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Harty on some Albion booing and the FA's 'Respect'



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Published Date: 04 September 2008
IT WAS a tale of two draws on Saturday. Having flown back overnight from a family holiday in America, I arrived at the Withdean stadium at 1pm, bereft of sleep but buoyed by the fact that the Albion had made an impressive start to the season.
The 90 minutes that followed between the Albion and Leyton Orient weren't the best by a long way, and two quality stops from Michel Kuipers kept the home side in it. Yet even right at the death, Kevin McLeod had an opportunity to win it for the Seagu
lls.

But at the final whistle, a very small but, nevertheless, noticeable section of the support showed their dissatisfaction at the apparent two points dropped, by booing.

Now the subject of booing is a debate that will run and run and I, for one, cannot say that as a paying customer I have never booed. Although, ironically, I've probably booed the England national team more than I have the Albion.

However, it's the timing and the circumstances that actually puzzle me. The Albion are currently unbeaten, have a 100 per cent record away from home, have only conceded two goals, and have yet to go behind in any of their matches.

If the fans who chose to show their frustration had been offered these statistics before a ball was kicked I'm sure they would have accepted them unconditionally.

Perhaps, it is the old Albion curse of expectation?

And I fully understand that supporters work hard all week then shell out their money to watch, so they are entitled to their opinion — a cause I will always champion. However, to boo in these circumstances almost begs the question: should these fans really be supporting the Albion?

But what a difference a goal makes.

A quality 30-yard strike from McLeod on Tuesday at Northampton in the JPT took the unbeaten run to six games. And at the final whistle the 258 Albion fans who travelled up the M1 did anything but jeer. Now, an impressive showing against fancied Scunthorpe at home this Saturday will make the events of 4.45pm last week a dim and distant memory.

And so to the other draw.

As we enjoyed the last few hours of Floridan sunshine on Friday, Harty junior received a call from Bob Reynolds asking him to turn out for Broadwater 2nd XI against Chipps at the Green the following day.

Clearly, jet lag is an adult thing because from the time we arrived back at Gatwick he was obviously "up for it". And, as it turned out, he took part in quite a remarkable game, with an ultimate sporting final twist.

When I arrived at the Green, Broadwater had scored 163 all out and Chippingdale were 157 for seven. They lost their eighth wicket two runs later before tying the scores with two wickets in hand.

But then, in a climax that could have graced any cricket ground on the globe, Broadwater managed to dismiss the final two batsmen without conceding the all-important single that would have given Chipps victory.

So, a tie, and the ultimate finish to a very successful season for resurgent Broadwater.

Or was it? Early Sunday morning, a mistake was discovered in the scorebook.

Broadwater had made only 162, so they phoned Chipps to inform them that they had, in fact, won the match.

It would be easy to eulogise about sporting gestures, et al, but frankly, I wouldn't expect anything else from any of our local cricket clubs.

The youth football season kicks off this weekend, and I'd like to wish all our local clubs good luck and hope they all have a very enjoyable season.

Respect is the watchword coming from the FA this season: respect for officials, opponents and their respective parents.

I hope everyone connected with youth football, locally, adheres to this.

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Email the Herald: richard.amey@worthingherald.co.uk




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  • Last Updated: 04 September 2008 10:27 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Worthing
 
 
  

 
 


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