New Mills 0 GNE 1

Local derbies are, generally, the matches which spectators look forward to most every season. Families are often split in their allegiances. Discussions break out in hostelries within the area. Friendships can be strained. But, what is it all about? Well, although in the context of a league match, the league points are the only tangible thing up for grabs, what is considered to be more important are the local bragging rights – at least until the next match.

So where do we find this intense rivalry? Certainly with United and City in Manchester, Liverpool and Everton in Liverpool, the North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs, Inter vs. AC in Milan and, of course, Glossop North End vs. New Mills in this far northern and western corner of Derbyshire.

And it is this reference to Derbyshire which gets us thinking about the word “derby” and how it is used in this context. As often in discussions on word origins, there is no real certainty with this one. The most popular reference is to the horse race of the same name run every year at Epsom racecourse. In this sense, the word “derby” is a noun and is considered to apply to any sporting contest. Then, it follows that the noun “derby” needs qualifying in some way to arrive at the meaning we have today. Examples above such as “the North London Derby” meet this requirement but we can generalise this by reference to the term “local derby”. There is an alternative suggestion to the origin of the term “derby” which relates to the traditional Shrovetide football match in the city of Derby. This was one of these “1,000 or so a side free-for-alls” of which there are a number of examples elsewhere in the country. In these, essentially rule free, encounters, the goals tended to be at either end of the town and the whole town were involved in the contest. Tempting though it may be to “adopt” a local derivation, it is considered more likely that the reference to the horse race is “correct”.

At the beginning of every new football season, when the fixture lists are revealed, our first task, if we are in the same division, is to find out when we play New Mills. Holidays and other social functions depend upon this and nothing must get in the way of attending both the home and away matches. Imagine then our consternation to discover that the date for the visit of New Mills to Surrey Street was a Wednesday evening in September whereas the return match at Church Lane was scheduled, as is traditional, for Boxing Day afternoon. Some lobbying on behalf of both clubs resulted in the September date at Surrey Street being postponed and the original home match against Abbey Hey on Easter Monday being replaced by the visit of New Mills to Surrey Street.

As we know, this turned out to be a bit of a disappointment to the home side in that a victory to New Mills – against the balance of the game many would say – gave the bragging rights to The Millers in front of a crowd of 658. However, the opportunity to reverse this imbalance would come only two weeks later on what turned out to be a very cold night at Church Lane.

As prefaced in the last GNE Away, the day started early for three of the GNE travelling army determined to explore yet another mode of transport to an away game – on foot! Representatives of “the unemployed”, the “retired” and the “council workers” met in The George at 1.15 pm. Refreshment in the form of Old Speckled Hen (Greene King) – smooth, malty and fruity with a short finish. A stroll up Chunal and down the other side (The Grouse was shut) brought us to The Lantern Pike (closed). Next port of call was The Royal in Hayfield at 3.30 pm for Copper Dragon Best Bitter – a traditional Yorkshire bitter with a gentle, hoppy, fruity aroma. Moving on, the Waltzing Weasel hoves into view at 4.30 pm and a stop is made to sample The Reverend James (S.A. Brain) – a faint malt and fruit aroma with malt and fruit flavours in the taste. We enter New Mills and a photograph is taken with the Supporters Club flag.

By now, others of the GNE travelling army are starting to appear. Our real ale expert is spotted on a 61 bus heading for the centre of New Mills. The kit man drives past to get to the dressing rooms at New Mills early. A steep descent past Church Lane takes us to The Beehive close to the well known “sweet shop”. It’s 5.55 pm. Our real ale expert recommends Ale Force from the Storm Brewery – an amber, smooth tasting, complex beer that balances malt, hops and fruit. Thoughts turn to food but Shifty, katykay and Sharon arrive and we move to The Queens, closer to the ground, at 6.35 pm. Hatters Mild (Robinsons) is seen to be darker than expected thus prompting a discussion with the barman. Seems that Robinsons have darkened the beer – addition of caramel presumably – in the last few weeks. Interesting and, arguably, slightly better for that.

We approach the ground at around 7.00 pm some 5 hours or so since leaving Glossop. Very pleasant way to spend a Monday afternoon but probably better in April than in the depths of winter. £5 entrance and £1.50 for a “slightly recycled” programme – we should remember that this fixture has had a few false dawns this season. Then directly to the food hut for pie and chips – not bad at all. The GNE travelling army start to assemble in the well appointed clubhouse and on the hard standing area in front of the dressing rooms. Questions are asked of the walkers such as “did you really walk all the way?” – answer, yes. “do you need a lift back?” – answer, certainly do. A four flag day, one of which is carefully positioned to obscure a Millers flag – good move that! An attempt to count the strength in depth of the GNE support is thwarted somewhat as your aging scribe’s slightly rusting abacus does not register figures above 100. Let’s just say well in advance of 100 and a good effort on a Monday night – official crowd 410.

As the sun sinks slowly in the west, the temperature drops and the right ankle of your ageing scribe starts to give him a bit of gip – not really sure the cause and effect here but, as darkness falls, it gets worse. After 45 minutes its half time, 0-0. Texts to absent friends update them of the score and the GNE support moves to behind the goal at the bottom end of the ground. It could have been written that if GNE were to score a goal tonight the scorer would be Garry Kharas and that is exactly what happened. At the end of the match GNE win 1-0 triggering scenes of great celebration from players and spectators alike. Our ebullient manager simply smiles – well, grins like a Cheshire Cat might be a more appropriate description.

Back to Glossop as quickly as possible to celebrate in the local pubs. 10.00 pm arrive at The Crown – Old Brewery Bitter (Sam. Smiths) – malt dominates the aroma with an initial burst of malt, fruit and hops in the taste. Conversation is dominated by what we have just seen – big smiles all round.

10 hours after leaving home, your ageing scribe returns, almost on one leg. The good lady wife comments “you should know better at your age!” Not much sympathy there then but football was never her strong point.

Bragging rights return to Glossop and we look forward to the next match which, according to the erudite Haggis, is against “the Nelsons” – ah well, could be a bit of a one eyed contest this one...