Chapter 3 An attempt to add a touch of humour to our travelling fortunes whilst following The Gills in our 2013/14 League One campaign. In align with an idiot abroad. Angry maybe, but possibly better described as two grumpy old men sharing the fate of their beloved team; win, lose or draw. So it was all aboard alwaysrightâs camel express for our South American adventure, as the driver went in search of some urban psychological discovery of a white rabbit. Was he some secret Colombian drugs baron or was it more the case as highlighted by a member of the GNE a real life situation of a neighbourly fatal attraction. All this dreaming of Brazil and the South American continent is a mouth watering prospect but in reality sadly we were heading towards the Glen Close of Crawley Town, passing junction 9 as the airlines streamed overhead. So why all this talk of a vibrant multicultural society such as Brazil, well for that I take you back to Boxing Day 26th December 2011. When bah humbug Steve Evans was quoted as saying after seeing his team beaten by the Gills 1-2: "There will be parties in Gillingham. It's as if they've won the World Cup". Well someone did create a mock up picture of our defender Matt Lawrence holding the Jules Rimet Trophy aloft after that game like the England legend Bobby Moore after those infamous Evans words. While upfront at the time we had Jo Kuffour who scored both goals in that game. So I can see the fat boyâs easy mistake after our strike power put on a show in some Brazilian style that is reminiscent of the football genius Pele. All a bit of an exaggeration of course but let us not forget who started this Samba as we travel on to junction 10 on route to no resemblance of Rio de Janeiro. The bouncing pizza has long gone after doing a disappearing act to Rotherham in a style reminiscent of Ronald Biggs. Despite trying to assist as manager in a modern day version of the great train robbery on the football league, a status they gained for that very first season we met in the league, he must have surely realised back then though you need bums on seats even if you did earn a million pound pay day as rumoured for the Manchester United clash before we even met. The Broadfield Stadium eh...well with a capacity probably just under 6,000 it is certainly no Estadio do Maracana. How does this lower league side stay afloat with such expenditure with attendances that cannot be more than 3,000 per game, bolstered today by just short of a further 1,000 travelling faithful? First stop on this latest adventure was the Half Moon public house. The usual expected bouncers on the door but all very welcoming and friendly and the service inside was prompt and refreshing after some previous away day ventures. Even food offered and our very own footy tv as we took to a seat. Private conversation turned to recent tribunal thoughts, so swiftly moving on and back to what brought us to this close suburban region, last weekend Crawley travelled to the unbeaten Posh. An ideal opportunity for one of the grumpy camels to send a Posh fan out to watch over events as our very own Cristo Redentor. However, after Posh's surprise 0-2 defeat, she found a caipiroska in each hand, dreaming of Copacabana beach. So after taking a wandering tour of the ground trying to find our seats and our very own marquee, I waited in anticipation of seeing the delights of Crawleyâs very own boy wonder to who Gills fans will know only too well. He might share the same last name of a top tier player but he will certainly never be seen on the world stage resembling a Leônidas da Silva. Boyhood dreams and the reality after being snapped up by Paulo Di Canio. I would have hoped it had sunk home by now, quicker than the sinking of the titanic crossing the Atlantic. However, seeing him warming up down on the far touch line saddens as he takes abuse. I always had time for the young man but even at Priestfield I had times of cringe worthiness at what I saw as petulance and misguidance. I had great hopes and always supported the player who had some snap shots of pace and agility that undone the opposition but the sad reality unfolds as he is reminded by the following blues he is now not much more than a mere bench warmer. Maybe Andy Drury could have guided the young man, Drury a local lad who made his way through the ranks and at a height played for the tractor boys before wearing the number ten today for the home side and a pleasure to see him demonstrate how far you can come from the Sittingbourneâs of this game. For the visitors Leon Legge appeared to be supporting a head shaven Brazilian in mark of the occasion, while MadDog was wearing his best attire. At least MA has ditched the wrong trousers as favoured by Wallace and Gromit, now recognising the more serious end of the business in place of the acting clown animation. The rolling eyes and whites of the teeth no longer work and in truth never did with me. How far have we come since that league two silverware, well beast mode kicked in after 30 minutes of the game but hey thatâs just passion and wanting to play. Although the dressing room at halftime must have been an interesting place. Maybe Bayo recognised the error of Allenâs ways and that this was going to lead on to be sixth league game without a win, especially as my favourite Lee, paid for an earlier yellow card and was to eventually see red, in my opinion throwing the balance of the game. Putting Charlie at right back is like playing Russian roulette not the continental way. Yes, we could have been 3-0 down by half-time but in the second after Keds slotted home a penalty and Crawley were reduced to ten men, we should have dug deep and kept cool heads in an attempt to take the game. The fans were in fine voice and the lino nearest us felt the breath of the Camels for his failure to keep up with play, certainly in the first half and wore red in the second as payback time. But no excuses for our 3-2 defeat, there was six minutes added time but we never ever looked like regaining possession. The Crawley drummer rejoiced in the occasion as this time it was to be their celebration and for us the end of another away day adventure at least it was not another Wolves game of misadventure and eventually we will find are way. Look out for our next away adventure as the two angry camels travel to Northampton for the Coventry game...Chapter four will be written by alwaysright. Chapter 1: http://www.not606.com/showthread.ph...amels-travel-to-Wolves-Gillingham-FC-Football Chapter 2: http://www.not606.com/showthread.ph...mels-travel-to-Swindon-Gillingham-FC-Football
brb This is not a competition for the longest post !( the winner might come next week ). Do people actually read all of this stuff ? I do hope so - they're in for a treat with my Coventry camel story - it will be educational - touching on subjects such as History and Geography. It will feature Paul Scally ( & of course, season tickets ), as well as controversial subjects such as racism. The 'working draft' sadly retains reference to our inability to secure the first league win - naturally I'm hoping to be able to edit this account. But, don't worry - it will still mainly be dribble.
