SCOTTISH BANDWAGON
In the early nineties when my beloved Watford were going through a decidedly sticky patch I decided to alleviate my pain by supporting a second team in the hope that one of them would win a game at the weekend and "Ease my pain". Ever the supporter of the underdog I chose a lowly Scottish Third Division team with a weird name and a record of one promotion and no silverware in there 115 years history. As the years passed success followed my climbing on board there bandwagon, in the form of another promotion and an historic penalty shoot-out Challenge Cup victory ( I brought the Daily Record and cut out the match report, eventually buying a recording of the match on video from the club shop via there website)
For Christmas one year my sister brought me a replica home shirt and since then I've brought myself a couple more, wearing then proudly most weekends, thus spreading the word far and wide (They accompanied me on our tours to Prague, Budapest & Bratislava). In August 2005 while cutting the grass in the back garden I heard a whispered voice clearly say "Go the distance" I took that as a sign and a few days later I was on my way to Ochilview, Stenhousemuir's home ground.
Taking my young nephew with me as interpreter (he's half Scottish) we boarded a plane bound for Edinburgh airport. Once we got there we grabbed a bus to Edinburgh train station and then caught a train to Larbert. We dropped our gear off at our Hotel/Pub, had a spot of lunch and then took a leisurely walk down to the ground. I brought myself a programme and my nephew a replica shirt. We then sat down to enjoy a pulsating match which fortunately saw Stenhousemuir run out worthy 3-1 winners against Elgin City who as it happened, fielded a number of ex-Stenhousemuir players so the language was choice. Evening meal, early night and a superb Full English Breakfast followed before the trip home, which came to an end when I stepped through my front door at around 3.00pm on the Sunday afternoon.
Keith Oswald has followed in his father, David's footsteps by supporting Dumbarton F.C. and consequently he purchased a replica "Sons of the rock" shirt. Garry Pyper then chose to follow Peterhead F.C. purchasing a "The blue toon" shirt along the way. Next, James Nunn and Tom Bryant climbed on board the Scottish Bandwagon choosing to support East Fife F.C. and Albion Rovers F.C. respectively. Recent signing Stuart Phillips, a fellow "Hornet boy" has also spookily seen a Scottish football match and purchased a replica shirt, his team, high flying Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Below are the lads wearing there Scottish football tops (Still awaiting some photo's) if you fancy jumping on board the Scottish Bandwagon, pick a side, preferably not a highflying one or one containing overseas players (Eg. Rangers, Celtic, Hearts), buy a shirt and your picture will placed on this page alongside your already converted teammates while your team will receive the recognition it deserves.
Below:- Are pictures taken on mine and Jim's recent visit (15/8/09) to Stenhousemuir F.C. to see them play East Fife F.C.,(Jim Nunn's Scottish side) which ended 1 v 1.
Above:- The main stand at Ochilview Above:- A view of our plastic pitch from the main stand during pre-match warm up
Above:- The main stand at Ochilveiw "The Norway Stand" Above:- An interesting pre-match visit to the "Falkirk Wheel"
Scottish Waggoner's
Above:- Garry Pyper, kissing the badge of his Peterhead F.C. shirt. Above:- Keith Oswald, kisses the badge of his Dumbarton F.C. shirt.