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Post by dem bones on Dec 28, 2014 8:01:05 GMT
'It is always so important to leave a good impression.'Well done there Dem. No standards slipping. I wouldn't mind, but I was wearing my best gear special for the occasion! And Stella? Gimme a break. It was Fosters. And from a dear lady who has followed the Stones through the few precious ups and several very downs since fabled Lower Mead days: "Aah, the chap with long straggly hair? He told me that he used to be a programme/EE seller at Lower Mead. He started to tell me of his heroes but I cut him short by asking him not to blow his smoke into my face as it was making me cough, and he thoughtfully withdrew."Coming soon: "Do you mean the guy sniffing glue/ indulging in solitary vice/ sucking blood/ turning into a bat in the Bulla Stand?" If he did, he has a superb football brain and should be playing at a higher level. How else could he have realised that the Stones defender would nonchalantly blast it into his own net? I hate when a club goes out of business - sadly, this season has already seen Hereford United and Salisbury City go to the wall - so was delighted when Hearts pulled back from the brink. Enjoy your promotion year!
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Post by pulphack on Dec 29, 2014 16:52:23 GMT
Sterling work by Dem there, supporting non-league and the MES of football (you want some, then?). I went to a Clapton match recently, as they have an anarcho support, and was most disappointed. The standard of play was poor, as you might expect (in truth, I see better over the park walking the dog on a Sunday) although the Clapton keeper threw the best jumping up and down toys out of the pram strop I've seen for a long while after charging out of his area and being rounded with ease. Clapton lost 2-1, but I doubt the crowd noticed as they were too busy chanting slogans and letting off flares to actually watch the game. I have no idea why they have attached themselves to a football team, frankly, and it was a bit dispiriting. I prefer the three men and a dog approach, where at least they can tell you why the forward missed an open goal...
Incidentally, although sad to see Hereford go under, it looks like a lot of the fans are relieved as they plan a pheonix team and saw this as the only way they could rid themselves of the owners who have got them into this state. Which is sad, but ultimately bodes well for a new Hereford.
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Post by dem bones on Dec 29, 2014 17:14:15 GMT
Hi mr. hack! I think you've summed up the difference between the Clapton ultras and the Dulwich Hamlet 'Against Modern Football' crew. The Hamlets crowd is a mixture of long-suffering diehard supporters, disillusioned/ out-priced premier league refugees and anarchos, all of whom seem to get along famously. Clapton's support base probably wasn't quite up there with DH (who, I believe, themselves were attracting only 250-300 before the unlikely influx of bearded fellows and a very sizeable female contingent doubled the crowd in a few seasons) so I'm guessing its mostly the Whitechapel Anarchists & friends? As to why, maybe they've taken their cue from modern football's original skull and crossbones brigade, Hamburg's St. Pauli?
Not yet sampled "the Clapton experience" so won't pre-judge, but if it proves a bit of a let-down for me, too, then I won't be all that surprised. At least from the many photo's they've shared on-line it seems you can drink on the terraces.
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Post by pulphack on Dec 30, 2014 15:25:25 GMT
Indeed, a trip to the offy on the way was a prerequisite for the Clapton game. As you correctly surmise, it's a Whitechapel anarcho thing going on, though why they seized on football is beyond me. I recognised a few bods, said hello to some, and actually went with two or three who are Orient regulars and so don't go to Clapton too often. I would guess Clapton had a regular gate of under a hundred, as there seemed to be only two or three non-anarcho fans there (you could spot them as they were actually watching the game). Call me old fashioned, but if I wanted an anarchist meeting I'd go to the pub. At a match, I actually like to watch the game. Dulwich Hamlet sounds more balanced in that sense.
Much as I like the politics of yer average St Pauli supporter in the UK, I think it's a shame that they're not a football team anymore, but a political pointscorer with just the hint of football. I may be a curmudgeon (alright, I AM a curmudgeon) but what's the difference between a politico supporting St Pauli because of the peripherals and a kid going Chelsea/Man City because of their profile?
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Post by dem bones on Jan 1, 2015 12:59:18 GMT
Indeed, a trip to the offy on the way was a prerequisite for the Clapton game. As you correctly surmise, it's a Whitechapel anarcho thing going on, though why they seized on football is beyond me. Perhaps the Ultra's psychically pre-empted the Right who, it seems, are now sniffing around the non-leagues. As recently as November 22nd, Farage's lot attempted to sponsor Dover Athletic FC's home game Vs. Forest Green Rovers. That the board were ready to accept the cash caused a rift in the fan-base which you'd suspect may take a long time to heal ("Pathetic, you are whoring out club to the far right. Not that you listen to the fans any way." "The transition of a family club to a soulless corporate club has been complete." "A club director comes on here to defend the UKIP sponsorship by bleating about democracy and anti-censorship, then the club deletes fans' comments about it from it's Facebook page. Irony explosion.") Should any you be the least interested, here's the relevant thread on the Dover Athletic Unofficial Fans Forum. It makes for sad reading. The previous month, the powers that be at fellow Conference side Kidderminster Harriers, sold advertising space to UKIP's Wyre Forest branch. The press officer quit in disgust and angry fans threatened to boycott home games until the poster was removed.( Kidderminster Shuttle). And as to the lovely all-season round decorations at Dartford's new stadium ....( Joe Clarke Project) Take your point about St. Pauli's UK fanbase. Trouble is, or so it seems to me, as soon as an image or even anti-image becomes easy to market, the original message tends to become diluted until it's yet another bandwagon for the fashionista to jump. I'd be very surprised if all of those in the UK who name-drop St. Pauli as their team have any right to do so. They can't all share the politics, can they? Illustration. The bride of dem
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Post by dem bones on Apr 30, 2016 6:50:37 GMT
Vault Big Match Preview
Dem world tour 2016 hits Silver Jubilee Park, Kingsbury, N.W. London today for Spartan South Midlands League end of season glamour clash, Edgware Town FC vs. Arlesey Town Reserves. Should be a cracker. The Wares claimed the league title on Tuesday with a 5-0 win at Caldicote before a truly "spartan" crowd of 45 die-hards. Conversely, visitors ATR, long marooned at bottom of the table, have never looked like blowing glorious relegation bid. Entrance usually £4, but today it's a 'pay what you like/ gentle reminder: THE BAR IS OPEN FROM 13.30' treat, so some possibility of topping this season's biggest home attendance, a healthy 180 versus likely runners up Crawley Green. It's a remarkable achievement by the club in only their second season back from the grave (they disbanded in 2008 when their ramshackle, much loved White Lion Ground was sold to property developers). I have no idea why I'm telling you all this either. Just be grateful my lack of mobile phone spares you a running commentary.
Pre-lick off, a slim chance of paperback action as will be following a tip-off that an old haunt, The Alma in Harrow Weald, is now some kind of book-vinyl emporium.
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