A quick update before the much-anticpated trip to Lewes:
Credit where credit's due, we at RR Towers are very impressed by Carshalton Athletic's new policy of fan meetings.
Many clubs at our level hold regular meet-the-board evenings and up until this season such events were fairly common at the War Memorial Sports Ground. However, since the ascension of owner Paul Dipre to the post of manager the supporters of Carshalton have had to be content with three "blog" updates and whatever information that can be gleaned from increasingly gnomic comments in the club's matchday programme.
Clearly the club, innovative in so many other ways, was working on a new approach to meeting the supporters and over the past few weeks it has become clear that a series of one to one meetings with the club's owner, conducted post-match at pitch-side, is the way to go.
In fact, I think I may have inadvertently reported the first of these meetings on this very blog http://robinsrepository.blogspot.com/2012/01/you-may-feel-small-prick-bury-town-2-0.html when one of my travelling companions was treated to a half time interview during the defeat at Bury Town.
A few weeks later, after a 0-2 home loss to mighty Discord Rangers, another supporter was beckoned down from the terraces by the owner/manager and given the benefit of his wisdom. Finally, at the most recent home defeat (ninth of the season!) a fan was given the hairdrier treatment complete with interesting vocabulary, details here http://forums.footballwebpages.co.uk/forum.jsp?id=27&article=23905.
Given the club's plummeting home attendances I anticipate that we will all have had an interview by the end of the season. Surely it must be my turn soon.
Saturday 10 March 2012
Sunday 15 January 2012
Shoes off! - Lincoln City 0 - 0 Carshalton Athletic
I'm not sure the home supporters will agree and I'm absolutely sure David Holdsworth and his players won't, but for the gross or so Carshalton fans that travelled to Lincoln to see this 2nd round FA Trophy tie the day proved to be extremely satisfactory.
The rather stately progress of the two supporters coaches once again vindicated the Robins Zyklusgruppen's dedication to public transport and an early start from Sutton via King's Cross and Newark saw us pitching up in lovely Lincoln well before lunch time. A stroll round the town centre and a walk up Steep Hill was a real pleasure; I certainly had no idea that Lincoln was so well-preserved and full of fascinating medieval buildings, not least the beautiful cathedral and castle both visible for miles around.
However, we don't have time for culture when there's a lunch to score and with a little local knowledge (gleaned by one of our number spending a considerable amount of time chatting to a very amenable lady) we found a decent restaurant, certainly a cut above our usual cafe. They parked us in our own private dining area, possibly because there were nine of us, possibly to distance us from the other diners and the food proved to be pretty good. I'm still smarting at my decision not to have the soup, which was apparently excellent, making do with some very pedestrian Potato Skins. My main course pasta was better but I'm struggling to give Cafe Zoot more than 6/10, even taking into account the private dining room.
So, onto Sincil Bank and that rarest of beasts for a non-league fan, an all seater stadium. The ground's 10,000 capacity was not to be tested but it was still a decent atmosphere for the game, helped by the Carshalton choir in fine voice. In true non-league style, the Robins fans stood for the whole game and gave the team their full support and the team repaid them handsomely. Lincoln were clearly fitter and technically more polished but the visitors worked hard at closing their opponents early and denying space in central areas. The longer the match went on the more confident we got, reaching half time well in control of the game. The friendly stewards praised us for coming and putting on a real show whilst bemoaning their own sides inconsistency and lack of confidence.
In truth the game was hardly a classic, with Nick Hamann rarely troubled and only shots from distance by Vines and Hamici ever threatening the Imps goal, but as the home support started to vocalise their displeasure we became more comfortable.
"Shoes off if you love the Robs" sang the choir as several dozen cheesy pairs of trainers were thrust towards the darkening sky and as even as the referee somehow added five minutes of injury time (there had hardly been a stoppage all game and only one caution) we carried on singing. The players were out on their feet but still they threw themselves into challenges to deny the Imps any space or time to play. Special mentions to Kieron Murphy and Craig Tanner who both came into the team covering absentees Ray and Davis whilst new loan signing Reece Jones also impressed but the MotM for me was Justyn Roberts who led the rearguard action superbly.
Finally the referee blew for full time and although we hadn't won, and whatever the result in the replay on Tuesday, both players and supporters had done the name of Carshalton proud.
In my excited state, I clean forgot to look for the club shop; I'm sure there was one but a quick look on their website shows I have a choice of two club pens, so I think I'll order me the one below and award them 9/10, deducting a mark because on the internet you can't check to see if it works :-)
A pleasant journey back to civilisation followed, broken only by a visit to a pub and chippy in the 1960's theme park that is Newark. All in all I'll give the match experience a 9/10. A great result and a tremendous atmosphere. As the cup cliche has it; Lincoln won't fancy coming to our place on Tuesday night!
Total score 24 and we have a new leader for the season!
The rather stately progress of the two supporters coaches once again vindicated the Robins Zyklusgruppen's dedication to public transport and an early start from Sutton via King's Cross and Newark saw us pitching up in lovely Lincoln well before lunch time. A stroll round the town centre and a walk up Steep Hill was a real pleasure; I certainly had no idea that Lincoln was so well-preserved and full of fascinating medieval buildings, not least the beautiful cathedral and castle both visible for miles around.
However, we don't have time for culture when there's a lunch to score and with a little local knowledge (gleaned by one of our number spending a considerable amount of time chatting to a very amenable lady) we found a decent restaurant, certainly a cut above our usual cafe. They parked us in our own private dining area, possibly because there were nine of us, possibly to distance us from the other diners and the food proved to be pretty good. I'm still smarting at my decision not to have the soup, which was apparently excellent, making do with some very pedestrian Potato Skins. My main course pasta was better but I'm struggling to give Cafe Zoot more than 6/10, even taking into account the private dining room.
So, onto Sincil Bank and that rarest of beasts for a non-league fan, an all seater stadium. The ground's 10,000 capacity was not to be tested but it was still a decent atmosphere for the game, helped by the Carshalton choir in fine voice. In true non-league style, the Robins fans stood for the whole game and gave the team their full support and the team repaid them handsomely. Lincoln were clearly fitter and technically more polished but the visitors worked hard at closing their opponents early and denying space in central areas. The longer the match went on the more confident we got, reaching half time well in control of the game. The friendly stewards praised us for coming and putting on a real show whilst bemoaning their own sides inconsistency and lack of confidence.
In truth the game was hardly a classic, with Nick Hamann rarely troubled and only shots from distance by Vines and Hamici ever threatening the Imps goal, but as the home support started to vocalise their displeasure we became more comfortable.
"Shoes off if you love the Robs" sang the choir as several dozen cheesy pairs of trainers were thrust towards the darkening sky and as even as the referee somehow added five minutes of injury time (there had hardly been a stoppage all game and only one caution) we carried on singing. The players were out on their feet but still they threw themselves into challenges to deny the Imps any space or time to play. Special mentions to Kieron Murphy and Craig Tanner who both came into the team covering absentees Ray and Davis whilst new loan signing Reece Jones also impressed but the MotM for me was Justyn Roberts who led the rearguard action superbly.
Finally the referee blew for full time and although we hadn't won, and whatever the result in the replay on Tuesday, both players and supporters had done the name of Carshalton proud.
In my excited state, I clean forgot to look for the club shop; I'm sure there was one but a quick look on their website shows I have a choice of two club pens, so I think I'll order me the one below and award them 9/10, deducting a mark because on the internet you can't check to see if it works :-)
Total score 24 and we have a new leader for the season!
Sunday 8 January 2012
You may feel a small prick - Bury Town 2 - 0 Carshalton Athletic
Fantastic news! Things are getting better at Carshalton Athletic. Last season we lost three nil at Bury Town, this year we lost two nil. Undeniable improvement. Well done everyone.
That's the good news, the bad news is that this performance from the Robins was as anaemic as any I've seen this year as they stretched the streak to five games without a win. We visit Aveley on Monday night, who have lost their last five games and three points is a must to maintain a respectable gap from the relegation places ahead of our Trophy trip to Lincoln.
So what of Bury? The train journey, sans velos, was pleasant enough and Bury St Edmonds itself is a gem of a town. We found the elegant Harriets Tearooms (http://www.harrietscafetearooms.co.uk/) where the waiting staff wear traditional period uniforms and the food is resolutely English. A jolly spiffing time was had by all and the bangers and mash with two slices of bread and butter earns Harriets a 9/10.
Dipre: "Prick."
*Gasps from assembled fans in stand*
Mr Dipre clearly channelled some of his aggression into the half time team talk because the second period performance was slightly better, espcially when Ricardo Joseph came on and allowed Nolan to push forward. Dean McDonald also showed some nice touches as usual, but is still looking far short of being ready to actually start a football match.
A visit to the club shop produced a decent pen in club colours, very reasonably priced at 50p and it came with the usual helpful "check to see if it works". Tremendous. 9/10
Match score 2/10 plus one for extra prickage.
Total for Bury 21/30
Season so far:
Hastings 23
Bury 21
Margate 17.5
Canvey 16
Concord 0
Maldon -1
Post script
I have documented elsewhere (see my post 19th August) what fantastic things Paul Dipre has done for the football club in terms of youth and junior teams and developing the club in a modern and business-like manner. However, as first team manager, with a lack of experience at this level and seeming endless ability to upset people, I think we would be better served by him stepping aside and appointing a dedicated manager who is allowed to get on with the job of advancing this expensively-assembled squad to the next level whilst Mr Dipre runs the business and develops the club as he has proved he can do.
Some Carshalton fans may disagree with me and I respect their right to do so, unreservedly. Please be clear I am not calling for a campaign of abuse against Mr Dipre or the club. I want all Carshalton fans to get behind the club and celebrate its success, but I can't see that success coming with the present manager in charge.
There, I've said it.
That's the good news, the bad news is that this performance from the Robins was as anaemic as any I've seen this year as they stretched the streak to five games without a win. We visit Aveley on Monday night, who have lost their last five games and three points is a must to maintain a respectable gap from the relegation places ahead of our Trophy trip to Lincoln.
So what of Bury? The train journey, sans velos, was pleasant enough and Bury St Edmonds itself is a gem of a town. We found the elegant Harriets Tearooms (http://www.harrietscafetearooms.co.uk/) where the waiting staff wear traditional period uniforms and the food is resolutely English. A jolly spiffing time was had by all and the bangers and mash with two slices of bread and butter earns Harriets a 9/10.
On, via a swift half in the Nutshell, the smallest pub in Britian apparently, to Ram Meadow and another dreadful Robins performance with no team spirit, a total of two attempts on goal and any number of players doing the bare minimum to pick up their bloated pay cheques.
The details will be available elsewhere but suffice to say that Bury barely got out of first gear and were first to every ball and won pretty much every challenge; Tom Davis was booked again and Luke Nolan looked much happier when he was pushed up to right midfield.
A special mention to supporter Gary Chadwick who was the only fan on the players / officials coach and he cut a rather lonely figure behind the goal. He still outsang the Bury fans though! Those Robins officials in the small stand were treated to a small amount of drama at half time when the charming Carshalton manager/owner Paul Dipre was involved in the following exchange with one of the few fans who had made their way to Bury:
Robins supporter: "Are you learning, Dipre?"
*Dipre stares at fan*
Robins supporter: "You'll get better."Dipre: "Prick."
*Gasps from assembled fans in stand*
Mr Dipre clearly channelled some of his aggression into the half time team talk because the second period performance was slightly better, espcially when Ricardo Joseph came on and allowed Nolan to push forward. Dean McDonald also showed some nice touches as usual, but is still looking far short of being ready to actually start a football match.
A visit to the club shop produced a decent pen in club colours, very reasonably priced at 50p and it came with the usual helpful "check to see if it works". Tremendous. 9/10
Match score 2/10 plus one for extra prickage.
Total for Bury 21/30
Season so far:
Hastings 23
Bury 21
Margate 17.5
Canvey 16
Concord 0
Maldon -1
Post script
I have documented elsewhere (see my post 19th August) what fantastic things Paul Dipre has done for the football club in terms of youth and junior teams and developing the club in a modern and business-like manner. However, as first team manager, with a lack of experience at this level and seeming endless ability to upset people, I think we would be better served by him stepping aside and appointing a dedicated manager who is allowed to get on with the job of advancing this expensively-assembled squad to the next level whilst Mr Dipre runs the business and develops the club as he has proved he can do.
Some Carshalton fans may disagree with me and I respect their right to do so, unreservedly. Please be clear I am not calling for a campaign of abuse against Mr Dipre or the club. I want all Carshalton fans to get behind the club and celebrate its success, but I can't see that success coming with the present manager in charge.
There, I've said it.
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