In memory..........

The point gained at Exeter, on April 15th 2008, returned to Aldershot a status that was so painfully taken away in 1992.

No Club has a ‘right’ to membership of the Football League. And our place, somewhere closer to the ‘top table’ was not achieved by the outstanding goalkeeping of Nikki Bull or indeed the innocent exuberance of the young squad. No, it was the combined emotional power of so many people over the period 1992-2008 that secured the status of Blue Square Champions.

But as Aldershot’s 2008/9 season continues to track the performance of our Government, the final whistle at St James’ Park has become no more than just a moment in a lifetime of emotion.

At 3.06pm on April 15th 1989 the FA Cup semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool was stopped as fans spilled onto the pitch from the Leppings Lane end.

For 96 Liverpool fans a lifetime of emotions were tragically extinguished.

The Hillsborough Inquiry, led by Lord Justice Taylor, concluded that the main reason for the overcrowding was the ‘failure of police control’. Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield had determined that opening ‘Gate C’ would be a good idea. And as a direct result 2000 people passed through, and headed for the already packed central pens behind the goal.

The police incompetence was exposed, but despite a number of attempts for ‘justice’ the public examination of the tragic event resulted only in the acceleration of the founding of the Premier League and the introduction of all-seater stadia.

Duckenfield retired early having ‘survived’ the inquiry and a six week trial at Leeds Crown Court – the jury failed to reach a verdict in a private prosecution of manslaughter.

But if only Government had the ability to foresee disaster…..to have seen before the ‘global credit crunch’ that banks were spinning out of control…..

The ‘defence’ argued that the Hillsborough disaster was ‘unprecedented, unforeseeable, unique’………..Rubbish.

In 1946 33 lives were lost as a result of overcrowding at Burnden Park…..66 Glasgow Rangers fans were crushed to death at Ibrox in 1971 and 56 fans lost their lives in the Bradford City Fire on May 11th 1985.

I know 10 Downing Street has always been ‘home’ to a lot of clever people…..the problem today is that they seem to take more interest in the personal life of Tory MP Nadine Dorries than the economic well being of the country - the political assassination of opponents and colleagues taking centre stage. And then when the inevitable ‘disaster’ unfolds Gordon Brown records his ‘deep regret’.

And how can we expect appropriate policing at the G20 demonstrations in London when Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, clearly signs any piece of paper that is put beneath her pen….and then when told that she had claimed expenses for a few dodgy films together with a number of family films….her response was in accordance with ‘Government Policy’, telling us she was sorry and it was a big mistake.

At 2.52pm on April 15th 1989 Chief Superintendent Duckenfield ordered that Gate C should be opened to ‘ease the crush’.......96 Liverpool fans died.

On the same day Aldershot lost at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and relegation to Division 4 was pretty much guaranteed.

The painful events that followed were finally ameliorated when Aldershot Town was promoted back to the Football League in 2008.......we are so fortunate to have experienced such a moment in a lifetime of emotions.

A look back over the month of March...........

As I crossed the Second Severn Crossing, and headed south in search of Bournemouth, I found it hard to believe that March 3rd 2009 was the anniversary of Aldershot Town winning 2v1 at Torquay United, in the Blue Square Premier.

I guess for many supporters the Scott Davies winner in the 94th minute at Torquay was the deciding moment in our promotion winning season…..but for me a mood of optimism developed following victory at the Kassam Stadium, in September 2007.

Oxford, the pre-season favourites to win the league……..Aldershot just a bunch of kids. A day when the innocence of youth overcame the arrogance of experience.

But as I approached Newbury, in a storm that threatened to wash out the evening encounter with relegation threatened Bournemouth, my thoughts returned to Plainmoor, and the ‘title decider’.

The game was tense and frenetic. The crowd passionate but totally consumed by the public emotion.

Aldershot scored early on…..Torquay equalised in the second half. Then Scott Davies hit a superb volley in the last minute of injury time, to win the game.

The explosion of feelings in the ‘away’ end, powerful and beyond control.

The silence on three sides of the ground, no more than a shroud for the pain felt by 3500 Torquay supporters.

By the M27 my thoughts returned to the exuberance that pervaded the Club around Christmas……but then as the New Forest disappeared under an all-consuming blanket of cloud, the feeling of optimism was replaced by the desolation that had resulted from such a devastating form inversion in 2009.

The eight games in March would certainly determine whether Aldershot’s first season back in the League was to be one of consolidation or simply misjudged expectation.

Bournemouth was wet, cold and thoroughly miserable. The two nil defeat a fair result on the night. And then spirits weren’t exactly lifted by the heavy defeat at Bradford City.

The Shots did manage to secure a home draw with Shrewsbury Town on March 10th, in a pretty lacklustre game….and with all of my optimism thoroughly shattered, the end of the season couldn’t come soon enough. Yes, it was definitely a good time to take a long walk with Wini, our Welsh Sheepdog.

High above our house a stream flows, strong and quiet. There are eddies and little disturbing whirlpools near the big stones. And as I sat and listened to the murmur of the water, watching its quiet strength, the season's worries were gently soothed away......

The sun was out when Luton Town came down to the Recreation Ground on March 14th. And at last we had a game to savour. Energy and passion replaced timidity and tiredness. From the depth of our players memory came pace and confidence. The well deserved home win was followed by another victory at the ‘atmospheric’ Don Valley Stadium, against Rotherham United.

The stream, never resting, was once again carrying me to the play offs. But then after the long trip north to Darlington, and yet another away defeat, I was once again in need of the healing waters.

Even the ‘locals’ said it was cold when the teams came out to face the Arctic wind that swept across Blundell Park, Grimsby. The 90 minutes became no more than a test of keeping the ball in play, with each side taking its turn at going head to head with nature.

Aldershot won the ‘passing battle’ but lost the ‘war’, thanks to an assistant referee who felt the need to wave his flag frantically for a penalty, perhaps he was just trying to keep warm.

Chesterfield visited the Rec on the last day of the month and left with a point…..their play off hopes dented, and for Aldershot, the ‘green shoots of recovery’ deferred for another day.