Flixton 1 GNE 2

“Where there’s muck there’s brass”. A well-known saying with roots in Yorkshire. As we know, brass in this context means money – more later - but if we use the word “brass” and relate it to brass bands we have the only link I know between Glossop and Flixton apart from the fact that my Great Aunt Ada once lived in Flixton. This last point may be of no significance at all to my dear readers so we can gloss over that one.

We may recall that Glossop is the town where the modern brass instrument valve was invented. Glossop Old Band has been around since the 1830s and, after more ups and downs than a trombonists elbow, are currently very successful and add significantly to the culture of our town.

Much is the same with Flixton Band. Formed as long ago as 1877, they went out of existence for a period of time in the middle of the 20th century but are now back again and going strong. This year they took part in six of the Whit Friday contests in the Saddleworth area picking up several second section prizes in what will be remembered as the worst Whit Friday weather for years – global warming!!!

Many are the memories of your ageing scribe of Whit Walks in Stalybridge following a brass band associated with St. Paul’s Church. Dressed in your best clothes this was, effectively, a money making (“brass making”) exercise for the walkers as friends and relatives dived out from the assembled crowds to thrust small coins in your blazer pocket. A threepenny bit (the 12 sided one) from family friends and a tanner (sadly not the silver one – I’m not that old!!) from relatives was the going rate in those pre-decimal days.

In many ways, the world of brass bands has more of a link to Rugby League than football with many of the more famous brass bands coming from towns and villages close to the M62. However, the presence of a brass band at Wembley Cup Finals is well known and versions of Abide With Me which do not feature a brass band are missing something somewhere. This subject has recently exercised the mind of Michael Calvin in Mirror Football who recently said “Of all the shameless opportunists attached to England’s team, the brass band are the worst”. Although, to be fair, I suspect that he was referring to the brass band in the crowd which has the somewhat annoying habit of playing the theme to The Great Escape over and over again - maybe they only know one tune?

We, of course, still recall “our day at Wembley” from not that long ago. This was almost the situation for Flixton FC in the 1995/6 season where they lost in the semi final to Brigg Town who then went on to win the Vase at the old Wembley.

Still, all this is history and the mighty GNE are in serious need of league points as we head off to the Valley Road Stadium – “The Lions Den”.

We arrive at the ground just as one of the GNE players, in track suit and carrying a kit bag, gets into his car and drives off – not a good sign perhaps.

£5 entrance and requests for a programme met with the rather surly comment “we’ve sold out mate” – for some reason, we do not believe this – no challenge at all here Neil.
Our voluble Chairman recalls a tale that on entering the Flixton ground, you were likely to be asked if you wanted a pie at half time – they sell so few that they take orders in advance! No comments about pies tonight, dear readers.

No sign of a brass band and not much sign of home support. Seems that Lions are an endangered species in this residential area of West Manchester. According to the Vodkat League website, the average attendance for league games here this season is 17 (yes, seventeen)! The GNE travelling army contribute 30 or so to a “crowd” of eerm 32 according to the Vodkat League website – make your own minds up on this one. The floodlights are already on as the nights draw in. They are rather low and playing havoc with your ageing scribe’s rose tinted varifocals. Must do something about this – perhaps a GNE baseball cap with a big neb would solve this one.

Much debate about where to unfurl the flag. The Supporters Club multi-talented events co-ordinator fails to take up the challenge of shinning up the side of the clubhouse to position the flag on the railings protecting the balcony on the first floor. It eventually appears near the dug outs opposite the clubhouse which is a two storey building, “well-appointed with a fully stocked bar and a large stage – suitable for all types of functions and available for hire at very reasonable rates”.

GNE line up with the Supporters Club preferred back four in the preferred positions – our ebullient Captain at right back. We fail to give the opposition the almost mandatory goal start and, after 45 minutes, it’s halftime. 1-1.

Retire to the well-appointed clubhouse for liquid sustenance – Tetley’s Extra Cold something (yuk) – to find more locals inside than outside. Seems that Man. U. v. Wolves on a big screen has more attraction than Flixton v. GNE live. Stark contrast here between two football matches happening less than 5 miles apart 32 at Flixton, over 51,000 at Old Trafford. After 45 minutes it’s half time with the match level at 0-0 oops, sorry, wrong match!

For the start of the second half, the crowd looks to be bigger – no, this is not people getting in at half time for nothing - and the clubhouse is all but empty. After 15 minutes there is a concerted move by the locals back into the clubhouse – the power of Sky TV eh.

A 10 man GNE score the winning goal in the very last minute – an event missed by the multi-talented Supporters Club events co-ordinator as he is inside the clubhouse making preparations for the journey home. A seriously needed three points in the bag and our voluble Chairman comments that the mighty GNE now have more league points than he has points on his driving licence – lets hope that it stays that way.

Next stop – Abbey Hey.