30 January 2002

Look, do you really care about Saddlers 2 Wells 1? Because I'm fucked if I do. OK, so yesterday was a new ground for me (my 62nd or so, I believe), we played well for about the first 900 seconds and then fell asleep as per usual. Shipps netting probably shocked us so much that we allowed Walsall back, and conceding a last minute goal was probably no more than what the home team deserved. But really, last night I just got to the stage where I wondered why I'm actually bothering with this shit. All of it. Why I'm bothering spending money. Why I'm bothering doing more miles than a travelling salesmen to watch a team who may be MK Dons in waiting. Why I'm bothering risking my neck with stewards who want to nab me for taking pictures (as what happened last night). Why I'm worrying about this whole thing to the point where I now have a seemingly permanent dull in my kidneys due to the mass amount of alcohol. I'm even questioning why I'm writing this report or why I'm even bothering doing this site. Oh yeah - because people will moan at me if I don't get it up soon :) I certainly ain't doing it for the love of WFC Ltd at the moment, that's for sure

Anyway, enough self-indulgent morbid bollocks, all you need to know about the game is the following:

Plus points: Well, we scored a goal.

Minus points: The way that we just stopped playing just proves the utter misery around WFC at the moment.

Name one incident that summed up the game: Trond's wild - very wild - free kick on 92 minutes.

The referee's a ........ : He missed quite a bit for us.

Nice: The Chicken Balti pie at Walsall. The cost of beer in the Saddlers Club bar. Shame we almost got thrown out for singing.

Not so nice: The Chicken and Mushroom pie. I swear it was alive.

Man Of The Match: Jobi. Only person who actually seemed like he wanted to win.

Phoenix From The Flames: Duncan Jupp, Jupp, Jupp. And yes, he did fuck it up, up, up.

Sad: The mouthy Walsall 12 year olds in block H. Wasn't that a TV programme?

Quotes: "This is just horse nipple" - Drunken One, summing up procedings better than I could.

Truth is stranger than fiction: The whole thing is fucked

Was it worth it? Really, I just can't put myself about enough to answer that question. Put that as a "no".

In a nutshell: Wake me up when it's over.

There is of course only one thing on all our collective minds, and that's the long awaited fudge decision of the Panel. It's clear that the FA felt that they couldn't - or shouldn't - have made the decision in the first place and have sent it back to the FL to once again, think about it.

And I'm worried, because despite the amount of assurances I get that the FL will block it again (including an off-the-record quote from one Mr Craig apparently), I just cannot help thinking that this time, they'll bottle it big time and allow the move to go ahead. Yeah, Koppout's celebrating, because he feels he's been vindicated that the FL was "wrong". He should be defeated, but TBH this little reprieve could galvanise him. Are "we" getting complacent? The automatic assumption that the FL will reject it again could point to that. Or just jaded to the point that we cannot keep fighting? As my little solliloquy above demonstrates, people are generally worn out and this IMO could finish us off. I mean it. Remember, we got the decision because we forced the FL to throw it out, "we" have put a LOT of effort into this Panel and it's still up in the air. Without "us", will the FL buckle under Koppout's lies? I'm glad that some people have got a great deal of positivity about this whole thing, because I need a fucking massive leap of faith about this ATM. If all the ICM polls, the postcard writing, the stadia design, the whole damn f'n thing means that we'll STILL be waiting around, I fear the worst. What else has Koppout up his sleeve? I shudder to think, probably about 72 brown envelopes to make people like him. The right people, need I add. I wonder what KIR meant by it being "in the bag". Is this a war of attrition, and we're worn down right now? How badly do WFC Ltd want MK? Too badly, I'm afraid.

As for what now, I guess whatever energy you have left, keep going. It may be worth it. Somehow, as Walsall seemed to signify to me, I just have a horrible feeling it will be all in vein.

Where's the happy pills?

 

26 January 2002 [ABORTED SATURDAY AFTERNOON EDITION]

Arse, arse and thrice arse. Just what the hell is it with postponements this season? There I was, on the 1138 Wimbledon to Fratton Express of Doom, when I get a phone call telling me the game is off. A double check two minutes later confirms that this is not a windup, and the delights (?) of Guildford are sampled briefly. Hence the rather stunning picture of Guildford station on a damp Saturday afternoon. Just to show you what it's like.

Anyway, who shall I blame for this? Koppout of course. There is no doubt whatsoever that he arranged for the pitch to be waterlogged so that nobody would protest. Hell, he probably joined in the water hosing, though chances are he probably stuck the hose up his arse and turned the tap on, "just like Pete does it" apparently. Hey, can you disprove that?

So, what did happen today? Well, I got this priceless quote at Guildford station from the PA system - "If you're going to Fratton to see Portsmouth vs Wimbledon today, the game has been abandoned". Urm, aren't games supposed to start before they get abandoned? Talk about rubbing it in. I have some other quotes, but they have been censored to protect the vulnerable and innocent, ie me. Oh, and I tried to break my leg at Clapham Junction but that's another story. And I got my train fare refunded, so that was nice.

No idea when any replays are. No doubt Koppout will try and get that called off as well, assuming he's still walking.

Ho hum.

 

21 January 2002 [AM EDITION]

Well boys and girls, this is the week of destiny. It's really kind of strange that I'd ever thought I'd have to write something like this, but then this is Wimbledon FC.

At the moment, I'm calm yet nervous as fuck. Nervous as fuck because like everyone else I fear the wrong result. The thought of grade A tossers like Koppout and Wankelmann with their insincere smiles and phony motives laughing over our club's corpse is enough to make me carry on regardless of the result this week. Anger is an energy, as John Lydon sung once. But calm? Well, I'm starting to feel edgy now, but I've read what everyone else has read. I've heard what Koppout, Brunswick and co have had to resort to, even at this late stage. That transcript at the HBRA gives me more hope than anything - it's not a court of law, so I guess the Panel can use it. Not that it will probably be the only bit of evidence, I'm sure. In other words - I'm convinced that if we lose, it's because of a stitch up. Nothing else. We know it, Koppout knows it, I just hope the Panel know it.

While I'm here, I want to say the biggest, most massive thank you to everyone at WISA for everything they've done since this shit broke. It's no co-incidence that they're being used as an example of how to set up a supporters association. They have been doing things that WFC can't - or more likely, won't - do, and if there's any justice that will convince the Panel straight away. They probably deserve a victory more than anything, hell they've done probably more than what is morally right over all this. I feel guilty at not being in a position to help more over this, there are probably others who feel the same. And yes, this is getting it out of my system

As for everything else, that can wait. This is what I imagine purgatory to be like.

More later, if anything

 

20 January 2002 [AM EDITION]

And after the fun and games of Boro comes Zulu Army 0 SW19's Army 2 - if this is the last ever game we get to see WFC, it's a fucking good way to go out. The game? Well, in truth Brum were no better than we are - certainly not playoff contenders. But then is anyone in this division this season? Our lack of firepower up front did look like it was going to cause problems, and when DC had to go off, I kissed goodbye to chances of winning. Then Brum got a penalty, and christ, did they fuck it up or what? It got skied somewhat - I understand the ball is still travelling at speed over Cumbria even as I type this. After that, we came good and in the last 10 minutes Michael Hughes launched one from the edge of the area and BAM. 1-0. We went wild with joy. We went wild with anger when we found out we would have to play 5 minutes of injury time, especially as Brum were looking threatening. None the less, we broke away, Shipps (?) squared it on the byline for Wu Tang (I've given up trying to spell his surname) to slot home via the goalies' legs. 2-0 and much rapture. We would have been even more joyous had we not realised that walking from St Andrews to New Street after a good win is akin to wearing an "I love Bin Laden" t-shirt down the main street of Kabul.

Anyway, enough of that bollocks, here's......

Plus points: We won. Without conceeding a goal. Scoring twice. Nobody played badly. Defense held up well, the Brum penalty was really the only noteworthy shot they had on target (and they didn't even do that). Hughes goal. Nice to see Wu Tang score, especially after all the shit certain people have given him this season (like, er, me).

Minus points: This could be our last recognised game...

Could? : All right, I'll explain. A lot of people are/were under the mindset that this could be our last ever game. I am ready to be shot down big time in flames here, but deep down, I just don't think it will be. Can't explain it, but this thing has had so many swerves that I'm preparing for yet another one...

The referee's a ....... : ... well, OK, he weren't bad. Gave Brum the penalty though.

Spotted: One of the exec boxes displayed a "Koppel Out" banner which was in full view for two minutes before being told to take it down. Very good. See, Koppout, even the suit-and-tie brigade hate you.

Speaking of moronic Yarpie lawyers who need a gardner: He was there, with about 5 bodyguards. Apparently, he got met just outside the city centre and then got escorted into the ground. Tsk. I think there's a Black Sabbath* song that springs to mind here, it's a very famous one. No, not "Iron Man"......

* - oh come on, do you really think I would let a write up on any Midlands awayday pass without mentioning the best thing to come out of Birmingham since the M6 South at least once?

Quotes: (1) "See that bag on the pitch. Is that Karen Brady?" - Secret Agent questioning the apparel situated on pitchside. And by apparel, I don't mean Ms Brady's sex toys either. (2) "Judge is gonna sue you" - chant started (occasionally successfully) by CUNW re: the Koppoutgate tapes. (3) "Oh Charles Koppel, should make a will" - chant. Death threats, us?

Wankers: Certain public houses in Birmingham and the Euston area of London. Those who know what I mean will know why. I can fully understand why people want to cause aggro in pubs now.

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) Our last ever game? (2) Doing the double over Brum for the second season in a row, each time winning by at least a two goal margin. (3) An artificial chicken being luzzed about during the game. Charlie, I believe he is termed. Quite a few people being careful of where this Dunlop crafted specimen was being thrown, as nobody wants to be hit over the head with a rubber cock.

Stewards: Pretty good, actually. Let us stand up in a separate area.

Womble aggro: 10 minutes before the end, we all decided to steam down the front and give it large. Well, actually we all decided to meander down the front to give vocal support to the team and vocal venom to Club Killer. Unfortunately, the Zulu Army (Tilton Road stand, section 40 division) totally misunderstood this and themselves steamed down the front. As my somewhat dark pic shows to your left. Anyway, the stewards were thinking "WTF?" but it actually was considered by us as a bit of a joke. Anyway, we scored twice, and at least two people got lifted plus it appears that one steward got done after the second goal. Revenge? An innocent victim? Who knows, but hey, for a while it was back to the old days. Yup, I loved it. And no, I did NOT start chanting "Millwall" at them. Honest.

Anything else? Yeah, the players clapped us off. I think they themselves don't want this to end in the way many think it will. And it's things like this that should make Koppout be in fear for the rest of his life. And that's no death threat BTW, that is hard solid fact. Fuck with the Wombles..............

Was it worth it? If it ain't, then nothing is

In a nutshell: If you're gonna die, die in the ring. It's good for business.

 

 

16 January 2002

So, where shall I start with Boro 2 Borrowed Time 0 then? The match for a start : we actually played quite well, except the final third. DC missed a couple of sitters, nobody else came that close to netting, their first goal was offside and I bet that KC wished he'd never had that one night stand with Voodoo's missus. And, er, that was basically it. Well, in truth, Boro do look sharper in attack than we did, which is why we're planning to get murdered and they're planning Man U. All very sobering stuff. It was very cold, quelle surprise, it doesn't get any shorter journey time wise. But we did take a couple of hundred with us, which was pretty kewl.

Shall I? Oh go on then

Plus points: Midfield wise, we did pretty well. Defense for the most part did hold up. Even Alan "I'm a cunt, me" Green and Chris "I'm a cunt with a shit haircut, me" Waddle salivated over us, though I wonder if we'd been winning, we would get the usual bullshit?

Minus points: We're out of the cup. And we are relying FAR too much on DC - he missed a couple of sitters, true, but he is allowed to, hell the other strikers aren't exactly helping him.

You do realise..... : ....that if we were in the Prem again, this is what it would be like every week. Playing wise, of course.

Quotes: "She's got a banjo arse" - comment made about Jennifer Lopez on the way back. All right, I don't actually get it. True, you'd want to be stuck in an elevator with her, but if she sat on your face you would definitely need major reconstruction cosmetic surgery. And yes, there are a distinct lack of quotes today..

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) The stadium was eerily deserted, with 250 or so of us making some noise. Hey, I've got an idea - why don't Boro move to Milton Keynes? Stupid I know, but hey, we have to endure it. (2) And as a result of Koppout's fuckwit schemes, this could be our last FA Cup game as WFC. Ever. (3) Hearing MK FM or whatever it was coming back for the grand total of 15 seconds before it was switched over. Insert your own comments. (4) Driving back past Plough Lane at 2.25am, and listening to All Saint's "Black Coffee" - the bit where it goes "I wouldn't want to be, anywhere else but here, wouldn't want to change". Passed Womble Til I Die, as grafittiied on the West Bank exit gates. I hope that those who still think that they have a divine right to murder WFC - that means Koppout, Roekke, Davis, Wankelmann, hell anyone who remotely thinks it's a good idea - are prepared for the ultimate consequences. I mean it.

Anything else? Not really.

Was it worth it? I don't honestly know.

In a nutshell: It just seems apt.

 

12 January 2002

So then, do you actually care that it finished Chardonnay 0 Claret 0? Seriously? And I don't just mean that's because it finished goal-less either. There was a seriously strange mood about the place today - I noticed things didn't seem all that special even when I got up - and as you'll see later on in this report, this mood turned ugly. Real ugly. As for the game itself, we did boss procedures, though sadly (and somewhat predictably) we failed to put away any chances. At least we had some - can you remember Burnley having any? Oh, and Wild Thang returned, after BUPA finally turfed him out. And guess what - he didn't get injured. Wonders will never cease.

Brief run-down on the match, SW19 style...

Plus points: We didn't lose. We were dominant. As stated above, Wild Thang returned and got the second biggest standing ovation we'll get this season (biggest one being Koppout hanging round with a noose around his neck).

Minus points: We didn't win either. Suddenly, we've forgotten how to score. The mood.

Point to ponder: Are Burnley REALLY promotion candidates?

The referee's a ................. : Look, when you're greeted with the chant "Are you Koppel in disguise", your whole approach really does suck the big one.

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) The Burnley goalie wearing Heald's shirt. Yup, as in the Paul Heald. (2) The realisation that this may be the last ever league game worth watching at SP. Or at least, the last one which will get finished.

Shit scared yarpie lawyer watch: He's flipped. At 2.15pm today, he actually walked around the side of the pitch (Main Stand side, of course), shook hands and signed an autograph. Wonder if he knew that piece of paper is actually his death warrant? Obviously, trying to be like Hammam. And we all know what a popular guy he is with everyone these days, don't we?

Quotes: (1) "Terry Burton is our mate, is our mate, is our mate. Terry Burton is our mate. He hates Koppel" - Holmesdale pointing out publically the dangers of chairman/manager relationships within football clubs. Or something. (2) "You're not fit to wear his shirt" - cry from some wag at aforementioned Burnley goalie.

Hmmmm: The person who wrote that letter in Y&B today about WFC's defiencies sounded a right sarky git didn't he? He really sounds fun at parties....

Burnley fans: Pretty good turnout by them. Bit subdued though. Like we weren't. Honest.............

So, was it worth it? Pass.

In a nutshell: Do you actually care?

So, why all the somewhat obvious lack of enthusiam today? Well, actually, we've been doing other things. Along with quite a few others, your humble and esteemed editor partook a OWFF meeting. Needless to say, WFC chickened out of it, and indeed even sent a couple of coppers to over-see it all. Purely a police decision, say WFC, though funnily enough the chief inspector didn't think so. Hmm. So what went down? Well, predictably I didn't make notes so I forgot what was actually passed (sorry), but basically, it appears that we were going to merely sit there and wait for somebody at the club to make a statement. This got abandoned after Thorley said "fine by us". That and the fact that we really do want to watch football occasionally.

Funny story - you must be aware of the transcript of Monday's HBRA meeting being somewhat unofficially distributed. Well, it's part of the club's commitment to the OWFF (stop laughing) that facilities are made available to do distribution of stuff like leaflets. A nameless activist (all right, it was Xav) actually took the transcript to WFC offices and came very close to getting 100 or so copies knocked out at WFC's expense. Shame Reg Davis had to come and spoil it all, though Xav DID get to meet old Swivel Eyes. Who needless to say, showed his major self-confidence and legendary respect for all by bottling it. I think the term was "rattled". After the meeting, some of us decided to hang around the main offices hoping to get a word or two with those who matter. Yup, by this time Koppout was hiding in the bogs with a rubber object.

As I said earlier, today's mood was ugly, and today, finally, people responded to the shit treatment. Basically, the following things I know happened today - the owner(s) of a banner with no swear words were very, very close to being slung out. What - is "Club Killer" an arrestable offense now? When I came back at half time, I saw a helluva lot of argy around my area. I did take a snapshot very badly (see right) of it, which did get me a severe look of "why the fuck did you do that?" from behind me. A guy with his kids got lifted, which apparently may be related to distributing leaflets and/or singing "who the fucking hell are you" with plenty of other people. The Met, who normally I consider having a bit more brains than other cop forces, totally lost it today. One copper pulled over about the above incident said simply "we are acting on instructions". Hmm.

After the game, people's collective tempers with various people who still work for WFC just vacated the building. A group congregated around the club shop, singing anti-MK stuff and whatnot, forcing the shop (avec customers still inside) to close. Along came the coppers, who did a fair bit of pushing and shoving, and I have to admit, I am surprised a few people didn't get nicked. It was then decided upon to try our luck outside firstly the directors entrance, then the main entrance. I don't think I have witness a mood so ugly, although the coppers probably won't find this the worst mob they'll deal with. Yet. I don't think the coppers actually blockading the bit between the directors entrance and the main entrance did much for crowd control relations, though as people did disperse around the various streets (and back to the gates by the directors entrance) it did tail off quite a lot. As I returned, certainly there were relatively very few people there. So we buggered off home (in my case - the sacrifices I make for the SW19 readership) or to the Farley, where most of the others probably still are :)

The result of all this? Well, the club shop incident is REALLY going to strain relationships, probably permanently. It could be used against us, but then again, the fact that it's taken to this very late stage for even something remotely resembling disorder is of immense credit to Wimbledon fans. Face it, WFC's level of intimidation, oppression and outright deflamation to all who oppose its aims is on a par with the worst dictatorships of the world. Why does apartheid South Africa spring to mind here? What it also does show is that WFC fans CAN get, ahem, "pro-active" to the point that the cops over-react. And if I was WFC, that would scare me most of all. In the past, I've said that people will turn violent and I've got a few "yeah, all right" glances as a result. Now? I think that minds have been changed to an extent. The next game at SP, regardless of Panel result, will be highly tense and emotional. People will act according, the authorities will react according. There is something very nasty going to happen to a couple of people, believe me.

Watch this space. BTW, is there anyone driving up to Boro?

 

8 January 2002

Well, Bog Monsters 0 Smog Monsters 0 wasn't bad was it? Pretty good, actually. Could you remember Boro having ANY shots on target? Me neither. All right, so there might have been one at the end, but really it was a very similar game to last year. Minus the silky skills of the legendary Johnathon Hunt who surely would have turned the game :)

It's a little bit difficult remembering exactly what happened in this game, though I do remember us having a penalty turned down in injury time, motherfuckingcuntofareferee. Bit blatant, honest. Sadly, we've got to do it all over again in sunny Teeside next week. Book your tickets

None the more for that, here is....

Plus points: The plucky lower division side held the Premiership pedigrees to a goaless draw. Nobody played badly. In fact, we played better than they did.

Minus points: THAT penalty. Arsehole.

The referee's a ....... : for the penalty, you are perfectly entitled to insert your own expletive. If it relates to fellatio with Charles Koppel, so much the better. Other than that, he did all right....

Quotes: (1) "Resign, Koppel, Resign" - traditional folk song, getting a well deserved airing. (2) "Don't believe a word he says" - another song relating to the WFC equivalent of Bin Laden. On second thoughs, Bin Laden has more friends.

Speaking of thick, cretinous, obnoxious, retarded, spoilt brat fuckwits who are WFC chairmen: Oh dear oh fucking dear. Do you REALLY love shooting yourself in the foot? Or is it your poor excuse for testicles that you love doing damage to yourself in? I heard you on Radio Dive Live, claiming you never said what you said [SW19 note: if you still haven't heard, check out WISA or W&WW for the text of what he said. Take some prozac beforehand]. Hmm, you may wish to reconsider that. Seriously, I think you may wish to. See, if you get that weedy QC bloke to bribe the panel to let you have your evil way, you will find yourself living in fear. And it ain't gonna die down ANYTIME soon. I know you cut off Kris from WISA during your interview tonight. Scared are we? I wondered why your arsehole is three times the size the circumfrence it was before August 2nd, 2001. And it ain't just because Roekke, Wankelmann and a concrete cow all want you in that "special" way all at once. Resign you cunt. You'll thank us all for it later, trust me.

Spotted: Masses of stewards and the occasional copper steaming into an area of the main stand near shit scared chairmen about 20 odd minutes into the second half. One guy got led away. In fact, I believe that the main stand became an anti-Koppout cauldron of hate. See, Koppout, even Middle England hates you.

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) Three times as many Boro fans as there were last year. Insert sneering "gloryhunter" tag here. (2) Not being allowed in a particular entrance of the Holmesdale because I had the wrong seat. And it weren't just me either. What is wrong with them?

So, was it worth it? Well, a trip to Boro midweek never appeals, but hey - we're still in the draw.

In a nutshell: Second time lucky.

 

 

3 January 2002

Belated happy new year to anyone who cares. And a very unhappy new year to Koppout. Looks like he's been leaking stuff about the Arbitration Panel, who they are, what they do etc, all stuff that was supposed to be confidential but isn't now. You should all know by now who's on it - David Dein of Arsenil is the major name, along with the bloke from York City who's selling up and some QC who's done a bit in the past with sport. Now, bearing in mind that the world isn't supposed to know this (and the original leak seemed very WFC-centric, WISA haven't blabbed and I don't think the FL have either), whoever leaked this has done themselves a massive dis-service. The fact that the very day that this got leaked Koppout went to Brunswick to give a "press briefing" to (I quote) launch a charm offensive speaks volumes.

So, what happened at this press briefing? Well, I and about 6 other hardy souls hung around a park just off Holborn for 3 hours. Got very cold, gave Starbucks some money and got to over-hear some journos who came out of the meeting. None of them sounded that impressed by Koppout, in a heard-it-all-before type thing. Only one thing new came out of Koppout's mouth - should the Panel lose all sense of reason and give the move the go-ahead, WFC will be playing at MK Bowl next season. No hanging about, no goodbyes, nothing. Two things here - firstly, unless Koppout gave notice to Uncle Ron in August, WFC won't be going anywhere. Years notice, anyone? Not without some pretty hefty compensation, with money we quite clearly haven't got, apparently. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Secondly, and perhaps may speak volumes, MK Bowl is like Twickenham. No, not a majestic and grand structure, revered the whole world over, but there is a limit to the amount of events held there each year, something like 12. Now, unless there's been some special deal done (and given the way that the MK legitimacy is smoke and mirrors anyway I'm not too sure), there is no way that WFC could ever hope to play there.

So, taking this all round, what to make of it? Firstly, I believe that despite Koppout's "supreme confidence" (an alarm bell in itself), he is actually bricking it. He has a LOT of personal stake in this, and if he loses, he can kiss goodbye to going to Florida for a while. If he really thinks he has it in the bag, explain why he only allowed certain journos in (at least two journos were barred, along with LBM's Gene Saunders), then told them that they would only be allowed to write what Koppout gave permission to. A blunder in itself, as journos don't like being told what to write at the best of times (when they left, they went straight to us and told us what went on anyway), but shows a huge feeling of paranoia. Hey, if they're so confident then why so scared about negative press? Because it isn't so cut and dried? Koppout lies for a living, he's a lawyer after all, his general body language and ambience illustrates different to his words.

Speaking of words, I can't really be arsed to list what else he said, other sites do cover it. Needless to say, it's all proven bullshit and as said before, the journos aren't buying it. And when that happens, you really do need to give up trying. Like Koppout should have done ages ago

More later