Today, we welcome chairman Terry Docherty, as well as the management, team and supporters from Brightlingsea Regent for their 2nd visit to the Riverside this season. The 'Rs' beat us 4-2 in F A Trophy on August 24th, a game we were well in until late on, but we did go and win at the R's North Road ground 3-0 on 14th September, a game in which the R's received two red cards. So this is our third encounter this season with Brightlingsea. I can't keep calling them the R's. Although it does explain their fans' favourite chant. When I heard it at Brightlingsea, I did think that was a bit random, but not it is obvious. Perhaps the other 'Rs', Queens Park Rangers use it as well. All part of the real diversity of football if you ask me.
Last Saturday, we had a visit from Brian and Sheryl Hensby, both lifelong members of the club. Brian had served over 50 years at Mildenhall, most of those as helper, secretary, chairman, committee member, and his good wife Sheryl spent many years on the youth section, which at times must have seemed like herding cats, as the various teams often went their own direction in things. Sheryl would be delighted to see how the teams have now been corralled by Trevor Bennett and Clare Darkins, into a manageable cohesive group, and everybody is better for it.
Brian and Sheryl were treated to a superb match against Redbridge, the ultimate game of two halfs. Hall were unable to get hold of the ball in the first half as Redbridge must have had 85% possession, but thankfully, only scoring once due to some well organised defensive by Butch and the lads. When you are only a goal down, there is always the chance that you might get an equalizer, no matter how the overall game is going. The second half saw the reintroduction of Benny Nolan and shortly after, Jake Chambers Shaw, both recently side lined through injury. It was like the first half never happened as Jake and Ben inspired an astonishing recovery, both scoring fantastic goals to bring off an another incredible victory. The whole team was lifted in the second half, and the Hall fans were in seventh heaven after the whistle. We even made a man of the match presentation afterwards, to JCS of course, but as he said afterwards, the whole team brought the victory about, and they did. I thought that that was one of the best games ever witnessed at the Riverside, well in my time anyway. It had everything, and for us, it had a happy ending. I like a happy ending, don't you.
That crowned a very good weekend at the club, following the terrific annual fireworks display on Friday night. Blessed with a fine, dry evening, we had a crowd of 1070 attending, although some the youngest children left early because of the noise of the pyrotechnics, but overall, it was a top night and our thanks go out again to Craig Gardener who was the pyromaniac in chief, Ryno, Joffy and Kate, Ben and Danny, Trevor and all the other people who made this possible on the night.
One other thing, myself and Ryno are always saying how visiting other grounds, talking to other club officials, leads to new ideas for our club. I missed the previous visit of Regent this season, due to my enforced absense from Mildenhall matchdays, but a big takeout from Terry Docherty's visit was his advice on a 'walking football' group. Brian was all over this, and now we are six weeks into our own walking football programme. It is growing nicely, and will be of great benefit to the participants and the club. Thank you Terry. Even though it is relatively gentle compared to the normal game, it doesn't half make you ache in muscles you haven't really used in 40 years really, speaking from my own experience. That is only temporary though, so if you want to give it a go Mark Winter, come along and stop making excuses. Only joking mate.
Enjoy the game, enjoy the drama, you are part of that, keep it real and most importantly, please drive carefully.
BILL FLYNN
Chairman.
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