The Brand

Posted on January 27, 2013 Updated on January 31, 2013

Saturday January 26th 2013 – FA Cup 4th Round – Manchester United (Red/White) 4 Fulham (White/Black) 1 at Old Trafford, KO 17:30pm.

Attendance 72,596, admission £42, programme £3, match rating 3/5.

Best laid plans and all that! When I’d booked my ticket for this tie, it had been with intention of visiting a new non league ground in Manchester, before heading over to Old Trafford for the five thirty kick off for game 11 in my ‘Path to Wembley’ > https://hopticklist.wordpress.com/?s=the+path+to+wembley&x=4&y=10

The extreme overnight snow storms put paid to that modus operandi, as apparently a foot of snow had fallen on large chunks of the North West.
On the journey up, Trafford FC , my first option (Salford City, No2 had already been PPd), could not be bothered to answer the phone or even leave a recorded message, so I decided to drive to Shawe View, I had plenty of time and it’s only four and half miles from there to Old Trafford.

As I drove past fields with three or four inches of snow on them, I had very little hope of this game ever being on, but somehow it’s so much easier to tolerate a postponement when you see the ground and pitch yourself.
So it was that I skidded across the very slushy club car park at 1330, to then take a peer over the wall, to see, as expected, a snow-covered pitch, with the goals not even in situ.
Hey ho, a quick call to the secretary of East Manchester FC, who have a 3G pitch, and play in Manchester League gave me some peace of mind when he advised “all games off in the league mate”, as they use a 3G pitch, SO, I thought, that’s it, no double-header for me today.

Thankfully, as ever I travelled with my good beer guide, and twenty minutes later I was sitting in a comfy gastro pub in Chorlton cum-hardy, with a lovely pint of smoky porter awaiting some food, at least in the knowledge I had a game a little later to enjoy.

This was my eleventh visit to Old Trafford since 1979, nine versus Palace, and one England game v Greece in 2001, when a late David Beckham free kick goal gave us qualification for World Cup 2002. I’d never visited the stadium as a ‘neutral’, and was wondering how I’d enjoy the experience. My club has had a fractious relationship with United in the past, I was at the infamous ‘Cantona’ game, when Eric had decided to re-enact the Bruce Lee in the family enclosure of the main stand at Selhurst Park, and I can still remember to this day Paul Ince trading punches at the front of the stand, one of those, did that really happen moments?

Sadly, as a direct result of his losing control after some abuse from a numpty Palace fan, it led to an FA ban, but the saga rumbled on. It was puzzling to me that he wasn’t sentenced to a few weeks thinking time in one of her Majesty’s public hotels? If it had happened outside a pub I’m sure that would have been the case.As it was, the atmosphere at the FA Cup Semi Final two months later at Villa Park was vile, and there were some serious horror stories heard after of United fans verbal abuse, and worse of Palace fans that day.

Of course, all this paled into insignificance later when we heard that a Palace fan (Paul Nixon) had died in a pub car park in Walsall pre match. Apparently after a group of Palace fans had been attacked when returning to their coach, seemingly running to escape he fell or was pushed under the wheels of the coach.
The match, in front of a full house at Villa Park was drawn 2-2, and a replay was scheduled for the following mid-week. Palace appealed to the FA to cancel the replay at least for another seven days as a mark of respect and Palace themselves suggested perhaps our fans should not attend in protest.

The FA in their usual wisdom were deaf to this idea, and the game was played out with just a little over 20,000 fans in attendance, with only about 2,500 Palace fans bothering to turn up. The 1-0 defeat hardly mattered, and I’ve always felt since then that some football fans need to get a grip of reality, and clearly place too much importance on their hero-worship on their favourites, yes, Cantona was a great player, no doubt. But as a character he was flawed, and his over reaction and response to his sending off that Feb evening set off a wicked chain reaction, described above, that I suspect he gave or gives little thought to, even to this day. As for that nonsense about seagulls following trawlers, well, honestly!

So, shame that such a wonderful gifted footballer should be remembered for, by at least one set of fans for an act of belligerence that ultimately highlighted the responsibility players have when they set foot on the pitch. Bill Shankly’s famous words were meant to be tongue in cheek, but never did those words sound more hollow than at that time. If you don’t know them, google, Shankly life and death.
That United fans still sing praise for Eric I guess is not surprising, he transformed their fortunes with his wonderful off the cuff ability, a player that probably made more of an impression in that era than any other. But sadly, when I hear Cantona’s name, I’m just reminded of a pub car park in Walsall and someone losing their life because of the football team they supported, it should never be as important as that, very sad.

So, in some ways, this visit was a way for me to try to cleanse my memories, and hopefully create a better feeling about United. What would I think stepping into the ‘self proclaimed’ theatre of dreams?
It was somewhat surprising to hear that United had not won the famous old trophy since 2004, although they have eleven wins to their name, a record.
What was a little hard to take was the guy on the PA, pitchside, to make reference, more than once, to United being the “Greatest club in the World”.
Well this might be true, possibly, although perhaps the likes of Barca and Real Madrid might have something to say about that? but this arrogance doesn’t sit well with me, and I wonder why they feel the need? Perhaps this feeling of superiority, backed up by trophies over the years is what attracts fans to travel there from all over the UK, as well as globally?

What was very clear was that Fulham’s fans held out no hope of progression, honestly for an FA Cup tie at OT, a turnout of 3/400 max for a club who attracts gates to 20,000 plus for home games was little short of pathetic. Although in defence, I guess when you play them in the league as well the big game at OT doesn’t quite have the same appeal? Yes it was live on ESPN, but how many have access to this, and really to stand any chance of winning in front of 72K you need your fans behind you.
I sat in the South Stand, in the corner, over the tunnel between that stand and the Stretford end stand, a pretty good view, although leg room was fairly limited, a first for me at a football ground, were toilets for ‘boys’ and ‘gents’.

Berbatov made his return to OT, leading the line for Fulham alongside Brian Ruiz, ‘Berba’ was given a warm reception by the fans, and his class and quality on the ball was clear to see, his big problem, especially away from home is a lack of pace, the ball has to be played into his feet, and he didn’t link well with fellow forward Ruiz.

Frankly, the game was already up after two minutes, after a flailing Fulham hand, which I later heard was attached to Aaron Hughes, flapped at the ball.
The ever young Giggs converted, and United never looked back. Fulham rarely got out of their own half in the first half, and when they did, their build up play was far to laborious, not helped by far too much passing of the ‘sideways’ variety from Stephen Sidwell.

Rooney and Hernandez were always buzzing around up front, and Carrick seemed to have a firm control of the centre of the park. Rafael really impressed me at right back, with his surging runs and good use of the ball. Schwarzer in the Fulham goal made a couple of good saves and it was rather surprising it only stayed one nil at half time.
But on fifty two minutes Rooney scored the best goal of the game, some great footwork fooling a couple of static defenders before he hit a firm shot into the bottom corner, it was ‘definitely’ all up for Fulham now!
Just two minutes later however, Hernandez struck with a neat finish after good build up play and cross from that man Rooney again, 3-0.

After 66 minutes it was four, after Hernandez shot wrong footed Schwarzer and squeezed inside his left post.
There was just time for Hughes to score a consolation goal, a header from a corner, but that was all it was. Fulham had offered little, and their paltry away following started to drift away.

The atmosphere had remained muted throughout, yes the Stretford end had attempted to get some songs going, and their display of banners and flags hanging from the upper tier was impressive, but I had the feeling I was at a friendly international at Wembley, such was the lack of interaction and response from those in the stands to what was happening on the pitch, if the fans really cared, they were keeping quiet about it.
Perhaps it was the inept display from the visitors, or the sheer size of the stadium, but it was so quiet, and hard to comprehend seventy-two thousand people were present.
Ten, fifteen minutes from the end, the crowd started leaving in droves, and the game petered out on the pitch.
It was Great to see Scholes introduced as a late sub, he almost took out Berbatov with a typical mistimed late tackle that produced a large Ooohh, and then a chuckle from the crowd!

You couldn’t help but admire the technique, movement and ability of the United players. But, perhaps because of their success there is an expectation to always beat teams like Fulham, and therefore the fans don’t get up for the game?, I’m not sure. Whatever, it’ll take a very good team to knock United out of the Cup this year. And for ‘ole times’ sake I’d not begrudge Giggsy and Scholsey lifting another trophy in their twilights years! As the guy next to me left, he said “hope you enjoyed it”, I did, but with reservations, realising that these days grass roots football is where my passion is, but I’m glad I took this neutral perspective of a day out at the largest club ground in the UK.

Now I feel the urge to visit a FC United of Manchester home game and experience the atmosphere there, which I’ve heard is quite unique and rather, to want of a better phrase, ‘old school’ due to the enthusuiasm for this fan owned club.

Homecoming

Posted on January 16, 2013 Updated on January 22, 2013

Saturday January 12th 2013, KO 15:00 at the ‘Gallagher Stadium’.
Isthmian (Ryman) League Division One South.
Maidstone United (Amber/Black) 2-2 Crawley Down Gatwick (Red/Red).
Admission 10 pounds, Programme 2 pounds.
Attendance 1,733.

This was a homecoming of sorts. I’d lived in the town from 2000-2006, having taken a job there in late 1999, and then having purchased a new build home in the summer of 2000.
It was a strange feeling getting a train from Victoria to see the Stones, rather than leaving to watch my football elsewhere.

I’d pencilled in a visit during the mid winter, because of their artificial pitch it seemed logical to schedule it perhaps when other games would be dropping elsewhere due to rain and ice. I’d also been aware of the outstanding attendances they had been attracting to their matches since their move back in to the town last Summer. After a successful season so far, it already looks highly likely they will be a Isthmian Premier team next season, and no doubts crowds will continue to be very healthy indeed.

All the reports I’d heard so far say that it is a lovely new ground, but not enough seats, and restricted views from the flat standing and shallow terracing behind the goals, this proved to be spot on. As by 14:15 all seats had sold, and I had to make do with a dry spot under cover at the North end behind the goal. From memory the Gallagher would be the fifth venue I’d seen a Stones home game, the third in the town itself, also at Dartford (when in the league) and at Sittingbourne, I hadn’t seem them ground share at Ashford.

What hadn’t changed since I last saw them at Sittingbourne was a reticence to divulge the team lineups. So it was, between 2.30 and 3pm, you got the sponsors name and personal details, various pieces of music, a promise at 14:40 “I’ll give you the teams shortly”, more club news, music, ten to three still nothing, then as had been the case previously at Sittingbourne, as the teams ran out, nothing, ‘come on mate’ I thought, surely now? Then about 45 seconds before they kicked off, we finally got them at one hundred miles an hour, impossible to write down unless you had mastered the art of short hand! Now I appreciate that the vast majority of the crowd are really only interested in their 1-11, but they should remember, actually it’s probably ‘the’ most important piece of info that the average fans wants before the game. Anyway I was mumbling and moaning away about how nothing had changed, and fell into conversation with a slightly older gent beside me, who was also trying to write them down. As a consequence we managed to work out 21 of the names, with some reference to the programme. And as happens regularly on my travels we stuck up a friendship for the ninety minutes.

The game started at a frantic pace, and it was clear immediately these were two very good step four sides. Play went back and forth, and already CD keeper Di Bernardo was earning his corn with a string of fantastic saves. But CD were giving as good as they got, and it was not really a surprise when they opened the scoring in the 21st minute, as a cross from the left was neatly converted by No 9 Cade, 0-1, silence in the stadium, as the majority of the 1700 were stunned. The silence was even more audible (if this is possible), two minutes later, as Stones keeper Ibrahim flapped at a long distance free kick, and Fraser Logan ‘appeared’ to flick the ball over him with his head, and the ball dropped in the back of the net, 0-2. For the remainder of the half Maidstone played poorly, whereas the opposite could be said of CD who were most impressive. The 3G pitch had played brilliantly and was a great advert for any cause to have football sanctioned on this type of surface higher up the pyramid.

The second half became much more of an end to end spectacle, with Stones clearly having received a half time talking to. But, CD had two good opportunities to go three up in front of us, both spurned. One did feel at the time maybe it would come back to bite them on the bum. And so it proved, as second half substitute Ade Olorunda struck twice in the 67th and 72nd minute. The game now became like a cup tie, and was probably the most compelling twenty-five minutes of football I’ve seen for a while as both teams went for the sucker punch. My Chesham United and Leicester City supporting new groundhopping friend and I, who’d up to this point constantly chatted about all things footy like long-lost cousins were now silenced by the entertainment in front of us on the pitch. But, there was no more score, which was fair, CD had offered so much and played extremely well. One day, once the Stones have increased the capacity of the stadium I shall return again, and as Peter Kay once said of garlic bread, that we can also used for artificial grass pitches, ‘It’s the future my friend’ ! It was just left for me to meet up with friends and then down a few ales and wander the streets of a town that had been my home so recently.

Badgers dominant at Solent

Posted on January 10, 2013 Updated on January 11, 2013

Tuesday January 8th 2013, at Test Park.
Wessex League Division One, KO 19:45.
Team Solent (Red/Red) 1-4 Brockenhurst (BlueNWhite Stripes/Blue), Ht 1-1.
Att 78, Admission 4 pounds, programme 1 pound.

Team Solent were formed as an offshoot of Southampton Solent University and have come quite a long way in a short time. This their second season in the Wessex League, having finished third in Div One in the 2011-12 season.
The ground is easily found, with the satnav that is and is down a short lane by the rugby club, just a mile or so from the M27.

I’d arranged to meet my friend, fellow hopper, Sutton based Dave Lewis at the ground. He travelling from his work in Farnborough by train.
A couple of days of mild and dry weather, came to a grinding halt as I bypassed Winchester on the M3 with heavy drizzle now falling, which continued throughout the game.
The ground has quite a smart clubhouse sited outside by the car park, which has a fancy cafe type bar, with any number of types of Italian coffees available as well as your usual, in my book, to avoid, nitro keg and lager beers, yuck.

I bumped into another hopper I know, Steve Jackson in the bar, and the three of us had an extremely enjoyable evening chewing the fat, mostly about things non league, and pandering to our stereotype, real ale! 🙂
A path leads from the edge of the car park to the turnstile, in what feels like a very modern, as it is, new setup.
Through the turnstile to the left of the pitch you find two identical but rather futuristic strangely shaped stands, actually aesthetically quite pleasing to the eye, but they formed the only cover at the ground, which was much-needed as the drizzle continued to fall.
In front of a healthy turnout of 78 (only 19 attended at Test Park on Dec 29), the 3rd placed visitors, with games in hand on top of the league Solent, made a lively start. After twenty nine minutes, a cross from the left was met in the area by a rising half volley from Michael Spinney, 0-1, a neat finish. As was apt, for a game that had been played from end to end for the first half, after thirty-six minutes, Michael Sheedy struck a lovely right footed goal from just inside the area, 1-1 and parity restored.

At half time we walked past the one man hotdog vendor, which looked more like a portaloo, and had possibly one of the loudest generators known to man! To head back to the clubhouse.

Although the second half was as equal in terms of possession and chances, Brockenhurst had the advantage in their sharpness in front of goal. However, they took the lead with a large slice of luck, as a hard strike from Mark Barker on fifty-four minutes took a deflection of a defender and skidded past the keeper, 1-2.

After sixty minutes the game was as good as over as Barker repeated his trick, this time lobbing the keeper with a sublime finish, from my angle it looked like he controlled the ball with his right, and before it hit the deck, lobbed it into the top corner with his left foot, a goal of premier league standard, 1-3. Due to our incessant chatter, I hadn’t been concentrating as closely as possible on the game, and my note-book suggested Barker completed his hat trick with this goal, apologies to Mr Spinney!

The fourth goal was a giveaway as a mix up between the home no2 and the keeper allowed an easy tap in for William Tickle on eight two minutes, I would say he trickled the ball in, but that wouldn’t be right would it? 1-4. In fairness to Solent this hadn’t been a 1-4 game, and on another day, it could easily of finished even. The drizzle continued on the way home, but the roads now free of commuter traffic flowed as I dropped Dave at Basingstoke station, and made home by 22:45, a cracking evening out.

Progress

Posted on January 7, 2013 Updated on January 8, 2013

Saturday January 5th 2013, at Selhurst Park, KO 15:00.
FA Cup 3rd Round Proper.
Crystal Palace (RedNBlue Stripes/Blue) 0-0 Stoke City (RedNWhite Stripes/White), Attendance 13,693.
Admission 20 pounds, programme 3 pounds, coffee 2 pounds.

I should imagine that the third round draw didn’t exactly get the juices flowing for the majority of the Palace faithful. When it comes to a home draw against a Premier league club, Stoke would probably come near bottom in the attraction stakes.
For this reason, and also as this was an ‘all pay’ game, the attendance was below the usual average Selhurst turn out of about 16,000, and also perhaps an indication of the current economic climate that only 13,500 attended. Although it’s been apparent for a number of years that interest in the early rounds of domestic cups appears to be on the wane.

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But for me, this was Game 10 on my 2012-13 project a 'Path to Wembley'. Having already seen 9 games from a 'neutral view', it was nice to consider watching a game from a rather more 'one eyed' perspective.
Pre-match most Palace fans were expecting a weakish eleven, however the club have suffered a recent bout of injuries and illness to the likes of Ward, Wilbraham, Gabbidon and Garvan. And with Dikcagoi away to the African Nations Cup it left Ian Holloway little option but to select a stronger side than he probably would have wished. So, just Julian Speroni and 22 goal striker Glenn Murray were the only first team regulars 'rested', replaced by Lewis Price and Jermaine Easter.

FACup losing finalists of two years ago, the Potters, I would think would approach the FA Cup with a real feeling they could go all the way again to the final. They have forged a reputation as one of the most uncompromising teams in the Premier league, playing to their strengths, of direct play, physical prowess and trying to stop the opposition from creating. From what I have seen of them on MOTD over recent seasons they are not particularly pretty on the eye, but they ARE effective, and the Stoke public seem to lap it up, as their stadium is invariably full.

Last season, our progress in the league appeared to be de-railed with a rather unexpected and enjoyable run to the Semi final of the League cup, so going into this game I’m sure many Palace fans would have sacrificed an FA Cup run to keep on the shirt tails of the top two places in the Championship, having said that this game would be a test to see how much we have improved over the last six months or so.

From the off Palace went for the jugular, with Bolasie and Zaha’s trickery causing Stoke some problems, creating an early opportunity for Easter, well saved by Sorensen. Stoke were already conceding free kicks regularly. Stoke backed by a following of 2,000 plus were already living up to their physical reputation. It seems they had no problem with dead ball kicks, and would rather concede a free kick outside the area than allow the Palace players to get into dangerous positions in the penalty box.

After some ten minutes Stoke started to cause some problems themselves going forward. Crouch looked to be possibly offside about five yards out, when a ball drifted over to him unmarked, but he managed to shank the ball into Row Z of the Holmesdale Stand when it looked easier to hit the target, much to the amusement of some of the more vocal Palace fans in blocks A and B, who seemed to enjoy, the rather unfair taunt of “freak”. Michael Owen looked very rusty indeed and one wonders if he’d be better off dropping a division to get regular football and more scoring opportunities as his performance on the day highlighted that once a striker in the modern game loses his pace, he can be half the player he once was.

Ian Holloway has been making comments in the (excellent award-winning) match programme in recent weeks on trying to have the Palace players adapt to his style of football, for me it’s not been clear, as our style of football appeared to have changed little since Dougie Freedman had left. But today, for the first time I had become aware of a more patient, ball retaining style of play. All the Palace players looked comfortable on the ball, and we built through the middle of the park. For long periods Palace dominated possession, and if you’d not been in the know you would have struggled to have identified the top flight team.

The first half had been an interesting encounter, two teams playing a different style of football, with neither quite having the nous to break the other down. Easter’s lack of recent regular first team action was evident as he struggled to get a real foothold in the game, the ball often running away from his first touch. Unfortunately just before HT Zaha was kicked off the ball, no one around me saw it because it was so late but he hobbled around until half time, and looked unlikely to take the field for the second half.

He did re-appear for the second half, but clearly was still struggling, and was replaced by Jonny Williams after 55 minutes. Palace continued to have the lions share of the play, but missing the focal point of Glenn Murray, in short, we lacked the end product. It was becoming clear, that this would probably be a 1-0 game, if someone could come up with that little piece of magic. Stoke brought on Cameron Jerome, Charlie Adam and Kenwyne Jones, and Palace brought on Kwasi Appiah and debut making Jason Banton. The last fifteen minutes of play became a little more even, as Palace’s front three lacked the experience to keep hold of the ball, although Banton did look lively, and might earn a future contract if he reproduces this form (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Banton), as he and Williams did cause some problems for Stoke with their quick feet and eye for a half chance.

So the game petered out and finished nil all, the result neither club would have wanted. As the teams left the pitch the Palace faithful gave their team a hearty round of applause, and it does indeed look like we have made some very good progress in 2012, as we matched, and at times outplayed our Prem league opponents. So, we are all feeling very positive about clinging to a hope of at least some play off football come May 2013.
With the 4th round draw having been made, and a money spinning home fixture v Man City up for grabs, this replay now takes on a little more importance to both clubs.