Crowded Out

Too Much Football?

In the six week period from 6th October to last Saturday, Sheffield FC played no less than 14 games.

This has been a huge haul for part-timers, especially as it included high prestige games against Sheffield United, a Non-League XI (all their players from higher Leagues than us) and finally the Inter-Milan Match in front of Pele and a crowd of 18,471.

Up to the Inter-Milan football feast at Bramall Lane, Sheffield FC had won 9 competitive League and cup games in a row.

But under all of this physical and emotional stress, the inevitable occurred. Following the Inter-Milan game, we went to lowly Carlton Town for a League game and crashed 4-1.

Where Has The Crowd Gone?

But I was in my place to then watch us defeat Lincoln United 4-2 in a fine display just 3 days later. This was impressive stuff as Lincoln are in the League above us. It was a fine calm evening, but only 150 spectators turned up. Our smallest home crowd of the season and only 0.8% of the attendance to watch Inter Milan!

Where Has The Crowd Come From?

Yet on Saturday, the crowd bounced up to 647 for a game against Goole . Not only was it our top home crowd of the season, but it was higher than the sum total at five other Unibond Division One South clashes that day.

The new arrivals were mainly captives from the Inter Milan game, as neither Sheffield United nor the Wednesday had fixtures that day. When I arrived, there was a unprecedented queue to get into the ground and no programmes left.

Inevitably, Sheffield FC put in one of their worst performances of the season, yet they started with the same line up which did so well against Lincoln United. It was a 0-0 draw in an ill-tempered game. Perhaps there were some grudges from a 1-1 cup draw at Goole earlier in the season which we had won 5-4 on penalties.

Goole had a striker sent off after only 15 minutes. And when we were awarded a penalty at the start of the second half, Rob Ward a hero from the Inter-Milan game managed to miss three chances in as many seconds. First his penalty was saved. Next his shot from the re-bound was also saved with the keeper pushing the ball into the air. Finally, Rob rushed forward to head the ball over the bar.

0-0 was a fair result. Neither side deserved to win.

Yet More Football

From next Saturday we again face 3 matches in a week. The dust might have to settle before we get back into our winning streak.