| Crocs
on Tour
> 2006-07
> AFC Bournemouth |
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AFC Bournemouth
- Monday 01/01/07
Waking
up with a head that feels like Anne Widicombe has been sat
on it for a week, there is no better way to clear the post-New
Years Eve hangover than with a South Coast Derby away at Bournemouth.
After a night of hard partying, it was a full Crocs contingent
that made the journey west to see if Dean Wilkins men could
halt the 3 game losing streak and start 2007 with a bang -
and they would have good reason to, with the unveiling of
the new Crocs on Tour flag. |
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Mode
of Transport:
Tom Witham restricted his alcohol consumption
from the previous evening, and it was therefore
decided we would use the Witham mobile to reach
Bournemouth. |
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Team:
Mr Wilkins chose his preferred 4-4-2 line up,
with a team of: Henderson, Hart, El-Abd, Butters,
Rents; Robinson, Hammond, Fraser, Cox; Revell,
Gatting. |
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Kit:
Bournemouth wore their home colours of red and
black striped shirts, black shorts and black socks.
Brighton wore their second choice attire of white
shirts with blue trim, blue shorts and clue socks.
Wayne Henderson epitomised flair, wearing two
differing shirts during the game - the first half
saw the lovely aqua blue with gold trim jersey
preferred, while in the second he went for a striking
charcoal grey number, both combined with navy
blue shorts and socks, no doubt in honor of our
close proximity to Portsmouth and the pearl in
the British navy's crown, HMS Victory. |
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Dean
Wilkins Attire:
Another disappointing day for Mr Wilkins, as he
shows no variation in his fashion decisions by
wearing the tracksuit, yet again combined with
a standard issue trench coat and his white dancing
shoes. |
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Weather:
A crisp New Years morning transpired into monsoon
like conditions midway through the game, with
a lashing wind ensuring even the fans were moist
despite the advent of a roof at the Fitness First
Stadium. |
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Stadium
Rating:
Built on the site of the old Dean Court, the Fitness
First Stadium is far superior to what it came
out of. Now completed with four sides, albeit
one a temporary 'Withdean effort', it is a decent
enough stadium to visit, despite the lack of roof
over one end. 7/10 |
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Food
Rating:
Rather good, especially the huge burgers available
outside the stadium. Inside and there was also
a large selection of food on offer. 6/10 |
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Entertainment:
After our pre-season friendly visit just over
a year ago, we were hopeful of seeing the same
selection of attractive cheer leaders. However,
these were nowhere to be seen, and the stadium
was completely devoured of entertainment, apart
from a mascot who was disappointly not a giant
cherry. 2/10 |
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Friendliness
of Locals:
Quite friendly, we missed the chance to socialise
with most by neglecting a pub. However, the programme
sellers around the stadium, and one in particular
who appeared to be dressed as a women, made the
day quite enjoyable. 7/10 |
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Standard
of Local Females:
Disappointly, we detected a distinct lack of females
in and around the stadium area, and the ones we
did see were of an average complexion. 3/10 |
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Steward
Rating:
Bournemouth continued its reputation
for decent stewarding, as they were extremely
helpful in the erection of the flag, navigating
us towards the ticketing both, and impressively
moving the small handful of Brighton fans who
were in the uncovered end behind the goal into
the seated area with a roof as the monsoon battered
down. 9/10 |
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Flag
Attention:
The brand new, 10x6ft flag made its debut. After
initial problems in tieing it up thanks to flag
bearer Potters general incompetence, we eventually
had it erect, and it gained many interesting stares
from intrigued Albion fans. 7/10 |
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Match
Report:
Brighton looked as if they had secured their first
point in three games until a bizarre and monumental
cock up by keeper Wayne Henderson sent them home
empty handed. With a poor game between two poor
sides balanced at 0-0, the Brighton keeper slipped
over on the wet turf after collecting a long ball,
allowing the Bournemouth striker to finish into
an empty net, and ensure that the visitors continue
to slide dangerously down the table. |
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Thought
of the Day:
A Brighton and Hove Albion band to rival the Sheffield
Wednesday one and create a bit of atmosphere inside
the stadium, with McCarthy on the cello, Witham
on the tuba, Stewart on the piano and Potter on
the triangle. |
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