Written on March 10th, a few days before the 2nd leg of the FA. Trophy Semi Final match at Aldershot Town.
On Saturday we are involved in the sort of game we could only have dreamt of just a few months ago. We are so lucky to be involved with a team of such fighters with a man of character at the head. We could have been facing a relegation fight out of the Football league and then awaiting the backlash that we had ruined a league team, instead things are so much different. Our team, are just one tantalising step from that stadium which I wont mention incase it jinxes us.
We have to do our bit to try and get that glorious day out in the capital in early May. Do we do our very best to get the team there, or do we just let things happen ?. I for one want to do whatever I can to make sure I am not shopping in York, or decorating or whatever in May, when Aldershot are having their party in London.
The great man Bill Shankley said in his famous quote, that football is more important than life or death. You can argue that one either way, but I think our involvement with the Fleet is evolving at quite a speed in an unexpected direction. I sometimes have referred in the past to the MYFC family, well I feel the Fleet family is evolving week by week.
Strangers from each end of the country are meeting, friendships are being made, you could say in management speak, we are even bonding a little, with a little healthy scepticism thrown in to keep us real. I was told at the weekend that even Fleet fans are talking to each other now, its becoming a more social experience watching the Fleet. This is something that I feel we will build on in the future.
We have something this weekend that we can work on together. To try and get the Fleet through to the final . It would be an amazing for all concerned if we could do it. We could have been involved with a club for years and never reach a Semi Final. This is why the people of MYFC have been so fortunate to fall into this position. But, I feel in the few months we have been together, the new fans did the club proud at Burton Albion, a tie where it would have been so easy to go out in. But now, we have to do it all again, and this time at an even higher level of commitment.
If you live in the UK and it is possible for you to get to Aldershot on Saturday, please try your very best to get there for your new club. Fans are often referred to as the 12th man, this is a game where the 12th man will be needed more than you can believe. I am told that Aldershot can be an unwelcoming place and that The Fleet often come off badly in results there. This is where the crowd will be vital. We have to pledge to make more noise that we have ever done, hope that Scott’s arm survives a full 90 or 120 minutes beating the life out of his drum, ladies and gents, we need to be passionate on Saturday.
Our place in the final will not be given to us, we have to earn it through our presence and voices. Show the players and the people of Aldershot that this game means everything to us, and we are here to get a result. I for one am not doing a 400 mile round trip to be quiet on Saturday.
I have seen passion for the club in the eyes of fans old and new. This game could be another step in the long process of making Ebbsfleet Fans United. I have always thought the new fans can only earn the respect of others through their actions, I hope, I know that we will show them our commitment this Saturday afternoon.
As the 12th man, we have to approach the game in a professional manner, get our heads in the right frame of mind for the day. The next few days are ones where negiative thoughts and comments should be abandoned as we concentrate the whole MYFC family on the upcoming events. To lose the tie is not an option we will accept meekly. If we go a goal down, that has to be the sign to go again with the singing, louder than before. We do not accept defeat until the referees final whistle.
I make no apologies for these words as they are written from the heart. We can do this, IF we give it our very best shot. We have to be louder than anybody could ever expect on Saturday. If the result goes against us, we have to be proud of our team and the boss. They have given us memories to treasure, but this game is about giving us the chance to make new wonderful memories.
People overseas I know would love to be there, so we have to be their voices too. Give them the chance to join with us in May. Only then can our family be complete. So, do try to be there if you can. If not, we know that you are there in spirit.
Gravesend & Northfleet FC has a rich history, lets give Ebbsfleet United the chance to grow and go to places that we can only dream of. If we can start with a sunny May day in West London, then that would be a wonderful place to be for new fans and old.
Be POSITIVE and BELIEVE,
WE ARE THE FLEET
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