturday's opponents, Hartlepool.
Without George Best, the attendance for County's next game, against Swansea City on November 28, would have probably been under 2,000. With Best, the attendance was recorded at an incredible 9,240!
And the mercurial Irishman didn't disappoint the admirers.
19 minutes: County 1 Swansea 0
George scored with his third successive in-swinging corner from the left. The first two had the defence in such a tizzy that goalkeeper Steve Potter could only help it into the net.
55 minutes: County 2 Swansea 0
Best with heart-warming artistry beat three men, held another three off, and glided the ball into the path of a young Lee Bradley to crash the ball past a now bewildered defence.
72 minutes: County 3 Swansea 0
The piece de-resistance! George started the move with a pass to Ian Seddon. The cross was headed on by McNeill, and Best, with his back to the goal, perfectly balanced, swung and volleyed the ball into the net with tremendous power. The noise from the crowd shattered the night air!
Swansea pulled back two late goals through Alan Curtis and Dave Bruton, but Best was not to be denied as County hung on for two valuable points.
The George Best bandwagon pulled in another 5,055 fans for his next appearance, against Watford on December 12, when another marvellous goal from the genius helped the Hatters pick up a point from a 2-2 draw. Another Northern Ireland international, Ian Lawther, was the other County marksman.
Best didn't score in his final game wearing Blue & White, against Southport, but his presence again attracted a bumper 6,321 crowd and also inspired Chapman's side to a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Micky Hollis.
Best, had certainly put the club in the headlines and although he was being well paid on a match-to-match basis, he must have kept the Hatters' Bank Manager happy by pulling in over 20,000 supporters in just three appearances.”
I borrowed the above from COWS and there is nothing for me to add to it, other than to say what an honour it was see George in a County shirt.
I’d just like to mention a comment from Northampton player Roy Fairfax, who had been marking Best when he scored six goals in an 8-2 FA Cup win for M** U*d in 1970.
“The closest I got to him was when we shook hands at the end of the game“.
Backing of the Chairman
bringbacklenwhite
Everyone knows that this means - "You are out of the door mate 30 minutes after the next defeat".
Backing of the Manager
Everyone knows that this means - "You are out of the door as soon as I can can get some idiot to stump up a stupid price for you and I have no cash to replace you with someone slightly better, yet.
Backing of the Fans
Best described by a set of dedicated supporters prepared to walk from Stockport to Manchester to soundly berate the Administrators of Stockport County. Power to the people.
Lennie's 'Backing of the Fans' entry prompts a memory about early-'90s left-back, Steve Bullock
hatter in macc
As our Division 4 promotion-season drew towards its close, we were happy souls indeed. And, one evening at the Racecourse Ground, with an emphatic away-win against Wrexham in the bag, the in-fine-voice County fans went through the whole of the team by name, chanting "There's only one David Redfearn...", "There's only one Darren Knowles...", and so on.
Stevie B, who, whilst a trier, never suggested himself to be one of our obvious heroes, was on the bench that night - and warming up as the chants had continued...but had failed initially to include him. Realising the oversight, a small, but well-intentioned, section in the away-end rather halfheartedly piped up with "There's only one Stevie Bullock...". On hearing what had probably been the first terrace-song about him ever, a beaming Steve waved gratefully in our direction...only for some wizened old cynic to shout straight back: "Yeah, but you're still cr*p though!".
Cruel, maybe, but it got a good thousand or so laughs...
Birmingham - home March 2001
dudleyhatter
Apologies for a semi-recurrent theme!
My dad who is a manure fan arranged for an "executive" package for 4 (himself, me, my sister in law and my father in law). With the opportunity for much consumption of liquid refreshment we decided to take the train up from the midlands. After entering the Cheadle End suite for the first time and awaiting the Member of management team to talk to us whispers and rumours began to abound. This was the time that ex-Liverpool boss Roy Evans was brought in as an "advisor" to Andy Kilner and Killer and his team refused to do any additional duties.
I went through to a meal and much to my disgust in the executive rooms I was the only county fan of 8 sat at my table. Outnumbered even at a home game! On to the match, or rather the " executive box" seriously I have never been more embarrassed to be a county fan. There were wooden benches to sit on!!!!! Two rows in front was sat Birmingham super fan Jasper Carrott. We gave them a pretty good game with OOOOHHHH Shefki Kuqi scoring a great header just before half time.
Down to the bar for a half time drink, I say bar it was more like the snug of a 1950s pub I don't think you could have fitted a cat in never mind swing it. Anyhoo off for the second half and in an action replay of the first Shefki powers in another header with 10 minutes to go. Cue Jasper Carrott standing and leaving to a few charming comments. We went on to hold out and I made it home somehow!
It is a little sobering to think how in just 10 years the two clubs have changed so much. While we failed to reach the FA Cup first round blues picked up 10 points playing in the Europa league group stage.