When this project started, I saw it as something of interest , now I fear that Ebbsfleet United is starting to take over my life and that of Lorraine. It's terrible, I mean we have to travel around the country, meet new and interesting people and have a great time. Life can be hell at times. Twenty-five years ago, watching football was my life before moving away from my home city. I tried a few times to go back, but nobody talked to me in the concrete new stadium at Leicester. How different it is now where people come up to me and greet me as an old friend. Apologies if I don’t mention it when I go back online, but I have a terrible memory for names and they tend to drift away. The Fleet, though, is the cure to growing old as when I watch them, I am 16 again. Standing there, shouting my head off, and thinking it must be good for the blood pressure.
The Fleet fans I have met have been great. Many more that I talk to in passing on the net I know I will meet one day. I hate the them and us bit, we are all Fleet, that’s the way I want it to be. Throw yourself into this team, go to the drum, sing and chant, and feel young again.
I wonder how many people are starting to face up to the dilema I have faced recently. My historic club Leicester City, my team of over 30 years are on TV, but half of me wants to watch Torquay on Setanta at the same time ! I would never wish LCFC any harm, but the Fleet have got hold of me hook line and sinker ! When I was in my years away from Leicester, I knew that if I got back into the football, it would get me again for life. The Fleet have done that to me. I have seen it in others too. Somebody in the bar at Northwich , 20 minutes before the kick off just dying to get at the opposition ! This small team in Kent has me now I believe for life. If for any reason, and I don’t think it will happen, the Fleet parted ways with MyFC, I know I would have to stay with the Fleet. As a member of the Fleet Trust, I know that would be my place.
After going to just five games, I meet people as old friends, even get a hug now and again. The bonds that we are making now can only grow and get stronger. I realise that people know me from the forums but its weird when people come up to you and say hello, I just wanted to meet you. Its great though really, I mean in a few hours at Burton Albion, this must have happens maybe 20 times ! You say such nice things and that makes me want to work even harder to push the Fleet forward. I spoke to more people in Burton that day than I have talked to in York in 20 years.
What the heck is it doing to me though ?. People that know me realise that I am a quiet, almost shy person. On Saturday, I am in the club bar at an away ground doing a video interview with Sasha ! It is totally surreal, and you just don’t know what is going to happen next. I make a one line comment about my daughters red toothbrush as we score and win the replay against Burton, then suddenly I have a magic good luck charm on my hands, now with its own website, people saying that it belongs in Liams Jacket at Wembley IF etc etc.
I must mention our manager Mr Liam Daish. I think we have somebody very special there and we should nurture and support him all the way. I am at Northwich, he is going home, and suddenly he stops for no reason, walks back in and shakes my hand , top bloke, quality.
Where can we get to in a few years time, heck I don’t even know what will happen tomorrow when I log on, and that’s what makes following The Fleet via MyFC so fascinating.
You might just wake up one morning and realise that your historic team has done the impossible. Slipped to the back of your mind, still there, but your waking hours now belong to the men of Kent called The Fleet.
I want to go to Wembley, but if I don’t, so be it. The boys are in their first ever FA Trophy Semi Final and they are there on merit. I and so many others are so proud of them and their fighting spirit. If its not our fate not to go to the Arch, I have to accept it. WE will have our special days. The problem I have, and its kind of a nice one, is that every away game is getting more fun than the last.
We are the Fleet, please remember that, and support them however you can in your own way. I feel that whatever we put into this club, they will give us pleasure and maybe heartbreak at times, far greater than what we have invested in both time and cash.
The people in this club and MyFC are special, allow yourself to get involved, but I warn you, your life will not be the same after you have seen the fleet and your new family of friends, it will be so so much better.
Take Care
Keith H. (Yorkfox)
