Second Qualifying Round Replay: Margate FC Vs Leamington FC

November 6th 2007

I have been attending football matches for about 15 years now, and I can honestly say that Tuesday's match ranks up there as one of the best experiences I have ever had at a football ground. It was an experience that I have to admit, I was not looking forward to. I am already behind with my work for the year, and I was missing yet more lectures to complete what I thought was going to be a thankless task.

I had been to gig in Birmingham the night before, and slept on a mate's floor in Coventry. I woke up late and didn't have time for a shower or breakfast. I rushed into uni for a lecture, grabbed a quick bite to eat, then made my way to Automotive Products in Leamington, where the club coach was set to leave from. It was fair to say that I wasn't feeling on top form.

At the coach park I met up with a few of the Leamington fans I had met previously and we went for a quick pint in the pub over the road. I was tired and smelt, but feeling slightly better due to company and beer.

After what seemed like an eternity of trying to finish Chemistry worksheets on the coach, we arrived in Margate. This is where the fun began. After a stroll along the beach in the evening gloom, (some members of the Brakes' fan base being slightly more naked than others) a visit to the sea-front chippy, and several more pints of ale, I was starting to feel like a proper Leamington fan. All the pub talk of singing constantly for 90 minutes, combined with a nice level of alcohol was getting me steadily worked up for the forthcoming match. Not only was I starting to want Leamington to win, but I was getting the same adrenalised feeling I used to get at Coventry City's local derbys and big cup ties. After a few dormant years, the true football fan in me was starting to emerge again.

After a few more beers in the very pleasant Margate clubhouse, I realised that I'd left my match report notebook and pen on the coach. This, coupled with the rapidly increasing alcohol content in my blood, and the fact I felt like I was a bona fide Leamington fan, and was starting to be accepted by the locals as one, were all the excuses I need to forget entirely about writing a match report. I didn't witness any footballing masterclass on Tuesday night, nor did I witness a thrilling goal-fest, but non-league football is not about that. Tuesday night was all about 20 or so Leamington fans singing until their voices hurt to get behind their team. And I am proud to say that I was one of those 20 or so fans. From the first whistle to the last, we sung every song in Leamington's vast repetoire of songs over and over, and even invented some new ones. (My favourite this week being: Russ Dunkley, Russ Dunkley, Russ Dunkley is a striker to be scared of. To the tune of Prince Charming by Adam and the Ants.)

The famous Margate drum was all but drowned out for the majority of the match, and that is no slur on the Margate supporters. As far as match action went, the first half produced a few chances, with Margate looking the better team as was expected by all at the ground. They showed attacking purpose worthy of their stance in the tier above the Brakes. However, with half time approaching, a corner from Leamington's Marcus Jackson was headed towards goal and cleared off the line. Gasps from the Leamington faithful were quenched, as Josh Blake steered home the rebound with his head. Cue what seemed like a good five minutes worth of cheering and embracing and manical jumping around.

Half-time was a cue for yet more drinking and socialising in the club-house, causing me to miss the start of the second half. Finishing my pint I jogged round to the far side of the ground, desperate to get back amongst the crowd. I didn't know what was coming over me. I actually jogged round the ground, so I could stand and sing with a bunch of guys I hardly knew, watching a team that I shouldn't really have cared much about. But Tuesday night I cared. A Leamington victory meant (almost!) as much to me as did the hardcore support. I had been sucked into non-league football and I was loving every second of it!

The rest of the second half saw more singing, banging fists on advertsing boards to make as much noise as possible, yet more singing, bitten fingernails, and then a bit more singing, ending with an epic 10 minute long "Jason Cadden's Barmy Army." (Cadden being Leamington manager.) On the pitch, Leamington were brilliantly proffesional. They battled, scrapped and were at times classy, in restricting Margate to a handful of half-chances, even creating a few of their own. Despite a very nervy last few minutes, it was just not to be Margate's day, and five minutes into injury time, the referee blew the final whistle, cueing yet more manical celebrations from the Leamington fans.

I have no doubt in my mind that the non-stop support shown by the travelling support was a major influence in helping the team to victory. The Leamington team and management rightfully stood and applauded the fans behind the goal before they left the pitch, and the compliment was returned by the fans.

I don't remember much about the journey home, as I was asleep for most of it, but I remember thinking that the fans sharing a bus with the players, manager, and even the chairman of the club, really seemed to contribute to the tight sense of community I had experienced during my short time following Leamington. Even as the manager walked on the the coach, he was rumored to be heard singing "Oo, sack Cadzy", a bit of an in-joke at the club. The fans sing the song, I believe, partly as a back-handed compliment to their manager, and partly as a swipe at the 'revolving door' style of football management that is occuring further up the league pyramid.

A huge thank you goes to Margate FC, who were more than welcoming. Thanks especially to Dan and to Alan, who I had a good chat with before and after the match respectively. I was very satisfied to see that the home fans were very gracious in defeat, and instead of telling us to p*ss off out of the clubhouse, instead wished Leamington the best of luck, and had a grown-up discussion about the game. It is a shame that this sort of thing seems to be reserved to the lower standards of the English game, while the upper reaches suffer from disorderly behaviour and offensive chanting.

Massive thanks once again go to the Leamington supporters, who not only allowed me to travel on their coach, when I was probably taking up the space of a more regular traveller, but provided me with drinks and entertainment, and generally accepted me as one of their own. It would have been quite easy to push me to one side and let me write a match report, but they even joined in when I started off one or two chants so I didn't feel like a lemon.

Thanks guys, I look forward to seeing you again in the next round.

By the way, I took a few photos at the match. Most of them didn't come out as my camera is rubbish, but the few decent ones can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/18823077@N05/sets/72157602989062357/

Final Score: Margate FC 0 Leamington FC 1
Attendance: 315