This Site:
My favourite opposing player
Other WFC-related Sites:
(This article was originally published in the WFC Programme in the 2001-02 season. It has not been changed, and may no longer be fully up-to date)
Paul Allison on his favourite Worthing FC opponents
Having been an old First Division and Premiership season-ticket holder for many years, and a regular at Scotland internationals, one of my main pleasures in non-league is the proximity we have to the players whilst the game is going on, and the scope that this gives for banter. As one of the “Behind The Goal Gang”, I see more of opposing keepers throughout the season than we do of our own, and likewise with the defences as they come back for Worthing corners. So, when it comes to choosing my “favourite opponent”, I’ve not gone for the most skillful (possibly Thame’s Nando Perna), the most electrifying (Lawrence Yaku of Northwood), or the most solid (Horsham’s big centre-back), rather I’ve attempted to single out the most sporting with us as fans.
Now, as someone who considers himself to be relatively balanced, I’m always happy to congratulate an opposing keeper, if I feel that he’s deserved it – most notably the Leyton Pennant keeper, who took to the field in a Liverpool’s keeper shirt: he not only had to time to chat during the match, but also afterwards in the bar. Tooting’s keeper this season, and Folkestone Invicta’s from the year before also stand out in my memory for this kind of behaviour. More recently, Walton’s keeper took well to being compared to a Pikachu. Contrast this, if you will, with the downright unpleasantness we would usually associate with goalkeepers from Oxfordshire teams (I’m sure neither need an introduction).
It’s often harder to gain any kind of rapport with outfield players, although one of Oxford City’s full backs was particularly gentlemanly last season as they won 5-1 at Woodside. Also of note are the Westfield centre-backs, who joined in the spirit of the Senior Cup game by joking about the balloons, and the Harlow player who soaked me with a water bottle after I suggested that he played for a pub team – all in good spirits though.
The one player who does stand out for consistent good conduct and friendliness has to be Braintree Town’s Nicky Smith. Every time I have seen us play against us he has had a smile on his face, joking back about the “old man” taunts (Smith has had grey hair for years) and joining in with the banter. Then again, Smith has good reason to chuckle when playing against us, as he was part of the Sudbury Town side that defeated Brighton on penalties down the road at the Goldstone a few years back.
It’s just a shame that more players don’t enter into games in this spirit – being able to combine the will to win with a willingness to share a laugh and a joke with opposing fans. To be fair to ourselves, we don’t generally antagonise opponents until they give us a reason to (unlike certain clubs’ supporters), although in some cases, these reasons go back years (a certain game against Romford being responsible for several grudges).
7th Feb 2004