Seemed like every Clapton fan
under the sun was crammed into
the Scaffold this Saturday,
creating a fantastic atmosphere
and a memorable day for those in
attendance.
I mistakenly referred to our
rather eccentric Spanish
supporter as
Miguel last week but I
was corrected in no uncertain
terms by a group of Supporters
in full voice. I have been
assured his name is actually
Manuel and by all accounts he
failed to reach the Dog on
Saturday having been stuck on a
bus, reportedly he was also
intent on 'getting' people in a
rather unpleasant way so maybe
that was a good thing in the
long run.
For everyone else whose public
transport did them get to Forest
Gate (or Forest Great if you
prefer), what a great occasion
was enjoyed, it was great to see
some elder statesman packed in
amongst the Clapton supporting
ranks and several commented on
how thrilled their Father's
would have been to have seen the
Scaffold literally heaving, that
and other incidents on the day
brought a lump to my throat and
in private a tear to my eye.
Rarely does football make me
emotional in the way events this
season have-long may that
continue.
Ironically it's fair to say that
despite some decent chances by
and large the team failed to
deliver against a competent and
composed Romanian team, few
could argue with the result but
with the 50 point 'miracle'
already reached the outcome was
in many ways a secondary
concern. It's an old cliché but
few could argue against
'Football being the Winner', in
fact maybe it's time to rewrite
the cliché, add Respect, Unity
and Equality to the saying and
you would have a clearer picture
of the essence and 'vibe' of the
day.
Rarely have I seen so many
positive talking points off the
pitch, Team Captain crowd surfed
into the Scaffold after getting
the 'Tyskie's' in, whilst the
Assistant Manager travelled in
the opposition direction and
dumped lovingly into the
Technical Area by-passing petty
FA bureaucracy (and Vince) in
the process For the record,
crowd surfing cheaper than an
Oyster Card but a little more
hazardous, I personally will
stick with my Senior Citizen's
Travelcard and Shank's Pony to
get to Brisbane Road.
Big mention also to FC Romania
for fully engaging with the
occasion and emerging with great
credit for the way they
conducted themselves on and off
the pitch, brought a small fan
base with them as well and that
was great to see and only added
to the Carnival Atmosphere.
Received a fantastic 'Welcome'
and 'Farewell' from the Clapton
Fans and rarely (in fact,
never) have I seen an away side
cheered to the rafters and given
such a magnificent (and
deserved) ovation in victory.
That action by the 'Oiks' said
more about them a million words
could ever do, not ashamed to
say that really did bring a not
so private tear to my eye as did
the fantastic response by
Romania to the adulation.
Great feature of the Ultras is
their ability to be total
Partisan but still show great
respect to the opposition,
wasn't a one off here, have seen
it all season and I can't speak
highly enough of ethics behind
that attitude. Have said
this before but the team was
supported just as
enthusiastically last season
when the team only accrued 21
points and that is the 'glue'
which has created this very
special bond between team and
fans. Beware anyone who thinks
that 'bond' can be broken
easily-they are in for a
surprise. Counted nearly 300 in
the ground so interesting to see
how near the 'Official Bean
Counters' gets to that on this
occasion.
So it's one game to go and a
trip to Leyton Orient which will
no doubt throw up many more
golden moments before this
memorable season is put to rest,
will be very sorry to see it all
end.
Riding the 'Crest of the Wave'
LEW LISTZ
27th April 2014
email Lew Listz
27th April 2014
email Lew Listz
