Knowing ours rarely comments in public about the happenings off the field (except for BBC Humberside interviews), I thought some of you may be interested in a blog by a chairman from a Ryman team. He tries to give people an idea of the time, costs and stresses of running a club at this sort of level.
It appears everyone around the country is in a similar boat.
Midweek away, and I was only working 15 miles away, so I whipped over to support the lads after work. The ground itself was a throwback to some of the grounds i went to as a kid in the 70’s, portakabins and corrugated sheeting for fences, the pitch looked like ti had been built on the side of an old roman hill, but the rest of the hill had been taken away after the Roman occupation. And the wind, jeez, it was like a Saturday in November – sunny and cold, descending into night and really cold, it was bloody freezing.
Omens weren’t good, when during warm up, Phil Harrison is seen leaning on Rachels arm for support as he goes back into the dressing room (or did he know something we didn’t?).
Anyway i’m not gonna re-write history, i’ll put my post from the forum up which will sum up the game
Unfortunately, I have to agree with IAMNOTABADMAN. Conditions were difficult, windy and bloody cold.
Harrogate Railway (HR) played a very quick counter attacking game, given an average age of about 23, they soon had our lads chasing a few shadows – the 3 at the back played well throughout, but we got caught cold 3 times by the counter attacking down the channels, and the “wing backs” or “wide midfielders” (whatever they’re called) were just getting caught out of position when we were attacking. Harps and Stoney I thought played well, Greavsie was out of the game for long periods, due to little or no service.
After going 1 down in the 1st half, we had some good chances and finally broke through with a fine header by Wayne H. We continued to press for the second goal, but got caught with a sucker punch. That just seemed to knock the stuffing out of us, and for the rest of the game struggled to get into it again. We became more and more direct as the game went on, and when the 3rd goal went in, we reverted to a back four and pushed Harps forward to support the front two. But by then the damage had been done and we were 15 minutes from the end.
HR had a couple of players that bossed the game (no’s 8 and 10) and looked very comfortable at this level. The game did get a little niggly, Liam B being the main protagonist (how he didnt get lamped tonight i’ll never know).
For the 15 or so away fans (and 14 away players), this will be a night to forget, however i’m sure the memories will be as vivid as a Freddy Kruger nightmare. Phil Harrison must have ahd a vision, because he strained a toe muscle in the warm up…..
Ash and Stoney need to pick the boys up, for what will be a tremendous game/day on saturday.
Regards
A tired, just warmed back up, fed up but smiling.
zin
Only three other posters, Malcolm and IAMNOTABADMAN and Teach whose “The unacceptable display at Harrogate was added to by a calf injury to Phil Harrison – this is a recurring problem for Phil and could keep him out for 3 or 4 weeks.” was more to the point.
I’m gutted that i can’t make the next three games but hope everyone has a good time on Saturday. Good luck and lets hope tonights performance was a blip.
This was it ! 1st game of the new season proper and a home tie to boot. Talking to a few before the game there was an air of excitement around the ground, a buzz that i hadn’t felt at my adopted club. After last years doom and gloom, we feel we have a squad capable at this level of making it.
But it didn’t take long for the tingle to turn into a 40,000 volt electric shock, as we went 1 down early on. But the difference this year is belief and an attitude to want to turn it round. And boy did they do that. A well worked equalizer and an absolute stunner from Greavsie put us in the box seat. We overrun Chorley and huge amounts of possession and chances but couldn’t really kill it off. Until 2 minutes from time, they score an equally brilliant goal to draw level.
Gutted. That was so deflating. I can’t begin to imagine what it was like for the players, but I just got a real knotted feeling in the pit of my stomach. On the up side a 2-2 draw against a “respected” team, cant be bad on the opening day
I’ve been reading some comments on the Stoke forum regards “Sky killing our national game” because of money.
But thinking about it, as a kid we were subjected to three or four live games a year and these included the FA Cup final and one or two “other” important games, with highlights being shown on Match of the Day and The Big Match (one was always on too late for a pre-teen, and the other was always on as Sunday dinner was being served). Then in the 80′, ITV came along and started to show some live games from the then Canon Division 1. This made Sunday afternoons pretty good. Then things changed in the early 90’s, BskyB or whatever they were called, helped football re-invent itself.
The dawn of the Premiership ! To an audience of about 300. Back to where we were when I was a kid, four or five live games a year and MOTD/Big Match, unless you were willing to pay a monthly fee and have an odd shaped dish on the side of your house. The pubs recognised an opportunity to bring in a bit more trade and duly signed up for it. As the 90’s progressed, Sky started to pump more money into it £500m+ then upwards of a £billion.
Eventually in 98/99 I got Sky primarily for me for the footy, for the missus the films and for the kids cartoons. And to this day I still have it. The amount of football has increased (even with EU stipulations to ship some of it to someone else), the quality of the football coverage is superb (and has been a platform for others too follow) and the quality of the football we watch is probably the best in the world. Why? Money. Spnsorship, investors, fans and Sky.
There are complaints (and I have been vocal in this), that the working man cannot access the terraces like he used to because of the spiraling costs – £30+ per ticket, travel £4 for a pie, £3-4 for a programme, £40 for a shirt….etc etc etc. But the grounds are generally full, Man U getting 76,000+ for every home game, the shirts are being sold and worn everywhere.
Another complaint that I have relates to the distribution of the money. From the Championship down the ladder to clubs like Brid, I feel for too long not enough money has filtered down the pyramid for local clubs to improve, grow and increase their community base (for discussion later..).
I’m currently watching the Portsmouth v Bolton game after work and before our match with Chorley. Its been a good game, good goals but spoilt by the standard of refereeing, which has been shocking (the ref will do our next home game then…!! when did challenging for the ball against the goalie suddenly become a crime – pees me off that rule does, and why is it a free kick is ALWAYS given against the attacking team at corners and free kicks for shirt pulling or some other spurious infringement, never the defending team). Good to see at least 10 home grown players on the pitch for a change.
I don’t feel so bad about my £42/month subscription, irrespective of what the wife thinks.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7A6yN_chSs" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Some of you know that when I was growing up, I would go and watch my local football team – Wealdstone F.C.
During the 70’s and 80’s they were stalwarts in what is now the Conference (now the Blue Square) but suffered a dramatic demise after their ground was sold in 1991. They ground shared with Watford and several other clubs over the last 15 years, hopefully their quest to get into their new home will be over soon. The point of this post ? The loss of a home can have a devastating impact on the club, fans and community alike, this could be mirrored with Scarborough’s recent position and one that could quiet easily happen to Brid (without the backing of people like Pete Smurthwaite). The link is / was Wealdstone’s home (my home!!) and after watching the video recalled so many happy memories. Perhaps someone out there has one of Queensgate or even the McCain stadium that I could link into ????
Cheers
zin
Not wishing to stay totally insular and post up all things Brid, i thought i’d add a few links to the blog. There are many people including those at Brid who like to keep up with things around the country in similar leagues, many subscribing to the NonLeague paper. So I have included The Ryman (Isthmian), Southern and Unibond leagues and Tony Kempsters useful resource.
Any ideas for some more would be welcomed.
Turns out this game was a bit more poignant than many for a number of reasons; Towns old management duo of Billy Heath and Mark Carroll coming back, our last pre-season friendly before the Chorley match next week – but it turns out that the game will be remembered more for the tribute to Alan “the ball boy” White who sadly passed away during the week.
There were many tributes to Alan on the Brid forum, I didn’t know him too well, but we would always say hello, and maybe have a few words about the game / club. He was one of the clubs stalwarts who had been and watched the club for more years than most, and even helped out the junior teams by being the lino or ref when required. There was a minutes silence before the game, with Pete Smurthwaite laying a wreath and signed football in the centre circle before the game, and then comforting Alan’s family for the minutes silence. Fantastic tribute by all.
Billy Heath was the manager that took the club to successive promotions a few years ago that took them from Northern Counties to Unibond Premier. He was now in charge at Frickley, who are in the Unibond Prem – whilst we are in the first. Knowing Billy, it wasn’t going to be “just a friendly” and would ensure they were their for a well deserved thrashing of his former team.
But our lads had different ideas, and from the off played superbly well in every position, even Nick Baxter who was playing his first game in goal for a while was very impressive (if only a tad heavier than when we saw him last). If anybody see’s a finer goal than Tom Greaves first effort all season, I would be very surprised – it was sheer class and would adorn any scrapbook. The second was also a finely taken effort, with great work by the team. During the first half, I’d mentioned to a couple of the guys I was stood with the Billy was a bit quiet, and that he must have mellowed in old age…..ha ha ha, oh to have been a fly on the wall in the dressing room after the game, the Frickley boys were getting the “Alex Ferguson hair dryer” treatment from Billy, which could be heard out on the pitch (and probably the bar).
An interesting incident half way through the second half, me and the lad were wandering to the far goal to watch the game and for my lad to chat to the ballboy. anyway their keeper has just been substituted and comes wandering over to the ballboy screaming “Don’t F**king tell me to f**k off you little bastard, you’re a f**king disgrace as a steward and i should be reporting you and getting you the sack, you supposed to represent your club” – now at this point, I thought he was gonna lamp the kid (he was about 6′4″ and built like a proverbial outhouse) and i said to him “there is absolutely no need to talk to the kid like that no matter what he’s done”
“He told me to f**k off and i’m not having it, it’s a f**king disgrace” trudged off and moaned to the guys in the tunnel, Pete Smurthwaite came over and had a chat with the kid, who was visibly and understandably shocked by it.
Turns out the kid had shouted to the Brid lads to keep the ball high coz the keeper was crap with high balls as he always drops them. Thats when the big man in goal bit and told the kid to f**k off, so as he was being substituted the kid turned round (thinking the goalie was out of earshot) and said “f**k off yourself you wan*er”, hence the verbal he got off the goalie (who could give it, but certainly couldn’t take it).
Not overshadowing a great day for the lads and a great tribute to a lad who couldn’t be there in body on the day, but whose spirit will stay with the club forever.
I’d been looking forward to this one for a couple of days, since I missed the Goole game I suppose. Then bugger me I’m sat at home having me tea, when me lad comes in and says “Are we not going to the game tonight?”
“What game?”
“Brid Town!”
“Oh Bollocks” I’d sodding forgotten, “Whats the time?”
“five to eight, are we going?”
“Yeah” so we turn up at 8, only to find 1) we still gotta pay and 2) we were 2-0 up – Jesus Mary and Joseph !!!!
We watched the last 15 of the half, and to be honest the lads were excellent, great passing and tackling, some great team camaraderie. Half time came in no time, so I mustn’t be rude and joined some of the mass for a pint. Like a donkey, I was still playing the fruit machine in the bar when I heard a tiny cheer. Turns out the Spirerites had scored.
I decided to go and watch the darn game and cheer the guys on. By this time the visitors were obviously getting into the game more, but the defensive strengths of Stoney, Dexter and Tom Carter was excellent, with Pete Naylor and Wayno, Phillo H, Braddy and Neil Towler all immense in the midfield. Greavsie and berry superb up front.
Had the chance to chat to Dean Lackie mid way through the second half, nice lad who had got injured in the first half – setting up our goals.
We had a new goalie tonight who played very well, although I don;t think he will replace Clarkey, I do think he will put him under pressure for his place – only a good thing.
I think the management team and players have done themselves proud after the last few games, the winning feeling is coming back and I think we are all getting a tingling feeling for our chances this year, its the least they deserve.
Perhaps i should turn up late for all our games and spend more time in the bar at every game.
I left to go to work in York yesterday with every intention of dropping down the A19 to go and see the game, then disaster struck as I was getting ready to go, the missus and little ‘un decided to come with me and go shopping whilst i was at work. Damn that means at least another 80 miles and 2 hours if I want to go to, coz I would have to take them home and go to Goole – sod it. As it happens by the time I played the dutiful husband and dad, it was 2.30 before we got back to Brid (I half contemplated going to watch York v Huddersfield at Kit Kat crescent), but decided to go to Queensgate and watch the Scarboro match, ironically they played Goole a few days before and lost 3-0.
There was “a dissapointing” 199 in the ground for this match, against a team from Sutton, containing ex Liverpool & Tottenham player Paul Walsh (45 yrs old and still getting up and down the pitch), and a few ex Scarborough players.
£4 & £2 to get in, the Scarborough fans were trying to be innovative in the way they got extra funds into the club – their half time draw was one I know they did at the McCain whereby everyone bought a ticket for a quid, winner took half of all the monies the club get the other half. They also had programme sellers wandering around the ground flogging them. One guy just picked up a bucket and went touting for “some spare change”, more importantly there was some nice totty there !!!
The game was exceptional from Scarboroughs point of view, apart form our mate Drew Mc who wasn’t even going to play today (you won’t become a pro player on Pie and chips Drew !!). Joe Lightowler scored a tremondous opener, but Sutton didn’t take too long to equalise. But then the impressive Lightowler scored an absolute screamer of a goal, a 45 yard lob, and for the rest of the half, he bossed the front line. Sutton started ok but as the game went on and the goals went in, they faded, with only Walshy the only player putting up any resistance. Finished 6-1.
A good game and pleasant atmosphere. Oh and we beat Goole 2-1 apparently, lol, they beat Scarborough 3-0 who beat us 4-2. Queer game aint it.
Another game in played within a couple of the last one. This time to NCEL team Winterton Winter Rangers web site who last week played and beat a strong Hull team 3-2 and a GrimsbyXI 2-1, but losing Billy Heaths Frickley 2-1 on Saturday – so these guys were no mugs. Up until about 5pm I wasn’t sure if I was going as I had been working in Hull, quick chat with the missus and I was on my way (some people could read totally the wrong idea into that statement).
I’d only been to the village / town once in my life, some years ago. But before anything else, I needed some grub, and once in the centre of the village I had the choice of an Indian (closed), Chinese (closed) or the fish & chip come Kebab come Pizza parlour – no choice really. Expecting some stereotypical Turkish / Greek / Arab / middle eastern health and safety accident, I was pleasantly served by 3 tasty young chicks ! The chips were as nice as they were, but the fish was awful – not as good as the Pride.
To the ground for 7.15, and even greater sight for old lecherous eyes, the Winterton Ladies were just getting ready for an evening training, I even contemplated watching them train for half an hour or so – but would probably end up spending the next 12 months with the ex-actor Chris Langham at her majestys pleasure somewhere. Anyway there were 3 other Brid fans waiting to go in, a couple of faces i recognised, one of which was my quiz adversary mainincrowd1.
Perhaps an idea that the current management could borrow from last nights game was the free entry to the ground that we were granted – well it was an open door and we just went in. In the bar we encountered another fan, Pete Smurthwaite.
4 or 5 others showed up prior to kick off, squad member Warren Spear appeared with the camera to record last nights game for prosperity.
Early doors and the team looked like they were gelling well, however our top2 strikers were out (James Dean having a trial at Bury). Within 7 minutes a well worked goal down the right saw Neill Towler. Then I dunno things went a little fuzzy, after 28 minutes we were 4-1 down. WTF !!! Then Scott Broughton scored a smart goal from outside the box. Half Time 4-2, but could have been 8-6.
Second half we started strongly again, 3 changes at half time and this seemed to make all the difference. We kept the ball on the deck, and made many many in roads into a tiring home team (who apparently had 6 first teamers out). The three lads at the back were immense this half with Stoney Harps and Dexter playing out of their skins. Our silent captian was more vocal but still needs to inspire his team. Neill scored a further couple of well taken goals for a great hat trick, and our winner came from an unlickely scorer – Dean Lackie, after some excellent work from Ash Dexter.
A great finale, and a much deserved win, but some of the lads came off with their heads down and not smiling. Great respect for Ash to come over and talk to me, mainincrowd and his buddy at the end.
Made the trip worthwhile, even though It was an 11 o’clock finish.
BREAKING NEWS : James Dean has signed for league side Bury, I wish him all the best for the future, it would be nice to see him back at Queensgate at some point soon.
