July 13 2008

Bromley FC

Jamesey jumped on the Victoria train to Dover but disembarked at Bromley South to watch Crystal Palace's first pre-season game in another campaign.

I don't experience many "firsts" after many decades of football supporting. But July 12 was certainly the earliest friendly I have attended.

The Euro nations jamboree and Wimbledon tennis have only just concluded and we still have the Open golf coming up and there I was, speeding south to see Palace take on Bromley FC at Hayes Lane.

It was a nostalgic day for your columnist. The old-fashioned ground took me back to my early football days in the 1950s - a few rickety stands, terracing with metal rails to support yourself, and total freedom to wander about during the game .

And what's more, there was an announcement system that was nearly inaudible, unlike the blasting, juvenile, musical (?) cacophony thrust on us at Selhurst...with, of course, the honorable exception of "Glad All Over".

I must emphasise that I don't make the above comments in any condescending or critical way. After all, CPFC's Selhurst arena is hardly the ultimate in modernity.

The admirable Blue Square South club and its staunch supporters are the roots, if not the very lifeblood, of English football. Without the likes of them, the Chelsea's and the Man U's would be unable to perch at the top of a pyramid built on money.

That said, can we draw any conclusion from the fact that Dougie Freedman started in the No 9 shirt? Could it be that he will be a part of the strategy for next season?

Well, that and many other questions can only be answered by Neil Warnock and one hopes that he was able to gather valuable information about who can do what in the coming months.

The result was a 1-1 draw which seems fair enough in the circumstances although it is always disappointing not to be able to beat a team several tiers below us.

But, of course, managers always have the trump card after a friendly draw or defeat...the result is immaterial, it's players' performance I'm watching, they always trot out...

In conclusion, it was a real pleasure to see our away "Brazil" yellow-and-blue strip reinstated. I had forgotten what an attractive outfit it is and if only more South American skills would rub off on the wearers it would be even better.

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