You get your chance to vent your feelings to the world..........
I
was looking at what should / would have been if we had beaten Great Harwood Town and Whitley Bay.
If we had done this, which we should have, no disrespect to the two teams, we would be on 54points.
Remembering we still have to play the top two we would only be 9points of second place, we should therefore be
challenging for the title. Oh well, maybe next year.
Chris Clough (02/04/99)
Should Avenue
really be title contenders?
There is surely no doubting Trevor Storton's comment in the Sports Pink that we are the best
footballing side in the division - only Stocksbridge, Eastwood and Witton (and Lincoln from time to time) even
bother to make a nod in the direction of the niceties of the game.But although some of the teams performances this
season have been of the very highest standard, it's noticeable that these are usually against sides who "allow"
us to play. When the side is faced with a massed defence and a midfield that closes us down quickly (Great Harwood
/ Liversedge etc), we find it very difficult to make any headway and resort to hopeful punts in the direction of
the willing Maxwell, who is usually heavily outnumbered. Unless we take an early lead against these sides, we struggle.If
we were nearer the top of the league the teams we come up against would be more prepared to just play for a point
and it would be up to Avenue to break them down without the luxury of the space that Witton allowed us yesterday.
Our two matches against Premier Division opposition have seen us second-best by some margin, mostly in the physical
aspects of the game, despite the players commendable level of fitness which seems to be much better than other
First Division sides when we approach the final phases of a game. To be a promotion contender Avenue needs at least
one "been-there-done-that" midfielder with bags of UniBond Premier (or higher) experience and possibly
another (proven) striker. We have a strong enough defence as only Ashton and Hucknall have conceded fewer goals
and the current keeper has the potential to be truly excellent (if only he could make himself look fitter!). Next
season we will, in all probability, be joined by Accrington, Chorley and maybe Bedlington. The former have plenty
of money and the wherewithal to mount a promotion challenge that other relegated sides (Radcliffe, Alfreton, Matlock,
Buxton etc) have not in recent times. Next year's Division One will be stronger than this years. Of course Avenue
can be up there - but the side will definitely need to be strengthened.
Martin (02/04/99)
Hi David,
Nice to hear from you!! Actually, I did take a quick look at your web-site a few days ago..tried to leave a response
to the "Poll" question and got an error message back!!
Right now I'm trying to deal with significant depression as I was supposed to be visiting the UK with my wife and
son (a.k.a. virtual mascot for Belper game 990130!!) for Easter and had planned to catch Avenue at Alfreton next
weekend: unfortunately, I had to cancel the trip at the very last minute due to my wife's work commitments, denying
me the chance to watch my first Avenue game in 25 years (last one was the Great Harwood game at Valley Parade in
May 1974) and meet up with some of the current Avenue stalwarts. I think that the "fanzine web-site"
is an excellent idea and I hope that there will be some inspired contributions ..obviously, it's a shame that WOAS
has died (ironically in the same month that I decided to take out a subscription!!). I'm not sure if there is anything
interesting that I can contribute at this stage..memories of Avenue (viewed from London) from 1968 to 1972 and
then much closer (from Leeds) from 1972 to 1974 may not create a lot of interest..but if you can think of an "angle",
let me know!! Once I've actually been to an Avenue game again..well, then there will be something worthwhile to
talk about!! Especially if my son becomes a true convert!!
Keep up the good work.
Give the lads an extra cheer for me at Farsley on Monday (obviously, you are going, right?).
UP THE AVENUE!!
All the best
Ken Brice
Toronto, Canada (03/04/99)
Boon's note : Cheers ken. Actually anything would do for this site. Your memories would be fascinating I'm sure (even your shopping list would be more exciting than nothing!). You bet I'm off to Farcely. Screaming my lungs out. Probably at the ref!
Dear
AARP
Much as I am enjoying the contributions of your correspondent Chris Clough, how on earth did Chris see Derek O'Connor
as man-of-the-match at Farsley. Derek had practically nothing to do - and when he did he had one of those days
when he spilled just about everything - almost giving away a penalty in the first half, failing to catch several
crosses and diving full length to concede a corner when the shot was going at least five yards wide. He made a
much better contribution as a sweeper with his two headed clearances. No - I'm sorry to say that Phil Sharpe, Lee
Connor and Jason Maxwell were Avenue's outstanding players on a day when the team had to do very little to push
aside our weak local rivals.
Martin Worthy (06/04/99)
These words of wisdom were all recieved via the onelist mailing system used by Avenue fans
If you would like to join the mailing list, click here
Several times
this season, there has been mention in various match reports of goals that would be strong candidates for the "Goal
of the Season Award": but, does such an award actually exist? If not, should there be such a nominal "competition",
if not an actual award? Maybe the Avenue ML would be a good place to run such a competition, or maybe AARP? It
would be interesting to examine the consistency of the collective Avenue ML memory over the past season..which
is rapidly drawing to a close. Perhaps, nominations could be made and then votes cast to determine the winner..and
the scorer of the best goal could be presented with a prize (several pints of Tetley's?), or a suitable trophy..maybe
we should call it the "Hector Trophy"? Having only seen two Avenue goals this season, courtesy of John
Rhodes "half-and-a-bit-until-my-batteries-ran-out" video, I can't claim to be an authority, but Jason
Maxwell's goal against Belper looked pretty stunning: so, that has to be my nomination!
Ken Brice (Canada)
Excellent idea,
Ken! Do you want to co-ordinate it and keep records? I would certainly nominate Ian Briggs' recent goal - Chris
Clough's description of how time seemed to stand still as the ball floated through the air, and the most improbable
possibility of it finding the net gradually dawned, is a wonderful piece of journalism! Perhaps as we have time
to think about (and re-read match reports) we'll think of many other worthy contenders. Will we be able to nominate
more than one?
Geoff Northin
Damian lee at Lincoln making the formerly fulham bound Mario look even more foolish than his hairband
would suggest
bally's overhead kick - same game that left foot half volley(?) from nezza at home, forget who it was against but
that was surely close to the strike of the season, and if I remember it turned the result back to us, just wish
I could remember the game itself.
James Northin
My 1-2-3 (in
reverse order of course)
3. Jason Maxwell curling 25 yarder at Great Harwood
2. Ian Briggs 20-30-40 yarder v Witton
1. Neil Grayston's 25yard volley into the top corner in the 3rd minute of injury time to deny the horrendous Hucknall
Town all three points (think this is the goal James was on about).
Martin Worthy
Hmmm....tricky
one, nezza? briggsy? come on anyone, what's your favourite?
James Northin
The Goal of
The Season has to be Jones's diving header when he started the move in midfield, with a great ball out wide, and
then ran on to do a spectacular driving header which bulleted into the net-World class stuff!!
Chris Clough
hmmm....not
a bad suggestion for best teamwork goal, in the same class as the England Holland goal that Shearer finished off
in 96 next suggestion?
James Northin
Hello Everybody
I only went on holiday for a week, but came back to find the following:
90 messages waiting for me from the Avenue ML (as it seems we now call it)
9 goals scored and seven points acquired
A goal of the season comp - great idea Ken
At least ten match reports
A new fanzine
3 different dates to travel to Matlock
4 different league tables showing how great Avenue are, but a couple of balloon bursting
reminders from Martin!
And debates about Gilbert Harding and just how far Briggsy can kick the ball.
Well done everyone - it's good to be back
John Rhodes (11/04/99)
Every other
week I tell myself within 30 minutes of the final whistle that no longer will I make a fool of myself by yelling
abuse at the opposition/ref/etc (and I'm regarded as one of our more fair-minded supporters!). After last night's
showing I have finally decided enough is enough and I now resolve to cease from any negative comments to opposing
players or officials, and in this spirit I've come up with 10 reasons to admire Ashton United F.C.
1. They know how to defend.
2. They have a very nice ground.
3. They have a well-organised defence.
4. They do not expound needless energy by getting up quickly after
being tackled.
5. They have a sound defence.
6. Those who follow them actually enjoy their tactics. The old,
cynical me would call them "spoilers" and "cheats" and maybe point
out that although 3rd in the league and going for promotion they had
only 10 supporters with them and their last home game (against
Matlock on Saturday) "attracted" a mere 162 punters. The new me would
say that it is good that so much pleasure can be given to so few.
7. They have a solid defence.
8. They are quick to the ball and quick to get their retaliation in
first.
9. They are good in defence
10. Either they will get what they deserve and stay in division one
or they will get promoted and we won't have to play them again next
season. (How did that get in there).
Martin Worthy (15/04/99)
This is what
Witton's John Bond had to say after their recent game
with Hucknall:
"They are a miniature Wimbledon. They play the long ball, run like
hell and fight for everything but I would not want to be associated
with that style of football."
Martin Worthy (15/04/99)
Every week I
feel appalled at the fair minded and unbiased nature of the man some call "Worthy", when he fails to
see that offside flags are incorrectly raised, or he fails to spot obvious fouls, that helpfully our crowd, or
sections of it anyway, constantly remind the referee of. In this spirit I have compiled my own:
1 - they know how to shout at the referee in a foul and abusive way and not get sent off (Chris Brandon please
take note)
2 - they are very good at hitting the ball very hard and long out of defence in the style of the great footballing
sides (Farsley, Wimbledon pre premier league, Cambridge)
3 - they have a loyal dedicated band of supporters who follow them everywhere their club tie will get them free
admission and a drink
4 - they are able to fall to the ground in a beautiful manner as elegant as a ballet dancer after 14 pizzas, 23
pints of bitter, and a large chaser of turps
5 - they are excellent formation dancers being able to group and move as one in the furthest corner of the pitch
after each goal scored
6 - they deserve our best wishes as they are clearly softer than the average person, a mere gust of air from a
flapping arm enough to cause a horrific injury
7 - they are favoured by God, as lazarus like one by one they all had near death experiences and miraculously raised
from the grave
8 - they are now as despised by me as Farsley C's trick
9 - and as much as I hate the pigs (from manningham for the uninitiated)
10 - and last but not least I enjoy their style of football as much as I enjoy that feeling when you turn round,
having walked all around the house on your pale new carpets you saved up for years for only to realise that with
one foot you stepped in a rottweilers diarrhea and with the other a large pool of freshly boiled tar, just as your
wife announces she's leaving after falling in love with the lady you were also knocking off at work, whilst throwing
at you the notice of bankruptcy you received that day. Even if you haven't experienced this feeling yourself, I
think you get the idea.
James Northin (15/04/99)
Why-o-why do
people constantly moan about the avenue. Today for example, we were 3-1 up and some guy behind me was moaning about
everything, I wanted to turn round give him a right ticking off. Moan about this, moan about that. And the one
that really gets on my nerves is when people mainly this guy behind me, who has the most boring voice I've ever
heard, shout `forward`. I agree in attacking, but I also agree in passing backwards in order to keep possession,
we can't score with out the ball so why not go back a bit in order to keep it. Some people are so ungrateful.
Chris Clough (17/04/99)
KEEP 'EM COMING! 
