Well they finally managed it. The team I really took to my heart ended up shafting me. Not for the first time.
In this final blog I shall point out the incidents, most of them minor, but in the end there was just one too many for me to continue to go there and support the team.
I shall not name individuals, anyone with Google could find this out within 5 minutes anyway.
INCIDENT 1: THE IGNORING
I like to keep myself to myself. I have never stood with other Bückeburg fans, just to ingratiate myself with them, I like to stand where I always do at a football match. To that end, when I am the only away fan, and people recognise you each week, surely a little nod, or "alright?", is ok?
On the same token, I do not expect to be exchanging spit in the shower with someone just because they were wearing a green scarf.
When I go to Romford games, there is none of this animosity. This is possibly a cultural thing, more of which later.
INCIDENT 2: THE MONEY
There was a time I tavelled on the team/supporters coach to away games. At no time was money asked for, even though I thought it a tad strange. At no time in the press, the programme etc was ANY mention of a fare remarked upon.
On the return journey of a game, the captain of the team confronted a man sitting in front of me on the coach, asking where the money was for the team kitty. This was news to me, and having learnt that it was expected that €5 was the norm, I apologised to this man, explaining it was the first of such arrangement I had heard, I offered my fare for the trip. He didn't want any money, which I thought odd.
Because I felt guilty of all the times I had travelled I offered to even the score at the next post-match piss up. He actually said it wasn't necessary, but in the end I bought the team a bottle of booze. A man of my word!
INCIDENT 3: THE MEMBERSHIP
I decided to become a member of the club, paying a fee and hopefully looking foward to taking part in the General Meetings.
I never attended any of the three meetings during my membership (before I resigned it). The reason? I was never once invited. I learnt of their existence after the even. It's ok though, it was incredibly difficult for the club to contact me, I mean they only had FIVE different mediums to do so.
INCIDENT 4: THE INTERRUPTION
I am a stickler for manners (stop laughing). The one and only time I was chatting to one of the few fans that actually gave me the time of day, a rude oik on the balcony above butted in, and started shouting over the top of me, mid conversation. To the young man in question, who I often see in the town with his family: if you ever see my wife, be sure to thank her. For if it was not for that wonderful lady, the old Graham would have returned and I would have thrown you off the balcony. Even now, when you walk past with your shit eating grin, I would like to teach you manners Romford stylee!
INCIDENT 5: THE RUDE STEWARD
I like to stick to rules and regulations as much as possible. If I know something is taboo, not alloweed etc, I shall do my best to stick to that rule.
At one home game, I was standing behind the goal. Behind the goal is a metal fence, a gate in the middle and a path. There are no spectator facilities, but there are also no signs to say I couldn't stand there. I have stood there before, and no one had been bothered.
On this particular occasion one of the stewards approached me. I realise I may have been in the wrong, but there is a way to speak to people to point this out. The way I was spoken to was an utter disgrace.
INCIDENT 6: THE JOB OFFER
This was the straw that broke the camels back. After a home game, we were all having a drink in the club house, when the manager, Assistant manager and two of the staff call me over. They offered me a job (non payment, but I would never have asked for money anyway) of helping out with the team on matchdays. I said yes, we shook hands on it, the manager took my number and said he would be in touch.
A couple of weeks had passed when at an away game, we spoke and he said, "I thought you were coming to (insert away team) on the coach". "No", said I, I never said that. "Did you wish to speak about the job?". "Yes, I'll be touch".
Another fortnight passed and we had our last home game postponed due to the weather. I sent the manager a text saying "When can we talk", Again, a text came back "I'll be in touch".
Well that was in May. It is now October. He has seen me since then, even shook my hand to say hello, but no other mention has been made.
Again, maybe a cultural thing, but when two people shake hands on a deal, although not legally binding obviously, I expect a little more. Even if they had decided against offering me the job, let me know. Have the bollocks to contact me, and let me know. Otherwise you just make yourself look like a cunt.
After that incident I became very disillusioned with the club. There were a couple of other things which I found out about people at the club, which did not involve me, but people which have given up their free time and effort, being treated like shit. I think, if the club is willing to do that to hard working supporters then quite frankly I do not wish to be a part of it.
I won't even go into the "marketing" of the club, for that is an absolute clusterfuck, not my problem anymore. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
Good luck VfL!
