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Programme Notes Margate,
15 February 2003 Good afternoon and welcome to the BFCSA page. QUIZ TEAM I'm not sure how many indoor quizzes are postponed due to bad weather but the fixture against Manchester City was! Unfortunately it was due to be played on the night of the 'Big freeze' so understandably it had to be called off. But the National Cup Southern Semi-Final went ahead a couple of Sundays ago and we beat Sheffield Wednesday by 81-61. This puts us in the Southern Area Final and we will play either Blackpool or Gillingham. MEET THE COMMITTEE I just thought I'd remind you that the intention of this section is to introduce the members of the Committee to you, the fans, so that we are not a faceless organization. If you have anything you would like to ask any of us then feel free, that's what we are here for. You can also e-mail me at psnow@bfcsa.net or visit the website at www.bfcsa.net (Oh, you have! Ed ;-).
I first started going to Barnet 30 years ago. My Dad's work colleague took him, my brother and myself to an evening match. We saw a few more that first season and the following one we went to some Saturday games as well, even Mum came along. That was it, the whole family was hooked! Soon after the colleague stopped going, but we continued, getting the bus to and from Potters Bar. We then started travelling to away matches by coach and I remember one awful match at Oswestry. It took five hours each way, there were only nineteen on board and the coach had no heating! We surprisingly came away with a 1-1 draw. I joined the Committee nearly 25 years ago. In those days The Association manned the turnstiles, ran the shop and during the summer painted the barriers around the ground. I helped out in the tea-hut situated on the halfway line of the popular side. I remember arriving at the ground early to help prepare the dozens of crusty cheese and ham rolls in the bottom tea-bar. There have been some bad matches over the years but the one that always haunts me is the 4-0 defeat at Carshalton in the FA Cup, one of the most embarrassing results ever. The best goal ever has to be Peter Brown's away at Dartford. He hit a thunderous shot, which bounced off the boards at the back of the net and came out again. The Referee waved play on! Despite strong protests he didn't give the goal. My favourite all-time player is Kevin Millet, but I do tend to favour the No 4 shirt. Steve Tom was my first favourite followed by Marvin Hinton and Les McCormack. It is currently Mark Gower; Barry Fry even wore it once at Barrow! I've visited all 92 Football League grounds, apart from Hull City's new stadium and my favourite was Goodison Park. I go to all Barnets first team games, home and away and have only missed a few since I started going regularly. As far as I know I was one of only four supporters to have seen all of Barnet's Football League matches - also the only female. I believe the progress of non-league football was boosted by the formation of the Alliance Premier League. When we played Barrow we made friends with some of their supporters and have kept in touch ever since. I am also a member of their National Supporters Club. Automatic promotion has increased the competitive nature of the sport and given relegated teams a chance to succeed again when in the past there was no hope. One of the funny moments I recall was during a Southern League match at Underhill when it was all one-way traffic. Kevin Charlton, who was in the Telford goal, had nothing to do. Steve (Percy) took him a cup of tea during the first half and in the second offered him a chair from the Committee Room! My favourite game has to be the FA Trophy final at Wembley. Although we lost 0-3 it had to be all supporters dreams to see their team play beneath the twin towers and I have been lucky enough to have done so.
Photo: Vanessa aged about 18 months, not 18 years! |
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On a personal note Steve and I
would like to wish our Goddaughter, Vanessa Bown, a very
happy 18th birthday for Monday 17th February.