The Curtain Comes Down
Darlo's last ever game at Feethams was a visit from those east London folk of Leyton Orient.
Darlo fans packed every stand. There was barely enough room in the Tin Shed to swing a blow up guitar - (Thanks Busted).
The Darlo massive made there way to Feethams chanting all the way.
"You'd think we'd won something" a random old woman said. Hmph. No sense of humour.
Anywho with various costumed folk among our crew, myself and Hilly included we eventually got from the Speedwell to Feethams.
Those done up to the nines deserve a special mention.
People came as
Busted - Comeonthedarlo, Sam, Richie and his groupie!
Fatman and Blobin - Gaz and his mate
Bugs Bunny - Darlocockney
Reservoir Dogs - Me and Hilly (ego trip- Sorry)
Emu Rider (that looked class) - Jazz
Gorilla - Nameless but looked brilliant.
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Fatman And Blobin!
Finally making it into the groud we all piled into the Tin Shed.
the Reservoir posse had to have their guns checked but were allowed in although Hilly's was full of water.
However Bugs was not so lucky. His carrot was confiscated as it was deemed to be an offensive weapon. - Pathetic stewards.
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Legends Galore!
Thanks to pants speakers and some dick called Macka constantly starting chant, the Tin Shed didn't get to hear who many of the legends were. We spotted a few and made out a few but Peter Grant couldn't make his voice heard. Never the less faces were recognised on their way around.
Phil Brumwell was last to make his way round to the Tin Shed with his son and got a fantastic ovation. He may have got some stick but he gave his all. Every game. He got an ovation he rightly deserved.
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The Game Itself
In the first half Orient blatently hadn't read the script and tried to wrap the game up!
Darlo had plenty of chances but they just didn't want to go in. Glen Morris pulling out all the stops to prevent the lads from going ahead.
For instance, on 25 minutes Darlo nearly went into the lead. Tom Newey sent in a quality cross to Baz at the far post. The Bald Messiah controlled it before sending in powerful shot from 12 yards but Morris was equal to it and pulled off yet another good save.
Orient then got their first major break and wadya know, they scored.
Purser was given space and sprinted down the wing. Valentine blocked one cross but couldn't get the second. A low cross was sent in and Lockwood at the near post pegged it past Colly and it was head in hands time.
Mr. Whitehead made a critical error on 35 minutes he and the rest of Darlo would rather forget. Chasing a ball he tried to square it to Liddle under pressure from Alexander. Alexander then stole the ball from the hapless Stu and was through on goal.
2-0. Bugger. STOP!!
BUSTED TIME! - Dammit, Busted Shut up! *Cue flying inflatable guitar around the Tin Shed. East Stand got a beach ball, we get an inflatable guitar.
However all was not lost. 3 minutes from time Mr. Ave It himself sent one of his now legendary high balls into the area and in the confusion Jimmy Corbett pounced and sent the ball over Morris's left mit and into the net.
Half Time score Darlo 1 - Orent 2.
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Second Half
Well according to Mr. Thornberry it was a mostly dull affair.
I thought it was better than the first personally. From the Darlo perspective anyway.
Darlo came back with more of a drive and fortitude to win the game. We had many chances on goal but yet again Morris proved to be ready for it and parried them away.
Keltie was subbed for Maddo and with around 20 minutes to go Neil Wainright came on for Ryan Valentine with immediate effect!
Waino's first touch was to corss the ball to Big Baz who just missed it like Gazza in Euro 96, sliding just out of reach. Or was that 98?
Nevertheless, the ball was then lofted back across goal for Waino to connect with and send his powerful header into the top right of the goal making himself the last professional footballer to score at Feethams.
Jimmy Corbett came so close to attaining that title but his shot from 8 yars was somehow sent over the bar by Morris with the tips of his fingers.
The final whistle blew and the party began. Well almost...
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The Tin Shed Gets Miffed
Final whistle and an obligatory pitch invasion.
Well almost.
The South Stand went, as did the East. Tin Shed? NO! We got mobbed by loads of stewards and PC's. Bunch of spoil sports. There were people behind them and they were just watching us!
"There's kids behind you y'blind bugger!
Helloooooooooo?!!"
Well he didn't take kindly to that so I followed Hilly and Dave to an opening. Seeing Blobin sprint across the pitch in a commic fashion shortly followed by the legendry emu riding Jazz I felt it was time the Reservoir Dogs got on.
After seeing a copper fall over in an attempt to catch the escaping Emu we just ran on. Boring buggers.
They couldn't stop us when we were all on. Don't know why they bothered really.
We all waited at the east stand then Peter Grant announced the players were coming back. And back they came clapping the Feethams faithful.
All in all a great experience and myself and dave were interviewed by a bloke from the Northern Echo...which was nice.
Nice for me, he thought I was 19 when I'm 18 and guessed Dave was 12. Result!
See the other Feethams page for more pics.
And
Hilly's Farewell To Feethams Pics site
http://www.geocities.com/FarewelltoFeethams/
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