The photo is of the motley crew congregating in the Rock before last Saturdays adventure to FC United in Manchester. It had been decided after some debate throughout the week leading up to the game that the M1 was the best option following a discussion Dan had had with his lorry driving brother Harry. Fair enough, you bow to these legends of the road. We were going in convoy with Pat McMahon in the vanguard, accompanied by Dan Coyle, Wilf Wilson and myself. Gordon Edgar was following, his team consisting of Brian Joiner, Fish and JC. The big feller (Gordon) had been preening beforehand about his new car but was somewhat disenchanted when he told us later at the Dog and Partridge, a lovely Inn high on the Moors, that his fuel gauge wasn't working! Questions were asked about where he purchased the vehicle, ‘not from a car salesman in the Rock by any chance Gordon?’
A nice snack and a pint was enjoyed in the Dog, nice people running the place too. Dan Coyle was his usual insouciant self, almost joyous, asking the landlady if she would be kind enough to place his Kit Kat, which was melting in his rucksack, in her fridge to harden for a bit.
That she did was testimony to what pleasant people they are in the north of England. “Of course” she said with a lovely smile to a delighted Dan, “no problem”.
Half an hour later while driving through the wonderfully named village of Tintwhistle Dan blurted out from the back of the car; “My Kit Kat!” Pat nearly put his foot through the floor as he slammed his brakes! I wouldn’t say Dan was distraught at the possible loss of his Kit Kat, too strong a word, but we pacified him by telling him we would head back to the Dug after the game to retrieve it and for a post match pint while we were there.
The M1 turned out to be a decent route, as rumours before kick off confirmed. The supporters bus which left the White Hart had been delayed on the awful M6 due to the normal congestion and delays and didn’t arrive at FC until well after the kick off.
The trip to FC United was certainly an experience. We had been warned beforehand that the welcome at Moston, Manchester would be hostile, unfriendly. The supporters were arrogant, belligerent. Couldn’t have been further from the truth. Everyone was made to feel welcome.
They have a wonderful ground, great facilities and bags of room for expansion. A club on its way up the pyramid ladder, no doubt about it.
The atmosphere inside their stadium was electric and the din their fans make has to be heard to be believed. Some cracking songs they sing as well. What was amazing was how many of their ‘old yins’ were singing along with gusto too. They say a crowd like that is worth a goal start to their team. An old cliche it may be, even if Corby defied that logic last Saturday. It was a battle of the two promoted Champion sides from last season and it was a good scrap. FC charged out of their blocks from the kick off and tore into the Steelmen, hammering away towards the hordes of their fans in that huge intimidating stand behind the goal.
It must haven discerning for keeper Paul Walker but a good experience never the less and he was his usual safe and solid self.
It didn’t look too promising with Corby’s goal under siege but the defence held firm with Ben Milnes and Cleveland Taylor both tireless terriers in front of the back four providing some excellent cover. As the game progressed FC’s desire began to wane, passes began to stray, frustration crept in as Corby’s defence held firm. There was only occasional forays into the FC half but it was enough to make FC feel uncomfortable about a counter attack.
Second half was much the same with the Steelmen more prominent in attack but it was a stalemate. The noise intensified though. The 3,000 odd fans sang even louder. Both sides were going for the winner, one goal would surely be enough, and unfortunately for us, it went to the home side, with five minutes left on the clock. A scrappy effort it was too but they all count. The Corby team and our fans, must have been well over a hundred had travelled, were deflated. Home fans were gracious, shaking our hands and wishing us well and a safe trip home. The banter during the game had been great.
A sickening blow and ultimately disappointing result, Tommy Wright mustn’t lose heart, this was by far the best his team had played this season. Suddenly it looked like the team started to believe that they do belong in this division, we can hold our own with the ‘big money’ sides.
FC are a club going places, as long as they can hold on to their core of ‘disgruntled’ Man Utd fans, as Pat McMahon opined. As their songs about Busby and the George Best era intimated, they have fallen out of love with their parent club and premiership football in general. The sky high admission prices, the all seating arenas, the hype, the absurd wages..haven’t we all had enough of this? United’s goalkeeper David De Gea epitomised the phoney and sanctimonious state of the game at the higher level this week. Denied a transfer to Real Madrid and sulking after months of courting the Spanish giants, all of a sudden, when it’s clear it wasn’t going to happen, he’s ‘delighted’ to be staying at Old Trafford after all, no doubt persuaded by a four year deal believed to be worth around £200,000 a week. OK, you wouldn’t turn it down either but you can understand the disillusionment of football fans who follow these clubs. And we are supposed to idolise these people?
Getting back to matters nearer home at Steel Park. There has been a lot of wailing this season, regarding the style of play the Steelmen have been serving up and only the other week, Tommy Wright’s admission that he gets frustrated and doesn’t want to watch the style of football of lumping the ball up front all the time, was refreshing. Tom’s on the same wavelength as most of us punters even if Pat McMahon claims he over hears us sitting in the stand whinging! The former Corby Radio presenter is vociferous and often emotional.
Having said all this its great being in this league and it will take time to adapt to this higher level of football. Quite simply there’s a few clubs who are full-time, bigger clubs with bigger fan bases, hence more money so personally I reckon we should all appreciate what we have and keep the faith with Tommy and the board and that we will continue to progress. Takes time, and money, chaps.
Worcester City are our opponents today, another club we have done many a battle with over the years. They were one of the first teams I remember watching at Occupation Road when I was a kid. There was great excitement at the inclusion of former Manchester City and Welsh international captain Roy Paul playing for them at the time.
Don’t remember much about the game, to tell you the truth. At the age of 8 I was more interested in playing ‘tig' and chasing around with my mates, probably annoying the older fans! Until there was a penalty or something!
Happy days!
