Tuesday 9 July
I have just received a text message from our editor of the first month's fixtures. Our first four games are at home! The Midland Combination's Fixture 'computer' works in mysterious ways, but at least it gives us a chance to get a few points in the bag.

Tuesday 16 July
Had an interesting conversation with FOLFC's new Media Officer, Simesy, tonight. He filled me in on the opening pre-season fixture, which had taken place on the Sunday, a 7v0 victory at Priors Marston. A good warm up by all accounts, with 17 players used. New recruit Jag Bahi and Si Wickson stood out. One thing I feel I must mention, as I feel very strongly about it is the fact that somebody else involved with FOLFC has unnecessarily voiced his opinion that people who stand on the North Bank are all yobs. I'm sure others would have something to say about this, but I'm not sure how I can come into this category when I have never been in trouble with the police in any shape or form, and I have never had a fight in my life!

Wednesday 17 July
I have just discovered in the local paper that Nuneaton Borough are bringing their first team to the New Windmill Ground on Saturday. Oh dear...

I have been trying for the past week to persuade Percy, one of my work colleagues, to come to the game. He constantly winds me up, calling our level of the game 'Mickey Mouse Pub Football', and calling me by the same name!

Saturday 20 July - Leamington 0v6 Nuneaton Borough
At last! Saturday afternoons can be spent, as they should be - watching the Brakes! Unfortunately this one was not pretty.

Although the lads did well to stay level for 20 minutes, they were outclassed after the first goal went in, which was unfortunately due to a goalkeeping error from our rookie keeper Sidhu. Pre-match we were treated to the bizarre sight of the first proper away following arriving at the New Windmill, and the bemused looks on the faces of the Borough directors, as they enjoyed a beer in our 'tent'!

This game was like home from home for me. My hometown team against my adopted hometown team! Our proper local derby, South versus North Warwickshire, fans mingling on all sides of the ground; the North Bank festooned with the flags of both teams. Incidentally, we won the battle of the big flags. I am now the proud owner of LFC's largest flag, a full four feet bigger than my workmate's Borough flag! However, on the pitch, we could only dream of a time when this game will feature on the league fixtures for Leamington. It is not nice watching your team being outplayed, whether it is a friendly or not! I asked my mate to text Percy and tell him we only lost 1-0 or something, so as to spare me at work the following day, but I was too late! Ah well, there's always next year...

Sunday 21 July
Taunted at work all morning! It's alright for you lot back home; you didn't have to put up with this! Good local coverage of Saturday's game back in Nuneaton. They gave us credit for trying hard, which was nice.

Tuesday 23 July - Leamington 1v3 Halesowen Town
Back again, this time for a somewhat more important occasion in our club's recent history - the big switching on of our floodlights. There was another first tonight also - the appearance of the new kit. Opinion is divided on the North Bank. I bought it, but gold and black just doesn't suit me, I'm waiting for the away kit! Brakes gave an improved performance against another higher placed team, but only registered a score through a quality own goal from a Halesowen defender, bringing cries of "Muppet!" from the North Bank. It was surreal finally being able to watch a game under the floodlights. With this development finally in place, we can concentrate on providing the funds for what will eventually be the central feature of the ground - the clubhouse.

Saturday 27 July - Leamington 3v2 Bedworth United
Brakes registered their first serious pre-season win against another old Warwickshire rival - although in truth we expected to win this, as most of the away team were reserves, who were thumped 7-2 in a cup game last season. Simesy reported, as I was unable to make the game due to my rotten shift pattern at work! We are still drawing in larger crowds for friendly games than most teams in Warwickshire will get for league games this season. Another piece of good news today, is that Rugby Town lost their first pre-season game, to Racing Club Warwick, of all teams! A certain Paul Eden was on the score sheet. It's a same we shall probably not be seeing him in Brakes colours again. Let us hope that Rugby have started as they mean to go on!

Tuesday 30 July - Leamington 3v1 Buckingham Town
A mucky day weather wise meant a low crowd for this one, but those who stayed away were the losers, as Brakes turned in a solid first half performance, and scored three cracking goals. We took refuge in the Harbury Lane End, half of which is now filled with the seats we collected from Oxford last season, waiting to be fitted. We had some quality banter with Buckingham's keeper, who was a real card. He was able to laugh at his own mistakes, something keepers can do well to have when visiting the New Windmill Ground! We also gave him credit for some good saves but were disappointed when he did not reappear for the second half.

Saturday 3 August - Woodford United 0v0 Leamington (at Banbury United)
I was unable to make the first game of this mini-tournament due to work, instead having to rely on Simesy, who is completely useless at relaying the scores to me when I am at work! When I finally got hold of him, I was disappointed to find out that we had lost on penalties after a goalless draw. Although Woodford are, in effect, a level higher in the pyramid, we had beaten them the previous pre-season. I had been looking forward to the prospect of Brakes playing Banbury in the final. Instead, we are playing Hook Norton, who apparently have a wealthy backer, and are paying good money to players. Sounds like another team we know... Speaking of which, Darran Tank was spotted on the Woodford United bench. Very strange.

Sunday 4 August - Leamington 1v4 Hook Norton (at Banbury United)
Picking up Simesy and JJ on the way, we reached Banbury's ground down what must be one of the worst approach roads in the country! Lucky for Roger Vincent that we knew where we were going, otherwise he would have got lost! We got in free by a stroke of luck, after the Hook Norton physiotherapist asked us to carry some boxes to the dressing rooms for him! Banbury have a nice little set up, but it could do with tidying up. Probably something like the Windmill may have looked, if it was still here. We were disappointed with the low turnout of Brakes fans, especially with it being a Sunday, so it was left to the three of us to provide the vocal encouragement for our goalkeeper-less team. The referee came in from some stick, from JJ in particular, after failing to give what looked a certain penalty, and didn't he, and the rest of the ground know it! One of the printable retorts was "Don't pretend you can't hear me, cos I can hear me from over there!" At half time the observant tannoy man commented that you could see which end the Leamington fans were due to a rather large flag. He was also berated for getting the names of some of our players wrong, in particular, Paul Nicholas! We put him right.

There is a rather nice low covered terrace at one end of the ground, in which we positioned ourselves in the second half. If there had been a few more of us we could have made a hell of a racket, but as it was, the three of us raised the decibel level with that terrace classic "One of us singing…" Paul Nicholls scored a quality goal that our efforts deserved, and we headed home shortly after the game, despite pleas from Banbury's friendly groundsman, to whom we had been chatting for most of the game, to stay and watch the final.

Wednesday 7 August
Speaking to a friend at work today, who told me that Rugby Town officials informed Barwell's press officer that they are going to walk the league this season. Nothing like standing yourself up to be shot at...

I am concerned at the lack of information we receive from the club, about almost everything, really. We have been left in the dark about most things this summer. We have had a number of new faces in our friendly games, yet nobody knows where they have come from. We were told on the FOLFC website that Doc Marten's standard players would be signed. Perhaps the club should consider appointing a Media Officer, or at least keep Roger Vincent informed so that he can update the FOLFC website. It is very frustrating not knowing what is going on, especially when you live away from Leamington as I do.

Saturday 10 August - Leamington 2v3 Coventry Sphinx
The final pre-season friendly, and a defeat, which doesn't throw out a very positive, sign for the season ahead. Simesy reported that the team was changed around a lot, and commented that maybe this game should have been treated as more than a friendly. I'm sure the two managers have the team in mind for the first game, but we have lost out on three pieces of silverware in pre-season. Winning one might have instilled that bit more confidence. Let's hope that, as last time, a mixed pre-season leads to more success, and hopefully, a trophy.

Wednesday 14 August
As if to prove my point, in today's Midweek Pink it says we have signed former Racing Club Warwick and Stratford Town player Ben Adams. We shouldn't have to find out things like this. Also, the paper informs us that Rugby lost their final pre-season game 6v0!

Saturday 17 August - Leamington 3v1 Meir King's Arms
The first day of the new season, and everything went swimmingly. Well, almost everything. The ground is in tiptop shape, sponsor boards on the floodlight pylons, the seats are in the Harbury Lane Terrace, providing a surprisingly good view of the pitch, which also looks fine. Simesy had been drafted in as tannoy man for the day, which was to provide some entertainment, as he missed all the substitutions, trying to blame me for the first! I took refuge with him in the tannoy position during the first half, to keep out of the sun. The first goal of our season went in from one Joshua Blake, and Simesy was on the blower to local radio station The Bear with a score update. I had the brainwave of asking the radio guy to give us the Premiership half times, as well as the welcome news that Coventry were losing!

After the unfortunate Mark Rowland was sent off for handball on the line, I decided to take my vocal talents up to the North Bank, and no sooner had I arrived then Paul Nicholls had put us back in front! No more than we deserved, really. After all the lads dominated the game, played some great stuff at times, and with a bit of luck may have had more to show for it.

The sight of the North Bankers trying to tell Simesy that Jonny Burgess had been substituted, then the large cheer that went up when he decided to announce it, five minutes later summed up the jovial atmosphere. Another amusing anecdote, for me anyway, was when I asked Vic Shepherd if I could get a photo of the team before the game when the guy from the Telegraph did his. No problem, was the reply, only for the photographer to ask me to take the names of the team down for him as they posed. By the time I'd done, as I wasn't 100% with the new lads, he'd finished, and I'd missed my chance! If the names are all mixed up on the team photo in the Pink on Wednesday, it'll be my fault!

Tuesday 20 August - Leamington 2v0 Pershore Town
If this is what night games are going to be like at the New Windmill Ground, I want more of it! Great atmosphere second half, strangely a larger crowd than for Saturday's game. One thing that did strike home, in this game far more than Saturday's, was that the standard of officiating is no better, sadly. Pershore put in some awful challenges, and equally, should have probably had a penalty themselves. Due to a good show from their keeper, for which he was acknowledged, Brakes took until late in the second half to break Pershore down, but deserved three points. "We are top o' the league, say we are top o' the league"!

Simesy has just provided me with an interesting fact: it is 41 games since we failed to score in a competitive fixture, apparently. I shan't argue with him...

Friday 23 August
Today we have signed Pershore's keeper! His name is Myles Day and he has also played for Exeter City. He will make his début tomorrow.

Saturday 24 August - Leamington 3v5 Continental Star
Back down to earth with a bump. This was probably one of the worst Brakes performances I have seen. They weren't really beaten by an outstanding team, they just didn't perform, although the fact that their first goal was given is a total joke. Everyone else could see that the ball was out of play except the linesman! I think, as supporters, our real problem is that we are so unused to seeing our team lose. I actually said to the lads in the second half, "Will you stop moaning and get behind the team?" We managed to get back level at 3-3, but Star simply went back and scored again. Spare a thought for poor Myles Day, who on his début never had a chance with any of the goals. I wonder what Richard Morris must be thinking?

Monday 26 August - Leamington 5v0 Southam United
Arrived ten minutes after kick off for this one, due to work, and was glad to have missed Josh Blake putting us one up! The crowd was a disappointing 543, for what is the most local of derby games until we play Racing Club Warwick in a couple of years! Southam never offered much, with a couple of Brakes old boys, and sons of Barry Proctor in the team, in (not sure of the names, sorry!), and conceded four more in the second half, Webb and Jag Bahi scoring against their old club, and Nicholls keeping up his record of scoring in every league game so far. I spotted Paul Eden in the crowd at half time. Very strange...

Simesy, JJ and myself travelled over to Rugby in the Evening to check out next Tuesday's opponents, Massey Ferguson, and also to see how our rivals are shaping up. There was a huge crowd as usual. They even had stewards! Rugby won 5v0.

Saturday 31 August - Romulus 1v2 Leamington
Cracking result against one of the supposed better teams in this division. We got to watch a game at a Doc Marten's standard ground, which is not up to much. Surely our ground will be one of the better ones in that league when we get back up there.

Backed by a large following, Brakes hit back after going behind against the run of play to score two before half time.

We are getting rather dry on the song front. If certain players are not playing, we don't have too many songs to sing. It was down to Geoff to provide an alternative, with a chorus of, "Lillington, Lillington, Lillington!", and "Eden Court, Eden Court, Eden Court!" The top of the table is starting to have a familiar look, even this early in the season.

Tuesday 3 September - Leamington 3v2 Massey Ferguson
As is always the case, our visitors from Coventry brought a stronger side to the New Windmill, and played decidedly better than they had against our 'orange friends'. Unfortunately for them, they underestimated our team's powers of recovery, as well as the backing of a noisy North Bank in the second half, the majority of which only seem to get behind the team when they are having to claw back a deficit. The referee was from Rugby, which may or may not explain some strange decisions, not least the penalty given against Timms.

The second half had all the drama - a second for Massey. They thought they had it won! A stirring fightback from Leamington, Nicholls equaliser was superb. Mort, missing a penalty. We couldn't believe it. He never misses penalties! And then, the most perfect bullet header into the top corner from their number three!!! He couldn't have done it any better if he'd tried!

If this is what night games are going to be like, I'm coming back for some more!

Thursday 5 September
We've been having a lot of discussions on the North Bank Banter Forum lately, about the possibility of starting a fund for terracing the North Bank, and looking at what would need to be done to the ground to bring it up to scratch for the Midland Alliance. I looked up the name of the secretary for the league, obtained an address, and I have sent for the ground grading criteria.

Saturday 7 September - King's Heath 1v4 Leamington
A routine easy away victory, this. King's Heath didn't deserve one, which was another dodgy penalty decision. Barry Shearsby celebrated his birthday with a couple of goals, along with the now obligatory own goal, and Paul Nicholls failed to score for the first time this season.

Some of the older members of the North Bank took a trip down memory lane by visiting a pub down the road in Alvechurch which was the scene for them getting a kicking from the locals some years back! The ground isn't what it used to be though. I was talking to an old gentleman who told me that there was once a crowd of 10,000 over at Lye Meadow. Hard to imagine, nowadays.

Tuesday 10 September - Leamington 2v0 Alveston
I had to miss my first game of the season today, due to work, and I asked Simesy to text me the score, but as usual, he let me down! Ah, well, we're through to the next round anyhow.

Saturday 14 September - Leamington 1v0 Fernhill County Sports
This must be one of the most boring games ever witnessed at the New Windmill Ground! Barry Shearsby scored after 3 minutes, and er, that was about it really. We stood on the North Bank discussing the trip to Barrow. We have decided to hire a minibus and make our way up there, with yours truly navigating. Should be fun...

We also discussed the fact that Birmingham City have nicked one of our chants for away teams! When Keith reads out the names of the away team at home games, we shout out, "Who?", and when he gets to the end, "Who are ya, who are ya, who are ya?!" Doesn't sound the same as when 28,000 people are shouting it, though!

Sunday 15 September The pages of The Non-League Paper informed me that Barrow lost their first game of the season yesterday. What great timing! I told my mate who plays for Ellistown in the same league, that his team would lose, and sure enough they did, but the poor lad scored a hat trick! One of my shift managers at work, who is involved with Ellistown in some capacity, has asked me for a phone number to set up a pre-season friendly next season.

Tuesday 17 September - Hinckley United 0v1 Worcester City
As Brakes had no midweek game I decided to take the short trip to Hinckley United for their match against Worcester City. My friend Gill, who I work with, supports Hinckley, and works in their club shop when he can get down there. I am going to sort him out with my old Brakes scarf, to take pride of place on the wall, with various others they have in there. Of course, Hinckley's club shop holds a good memory for me, as it is where I first discovered the Brakes, via Issue 1 of Windmill Wonderland! But that's another story...

One thing you do notice about Doc Marten's League football is that the players are a lot bigger, but there is no atmosphere at all! Not even a song from the away fans, even when they scored! Very strange. Makes you realise that what we have, at Midland Combination level, is very unique. I had a look through the vast programme collection in the shop to see if I could find any Midland Alliance ones. I came up with a few. There were some Loughborough ones from games against us, and Rugby in there. Hinckley lost 1v0 but were unlucky not get something from the game, as they battered Worcester in the second half.

Wednesday 18 September
The Ground Grading Criteria for the MFA dropped through the door this morning. I spent nearly two hours typing it up onto a post for the North Bank Banter Forum! First impressions are that we will struggle to complete the necessary work in time to be considered for next season. I shall pass this information on to the club on Saturday, as somebody reported back from the FOLFC meeting that they do not have it yet.

Saturday 21 September - Barrow Town 0v1 Leamington
The day we'd all been waiting for arrived, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It began for me at around 1pm, with about ten blokes piling into my house to use the toilet, before we set off. I'd decided to take the country route, mindful of the fact that some Nuneaton Borough fans had died while returning from Bournemouth on a minibus the previous year. We invaded the village pub in Nailstone, where the locals were very friendly, before arriving at Barrow in good time. The weather was perfect, and we made use of the road cone we had 'borrowed' to give out the teamsheet before the game! Kevin Hancock had this idea at Romulus, when there was no tannoy, so we shouted out the team ourselves! The game was tight, but a splendid performance from the whole team, and another strike from Shearsby gave us the passage to the First Round proper. The locals were very bemused by it all, indeed, I heard one lady commenting that our lads must feel like professionals, because of the adulation they receive!

I gave a copy of the ground criteria to Vic Shepherd, only to be told that they already had a copy of it! This somewhat took the wind out of my sails, but I was commended for showing initiative!

Our journey home was broken up by another pub stop. The road cone came in useful again when a tractor loomed ahead of us, so I stuck the cone out of window, and yelled through it, "Get out the way!". And it worked!

Sunday 22 September
I was very disappointed to find that coverage of our game in papers today was absolutely non-existent. I am going to write a letter to The Non-League Paper to complain.

Monday 23 September
The draw for the First Round proper of the FA Vase took place at 11am this morning. I was glued to my PC waiting for it appear, but in the end I got fed up waiting, and wasted about three pounds on my telephone bill ringing up a clubcall line to find out! I was first to the forum with the news that we are away again, at Mickleover Sports. I set about finding out what I could about our next opponents...

Saturday 28 September - Leamington 0v0 Coventry Marconi
I borrowed a telescopic lens from my cousin before the game, and, along with my dad's camera, had a go at getting some half decent photographs. I take a camera to most games, but it's hard to get close to the action without a really good camera, which is why I'm full of admiration for what the young lad and his father are doing with their video camera. I picked up my copy of the goals magazine they are producing on video today. I think it's great, because it gives you something to remember the season by. It's better than trying to recall the goals in your head, and great for people who can't get to all the matches. Speaking of which, I don't think they'll get many requests for a tape of this game! Brakes were up against a useful, but niggly side, and battled well for a point, despite playing nearly three quarters of the game with 10 men.

I spotted Rugby Town's joint manager Tommy Young at the corner of the North Bank at half time. We chatted about the game, and the league in general. He said that Alvechurch and Highgate are now paying their players, as they want to get out of this league. He thinks we may get 1,500 for the Boxing Day clash, if we are both still up there challenging, though I think that is debatable, on the strength of the events of last season's meeting.

One extremely annoying thing to come out of today, is the fact that the league have decided to screw around with our fixtures for October, and we will now have no game next Saturday. We were planning on taking the minibus to Meir, so this has disappointed us. We have looked at the local games on offer, and decided to go to Rugby United versus Weston-super-Mare.

Tuesday 1 October - Coventry Sphinx 2v4 Leamington
Another night of suspense, as I am down in Somerset on holiday. I received the score from Micky, a newcomer to the forum, after posting a plea for someone to text me the score, in case Simesy forgot again! He did actually ring me about half an hour after the match, and was most surprised that I already knew the result! This puts us top of the league for the first time this season, albeit only for 24 hours.

Wednesday 2 October - Taunton Town 0v2 Tiverton Town
I went to see this game to make up for missing Coventry Sphinx versus Leamington. I thought I may be able to pick up some ideas for new songs, etc, but they aren't that into their football down there, unfortunately! The crowd was 1,365, but then it was a local derby. I had never seen either of these two sides before, but Tiverton were impressive, showing their higher league status, scoring midway through the first half, and sealing the game late in the second. Brakes fans have a long, long way to go before we are watching our team playing at this standard. Taunton's ground is tidy enough, but at both ends of the ground they have covering almost identical to the Harbury Lane End, except not as long.

Two guys from Exeter City sat down on the other side of my fiancée. One of them said he was the manager, I'm not so sure he was the first team manager though! Need to look that one up...

I didn't receive a text from Jason with Rugby's score, but Simesy rang me later, and informed me that they had fluked another 1-0 at Marconi...

Thursday 3 October
Simesy rang tonight with news of more signings for the rivals, and that Leamington's Youth Team had drawn 2-2 at Rugby Town.

Friday 4 October
Spent a couple of hours catching up with the internet this afternoon. It seems Richard Morris may be leaving us, which is a shame.

Saturday 5 October - Rugby United 1v0 Weston-super-Mare
A late morning phone call from Windmill Wonderland editor, Mark Chadderton, who was up for the Meir game, ensured his presence at Butlin Road. I arrived rather early, and took a walk round the ground chatted to some club officials, and admired the new stand, which I have to say, is very impressive. We met John, the Rugby webmaster, who had in his possession some interesting plans for our rivals new ground. 'The Daddy' was hoisted up in the terrace behind one of the goals, just to let everyone know we were there. Unfortunately, one of the Weston fans took offence when we started a chorus of, "How high, do you want the goal", as a shot sailed over the bar, and rudely told us to go and stand up the other end. Subsequently, this had a bearing on which way we wanted the result to go. We got our wish, with a goal after 88 minutes which sent the foul-mouthed visiting fans back to Somerset pointless. Ha!

Jason Pearcey, who played one friendly game for Brakes, was pleased to see us, and received a chorus of, "Leamington reject!"

Wednesday 8 October - Feckenham 2v3 Leamington
Another midweek game missed due to work! Brakes led 3v0, apparently, before making it difficult for themselves in the second half. By all accounts, the highlight of the evening was Bob Smith-Ward ranting at some foul-mouthed teenage girls in the stand, who had said something he didn't take kindly to!

Saturday 12 October - Leamington 2v0 Nuneaton Griff
A message from Pauline on the forum this morning informs us that Richard Morris has left the club, to play for Alveston as an outfield player. I can understand his reasons for leaving, but this leaves us desperately short of goalkeeping cover. Place your bets now for a Morris goal against Brakes later in the season!

Brakes warmed up for the next round of the FA Vase with a good win over previous Premier Division Champions Griff. This, coupled with Rugby losing at Romulus, takes us top of the league, albeit having played a game more.

The Griff keeper came in for some stick in the second half, for bearing more than a passing resemblance to Mr Bean. He was not amused, and reacted as if he'd won the FA Cup after saving a penalty from Darren Timms, conveniently forgetting that he'd already let in two goals! The best song of the day for the hapless custodian had to be, "Two teeth, he's only got two teeth!"

We left the New Windmill Ground not knowing when we would return, as the league have not yet announced November's fixtures.

Tuesday 15 October
We have drawn some tough games for November, including Alvechurch, the pointless Invitation Cup game against Rugby Town, and the return of Morris with Alveston at the end of the month. There have been whispers of another signing from Racing Club Warwick (where else?). We could need extra cover, with Shearsby suspended, and other injuries.

Rugby lost their game in hand at Bolehall Swifts tonight, which puts us clear at the top of the league on merit.

Saturday 19 October - Mickleover Sports 2v0 Leamington
What started as a promising day, ended in total disappointment. I was picked up from home by the mini bus at 10.15, and we arrived at Mickleover not long after midday. They weren't ready for us in the social club, so we made our way down the road to the nearest public house. Pictures of Derby County and Brian Clough adorned the walls, but there was a signed England shirt belonging to Stuart Pearce among them. It turned out that the landlord was a Forest fan! We enjoyed a few games of pool, before the FOLFC coaches turned up. This was where the day started to go sour, really. Someone, who knows who he is, had the gall to verbally attack Simesy for us not travelling on the coaches, and accusing us of not putting money into the club. Simesy is not the sort of person to get easily annoyed, but this was uncalled for. We have valid reasons for not using the FOLFC transport - the fact that I don't live in Leamington being one of them.

We moved on to the ground, and were in good spirits. Unfortunately, the match turned out to be a damp squib from our point of view, the early loss of key players not helping. You could perhaps point to that maybe being part of Mickleover's game plan, but overall they were the better side.

What definitely did not help, was the fact that the North Bankers were split on two sides of the ground, instead of all getting behind the goal to support the team, as we normally do. Unfortunately, factions have appeared in our support, due to people not getting on, and this does not help when trying to get behind the team. Subsequently the support was rather muted, as it tends to be when things are not going our way. This mirrored the atmosphere on the mini bus on the journey home. Oh well, time to 'concentrate on the league!'

Tuesday 22 October
As the Midland Combination had decided to throw a fixture change on us for the coming Saturday's game, Simesy and myself decided to pay a visit to Highgate United, Leamington's next opponents, who just happened to be playing Rugby Town. I arrived rather early, and was surprised, when I asked where I had to pay to get in, to be told that "someone will come round for the money". They will certainly lose out if they don't do 'pay on the gate' on Saturday! Simesy arrived just after kick off, with his 'friend', Sarah, who, as it was her first football match, had been hoping that Leamington drew their FA Vase match the previous Saturday. This was a poor substitute!

Although I will not be attending on Saturday, I would hope that the weather is bad, for the simple reason that there is nothing to Highgate's ground, other than a long, terraced stand running along one touchline. There is no hard standing at all, so everybody would be under the same roof, and could really get behind the team. Rugby scored early on in the bad conditions. Highgate gifted them two own goals towards the end of the game, but if Brakes aren't on their mettle on Saturday, they are a useful side and could hurt us.

Saturday 26 October - Highgate United 0v0 Leamington
Another delayed wait for the full time score at work (Micky beat Simesy to it!) brought news of a dull 0v0, the only action of note was that Thompson was knocked to the floor by a flying ball thrown back onto the pitch by Simesy at half time! I spent the rest of my evening laughing at a Leicester City supporting workmate, who had been taunting me during the afternoon because they were beating my other team, Forest, 2v0, despite me trying to explain to him that I wasn't interested. Forest equalised 5 minutes into injury time!

Read in Sport Argos tonight that our friend Neil Leach has signed for Racing Club Warwick! Natural progression, you understand. After all, where do players go after they have played for Warwick?...

Tuesday 29 October - Southam United 1v4 Leamington
At last! Some goals to cheer, though we really should have been celebrating an avalanche of the blinking things! Despite many personnel changes, Southam were truly awful, and we took much delight in letting the players and the coaching staff know it. Although this was only a cup game, I hope there will be a larger travelling contingent at next month's league meeting. Newly signed youth team whizz-kid James Harri made a substitute appearance towards the end, Barry and Jason relenting to Simesy's cries of, "I want Harri", and looked useful. Now, if we can just transfer some of these goals to the league games...

Wednesday 30 October
Another scouting mission tonight, just across town this time, to the Pingles Stadium, home of Nuneaton Griff. Despite living in the town for over two years, this was the first time I had been to a Griff game, and, wouldn't you just know it, they were playing Rugby Town! I got chatting to the old bloke on the gate, who assured me that when we visit for our league game we will be charged £2, which will be a welcome change. He surprised me by asking, "Are you the lad who supports Leamington and lives over here?" I wondered how he knew that, but then he reminded me that I had given someone directions back to Nuneaton from the New Windmill Ground when we had played them.

They are looking forward to our visit, as they don't get many going to watch them, and I am going to try and persuade workmates to come down and see the game. Rugby sneaked a 2v1 win with the last kick of the game, after being reduced to ten men when a defender went to hospital with a bad injury and all their substitutes were on. Talk about lucky!

Saturday 2 November - Leamington 5v2 Meir King's Arms
Around a dozen or so of us (fool?)hardy North Bankers braved 90 minutes of rain, plus the delay to the kick off caused by Meir's players arriving late, to watch what turned out to be a rousing victory. Darren Timms had the brolly brigade singing in the rain with his first Leamington hat-trick (I think!). Nice to see him celebrate in front of the North Bank after his first. I think he was relieved after missing so many chances on Tuesday. What was disappointing was the low turn out of 277, quite possibly our lowest yet. A bit of rain never hurt anybody! The flag spent more than 2 hours in the tumble dryer and still is not dry - I blame Keith Hancock for encouraging me to put it up!

Tuesday 5 November - Fernhill County Sports 2v0 Leamington
Disappointed to receive a call at work from Simesy telling me we were one down. He rang off saying that Fernhill had got a free kick on the edge of the box, only to ring back seconds later to say that it was actually a penalty, and we were now two down.

Saturday 9 November - Bolehall Swifts 1v0 Leamington
We hoped the team could get back to winning ways today, but sadly we drew a blank again. We took a lovely stand behind the goal, corrugated iron back and wooden bench seats, perfect for making some noise! But it didn't help on this occasion. Very disappointing. We nipped down to Tamworth's ground and caught the last five minutes of their match with Cambridge City. They won to go top of the Southern League. It seems a long way off for us at present. By and large we were ignored in the Tamworth clubhouse, but one or two did give us odd looks. Maybe one day, they will know who we are...

Sunday 10 November
I am creating a forum for our next stop league-wise, the Midland Alliance. The league doesn't appear to be very well represented on the net, so I have contacted the webmaster of their official site to see whether he minds me doing it, and if he'll let me link it to the site. I have also contacted three club web sites to inform them, so hopefully we can get some interest going before we get there, and chat with other teams fans instead of just Rugby's made-up ones all the time...

Tuesday 12 November - Leamington 1v2 Rugby Town
An improved performance, but still the cutting edge up front seems to be lacking. Harj Dhesi, still not match fit (his words, not mine!) was given a chance up front tonight and worked well with Josh, leaving Webb free to his normal role. We were never totally outplayed, as many of us had expected to be, and thus we weren't too fussed about the result. The North Bank sung when losing, drawing, and losing again, but we'll doubtless get the usual comments on the internet tomorrow. Rugby Town's bench behaved in their usual manner, outlining just why they are disliked by many Brakes fans. Countless times they were all on the pitch, and not once was anything said to them.

We are looking to Saturday now, hopeful that the spirit shown tonight can be transferred into a much needed league victory.

Wednesday 13 November
As expected, the usual rubbish on 'Talk of the Town'. "We should have scored six...", "The gulf between the teams...", "Blah, blah, blah..." Ungracious in victory, ungracious in defeat. Some things never change...

Saturday 16 November
Gutted! First postponement of the season. Can't even afford to go and watch a game anywhere else, and all the teams in the area are playing away from home today anyway!

Monday 18 November
Got my copy of the new Non-League Club Directory through the door today. There are virtually no details at all on Leamington, so I have e-mailed the editor with virtually every detail possible! At least next year's book will have some information in it!

Tuesday 19 November - Alvechurch 1v2 Leamington
Fantastic! A game which we were pessimistic about, due to Alvechurch being unbeaten in the league, and we get a win! In the last minute! And I wasn't there. Again. Worse is to come. The boys will have to do without my support for the whole of December bar two games, due to Christmas and shift patterns. Grrr...

This should set us up nicely for Southam away on Saturday, and hopefully a goalfest...

Saturday 23 November - Racing Club Warwick 1v5 Gresley Rovers
Another postponement! Unfortunately I was already in Leamington by the time I found out, having a drink in town with my cousin when I received a text from Simesy. We met up, and mulled over our options, eventually deciding to go and visit Racing Club Warwick. Oh Dear! They may proclaim to be the top team in the area, but they have that title in status only! Their facilities leave a lot to be desired, and the pitch is awful, the team not much better. We stood round by the dug-outs, and chatted to Gresley Rovers manager, former Leeds player Jon Newsome, as his team took Warwick apart with four first half goals. You have to feel a bit sorry for them really! They improved in the second half, conceding one and scoring one. We spotted Agar, and were rather worried when he told us that Myles is injured, and will be out for some weeks, meaning we have no keeper for the match at Rugby on Tuesday.

I left Warwick vowing not to return, unless Brakes are playing there, though by the time that happens they should have a new ground.

Monday 25 November
Rugby 'fans' are claiming that they will record four victories over us this season. Well, they already have one towards that target, but we must all pray to God that it does not happen!

Tuesday 26 November - Rugby Town 2v1 Leamington (aet)
Another defeat to the bitter rivals, but at least we pushed them all the way. The match was soured before it had started really, when Jason, our text contact, informed Simesy that he had heard from a reliable source that people from both towns were planning to come to the game to cause trouble. We decided to leave the flags at home. There were a number of stewards present, and a couple of Police officers, but I still felt uncomfortable. I am the biggest wimp out, I have never had a fight in my life, and during half-time when some of the people who were at the scene of the previous incident in April were spotted, I stayed well out of the way. Thankfully, the problem was dealt with, and they left without incident, but it still rankles that they were able to walk into the ground through a gate which should not really have been open. Who's to say something won't happen at the league game, when more of us are present?

Anyway, the game. Lee van der Heyden, Brakes youth team keeper, made his début, which left some fans expecting a hammering, but the lad was tremendous all night, was not at fault for either goal, and did more than enough to merit a run in the team. We got right behind him after he made a good stop early on. There was another shock in this game. There really are Rugby Town fans! And they were singing! At the ninth attempt they finally found their voices, needless to say the Brakes faithful were not impressed! Their repertoire of songs left a lot to be desired as well!

Harj Dhesi put Brakes ahead midway through the second half with a low free kick that sneaked inside the post, but Rugby equalised, and unfortunately scored a winner during the second period of extra-time. This period was also significant, as Paul Nicholls made his long awaited comeback from injury. We were encouraged by the performance, which proves that this 'gulf' talked about by some people, is nonsense.

Saturday 30 November - Leamington 1v1 Coventry Sphinx
We expected a better performance after Tuesday, but the first half was rather flat, as Brakes went a goal behind. Still there were new signings to cheer us up. Andy Biffin, a goalkeeper who has played for numerous Midland clubs was making his début, and Andy Ellis, who numbers Woking and Worcester City among his previous clubs, was on the bench, and added bite when he came on. We were disappointed and a little angry that van der Heyden wasn't playing, as there had been a rumour that he had left for Oldbury United, but it appears that he has work commitments.

The weather was wet and cold again, which led to some of what was left of the North Bank wimping out under the Harbury Lane End cover. Simesy, JJ and I remained, bellowing out our songs, and requesting that Harbury lane do the same. And, we almost got a response!

The second half was much improved, but I couldn't tell you what Darren Timms's goal was like, as I was on my way back to the car to fetch my brolly when he scored it!

Tuesday 3 December - Leamington 5v1 Highgate United
Some news to cheer whilst at work tonight - half time score from Micky: Brakes 4v1 up! Timms 2, Blake 2. Fantastic! Nicholls came on again in the second half and grabbed a goal, which is encouraging. It says a lot about him that all the games we have lost this season but one, have been while he has been injured. The cold weather is proving too much for some though. Only 243 there tonight.

Saturday 7 December - Atherstone United 0v3 Mangotsfield United
Unbelievable! The third postponement in four weeks. Was looking forward to this game as well. Simesy and Lee were on their way up anyway, so we decided to take in the game between Atherstone and Mangotsfield United, and ended up having quite a good afternoon! We saw three goals in the first twenty minutes, all in home keeper Dale Belford's net. Belford, you may remember, guested for Brakes when they won 2-1 at Nuneaton Borough in the Leamington Invitational Trophy last year. He was a good sport.

We had a good laugh with four Mangotsfield fans, singing at each other during the game, and generally confusing the locals by belting out Brakes songs at regular intervals. We visited the clubhouse after the game, and deafened everybody when Simesy announced the final score from the Rugby Town FA Vase game!

We promised to meet up with the Mangotsfield fans again at some stage.

Tuesday 10 December - Leamington 4v3 Romulus
I could have made this game, but chose not to, as I am undertaking a fitness regime, which is taking it out of me at present - plus it was bloody cold! Simesy was the bringer of bad tidings at half time, we were 2v1 down. No doubt Romulus have drafted in some 'ringers' to help them out. I await more news after full time. Nothing. I take a call from my friend telling me Tamworth have gone top of the Doc Marten's League. I ring Simesy, and to my delight he tells me we have won 4-3, after being 3-1 down with 10 minutes to go! And Paul Nicholls scored two. What a time to start getting some form back before the big one at the end of the month...

Saturday 14 December - Leamington 2v1 Feckenham
Another dreary day and a low-ish crowd, but another three points to raise us, along with Rugby only drawing with the Police, means that despite a poor November, we are still in touch at the top! This game was incident packed, not least because of the antics of dirty, fouling Feckenham. Their players clearly didn't like being heckled, especially their number 7 who should at least have been booked after putting Webb out of the game, and possibly the rest of the season. They scored just before half time, fouling Andy Biffin in the process, then three of them, including our friend number seven proceeded to shout, "'Ave it!", and gesture at us from the back of the net. Andy Biffin about summed it up as he retrieved his towel from the net at half time: "Dirty fouling b*****ds!" However, within five minutes of the restart, we were in front, and took great delight in returning the Feckenham players taunts for the rest of the game. "'Ave it!" Strangely, their number seven came nowhere near the North Bank for the rest of the game. Andy Biffin was carried off injured near the end of the game, which is worrying.

Sunday 15 December
It turns out Biffin has broken his leg, and will not play again this season. What will we do for a keeper now?

Tuesday 17 December
Switched on my computer this evening, about half an hour before leaving for Coventry, only to find the game was off. How can it be off? It hasn't rained all day! Waterlogged pitch. Pah!

Saturday 21 December - Pershore Town 0v3 Leamington
As I was stuck at work for 12 hours, I was hoping for a positive result today, not least because it could well be our only chance of some silverware this season. Sure enough, Micky did me proud. Get in! Into the semi-finals! We're hoping for a trip to Villa Park, as the final of this cup has been played there in two of the last three seasons.

Sunday 22 December
Terry Ford informed us on North Bank Banter forum that we will be playing either Alvechurch or Handrahan Timbers in a two-legged semi-final, so if we can overcome that hurdle, we must stand a great chance of winning it. I am going to e-mail Norman Harvey and try and find out where the final will be played this year.

Thursday 26 December - Tamworth ?v? Hinckley United
Having had a pleasant Christmas Day, Simesy, JJ and myself had decided we would go to a Doc Marten's Premier Division game at Tamworth and support Hinckley United for our Boxing Day fix, as Brakes inexplicably had no game. We took the flags with us, and arrived just before kick off. With a little help from us, Hinckley's 20 or so fans managed to out sing Tamworth, a little strange given that they are top of the league. We managed to get 'The Daddy' half up for the second half, just to try and confuse people! We even got a chorus of, "Leamington, what's the score?" from the Tamworth fans! Our ground hopping can only help raise the club's profile, as amazingly, some people are still unaware the town has a football club again. People we speak to always remember AP, but are not always aware of the new Brakes. We soon put them straight!

After returning to my house in the afternoon, we popped down to Manor Park to catch the last half hour of Nuneaton Borough v Burton Albion, and probably saw more entertainment there than we had at the game we paid for!

Saturday 28 December - Leamington 0v0 Rugby Town
Thankfully, this match passed off with no repeat of last season's trouble, although I for one found myself constantly looking around in the first half to spot any potential trouble makers. The crowd was lower than the previous two, probably due to that, and the weather. Leamington matched Rugby all the way this time, and undoubtedly had the better scoring opportunities, but a draw was about right this time.

Wednesday 1 January
I had changed my shift in order to be able to get to Alveston, so I was understandably peeved when I received a text informing me that the game was off. Blinking weather...

Saturday 4 January
Yet another postponement, as the cold snap is now upon us. I opted to stay in the warm this afternoon and listen to Forest get knocked out of the FA Cup on the radio...

Saturday 11 January - Tamworth 3v0 Nuneaton Borough
I reckon we must have suffered more postponed games this season than in the whole of last term already. Every other game in the area was off, so I decided to take a chance on the big FA Trophy game between Tamworth and Nuneaton Borough, which apparently was a sell-out. On making a phone call I was told that I probably wouldn't be refused entry, so I decided to go, as I knew that a couple of Brakes fans were going to the game, meeting up with my Borough supporting friend from work. I made it into the ground fairly early, so I ventured into the clubhouse, and had a long conversation with a Tamworth fan, explaining Leamington's position to him. I made my way outside before kick off, as the ground was starting to fill, to see if I could get into the Borough end. There was segregation, in the interests of preventing crowd trouble, as the two towns are quite close together. Borough had their own stewards there, and initially they wouldn't let me through, but I located my mate when he came to put his flag up, and he had a few words with the stewards, and they opened the gate and let me through, to my relief!

Tamworth are chasing the Southern League title that Brakes won almost 20 years ago, and with Borough being in the Conference, this was a big game for them. They scored after five minutes, and again at the start of the second half. Borough's goalkeeper was unluckily sent off, and their striker had to go in goal, but he did not concede any more than the three that had already gone in, and many of the away support had gone by the final whistle. One of the Leamington lads commented how much Tamworth's ground reminded him of the Old Windmill Ground.

Tuesday 14 January - Rugby United 0v2 Telford United
I had a choice tonight. I could either go across town and watch Nuneaton play Bedworth in the Birmingham Senior Cup, and possibly get caught up in trouble being caused by local nutters, or I could go to Rugby United and watch them play Telford in the FA Trophy. I decided on the second option, and took the flag in with me, to support Warwickshire!

To my horror, the Telford fans made their way down to where I was standing, as their team were kicking towards that end, but I was safe enough, save for a few comments about the flag.

Saturday 18 January - Southam United 1v2 Leamington
Our first match of the New Year, and I couldn't go, as I was working! Still, a good result, and with Rugby getting thrashed at Castle Vale King's Heath, puts us right back in contention!

Tuesday 21 January - Barwell 1v7 Hinckley United
Another ground hop tonight, as I had been asked if I wanted the day off work tomorrow, I went to Barwell with my friend Gill from work to watch Hinckley. This is the first Midland Alliance standard ground I have visited, so I took the opportunity to have a good look round. It's a tidy little ground, with a nice new stand not long been built but our own ground doesn't look far off the standards needed for the next league, if this is anything to go by. On the pitch, Barwell were totally outclassed by Hinckley, who are two leagues above them, and they ran out comfortable winners. There is a very nice bar in the Indoor Bowling complex, as the football ground is part of an area which also includes the Cricket Club.

Saturday 25 January - Leamington 2v1 Handrahan Timbers
Finally, a Brakes game! After nearly a month, I made the trip down to the New Windmill Ground to see the boys in gold and black. The ground has undergone some changes since my last visit, with the footings having been put in for the clubhouse, a shed to protect the man on the gate from the elements, and a larger sweet shop. There have been a lot of trees planted up on the North Bank, which we will be glad of in years to come as they shield us from the elements!

Brakes put us through the usual emotions of a home game, by falling behind, then hitting the visitors with two quick goals. Effective, but doesn't do the heart any good! I got a bit annoyed with the other North Bankers for not singing with me when our physiotherapist asked us to make some noise while walking back from treating a player. It's true, half of them 'only sing when we're winning!'

Tuesday 28 January - Leamington 0v3 Castle Vale King's Heath
Disappointing news via a text from Micky whilst at work, to find that we were well beaten. We had received news on the internet that King's Heath had a new manager and better players, since taking over Paget Rangers ground, and so it proved. Add to that the fact that they had thrashed Rugby 4v1 the Saturday before, and it's a good job they are too far behind to have a say in the title race!

Saturday 1 February - Continental Star 2v4 Leamington
Revenge is sweet! Cracking first half performance, and a contender for goal of the season from Barry Shearsby second half wiped out the memory of that 5v3 home defeat. We had a good day, and gave the team noisy backing throughout. Say, 'We Are Top Of The League!'

Tuesday 5 February - Leamington 2v2 Alveston
It was the return we had all feared, but Richard Morris was preventing goals, not trying to score them, and he did a fine job of it. The most disappointing aspect of this match was the fact that we could have gone clear at the top, but we blew it again. Not a lot to warm the cockles, as it were, on a freezing cold night...

Saturday 8 February - Alvechurch 1v0 Leamington
A frustrating defeat on an awful pitch. The North Bank faithful were tormented by a group of young kids throughout, the sort that have been mentioned here before, and experienced at places like Mile Oak Rovers and Coventry Sphinx. We should have known - whenever there are kids like that about, we always lose! The Villa Park dream is still alive, however...

Wednesday 12 February - Nuneaton Griff 1v2 Leamington
A first for me in my football supporting life today - my first England game. Just a shame it had to coincide with Leamington playing in Nuneaton, something it's fair to say I was not best pleased about when I found that the league had switched the fixture from the previous Tuesday!

I set off with two of my work friends, and we drove down to Stanmore, and took the tube train into Baker Street, passing what is left of Wembley Stadium on the way. You can just about see the last of the Twin Towers - a sad sight. We got off at Baker Street, and met up with some more lads from Nuneaton, and also some from Leamington, including a couple of North Bank Banter contributors. The journey to Upton Park was a laugh. The tube trains were packed out, but we had some good banter. Wouldn't fancy it on my own though! We went to another pub, which was packed out and buzzing in anticipation of the match, which turned out to be the worst part of the day! West Ham's ground is certainly impressive, and we had a good view, but the England performance wasn't up to much. I was cheered up by the news from Micky that Brakes had won. I should have stayed home and gone to that game instead!

Saturday 15 February - Leamington 1v0 Coleshill Town
This has to be one of the most boring games seen at the New Windmill Ground ever! Not much action to cheer apart from the goal from the returning Thompson. Ironic really, as his inclusion on the team sheet had been surprising, considering he had been on holiday for two weeks. "He'll probably go and score now", was one retort, and sure enough, he did!

Saturday 22 February - Cheslyn Hay 0v3 Leamington
Another trip into deepest Birmingham, and surely one of the most hidden grounds anywhere! We thought we were going to miss the kick off, and we had a street map with us! And then you had to find somewhere to park. We heard reports that some nice little children were throwing things at the coach. Lovely. This was another former Southern League ground - what a dump! I spent most of the first half trying to direct Wolfie and company to the ground, without much success, but they made it eventually. I also got some good pictures for the website.

Simesy and Ihave also been building relations with other clubs' fans on Microsoft Messenger on the internet, spreading the gospel that is Leamington FC, letting others know we are around. We'll be OK once we get into the Doc Marten's League!

Tuesday 25 February - Coleshill Town 0v2 Leamington
Another game missed due to work, and another hard game, by the sounds of things. Two goals inside the final ten minutes.

Saturday 1 March - Leamington 1v1 Alvechurch (Alvechurch 2v1 on agg)
I hope the rest of the month isn't like this! Getting knocked out of a cup in this way is nearly as bad as a penalty shoot out defeat. The lads absolutely battered Alvechurch after they had a man sent off, but it just wasn't to be. Their management team were on the pitch, à la Rugby, and we were deflated.

The edge had been taken off this game a little before it had started, as we found out that the final would not be played at Villa Park, after all. Ah well, time to concentrate on the league...

Saturday 8 March - Coventry Marconi 2v0 Leamington
This was probably the first time I have walked away from a game before it has finished, I was that disillusioned with it. This was a real chance to pull clear at the top, and we blew it. It all seemed to fall apart after Simon Walker went off injured, which was ironic as it was his first start in ages. The man was clearly late with his tackle, which was caught perfectly on camera in the midweek Pink, and I don't think he was even booked for it, which about summed up the performance of the referee, who awarded Leamington a goal kick after James Gettings had pushed a good shot round the post! Just one of those days when you wonder why you bother... We're just not used to this losing lark!

Saturday 22 March - Leamington 5v1 Cheslyn Hay
A couple of weeks' rest looks to have done the lads good, as they get back to the kind of performance we know they are capable of. I had three extra with me today - my fiancée Tracey, and two of her brother's kids, Jamie and Jade, who are only young, so I didn't get many photos taken! I told them they could go back and tell grandad (Tracey's dad) that they had seen five goals, and that Coventry City were rubbish!

Saturday 29 March - Handrahan Timbers 0v1 Leamington
A long away trip, this one, which turned out to be eventful. I made my way from Nuneaton in good time, taking some back roads, and nipping on and off the M42, which enabled me to somehow catch up with Simesy in Stourbridge, as he made a mess of negotiating the ring road. We eventually found the ground (good job I have street maps in my car!), only to discover that the coach hadn't arrived. Some of the players were milling around waiting. The coach eventually arrived about 20 minutes before kick off. We were worried that this may have affected the team's performance, but it didn't.

They won't like me for mentioning this, but one of the highlights of the day was Simesy and Bob Smith-Ward having a massive argument over something really silly! We also met up with another internet friend, Duffer, from Willenhall. He reckons we would hold our own in the Midland Alliance. Let's hope we get there!

The secretary at Handrahan was very complimentary of our support, and said that they will probably be folding at the end of the season, as their backer is pulling out, which is sad to hear.

A great cheer went up as Simesy came off the phone to Jason, with the news that Rugby had lost 3v0 at home to Romulus.

Monday 31 March - Leamington Youth 0v3 Rugby Town Youth
Simesy, JJ and I went to see the Youth Team for the first time tonight. They were hoping to wrap up the title, against Rugby Town, of all teams. We were joined up on the North Bank, by Scooter and Nick Green, and later on, Peter. Whether it was the crowd of just over 200 that put them off, I don't know, but they lost! We had a laugh anyway, watching a large group of young kids (the next North Bankers?) trying to wind up the Rugby goalkeeper, and singing "That bloke there's Barmy Army!" to the youth team manager. We couldn't remember his name! Oh well, at least they'll win it on Wednesday - they're playing Southam!

Tuesday 1 April - Pershore Town 0v2 Leamington
I could have gone to this game, but as I was at work the following morning, I decided against it, and sat at my computer awaiting scores from Micky. Good win, and Rugby lost 3v0 at home again - this time to Coventry Sphinx!

Saturday 5 April - Massey Ferguson 2v6 Leamington
Perfect day, this. Lovely weather, large turnout of fans, good game, lots of goals. The small terraced area along the touchline was perfect for the flag, and for making noise, which we did lots of. 'Baz and Cadsey's Barmy Army' rang out for a full ten minutes during the second half. We also had some banter with some local lads, one of whom took great delight in poking fun at JJ's enormous side burns!

Tuesday 8 April - Leamington 3v1 Alvechurch
What a performance! I retreated to the Harbury Lane End for the second half, to save my voice, after shouting my head off and jumping around all over the place for the first forty-five minutes. This game could go a long way to deciding the league. Make no mistake, Alvechurch are a good side, but they knew they were a beaten side after Mort's header went in. Rugby were also beaten again - this time 1v0 at home to Coventry Marconi. We are pulling away from them now.

Saturday 12 April - Leamington 5v1 West Midlands Police
Another missed game, and I miss the legendary Director of Football score a goal in a substitute appearance! Never mind.

Tuesday 15 April - Alveston 0v0 Leamington
Was gutted when this result came through. Cannot believe we have failed to beat this lot... again. I know most of them are from Leamington area, but they are third bottom! This could cost us.

Saturday 19 April - Rugby Town 1v1 Leamington
Today I made what is likely to be my last trip to Webb Ellis Road. My friend Ian from work came with me. Everyone was excited about the game, as we were top and Rugby had slipped a bit. I had been warned about possible trouble by a friend, but was encouraged to put up the flag as everything seemed to be OK before the game. Everything was OK up until after half time, when Rugby equalised.

We then noticed all the stewards running over to the main gate. Shortly after, a large group of lads appeared up on the balcony of the clubhouse. Towards the end of the game I took the flag down, and two of them appeared in the stand, and began to follow me as I made my way out, along with others trying to get out of the way of any potential fracas. Trouble was, it was me they were after, or, more accurately, my flag. I didn't know which way to turn, and I made my way towards one of the stewards. As he mentioned something about putting the flag in the lock up, one of the lads ran past me and snatched the flag from my grasp. I tried to hang on to it, but it was no good. As soon as he got it I thought "He's going out the gate with that", but instead he just ran towards the clubhouse, and then dropped it, with all his mates still up on the balcony shouting and jeering. I shouted to Kevin Hancock to tell someone else to get the flag, and made my way back to my car.

Although I shout a lot at matches, I believe I have already mentioned somewhere in here, that I have never had a fight in my life. It might not seem like much to anyone reading this, but it shook me up enough not to want to go to Webb Ellis Road again. It is the second time this season I have felt threatened there. If I hadn't had my flag there, what would these people have done then? We have agreed on the internet tonight to boycott this game, should we have to play there next season.

Sunday 20 April
We have found out that the flag swiping incident was a bet, and apparently the lad who did it got £70 for his troubles. Well, if he'd have just told me that, I would have given it to him! The noises on the Rugby forum are, "No one was hurt so what's the problem?" But at the time, those two lads that came into the stand did not look like they were coming in to play a prank, as it were. They looked downright threatening. And for that reason, I will not be attending a Leamington versus Rugby Town game for the foreseeable future.

Tuesday 22 April - West Midlands Police 3v2 Leamington
Simesy picked me up from my grandma's in Kenilworth to make the journey to Edgbaston. Scooter was coming with us as well, but Simesy missed him, and he was waiting for us in the car park when we got there! I felt a bit uneasy at first, after Saturday, but I was in probably one of the safest grounds in Non-League Football - there were even security cameras! I got my flag back, in one piece, I'm happy to report. Some of the original North Bankers turned up for this one, and we were actually having a good laugh in the stand - they started a rolling chorus of the Terry and June song, for some inexplicable reason! Shame about the game. The lads scored two cracking goals, and, er, that was about it really. Everybody was gutted at the end, because we knew this was the end of our title hopes, but some of us still stayed back to clap the team off the pitch.

I spoke to the Alvechurch goalkeeper, who performed heroics in the Cup semi-final at our place, and he said he'd sign for us if asked! A pity we already have three good keepers...

Saturday 26 April - Meir King's Arms 1v1 Leamington
The last away trip of the season, and the longest, meant that the minibus was booked for this one. The motley band arrived at my house to use the toilet, and we were on our way. We had a laugh at the motorized cart grand prix, between two old ladies, going through Tamworth, and we stopped at a pub in Armitage, who I'm sure had a team in the Southern League a few years back. No sign of any football ground though. We arrived in Meir in good spirits, and the first pub we stopped at was called The Windmill! There were a few drunk people among our group by the time we arrived for the match, and Geoff managed to fall asleep during the first half, so some one got him a stool to sit on from the bar. We got behind the team first half, but were beginning to get a bit frustrated by the time Ben Adams hit the 85th minute equaliser, which sent us home in a better frame of mind than a defeat would have done. We had a couple of stops on the way back, and I have a recording on my dictaphone of lots of slurred Leamington songs from the journey back!

Saturday 3 May - Leamington 2v2 Bolehall Swifts
So, the last day of the season. I hate the close season. No football, nothing to do on Saturdays, nothing to talk about on the internet.

The weather was biting, for May, and I was glad of my work coats to keep me warm. The lads got the draw they needed to secure third spot.

We've had a good season really, but third is an anticlimax, I guess, after being top for the last few weeks. Hopefully we can finish the job next season. I shall come back to the ground during the summer, and try and help out, but my season is being extended a little - Simesy and I are going to watch Loughborough next week and meet their manager, then I'm going to Villa Park the week after to watch Tamworth in the FA Trophy Final. Might take the flag with me, try and get it on telly!