Well, little did we know on the morning of the 24th August 2013 what lay ahead. In a little under 8 hours time a little piece of TFC history would be made. And what a way it was done!
Anyway, we set off at just before midday, for our one-and-a-half hour trip to Stafford, and travelled through the poshest county of all, the footballer's paradise, the lesser spotted county (for us on our travels as we usually end up in Yorkshire!) of Cheshire.
On the way we set eyes on some strange cow related activities. This included seeing three cows being stood on top of around 12 other cows in some sort of cow pyramid, and cows using a motorway footbridge. Cheshire is a strange county.
Many cows later, we arrived in Stafford with little problem, where upon we were greeted by stewards, a very nice touch!
As Cappy's dad had made the journey alone earlier in the day, we a few of us, namely me, Ash and the youngest (and smallest!!) member Adam, accompanied him on this seemingly simple task. The curse if Cappy's tours almost struck again as we went on a trip looking for the 'Farmers Arms', leaving many locals bewildered. This was due to the fact that it wasn't in fact the Farmers, but the Joiners' Arms!
After a quick stop in the local 'Spoons, we set off in search of said Pub. We walked past the imposing Stafford Gaol, and found the charming little place on Marston Road, not too far from the ground. It's worth a visit, as is I'm told the King's Arms, according to Cappy.
Anyway, as we set off for the ground, (by this time Ash and Adan had already left), Cappy decided he and his dad would visit the King's beforehand, leaving me to find my way in.
After almost getting myself lost in the back alleys (no incinuations!!) of Stafford, I arrived at the turnstiles where upon I discovered the entrance fee was £10 (grrrrrr!!). I've already made my feelings clear on this, but will save my rant for something else a little later on!
So, after an extra £2 was paid for the quite impressive programme entitled 'The Boro' (????). Why the Boro I wonder? Not the nickname of the club, always referred to as Rangers, but with Stafford obviously the county town of the shire, let's run with that!
So, Marston Road is another decent ground, not too dissimilar to Farsley's Throstle Nest. It boasts two stands, one of which is all seater (for an extra £2!). Unsurprisingly only about 20 people took this offer up.
Both goal ends are open, one terraced and one flat, and has an official capacity of 4,000 of which 530 can be seated.
History Lesson:
A club with a long and distinguished history Stafford Rangers began life in 1876 officially, playing cup and friendly games during they're formative years. However, they did manage to reach the FA Cup 1st Round in seasons 1884-85 and 1885-86. They then entered league football, playing in the Shropshire, Birmingham and North Staffordshire leagues until the turn of the century. They moved to their current home in 1896.
They were demoted to the Birmingham Combination in 1912, but returned to the B'ham League as champions the next year.
After the war, they won the league in '26-'27, and finished runners-up on a further two occasions.
They disbanded in 1940, due to the outbreak of WW2.
Afterwards, the club returned to the Birmingham Combination for six years, before election to the Cheshire League was achieved in 1952. Financial problems blighted they're time there, however, they did defeat Dudley Town 11-0 in the FA Cup in '57.
They're fortunes took an upturn,and they won the Cheshire League Cup in '67-'68, and the following year finished as runners up, thus earning promotion to the NPL.
The 1970's was the golden age for the club and in '71-'72 they won the NPL Title, the Staffs Senior Cup and the FA Trophy. Alas, the club failed to be elected to the Football League.
Three years later, the club reached the FA Cup Fourth Round beating Stockport County, Halifax Town and Rotherham Utd along the way.
In '75-'76 they reached the FA Trophy final again, but lost 3-2 to Scarborough. Three years later they were back, this time ending up with the trophy after vanquishing Kettering Town under the twin towers.
STILL AWAKE?????
They became founder members of the Alliance Premier League, however they were relegated back to the NPL after four seasons.
However in '84-'85 they returned to the Alliance as champions. They went on to win the Bob Lord Trophy, Jim Thompson Shield and Staffs Senior Cup.
The Alliance became the Conference, but coincided with more struggles for the club, but they did sell Stan Collymore to Crystal Palace for a six-figure sum.
They were relegated to the Southern League at the end of '94-'95 and again the season after. They eventually were promoted again in '99-'00.
They beat Kidsgrove Athletic 15-0 in a Staffs Cup tie in '01, a club record.
The Cup was won in '02-'03 beating Stoke City 5-1, before becoming Conference North founder members in 2004.
After another Senior Cup win, they returned to the Conference, beating Droylsden on penalties.
In 2008 they were relegated back to the Conference North, and in '11-'12 season back to the NPL, despite the appointments of Steve Bull and Tim Flowers.
Onto our game (if anyone is still here), and we were fantastic, taking the lead through Andy Smart. The lead lasted just three minutes after Reado's shocker let Michael Lennon equalise. Shelts hit the bar amongst other chances, but how it wasn't 1-4 at half time is a mystery. A good battle with the good-natured Stafford singing fans was a highlight!
At half time is when the 'bargate' scandal occurred. One of our travelling band of fans was told he could not go in the main bar due tovthis being a 'members bar', and we had to go into a segregated bar instead. This isn't South Africa circa 1980's guys!! Me and Dan however spent our time being like United fans and singing ex-players songs for no reason.
The second half was a domination with Smart netting from 25 yards before Ali 'Yeboah' Nsangou scored on debut. This cued me and Dan doing the KP dance in celebration. (search YouTube for KP Gangnam and you'll see!), and Yeboah's trademark backflips. and Shelts rounded it off, after a couple of great stops by Tommy Read. What a player Shelts is and Tommy Read is one of the best keepers in the league.
We even managed to debut a few songs throughout the game including 'Shall we sing a song for Krou'.(however I still prefer Ced Krou is on fire to the tune of The roof is on fire. Thoughts please?!), and Matt resurrecting his Stone Roses classic.
After the game we took our place in our room, even being joined by a few Rangers fans (not members??), before we set off on our way back to Manchester with the points and our first away win in the Prem!!
P.S.- Many cows were seen on the return jouney. MOOOOOO!!!!!
Ratings:
Game (9)- Would've been 10 with a CLEAN SHEET
Ground (7)- Tidy, nice enough
Food (7)- Not too bad!
Programme (7)- Didn't really get the cricket rant! Too much away from football
Fans- (9)- Really nice people, with a good group of singers
Value For Money (5)- £10!!!!!
Referee: (8)- Nothing wrong.
My TFC M.o.M- Andy Smart
My SRFC M.o.M- Michael Carr
Supportees Featured Roll Call:
Cappy: Tour Operator.
Ash: da keeper adds good loud vocals to the songs as a keeper should do
Adam: Small one. We may lose him at some point this season ;)
Dan: The Chelsea fan. Likes Maine Road too, hates Whalley Range AFC also likes kebabs! So intensely intense!
Cappy's Dad- Went on to watch City at Cardiff. At least he saw one good team from Manchester!
Matt- One of the Brown holy trinity. Officially Commitee but hides it well on the terracing....
Bring on FC or if you're reading after the game either forget FC or laugh at FC!!!!!
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