… a Time To Speak and a Time to be Silent

Friday, 3rd July

Bescot Stadium

Travelling to National Trust property Charlecote Park on Tuesday, I was drawn to the route that passes close to Bescot Stadium. I am really not sure why. Something to do with the collection of football paraphernalia and often-raw feelings linked to the “three-generations” of one family who followed Walsall?

Thwarted however because the slip road I was aiming for onto the M6 was closed and I had to double back.

David Cameron, British Prime Minister had announced a national minute’s silence for today as a mark of respect for the thirty eight victims of a single murderer on the holiday beaches of Tunisia last Friday. Among them were  three Saddlers Supporters – Joel Richards, Adrian Evans and Charles ‘Patrick’ Evans.  Joel was 19 years of age and a season-ticket holder. He was a budding referee and a student at the University of Worcester. His uncle, 49 year-old Adrian, who worked for Sandwell Council, was also a season-ticket holder here at Banks’s Stadium, whilst his father, Charles, 78, was a keen follower of the club and a great lover of football.

Again today,  a little more knowingly I was drawn to the ground where a battery of media cameras and reporters made something of a circus of the simple ceremony. However they were generally unobtrusive.

I recognised some faces in the crowd that had, like me gathered. To pay respects to local people who have  no role to play in the crazy politics that took their lives. There is no right time to be in the wrong place. But Bescot Stadium today was exactly the right place to be. The ever-increasing squares of memorial displays glowed in the sunshine: Messages from Sunderland, Wolves, Baggies, Villa, Glasgow Rangers supporters add weight to the shirts, flags and teddy bears from our own club. Loyal supporters responding to loyal supporters. Across the usual tribal borders. Because what happened was wrong: insanely so!

Staff from Bescot turned out, the players (including new signings defender Jason Demetriou and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge), back-room and commercial staff were all there. Such a shame that this had to be necessary, but credit to all who turned out. Of course many people: at work or at school were unable to be there, but were there in spirit.

The feeling in the crowd more used to milling and celebrating (or not) together at matches was understandably quiet; reflective … grasping perhaps to find and answer the question written on so many of the artefacts under the walls:

Why?

The silence was started by the blowing of a referee’s whistle (what else?) – and ended by the same. Club chaplain, former player Peter Hart (also vicar at St James’ church, Cannock) lead a few prayers: well-chosen, appropriate words. There followed a fine round of applause which echoed between the outside walls of the ground and the Saddlers Club. I became aware of the crowded M6 again, the bright sunlight.

A guy standing near me, moving away commented that we should be singing

“We’ll keep the Walsall family flyin’ high,”

Interesting thought, but the silence and the applause were enough I think. Time for the songs when the games begin.

England ladies were cruelly knocked out of the World Cup, losing the semi-final against japan in the final seconds of normal time, when stalwart defender Bassett , trying to clear the ball put it into our net. Bravely done though ladies: bringing some pride back to international football. Pride, style and integrity indeed.

Wimbledon began this week: record high temperatures and some fine tennis being played. One of the early surprises – to the media at any rate was the defeat of Rafa Nadal by a German player Dustin Brown. What’s next?

Dare to Dream? Chance’d Be A Fine Thing: (Colchester Away)

Colchester?

A simple, unGoogled guess is the way to Stansted airport and a few miles and roundabouts more. My car could find its own way to Stansted these days I believe, but money and time are short. Following Walsall is good, especially since we are doing so much better away from home – at the moment – but there are other things in my life. Work being one. The winter weather being another, and the associated lack of light that early sunset brings.  Something like six, seven hours drive there and back didn’t appeal.

But in a masochistic way going to the gym did. Not exactly a New Year’s resolution, but I do need to spend a little more time and thought on getting regular challenging exercise. So a walk to renew library books, get meat from the butchers, cream of chicken soup … then off to the local Fitness First gym. Wow! It is so completely different at two o’clockish, Saturday afternoon. Almost empty: park where you want, plenty of spaces. And the machines are deserted … a ghost-gym if you will. I can automatically sign myself in now by waving my card over the gizmo on the desk: good job because I cannot see any staff about. My plan was to settle on to some of the aerobic machines facing the strip of TVs over the – quite unnecessary in my opinion – mirror wall at the “front” of the floor. Put myself in for a long session, on bike or treadmill, and watch the football results, highlights/pundits and keep up with the scores. But I was there a little too early. So instead I am watching an animated film (what is the difference between a cartoon and an animated film? I wonder as I pedal at level 9 across the “random” programme) with pigeons and railway trains. That and a Michael J Fox U.S farce that I have seen – and enjoyed. He falls madly in bed with his aunt, and in love with a character played by Helen Slater and it all ends happily ever after, though once it is finished I can never remember how it was resolved.

There is football punditry on only one screen, which is showing a surreal loop (without sound) of manager’s heads (I recognise Mourinho, Alan Pardew, Harry Redknapp and Paul lambert); there should be a link, however tenuous and I am puzzled: what might it be?

I finish my exercises at around about half time, get into the car, turn on the radio. Walsall winning one – nil: an Antony Forde header after good work from Jordan Cook.

I decide to drop in on mom. My brother is there. We talk: trains, terrorism, rights of free speech, and by the end of the game we have won: two nil. Super work from a typically calm Bradshaw; putting the ball inside for Michael Cain to notch the second.

  

Colchester haven’t won at home since October.

In another game two Scunthorpe goalies were stretchered off; both had broken arms; both injured in collisions with Bristol City players. Football is a simple game really, but there are so many possibilities and permutations. Has this ever happened before?

Not so far away at Molineux, there is a sadness at the celebration of the life of Sir jack Hayward: the man who, essentially saved Wolverhampton Wanderers with his generosity and enabled the club not only to survive but re-invent itself. Massive building projects reshaped the ground and, though managers came and went the spirit of the club lives on. I am fiercely loyal to my team, but sometimes in this world of corporate investment and clubs being financed, funded and held together by foreign owners the genuine role of the local businessman supporting his local club and having such a genuine affinity with it deserves recognition. The day did Sir Jack proud by all accounts, so respect to the Wolves (if only for once and for a short time).

Incidentally Hayward was also generous in many other respects: funding the return of S.S. Great Britain from the Falkland’s, sponsoring a library in a local school and England Women’s Cricket team. Amongst so many other creditable deeds. Not everyone who has money uses it selfishly and, though I daresay there will be those who will unkindly suggest Sir Jack could have done more it is certainly true that he did more than many.

For Walsall fans there is now the dilemma:

Success in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and a trip to Wembley … or the longer-term glory of a possible paly off place? We are continually consistently inconsistent as Darren Fellows wrote in Monday’s Express and Star:

“Away wins at Preston and Colchester, home defeats to Coventry and Scunthorpe.

Clean sheets on our travels, defensively abject at home …

Just about everything you already knew about this team in four results.”

Nigel Clough, studiedly stubborn and obtusely straight spoken has lead Sheffield United to the promotion zone in League One and a League Cup semi-final. Asked on TV whether he would go for the Wembley Final or a play off game he finally answered (like his father, Brian,  he rarely gives a simple answer) that he would have to pick the play off appearance.

Me, I’m crazy enough to dream and wonder why say either one or the other, let’s do both and a bit more besides.

The long wait and inevitable, slightly patronising hype will be about soon. The second leg game match is – apparently – sold out.

We did brilliantly to win at Deepdale; we have players beginning to get a second wind: let’s get our seats on the roller coaster – and hang on tight. It won’t be easy … but being a Saddler’s fan never has been.

Images: Walsall match: Walsall Advertiser

Molineux; itv.com

Ricoh Anyone ?

I’ve been tidying up in the  back garden. Cutting down some pyracantha – and it is savagely thorned and well named “fire thorn”… and, having tidied up the resulting debris– some cut as logs for the fire pit, some crammed into the green garden-waste recycling bin (last collection of the year on Monday) – I am late getting in and putting the radio on. Main commentary is the Burnley Villa game, but the report from Coventry’s Ricoh Arena says that Saddlers are nil – nil and dominating the game.

 

Four minutes to go until half time and Villa take the lead with a Joe Cole goal.

While I am listening I am suddenly struck by exactly how many games I have been to this season, rather than, as in previous recent years, I sat and listened to the local BBC radio commentaries. This game at Coventry was eminently reachable  but the extremely poor performance at Shrewsbury is still fresh in my memory and I need to save at least a little money. The Who concert is next week and after that Status Quo and the ICAD sponsored game…

“So far, so good” is the half time comment on the Walsall game; still goalless. I am not even sure of the line-up and wonder who is playing up front and also wondering – if the game has been as bare of “highlights” as some of the games I have been to this season- how the BBC man at the Rich finds anything to say at all. But I’ll happily take what he says on trust – and hope we get at least a goal to win the game in the second half.

Elton, sorry, Sir Elton John will be playing at Bescot next summer. The news came out this week and the gig has apparently already sold out. Some press reports are saying it will be all reserved seating,  that the playing surface will be covered and seats put out.  On most levels this is marvellous news. It will be the second concert – in my memory – held at Bescot. Local band the Wonderstuff, having linked with comedian Jim Reeves in  a version of the Kinks song “Dizzy”, played there (just after Walsall moved to the ground (from Fellows’ Park). Clearly there is money being made by holding the concert at Walsall: will any of it filter in to the playing side? I certainly hope so!

 

Five minutes to go … Manset has been put on in the Walsall game, Baxendale coming off.

In the Villa game, short of something to say the commentators are reflecting that Villa have won games away from home (Stoke and Liverpool) by one goal to nil … could they win this one by the same margin … and there’s a penalty for Burnley … which is scored!

The “goal horn” is then quite active, sending the thoughts spinning: will it be a Walsall goal? A Coventry goal? No, well, not yet any way.

Meanwhile at Turf Moor, unsurprisingly, Burnley are inspired and on the attack! Hitting the post!

Wolves –in a downward spiral at the moment are three nil down at Brentford.

Blues get a controversial penalty (given apparently by the fourth official) , they score and take the lead against Notts. Forest.

Sadly and bizarrely Australian cricketer, Phillip Hughes died after a bowled ball struck him and caused a brain injury. This is weird because I had – totally wrongly – assumed that batsmen’s heads were fully protected by the helmet they wear. Obviously not! Of course I feel for the family of the man – who would have been twenty six this week, but also for the bowler. How must he be feeling?

 

 

“Cricket wraps its collective arms around the family” is a marvellous quote from a cricketer on the incident.

The Burnley game has finished.

Full time at the Ricoh: familiar story:

“Walsall looking solid at the back, but not able to put the Coventry goal under the pressure needed to score a goal that their play perhaps deserved.” Is a paraphrased version of what has been said by the reporter in an incredibly tiny piece of feedback – suggesting how little there actually was to talk about. Far more to reflect on, of course. What do we want for Christmas?

A striker of course! And the money and sense to get one in, rather than the somewhat prideful muttering about our current crop being “a work in progress”.

Wolves (home)

It’s another of one-of-those-days days today.

But first, I suppose the maths: amazingly despite being beaten at Coventry/Northampton we begin the day still in with an outside chance of making a play-off place. We are no longer in contention with most of the top teams (table wise) but might challenge for sixth spot. Results being what results can sometimes – but unusually for Walsall – are. So, Wolves running freely away at the top of the table, scoring goals for fun and business it seems, dispatching their rivals cleanly and efficiently …

So no pressure then …

Popped into Great Wyrley Library to support the World Book Day “fest”. I am a member of the reading group there but had to miss the meeting last Wednesday because I was bound for Northampton (a.k.a. Coventry City’s home ground). There is a general concern that local libraries in Staffordshire, especially the – quite literally – smaller ones will be “rationalised to help the local council make cuts. Cuts somewhere along the  long line of deniable-accountability decisions that are being imposed by central government. Perhaps dressed up with explanations that this is “central funding being withdrawn” or similar. Interesting … was it Winston Churchill who once said that a democracy is defined by “what it chooses to defend rather than what it chooses to fight”?

I wonder where the money comes from that goes to “international aid”, how more of it can be found, how the government can come up with millions of pounds to promise for measures to assist “Flood damage areas” and why this isn’t used to bolster such community assets as libraries. A local business leader of – at least national repute – Digby-Jones recently stated that parents whose children could not read should have welfare funding withdrawn … now there’s an incentive eh?

My brother, who rode shotgun so entertainingly on the way back last Wednesday, picked me up and we parked early enough pretty much where we usually park. Huge police presence. Our visitors toady – the Wolves – Wolverhampton Wanderers were in the Premier league, what, two seasons ago and are on the championship trail. New manager Kenny jacket has the team firing on all six cylinders: mean defence and about to set a record eight consecutive win streak if they can today.

Crowds boisterous. Match sponsored by Banks’ Brewery. It’s a perfect game for this traditional local company to take on. Hope the beer doesn’t spill over into aggression and confrontation. P.A. announces the crowd as almost eleven thousand and it’s warm. Great to have such atmosphere: turning Bescot into another, more intense and rather marvellous world. How magical would it be to have this for every home game?

There are other people I know there – of course. Some nods, some talk, some about expectations …

We play Troy Hewitt and Romaine Sawyers up front as a double striker team, Downing is left out of centre back (our emerging and maturing star defender) and the first twenty minutes are even and fiercely contested. Wolves are clearly a powerful team, but our industry worries them a few times, we harry well and they make mistakes.

There were always going to be goals; for us Walsall supporters just a little sad that the first one went to Wolves and showed their mobility and dogged approach. Equally poor was the fact that one of the Wolves players quite deliberately ran along the Walsall fans end of the ground (Where the gaol had been scored to be fair) and antagonised the crowd. Undeniably poor reaction Also indefensible, however was the fact that – though understandable in one way – one of the Walsall crowd took it to heart and scrambled over the wall to “remonstrate”. The situation was never going to get better but three of the Wolves players coming over, trying to intimidate the guy only managed to do the opposite and stewards had to intervene (should have got there sooner guys ?).

Into the bar at half time; why the stewards are suddenly asking to see “season tickets” is frustrating and a half time chatter. Drew is off on holiday soon to Lanzarote … but isn’t overly concerned about missing the game that week.

We tell each other we can still get into the game, are very happy about the way Sawyers is playing, hope we can keep Febian Brandy, preferably on a contract next season … and hope that our management team will stay. Dean Smith, Richard O’Kelly and Neil Cutler (Goalkeeping coach) deserve much credit for the way we have played. A small squad run on little or no money, small crowds and big hearts. It is just possible that they will be away to bigger things having demonstrated such ability. Maybe not the premier League, but er Blues (Birmingham City) –just down the road – next season in the Championship ??

Second half we are still in there fighting. Then a Wolves shot comes back off the cross bar and is put into the net. Two –nil. Heads start to go down and we go into that pass-across the field or back to the keeper system. To be honest Wolves are good at this: two goals up they lock up the defence and seek to irritate. Some fouls conceded and taken. An ugly spell. Then their third goal.

Some substitutions but maybe our small squad is feeling the pressure. We never stop trying – we just haven’t this season and that is worthy of note! Great attitude. But at this point we aren’t exactly moving forwards, just keeping the ball – and that suits the opposition.  They are, after all, winning.

Out of the ground. Police everywhere. White vans blocking access: I am sure there is a system but would love to know what it is. Cordons of uniformed officers. The helicopter growling and banking in the clear blue sky over the ground and the M6. It was a lot easier to park than I had thought it would be; and getting out is not significantly different to less-crowded games.

There is some passionate chatter on the car radio (BBC WM) and “Franksy”, the presenter does his best to stir it up get more people to ring in with their opinions. One woman, a Walsall fan, is near to sobbing as she rails about the “scandalous” gestures so-and-so (Wolves player) was making at the Walsall fans.

Later there is some official statement that there were racist remarks being made by the Walsall fans and that the “police” would be “looking into it”.

Cannot see it myself. How will you collect evidence on that one? The Walsall fans will say one thing, the Wolves players are bound to say the opposite. More importantly, surely – the football.

We have been good this season, on some days extraordinarily so. Today we were beaten by a better team. More skilful players (costing and earning more money than we can dream of), with parachute payments from the higher leagues they were in before. They should be promoted, given all of the advantages they have. It is good to be proud and passionate, tribal even, about your own team, but let’s stick to the football eh when talking about the games we can’t or don’t win.

It was a local derby, fought like one, fanned like one and our neighbours, those we garden next to, work alongside or stand by in the pub or at the concert (maybe the Heart and Tom Petty tribute one next week?) have the bragging rights this time … like we had them earlier in the season when we won at Molineux.

A little short-sighted of their fans singing, mockingly

“Can we play you every week?”

In the Championship would be good eh ?

(Unless they still want to be in League One next season!)