CHESHAM UTD and SARACENS TRAVELS
A blog about loving live sport
I have always had a vivid imagination.
Stood on the steps of Camp Nou, home of the greatest footballing club in the world, my mind wandered. I wonder how Chesham United will get on against Banbury United today? Continue reading “Prologue: 30th November 2012”
Life has certainly changed since taking a step back from being involved at Chesham United. I feel as though I have more time on my hands. Fewer hassles; more family time; less worrying about what is going on at the club I love. Getting frustrated on a daily basis. Continue reading “Time to dust down the manuscript”
What a crazy weekend, the old cliche about England grinding to a halt as soon as we get a little bit of snowfall so true once again…but then why wouldn’t it? How much should we spend preparing for something that seems to happen once every two or three years? Anyway, enough of that, for me it just meant a busy sporting weekend became a quiet one…and then the repercussions.
Continue reading “Glad it isn’t me!”
Work-rate, honesty, discipline and humility is the well-drilled Saracens ethos that first attracted me to the club from a background of “win at all costs” football. That, coupled with a changing passion from the round ball to the egg-shaped one has created many great memories over the last few years…But, that’s easy when your team is winning isn’t it?
Grrrrr…It felt like leaving a football match. Heading down the steps to the exit at the final whistle we were shouted at by several home fans (who in fairness, were old enough to know better!) with jibes about how they had just beaten us and finished top of the league. “Have fun in Exeter” they mocked. Smug. Teasing. Taunting. Ridiculing. I’ve been there so many times on the football terraces; giving and taking in fairness.
“Going to Edinburgh first mate” I smirked back. BOOM! Take that. “Enjoy your weekend off” Smug. Conceited. I wasn’t proud of myself…but hey, what is sport without a bit of banter!
“IT’S YOU…YOU TWO FECKERS…IT’S YOUR FAULT…After I showed you around Dublin this morning as well, you pair of Feckers…How dare you beat us like that!”
Ben and I were sat in the quiet departure lounge at Dublin airport on Saturday evening when the voice came bellowing across from the entrance to the lounge from the security area. The guy was carrying a Munster flag, wearing a red shirt and a huge smile as he laughed the words out.
Let’s start with a big thank you to everyone who sponsored Ben and I on our walk to Wembley from Allianz Park, between us we raised nearly £300 for University College Hospital Cancer Fund, collectively the efforts from Sarries fans raised over £15,000 I’m led to believe. Brilliant.
The walk itself was very enjoyable, the result of the match was perfect…but there’s something not quite right about the annual Wembley circus when Saracens play Harlequins.
I never dreamt that one day I would ever be jealous of a football team that play in pink.
Back in my Chesham United supporting prime, my early 20’s – no responsibilities, no family to support and no kids to bring up – we had some fantastic days. At times my views and opinions, especially in some of the fanzines produced, did not go down particularly well, but as supporters I think we forged some pretty good relationships that epitomised non-league football.
I have lost count of the conversations I had with Andy Leese over the years discussing the fact that things are “coming to a head” and, one way or another, the end is nigh.
The forthcoming walk to Wembley has got me thinking about the previous sponsored walks I have done to football matches with Chesham United and some of the superb memories I have…with the over-riding memory from each being the final comments of “NEVER AGAIN.”