"We`ll Maybe Try It For a Couple of Games"- That was 32 Years Ago !
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| image by Les Braithwaite |
"We`ll Maybe Try It For a Couple of Games"-
- those were the thoughts of Bob Jeffries, the late Jim Wilkinson and Louis Spalding as they enjoyed a pint in the Fingerpost pub on Sunday 15 January 1992.
They had resolved to give the idea of running a coach to support County at away games a go.
It was a significant moment for travelling County supporters and the Club that they support!
From that acorn of positive thought has grown the mightiest of County Oaks in the form of the Fingerpost Travel Club , and 32 years later ,just 2 days prior to the anniversary of that fateful meeting in the Finger, the Flyer was still getting County fans to County games playing their part in a 3-1 win against Walsall.
The Flyer`s record since 1991/92 season is amazing as in the early days , run by Jim Wilkinson, Lou Spalding , and for a time Bob Jefferies, FTC hardly missed a match during the ensuing years- a record improved upon remarkably by Lou Spalding who has conscientiously ensured every match has been covered throughout the seasons that followed.
It is no secret that travelling County fans are well served by the FTC ,by Bullocks who provide top class coaches, and most definitely by the unceasing hard work and devotion of Lou Spalding – a tireless host who organises everything, supplying hot drinks on the longer journeys, and occasionally doing some driving himself, as in 2010/11 when with County struggling against relegation , and travelling numbers down, Lou laid on a 16 seater (inc driver)and drove it to Swindon via blizzard conditions on a snow blighted winter morning.
The BBC sent a journalist and cameraman with the coach which workaholic Lou Spalding drove himself.
Here`s a terrific BBC video of that trip- look out for the magnificent Man Utd put down from Pete......
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EsQVZBS0B2TY4Fjv19eHP4T7WibCW8Bb/view?usp=sharing
Over the years the FTC has involved itself fully in the County family, whether it be sponsoring the County Cricket Match…
..providing much needed equipment to a local hospital etc. FTC have been proud to play a part…
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Lou Spalding`s dedication stands out offering support and hope to County fans and the Club , so it was a great worry to all who knew him to hear that he had again had a cancer diagnosis that entailed him undertaking chemo therapy and radiotherapy – concern for Lou`s health was paramount and with both treatments happening on the same day for about a month, no one expected Lou to spend time getting us to games!
That was a great mistake on our part as Lou never missed a match following therapies with supervising/ organising the Flyer- quite simply a mindbogglingly wonderful effort on his part- we were all amazed and suitably grateful!
I caught up with Lou this week bursting with questions.
Asked what kept him going under such dire circumstances?- “ a love of County, and the support of a great bunch of regular travellers !” was his reply.
Lou`s best memory over the years- “ There have been many, but Wembley win v Rochdale stands out!”
Asked to point to anything that annoys or irritates him Lou was ready with a prompt response “ Travelling to the likes of FC United – a venue that offers next to no facilities to the travelling supporter- very annoying!”
But my last question was how was Lou and would the Flyer be getting County supporters to County games this season?
It was good to hear from Lou that he was doing well health wise- scan pending but outlook hopeful of a positive end result.
And …happily Lou will be running the Flyer to away games again this season , looking forward to re-visiting some former favourite grounds along with a few new one`s.
That is terrific news, and in wishing Lou a return to good health, hedgegrower would like to again salute the great job he ,through the Flyer, does for County supporters!
Great job Lou.......thank you !
Long may the Fingerpost Flyer fly!
hedgegrower
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