The build up to our Friday night match was something a bit special. A whole week of waiting for the first competitive derby match against Krukan/Los Scudetto. A few beers in our the clubs home pub before the game got the vocal chords well oiled. It was a nice gesture for the opposing team to invite their own fans to our pub and that they did, mingling happily with us before the game and not a bad word or tense feeling anywhere insight, exactly the way it should be in football. Okay we are grassroots football, but although we are small we do it right and without prejudice, fair play is our motto.
The banter is first class on the terraces and win lose or draw both teams are applauded off the field of play and every week new friends are made, why can’t the teams in divisions higher up follow suit.
I received a message on my facebook page about a photograph I published. It showed the clubs official banner being flanked by some St George crosses, a union jack and an Irish tricolor. The person who sent the message could not believe that an Irish and English flag would stand side by side at a football match. I explained we have no prejudices be it colour or religion or nationality, it doesn’t matter to us, if you have a passion for the best game on the planet then that is all the criteria it takes to be made welcome by us.
The home team on Friday had a much smaller support than Stripes and could not be heard at any point in the game. The crowd for the evening were treated to a fine football match and few laughs along the way. One thing that is particularly good to see is the new supporters we are making and the fact that some of these bring there families along, knowing they will see a good honest trouble free football game.
If you don’t have anything better to do why not come down and cheer on the Stripes on Saturday afternoon at Stora Essinge IP. The kick off is at 2pm.
Scot James.
Proud supporter of a great football club.
