Saturday 17th January - non-league football madness FAP!

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Okay, unless there is a big reason not to, let's all go to watch AFC Wimbledon take on Horley Town in a Combined Counties League match at Kingsmeadow Stadium, Kingston-upon-Thames.

Horley are the leagues new boys, with enthusiastic support and a lovely ground but precious little success on the pitch. AFC Wimbledon are the unbeaten titans of Surrey-centric non-league football (apart from Kingstonian, Woking, Hampton and Farnborough) with 29 consecutive league victories under their belt and a passionate crowd of 3,000. It should be an ideal game to go to as a) we should win comfortably, b) there might actually be away fans and c) as we haven't played them before there'll be more interest in the fixture.

Also, if you hate football but like star-spotting, MC Harvey has made the left back position his own, so he's bound to be playing.

There will no doubt be FAPage before and after the game. Come along and have your prejudices forcibly removed!

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:32 (twenty-one years ago)

gwan then

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I could be persuaded.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

(I am waiting for Tim to post saying "sorry, Exeter have drawn Little Buggering Asbestos Miners in the Canistan East Devon Charity Ornament Trophy and I'll be going there, with my dog")

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:41 (twenty-one years ago)

You're going the right way towards having more than your prejudices forcibly removed there, Barry.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 13:48 (twenty-one years ago)

If victory is certain then what's in it for the neutral?

― Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 14:32 (twenty-one years ago)

coat-tail express

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 14:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I was thinking about going but I definitely won't after Barry's little outburst.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Tom - lots of goals? Atmosphere? Also, every game is "like a cup final" for the little teams, etc. etc.

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, pluck!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Triangular corner flags!!

(this is v v U+K)

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 16:39 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

Bump!

Who is up for this - it's only 2 weekends away and I know what people are like if you don't remind them of things. It's not all ticket so it'll be pay on the door. Can interested parties confirm or add themselves to this list?

Mark
Matt DC
Stevem
Tim H
Dave B?
Tom E?

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 2 January 2004 12:07 (twenty-one years ago)

wise of you to remind me - i'm still interested tho so should be fine

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 2 January 2004 12:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Confirmed. Maybe I should point j0e in the direction of this thread as well, although I'm fairly certain he'll be there.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 3 January 2004 00:44 (twenty-one years ago)

yes I will be there as per

― j0e (j0e), Sunday, 4 January 2004 21:51 (twenty-one years ago)

There is something *very* important missing from this thread, and it has nothing to do with football. Can you guess what it is?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Me.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Apart from Ned laughing hysterically at the Dons' on-pitch fuckups at inopportune moments, of course.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:24 (twenty-one years ago)

someone suggest a pub to meet at then

― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Packet of Cadbury's Buttons to that man! Preferably someone who knows what they're talking about (ie Mark, Joe or Dave). It must be full of home fans.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:26 (twenty-one years ago)

yes good idea stevem - I assume this is 3pm kick off?

surprising as it may be to some of you, I am interested in this. It's ages since I've been to a football match.

― MarkH (MarkH), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Apart from Ned laughing hysterically at the Dons' on-pitch fuckups at inopportune moments, of course.

Woo!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:35 (twenty-one years ago)

And I wasn't even THERE for Beckham's miss!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:39 (twenty-one years ago)

The advantage of being a neutral.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Opkins to thread!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:42 (twenty-one years ago)

*hides*

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 4 January 2004 22:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmm. I'd suggest 2 things:

1) Meet at the Hole in the Wall at waterloo, as most people will be coming to there to get to the game.

2) Actually drink at the ground itself before the game; this way, we get the cash (yay) and everyone feels the luv at AFCW.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 5 January 2004 10:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll be coming along, and I think Dave's suggestions are very good ones.

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 5 January 2004 10:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Will there be pies?

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 5 January 2004 10:50 (twenty-one years ago)

will there be good football?

that and pies are essential for attendance

― chris (chris), Monday, 5 January 2004 10:52 (twenty-one years ago)

pie.
mmm.
i could become a fan for pie.

― Orbit (Orbit), Monday, 5 January 2004 10:56 (twenty-one years ago)

The football will rock. We play nice stuff, but can vary our game between aesthete pleasing tippy-tappy and big hoofs. Our keeper scored a few week back FFS.

Pies - hmm. I can't lie. We do not do pie. We do burgers, baguettes, bacon muffins, chips, crisps and assorted chocolate based confectionery. Tea and Coffee and Hot Chocolate too. But get this:

You can pre-order your half-time drink! It's waiting for you in the bar! This truly is the future of football.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 5 January 2004 11:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Pies - hmm. I can't lie. We do not do pie.

disastrous news indeed.

― chris (chris), Monday, 5 January 2004 11:07 (twenty-one years ago)

You can pre-order your half-time drink! It's waiting for you in the bar! This truly is the future of football.

This makes up for the regrettable pie situation.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 5 January 2004 11:13 (twenty-one years ago)

football as theatre? I'm not so sure, I bet Stevem is impressed with that idea though, he can phone in an order the day before

― chris (chris), Monday, 5 January 2004 11:20 (twenty-one years ago)

where is this place? how far from london?

i'd like to go see a football game at some point, but i'm not sure this is the game because 1) it's cold outside right now! and 2) it's my boy's birthday party that night.

will there be more football fun in the spring when it's warmer? does football happen when it's warm?

― colette (a2lette), Monday, 5 January 2004 11:36 (twenty-one years ago)

it's only fun if you're freezing various extremities off colette...

i am tempted by this, but need to check i'm not doing anything else first. i understand tim will be in devon on this weekend.

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 5 January 2004 11:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Kingston on Thames = West London, basically.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 5 January 2004 12:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Colette - takes 30 minutes to the ground from Waterloo station.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 5 January 2004 12:20 (twenty-one years ago)

So are we now playing at home to Colne in the FA Vase on the 17th instead of Horley in the CCL?

Just been having a nose here like

― j0e (j0e), Monday, 5 January 2004 12:51 (twenty-one years ago)

You should know!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 5 January 2004 12:57 (twenty-one years ago)

j0e, are you speaking in code?

― colette (a2lette), Monday, 5 January 2004 13:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Blimxor. I wasn't expecting quite so much interest. We'd better bloody win.

FYI, Colne will be a sterner test than Horley, as a) it's in the 4th round of the FA Vase, i.e. THE BIGGEST MATCH IN OUR HISTORY so the players may be nervous, and b) Colne play in a mythical northern league where strikers are 8 feet tall and centrebacks eat nippy wingers for elevenses.

Attendence will be about 3,000.

I recommend drinking in the bar at the ground, as Dave suggested, though if so we'll need to get there pretty early (say 1 ish) as it fills up surprisingly early.

(Dave, been enjoying your quotes and pics in "The Spirit of Wimbledon")

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 5 January 2004 13:13 (twenty-one years ago)

xpost - Colette, I kiss you :)

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 5 January 2004 13:14 (twenty-one years ago)

aw shucks.

but i didn't really understand what you said either. maybe that means i'm not cut out for football!

― colette (a2lette), Monday, 5 January 2004 13:44 (twenty-one years ago)

If you're up for drinking beer with friends, standing in the cold shouting at a bunch of fit young men and watching some medium-to-good standard sporting action, then you're cut out for it. See you there :)

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 5 January 2004 13:50 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm just coming to heckle Harvey - "can't even have a top 20 hit on your own!" etc.

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 5 January 2004 13:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I will only come if the whole stand sings "there's only one Jarvis Cocker" at Harvey

― chris (chris), Monday, 5 January 2004 14:04 (twenty-one years ago)

done

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 5 January 2004 14:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Bump!

My suggestion is get to the ground for 1pm and nab a table in one of the bars, from where we will drink a Hopkins-sized beer ration so we're good and ready to sing our hearts out for the lads. I'll find directions to the ground as well and link them here.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 13 January 2004 12:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 62 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

If I'm on the booze, I ain't coming

― chris (chris), Friday, 16 January 2004 11:45 (twenty-one years ago)

don't forget me and the missus.

more importantly, who is meeting up with us and boyler at waterloo? don't want to leave anyone behind...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 16 January 2004 11:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll be at Waterloo.

Our Chairman does a brilliant Bat Out of Hell.

I have witnessed the Kris Stewart George Michael impression. ph34r!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 16 January 2004 11:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll be at Waterloo.

me too. I do not trust my ability to get to Kingston unaided.

― MarkH (MarkH), Friday, 16 January 2004 11:56 (twenty-one years ago)

MORE karaoke? oh alright then

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 16 January 2004 11:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I might be at Waterloo, but I have a plumber coming in the morning. I'll liaise with y'all via mobile phone, just like proper hoolies.

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 16 January 2004 13:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Are you coming tooled up Barry?

I think Barry works as a hoolie altyer-ego. I'm Crusher, BTW.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 16 January 2004 13:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Ooh! Meejar hoors needed! People needed for filming 1.30 at Nortbiton Station tomorrow, and for a little bit after the match. Producer's promised a drinkie for people who help out.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 16 January 2004 14:33 (twenty-one years ago)

what sort of thing, just background crowdage or giving opinions and stuff?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 16 January 2004 15:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Bazza, your public needs you!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 16 January 2004 15:13 (twenty-one years ago)

waa. i feel out of the loop with only occasional email and internet this week.

anyway, i think i'll rough it and enjoy the rain and frost and i'll come and cheer along with you all.

i'll probably come over with sarah a little after you guys, so don't wait for me at the clock at noon.

p.s. are there any colors i shouldn't wear? (like the other team's colors or something?)

― colette (a2lette), Friday, 16 January 2004 15:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Wear yellow and blue Colette. I have no idea what Colne play in.

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 16 January 2004 15:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I won't be coming. Sorry, but I feel rather too tired and have been struggling for health and strength lately, so I need a good restful weekend.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 16 January 2004 18:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I hear Colne play in red. I dunno about the media whoredom - won't it mean we're standing around forever in the cold at Norbiton station?

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 16 January 2004 18:37 (twenty-one years ago)

More good news for Saturday: there's post-match Karaoke in the bar. That should tip all you waverers (which way I'm not sure)... ;o)

Back to lurking now...

― Charlie B. (Charlie B.), Friday, 16 January 2004 21:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Not Charlie Bell, surely?

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 16 January 2004 21:43 (twenty-one years ago)

if i sing '99 Red Balloons' at the karaoke will I be thrown out? (obscure joke)

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 16 January 2004 21:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, surely Charlie Bell. :o) 'tis I.

― Charlie B. (Charlie B.), Saturday, 17 January 2004 01:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I know you don't know me from Adam, but it's weird seeing you in this context instead of on W&WW! (I'm Biondino on there btw)

Anyway, see you all soon and COME ON YOU DONS!!

(Incidentally, I had my boiler fixed this morning by an AFCW-supporting plumber I found in the Dons Directory - if anyone in East Surrey, Kingston, Merton etc. needs a plumber I can heartily recommend him)

― Markelby (Mark C), Saturday, 17 January 2004 11:04 (twenty-one years ago)

good day out. shame they lost though.

― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 18 January 2004 00:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Glad you had fun, steve.

Biondino/Adam (can't tell the difference) - I was over at a few games over crimble.

Right, blame Dave B for the pants footie (because *everything* is his fault), and we'll choose a better game next time we drag you fine people to the 'Meadow of Kings.

― Charlie B. (Charlie B.), Sunday, 18 January 2004 02:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Shame we've already played Chessington United at home :)

― Markelby (Mark C), Sunday, 18 January 2004 12:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Those who left missed strangeness indeed. Chairman did some Meatloaf. Also taking the mic was a former playing partner of Andy 'The Viking' Fordham who assured me that he can get tickets for the final of next year's PDC tournament in Purfleet. Result!

― Dave B (daveb), Sunday, 18 January 2004 12:56 (twenty-one years ago)

The karaoke was class and put the hardcore who were present back in an excellent frame of mind

― j0e (j0e), Sunday, 18 January 2004 13:01 (twenty-one years ago)

On the plus side, Chris and Vicky introduced the returning Londoners to a marvellous boozer in Waterloo. Any more news on your purse, Vicky? And Colette got to see a good old British 22-man brawl.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 18 January 2004 14:20 (twenty-one years ago)

it was a very good pub, generally speaking, but I am still wondering whether it was that seafood platter which made me so ill. When I got back to Oxford I had a very bad case of vomiting and diarrhoea, possibly my worst ever and felt very hot. However, this afternoon, fortunately, I feel absolutely fine.

― MarkH (MarkH), Sunday, 18 January 2004 14:27 (twenty-one years ago)

i had a good time, and interacted with a range of fans from the shouty boys next to me for the first half (who apologized when they accidentally hit me in their crazyhappy moshing when several of them lost shoes) to the guys that wanted me to explain the difference between american football and your football.

but i had a good time and was so excited by the fight at the end...what luck!

― colette (a2lette), Sunday, 18 January 2004 15:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Prising those 96% closed train doors apart at Waterloo station was the greatest rush I have ever experienced fyi

― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 18 January 2004 15:05 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry to hear about that Mark, we were all fine, maybe it was the chicken kebabs???

The purse is indeed gone and it was probably those two women we noticed, but all the cards got cancelled straight away so hopefully all will be well.

As for AFC, it was just like watching (and standing with) Millwall, not at all what I expected, possibly the bitterest crowd I've ever experienced - no humour, just bitterness. I really really hate the "let him die" chant - it's just nasty.

― chris (chris), Sunday, 18 January 2004 16:06 (twenty-one years ago)

There is also the small matter of the lack of overt racism and outright intimidation Chris.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 18 January 2004 22:59 (twenty-one years ago)

but he really IS a dirty nothern bastad. he said it himself! chortle.

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 19 January 2004 00:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Chris, I think you're barking up the wrong tree. If there's a football crowd in the country who doesn't chant a variation on "let himdie" when they feel a player is time-wasting or feigning injury then I'm a monkey's uncle. This was the biggest, tensest game in our short history, and our expectations were so high. Also, we were standing next to the 15-year-old wankers in their Burberry caps who us proper fans are at pains to disassociate ourselves from.

No humour? You're just plain wrong there.

Perhaps the fans are a little more defensive than most, considering what's been done to us. Perhaps they were frustrated because we were playing badly against a lower league team.

(Matt, the overt racism came from the Colne players, apparently - Harvey, Scott and Braham, the 1st team coach, have
given statements to police about the consistent racial abuse they received throughout the match)

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 19 January 2004 00:48 (twenty-one years ago)

i'd say the level of hostility was about the same as at the last Premiership game i went to - although this was Spurs v Chelsea. and the vast bulk of it came down to three Spurs lads sitting behind me moaning and cursing at the German guys trying to find their seats 15 minutes into the game - the ugly sentiments were shared by a few others though, shame. I don't believe that sort of thing is exclusive to the Premiership or indeed Tottenham Hotspur, and it was an 'important' match for both teams and their fans but i suppose it's all relative really.

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 19 January 2004 01:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry Mark, I really didn't enjoy the atmosphere at the game, no there wasn't any racist chanting (a good thing obv) apart from the northerner baiting. But it all just seemed so consistently nasty.

Comparing it with the Exeter games I've been to lately and others in the past this just seemed so apparent. Maybe it was the sections we were in (it wasn't just in the kop end, there were idiotic comments made in the other bit we stood in too)

As for the Harvey thing, was he on the pitch at the end of the game when it all kicked off? from what I saw he raced onto the pitch from the stand and ran round the back of the crowd to have a go at someone.

― chris (chris), Monday, 19 January 2004 09:44 (twenty-one years ago)

There is also the small matter of the lack of overt racism and outright intimidation Chris.

i think Matt was refering to Millwall here Mark, not AFC...

according to the observer harvey was told to "go back to the effing jungle, you effing monkey" or similar by the colne players...

one thing that i only thought about after the match is i didn't hear a single chant about any of the AFC players from the fans, lots about Mr Eames and more about Mr Coppell but not the lads on the pitch...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 19 January 2004 10:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Steve, you're right and that's odd. I did hear a Harvey chant and a couple of Danny Oakins chants ("Danny Okains is our mate, he hates Palace"). Usually there are individual player chants for Joe Sheerin, Ryan Gray, Kevin Cooper, Matt Everard, but I guess none of them really had a great game.

The key thing is I've never seen the fans so tense. Everyone gets shirty in situations like that.

I did get the comment was about Millwall though, Steve - I thought my reply was still valid.

Chris, sorry to get so defensive - I felt completely deflated and depressed all weekend and I think I'm only beginning to get some perspective back myself in the cold light of the working week.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 19 January 2004 10:43 (twenty-one years ago)

the only link I wanted to make to Millwall was the bitterness detected, I must stress, nothing else at all.

I was going to blog it on TMFD as "everyone likes us..... we don't care" but everything I was going to say has come out here really.

― chris (chris), Monday, 19 January 2004 10:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Millwall Millwall, you're all really dreadful...

Lixi and I were debating our nearest team to support and came to the conclusion it possibly IS Millwall, by the wonder of the P13 bus route. Can anyone think of any closer teams? Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find the closest team to Queens Road Peckham. Neu Cross? Dull Itch?

― Sarah (starry), Monday, 19 January 2004 10:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Dulwich Hamlet probably

― chris (chris), Monday, 19 January 2004 10:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Dulwich Hamlet! They play in a Sainsbury's car park!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 19 January 2004 10:57 (twenty-one years ago)

You should support Charlton, obviously.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 19 January 2004 10:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Dude! The giant Sainsers on Dog Kennel Lane? (Hill?) How mental! Charlton eh, where do they play and do they have pies? I am still up for visiting a local footie match btw but I'm a bit put off by reports of a nasty crowd. Barry sold it more of a lashings and lashings of ginger beer type crowd though so I guess my expectations were a little off :)

― Sarah (starry), Monday, 19 January 2004 11:05 (twenty-one years ago)

The New Den is very close to you, Starry, much closer than Dulwich Hamelt. Don't be put off AFCW - it really wasn't as bad as Chris makes it out to be. Come to a less tense match and you'll be fine.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 19 January 2004 11:06 (twenty-one years ago)

also sarah, no one likes you and you don't care, so you mayaswell be a millwall fan :)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 19 January 2004 11:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Sarah just turn up at any random match and support the ref, as he is the most goth man on the pitch.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 19 January 2004 11:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Waaaaaa that was mean! Piss off Meansmile! :(

Is the ref the one with the clove cigarettes there? Good-o.

― Sarah (starry), Monday, 19 January 2004 11:27 (twenty-one years ago)

aw, i'm sowwy petal, i was only joking, i know you care that no one likes you...

[rimshot]

i'll get my coat.

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 19 January 2004 11:31 (twenty-one years ago)

ALSO

this saturday is Dagenham & Redbridge vs Exeter City, Hopkins and I will be going, everyone is welcome, let me know if you fancy it.

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 19 January 2004 11:33 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm tempted to go just to shout 'Resign Fox' or 'Bend It Like Geller'

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 19 January 2004 15:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I fear you are testing the limits of Mr Hopkins non-posting powers here Steve.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 19 January 2004 15:18 (twenty-one years ago)

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