What times we live in. The ’Culture War’ continues unabated: Another player reports being racially abused - hat-trick scorer Nathan Austin of Kelty Hearts away at Albion Rovers in Scottish League Two; The sign at the Freeeman Hospital in Newcastle is daubed with a swastika and abuse of the staff there; on my own Twitter timeline, a charmless Derby fan abuses a Paraguayan Forest fan, telling him we don’t like foreigners here and to go home - said Paraguayan lives in Paraguay, funnily enough.
And just to prove that we’re living in strange, confusing times, Forest get a first win since early April, scoring more than one in a match also for the first time since that win. This is weird, though I’m obviously not really seriously comparing it to the three events above.
I didn’t go, but another big away following did make the trip to Huddersfield. All sold out. Again. I was at Maltby, of which more in a moment.
The Forest win is welcome but confusing. New manager, or rather a stand-in, Steven Reid who was part of Chris Hughton’s team, so presumably shares some theories and values with hIm. Same players, new system (3-4-3) and, by all accounts, levels of energy and commitment not seen in months. Which, for me, raises some questions:
If Steven Reid could see things needed changing, couldn’t he have got that across to his boss and close associate, CH? Did he try but CH wouldn’t listen? Did no one speak up? Players too - did they not have input into how things are organised? It all sounds (I know, I wasn‘t there and I’m putting 2 and 2 together etc…) very unhealthy, with no shared vision or two way communication. In other words, poor leadership and a culture that is never really going to achieve much.
As for the players, if CH had lost the dressing room (again, surmising), should not professional pride and the understanding of the game that comes with being a ‘pro’ have meant they should a) continue to give their best and b) go out and do what they think is right regardless of the messages given. Show some bollocks?
Anyway, SR has a 100% record and will no doubt return to a coaching role. Bookmakers are offering short odds on all of Steve Cooper, Chris Wilder or Eddie Howe being the next to be sacked at Forest in January. John Terry seems to have distanced himself from a job only he ever mentioned being interested in. Phew!
Eddie tries to shrug it off… while Steve tries to perfect his Billy Davies impression... and Chris just isn’t sure!
Anyway, great to see the result and players looking free and happy. Note Joe Lolley’s ‘dig’ on the photo below. Of course, another theory is that they can all just now see each other that much better in the horrible new hi-viz third kit, necessary at Huddersfield because no one can really distinguish red shirts from blue and white striped ones, can they?
So…to Maltby Main, for an NECL fixture v Albion Sports, based originally in Bradford, currently playing home fixtures in Leeds at Farsley Celtic’s impressive Throstle’s Nest ground (capacity 3,500, 1750 seated). Research suggests a community based club with a strong Asian heritage, working their way up from local Sunday Leagues and still doing a lot of great community work including strongly supporting food banks . Great stuff!
A beautiful, late Summer day, saw Muglet Lane looking as gorgeous as it’s ever likely to. Which was kind of nice: I was accompanied by long time season-ticket neighbour Martin, a fellow-survivor of Blackburn away (see previous blog) and the brother of the main protagonist in the Hillsborough ticket-swap (see also previous). Martin and me have been through a lot following Forest, including a legendary day when we accidentally ‘took on’ the entire Leicester Baby Squad in that little park on the way from Filbert Street to the station. Martin has stopped going (hopefully temporarily) as he’s realised it just makes him too sad and angry. The last match we watched together was a couple of years back in the Nou Camp. From the Nou Camp to Muglet Lane. There’s a book title there. Maybe a blockbuster movie.
A crowd of 90 watched a hard-fought encounter with few real clear chances for either side. Main probably edged it in terms of possession, but Albion looked a decent footballing side. Up front was Daniel Facey, who we’d been told was brother Leroy. The (non) existence of Leroy brought a lot of extra value for me, as his name is always one of the ones I shout out when doing my best to sound like legendary, much-missed, Notts County reporter Colin Slater. A ‘gole’ for Leeeeerooyyy Faaayyyyycehhhhh. It doesn’t work on paper. Colin Slater (MBE) is still with us (age 87) and reported on Notts since 1959 until only a couple of years ago. Pleasingly, he now has a tram named after him. I once attended a quiz night to raise funds for the Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Walker statue, which now sits proudly on Meadow Lane. The quiz was great, but the participants ended up quite pissed and rowdy, much to Colin’s consternation. He got really tetchy. Anyway, somehow our team ended up in a sudden-death shoot out. I was sent up for our team. ”Now,” intoned Colin, “I’m going to ask a question and I just want you to call out the answer. Orally. Do you understand me?”
”Yes, Colin, I think we do.”
”Peter, Let’s be very, very clear. I’d like you to give it to me orally.”
Somehow, out of the guffaws, the tears of laughter, doubled up, I managed to get the answer out first. “Ian McShane, Colin.” (If you’re old enough, you can guess the question from that!)
Back to the match. Albion took the lead in about 20 minutes, a well-taken strike from Jaydan Sandhu, who we thought had a touch of the Riyad Mahrez about him on the ball. A mention here for Main ‘keeper Jamie Bailey, in for injured Hugo Warhurst, making his 250th appearance, a great milestone. There was nothing to be done about the goal, though from where we were stood there was a clear push in the back on a Main player in the build up.
For the remainder of the match, Albion defended resolutely and still threatened on the break. Main huffed and puffed, but lacked a cutting edge today. 1-0 it finished. Next up, the likelihood of a bumper crowd in the FA Vase next week as AFC Bury come to Muglet Lane - they’ve been taking literally hundreds away with them - and a big decision for me: that or Forest v Millwall? Anyone want to borrow my season ticket, Lower Trent End?
UTM, COYR!
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