I must be honest from the get go, that this is really more
of a half season review, as we only started this project in January, but what a
6 months it has been, from that cold January afternoon at Wingate &
Finchley FC, to now, it has been quite the adventure, and although the Summer
break allows us to reacquaint ourselves with our friends and family for a
while, we are both raring to go for the next season.It really feels like an age ago, that we were rocking up at the gates of Wingate & Finchley’s, Harry Abrahams Stadium, and right off the bat getting the opportunity thanks to Paul Lerman to have a tour of the ground. It was an instant realisation for us both of what we were getting ourselves into, of what non-league football had to offer, how friendly and welcoming people were going to be, and after that first 90mins shivering in the cold January sun, we could not wait for more.
The original mission was to visit every ground outside the Premiership
inside the M25, so our next visit took us quickly back to the more familiar
surroundings of the top flight, and a visit to Fulham FC, and a 4th
round replay against Sunderland AFC. A Craven cottage pie, a photo opportunity
with Phil Brown, and a brief encounter with Jermain Defoe, were probably the highlights
of a bitter February evening, and although the grandeur of a once premiership
ground was on offer, it lacked all the things we had fallen in love with at
Wingate, so it was that game that made our minds up for us, and we wanted to be
a lot more non-league focused, then perhaps we had first thought.
One team we really wanted to visit, ever since that drunken
New Year’s conversation was AFC Wimbledon. This was partly due to a friend of
Toms singing the praises of the atmosphere, partly because of their story as a
fan owned club, born out of a reaction to the decimation of their club, but
most of all a chance to see “The Beast” in all his glory. The atmosphere, much
like “The Beast” did not disappoint, and the constant singing of the crowd,
once again threw open our stuffy Premiership minds, to how much a singing adds
to your enjoyment of a match.
Our next attempt to watch a game was one of two at a time of
year that led to games being called off due to the weather taking its toll on
the pitch. An aborted visit to Hemel Hempstead FC resulted in us jumping of the
train at Wembley, and then arriving at Wealdstone FC, to be also told that the
match was off. A brief glimpse of the Wealdstone Raider made up for no game,
and a few pints and a cheese roll later, made for not a totally unpleasant afternoon.
In inner city London and in the shadow of Canary Wharf, we watched
Tower Hamlets FC. A club run with an ethos, of community and inclusion for all
walks of life in a very diverse neighbourhood. At the helm on match days, Adam
Richardson and his young staff of volunteers guide the club along.
The next two games were an international affair, with two
games in Berlin. An opportunity for us to witness the much lorded match day in
Germany, and it did not disappoint, if anything it is slightly depressing to
see what you get, what you can experience for a fraction of the price, and 10
times the enjoyment. It was the lower leagues of German football that we
enjoyed first, and from the beginning to the end it was nothing short of
football perfection. Tennis Borussia Berlin were our hosts on a Friday evening,
and from pitching up at the secret fan base, the welcome we got and in
particular from Alex and Lenin who took two German football virgins under their
wings, and ensured we had a great time. The setting of the Mommsenstadion, the sausages
and mustard, the beer and the TeBe Party Army truly made it a football experience,
we will never forget. Although it was a defeat on the day, TeBe have now gone
on to secure their division title and promotion.
Hertha Berlin and the Olympic Stadium confirmed everything
and more in terms of what people say about football in Germany. It showed that
the sanitised Premiership has so much to learn from its German cousin. The
ticket price, the relaxed atmosphere, being treated like an adult, but most importantly
the Ostkurve for the first time showed us what a group of fans, who are allowed
to demonstrate their passion can be like, and I think we spent most of our time
watching the Capo pull the strings of the all standing crowd, rather than the
match itself.
Once back from our international ground hopping, it was a
game much closer to home, in fact a club I must of passed a 100 times on my way
to Spurs over the years, but had never seen play. Haringey Borough FC are
another fine example of the friendly attitude adopted by so many of the clubs
we visited, from the board member selling the tickets to the Chairman
introducing himself to us in the stands, it was a real pleasure, a thrilling
game and the only club we visited twice this season.
Towards the end of the season now, and it seemed to be manly
finals we were attending, along with a few nail biting do or die end of season games.
Non more emotional, non-more exciting than the FA Trophy Final
at Wembley and the performance of a life time from a village club from
Yorkshire, North Ferriby United AFC. 2 – 0 down, being out played by a team
from a division higher, to dramatically drag it back to 2 – 2, and take it into
extra time. If you thought things could not get any more exciting, they took a
3 -2 lead in extra time, only then for their opponents to get a late goal and
take it to penalties. To round things off in the most dramatic of ways, they
sealed the victory with a tense penalty shoot-out. The only game I have ever been
to that has reduced me to floods of tears. Yes Wembley was only a quarter full
and it was raining cats and dogs, but never have I been so emotionally affected
by a game of football in my life. Since the win, Ferriby have been somewhat
plunged into the headlines for the wrong reasons, with the owners of the club
looking to sell, jeopardising the stability of such a great club, with some of
the most passionate fans we came across.
A trip down Donkey Lane took us to the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium
and the home of Enfield Town FC, England’s first fan owned club. What interested
us particularly about our visit, were the Enfield Ultras. Ultras are synonymous
in some parts of the world, with violence. The Enfield Ultras could not be more
opposite, and were die-hard fans, there to support their team all to the rhythm
of the ever beating drum. Another case of non-league football putting the
higher leagues to shame with the noise level and unwavering support. It was
only a shame that the FA decided to rain all over Enfield Towns parade, and
after a long but well played season, deduct 3 points from them, and forcing them
out of the much deserved play-off position, their seasons efforts had rewarded
them. I’m sure they will be back bigger and better, all with the fantastic
support of the Ultras.
Hitchin Town FC was like a bit of non-league time travel.
The original wooden stands around the Top Field that have not changed for many
years were great to see. The man selling programs from a garden shed, all added
to the character of a fine little club.
Another final next, but this time from a completely different
perspective. The chance to shadow Grays Athletic FC, for the Ryman League Cup
Final was a daunting and remarkable experience. To travel on the team bus,
share their pre match meal, watch the manager talk his players through his ideas
in the changing room before the game and watch the player’s ready themselves,
for the test ahead. Unfortunately for Grays Athletic FC the game did not go
their way, after a close fought game. The feeling of being in the changing room
after a cup defeat was a unique one.
The second visit of the season to Haringey Borough FC, was
on the day that they could win the Essex Senior League, and just like the last visit,
they did it the hard way. A screamer from the half way line was the winner in a
3 -2 seesaw game, and to be on the pitch as the team and staff celebrated, was
a real joy. Getting soaked in champagne in the changing room at full time was an
absolute season highlight.
Things at this time of the year are not only about cup
finals and promotion, but also about dreaded relegation. We were aware when we
visited Bromley FC home ground to see there lodgers Cray Wanderers FC, that
things had been a little bleak this season, and they were down the wrong end of
the table. Their victory on this day was the last 3 points required on a
remarkable turnaround, a run of something like 12 unbeaten, and the “Great
Escape” was complete.
Things were very much a formality when we visited The
Hive, for Barnet FC’s last home game of the season, sitting on top of the
Conference a victory would seal the title and promotion back into the Football
League. Barnet dominated the game and cruised to a 2 – 0 much like former
manager and player Graziloi had told us, when we managed to talk to him before kick
off, in the bar newly named after him. Standing pitch side, and the seconds to
full time counting down, and on the final whistle the out pouring of emotion
spilled on to the pitch in a full blown pitch invasion, is something neither of
us will forget in a hurry.
In to the final weeks of the season and its finals galore,
the first of 3 is the Surrey Senior Cup, as the Metropolitan Police brushed
away their opponents in an easy victory, and perhaps the winner of slightly odd
ground of the season went to Woking FC the cups hosts, with its huge, modern
all seater stand looming over the game, and totally out of keeping with the
rest of the ground.
The second of 3 finals was the Essex Senior League Final,
and is up there in our best games of the season, not only because of the resounding
7 – 1 victory for Bowers & Pitsea FC over Clapton FC, but the day from start to finish was amazing. The final was the second of the season where we got to follow a team on their big day, and what an insight it is to
watch a team prepare for such a big occasion, traveling with the team, watching
the manager instruct the team and then up close watch them, put his words into
action. An added bonus to the whole day was our first encounter with the
Clapton Ultras, just like the Enfield Ultras, hard core fans with a strong
message of antifascist, anti-homophobic, and singing for teams regardless. With
half time chorography, pyro, the Capo sitting on top of the dug outs, the flags
and the drum, were all a sight to behold, and something you can only really understand
if you see it for yourself.
The long awaited Ryman Premier League Play Off was the last
game of the season for us. Much later than it should have been, due to the
point’s deduction and subsequent appeal of Enfield Town FC, but things went ahead
and 2nd took on 3rd as Hendon FC hosted Margate FC. An early
red card for Hendon FC, and a single goal for Margate won them promotion, and a
strong season for Hendon where they picked up two bits of silverware, ended on
home soil, with a bit of a damp squib.
We cannot emphasize how much fun we have had, how many nice
people we have met, how many memorable experiences we have had in such a short
amount of time. We genuinely had little or no idea what the nonleague world was
all about, and we have been so pleasantly surprised, by the quality of football,
the grounds, but most importantly the people and the fans, and how quick people
have been to involve and include us, and some people going above and beyond to
help us to get a real insight in to the world of football.
There are so many people to thank, especially everyone at, Wingate
& Finchley FC, Tower Hamlets FC, Tennis Borrussia Berlin, North Ferriby
United AFC, Enfield Town FC, Hitchin Town FC, Grays Athletic FC, Haringey
Borough FC, Cray Wanders FC, Metropolitan Police FC, Bowers & Pitsea FC, Clapton FC, The Clapton Ultras and
Hendon FC.
A very special thank you has to go to Grays Athletic FC
& Bowers & Pitsea FC who were so generous in letting us follow them on
the day of their Cup Finals. It is an experience I’m sure few people have ever
had, and we are eternally grateful for the opportunity.
On Twitter we must acknowledge: @thecoldend, @TheDaisyCutter1,
@Phil_Football,
@TweetWhiteLine, @enfieldfanzine, @the92dotnet who have been a great help in sharing our work with the wider world, it has
been much appreciated. A big cheers to everyone on Facebook for their kind
words, and the all important “likes”.
We have a few ideas brewing for 2015 – 16, are very much enjoying where our involvement with Hackney Wick FC is heading and are looking
forward to it all already, see you next season,
Daniel & Tom.
For a full photographic review of 2015/16, click HERE
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