Chesham United

Chesham United FC is a semi-professional football club from the small market town of the same name which sits at the foot of the Chilterns in the county of Buckinghamshire.

Football in the town began in 1879 with the formation of Chesham Town FC. They merged in 1919 with Chesham Generals, the team of the General Baptist Church to form Chesham United FC. The club took on the nickname of ‘The Generals’.

After competing for several years in local football, United joined the Spartan League and then the Corinthian League for the 1947-48 season. The club finished as league runners-up in 1960-61 before it was disbanded in 1964 with clubs moving to the newly formed Athenian League Division One.

The 1967-68 campaign saw Chesham embark on a tremendous run in the FA Amateur Cup. Wins over Corinthian Casuals and Oxford City led to a semi-final against Wealdstone at Craven Cottage, which was won 2-0. In the final at Wembley, United went down 1-0 to Leytonstone. 

Chesham joined the new Isthmian League Division Two in 1974. The league was renamed Division One in 1977, the same year the club lost 1-0 in the first round of the FA Cup away to Brentford.

In 1979-80 a marathon run in the FA Cup all the way from the first qualifying round saw victories against Boreham Wood, Haverhill Rovers, Bedford Town, Maidstone United, Minehead and Merthyr Tydfil set up a third round clash at The Meadow against Cambridge United. The visitors left town with a 2-0 win.

In 1986 the team were relegated to Division Two North, before bouncing back as champions at the first attempt. In 1991 the Division One title was secured as Chesham joined the Premier Division. The magnificent spell continued at Amy Lane as The Generals were crowned as Isthmian League champions in 1992-93.

However, the spell wasn’t to continue, as the side were relegated to Division One a couple of years later. In 1997 another championship sent Chesham back to the Premier Division. In 2002-03 a further relegation led to a place in Division One North before non-league football was re-organised. United were placed in the Southern League Premier Division for the 2004-05 season.

In 2007 Chesham were relegated to Division One South & West, before regaining their Premier Division status in 2010 after a 4-0 victory over Slough Town in the final of the play-offs.

In 2010-11 AFC Totton defeated United in the semi-finals of the play-offs, before Hemel Hempstead Town inflicted another defeat at the same stage the following season. The 2013-14 season ended with Chesham as league runners-up. Once again they missed out on promotion through the play-offs. Stourbridge were beaten before St Albans City went up courtesy of a 3-1 in front of a packed Meadow audience.

Andy Leese’s side finished mid-table in 2014-15, before the side once again showed their FA Cup pedigree in 2015-16. Aylesbury, Paulton Rovers, North Leigh and Enfield Town were all defeated to set up a first round clash at Bristol Rovers. 

United won the game at the Memorial Stadium through a Ryan Blake goal. Chesham were drawn away to Bradford City in Round Two where they went down 4-0 at Valley Parade. Leese departed with assistant Darren Purse to take the Enfield Town job in March 2017.

By this time homeless Aylesbury United were spending a second period as tenants at The Meadow, while desperately trying to find a suitable alternative in their home town.

John Meakes stepped up from a coaching role to take the United managerial reigns before he resigned in October 2018, with his side bottom of the table. Joint managers James Duncan and Michael Murray took over after an impressive spell at Potters Bar Town.

The new pair steered the side away from any relegation worries with a fine run of form to end the season in tenth place. The team lost in the semifinals of the playoffs to Bracknell Town in 2022-23, but then romped to the title twelve months later as the club also gathered pace off the pitch as they became members of National League South.

Chesham United will play in the National League South in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Chesham United 1 Baldock Town 3 (Saturday 18th September 1999) FA Cup Second Qualifying Round (att: approx. 250)

This was one of the first games I attended as a groundhopper since my permanent move to London the previous April. The cricket season at Lord’s was coming to a close and I was keen to adventure.

I took the Metropolitan line from Wembley Park after a ride on the Jubilee from my Willesden Green room. The small town impressed me. Although my memory isn’t crystal clear, I think I had a beer in the Wetherspoons in the High Street before continuing to Amy Lane.

The ground impressed me at once. The turnstile end with Chesham Cricket Club behind had several rows of shallow terracing with a cover at the rear. An unusual feature were individual blocks of concrete for fans to stand on. The far Meadow End was pretty similar. The far side had a cover over the middle third of the terrace. The Main Stand was at the rear of a decent sized open terrace and covered the middle third of the pitch. Towards the cricket end was an excellent clubhouse with decent views of the pitch.

Baldock were the club that produced future Premier League star Kevin Phillips. Sadly the club went bust a year or two later, before being re-formed down the pyramid without their old home ground.

As I recall, the result was a bit of a shock.

Autumn 2006

My return to The Meadow was a weekday afternoon after work. I wanted to get some photos on my digital camera. It was a pleasant afternoon and the friendly club secretary opened a gate for me.

Unfortunately I lost the photos when I had a serious malfunction on my laptop after a holiday in October 2014.

Chesham United 3 Redditch United 0 (Tuesday 6^th October 2015) Southern League Premier Division (att: 203)

Having finished my latest spell of night shifts I had various options of matches, as was the norm on a Tuesday evening. However, there’s nothing quite as nice as going to a game with a pal, so when Tony Foster fancied a trip into the Chilterns, my mind was made up.

It’s amazing to think just how far the tube network is spread over. The ride up to Chesham along the branch line after a change at Chalfont & Latimer was like been in the provinces in the north of the country. Although I’d done the ride a couple of times previously, it was easy to forget how detached the pleasant little town actually was.

As it wasn’t even 6.30, my first task was to find the best pub to kill an hour or so. A brief look through the window at a couple on the High Street didn’t do much for the imagination, but I was to strike lucky right at the end of the strip. 

The sign outside for a bottle shop and tasting station had me hooked; even more so when I entered and saw a line of dispensers built into the wall, as was the vogue with some newer places in the city. 

The establishment was owned by the local Red Squirrel Brewery and most of their beers were on offer in draught form. A large selection of bottles adorned the shelves in the customer area, in the manner of a traditional off licence.

I tried three different draught ales, and was most impressed by the quality, freshness, taste and definitely the prices. No beer cost more than £3.10, with most being in the £2.60 region. The customers were a nice sensible crowd and the lad behind the bar, knowledgeable and helpful.

It seemed a bit of a shame to venture out into the rain, but it was getting near to kick off time. I entered The Meadow just as the teams were about to kick off through a turnstile directly behind the goal. Further entrances were available in the corner. Admission was £10. I picked up a free team sheet and paid £2.50 for a programme, which was a bit on the pricey side.

As the vague notion of eating in the pub pre match had gone for a burton, I purchased a decent cheese burger and chips from the van near the entrances. Another tea bar was available down the side where I stood with Tony. Toilets were also available on that side, which all added up to being a good comfortable football ground.

On the pitch, Chesham went for it straight from the kick off, with a fine display of attacking football which caused the Redditch defence plenty of problems. However, it was the visitors who missed a good opportunity to take the lead, before the Generals went one up.

Kelvin Bossman sent in a low cross low which Ryan Blake missed at the near post. Brad Wadkins was following up to shot home from fifteen yards. Around ten minutes before the interval it was 2-0. Dave Pearce controlled in the box before firing past Jose Veiga in the Redditch net.

At the break we wandered over to the Main Stand side, having a look in the clubhouse, which looked to be serving a hand pulled Chesham United beer as fans watched some continental football on the European satellite channel. Many sat by the window and watched the game outside from there.

There seemed to be a good vibe around the well appointed ground. I’d forgotten just what an excellent non-league football venue The Meadow was.

The second half started with Redditch needing a quick reply. They mounted a couple of attacks without really threatening. Some of the visiting players gradually became niggly, and showed some dissent at the referee’s decisions.

After Veiga made a decent save, the resulting corner was half cleared to where George Fenton was blocked off. The ref pointed to the penalty spot. Veiga led the protests along with several of his colleagues. Pearce slotted home from twelve yards to make it 3-0.

The Midlanders rallied late on and created a few half opportunities, but it was too little, too late. Chesham deservedly ran out the winners. I had enjoyed the game. Both Tony and I agreed that the home sides pace had prevailed.

Tony had parked just outside and we were soon on our way, once a grumpy neighbour had held up all the match traffic as he manoeuvred his large car into his drive. Roads were closed for relaying on the way back, but the good old satnav did its job. We both commented on just how many good looking country pubs we passed. 

My driver dropped me at Pinner station and I was in my local in Kingsbury at 10.30 to tell my real ale pals about my pre match find!

Aylesbury United 1 AFC Sudbury 2 (Wednesday 11^th October 2017) FA Trophy Preliminary Round (att: 95)

Aylesbury United 0 Marlow 0 (Sunday 9^th September 2018) FA Cup First Qualifying Round (att: 171)

Click here to read about these visits.

Chesham United 2 Haringey Borough 2 after extra time. Chesham won 3-1 on penalties (Tuesday 30th October 2018) FA Trophy First Qualifying Round Replay (att: 163)

With the day off work I was looking at several options to attend. In the end I agreed to meet Tony Foster at The Meadow; a fine venue and handy for myself and Steve Barnes to sample a few decent pubs along the way.

We took the tube to Chalfont & Latimer, where the excellent friendly Craft Beer Shop provided with a decent selection to get us into the mood. This was followed by another stop off at the Chesham Brewery Shop, which once again did the job.

The Queen’s Head was busy, with a small group of Haringey fans in one room. We joined them and had a good chat about all things non-league. It turned out that the four of them were all originally from Devon and Exeter City fans, but now lived in north London and had adopted Boro.

Haringey were certainly a success story and were looking forward to a forthcoming FA Cup tie at home to AFC Wimbledon, for which Tony and I had obtained tickets. Steve led the way as we showed the lads the short cut to the ground.

Admission was £10, with the programme £2.50. The temperatures were dropping as we met with Tony on the far side terracing. The first game had ended level at 1-1 and it was soon obvious that the clash had seen a bit of needle.

United were under new management with James Duncan and Michael Murray arriving from Potters Bar Town with the team bottom of the league table. Boro had lots of games in hand in their debut Isthmian League Premier Division season and sat in mid table.

The visitors were cheered on by a vocal following displaying plenty of flags. Their side were in the early ascendancy before the hosts took the lead on fourteen minutes as Dave Pearce got on to a through ball to slot past Valery Pajetat.

The stopper kept out an effort from the veteran forward Jefferson Louis before his side drew level on the half hour mark. A cross came in and wasn’t cleared, landing at the feet of Chinedu McKenzie who scored past Ben Goode from ten yards.

The game was niggly, not helped by some of the refereeing decisions. The man in black deemed that Boro’s Karl Akinwande deliberately elbowed Steve Brown in an aerial challenge and showed him a straight red card. The jury was certainly out among those I spoke to.

A decent pint of Generals Bitter was consumed at the break in the welcome warm of the clubhouse. The Meadow really was an excellent venue to enjoy football with its plentiful vantage spots and good facilities, even if it could have done with a bit of a tidy up.

Louis fired wide after the interval but that aside chances were sparse. A cross into the Boro area may have hot a defender on the arm, but it would have been harsh to award a penalty. Pearce shot just wide from a Lewis Rolfe cross.

However, Boro had got back into the contest despite being a man light and took the lead with eight minutes remaining. Charley Barker fired home a superb shot from the edge of the box and that looked like it was going to be the winner.

It would have definitely suited me as I had a soft spot for Boro and I was starting at work at 6.30am the following morning. Louis had two efforts easily saved by Pajetat before the Generals made it 2-2 as David Sota crossed low for Jerri Maja to finish.

Louis was denied by a last gasp challenge right at the death as the game went to extra time. The gents who kept the snack bar open made some extra profit as fans purchased hot drinks as the temperatures plummeted.

Chesham looked the more likely to win in the extra thirty minute period. Pearce, Max Holland and then Harry Pearse all came close, but the ten men battled through to take the game to a penalty shoot out.

Pajetat kept out a couple of spot kicks, but it was home keeper Goode who was the hero as he saved three out of the four penalties at him. There was confusion surrounding shirt numbers and substitutions before Pearce stepped up to score the decisive kick.

Steve headed off for another pint, while Tony took me back to Pinner so that I could catch the tube home. It turned into a longer evening than anticipated but we certainly got value for money.

Chesham United 2 Hendon 2 (Monday 22^nd April 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 442)

It was a beautiful Bank Holiday morning as I awoke from night shift, ready to enjoy a vital match in Hendon’s hopes of securing survival in the top flight of the Southern League. I met Steve Barnes at Kingsbury station after enjoying a plentiful brunch.

As ever, my pal had good plans for pre match libation. I was limited, but still eager to learn! We took the Metropolitan line to Chorleywood station where we alighted and took a taxi to the small village of Heronsgate.

Steve had regaled me of tales of a wonderful pub there. We passed The Stag, which looked pretty decent in itself to arrive at The Land Of Liberty, Peace & Plenty. The pub was a multiple award winner, and it was easy to see why.

The wide range of ales were in perfect nick; while the pub was just how a country inn should be. It had a popular large garden in an idyllic location. Life was good and the match seemed a million miles away.

As it was, the afternoon’s events, and night shift, put pay to any thoughts of a large session. It was a pub definitely marked down for a return visit. On our return to the station we also passed The Old Shepherd; another pub of note, at least by its appearance.

Several other Hendon fans were on the train for Chesham. We walked down the High Street expecting to head straight to the ground. However, the staff at the Brewery Shop had decided to open early to meet the demands of locals, so we popped in for a snifter.

Sam North had kindly got my programme for my arrival, so that I didn’t miss out. Admission to The Meadow was £10. The old place looked majestic in the sunshine, as a sizeable Dons following had congregated.

Initially I stood near the main core behind the near goal, but I didn’t find some comments particularly helpful. In fairness I was a relative newcomer to offering my support, but I wasn’t enjoying some of the bitching that was going on.

It was almost as though a small sprinkling wanted the team to lose, so that it would spite the chairman who had appointed the manager. I’ve seen it happen at other clubs, and it’s a recipe for disaster. I found another vantage spot.

Steve had decided to watch from the clubhouse. His ‘main’ club Leyton Orient were being shown on the TV’s in their vital game away to Solihull Moors. He had his eyes on two crucial games at the same time.

The match I concentrated on was being refereed by Andreas Anastasiou, who is fair to say, not my favourite official. He is semi-static, rarely blows for a free kick, but then pulls decisions out of nowhere. His inconsistency riles players and fans alike. He was not an ideal appointment for such a pivotal game.

The first few minutes were all Chesham, before Hendon quickly grew into the encounter. United keeper Charlie Taylor made fine stops from Luke Tingey and then Romario Jonas. As the ball ran loose from the second of those attempts Mr Anastasiou, saw something nobody else did.

He pointed to the penalty spot; presumably for handball? Whatever, Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick fired home the spot kick. I had an interesting vocal discussion with a gaggle of home fans who had an intense dislike of Dons manager Jimmy Gray.

When manager of St Albans City his side had secured promotion at Chesham in the play-off final. Memories were obviously long in this part of Buckinghamshire. I introduced some humour into the debate and gradually smiles re-appeared.

Dave Pearce and Ronny Mfinda both went close with efforts for the Generals, followed by a Bradley Clayton that whizzed past the far post. Ogo Obi hot the bar for Hendon with a miscued cross, before Pearce was denied by Chris Grace as the game went from end to end.

The feeling among the Dons fans I encountered was that it had been a much improved performance, and the gamble of playing a front three of Lewis Toomey, Hippolyte-Patrick and Obi together was paying off.

I must admit to feeling relatively comfortable, at least until six minutes into the second half, when Chesham equalised. Pearce slotted home unmarked to finish off a fine move down the left.

Lee Chappell’s long throws had caused problems for the United defence all afternoon. His latest fell to Obi who saw his shot hit Luke Warner-Eley on the goal line before being scrambled to safety.

Mfinda headed a Pearce cross just wide before Obi saw an effort flash across goal. The same man was adjudged to have been brought down in the area by Ryan Blake. Opinion was certainly divided on the decision!

Hippolyte-Patrick stepped up to make it 2-1 to the joy of the Greens fans congregated behind the goal. Home footage of both Hendon goals can be seen by clicking here.

Connor Calcutt was introduced for Hendon and came close with a side foot shot not long after coming off the bench. Bradley Clayton responded for Chesham, shooting just over. At this stage all looked rosy for Hendon as the match edged towards full time.

Gosport Borough were only drawing in their home game with Wimborne Town. If the scores had remained the same for just another few minutes, then Hendon would have secured survival with a game to go. Unfortunately, football doesn’t quite work like that.

Chesham attacked. The ball bounced up and hit Ryan Hope on the arm. Referee Anastasiou pointed to the spot and Pearce fired home. The Hendon players and management were fuming. I can assure them that they were not alone.

The mood was darkened further as news came through that Gosport had scored in the final minute of their game. It could have been much worse. Grace made a fine save from Clayton. Then the ball bobbled around the Hendon box with the ref putting his whistle to his mouth before changing his mind. It wasn’t good for the blood pressure!

Before the game a draw would have been satisfying, but somehow it felt like a defeat as a visiting fan; especially with the news from Gosport. Securing survival would go to the final match of the season.

Steve was happy enough. Orient had secured a point in their game and were more or less certain of promotion and a return to the Football League. We walked back to the station together in decent form, with my pal jumping out for beers after a couple of stops, while I headed home for a siesta before work.

Chesham United 2 Hendon 1 (Wednesday 1^st January 2020) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 558)

The new decade got off to a fine start in excellent company at a proper football ground and a really good game of football. Blimey, did I need something to take my attention away from the hangover I was carrying.

I’d inadvertently got involved in a large drink down at the tennis club at Hampstead CC and woken with the TV on and the leftovers of chicken and chips on my lap. Oh for the day when programmes finished and a bleep sounded after the National Anthem to wake you up.

Despite having all the gear in the fridge for a fine fry up, I had to decline and go for the stodgier option of pie, mash and carrots which had been intended for my tea. It was a relief to feel the fresh air as I headed to Kingsbury station to meet Steve Barnes.

We’d given up on our plumbing pal Steve Speller turning up when my phone went. I’d sent him a slightly confusing text the previous evening when I was in full flow. We realigned and waited for him at Wembley Park.

The trains were a little more infrequent meaning a wait at Harrow-on-the-Hill where we bumped into fellow Silver Jubilee Park regular Tony Marshall. We exchanged tales on the route out into Bucks before arriving into Chesham at around 1.30.

Unfortunately, the new micropub Trekkers was closed along with the Red Squirrel establishment meaning a first visit to the George & Dragon where I made my first faux pas of the New Year, if you exclude my candid exchange of opinions with the man serving in the chicken shop a few hours earlier.

Mr Speller has a favourite type of glass. It only dawned on my a few seconds after I asked the rather aesthetic barmaid if she had any jugs as to what I’d said. The pouring of three pints of Atlantic seemed to take ages and be carried out in stony silence.

My pals had decamped to a quiet area out of view and were doing their best not to wet themselves. The beer and pub were both okay. We headed to The Queens where the ale was good. The pub was rammed with families and diners.

The programmes had run out by the main gates after I’d paid the tenner admission. The fella in the club shop tipped me off that there may have been a few left at the tea bar down the far side. Sure enough, I snaffled one for £2, and very good it was too.

Keith Brighthope had been on the same train but further down so we didn’t see him until we all alighted. He’d gone on to the ground to meet his niece and family. We met up on the terrace to take our place among an impressive festive attendance.

It was a good competitive encounter from the off. It would have been very difficult for Hendon to have played any worse than in their 1-0 home defeat on Boxing Day against Harrow Borough. Fortunately, they’d regrouped and were giving it a proper go.

The centre back pairing of Eddie Oshodie and Tommy Smith were doing a good job against a lively Chesh forward line including former Dons Karl Oliyide and Zak Joseph. There was plenty of hard work from all in midfield on an excellent playing surface.

Referee, Hugh Gilroy made what I thought a very poor decision when he showed Oliyide a yellow card for diving in the box when it looked for all money that he’d been brought down by a visiting defender.

I’d disappeared to the loo when I heard a few go ons before a louder cheer from the home support. Soloman Sambou had been put clean through but was denied by home custodian Ben Goode.

There were plenty of half chances at the other end too throughout the first half hour. Brave defending and blocking along with keeper Rihards Matervics kept the United attack at bay.

Hendon created another excellent chance as fine play from Shaun Lucien offered Sambou another opportunity. Goode pulled off a tremendous stop before the danger was cleared. With half time approaching we headed to the clubhouse, where the Generals ale hit the spot.

Chesham were in the ascendancy kicking down towards the Town End in the second half. Hendon’s attacking play just didn’t have the opportunity to get going. Eight minutes after the break the hosts broke the deadlock.

Bradley Clayton’s effort was parried straight back into the anger area by Matervics for David Pearce to score the follow up. The effort didn’t seen to have much power but the goalie couldn’t get enough behind the ball. I thought it was poor goalkeeping.

The performance of the ref was dividing opinion on the terracing. He was a bit inconsistent but I liked the way he let the players tackle hard. He was certainly better in the middle than his assistant on our wing.

Andreas Anistasiou, the ref from the Bank Holiday game on my previous visit had been relegated. I didn’t realise it was him in front of us as I mentioned “the idiot from last season”! Fair play to him, as he obviously enjoyed being involved, carrying on despite being relegated from his position.

Fifteen minutes from time the game was more or less over as a contest. United had chances to double their lead but made no mistake when Bayley Brown sent sub, Eoin Casey clean through to slot past Matervics.

The keeper atoned with a good stop from Pearce before Dons sub, Reece Mitchell was upended on a jinking run with a minute of stoppage time remaining. Liam Brooks slotted home the spot kick, but there was no time left for any equaliser.

We headed back down the picturesque High Street and went to The Generals pub as we had time to kill before the train. The beer was bang average in a pub that tried to do ale, sport, music, and food and mastered none.

My companions hopped off the train at Pinner, while I went home for tea and bed. I knew my limits!

Chesham United 2 Hendon 0 (Saturday 13^th November 2021) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 505)

This visit to one of my more favoured towns and venues was quite strange. We enjoyed some belting pubs before things went downhill, with some seriously added scary drama.

We got inside the ground just after the minutes silence for Remembrance Day to be told that kick off would be delayed as diabetic Hendon squad member, Luca Allinson, the son of manager Lee collapsed on the bench, meaning a 3.15 start after he was revived and taken away to hospital.

It was 2-0 after six minutes as an ex-Don Karl Oliyide netted twice aided by some poor defending and iffy keeping. It’s fair to say some players may have been affected by the earlier incident, though I was becoming a little more doubtful as to the ability of some individuals by the match.

 

Nothing too much else happened of note out on the pitch. The Generals were the better organised side and deserved their win. Mark Kirby was getting bigger each year but was still ultra reliable at the back. Hendon huffed and puffed but failed to create an effort on goal until Sam Beasant made a fine save from a Jayden Clarke free kick ten minutes from time.

Erratic goalie Fred Burbridge made a couple of decent stops up the yon end late on, but the damage was done well before. Hendon brought on a former player on loan. There had been the usual online enthusiasm as to his return. As is often the case it was soon evident as to why he had been jettisoned in the first place.

However, back to the undoubted highlights of the day. The pubs and good company. A late brekkie at Kingsbury Wetherspoons was followed by a ride on the tube to the farthest end of the Met line and the lovely town of Chesham. 

Myself, and my regular supping and sports friend, Steve Barnes kicked off in Trekkers Bar, the first of two micropubs on High Street. Woodforde’s Once Bittern was followed up by a superb half of Milk Stout from Bristol Beer Factory which did the job.

Onto Mad Squirrel Tap & Bottle Shop where the Hibernation Citra Mosaic was most refreshing as we were joined by four more hopeful away fans. A father and son couple are fellow Yorkshiremen, with the lad now based in Hendon and the old lad coming to games when Doncaster don't have a match.

The Queens Head in the oldest part of town was simply brilliant, if a little more expensive. Olivers Island being my tipple of choice. From there it's no more than a brisk 5-minute stroll up the backway and into the car park of the football ground, where we were met with the unfolding drama.

A return to the Queens for just the original pair of us at full time allowed me to come round from my state of annoyance at Hendon’s performance. What a pub it was. The Thai food aromas sorely tempting.

From there it was one stop back to Chalfont & Latimer, where the Craft Beer Shop was as welcoming as I remembered from a few years previous. Greenlight from Paradigm Brewery of nearby Sarratt along with the Oakham Citra were the business as we watched England beat the Aussies in rugby contest on the TV.

Finally, back to JDW Kingsbury after a nap on the train where the beer was as average as my judgement, but an old pal joined us to brighten up proceedings. He and my other mate reminisced about happy days in the pubs between Tooting and Wimbledon stadium in the days when they watched speedway or the dogs. 

I enjoy learning like that. It certainly sticks in the memory more than boring school lessons, at least that's what I can deduct from my old reports I had taken to digitalise of late to clear some clutter before heading off on my merry way to Thailand.

Supper taken at Chicken Cottage where I thought I’d entered some kind of siege. All very weird as the staff seemed petrified and two youths were acting very strangely, while being ridiculously friendly towards me.

A bloke in plain clothes behind the counter served me, thinking that two bits of chicken and chips meant it came with two bags of chips even though I wasn’t charged for them. Kingsbury Road was becoming dodgier by the week. I was glad I'd heavily imbibed.

A long, long day, and one that could have ended tragically. Well done to all those who dealt with the incident at the match. Football's only a game at the end of the day.