Nostell Miners Welfare FC was founded in 1928, after the purchasing of a plot of land to play on for £400, the location which they remain at today. There had previously been a Nostell Colliery FC during the 1800's and early 1900's. Both clubs played for many years in local Wakefield football.
'The Welfare' became consistent performers in the leagues' Premier Division, going on to lift the Presidents Cup in 2009 after defeating Scarborough Athletic in the final.
I had been looking forward to the opening day of the season for some weeks previously. I travelled up the day before to stay in York with my brother Nick, his wife Rachel and my nephew and niece Sally and Stanley. I was in a reasonable mood as I caught the train to Leeds. I would have been spot on but the performance of the England cricket team at Headingley had set me back. To cheer myself up I got stuck into some imperious Tetley's in The Templar in Leeds.
This was the last day of my fortnight holiday and I was determined to enjoy myself while hopefully seeing an away win. The previous two weeks on the road watching Boro had filled many of us with hope, but Nostell had tricky fixture written all over it.
I arrived at Wakefield by train after a having a look at the ground of Hemsworth Miners Welfare on the way and having a fine fish and chips lunch. My old mate Guy Watson was waiting for me when I arrived in readiness for some pre match refreshment. We tried a couple of pubs in the town before taking a taxi out to Crofton where the ground was located. I had to use the map app on my IPhone to direct the driver!
The clubhouse was full of thirsty Seadogs and the pre match mood seemed good. We wandered outside and took a position in the sun behind the goal.
Boro started brightly and played some fine football before going one down against the run of play. There was no real surprise when Tony Hackworth went through to equalise soon after. However, Boro's defence did have a habit of creaking, but even so I was a bit peeved to see a Nostell forward being left totally unmarked from a set piece to restore the lead. Indeed, only some poor finishing and good work from Steve Wilson in the Boro saved a heavier deficit at half time.
Guy commented how well he thought Boro had played and that we were by far the better side. I was also confident of a win, but I also knew that we could well let at least another in at our end. That said, I wasn't expecting Welfare to go 3-1 up. It was time for a serious shake up. The Boro fans did their best to rouse the team, who were not being helped by some strange refereeing decisions. The excellent Scouse PA man quipped that while we paid our players, they looked after the refs. I think he was joking!
At this point manager Rudy Funk really earned his money by making some changes that initially looked strange to us. As a consequence the midfield was beefed up and more challenges were won as Boro got stuck in and put Nostell under pressure. Paddy Miller scored a fantastic free kick and then Ryan Blott did similar after yet another late challenge went in from the agricultural home side.
The atmosphere was now at a fever pitch as the 170 or so Seadogs roared the team forward. Hackworth played in the now advanced Miller who finished beautifully to send the crowd wild with delight. The team held on without any problems to register a superb win.
At full time the players were cheered up the steps, and once beyond the fence a slight altercation broke out. It may have had something to do with the home team taunting the Boro line up by calling them overpaid prima donas. It would appear that the defeat rather hurt them.
We adjourned to a euphoric bar and awaited Tom Claisse, who drunk with Guy in Leeds and his companion Paddy Miller. Tom kindly gave us a lift back into Wakefield town centre so that we could have a wander before our trains home.
I was glad to get to Doncaster where I had to wait for a connecting train and to get some food to keep me going. On the train to London there were several Stevenage fans heading home from a draw at Donny. They were naturally very pleased with themselves, but as I pointed out; "Enjoy it lads, as your just a non league club enjoying a few days in the sun".
3 comments:
Good afternoon Mr Bernard, I hope you are well. I just thought I would leave you a message in response to this blog, which was highlighted by a friend of mine who is actually a Scarborough fan himself. Your blog is excellent, I like anyone who is passionate about Non-league football and I like the fact you do not appreciate abuse. However, from the moment I set foot onto the pitch for the first leg of the Presidents Cup Final, I received serious abuse. I am a Whitby lad, and this didn't go down well with the Scarborough fans (understandably, haha). However, the abuse I received was nothing short of disgraceful. After around 10 minutes of the first leg, a fan told me he was going to 'find out where I live in Whitby and s**g my Mum.' Luckily for the man involved, I couldn't see who it was, neither did I take it seriously, like many others would have done. What I did do however, was let it spur my performance on further. I wanted to make sure we won that game. No matter what. I continued to receive abuse at both finals, and then during the first match which your blog is about. During this first match, a fan managed to get my water bottle and spit in it whilst I was playing. This is just pure, disgusting, lowlife behaviour. However, I let it spur me on again. Now I'm not going to claim I am immune to any criticism for being 'outspoken' as I'm not. However, I like to think I enjoy top banter at most grounds, with excellent sets of fans. No hatred, no problems. However, Scarborough see to have a minority that spoil it for the rest. Do these morons not realise that they decrease their chances of winning games because players want to beat Scarborough so much? Basically, Rob, I am saying that if you feel you wouldn't want to win a game of the 'beautiful game' by doing it like I did, by retaliating by wasting time (not hurting anyone am I?) or by normal gamesmanship, then fair enough. All i will say is, I have a Presidents Cup winners medal and some superb memories, where Scarborough only seem to have a large wage big and a rather empty trophy cabinet.
Many Thanks.
Sam Dobbs.
P.S. I alos heard that Matt Draper, left HIS OWN CLUB this week because of abuse from his own fans. Shame.
Thanks Sam for putting your side of the story across. I now totally understand your side of things. Under the circumstances I think you acted with admirable constraint.
I'm glad you recognise that we only have a tiny minority that spoil it for the rest. I couldn't agree more. However, we also have tremendously loyal and good mannered fans. Hopefully we will eventually drown the lowlife behaviour out.
I'll be at Nostell in a week or so. Hopefully we will see a cracking match played in the right spirit, on and off the pitch.
Good luck for the rest of the season, except of course against Boro, and thanks once again.
Rob,
Absolutely no problem for the reply at all. Keep blogging, its great to see such meticulous interest into a club that is demonstrated on this blog. I noticed that you sent this to the Scarborough Forum, I would just like to respond to a couple of the comments if possible as I don't really need to open an account.
'Stuntpele', I'm glad you were one of the group from the crowd who gave me that name 'shrek'. That was an excellent example of good banter that is acceptable. You will be pleased to know I have received further, continuous ribbing from teammates regards this similarity for quite some time now!
Old Git, if you read my piece again, I certainly do not claim I am 'innocent' like you indicate. I certainly did respond with some close to the bone quips. I just state that I never start it. Never. I approach every game the same, to enjoy it. You will always see me playing with a smile. It aids performeance. Goalkeepers are highly strung lunatics anyway so nervousness cannot creep in, otherwise errors occur. The only element that changes is if I receive a barrage of abuse, which, I regret to say, I have only received at Scarborough. A man can only take so much!
I just want to stress to the minority of your fans to think carefully before watching the game. Ask yourselves, what is the worst that can happen if I'm positive at todays game? The answer is nothing. Nothing bad could happen. Only good. What is the worst that can happen if I shout, swear in an aggressive manner? Players can leave the club (Draper), negative press (Forum) and numerous Keepers perform heroics. Its a no brainer.
I make a large effort to talk to referees before, during and after a game now. I have done for years and I'm convinced it has helped in certain scenarios.
Anyways guys keep up the support. I won't be playing this forthcoming fixture as I have just signed for Wakefield F.C. so that's a shame. I did notice a thread that said the Evo-Stik North is poor. If 'Shrek' can play in that league then you're more than likely correct!
Regards
P.S. 'Stainton seadogs' in response to your comment, I actually said a f***** bus?? BIGTIME c****. HAHAHAHA!! I remember you giving me a dirty look from your car after I said that. At least only my girlfriend could hear it though.....not 400 fans. And yes, I got bollocking off her too.
Sam Dobbs
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