6 September 2011
I had a real good feeling about the cup game with Belper. All morning, as I was being dragged round the shops by the good lady, my thoughts were consumed by what tactics would be deployed by TK. And as we called in for our usual Saturday morning coffee and cake, my attention was slightly wandering as the afor-mentioned good lady extolled the virtues of a frock she had just seen. "Only £50," she said! I looked her in the eye, an expression of disbelief playing around my handsome features. "£50", I replied, almost dropping my muffin in the process, "For £50 you could sponsor a ball at Deeping Towers." Bless her. She gave me what I think novelists term, a 'withering look'. The good lady is not, as I may have mentioned before, a lover of our great game.
Not to worry, the sun was shining upon the arrival of me and the boy at the "Towers", and the pitch looked a picture of lovliness. A green sward lovingly prepared by 'Super Dave'. Parking cones had been placed in the car park ready to receive the Belper Town coach! You just know it's a big game when the visitors arrive in a coach!! As the kick off moved closer, the players of both side emerged onto the hallowed turf to go through their warm ups. "Hold on a minute," I said to the boy, "I recognise that chap." That chap, who was the Belper manager, was none other than Tommy Taylor, the ex West Ham star from the 70's. Hardly managing to contain my excitement, I ducked beneath the barrier, strode across the pitch, grabbed Tommy by his right paw and shook it with gusto. For I was, you see, a huge Hammers fan at the time and this man was a hero who had played alongside Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst etc.. Just another of those magic moments supplied at our beloved theatre of dreams!
We played some cracking football in the first half against a team from higher up the pyramid. 'Big Bird' headed us in front and we really looked the part. Second half, we hardly dared to watch as Belper came at us and 'Cat' Doughty had to be at his very best to keep them out. But score, they did, and so did we, again!! 2-1 to the Rangers and we were wondering if the blinking ref was ever going to blow the old whistle. Our Chairman was getting caught up in all the excitement and expressed some concern about his 'dicky ticker'. Bless him, he does worry.
At last our dear ref blasted out the three notes and it was game over!! Rangers had made into the next stage, and it's now only twelve games to Wembley!!! Wonderful scenes on the pitch. Lots of smiling faces and slaps on the back. Great stuff Rangers. Keep it going. It's New Mills here at the Towers in the next round. I have just been on t'internet and I see they are ,as yet, to lose a game this season after their promotion to the Evo-Stick at the end of last season. The game takes place on Sep 17th, so make a date in your social calendar!! C'MON YOU RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!