Welcome to the Abbey
Steve Greenall - Watford, Saturday 15th August 1998
You will have read, I hope, that we have had a slight re-think on our stance on concession books. These were brought in to prevent those who aren't entitled, from receiving the concessionary rate, and we did initially include under-16s in this. On reflection, it is not this group that has been the main cause of the problem. We will now insist on students and OAPs having the £5 concession book, but schoolchildren will not require one, unless, as they approach the age of 16, a turnstile operator challenges them for proof of age.
I would like to thank those who travelled to Torquay last week and gave great support to the team. There were 275 behind the goal, and a good few in the family stand. Considering the distance involved, I know a lot of you stayed overnight. The result rewarded your loyalty and your pockets! It was the first time that I have travelled overnight with the team, and I suppose I will be asked again, if football superstition is anything to go by. The referee came in for a bit of stick, but overall, and on reflection the following day, I didn't think he had too bad a game. The same can't be said of the Torquay chairman, who was spitting blood after the game, and their players, one of whom threw the ref's towel into the bath. Good job Roger Parker was on hand to let him borrow one of ours. I think that the Fixtures Committee deserves a pat on the back for arranging such good weather in a lovely part of the country for our first away game. The second leg of our Worthington Cup tie against Watford is on Tuesday night, kick off 7.45pm. We have unreserved seating in the Rookery End Stand and tickets can be bought in advance, although they will be available on the night. Prices are £14 for adults and £10 for concessions. Let me remind you of the dates of our next few games, as the CEN booklet got some wrong. The home game against Hartlepool is on Saturday, 29th August. The away game at Chester is on Tuesday 1st September, kick-off at 7.30pm. We have also had confirmation from the League that our match with Brighton and Hove Albion on October 10th has been brought forward to Friday, October 9th, to avoid a clash with the England v Bulgaria game, which is being shown live on Sky. Next week we play our first game of the Football Combination season, away at Watford. It was a good first weekend of the new season for the 'Steve Greenall Fantasy Team', with Micah Hyde, Jody Craddock, Tony Richards and Matthew Gill all getting onto the team sheet. I hear that Liam Daish is fit again, so with ordinary luck, we could see more 'appearance' money being earned in the near future. STEVE GREENALL |