DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Fans Forum
HTML https://stenhousemuirfc.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: General Discussion
*****************************************************
#Post#: 96--------------------------------------------------
Challenge Cup Rd3 v The New Saints
DIR By: petestenny
Date: August 20, 2019, 2:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
The draw sees Stenny (who I have followed for over 65 years,
coming to Ochilview since 1997) facing The New Saints who I
first watched in 1970 and still do. My parents had a caravan in
Llansantffraid, the original home of the team that morphed into
The New Saints.
This is either a dream tie as I'll have a team through to round
4 or a nightmare as I'll lose a team.
Not sure if I'll do an overnight (possibly a revisit to The
Plough) or do a one day 600 mile round trip.
How are you guys looking forward to the tie?
#Post#: 100--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Rd3 v The New Saints
DIR By: warrior for life
Date: September 2, 2019, 7:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Think we're more concerned about our inauspicious start to the
league campaign. However I quite enjoy the novelty aspect of
this competition, although since the colts and non Scottish
teams came into it, we haven't got very far. I think that's part
of the problem. Whereas in the past, the likes of ourselves and
Stranraer have won the competition, the current set up makes it
really difficult for a League 1 / 2 part time club to win it. As
far as this tie goes, I think we'll be well up against it,
probably depends on how seriously The New Saints take it. They
seem to have a pretty big squad in terms of numbers, given they
have already played quite a few games already this season, with
their European exploits, they may decide to give a few of their
youngsters a run out.
#Post#: 101--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Rd3 v The New Saints
DIR By: petestenny
Date: September 2, 2019, 7:51 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I was their photographer for their win on Saturday and they are
already using young/newer players having being playing
competitive football for almost 2 months. This means, however,
that they have several very experienced players who have been
rested/used as subs who will be available.
I'd imagine that, having got to the Challenge Cup semi twice in
the past, they will be taking it serious - especially as rivals
Connah's Quay made the final last season.
Looking forward to the trip up and seeing some Stenny friends.
#Post#: 102--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Rd3 v The New Saints
DIR By: petestenny
Date: September 6, 2019, 3:17 am
---------------------------------------------------------
In 24 hours two of my footballing roads will cross, a journey of
50 years will come together but will be missing a vital
component. Lynn. For 30 plus of those years she was with me as
we criss-crossed Wales and Scotland, punctuating holidays,
spending weekends and late night/early mornings heading home
before work. All to follow two football teams: Stenhousemuir (my
dad played at Ochilview in 1952) and The New Saints (my parents
had a caravan a mile from Llansantffraid from the late 60s).
Many hours and miles travelling to places such as Arbroath (Lynn
used to freeze in the wind at this ground), literally at the
side of the North Sea; the four hour dash home from a midweek
2-3 win at Carmarthen. Where you were at moments like 9/11 when
we watched the horror on TV in Ayr before dashing to Broadwood
to watch Stenny crash out of the League Cup on penalties to
Clyde. To a day trip taking in lunch at Porthcawl and it's
childhood memories before the Welsh Cup Final win over
Carmarthen at Llanelli. To the League Cup Final win over Port
Talbot at Aberystwyth and several Welsh Premier championship
winning days from Treflan to Caernarfon. From the 600 mile round
day trips to Stenny and an early hours return journey to Loch
Tummel from a League Cup 1-4 defeat to East Stirlingshire in
Falkirk.
Pre season with TNS and a 1-1 draw at Market Drayton, several
pre season tours with Stenny in the North of England. The game
at Barrow which lasted only 12 minutes as John McVeigh called
his Stenny team in after a fractured ankle was followed by a
triple leg break. The surreal chat with ex-Scotland boss Craig
'Pa' Brown during a game v Preston at British Nuclear Fuels,
"That's the strangest Stenhousemuir accent I've ever heard!"
From meeting new friends at both clubs, being invited to make a
presentation at the end of season Players Awards Dinner, my
speech at Dobbie Hall when few people could understand my accent
and Lynn being invited to present an award the following season
- she refused to do a speech. Last week being asked to reprise
filling in as match photographer in the 2-1 win at Park Hall
over Pen-y-bont.
The Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup Round 3. The draw I'd
hoped for since Welsh sides were invited into the competition:
Stenhousemuir v The New Saints. Lynn will be represented as I
will be taking her Stenny flag that she proudly waved around
Scottish grounds including at the game she won raffle tickets
for - Scotland v Italy in a deciding Euro qualifier at Hampden.
Remembering friendships with managers of both sides: Ken
McKenna, Scott Ruscoe/Evo; Graeme 'Louie' Armstrong, John
McVeigh, Brian Fairley and Des McKeown.
The realisation, as you get old, that any visit may be the last.
If this is the last time that I take a seat in the Norway Stand
(evoking memories of Terje and his friends during post match
celebrations and coffees with 30 Norwegians in Falkirk) I do so
and chat with Sandy, Bob maybe Bill and his wife Pat but
Ochilview will always be very special to me. Looking over the
now demolished old stand and seeing the Ochil Hills, snow
covered, in the distance. Not just as a supporter or even as a
shareholder, but somewhere that feels like I belong.
Whatever the outcome of tomorrow's game a line from Max Boyce
came back to me recently and I feel is appropriate as this game
nears: 'Defeat's not counted as a loss if it be the gain of
friends.' Just the right thought to end on?
#Post#: 103--------------------------------------------------
Re: Challenge Cup Rd3 v The New Saints
DIR By: warrior for life
Date: September 6, 2019, 5:04 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hope you enjoy watching a Stenny victory tomorrow!
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1