Colne 1 GNE 1

What does Colne mean to you? A rhetorical question – as are most questions which appear in these short narratives. Well, for some it will be part of that well known trio Burnley, Nelson and Colne – not quite Wilson, Keppel and Betty (if you don’t know – look it up) but probably better known to most of my dear readers. On the footballing side, we regularly play at Nelson and Colne but have no immediate prospects of a match against Burnley although we may well have played Burnley at some time in our illustrious past – help needed from the erudite Haggis on this one.

On the other hand, the dedicated shoppers amongst us, and this does not include your ageing scribe, may have fallen for the dubious charms of a day out at the heavily advertised Boundary Mill Stores. I’m sure that you have all seen the adverts for this establishment “at the end of the M65” which features such delights as Banny’s Fish and Chip Restaurant and an “M&S outlet” – whatever that may be – some sort of plumbing equipment perhaps?

Unknown to many, Colne represents a place of pilgrimage for fans of Rhythm and Blues music. Right on our doorstep, nearly, and for over 20 years, there has been an annual festival of Blues music which takes place over the Bank Holiday Weekend at the end of August. Originally inspired by just one individual who worked for the local council, this event – still supported by Pendle Borough Council – has hosted and continues to attract the best in Blues music from around the world. Organised in multiple venues, including an outside stage near the market, this Festival provides the ideal opportunity to spend a couple of days in this hilly East Lancashire town and sample some of the best Blues to be found anywhere. My particular highlights, mainly at the Civic Hall in the centre of the town, include a sublime performance, in the Chicago Electric Blues style, by Mr. Buddy Guy – recommended CD, “Damn Right, I’ve got the Blues” which features a version of the great Eddy Boyd track “Five Long Years” which runs to something over 8 minutes – stunning!
Another memorable performance was given by Mr. Milton Campbell, better known as Little Milton. Little Milton comes from the Mississippi Delta and, after various record label deals, settled with Malaco Records from Jackson. Mississippi and, virtually single handedly, revived the fortunes of this very small label – just about anything on Malaco is worth listening to, amongst the finest technical productions across the whole of recorded music. Backed by an enthusiastic eight piece band of American musicians, who had travelled from the Southern States of the USA to Colne just for this one gig – shows how big the Festival is – this Soul/Blues singer and guitarist treated a packed audience to some of the best in this style of music. Sadly, Little Milton died a few years ago and his unique talents, of course, died with him.

But what has this got to do with Glossop? Well, a lot really. Many of us will remember the various blues bands which played in The Fleece – now the Moon and Sixpence – some years ago. A fair number of these bands also played at Colne during the Blues Festival, often at the local pubs but also on the outdoor stage near the market ground. Supreme amongst these bands were Bare Wires – presumably named after the John Mayall album of the same name. The only reference I know to recorded work by Bare Wires comes from a compilation album of local blues bands put together by Manchester guitarist, and collaborator with our very own Mr.Victor Brox, Mr. Norman Beaker and entitled “Up Jumped the Blues” dated 1988. Does anyone remember what happened to Bare Wires?
And, of course, it seems to be entirely appropriate to link the music style known as “the Blues” to “the Blues” of Glossop North End – “come on you Blues”!!

We approach Colne in glorious sunshine on this late April evening. Those amongst my dear readers who know Colne but have never visited the football ground, may wonder where there is a piece of land flat enough and big enough to accommodate a football pitch – all will be revealed.

Arriving 45 minutes before kick-off, the turnstiles are not yet open so we enter the ground via the player’s entrance. Eventually, the turnstile is manned - £5 entrance and £1 for a programme of “average” quality. We enter the cosy clubhouse and see newspaper cuttings of times past, but not long ago, indicating previous glories. Indeed, this is the ground used by Colne Dynamoes. With the backing of a local millionaire, Colne Dynamoes were winning divisions and gaining promotions practically every season through the 1980’s including a win in the FA Vase final at Wembley against Emley. The club eventually folded in 1990 after they were refused elevation to the Conference due to ground grading issues. The present Colne FC were formed in 1996 and the highlight for this club was an appearance in the FA Vase semi final in 2003/4 where they lost to AFC Sudbury. Cans and bottles only but a friendly welcome.

The ground is rather out in the hinterland with hills to one side and views of the East Lancashire towns on the other. Sheep gently munch grass in a field on the top side and we wonder if the groundsman needs a mower. As rather suspected, the pitch is by no means flat. It would be difficult to suggest a mathematical description of a pitch which slopes from side to side and from end to end. Perhaps we should leave this one to the Supporters Club Chairman of Vice and our resident mathematician to come up with an answer. What we can say is that if this surface was reproduced on a snooker table at the World Championships currently being played in Sheffield then it would be possible to pot any ball in the “green” pocket from anywhere on the table.

As the teams come out it starts to rain – well, a few spots anyway. The GNE travelling army is more “platoon strength” tonight of about 20 from a crowd announced as 66. A two flag day. We assemble under the shed at the top end and note that the ground is remarkably quiet. Every exhortation from both players and management on both sides is clearly heard. The sheep amble away from the top field, maybe to escape the less than delicate language. Didn’t know that sheep were quite so sensitive to such things – you learn something every day!

After 45 minutes, it’s half-time, 0-0. The pies are described as “very hot”. In fact, so hot that the flavour is masked. Potentially interesting tactic this but not one to be followed at Surrey Street.

The threat of rain passes and we move out into the open at the bottom end of the ground. Our voluble Chairman and building expert reckons that the fall on the ground from side to side must be something over 8 feet. We witness at very close quarters a “screamer” from Dan Browne which gives us a well deserved lead and the thoughts of returning to the High Peak with three points safely garnered. These thoughts are dashed as Colne equalise in injury time and the match ends level at 1-1. Disappointing are our thoughts and we would not like to come up with a suitable adjective to describe the thoughts of our indomitable Manager as his full time “summary” of events, drifting through from the away team dressing room, could be considered to be “forthright” to put it mildly.

The journey home is quiet and uneventful as we consider the next matches to come as we rapidly approach the end of this rather inconsistent season. “Probably end up watching the Reserves tomorrow night” was the general consensus as the Reserves push for honours in both League and Cup. For the first team, next stop Atherton LR on Thursday …