Just a reminder to all who may be interested to come along to The Bat and Ball, Cricket pavilion,in Wrotham Road, Gravesend, where the NWKAddicks are pleased to welcome Steve Brown and Steve Gritt at a Q&A event. In Jean's absence tonight, due to her creditable support of the team at the Oxford replay, I thought it might swell our numbers at this event, which I think should be very entertaining. The event may have gone unnoticed by some, with everything else which has been going on recently. There will be a raffle for memorabilia and general prizes with all profits going to our chosen charity.
The event commences at 8.00pm, with doors and bar open at 7.30. All are welcome
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hope Brownie wasn't late as he was poodling around Bluewater beforehand
Just to say for the moment that it was a small but perfectly formed gathering and the guys were brilliant. Could have talked all night ! And yes, Brownie spent an hour or so after work at my second home !
Very briefly as we have tickets for The Orchard tonight, more packing tomorrow & then Huddersfield on Saturday it's obvious that Gritty & Brownie are still massive Charlton fans and were keen to know what the latest news on transfers was( that part of the evening was over pretty quickly !) and wished us all the best for Saturday's Cup game.
Both were full of praise for Peter Varney , the support he gives them the great ideas he comes up with etc. And they emphasised that he too has Charlton very close to his heart - did we ever doubt that ?
Asked about an Ebbsfleet Supporters' Club they said they had agreed to a attend a Forum with fans some weeks into the season and admitted that those present were somewhat suspicious of the new regime which was to be expected. However, fears were gradually overcome by the enthusiasm & plan of action that the guys displayed at the meeting and after a slow start to the season with mainly drawn games, performances picked up and most of the fans are now "onside".
Due to the current standings in their league ( 2nd) the plan to slowly build this season has now been changed..( sounds familiar!) and the owners are now saying that promotion is the new goal. Time will tell of course but both Steves felt this might well be possible as their squad is playing good football & have gelled into a decent, hard working team where they work for each other. I believe this work ethic takes much from the guys' experience of playing under Curbs for so long & they frequently mentioned him and the influence he had on them.
Both guys seem to love their new roles although Brownie was quick to point out that playing for Charlton was the highlight of his career- and that management comes with different pressure. Agents were discussed- Gritty said that he hadn't needed one in his playing days - and both agreed there are some good ones but also some poor ones. Brownie's phone is ringing constantly at the moment with calls like " I have this player from Hong Kong. Do you want to look at him ? " No name or details....so Brownie invariably answers in the negative.
I'm running out of time now but will try to come back on here later tonight or in the morning when hopefully I shall have remembered a few more tidbits from the evening.
But suffice to say in conclusion that these are 2 lovely guys & we were honoured to have them with us in Gravesend last night.
Just back from The Simon & Garfunkel story at The Orchard Theatre. Absolutely brilliant - they're touring the UK and if you get the chance to see them, take it !
OK. On the walk home have been thinking about last night & a few bits more have come to mind.
Brownie was asked what he remembered about the "red card & the stretcher game" at The Valley when hundreds of Superstore( as it was then!) catalogues were thrown onto the pitch in disgust at the ref's decision. He grinned and told us that he had realised he was losing his man on the edge of the box and in making a vain effort to stop the attack fouled him. But in doing so, he twisted his ankle( not badly) & realising he was going to be carded, started rolling around/making the most of his injury. When the physio came on to attend to him, the drama escalated : " You're going to need that leg immobilised ! Get a stretcher quick!" etc etc However, as those of us there that day are aware, the RADA classes were wasted and the red card was duly waved as our hero was carried from the battlefield. Steve continued to relate that his injury was so bad, he couldn't make another appearance for 3 whole days !!
Gritty also had a tale to tell that none of us present had previously heard. He said he was interviewed for a job at Southampton ( Chief Scout, I believe?) but hadn't heard anything one way or the other for a couple of weeks. Then, one Friday, he had a call to say he'd been successful after all. He arrived at the Club the following day to start his duties, only to be told his appointment was terminated as Nicola Cortese wouldn't have anyone near his Club who had any connection with Pards ! But the best bit is that NC thought Gritty was Phil Chappell !! Unbelievable !
Finally, both of our guests affirmed how important it is for supporters to get behind their team, especially when things aren't going too well on the pitch. They cited an example at Ebbsfleet early in the season when the home team conceded the first goal. The drummer had been drumming, the "choir" had been singing up to that point but as soon as the goal was scored, everything stopped. Brownie said that he and Gritty were willing the fans to start up the noise again to encourage their team but this didn't happen until the equaliser went in. They reiterated that NO player goes onto the field of play with the intention of giving less than 100% but they are only human & can definitely hear the sniping & negativity emanating from the "terraces" which only has a negative result. So, the message is get behind you team through the good & the not so good times - it really does pay dividends as those of us at the Cardiff game last season can surely testify.
That's all folks ! Maybe you could come & join us in April when we have 3 very special guests lined up. More of that nearer the time....
Thanks again, Fanny!