Waders Green Army Blog by WaderBird

Alcoholic units – You seriously expect me to remember 🤔😂😂👀

Match rating – 7 / 10

GreenArmy MoM – JJ Lacey

DJs Burger rating – 6 /10

Ground Rating – 8 / 10

Today would be an 11.30 meeting at Langford Road to get on the coach… Me and BigAl arrived at about 11.10, and not only was the coach already there, but also most of the squad- this has to be a first!! 🤣 7 of the GreenArmy were making today’s journey. Rodney, Grandad, M&Em, ChelseaBoy. No Lewis today, much to Aaron’s disappointment (no sh!t golf game on the switch today 🤣)

I was wearing my lucky no.7 CraigyD shirt, much to Chairman Mo’s disgust – apparently we have new shirts available 🤣 to be fair, the new shirt looks great, so we will be putting a few orders in 💚

I don’t think I’ve ever been to Wisbech (not that I remember anyway) so ordinarily I wouldn’t have known what to expect… however many people on hearing where we we off to, had plenty to say about the town, and nothing complimentary… 👀 I have to say I was really pleasantly surprised, some beautiful houses and what a historic looking, clean & tidy town! Certainly puts Biggleswade to shame 😳

On arrival at the ground we were greeted by really friendly staff and supporters, lots of club merchandise on offer and various raffles and golden goals..what a decent ground! 2 decent stands behind each goal and a really good clubhouse set up 👍👍

Waders made a slow start and were punished at the 10th minute when we conceeded a penalty 😱 which Wisbech duly put home… Come on Waders, time to wake up!!!

Luckily 3 goals in quick succession completely turned the game around. First Drapes equalised, then Marcus made it 1-2 from close range and in the 33rd minute the impressive JJ joined the party making it 1 – 3 💚⚽️😁

Half time and me & BigAl tried the burgers and chips on behalf of DJ of course; very nice and really good service. 🍔🍔

After refueling and rehydration we were back out for the 2nd half.🍻

Waders made another slow start, and Wisbech went close, hitting the post 😱 Waders then stepped up a gear and in the 77th minute, Luke Andrews made it 1 – 4 😁⚽️💚

In the 87th minute JJ got his second goal making it 1 – 5 and Waders were through to the next round – come on!!!!!!💚⚽️💚⚽️

A lively journey home – great bunch of lads, and a great away day!🪕🪕🎵🍻

Next game BH Monday away to Donners at Stotfold – It would be great to stop their unbeaten start 👀

#Waders #GreenArmy #InDannyWeTrust

15th August 2023

Alcoholic units – a couple of cheeky ones on a school day 👀

Match Rating – 6 / 10

GreenArmy MoM – Liam Brooks

A walk down to the ground for us tonight, on account of BigAl informing everyone the road to Langford road was closed (turns out it wasn’t.. 🤭) oh and his cheeky lunch at Spoons earlier….🙄

Unusually we had to dig out the season tickets as there was a new face on the turnstiles, I’m sure they’ll get to know us pretty quickly ⚽️

It was the usual crew, less Bunnyman (still on his trip around the southwest perusing the local working men’s clubs…🤣

It was great the see JT, he’s had a terrible few months, so good to see him up and about…💚

After Saturdays great performance we were all buzzing for tonight’s match and hoping for a home win… this started to look in doubt when we changed ends and were kicking towards the BelEnd in the 1st half…never a good omen for us!😱

Waders made a good start and for the 1st 20 minutes, had the better of it; with Lacey, Brooks and Clemo all having chances. Hertford came into the game more, prompting a brilliant double save by Jack Berman 👏 he’s proving to be a top signing for us.

All the early efforts were to be undone when Hertford took the lead on 36 minutes 😳

Waders weren’t lagging behind for long though, with Liam McDevitt heading home in the box 😃😃⚽️

Unfortunately just 4 minutes later, right on half time we were behind again, with a deflected shot from the opposition 🙄

Out for the 2nd half, and another returning Wader, great to see Dave C back 💚⚽️

If we were going to get something out if this game, we needed to make a good start in this half…. Sadly Hertford made it 1 – 3 after 55 minutes 🤔

The rest of the game saw us desperately trying to claw it back, but even Clemo’s goal in the 78th minute wasn’t enough to save us 😪

A long walk back home; Wisbeach on Saturday in the FA Cup…. the coach will be lively I suspect, with this top group of lads 😂🎉

#GreenArmy #Waders #InDannyWeTrust 💚⚽️💚

Alcoholic Units – 1/2 a cider (Much to BDK’s disgust!)

Match rating – 8 / 10

GreenArmy MoM – Jack Berman 🙌

DJ’s Burger rating – 4 / 10

Ground Rating – 7 / 10

After a good pre-season – I only made 2 of the matches 😬(not a PS fan..) – unbeaten in fact, it was good to get back to league action; Bunnyman was missing in action today on his annual holidays, but the rest of the GreenArmy made the short journey west.

Today would be Danny’s 1st proper match in charge and he has certainly built up a decent looking squad whilst retaining some fans favourites.👍

A quick visit to the bar and it was time to get out for the 1st half… The sky was looking pretty dark, and I was beginning to regret stupidly listening to BigAls & Chelseaboys wise words of not needing my umbrella, that I’d stowed in the car….😪🤔

A bit of a cheek coming from a short ar$e like me,🤣🙃 but Waders looked pretty small in comparison to the well built Kempston team – 4 and 5 at the back were a couple of giants; like I say, most people are to me and BigAl though 🤣…

Waders started well, having the best of the early exchanges, with Drapes and Clemo both having chances.

In the 17th minute, against the run of play a Kempston striker was brought down in th, box by Luke Andrew… Penalty….😱

Berman stood his ground and made a good save!!

**BigAl’s media duties have stepped up a level with photoshop and various graphics to work with…. He may or may not of been a little stressed by now..🤓🤓🤯

Waders continued to press and were awarded a penalty after Drapes was brought down; Clemo stepped up and does what Clemo does best!!!😁⚽️💚⚽️

By now the heavens had opened and I left the GreenArmy in search of shelter 🤣🌧

The weather did break enough for me to return to pitchside where I was joined by BDK and his tales #PizzaGate 🍕🍕

Half time saw a visit to the burger bar for DJ, he lucked out and didn’t suffer the 30 minutes wait some of the others did…👀

2nd half was a slower start for us, allowing Kempston a couple of chances that Berman saved well🙌

Waders started to pick up the pace and in the 55th minute, the returning Liam Brooks fired in from just inside the box ⚽️💚😁

0 – 2!!! And the heavens opened again. Luckily this time we were under Kempstons one stand 😊🌧

Waders continued to press, now firmly in control and in the 75th minute, Brooks struck again….And just like that any past resentments vanished!; football fans are a fickle lot 🤣🤣 Welcome back Brooksy 👏💚

0 – 3!!!

A fair chunk of added time and then the final whistle!! Brilliant start lads!!! 👏👏💚⚽️💚⚽️👏👏

A soggy walk back to the car for us… August..😳

Tuesday night home to Hertford and Saturday away to Wisbeach in FA cup…🏆

#Waders #GreenArmy #InDannyWeTrust

2nd Oct 2022

Game Rating – 10 / 10

Wader MoM – Clemo!!

Oh gawd… where do I start this one? Lets all be honest, we thought Billericay would come here tonight and put the game to bed 😟.. In fact me and BigAl were convinced it was going to be another rerun of Wealdstone from a few years back…🥴

Well yee of little faith, I didn’t think you could top Saturdays match, but my goodness me I am still on a high a few days later! 🙃🙃🙃

We didn’t expect to see many away fans on a Tuesday night, but to be fair quite few turned up to cheer on their side 👏 I don’t think I have ever seen a queue like it at the burger van – and bless him he was all alone whilst Shelly looks after the new bubba 💚

The GreenArmy all gathered at the tunnel to watch Lew make his appearance as promised on Saturday (he was so excited) and a massive thanks to Dan Brathwaite who was brilliant with him 💚 Lew predicted that we would win 3 – 0🤔🤔

TraceyD had found a drum (anyone rember what happened to the last one, Bunnyman…😬😃) Lew would make good use of that tonight 🥁

Back to business:

The Waders came out strong, although much of the possesion was with the opposition, when we had the ball we took full advantage and made it 1-0 just after 30 minutes in thanks to Joe Howe after a great Chatlie Smith corner ⚽️😃

Just as I was trying to find the picture of the goal celebration for BigAl… Clemo decided to make it 2 – 0!!!! ⚽️😃what was going on?

2 – 0 at half time and I barely dared to breathe… Remember I’m married to a Spurs fan – so I know how these things so often go sideways…😱

Billericay kept pushing us, but our defence and the fabulous Timmy Smith didn’t let him anywhere near it! and then Clemo scored his 8th in the competition and sent the Green Army wild!

💚⚽️💚 We look forward to Farnborough away in the next round on BigAl’s birthday 🤫

#Waders #GreenArmy #FACup #Wembley #Clemo’sOnFire #Wadersno.1

3rd qualifying round FA cup

Alcoholic Units – 4 or 5….🤥

Ground Rating – 8 / 10

Friendliness – 3 / 10

1st October 2022

Ground Rating – 7 / 10

Waders MoM – Timmy Smith

A few of the Green Army were on the coach for todays match; Chelseaboy, Bunnyman, Grandad, Rodney, Lew, Em&M. I did wonder if we would make it at one point, when an hour into the journey we had barely left Stevenage! luckily Justin frequents these part nearly as much as BigAl and gave the driver an alternative route to fetch the rest of the player from South Mimms.

I don’t think any of us were hugely confident going into this – but it the FA cup, so there’s always a chink of hope. When we did arrive and the coach eventually shown a place to park we dismounted and made our way to the cash only turnstiles (turns out one of them was cash after all 🙄)- A few of us had bought the tickets online (an option I like) and so we made our way through meeting BigAl as he had dumped us muggles to walk though the special doors in his media man capacity…🤣

The clubhouse was massive, but was already packed with the crowd watching the NLD (unfortunately there were no friendly Spurs fans, it was a sea of red with pockets of ‘Stone Island’ 😐- Chelseaboy made his way to the bar, using his card for the 2nd time this year. after a while stood looking like idiots in the middle of the clubhouse we moved ourselves into a corner where BigAl was shielded from the NLD and we could at least lean against a wall.

By now DJ was demanding his burger – BigAl got a couple of salt beef bagels (they looked lush) from the snack bar (I say snack bar – it was massive, serving inside and out) – I managed to sneak one bite but it was then gone! DJ however was less than impressed and actually left some of the meat (I wish I’d realised earlier) – I really think that is a 1st for him… and it no insult to the bagels because they were indeed lush, it just if DJ wants and burger then DJ MUST HAVE a BURGER…

I almost forgot the one nice sight when walking into the clubhouse was Teddy from the Millwall crew, he decided to pay us a visit 🙂 Steve would have joined him but he’d booked tickets to watch Peter Andre swing his hips…

Both me and Em were amazed by the ladies loo’s – it was like a nightclub in there, certainly the best I have ever visited 🙂

So out for the 1st half, where we were joined by a couple of local lads who decided to throw their support behind us today…

Waders came out confidently as did the home side and the start was pretty even. Smyth had an early chance, but the keeper was all over it. Things remained even, but then against the run of play Billericay scored.

By now Chelseaboy, Lew and I had gone to get the next round in and before the whistle went we heard cheering and we thought the worst… when the GreenArmy joined us we were informed Waders had gone 2 – 0 down, but Obi had sneeked a cheeky one in right on half time 2 – 1…😃

So a teeny bit downbeat we headed out for the 2nd half… what would this bring 🤔 Happy to report that this half did bring DJ his much wanted burger and me some chips 😂

Billericay are no mugs and weren’t going to take it easy in this half, pressing our defence and the outstanding Timmy Smith who made save after brilliant save! sadly they did break through after about 10 minutes 3 – 1 👀

We could of given up, but you know the GreenArmy, we’re small but when ‘oiled’ up and led from the mighty Lewey – we can make some noise, and so we did ⚽️💚⚽️💚

I like to think that the Waders responded to this support 💚 who knows – but they certainly didn’t give up and with 9 minutes left after some wonderful play in the midfield, Waders scored 😃⚽️😃 3 -2

“Clemo’s on fire!!!!”

Time was ticking now and we grew louder (my thumb is still bruised from all that banging!🤣) and we weren’t disappointed when Clements smacked a shot through on 92.

The GreenArmy went mad!!! It was like we’d won the FA cup!

It was a lively journey home – I’m really starting to warm to this squad 💚⚽️ The players even asked Lew if he would lead them out at Tuesday nights replay 😍

#Waders #GreenArmy #Wembley #FACup #WadersNo.1

💚⚽️💚⚽️

18th September 2022

A great holiday with Chelseaboy and Jo – awesome to meet up with the Millwall crew again. As always we like to follow the Rojillo’s (Lanzarote) and when in town, what better place to be 🙂 Of course even better now they have opened the bar (last time we have to share Big|Al’s pepsi Max between 4 of us!

A rubbish performance from the Rojillo’s ‘ but a great day out!

10th September 2022 13th September 2022

FA Trophy

Ground Rating – 8 / 10

Friendliness – 10 / 10

Ground Rating – 8 / 10

Alcoholic Units – 2

We had planned another weekend Waders away trip – 3rd Saturday in a row 😍, however as we are all very aware the football got cancelled due to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth 11 😒 and the match was rescheduled for a Tuesday night… how I love a Tuesday night game 🤥

A few of the GreenArmy were due to be on this trip with (my boy Lew, Bunnyman, DJ, M&Em )joining us; but with the coach leaving at 4pm, it was unlikely there would be many of us – in fact it was me (yep you heard that right…) BigAl and Grandad…

After a pretty good run up to shepshed where we were welcomed with what felt like open arms by everyone from the turnstiles to the golden goals and program sellers to the barstaff – It think its fair to say this is up there with one of the friendliest grounds I’ve visited.

Overall it wasnt a bad performance from us, despite going a goal down we dominated the 2nd half with chances for Brathwaite and Clemo but we couldn’t find that equaliser 😬

We didn’t hang around after the final whistle – I retreated to under my jacket and the next thing I knew we were dropping some players at the services and it was 10 minutes past 12!! apparently the M1 was shut and we’d had hideous diversions..

Another fantastic game in goal for Timmy Smith!

Me BigAl and Chelseaboy unfortunately miss next weekend’s trip to East Thurrock in favour of meeting up with the Millwall crew in Lanzarote😎

#Waders #GreenArmy

3rd September 2022; FA Cup 1st round Qualifying

MoM – Ashley Hay

Attended- 217

Alcoholic Units – lost count after 5….

Ground rating – 8 / 10

Burger – 7 / 10

Our 1st coach trip with the Wader’s this season… 7 of us met at Langford road Bunnyman, ChelseaBoy, M, us and the return of Rodney and Grandad 😅 Aaron was most put out that Lew wasn’t around today, he’d brought him sweets and everything, looking forward to playing the switch 😜

The coach left on time with most of the players on board, just Robbie Parker and Joe Howe to pick up along the way.

Gawd know what the players were up to in the back, but they were noisier than the GreenArmy in the BelEnd after too many pints 😂 I stuck my headphones in to watch One Shot – looks like a great show about young academy players and the massive talent pool in South London – worth a watch! Anyhow the point of telling you that was I was peacefully minding my own business when I got sprayed with BigAl’s drink – he’d decided to spill it all down himself… at least it didn’t show too much on his light coloured shorts 🤔🤣

I don’t know what was funnier, him looking like he’s peed himself of the thought of him drying himself at the hand dryers and being walked in on…😂😂

£8 to get in and £1 a raffle strip. It was a nice setup although BigAl would struggle with connectivity in these parts. A round of drinks was £27 – 6 pints and a vodka Coke – we did the usual awayday kitty and apparently I was the responsible adult (again 👀) put in charge of it.

Out for the 1st half Dereham looked to be the bigger side physically, but on the pitch it was fairly even. Waders 1st opportunity was Jon Clements with a close range shot well saved by the home keeper. There were few other chances in the 1st half and we went in at the break goaless.

A couple of their fans were asking how long it had taken to get there as they feared a Tuesday night trip…

Out for the 2nd half in the home side’s BelEnd equivalent – it even had a BTFC sticker in it (not ours) – It looked like there fans might be making that trip up the A14, as it was much the same as the 1st half.

The turning point came in the 71st minute, which looked to us to be a harsh sending off for a 2nd yellow to the home team and then maybe they lost concentration because Harry Draper took full advantage scoring from a corner 😂 causing much jubilation from us!!!

A great day at the office today with a much improved Waders team who seem to be starting bond together nicely as a team. It was lively journey home with some initiations going on at the back, it has to be said their singing leaves much to be desired… that pun was for you Clem 🤣

#Waders #GreenArmy 💚⚽️💚⚽️

August 29th 2022

MoM – Jake Bunyan

Alcoholic Units – 4 👀

Entertainment value – 9/10

Today would be a strange one with us welcoming back our beloved Gaffa Nunny💚⚽️💚; unfortunately the return of our Waders legend is as manager of the opposition 🥺 and not just any old opposition, it should come as no surprise that Kempston are riding high under his stewardship….

I know it’s early days (BigAl keeps telling me 🙄) but having only managed a point so far, Waders really needed the 3 points today…

We met up with Bunnyman, Chelseaboy and Matty Mouser and family in Spoons before the walk down to Langford road. The clubhouse was busy when we got there – there was no burger van today so Tel had to settle for a half, I won’t mention his thoughts on Shelley daring to take some maternity leave and not serve his tea 🤣 (He was joking – I’m sure he was 🤔)

Like old times, Nunny was straight across to have a catch up with us before kick off, soon joined by the much missed JP💚 and we were even treated to a smile from Micky ☺️

Waders had an early scare when ex Wader Ben Stevens hit the post, but after this Waders seemed to galvanise, playing some nice football. Chances were created and it should of been no surprise to us after 20 minutes that Jake Bunyan’s deflected shot beat the keeper 😃

Apart from one chance, well saved by our very impressive young keeper Timmy Smith, Waders finished the 1st half the better side 👏

2nd half at the BelEnd and ex Wader & pro Darren Hay came over to see Tel 😍 and reminisce over the old days.

Out for the 2nd half and Waders carried on the good work with Brathwaite doubling the lead 😃 BigAl apologises for the misspelling on twitter.

Things should of been easy from here on… but remember we’re playing a Nunny side 🤔 And it wasn’t long before Kempston had pulled one back 😬

The visitors gained in confidence really pushing us for that next goal… that chance came via a penalty in the dying minutes that caused much drama between the 2 gaffas on the touch line….👀 they got their equaliser.

We stopped for a quick chat with Nunny and Kyle afterwards, always a pleasure this pair 💚💚

All in all an enjoyable afternoon – we played well and really shouldn’t have given the 3 points up… but as I said earlier, I was expecting a thrashing today!

Away to Dereham in the FA cup next Saturday – a few travelling on the coach – like 7 of us 🤣

#Waders #GreenArmy 💚⚽️💚