New to this forum-A Brief Introduction

[ExRomford]

Hi.

New to this forum,thought i would give a brief Introduction,the reasons will become clear.

I used to be a Fan of Romford back in the late 60's to mid 70's until i moved down to North Devon as my work carried me down there.I became involved with my local club in Devon as well as following sides like Barnstaple town & Bideford,who i believe you played last season in the FA Trophy.

Anyhow,i returned to the Area around 18 months ago and have continued my tradition of watching local Non League Sides,I started to visit Aveleys ground to watch Romford and on the odd occassion Aveley as well as visiting AFC Hornchurch' ground in Upminster.

A couple of weeks ago i visited Chelmsford City with a friend as there was a nostalgia evening on which included both sets of players from the golden era of the clubs rivalry.While i was there i was talking to a "Boro gent" and the subject of RFC rivalries came up and although only seperated by a couple of miles,i was surprised and actually shocked at the venom aimed towards AFC Hornchurch.

After visiting the "Bridge" on a few occassions i fail to see where this venom comes from,whenever i have been,there has been a cracking atmosphere both on and off the terraces and from the minute you come through the turnstile you are greeted by warm and friendly faces who seem to be pulling together for their club.

Anyway,with regards to the venom shown,i put this down to one mans view and not generally the view of other Romford Fans,but in the week,while viewing the Romford Forum,i saw a few comments about rivalry between RFC and other clubs so i thought i would pose the question with regards to AFC Hornchurch and was once again shocked with the response,a response to which i believe has been posted on here already.

Then i thought i would check out this forum to see if the venom was reciprocated at all and while their doesn't seem to be any love lost between the two clubs from this side,it seems as if the venom is pretty much all one way,with a twist of sarcasm from a few Hornchurch posters due to one mans ability to seem to want to stir things up in Romford.

I basically find this pretty pathetic.To be honest i have enjoyed my trips to watch Hornchurch far more than i have when visiting Romford,the atmosphere is much better,it almost takes me back to my days as a youth supporting Romford,i wish i could feel the same about Romford as i used to but its gone,i suppose i have been lingering around for the past few months trying to get that old twinkle back but to be honest the silly comments by the odd Romford fan on here,their forum and at the Nostalgia night have made me realise that it isn't the same any more and however much i try to rekindle that twinkle its just gone for good now.It just seems that some people are jealous and that in turn seems to have a negative effect on their club,the jealousy i just can't understand as i would watch the odd Hornchurch game as a youngster and there was never any bitterness towards romford,who were miles apart in terms of footballing ability,if anything Hornchurch used to look upto Romford as a big brother.

I will be going to Colchester on Tuesday with my Chelmsford supporting friend who can't make the cup replay that night and will also be at the Farnborough game Saturday which i hope is well supported for your club,who knows,in years to come i may be able to call it MY CLUB,i will certainly be popping over more often and hope your season gets better and better.

Cheers

Graham

[Eastside Urchin]

Thanks for your kind words.

To be quite frank with you that's pretty much how the majority of us see it.The majority of us don't mind if romford have a new ground,we just don't want them groundsharing here due to the wear and tear of the ground mainly.No malice in it,we just feel it would benefit them and hinder us.

Anyway,hope to see you more often at the Bridge,we run coaches to away games which you can book via myself and we have a thriving Supporters Association which membership will be available for before the game Saturday at the front turnstile.

One other thing,being a bit cheeky.As you are relatively new back to the area,should you need a cab I run direct car services www.directcarserviceshavering.co.uk specialising in Airport Transfers/nights out etc etc,bit cheeky I know but should you need me I am here

[Eastside Urchin]

I must add Graham,that after your well thought up post,you will probably be called a Hornchurch fan anyway by some at Romford so I would just come and join us anyway

[cup of tea]

Welcome to the forum Graham.

We had a great time down in Bideford, they are a friendly bunch and made us feel very welcome down there.

[Eastside Urchin]

Hornchurch O certainly enjoyed himself in the hotel bar

[bridgefan]

Graham - sounds like you should come and join us - look forward to seeing you on Saturday

[obis]

Graham, great post. I have a similar story. I have to admit to going to Brooklands in the early 70's in my early youth and it was special no doubt about it. I followed the Boro until the bitter end. I then began to watch a series of League clubs to try to find the buzz, Orient, West Ham, Southend and Ipswich but it never really replaced being a part of something smaller, that special attachment the i believe only non league football really gives. Upon Romford's reformation I managed a few visits but apart from the name it is not the same.

 

Moving closer to The Bridge I began to watch the Urchins more and more and have adopted them as my club.

[Serious Sid]

As some already know its the same story for me. I was a Brooklands regular from 1972 until they folded. I travelled to quite a few exotic places like Goole and Stafford! They were good times and there was great camaraderie amongst the supporters. I also started watching the reincarnation at Sungate but it was not the same. The atmosphere was sterile compared to Brooklands and I, like so many, drifted away.

 

I saw my first game at Bridge Avenue in 1994 and it took little time to form a bond with the club. I came to the conclusion that its futile to try and recapture the good times of the past. It can't be done. The best thing is to remember them but move on. Don't look back but look forward.

 

I believe the trouble with some Romford supporters is that they remember the glory days when they were top dog and now resent the fact that those days have passed. They are jealous and bitter because they now play second fiddle to AFCH. It sticks in their craw. They even have one guy who literally 'hates' everyone who comes from Hornchurch!

 

It is a shame. I remember the days at Brooklands with great affection - but those days have gone along with the team I used to support.

[Eastside Urchin]

I have had the experience of a cold shoulder a few years back,went to Basildon united to watch Romford play with coupy & clocky and while there was introduced to some romford fan who the minute he found out who i supported gave me the cold shoulder,litterally.

It was just funny to be honest,i would of took offence but it was so so sad from someone probably in their late 40's or early 50's

we are accused of having a problem with them but i genuinely believe its as sid sees it.The funny thing is though,when you talk to the majoritty of their fans face to face you get on with them,even though their team is crap lol

[Serious Sid]

Bet that was the 'Hornchurch Hater' Rob. I had a run in on their forum with him a while ago and he said EVERYONE in Hornchurch is paranoid. I had to chuckle at that.

[Eastside Urchin]

Sounds like him,if I remember rightly he was balding and quite ugly

[Serious Sid]

Sounds like him,if I remember rightly he was balding and quite ugly

That could be any of them!

[obis]

Blimey, we've got more old Romford fans than they have now!

[aka PeteBeatz]

We welcome any Romford fans to come and join the Urchins.

[Eastside Urchin]

Indeed,if you read into Exromfords post,it is apparent that we have Mr Alan Fenn to thank for a new fan,cheers Alan.If you want any part time marketing work,I am sure the club would take you on.