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THINGS AIN'T WHAT THEY USED TO
BE
Kingstonian fans’ propensity for nostalgia remains undimmed,
even if the matchday habits of many travelling supporters aren’t exactly
conducive to clear memories. And, amid lengthy discussions about whether this
Ks team is playing the worst football ever seen at Kingsmeadow (it isn’t,
Micky Droy’s 1994 team “wins” that accolade), nostalgia fills
up many of the long hours between JD Wetherspoon’s opening times & kick-off
times.
However you look at it, even the mid-table mediocrity that
was our lot for much of the late eighties & nineties has a certain glow about
it. Partly because mid-table equals promotion until the courts get their teeth
into the Conference Division Two re-construction proposals. But not entirely because
of that.
Over the last few weeks, trips to the likes of Harrow Borough
have had a certain glow to them. A wonder goal from Eddie Akuamoah in 1993. Getting
sunburnt there in 1998, even though the game was in February. And who can forget
the tour-de-force that was Neil Harlow’s Ks debut in 1992? Oh, most of you…
Sittingbourne, when they were the “Manchester United
of the South” or some such claim, in the early nineties, brings back memories
of a Ks midfield winning a muscular battle against the likes of Jimmy Case (yes,
THE Jimmy Case). Needing six goals at Dulwich to reach 100 league goals in 1993/4,
going one down after three minutes but then ending up with a 7-1 win - four from
Phil Wingfield, including what in those days really WAS a rare header. Walton
& Hersham in 1990, with most of their fans (&, who knows, maybe even all
twenty-five of them) returning home that evening shouting “eight-one, EIGHT
BLOODY ONE!!” in true “Ripping Yarns” style, carriage clocks
being smashed all the way down the Molesey Road. Being two-nil down to Malden
bleedin’ Vale with ten minutes to go & still winning. Being 9-1 down
at Peterborough but still only losing 1-0 (check the record books, 1992 FA Cup
first round replay, Peterborough 1 Kingstonian 0).
Little matter that for every Dulwich there was a Hayes. For
those of you visiting Hayes for the first time this season, yes, it was ALWAYS
like that. Little matter that for every time we were two-down to Malden Vale &
still winning, we’d be two-one down to Banstead or one-nil down to the worst
Met. Police side ever…& losing two-one & one-nil. Even smaller matter
that a fellow Ks fan would put money on Ks losing 5-2 at St. Albans, only to see
his bet go down the pan after 37 minutes when St. Albans went 6-1 up. Or that
Walton’s return to Kingsmeadow the week after that St. Albans game, for
the first time since their 1990 visit, saw them CHOOSE to play the last ten minutes
with ten men & make money for any Ks fan who’d bet on a 5-2 defeat.
AFC Wimbledon fans are, I’m sure, getting nostalgic for
the days when the Combined Counties League was competitive, even if that was only
last year. Believe me, I’ve seen them win 4-0 & 5-0 this season &
can count them as two of the more boring evenings of the season so far. So I’m
sure we don’t have the monopoly on rose-tinted spectacles at Kingsmeadow
this season.
I’m also sure that we’ll look back & laugh
on the last couple of years & remember with glowing fondness the wins over
Aldershot (including that rarity of rarities…a Matt Elverson goal) &
Canvey (including the worst-ever display by a tubby ex-West Ham full-back considering
taking up Golf, the one & thankfully only Julian Dicks). But not for a bit.
Sadly, there’s fewer & fewer of us looking back at
all. Even in recent times we never thought we’d be grateful for, & surprised
by, a crowd of 368. So we’ve had to constantly revise our estimate of what
constitutes Ks “hardcore.”
A prime example of what I’m on about is a friend of mine
to whom I introduced Kingstonian back in 1985. Even in the early nineties, when
the football could be as uninspiring as you like, this friend would be a home
regular & travel away more often than not. These days, he doesn’t make
every home game, even though he’s maintained his season ticket. Not going
to a game even when he’s already paid for it!
Constraints, financial & otherwise, of bringing up a young
family (two kids under 10), have been a part of this. But his loyalties, like
many others’, must surely be tested to breaking point by everything that’s
enveloping the club at the minute. So, yes, for as many as 368 people to decide
that Kingsmeadow was the best cure for a New Year hangover was a gratefully received
surprise.
Until the courts decide the future structure of the non-league
pyramid, we don’t even know what we’ve got to look forward to next
season. Crawley, Tiverton, Weymouth? Or Lewes, Leatherhead, Wealdstone &,
a potential trip far more popular than it ought to be, Great Wakering Rovers.
Recent form suggests such considerations might be superfluous. But I think, or
at least hope, that Ks fans are united in the belief that the side we’ve
got IS good enough to take us to a Conference promised land.
Not that we’ve forgotten how close we’ve been recently
to contemplating trips to Clapton, Dorking or Abingdon. Or even Sandhurst, Chipstead
or AFC Wimbledon (& for some of us long-standing Ks fans, such Home Counties
Tours don’t offer that many new grounds… when I die I’ll go
to heaven because I’ve already been to Clapton). Whether we’d be able
to survive as a club by “doing an AFC” & re-starting at Combined
Counties League level is something that we, thankfully, don’t have to contemplate
at this very minute. But I wonder what the Ks “hardcore” would be
if Chessington & Hook United were regular league opponents.
Trying to predict ANYthing about Kingstonian’s 2004 is
a mug’s game, though. Kingstonian fans have, frankly, had so much s**t thrown
at them down through the years that you can have no idea what’s next. Which
I suppose is the main reason for Ks fans “propensity for nostalgia”
remaining undimmed. If getting sunburnt at Harrow was the most that we had to
worry about, the old days were good indeed. I hope that, sometime soon, they’ll
come back.
Mark
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WEAVING WITH NEW ZEALAND (PART
ONE)
Kingstonian don’t play matches abroad. There was the
chance of a rematch at Polish side Widzew Lodz some years back, but going overseas
is something that only the bigger sides in the Conference could even really contemplate.
We’ve gone our own direction since then - due south - and making it to former
through-pass Birmingham would be an achievement these days. So, what better than
to have an international player representing your club to follow?
It was enough for me, and it was enough for a traveller going
by the name of Ollie too. Scott Smith made his Kingstonian debut on 1st April,
but he was certainly no April fool, for come the end of the month he had already
been called up to the New Zealand squad for their summer programme.
Cheap flights and overnight accommodation were booked as we
headed off to Edinburgh to see the ‘All Whites’ take on Scotland on
27 May. Arriving early on the morning of the match, we headed off to our hostel
- chosen primarily due to good location for both ground and city centre access.
The hostel was rather nice actually, and rather quiet, as might have been expected
for a Tuesday night in May. The only other occupants seemed to be a bunch of Irish
girls who were checking out, kindly donating their excess alcohol to us as they
did so.
Spending the rest of the day in the city centre, I enjoyed
what was actually only my first visit north of the border. Edinburgh castle was
a fine sight, and the McDonalds even did Iron Bru. As we strolled along the main
routes, we started to spot groups of sportsman-types kitted out in black and white
tracksuits out and about too. Deciding it could only be the New Zealand squad,
we approached a couple and following a brief chat discovered that Smith would
be coming off the bench to feature at some stage.
Come early evening we headed off to Tynecastle, home of Hearts,
for the big match. Ollie was proudly wearing his new New Zealand shirt, printed
Smith 18 on the back, whilst I had my favourite K’s shirt on - the final
one produced by Paulas Benara. Clearly not the most affluent part of town, we
wandering around for a bit before coming across a group of New Zealanders who
embraced us as honorary Kiwis, and we headed to the safest-looking pub. Football
isn’t such a big thing in New Zealand, and their ‘travelling’
army said it best. Not that they weren’t into their footy, but they were
there partly as fans of circumstance by the look of things. Young student-looking
types, we blended well, and I imagine these would be the kind of people to encounter
if ever the opportunity to do some serious worldwide travelling arose.
In the pub, there was a good pre-match atmosphere, with the
Scots making plenty of noise and generally enjoying themselves. It turned out
that we would not be anywhere near the allocated New Zealand section of the ground
and so we left a bit early to try to rectify that. On the way out a group of Scots
saw the Kingstonian on the back of my shirt collar - one started talking to us,
thinking Kingstonian was an obscure club in Scotland. I partly corrected him.
Round the corner was the main entrance to the ground, and pulling
up in front of us were the team coaches. Having not rushed, we had just missed
the New Zealand players, so I had to make do with pictures of the Scottish players.
Fortunately I had my super new digital camera with me, so immediate rejection
was not hard.
We entered our allocated Roseburn Stand behind the goal. It
seemed a good choice of venue, for given the low recent turnout of supporters,
the 18,000 capacity venue ensured most of the seats were filled – at least
in the three nice modern stands. Asking the stewards to let us into the much emptier
wooden-looking thing (which incidentally cost £12,000 to build back in the
day) along the side, our pleas fell upon deaf ears. And so the away section remained
half empty and these New Zealand-supporting Englishmen went to mingle with the
home crowd. It was a friendly game and friendly atmosphere, but it just would
have been so much nicer so sit with our newly found Kiwi friends. Getting good
pics of Scott would have been a lot easier too.
The game saw Scotland take an early lead, and despite the fact
that New Zealand had actually recently just gone above the Scots in the FIFA world
rankings for, like, the first time ever, our gut feeling was that the match was
decided. Yet, the Kiwis stuck in there and despite rarely threatening in the first
half, found themselves level just after the break. Scott Smith came on in the
70th minutes much to our joy, to win his 31st cap and significantly become the
first Kingstonian player to be capped at senior international level whilst at
the club. Clearly a player in which the Kiwis place confidence in, Smith was left
as the last man back as his side strode forward seeking the victory. The game
ended level, and rankings aside, this was a very good result for New Zealand.
Scotland 1-1 New Zealand.
The story takes a break here, for although our continued support
for the All Whites was to continue, Smith & Co would venture out to the United
States (another cap gained there) next in preparation for the FIFA Confederations
Cup – something we’d already booked ourselves in for.
Ali
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A is for AFC Wimbledon
The biggest team in South-West London. Now own Kingsmeadow (see ‘K’).
B is for Board
Something that Kingstonian FC Limited does not yet have.
C is for Chairman
Self-appointed saviour of the club, Mr Khosla (see ‘M’, then compare
with ‘Z’).
D is for Deadline
Something that doesn’t seem to exist when Mr Khosla (see ‘C’)
talks of handing control to the Trust (see ‘T’).
E is for Entrance prices
Which have been increased despite the worst attendances for years.
F is for FA Cup or Trophy
Neither of which stayed long in the memory this season.
G is for Ground
Something that the club no longer owns (see ‘K’).
H is for Harris, Kim
Manager who has continued despite having one hand tied behind his back (see ‘C’).
I is for Interest
Something that Mr Khosla (see ‘C’) is reportedly still receiving on
a regular basis from AFC Wimbledon (see ‘A’) for the sale of Kingsmeadow
(see ‘K’).
J is for Jones, Trevor
Sadly missed.
K is for Kingsmeadow
The ground that now belongs to AFC Wimbledon (see ‘A’).
L is for Lease
Supposed to make up for the lack of a ground (see ‘G’).
M is for Million
Two and a half of which Mr Khosla (see ‘C’) pocketed from the sale
of Kingsmeadow (see ‘K’) to AFC Wimbledon (see ‘A’).
N is for Nothing
The amount of money earned through the sale of Tim Sills.
O is for Over-priced
See ‘E’.
P is for Promotion
An unlikely end to the season.
Q is for Queues
A perennial problem for landlords AFC Wimbledon (see ‘A’), but sadly
not for the tenants.
R is for Reserves
Nothing but a distant memory.
S is for Sponsor
Something that the Trust (see ‘T’) found for the first time in three
seasons.
T is for Trust
Group of people willing to work for the club in the off-chance that Mr Khosla
(see ‘C’) will keep his word.
U is for Under-achievers
A label that has been levelled at many of the players this season.
V is for Vase
The only FA competition that K’s might have progressed in this season (see
‘F’).
W is for Walton Casuals
Used instead of a reserve team (see ‘R’) to give players match practice.
X is for eXpired
What Tim Sills’ contract was said to be (see ‘N’).
Y is for Youth Team
Don’t make me laugh (see ‘R’).
Z is for Zero
The amount of money that Kingstonian Football Club received from the sale of Kingsmeadow
(see ‘K’) to AFC Wimbledon (see ‘A’).
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O BROTHER WHY ART THOU SO CRAP?
It was Ken Jones, feature writer in the Independent, who recently
wrote an article bemoaning the excessive influence of coaching in modern football
& recalled a famous tale of Jimmy Murphy (no relation), assistant manager
to Matt Busby at Manchester United for many years. It was Murphy rather than Busby
who took control of what coaching there was (Ferguson’s days replicate this
somewhat). And one day Murphy was asked about coaching a talent as mercurial as
the young George Best who made such an immediate & stunning impact when he
came over from Ireland in the early sixties. “What did you first say to
him?” came the question. Expecting a reply revealing some coaching secrets,
they were taken aback when he said. “I asked him ‘Do you have a brother?’”
Reading that so soon after making a perhaps unwise reference
to David Harlow’s brother Neil in an article elsewhere in this issue, the
thoughts of a few of us turned to the brothers who’ve made various marks
on the history of Kingstonian. For fans of the 90’s generation, Neil Harlow
was as much of a blip as Terry McCormack had been for the children of the 60’s.
Johnny McCormack took over as K’s main striker from the club’s all-time
top scorer Johnny Whing in the early part of the decade. And by the late part
of the decade had established himself as K’s all-time second top scorer,
a position from which he’s not likely to be moved given the transient nature
of the modern non-league game’s players. Terry, meanwhile, was living proof
of the gap between the first team & reserves in the sixties. Played once for
the first team in about 1966, I think. You’ll have to ask someone like Surrey
Comet reporter Phil Windeatt, one of the afore-mentioned children of the sixties.
But given that Phil blurts out the name Terry McCormack on an unpredictable basis
like some strange form of non-league tourettes syndrome, ignorance might very
well be bliss in this case.
“Transient” was probably too strong a word even
for the combined K’s careers of John & Jamie Leacock, the puzzled expression
on your face as you read that sentence saying more than any words I can muster.
The Sills brothers, however, were near the other end of the spectrum. Still appearing
on scoresheets on a regular basis in & around London & the Home Counties
(& in Tim’s case, all over the land), it is such a pity that Tim is
scoring regularly for Aldershot this season as he was for K’s last season.
And a pity too that Julian Sills is still once in a while appearing on the scoresheet
for Staines as he was for… er… Boreham Wood last season (let go, Murph,
let go…).
Back in the good old days, the Whittaker brothers George &
Bill were mainstays of the 1937 Isthmian League winning side (as featured in this
season’s matchday programme) & both played with varying degrees of regularity
even after the war. And they had what former programme editor John Trevor, God
rest his soul, described as “a war of contrasts” in his trawl through
K’s history for the match programmes leading up to K’s centenary year
in 1985.
“Geoff was serving in the Royal Artillery in the Middle
East & remarked at one time that ‘the sandstorms remind me of Nunhead
on a windy day’; (what would he have made of Grays in the summer?…
or Kingsmeadow at any time in the last five years until this season?? –
ed) in June 1942, however, he, along with another brother Bob, was captured at
Tobruk – both spent the remainder of the war as prisoners, first in Italy,
then in Germany. Bill, meanwhile, serving in the RAF, was posted to the North
of England & began playing for Blackpool, earning himself some rave reviews
on his performances – ‘the highlight was the grip which the ex-Kingstonian
Whittaker ultimately established over a young man (Tommy Lawton) who was ranking
as England’s number one centre-forward when the war started.’ Bill
also played for Liverpool & Manchester City &, on being posted back to
the south, for Brentford. He was also chosen for the RAF representative side on
more than one occasion.”
All of which proves something of an exception to the “good
brother, bad brother” rule with which we came in. The story involving the
great Sir Matt Busby. Which is particularly apt because he too had a brother who
was less of a success in the footballing world (although alongside a great like
Sir Matt, that’s far more of an observation than a criticism). And who did
Alexander “Sandy” Busby play for on about a dozen occasions in the
early fifties? A south-east England amateur side of great renown. Kingstonian.
Mark
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1 John Power (Ireland)
Many appearances, 0 goals, signed 1985
Tall ginger Irish goalkeeper from Limerick who was regarded as our best goalkeeper
since Brian Wakefield (see last issue - ed). Turned up looking for a game in November
‘85 and duly got his chance when then-regular ‘keeper Graham Yates
got injured. Power kept possession of the jersey until the opening game at Kingsmeadow
in ’89 when he broke his arm just before half time. Ruled out of any further
significant first team action by the arrival of Adrian Blake. Power was part of
a championship-winning reserve team side before moving on to Farnborough Town.
2 Gu Sang Bum (Korea)
0 appearances (plus 0 sub), 0 goals, signed n/a
Never appeared in a competitive game for the K’s, but does appear on my
1996/97 Surrey Comet Kingstonian poster, so he’s in. Links with the Korean
community in New Malden have long been discussed, but this was a genuine attempt
to form a bond, and the bait was the South Korean international right back. Played
in their 1990 World Cup defeats to Belgium and Spain and was still involved in
the squad for the following tournament. Little chance of getting hold of a Korean
international footballer these days, but a player of ability could still be an
asset on and off the field to the club. International stat of the day: Squad number
17.
3 Scott Smith (New Zealand)
35 appearances (plus 1 sub), 0 goals, signed 2003
A calm defender who has the ability to read and determine affairs in front of
him, signed from Woking in early 2003. An international with 33 caps (and reputedly
2 goals) for New Zealand, Scott became the first K's player to gain full international
honours whilst with the club when he appeared for the Kiwi’s during the
run-up to, and during, the Confederations Cup 2003 in France (more later this
issue - ed). International stat of the day: Squad number 18.
4 Didier Moundi (Cameroon)
2 appearances (plus 1 sub), 0 goals, signed 2003
A teenage defender who has been on the books of Chelsea and Bristol City, Didier
said that he was an international, but no-one believed him. But, the calling has
come for the big defender – he’s off to play for Cameroon U23’s
against the Ivory Coast in a 2004 Olympics Qualifier at the end of the month (Cameroon
are reigning Olympic champions). Well done to Didier, making it two current internationals
at K’s.
5 Gavin Nebbeling (South Africa)
61 appearances (plus 1 sub), 4 goals, signed 1995
A veteran who joined from Preston North End, having previously played more locally
in the league for Crystal Palace. All that would be expected from an experienced
former pro centre back, the South African was part of Billy Smith’s Isthmian
League winning side before calling it a day and retiring from the game.
6 Tarkan Mustafa (Cyprus)
112 appearances (plus 1 sub), 7 goals, signed 1998
Attacking right full back, playing in a more advanced role for the purpose of
this team, signed from Barnet. Showed a sign of things to come at the start of
his K's career with a dazzling display marked with a goal. Scored the winning
goal for K’s in the 1999 FA Trophy final, making the return to Wembley the
following season for his second success with the club, before moving on Rushden
& Diamonds. Does Tarkan really qualify for this team? Maybe. The fact that
he has appeared for the England semi-pro side should not put Cyprus off calling,
or indeed Mali for that matter…
7 Detzi Kruszynski (Poland)
10 appearances (plus 0 sub), 2 goals, signed 1996
Another veteran signed after a career in the Football League. Kruszynski was a
Polish international who moved to Wimbledon from the German Bundesliga, playing
65 games for the Dons before moving on to Brentford. Brief spells at Coventry
and Peterborough followed before being picked up from Chertsey Town by the K’s.
Despite being considered a big signing at the time, the Pole did not enjoy a long
stay at Kingsmeadow. Geoff Pitcher soon arrived to play alongside him, and before
long Pitcher’s look-alike (more like play-alike at the time) John Deadman
arrived to take his place with a bang. Deadman netted in all his first four games
for the club before disappearing in much the same way that Kruszynski did.
8 Nando Perna (Portugal)
0 appearances (plus 0 sub), 0 goals, signed n/a
Along with Bum is the only other member of the team not to have featured in a
competitive game for the K’s. As a friend of the fanzine (see issue 13),
he gets special dispensation to feature. And no, I wasn’t short of others
in midfield… A former Arsenal trainee, he was released by the Goons in 1998,
and had trials with Wycombe and Kingstonian before the ridiculous. Having not
signed on for K’s, he had trials in Serie B with Italian giants Napoli.
Spotted playing for opponents Chesham last season, extensive research shows that
he has now appeared for over half a dozen clubs in the Home Counties.
9 Lennie Dennis (Jamaica)
14 appearances (plus 20 sub), 6 goals, signed 1997
Kingston-boy (geddit?!) Lennie Dennis played international football for his country.
He was the second top scorer in the Conference (for Welling) in 1996/97 behind
Lee Hughes, yet ahead of Dave Leworthy and Joke O’Conner. He was also a
very nice guy indeed. However, he just didn’t cut it when he came to K’s.
“Oops, he’s Lennie-d it” became a phrase of some regard on the
terraces, and a new strike-partner for Dave Leworthy was sought for, well, most
of the rest of his career.
10 Amara Simba (France)
18 appearances (plus 2 sub), 12 goals, signed 2000
Quite possibly the highest profile player in this side. Made his name at Paris
Saint Germain before making his international debut for France in 1991, scoring
in his first two games - a 5-1 friendly win in Poland and a Euro 92 qualifier
3-1 win at home to Iceland. His third appearance followed at Wembley, where debutant
Alan Shearer netted in a 2-0 victory for the home side, but injury followed just
before the Championships in Sweden and the unfortunate Simba was not to feature
again for his country. Signed for Arsène Wenger's Monaco in 1993, before
spells at Caen, Lille and Mexican club Léon. Enjoyed highly impressive
first seasons in England with both Leyton Orient and Kingstonian, culminating
in the veteran scoring the winner for K's in the 2000 FA Trophy final at Wembley.
Brief spells followed around the non-league scene, but it was the K’s fans
who had the pleasure of watching the master pull his final strings.
11 Paulo De Souza (Brazil)
7 appearances (plus 4 sub), 2 goals, signed 1995
Introduced to the K’s after he suffered paperwork problems when trying to
sign professional forms with Fulham, Paulo made a mark during his brief stay at
K’s with his wonderful ability. Having married an Australian, he left to
move out there, though he was not able to play football for a couple of years
after suffering from injury. Eventually made it back to feature as a player/coach
of his local club, and was back to see K’s play Sutton last season.
12 Dwight Marshall (Jamaica)
13 appearances (plus 4 sub), 2 goals, signed 1999
Made a name for himself in the football league with Luton before repeating his
success to a certain degree at Plymouth. There are suggestions that he may have
been involved in the Jamaican squad at some stage too. Having moved to K’s
in the Conference, the expectations were high but his time at the club was curtailed
by poor form. Unlike many of the other strikers who didn’t make it during
our glory years, Marshall did manage to find his scoring boots again at Slough
and Aylesbury.
14 Sofiane Mehdi (Algeria)
1 appearance (plus 4 sub), 0 goals, signed 2003
The work permit delay was one worth waiting for, and Kim Harris was excited about
this attacker brought over from Algeria to trial with Fulham. Despite being clearly
skilful, his lack of pace was compounded by a lack of fitness. A reserve side
might have put him right - but that issue has been highlighted elsewhere - Hayes
reserves have already seen him bag a hat-trick. Did well to avoid moving on to
Staines though, for he has history with Algerian side East Side FC.
15 Alan Flanagan (Ireland)
1 appearance (plus 0 sub), 0 goals, signed 2001
Young goalkeeper signed in our relegation season from Bray Wanderers. That was
the season we had 8 goalkeepers. We could even dispute his solitary appearance
for Kingstonian - Tooting & Mitcham came out of having to play two games simultaneously
rather well that night, for Billy “cup-tied” Mead put paid to our
efforts in the Surrey Cup. Reappearing in the Canadian League for Calgary Storm,
he was thrown in at the deep end less than 24 hours after his arrival by a club
who were about to lose their 17th game in 22 games. Flanagan was struck for six
that night. Phrase to take from our North American friends: “Flanagan most
recently suited up for Kingstonian…”
Ali
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WEAVING WITH NEW ZEALAND (PART
TWO)
he start of Confederations Cup week came, and on Tuesday 17th
June I headed off to Paris in eager anticipation. Aside from the football, I enjoy
trips across the channel. Being able to converse in the language does help too.
My path was a different one to Ollie’s here, with differing demands placed
upon us. Deciding that I had chosen the wrong hostel location-wise upon arrival,
the hordes of French kids queuing to check into this place compounded my misery.
Half an hour later and I was checked into a very large and functional hostel.
Functional being a soft description for a place that seemed a bit plain and miserable
(despite the attempts to brighten it up at the other end of the scale).
Having familiarised myself with the locality I met up again
with Ollie, along with girlfriend Ruth this time, the next day just after noon.
We headed to their budget hotel, located fairly centrally in Montemarte, just
down the road from the Moulin Rouge itself. The red windmill? More like the red
light district. But then, my area was dealers’ paradise…
Off to Corocrans Irish Bar we went – where we’d
been invited to join the Kiwis. For somewhere that was the actual designated pre-match
meeting place for their fans, it wasn’t too busy. It was nice though, as
of course were the people – especially the cute Mel who we’d met out
in Edinburgh.
Fortunately specially discounted rates had been arranged with
the bar. Fortunate only in that it kept a round of three drinks down to 18 Euros
(£12!). Lucky us. Being where we wanted to be, and under the full knowledge
that in a cultured city like Paris vast volumes of beer (otherwise known as pints
here) would cost lots and lots, we lasted the session.
New Zealand’s opening game of the tournament now just
a couple of hours away, a quick journey by a modern, yet nevertheless overcrowded,
rail system had us at St Denis, home of the Stade de France. A truly first class
stadium too, as one would only expect. Outside were all kinds of sellers associated
with major football matches, though to my utter disappointment, inside there was
no sign of any programmes. Resigned to it quite possibly being the French influence,
I made do with a New Zealand scarf instead.
Scott Smith had survived the cull of players from the original
32 man squad to make the final 23 to travel to the games, and was given the number
18 shirt once more much to Ollie’s relief. He wasn’t to feature as
a starter in this competition though.
First opponents Japan have in recent years progressed significantly
and were the Asian representatives (although the recently passed Asia v Oceana
championship match was contested, and won, by Iran against the Kiwis) in the competition.
The game started at a high tempo and the Japanese took an early lead through Nakamura.
The second half was all one-way traffic as Japan continued to attack, and were
rewarded with a Nakata strike followed by another from Nakamura. New Zealand 0-3
Japan.
After the game came the inevitable crush once everyone had
filed down the long stadium walk to the station. All new etc, but it felt like
Wembley Stadium station. Just that people don’t jump tickets barriers there
– obstacles in crowd congestion are at least rightly considered to be a
hazard by an 80,000 seat stadium over here. This being France, they had their
gates and best of all, despite it being on the Paris transport system and our
tickets getting us out of the station, they wouldn’t get us back in. But,
credit to the French, for literally hordes of people just went flying over the
gates whilst the policeman and his dog just watched. Going with the flow out of
politeness to local custom, we made our own way past too.
Enjoying the sights of Paris the next day, we headed off for
the final game of the first stint in Paris, Brazil v Cameroon. It was by no means
Brazil’s strongest side, though they did feature Ronaldinho. He was good
to watch, but about as effective as the summer second choice to him at Old Trafford
– Christiano Ronaldo. The atmosphere was a total contrast to the previous
evening’s game – a real carnival. Cameroon fared well in the game
and took a historic win near the end through an excellent goal by Etoo. Brazil
0-1 Cameroon.
Later that evening we wandered through the Montemarte, starting
with slightly more respectable souvenir shops and gradually blurring into the
neon lights of the sex industry. It was an interesting experience, humoured by
some random bloke coming up to us, repeatedly putting his arm around Ollie whilst
walking along with us and asking “how much?” He was trying to buy
Ruth off him it transpired.
The next day (Friday) and paths parted. I was obliged to return
to England to be at Wimbledon for the start of the tennis, whilst Ollie and Ruth
headed down to the heartland of France and its second city, Lyon. The accounts
now relate to what I saw on quality cable/satellite channel Eurosport and what
Ollie told me.
Lyon, being a city I’ve not visited yet, is a good one
according to Ollie. Down for New Zealand’s second game with Columbia, he
recalls nearly having his K’s flag stolen simply because the Kiwis didn’t
like the St George Cross! The game itself saw their brightest moments of the campaign.
Leading through a De Gregorio goal at half time, a result was on the cards here.
The resistance was rugged, but Lopez was able to equalise just before the hour
mark. Again the pressure piled on, and eventually the Columbians took the game
with strikes from Yepes and Hernandez. Columbia 3-1 New Zealand.
Making a return to Paris for the final game against host nation
France were New Zealand, Ollie and Ruth. Scott Smith was still hoping to get a
taste of the action in the tournament, commenting to the Observer newspaper, “It's
nice to see all the big stars, and what happens to them, (but) will I play against
Thierry Henry today? Depends who I kick in training.” He must have done
some real good kicking, for he was to come on against the reigning European champions.
Goals from Kapo, Henry and Cisse had the game wrapped up for
the French by the time Smith got on for the final 9 minutes, and the result was
destined to be a fair one. That was, until Giuly and Pires broke somewhat fortunately
deep in stoppage time to somewhat distort the efforts of the Kiwis with the final
result. As for Thierry Henry? He went off with 14 minutes remaining. France 5-0
New Zealand.
So, a well done and thanks to Scott Smith for our summer adventures.
Travelling is fun, so is football (as long as it’s not in Essex) –
combining the two is brilliant, especially when there’s a bit of club pride
and friendly atmosphere to go with it. Our verdict: well worth it.
Ali
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