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No.33 - Sat. 5th January 2008; Kent County League Division 2 West 2.00pm at The Farnborough S&S Club, High Street, Farnborough, Kent. (Att: 22; Prog: 8pp, donation) |
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View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 Farnborough OBG (2) 4 Eltham Palace (0) 0 match abandoned after 76 minutes following crowd trouble From offside to match off... Just when I thought that my 'hopping 'gremlins' of recent weeks had finally been laid to rest they sadly came back to haunt me once again towards the end of this Kent County League Division 2 West fixture. A tough, physical and at times bad tempered encounter seemed to reach boiling point after half-time when Farnborough scored their third goal following a terrific move which beat the offside trap. Although there were no appeals by the players, the club 'linesman' on the near side immediately raised his flag (in error and not for the first time during the afternoon!). It was a close call but the referee quite rightly overuled him and walked back to the centre circle to re-start the game. At this point one of the spectators standing nearby applauded the referee suggesting that this was the right decision and sarcastically added that his assistant should get a grip! Now this wasn't really the most intelligent thing to say given the circumstances. With that the lino quickly turned around and began to vent his wrath on the home fans with a string of expletives that I cannot repeat here (except to say that most began with an F and a C!). With several women and children in close attendance the referee sensibly came back over to the touchline again and attempted, with a few calming words, to diffuse the situation - well sort of. Although the game continued I felt that there was going to be more trouble... And there was. After just ten minutes of play things unsurprisingly erupted once more. You've guessed it - the lino, clearly unable to ignore the comments from the home fans, completely lost it. Like an uncaged beast he clambered over the perimeter rope and made his way into a group of spectators standing near the half-way line. With uncontrollable anger he threw his flag down and proceeded to aim a couple of left hooks in the direction of one teenage youth standing pitchside. As tempers flared some of the players became involved and soon a mass brawl ensued. The referee attempted to break things up but, realising this was an impossible task, waved his arms to signal that enough was enough. After 76 minutes the game had been abandoned with Farnborough leading by 4-0. Gutted. My stomach churned. I hoped that he might change his mind and re-start the game. But no - it was definitely off. So for the second time in a month I had seemingly been in the wrong place at the wrong time!!! Once the storm had been weathered the home players reluctantly removed the nets from the goal posts and then made their way back down the slope to the changing rooms. Shaun the manager was equally frustrated knowing that his side had been robbed of a great result. Like a true gentleman he shook my hand and wished me well on my journey home. As for the result - it appears that the referee's match report will now be on the agenda at a future league committee meeting. Despite this obvious disappointment (an understatement) my trip down to Farnborough OBG (that's Old Boys Guild by the way) FC had nevertheless been a rewarding one. Everyone I had spoken to at the club had been friendly and welcoming. A proactive committee and coaching staff have worked hard to achieve success - so far this season the first team have lost only two games and currently lead the Division 2 West League table. They play great football here and should be favourites to win the league at the end of the season. Affable secretary Vic Farrow kindly gave me directions to the ground earlier in the day when I phoned to check that the game was still going ahead. He was polite and courteous. On arriving at the ground I was given a couple of programmes by the editor and team manager Shaun Keddle - he pens a lovely full colour 8-pager complete the match details on the cover. My hopping mate and FGIF supremo Paul Roth who first brought my attention to the club about a year ago (see TT67 No.163) recently picked up a FOBG FC programme from one of the club's AWAY games at Hawkhurst - what a tremendous service!! The club also operates a fantastic website and it is well worth logging onto for the latest information and events. Travellers to Farnborough Sports and Social club will also be impressed by the football club's tidy little ground (close to the A21 and only a few miles from Bromley). The main entrance is tucked away behind the Woodman Public House just off the High Street and this leads you to the clubhouse. The images will hopefully help to convey what a great little set up this is. I will certainly go back in the near future. Let's hope it lasts a full ninety minutes!! Ah, the joys of hopping! FGIF Rating: 5* |
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edited on 07/01/08 |
