vs Northampton
Feb 4th, 2008 by Bert
I was told there was a piece about me in the Swindon Advertiser on Saturday, and I decided to go to the match. I called Jeremy - he told me I had to wear a suit. He knows what I’m like (I hate wearing suits) and he rang later to remind me. Later (and suitably attired) I headed off to the County Ground for the first time. I arrived in Swindon half an hour before the game having successfully negotiated the “magic roundabout” by the ground - a weird system of 5 mini roundabouts in one that looks as if it’s going to be a total disaster but works ok.
I thought I’d slip in to the ground quietly but people seemed to recognise me and twice I had a “hello Mr Black”. I thought this was a bit odd, but all became clear when I saw the Swindon Advertiser with my mug adorning the front page. I couldn’t believe I was front page news, but the Swindon Advertiser is a local daily and there wasn’t a lot of competition that day. It wasn’t the best picture - several years old and I thought I looked like a pudgy pasty faced cross between David Mellor and Doctor Evil. Oh well.
I went up to the board room - small and wood panelled with a trophy cabinet and a small TV. It had a lot of old world charm but it was very different to the London rooms (glass fronted boxes etc.) that I was used to. I had a plate of curry and chilli (fairly hot and spicy) and sat down between Nick Watkins (Chief Exec) and James and Sir Seton Wills. On my way out to the game I grabbed a slice of peanut butter and chocolate pudding but my timing was badly off - the plate gave way and the pudding hit the carpet making a terrible mess. Jeremy laughed loudly - I apologised and hastily made my way to my seat.
The Game
Jeremy ran me through the team - I’ve been following them for a while but it was good to get a bit more detail. Talking about Barry Corr made me think of Alan Cork who played a similar role for Wimbledon in the days when I used to follow them. I think the big guy up front is a lot of value, and Corr looked the ticket but the game had hardly got going when he was off with a dislocated shoulder. Sturrock came on, and later on he scored the only Swindon goal, but I wonder if Corr’s departure was unsettling as we didn’t seem to find quite the same rhythm afterwards.
Cox (papers not done in time) and Kanyuka (injured) were out so the two new signings on the pich were Ashikodi and McNamee. Both showed a little of what they are capable of but neither really shone. It worries me a little with players who were London born and bred that they may have trouble settling in outside of London - time will tell.
The final score of 1-1 was disappointing but probably fair. After the match I wandered down to meet a few of the players. I had a brief chat with Maurice Malpas - assured and confident with a strong handshake. I headed home a little later.
Main thoughts; We need goalscorers and Cox should make a lot of difference when he starts back. There were times when we didn’t look as if we were gelling as a team as much as we should have, but that should improve. The ground is old and a bit tired - a lot of Swindon residents head off to the Majedski stadium on a Saturday and that’s what we have to compete with.
11 Responses to “vs Northampton”
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i think you will find the young lady from weight watchers ‘made’ the plate give way, you know it was for your own good
The game was pretty dire wasn’t it,its not always like that honest.
As I commented before the photo at the top of this blog and the one in the Adver look like two different people so i’d never have recognised you.You should ditch the suit and come in the County Ground Hotel with the lads,get the real expierence!
I dont know where you get the idea that alot of Swindon residents go to the Madjeski? Swindon has alot of Ex London familys, so a fair few go to Spurs ,Arsenal,Chelsea but ive never met anyone who admits going to Reading!!
Come to an away game Andrew. You’ll get to see some proper passionate fans then!
In fact why don’t you come to Orient away? It’s a mid week game and a lot of us are going down by train (Leaving Swindon just after 10.00am) Leave your suit in the wardrobe! You can even buy me a pint!
Bert i think you will find every club in lower league needs a good striker there like gold dust.
Hope your Silverjet project picks up a bit. The price took a bit of a tumble today when I last looked. Regards, Phil.
Nice to hear the comments although I couldn’t get to the game, I heard that it was poor. That away day thing does sound like a good idea as we always take a good following to places. I also think ditch the suit, you could always turn up in an STFC shirt like Mike Ashley does at Newcastle, just an idea though. Glad to have you on board anyway Andrew, and I look forward to you playing a part in our club.
Kind regards,
Tom.
SILVERJET
Hi Bert,
Have you seen the news on Silverjet? 54% loading means that they were losing more than £20k per flight at a time when the CEO says that he expected them to break even. There was a big drop in share price today but the MACD still says that it is not oversold.
What are your thoughts on the company? Can you see it as a play for us working men at the lower share price or is the company now in trouble?
Nice piece Bert. That Alan Cork was some player right enough.
I understand you’re coming down to watch AFC Wimbledon play later in the year as part of a sponsorship marking fifty years since the death of Wimbledon benefactor and owner Sydney Black, your forebear.
It might only be Semi-pro football, but AFC Wimbledon have plans to rise back up the pyramid and take their place in the football league one day. Be great to have you onboard with that in some capacity. No jacket and tie required in the posh bit at Kingsmeadow either!
Welcome to the family. The Northampton game was a poor introduction to the joy’s of STFC. It was a below par performance, but this can and usually does happen when you least expect it. You probably haven’t realised it yet, but in Swindon you have a club which has the potential to play at a much higher level. Being a Don’s fan, I’m sure you know all about potential. It still amazes me how they mixed with the big boys for so long and really, I think it’s a slurr on football that a club can just be allowed to just dissapear. Swindon itself is a prosperous (if slightly ugly) town and despite a few years of decline, the club still has a decent core of fans. The takeover of which you are part of has stirred the faithfull and has re-ignited the enthusiasm (including myself) of the town fans. Onwards and upwards!
Here’s an idea for you Bert - keep heading west and call in to Plymouth Argyle. We could do with someone with a couple of quid!
All,
thanks for the comments. I look forward to better games than that one.
RJ - still chewing on it.
AFC fan - I am coming to the match in April.