by Robert Mann
The second half saw Redbourne play with the freedom and style that Terrance had long since installed in them, attacking the home end where Deborah and her sister were watching from. Straight from the kick off they were on the attack with Terry Pauls sprinting in between two Wycombe defenders before laying the ball back for Dwight Edwards. His shot was well saved by Batista. Still Redbourne pressed, the Wycombe goal now coming under a sustained onslaught. It was a Terry Pauls special that levelled things up for The Countrymen in the sixtieth minute just when the home fans were starting to get nervous. He picked up a loose clearance twenty-five yards from goal and taking one step forward curled an absolute screamer into the top right hand corner of the net leaving Batista motionless in the Wycombe goal such had been the quality of the strike! Three sides of Whaddon Road went absolutely barmy. Up in the C and G stand Deborah and her sister hugging each other were screaming at the top of their voices in delight. Both Terrance and Steve were out of the home dugout punching the air with relief. The calmest man in the whole of Redbourne was Terry Pauls he stood their arms raised savouring the moment, before his ecstatic teammates mobbed him!
Redbourne were now well on top and it was Paul Lambert who was now the concerned manager, out in the away technical area trying to get his team organized again. Back in Redbourne in the local cinema and in the pubs showing the game nobody was sitting down anymore and there was absolute pandemonium! Popcorn and crisps had gone flying in the cinema when Terry had scored and the same could be said for many drinks in the three pubs showing the match.
Everywhere it was the same passionate endearment
"Come On Redbourne"
"Score in a minute we’re gonna score in a minute"
roared the occupants of the C and G Stand.
Back on the field Redbourne attacked again. This time it was Dwight Edwards wriggling free from his marker. There was roar of expectation as he advanced into the Wycombe area with just ten minutes left on the clock. As he went to shoot out, a foot came which tripped him. “Penalty” screamed the crowd and the home players looked at the referee - he pointed to the spot! There was chaos as protesting Wycombe players surrounded the referee. He waved them away and called over Stockley the offending defender. A red card was brandished and the Wycombe defender made the long and lonely walk off the field, the home crowd jeering him as he went. The crescendo of noise that had greeted the giving of the penalty and the sending off of the Wycombe defender rescinded as Jock Mcleish placed the ball on the penalty spot and turned away for his run up. You could almost hear a pin drop inside Whaddon Road as he began his run up.
The commentator for local radio and the feed to the pubs and cinema in Redbourne was describing the scene in hoarse tones his voice having almost given out!
"And it's Jock Mcleish against Wycombe's Batista. A goal here will almost certainly put The Countrymen through to the area final. Here he comes and scores!”
The home crowd went absolutely wild as Jock Mcleish turned and saluted the home end in celebration before being mobbed by his team mates. There was just minutes left on the scoreboard clock and nobody in the stadium was sitting anymore. Both managers were out in their technical area frantically trying to communicate to their players, an impossible task considering the din.
The chant of
“Terrance Fletcher’s Red and Black army “
Began echoing round three sides of Whaddon Road as the 4th official raised the board to show two minutes of time added on to be played. There were tired minds and tired bodies on both sides but Wycombe’s ten men pushed for one last time, but the shot from Tommy Mooney drifted harmlessly over.
As the final whistle went there were tears of joy in Deborah’s eyes as the joyous home fans invaded the pitch. Redbourne Rovers were through to the area final and an appearance at The Millennium Stadium beckoned.
20
There Is No Room For Two Men In Deborah's Life
The bombshell came just days after the nail-biting win over Wycombe. Fans, management, club officials and players alike were still coming down from the incredible high of being through to the two legged area final against Bristol City. Thoughts were already drifting ahead to the first leg of the area final at Ashton Gate at the end of the month when the rumour surfaced on a supporter's message board that AFC Bournemouth had made an offer for Terry Pauls. Within twenty-four hours everyone in the town was talking about it.
The offer itself had even taken Miles Grimley by surprise, still caught up in the euphoria of the semi final victory. A faxed copy had gone to Terry's agent and one to himself from that cursed Greek multi millionaire down on the south coast. The size of the offer took Miles breath away-£5.2million for a nineteen year old in his first full season of league football. Miles knew the pitfalls of football only too well where players were concerned. A valuable player was only a bad injury away from becoming a worthless commodity! It went totally against everything he stood for to sell Terry Pauls though if he could help it.
Both Terrance and Miles sat down with Terry Pauls later that day and asked his thoughts on the offer from the Cherries. It would set this young man up for life if he went but break up the very backbone of Redbourne Rovers probably destroying any chance of promotion or reaching the final of The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The night before this meeting Terry had sat down for a quiet drink with Deborah in a country Cotswolds pub way well away from any prying eyes. The two of them had got quite close far quicker than Deborah had ever expected and she was starting to feel very fond of this likeable and modest young footballer! She sat there cuddled into Terry feeling very comfortable in his presence and couldn't help but ask about the transfer rumours? Terry was very honest with Deborah, if truth be told his feelings for her were a lot stronger than he had let on to her so far.
Yes he admitted to her Bournemouth had made him an incredible offer totally out of the blue. What he was going to do was another thing totally - he just didn't know! Just as surprising to Deborah was Terry's question that he popped to her out of the blue!
"If I accept their offer will you come with me? I would hate to lose you!"
Deborah's reaction was from the heart
"If you accept the offer I will think about it but isn't it a bit soon for us. We have only been seeing each other for a little while? You are asking me to give up my job and my life here, that's a big commitment!"
Terry had listened to what Deborah had said. He had also talked to his parents at length and to his agent. His agent had strongly recommended that he say yes to the astounding offer on the table. Terry was well aware that his agent was talking primarily through his pocket though! His parent's advice had been to be true to yourself!
Before the meeting had started Terrance had told Miles to leave the talking to him. He understood his young midfield star and knew the only way to have any chance of keeping him would be by being genuine! On his way to the meeting Terry had still not decided what to do! Only when he saw his manager sitting there with Miles and the tension gripping both of them did the answer come to him! Before either of them could speak Terry pre-empted them
“Boss I would like to stay at least for the rest of the season but if we do not go up and Bournemouth or another club was to come back in for me during the summer then I would be fool to turn down a similar offer! You have offered me a chance to make something of myself in professional football and I want to repay the trust that you have put in me. Besides I rather like it round here and am getting quite attached to the area."
Both Miles and Terrance were out of their seats shaking Terry by the hand their relief palpable! He left Miles to inform his agent of his decision and likewise Bournemouth. On his way back to his flat for he had just moved out of Terrance and Ashleyene's spare room he stuck his head round the door of the temporary ticket office. Deborah was busy on the phones but when she heard the commotion among her staff she looked up and blushed upon seeing Terry. He grinned at her and couldn't help himself but blurting out the news -
Before he knew it Deborah was in his arms and the rest of the office staff were cheering and clapping! The news broke around Redbourne later that afternoon after first being posted on the fans message board on the Internet by one of the office staff! Miles issued a press release on behalf of the club later that day praising the loyalty of Terry and saying that he was looking forward to seeing the best of this outstanding young talent playing in a Redbourne shirt for many years to come! Redbourne fans everywhere collectively heaved a large sigh of relief.
In the short period of time she had been seeing Terry Deborah had seen Oliver once. All feelings that she once had for this thug who posed as a respectable estate agent in his day job had now gone. During this time Miles had twice spoken to her, pushing her again into probing Oliver for any information. Both Miles and Deborah for varying reasons were playing a dangerous game and Deborah desperately wanted to confide in Terry in what was going on!
Miles only concern was the club's reputation and a fast approaching league match away at Yeovil and then the away leg of the area final at Bristol City on the last Tuesday in the month. In between these two games were safer games against Mansfield and Rochdale at home followed by a rearranged game away at Darlington. It was going to be a busy footballing month for the club and he wanted The Country Firm leaderless as soon as possible!
Mid week before the Yeovil game Deborah reluctantly agreed to go out with Oliver again. She had already told Miles that her association ended with Oliver this week full stop no questions asked! She almost told Miles about her budding relationship with Terry just to see the look on his face but bottled out at the last moment! As Oliver picked her up that evening in the Porsche she once so used to worship she felt dirty and used by Oliver and Miles. Oliver was buzzing as she got into the leather passenger seat and his first words before he lent over and kissed her passionately were-
"It's all going off with Yeovil on Saturday. That cider addled biker is going to get it this time!"
For the last few weeks when she had been seeing Oliver, every time they had been out she had had a miniature recording device in her hand bag that Miles had passed to her. As per usual it was whirring away happily, listening to all that was said!
This time the meeting place for the fight before Saturday’s game was going to be at Bridgewater Services explained the biker, as infuriatingly cocky to Oliver as he had been on their last meeting. Police activity nearer to Yeovil was too intense he explained! Threats and banter bounced back between the two men so differently dressed but bound by the same violent codes! Deborah sat there pretending to be turned on by all this talk of violence. It was going to be the full works on Saturday a full turn out by both hooligan firms. The two men parted still issuing threats to each other, with Oliver becoming increasingly turned on by the prospect of violence. Deborah feigning a headache managed to get herself dropped off at home by a still excited Oliver!
It was late but Deborah phoned Miles immediately with the news he had been desperate to hear. The next morning the police operation swung into motion. This time there would be no mistakes!
Saturday morning as the genuine Redbourne fans headed down the M5 past Bristol to the home of Yeovil Town at Huish Park, a huge police presence waited hidden within minutes of Bridgewater Services. Within the services waited Inspector Morrison and his second in command and one unmarked support vehicle. The police played a very clever game letting the mass organized fight get under way. Innocent bystanders went running out of the way screaming in terror as the violence intensified. Oliver and the biker only had eyes for each other as bodies crashed to the ground all around them.
Inspector Morrison seeing them both separated from their respective modes of transport, gave the signal to the hidden units
“Go go go but no sirens until actually in the services”
James had just head butted a huge Yeovil lout who was groaning on the ground and Oliver and the biker had gone to war with bicycle chains when the services were engulfed with over three hundred riot police! It took four police officers to overcome Oliver who fought back, wild eyed like a man possessed!
Bang to rights was Inspector Morrison’s comments when he spoke to Miles Grimley later about the arrest of Oliver and James and the Redbourne Gazette summed it up nicely on Monday with the front page headlines
“The Country Firm is Crushed”
as it reported on the events preceding Redbourne’s battling 1-1 draw at Huish Park which dropped them back to 6th in the table but with games in hand!
21
The Battle Of Ashton Gate
January seemed to fly through for the fans, players and officials of Redbourne Rovers. Nobody would admit it but everyone's thoughts seemed to be slipping forward towards the match at Ashton Gate at the end of the month. Games came and went at home to Rochdale and away to Mansfield. Rochdale saw The Countrymen complete their first double of the season with a hard working 2-1 victory. Mansfield it seemed were really turning into Redbourne's bogey team and the players were roundly booed off by their loyal travelling fans after failing to sparkle at all, losing 1-0!Things improved again in the final league game of the month, the rearranged away trip to Darlington. Redbourne led for nearly the whole game after Dwight Edwards pinched a goal in the 2nd minute. They survived a 2nd half bombardment from Dave Hodgson's team but somehow hung on for the three points to keep them 5th in a highly competitive promotion race! It was three points at a price though with Jock Mcleish suffering from a badly bruised thigh, which was likely to make him a major injury doubt for Tuesday evening’s area final 1st leg at Bristol City!
Demand for tickets for the 1st leg of the area final had been enormous. Bristol City had initially given Deborah's hard working ticket department 2800 tickets for visiting fans in the Wedlock Stand two weeks before the game. The Redbourne Ticket Office sold out in three days of frenzied selling with fans desperate to see the game. Impassioned pleas from Miles Grimley to his opposite number at The Robins resulted in a block of 500 seats being released in the upper tier of The GWR Dolman Stand in the corner by the away stand. When news of these tickets was made public, queues formed immediately with some fans sleeping rough in freezing conditions in order to get a ticket.
The "Beast" left Redbourne early on the Tuesday afternoon for the relatively short trip down the M5.Miles had booked the team in for a pre match meal in the same hotel they had used twice already for their trips to Bristol. Bristol City was mid division in League one and the bookies could not separate the two teams betting wise for this 1st leg encounter of the area final. What could really make the difference was the fitness of Jock Mcleish. He had travelled with the squad with his thigh still heavily strapped and faced a last minute fitness test, which everyone was sweating on!
A fleet of twenty-five coaches left Redbourne mid afternoon for Ashton Gate. Following shortly afterwards were two football specials departing from the small Redbourne Railway Station, which had never seen such scenes before as a thousand fans queued patiently all around the station for their trains all decked out in red and black. With home tickets for the game selling out too and a 15000 capacity crowd expected, come a couple of hours before kick off, traffic approaching the two junctions on the M5 where you could access Ashton Gate was reduced to a crawl. Down on the waterfront close to Bristol Templemeads Station the second of the football specials from Redbourne had just arrived and watched by a sizable contingent of Bristol police Redbourne fans were making their way to The Pumphouse and The Nova Scotia, two pubs that were very popular with away fans.
Up at Ashton Gate the real drama was just taking place in front of the watchful eyes of the Redbourne management team and the trainer Matt O Rourke where Jock Mcleish was being put through an extremely gruelling fitness test. The gates to the stadium had just opened and the early comers from Redbourne who were only too aware of the situation were watching their captain's reaction with keen interest and a little concern! After an extremely
searching ten minute examination all eyes were on the trainer. It was a thumbs up from him and smiles all round.
By the time both teams came out to warm up there was an electric atmosphere inside the stadium with virtually all seats now taken. All the noise was coming from the away end, the Redbourne fans keen to let their opponents from one higher league than themselves know who they were! Gary Johnson in his first full season in charge certainly knew all about Redbourne having had them watched twice since their victory against Wycombe in the semi final. The midfield pairing of Jock Mcleish and Terry Pauls he was especially worried about.
Down in the away dressing room the noise of the huge crowd was percolating through to the players. There was a degree of tension in the air but also total focus on a job that had to be done and done professionally! Terrance had drummed it into the team that it was not just about tonight but the home leg as well.
“No heroics do the safe things well and given the chance use the pace within our team and catch them on the break”
Summed up his pre match team talk well!
As the bell went for the teams to gather in the tunnel, Terrance shook each of his players by the hand as they left the dressing room, trying to convey his belief through to them! The match was being screened live at Whaddon Road where a full house was watching. Quite a few Cheltenham fans had adopted The Countrymen as their second team, their neighbouring team’s exploits having quite grabbed their imagination!
Redbourne being the away team were wearing all yellow to avoid the colour clash with The Robins and were greeted by a cascade of yellow balloons floating in the breeze on to the pitch as their fans greeted their arrival with a huge roar.
Jock won the toss and chose to defend the Atyeo Stand causing the players to swap ends. The noise was a constant roar as the teams prepared to kick off. Terry Pauls caught his eye as he prepared to get the game under way, the youngster was drinking in the atmosphere loving every second of it! Straight from the kick off Redbourne were on the attack with no respect for their illustrious opponents! Terry Pauls winning the ball with ease set free Jermaine Douglas on the right wing with a delicate flighted pass. He sprinted down the touchline and whipped the cross in, the Redbourne fans in the stadium on their feet. Dwight Edwards met the cross on the run with a flying header. It had goal written all over it but Adrian Basso in the City goal silenced the premature celebrations, turning them into groans as he twisted in midair and somehow tipped the header over the bar!