28 September 2010

28th September 2010

An hour, or so, before the ill-fated match against Northampton Spencer - a game which saw us slip to a 2-0 defeat - I heard two very amusing stories from a couple of well known Outgang Road people. In the telling of the tales I have hidden their identity, but, from the descriptions, you may be able to work out who they were.
  The first story entails a couple who are seen on a very regular basis here on matchdays, and even at other times. In fact, you could describe them as being totally devoted to Deeping Rangers FC. I think you know who I mean by now! Anyway, a few days ago, this couple decided to enjoy a walk around part of the footpath at Rutland Water. I was told that the sun was shining on the blue waters and swallows and martins dived around catching insects. All seemed well with the world. After a period of steady walking, they approached a five bar gate, and leaning on it, looking into the field, the lady of the partnership said, "Oh, look at all them cows!".  Now the gentleman, being a chap who is up on all things countryside, cast an expert eye on one of the beasts and said, with great wisdom, "That's not a cow." Glancing to another beast he declared, one again, "That's not a cow." In fact he went on to look at half a dozen of the animals, to announce the same verdict every time. Obviously they were anything but cows.
 Then, from very close by, and screened by a hedge, a strange voice spoke up and said, "BULLOCKS!!!!" At which our brave couple fell backwards in fright and almost did a runner. But then a jovial chap poked his head above the foliage and announced himself as the farmer - a farmer who had been enjoying his lunch - and that it really was "BULLOCKS" he had shouted and nothing risky.
  The moral to this tale is ,of course,  never get your cattle tangled with your bullocks.
The second story involved one of our intrepid committee members who decided to accompany a pal on an evening adventure to Glossop to see the local North End take on our rivals Blackstones in a cup replay.
He tells me the journey up across the Pennines was one full of beauty as the evening sun set over the hills and valleys. Indeed, it had been a very convivial trip and when they arrived at the ground, a very old fashioned and picturesque affair, the friendly welcome they received was nought but what you would expect from " up north".  Tea was swilled and pies consumed alongside local fans wearing clogs and flat caps. (Sorry, just jesting). Indeed I believe this would have been the very ground that Glossop played on when they were a football league club many, many, many years ago. Anyway the game was full of the usual thrills and spills with Blacko's subsiding to a 3-1 defeat. This after extra time. So already our adventurer was running late leaving. By the time they left the ground it had begun to rain very hard indeed. It was the kind of rain that has made Greater Manchester famous. It was rain of almost biblical proportions. Then at around 11 o'clock, the car heaved a sigh and died in the middle of nowhere. Calls were made to the RAC and AA, but the young lady at the other end of the line wanted to pnpoint their position before sending out the rescue. Unfortunately, because of the constant rain and the blackness of the night, this was not possible. However, the two chums decided to brave the weather and left the car to find a landmark. This was done sooner than they thought and they were soon able to report back to the rescue service.
 At last, an hour later, they were picked up and taken to Grantham, which as far as the driver of the AA/RAC was allowed to go. From there our hero's had wait another hour to be picked up by another breakdown chappie from Melton Mowbray. I am given to understand that dawns' early morning light was beginning to spread when our gallant friend finally arrived home.
 I don't really think there is any moral to this tale, but I have to take my hat off to the dedication shown under what must have been very trying circumstances. Tee hee!!!! C'MON YOU RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!