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Aug. 4th, 2012
Neighbours
Aug. 4th, 2012 06:20 pmMy first visit to Leighton Town’s Bell Close ground, for the friendly with their – I guess I should get used to saying ‘our’ – tenants Aylesbury United. Nice clubhouse, with Magners and cans of 7 Up (the next best thing to Sprite) on sale, Olympic sailing on the telly and a friendly bunch of bar staff and club officials. Iain introduced me to his MK Donnette daughter Shelagh, who promptly signed me up for the 100 club.
Bob waved me over to join him in the stand just before kick-off. Behind us were a mixed group of Leighton and Aylesbury United supporters. Early on some Leighton fans chatted about the Olympics, Britain’s tally of medals today, a silver won by male rowers one of whose seats broke, and another silver won by two lady rowers who had to be carried out of their boat at the end of the race. They were impressed that I’d been to some women’s football matches and last night’s swimming, and joined me in sympathy with poor old Becky.
An experimental Leighton team came back from conceding an early goal to win 2-1, while throughout the game the Leighton and Aylesbury United supporters exchanged relentless banter. Several of the lads on both sides had played for the other club before joining their current one, and whenever one of them made a mistake it was naturally picked up on by the fans of the player’s old side. Leighton winger Enzo, formerly of Aylesbury United, got stick from both sets of fans (only spoken among the spectators, not shouted for him to hear) for much of the game - then netted the winning goal.
The chips from the tea hut were very tasty, if a bit skinny for my taste, though the hot dog was pretty ordinary – will try a burger next time.
There wasn't a bus home until 6.15. Only one thing for it – back to the clubhouse for another quick Magners and a tad more Olympics on the box, then round to the taxi rank to make it home in time for Dave Cash.
Bob waved me over to join him in the stand just before kick-off. Behind us were a mixed group of Leighton and Aylesbury United supporters. Early on some Leighton fans chatted about the Olympics, Britain’s tally of medals today, a silver won by male rowers one of whose seats broke, and another silver won by two lady rowers who had to be carried out of their boat at the end of the race. They were impressed that I’d been to some women’s football matches and last night’s swimming, and joined me in sympathy with poor old Becky.
An experimental Leighton team came back from conceding an early goal to win 2-1, while throughout the game the Leighton and Aylesbury United supporters exchanged relentless banter. Several of the lads on both sides had played for the other club before joining their current one, and whenever one of them made a mistake it was naturally picked up on by the fans of the player’s old side. Leighton winger Enzo, formerly of Aylesbury United, got stick from both sets of fans (only spoken among the spectators, not shouted for him to hear) for much of the game - then netted the winning goal.
The chips from the tea hut were very tasty, if a bit skinny for my taste, though the hot dog was pretty ordinary – will try a burger next time.
There wasn't a bus home until 6.15. Only one thing for it – back to the clubhouse for another quick Magners and a tad more Olympics on the box, then round to the taxi rank to make it home in time for Dave Cash.
