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The problem with opinions is that everybody has one. |
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Writing this column has left me open to criticism, which is fair enough, I don't expect
everybody to agree with me. I put my photo with this column and post my name and e~mail
address with every message I leave on a message board. There is no reason for being
anonymous, why should I be afraid of my opinion? If you don't like it you can turn off
your TV set and go do something less boring instead (people under 20 please consult an
adult). If you don't like it enough you can always find me at most home games. Which
brings me to another point. |
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Why do supporters of football clubs, at all levels of the pyramid, assume that the
degree of support for their club depends on the amount of games watched? Why is it you
can only be a true fan if you go to every home and away game? |
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Recently I have been criticised for writing this column when I don't go to away games.
Anyone who knows me is aware of the variety of football I've experienced in my 19 years of
watching Hinckley, Athletic and United. When I started to come to Middlefield Lane, around
the age of 11, Nuneaton were top of the Gola League. All my mates at school took the p*ss
out of me for coming here instead of going to Leicester, Cov' or Forest. Hinckley were a
poor side in the West Midlands League and actually lost the first game I watched. A Cup
game to Melton Town! When I had the time and funds, in my teens, I used to go to every away
game. Rushall, Stapenhill, Wednesfield, Chasetown, Halesowen Harriers, Oldbury, Shifnal,
Pelsall, Darlaston, Malvern, Lye, Wolves United and Casuals, Tividale, Dudley, Westfields,
Tipton, Oldswinford, Harrisons, Armitage, Leicester United, Charterhouse, Paget, Willenhall,
GKN Sankey and my own favourite Brereton Social. All these grounds I have been to with
Hinckley when they were sh*t. Embarrassingly for me I'm sad enough to catalogue programmes
and matches, my total for 19 years so far is 310 programmes and 338 matches, of which 72
have been as United. Unfortunately nowadays Wife + 2 young kids + mortgage + sh*t job =
home games only, and as I work shifts, not even all of the home games as some of the
midweek games are when I have to work. Also to keep my nuptials well oiled, as the wife
supports Hull City, I get dragged up to Boothferry Park when Hinckley are not playing or
are away! |
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Whatever people's circumstances, is one supporter more dedicated because they go to
every game home and away, than another supporter who can only manage the home games in a
season? We would all really like to drop everything and follow our football club, whoever
it is you support, but sometimes the responsibilities of life just get in the way. All you
can do is be as supportive as you possibly can at the games you can get to. In my opinion
it's not the quantity of games but the quality of support while you are at the game that
counts. |
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Stop ranting and get on with the round up, I hear you both cry... |
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Herald the return of the prodigal son. Dale Belford returned to the lane at the start of
the month, with Atherstone. There is no truth in the rumour that he won the supporter's
player of the month when he walked through the gates! However he was on top form and it
took over an hour to break him down with a well worked deep right wing cross and a stunning
Lucas volley 'ghosting' in on the far post. The game was well won by 'super sub' Paul Hunter
who calmly rounded Belford to score the second. A well fought 2-0 win. |
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Off to the Red Lion den next match. Having never won at Blakenall it was about time we
broke our duck, and so we did with a goal direct from a corner, in injury time, by Karl
Brennan. A well timed 1-2 victory. |
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A tangent from league action saw us release our grip on the Rolleston Charity Cup.
An early goal for Paul Hunter could not stop us losing 2-1 at Birstall United. Even the
commanding presence of Dean Thomas on the pitch did not stop this devastating reversal.
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Back to the league and a visit of ex Scotland International John McGinlay was a reward
as Gresley came to Mott and Bailey Middlefield Lane. Gresley, not being the stubborn side
they always used to be, were always second best on the day. A penalty for Dave Sadler, a
netbuster (literally) for Morton Titterton and Nick Preston's first senior goal for the
club, with a sweet struck volley gave Hinckley a 3-0 win. For comedy value Dean Thomas
brought himself on late in the second half, but even that couldn't stop us coasting to
victory. |
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The month ended with a trip to bottom (ish) Paget. 2 early goals for Andy Lucas were
enough to keep us top of the league. |
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So the month finished with Hinckley on top of the table, 5 points clear of 3rd place
Mangotsfield and still unbeaten at Mott and Bailey Middlefield Lane. |
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World of Football Stuff |
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It's been a short month this month. Er�not much I can drag up from the tabloids, except
this little gem. It should enlighten all you Loughborough based Sh*psh*d Albion fans. After
Arsenals comprehensive 'lie down and tickle our tummy please' 6-1 defeat at Man 'global'
Utd, it would seem that it is not Arsenal biggest defeat. That happened on December 12th
1896, when they lost 0-8 at home in Division 2, to the mighty Loughborough Town.
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Do they mean us? Could be! |
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After the recent on off transfer of Gary Ricketts the Hucknall manager John Ramshaw
left this on the Hucknall Town message board. |
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"�The ball now rests in Hinckley's court. I wonder how far they will "move the goalposts"
this time? They really have been the most awful people to do business with." |
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Hinckley United awful to do business with? John Ramshaw and Hucknall Town have allegedly
been reported by Sh*psh*d to the FA for allegedly garnishing the services of John Allcock,
while he was allegedly registered for Sh*psh*d. Er...allegedly. I think I've put enough
allegedlys in that paragraph! |
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This is no criticism of Big John, good luck to him whichever team he plays for, er
unless its Sh*psh*d on April 16th, which is quite unlikely now. |
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Coming soon to a Football Ground near YOU, next Month:
It's the big month, 8 games that could make or break the season. Inform Solihull,
local derby with Bedworth, top of the table Mangotsfield, bogey side and draw specialists
Sutton Coldfield, the enigma of Gloucester and top of the table and bang in form Evesham.
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