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BFCSA Programme Notes
Dagenham & Redbridge, 29 September 2009

Alex Jones

BACK IN THE DAY

Digging around in my programme box files I came across a match magazine from the 3rd May 1994 involving our opponents today. Both Dagenham and Redbridge and Gateshead finished in the top ten, but the Supporters Diary lamented a “disappointing season”. Ever presents for Daggers up until that last rearranged midweek match were Garry Stebbing and Garry Butterworth, and ex Bees involved that night were Tony Sorrell and Gary Blackford. For £1.20 you could read the thoughts of John Still, and photos of a recent Charity game at Victoria Road where Terry Venables turned up and Martin Peters played. Over fifteen years later, and Gateshead are back in the Conference or Blue Square Premier as it is now known, and have finally recently gained their first victories.

I TRAVEL

The southern sections of the Cups have this season thrown up some difficult draws in both Millwall and Watford and the visit to the Valley continue this trend, ironically just a few months after we entertained Charlton Athletic in a pre-season friendly. The coach leaves the Odeon at 5.0pm, and will cost you £10 or £5 concessions. The next Saturday away game is on October 10th when we journey to Rochdale with prices set at £35 and £30.If you wish to book for these games speak to Steve Percy or contact the travel line on 01707 647365 remembering to emphasise which game you are interested in. and for details of the Burton Albion match on October 17th, the latter a category C game under the new system. This will be the first time that we have travelled to the new stadium since their promotion to the League, although Reckless took in Burton Swifts, Burton Wanderers and Burton United in his groundhopping youth.

MUSIC QUIZ

Make a note in your diary that the annual Pop Quiz will take place in the Pavilion on Saturday November 14 after the Hereford game. Any money raised will go to a local charity, so organise your teams now. It is scheduled to start at 7.30pm, so tell your mates as we hope to see as many teams as possible.

THE COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED

I am brought to mind the Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club Seventies TV show and Colin Crompton when I am pleased to announce that the BFCSA has three new recruits in the form of Joshua Stanton, Stephen Cranfield and Tom Salinger. Despite this there are still a few vacancies for anyone who feels that they have something to offer the supporters. Please feel free to approach any Committee members for BFCSA Membership forms, and it only costs you £10 to sign up, merely half this if you are over 60 or under 16.Our Membership Secretary is Steve Mann and he can be contacted c/o 63 Western Way Barnet EN5 2BU.Write to this address also if you would like to pose a question about the club which some of the officers can in turn pass on to the Chairman. This can also be achieved by e-mailing info@bfcsa.co.uk There are quarterly meetings planned with Tony Kleanthous, with one not very far off. Our new Chairman, Eddie Thompson was recently shown around the ground and given an insight into the many planned improvements. You can still read an interview with Eddie on our website conducted by Reckless in a relaxed style which owes much to the late Simon Dee I thought. Continuing his media takeover Reckless’ Ian Hendon interview, originally found on these pages, can now be found on the Association website, along with other penetrating grillings of Roger Figg and other former Bees legends.

SUPPORTERS TEAM

The happy news from the most recent Team FCBFCSA fixture is that they took on WHAM, as the chirpy cockney geezers of West Ham like to be known and recorded a 4-1 victory. The scorers were Jake Manzi, the first net buster for Andrew “Mouse “Craig, an own goal and Craig Clayton who suffered a gashed chin, but hey -drinks are free, you can sun-tan. Refreshed they take to the field again this coming Saturday to play Watford. I am guessing that the venue is again the Barnet playing fields but please check with the gaffer John Hunt from his newly appointed Main Stand seat for details. They always welcome support and I invariably get roped into running the line for some games. John and many others thoroughly enjoyed their latest adventure with the England C team out in Hungary. Paul Fairclough’s charges achieved a credible 1-1 draw. John and I recently were part of a small Barnet contingent to see Hendon beat Cray Wanderers [second oldest side in the world, or so they claim]. In common with some other Ryman’s teams admission to Vale Farm was just £2 if you show your Underhill season’s ticket.

MACC PROGRAMMES

The club have been in touch with Macclesfield and hopefully the much delayed match day magazines which failed to make their way to Moss Road are available to purchase in our club shop this evening. Regrettably we shall not see Ken Springett for a while, and we all wish him well as he recovers from his operation. Speaking of programmes, these notes can now be found on the Association website, a few days after the match.

UNDER THE FLOOD LIGHTS

Sadly we tend not to attract the best of attendances to midweek games, but as I write, before the weekend fixtures the teams were second and fourth in the League 2. Two squads assembled largely of talented youngsters [and at least two talented fourty-somethings; step forward Mr Roberts and Mr Furlong]. A great derby in prospect then, and hopefully we shall make some noise.

Good luck to the Bees