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BFCSA Programme Notes
Morecambe, 18 August 2009

Alex Jones

MORECAMBE

The League computer does some extraordinary things. Good evening to some our friendliest opposition fans, a good relationship largely relating to the fact that we were the first ever League visitors to Christie Park. Our competitive record at that ground includes an inauspicious defeat by Carlisle in the FA Trophy, a rearranged fixture caused by the Cumbrian floods that year, although I walked out in a huff at half time. Partly inspired by this hissy fit I would like to think, we went on to win the Conference that season. I read in the FSF magazine that the new Morecambe ground will be a mixture of seats and standing, rather unique amongst the newer stadiums of the last decade.

SCANDINAVIA

Tommy Salinger writes about his summer vacation with a number of other Bees fans. “I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Scandinavia and seeing overseas grounds. We took in games at Sanderfjord and then the next day we met up with Tor and a couple of the Norwegian Barnet supporters who hosted us for a barbecue. There we went to watch Moss, and their keeper, on loan from Rosenberg, posed for photos with us. We also saw two games in the Euro Under 21 at Halmstad [England v Germany} and Malmo [Sweden v Serbia}”. Tommy goes on to thank Chris Nash for his organisation and mentions his fellow travellers Ollie Deed, John Hunt, John Henniker, Hayley Fisher and Chris Emery. Tom is one of three new recruits to be recently co-opted on to the Committee, but there are still vacancies if you are interested.

THE CHAIRMAN IS INTERVIEWED

In the past few programmes I have been quoting extracts from the three-part interview that Sam Norris and Ben Kentish carried out with Tony Kleanthous. For the full transcript refer to [here] Tony was asked if he has ever, during his fourteen years with the club, considered giving up and walking away. After initially responding “everyday” and admitting to not appreciating how much help was needed when he stepped in to save Barnet, the Chairman goes on to outline the two things he wishes to achieve in football;

“I need to get us promoted and win a few games in a higher division. I don’t know if I’ll achieve that, but I desperately want to. I also have another ambition, which was half-fulfilled over the summer. I’ve always had an ambition to walk on the Wembley turf. In my mind it was always with my team, but I actually walked on there to present a trophy in the play-off final…..but it’s not quite the same. I’m desperate for us to go to Wembley”.

Tony adds; “Funnily enough the day we got relegated was probably when I felt least like walking away. I said to Dennis; I don’t want to leave this place until it’s better than when I came.”

TRAVEL BULLETIN

Please ring the travel line 01707 647365, in case there are still places to travel to Torquay next weekend. Either that or talk to Steve Percy this evening. To travel to Devon costs £35 or £30 for a category F game under the revised system. The coach will leave the Odeon at 8.0am. Once again the BFCSA will run transport to all competitive matches. Remember that the Northampton Town fixture takes place on a Friday night, September 4th, so phone for details the time. You must be a BFCSA member to travel but it is possible to join up on the day.

CONTACT THE COMMITTEE

To become a member of the BFCSA will cost you just £10 or as little as a fiver for under 16s and senior citizens. The BFCSA membership Secretary can be contacted at 63 Western Way Barnet Herts. EN5 2BU. Benefits of joining include a members’ draw, coach travel newsletters, and reduced or priority entry to BFCSA social events including the Player of the Season awards. Look upinfo@bfcsa.co.uk to download a membership form or speak to Steve Mann in the pavilion. Our Chairman is Eddie Thompson, Treasurer is Henry Strevens, and Ben Kentish handles a new role of Press and Publicity. With this in mind you may have seen Ben pontificating on the coming season in several football publications of late. Unfortunately Ben no longer has the time to run the Young BFCSA, and in any case is now considered too old for this job, so plaese talk to him if you are interested in helping to take over this arm of the organisation.

QUIZ TEAM

Barnet have been champions of the Home Counties Football Quiz League for some six consecutive seasons now. Last season they were once again unbeaten and completed the double of League and League Cup, the latter won by defeating a competitive Sunderland side. Squad rotation saw John Errol, Murray Craig, Daren West, Nick Sandemas, Steve Percy, Ben Romaner, Peter Croft and myself all compete last season. Matches should start in a month or two, and the home venue is the Old Red Lion.