Fruit Bat

One of the last games played at the old Den in 83- I was working close but can’t remember exactly where on a Saturday morning- cut along story had nothing planned so decided to rock up there; wasn’t all ticket. Got in the CBL end as the players were running out- plonked myself against a crash barrier reading the programme when everyone around me started singing that song “ Let em come, let em come, to the Den” Don’t know the lyrics now and didn’t then so didn’t join in. Geyser next to me says “ Your not Millwall “ Told him I was a neutral just out to watch a game and he was OK. Turned out weirdly we had mutual acquaintances. Tagged around with him briefly after the game- didn’t see anything happen but there was literally thousands of blokes milling around up for it.

Gotta say the old spice racks been playing up. Should think meself lucky. Erik Ten Haags got two bad spike racks. Eric Bailey and Harry McGuite

Very rare to hear Cockney rhyming slang these days. My part of South London’s gone posh. It’s gone from my old mans a dustman, he wears a dustmans hat... to my old mans a lawyer, he wears a barristers wig...pack up your troubles in a Mulberry bag..

Yer, their on decent greengages footballers

Agreed. The rationale behind the Clearlake takeover was that they could exploit untapped markets and benefit from new TV contracts. However we’ve seen previously that whenever there’s a cash injection, it’s swallowed up by inflated transfer fees, plus increased player wages. As Alan Sugar put it donkeys years ago when he was a Chairman “ The money doesn’t touch the sides” Few clubs seem to turn a profit: the financial model doesn’t seem to work. I cannot for the life of me see how Clearlake can recoup their expenditure. I’m only guessing that they plan to eventually sell on to a Jim Ratcliffe type multi billionaire looking for a vanity project, or petrol dollars Gulf State regime.

I’m surprised anyone takes any stock whatsoever in bullsh*t public statements from either club hierarchy or players. Tell the punters what they want to hear. Be quite refreshing if someone bucked the trend with good old fashioned honesty “ Couldn’t give a sh*t about winning trophies. Only here for the dough”

Another view. One of the famous mirrors on show

Real Betis 98

I remember watching Tony Jacklin on TV wearing this. My old man commented “ what a bleeding silly jumper, he reminds me of Bertie Wooster” I thought it was superb. That was May 82- I got one November 82. Sometime probably in 85 a mate gave me his old burgundy, grey and white one, which was way out of fashion and he’d shrunk in the wash, which I wore on a building site and got covered in sh*t in no time. An ignoble ending to something that cost £45 in 1982

The Running Mare, Cobham. Been here a few times however just noticed this.

Just checked-,we’ve been relegated 6 times- went from 1924 to 1962 without sliding down the trap door however WW2 needs to be factored in.

Win or loose we were on the booze. Too shagged out to go through the history books. Last time we got relegated was after that Boro game in 88- 35 years ago- Is this our longest spell in the top flight?

Sunny day, packed, fences, got to be Boro in play offs

Spaghetti Twirling Twit

The funny thing was he wasn’t wearing his Chelsea strip. If a Five a Side game broke out by canned vegetables, by the time he’d changed up it would be all over.

Just googled him- didn’t realise he grew up in the sticks- Guildford- most players tended to come from urban/ working class districts. Ps Recently moved to Cobham. You see Ben Chillwell in The Bear with a Guinness occasionally. Bumped into Roberto Di Matteo in The pickles and relishes aisle of Sainsbury’s the other Saturday also. Bald as a coot these days

Got the impression he was one of the sensible, family men types of that team along with maybe Chopper, Bonetti, Houseman, in contrast to Ossie, Hudson, Baldwin, Hutch, Eddie Mac and a good few others who regularly got ratted on the Kings Road whilst wearing floral shirts. ( Generalisation) Great servant, always smiling. I used to see his son Chris play tennis in Battersea Park- he was a great presenter- cheery demeanour like his old man- don’t see him on TV these days which is a shame

Bad news resonates deeper than good news. I’d wager that most club forums receive more traffic after a loss than a victory. I’ve been as guilty as anyone over the years of going to games and effing and blinding like f**k, sometimes at our own players, probably as a way of letting of steam. I think it’s human nature to complain, however this prolonged moan up aimed at well intentioned however naive owners says more about the entitlement of some fans that it does about Boehy and co. Take a day off FFS

We played 5 a side on the pitches by the pool. Saw athletics there as a kid- the three A’s, plus Coca Cola meeting which drew track stars from across the world. Shame it’s gone to pot now. Btw in one of Martin Kings books he talks about a “ friendly” played there between us and Arsenal in 71. Double winners v CWC winners. By his account we took a bit of a slap. Ive Googled this game and can’t find any mention.

Slightly on a tangent but once saw the wrestler Giant Haystacks in the pool at The National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace. Ive seen some big fellas in my life but he was huge

Wasn’t there but photo sent on. Seen more hair at Catford Dogs!

I largely agree. Don’t imagine TB plucked these signings out of a Frreemans Catalogue. He wanted to make an immediate impact- was no doubt advised as to the potential of several young players- pulled the trigger and unfortunately they haven’t performed as it said on the tin- I would say that they’re seems to have been little consideration into the character of these recruits- no sign of responsibility, leadership qualities or backbone- in terms of backbone it’s like they’ve been carved from bananas. Optimistically think we are 4 important new recruits in the spine of the team away from being back in the frame, dependant on Pochettino setting out a credible game pattern and improving the raw talent at disposal.

On reflection what your saying is true ( apologies General) My old man was the definition of a fair weather fan