OYSTERS SEE OFF THE 'FISH'

FISHER FC 0 V WHITSTABLE TOWN 2
SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST PREMIER @ ST PAULS STADIUM
14 JANUARY 2017 --- 3PM

ST PAULS HOME OF FISHER FC

Whitstable made it eight wins in a row with this comfortable victory at St Pauls the new home of Fisher FC who had gone on a three game unbeaten run looking to pull away from the foot of the table.  Two first half goals from Charlie Smith and Craig Thompson made the second half relatively easy watching for the happy band of visiting supporters.
After a batch of games in midweek and the threat of frost etc over the latter part of the week the research had been done for a 3g game and although on the day most games in the blogs normal area played this was one I was looking forward too a trip down saarrf, ok lets get the first north south reference out of the way early on!
The handy thing about base station is that its just around 2 hours on the train to the big city and when I arrived for the 10am train a little early I jumped aboard the 0940 which would get me into London for 1130.  Just before departure there was a very brief chat with former England international Chris Waddle who was going down to London to BT to cover a game from the studios.

188 TO CANADA WATER

Upon arrival into St Pancras a station I had not been to for around 10 years it was self evident it has become a shopping mall with the station moved further north.  With green Oyster Card in hand for all day bus travel, served by an excellent team at the travel shop, I opted to walk to nearby Russell Square to board the 188 Abellio bus service to North Greenwich which in around 45 minutes would take us to Canada Water.  A good opportunity to see the sights passing through The Strand, over Waterloo Bridge with the view up the Thames to Big Ben, The London Eye etc and then onwards for a crew change at Elephant and Castle where we now found ourselves south of the river and approaching Tower Bridge we kept south taking a right to head towards Bermondsey the original founding home of Fisher Athletic.

CANADA WATER

  Rounding Southwark Park and into Canada Water Bus Station for our departure there was a little time to pop along and take a look at the shopping centre before visiting Greenland Dock which is now a leisure activity area from its previous industrious past.  Time was pulling us fast towards the game and in a cut through Fisherman's Walk there was time to marvel at Quebec Quay apartments, 1 bedroom, on offer for £500,000 and the 3 bedroomed new terrace style houses available for £750,000, that's about 5 similar houses up north.  In fairness though there is a big feel of the original population now being moved out of this area of London and although the area has clearly undergone a regeneration its a shame to lose the generations who have called this home.  Much as the north south element comes into play in any visit even for northerners going south or visa versa we all have the same challenges though and are all trying our best this is what I always comeback from London with non more so than some of the friendly people I met today.

FORMER HOME OF FISHER ATHLETIC

Having emerged from the tight new town houses nestled into the area I was out onto Legado Mews offering a view of new builds and a large fenced off grass area the latter the home of the former Surrey Docks Stadium home of Fisher Athletic.  The new builds I'm told by Ian secretary at Fisher FC is the sight of the former offices and stand of the club while the grassed area is the former pitch. Quite remarkably Fisher FC have returned to their home just around 300 yards over the way on Salter Rd in the developed former Astroturf netted leisure facility that has now become the St Pauls Stadium, the site is now run by Millwall Community Trust although the club seem to have a good relationship and long may that continue for the hardworking band of supporters in this Supporters Trust led club.  The history of Fisher is well documented so I wont cover it here but needless to say after their departure to Dulwich Hamlet in 2004 for a ground share then the eventual demise of the Fisher Athletic in 2009 the club was reformed by the fans and they have now arrived at Fisher FC back in and representing Bermondsey and Rotherhithe on the banks of the Thames, which is just 300 yards away from the ground and offers some commanding views back towards London. 

BACK ALONG THE THAMES SPOT THE BUILDINGS

Rotherhithe has quite a few claims to fame the initial sailing of the Mayflower alongside the stars of recent years in Michael Caine, Mr Micklewhite himself, and of course Max Bygraves who will ever forget My Pink Toothbrush?
Onto the ground and Salter Road is a pretty standard fayre when you walk along it and then you spot the selection of floodlights and light bricked wall the most obvious missing item is a large sign stating Fisher FC and I guess that will be on its way there is no signage at all on the exterior but it is early days.  There are two blocks of turnstiles with just one open today and a pleasant greeting was obtained after paying for admission and programme I purchased the £25 draw ticket.

THE STAND AND CHANGING ROOMS WITH THE SHARD IN THE BACKGROUND

To the right as we enter is a standard side shielded Atcost type stand with a selection of tip up seats moving round the whole area as with 3G facilities is tarmac and behind the goal it becomes slightly narrower before going onto the opposite side to our entrance it gets even narrower.  Complete circuits of the ground are denied by the modern dug out which are built back into what would have been a standing area.

DUG OUT SIDE BACKING ONTO THE THAMES

Making our way back to the initial turnstile and we find the business end with changing rooms, toilet block, snack bar area and a control room area which doubles up todays as announcers room something which was done very well today and good too see clubs operating one at step 5.

NO CAPTION NEEDED

Behind the other goal is a small again Atocst type terrace stand which during today housed the refreshment fuelled fans of both sides and during the game they constantly led the chanting and cheering on of their teams good effort today guys!  Into the far corner and its most hoppers, of which there were quite a few today, photo opportunity with the towering office blocks of Canary Wharf in view.  Mind you from the other end a slightly obscured view of The Shard is visible to add a different backdrop to St Pauls Stadium.

FLAG COMPETITION AS FISHER FC SHOW THERE ARTWORK OFF

So before we kicked off there was time to visit the snack bar which was being run by a lovely lady full of south London banter who today advised one chap enquiring about the beer [input accent] 'It's Saarrff London here babe get it drunk' adding a widening smile to her welcoming greeting, fantastic!
There was a quick chat with Ian the clubs secretary to obtain the teams and thank him for a prompt response to my previous evenings enquiry, always great when clubs get back to visitors questions thank you Fisher FC.  The club shop had a variety of merchandise smaller than I had expected but I guess they don't carry to much extra stock most is too order.

REFEREE WALLY JAMES WINNING IN THE FASHION STAKES

With the crowd starting to come in we arrived at 149 as todays attendance which looks a good average at the moment although bigger as been achieved and going forward if the club can avoid relegation they I'm sure are looking to get even closer to their community to encourage support.
Game time, at last I hear you say, the first action saw Whitstable in play and they should have taken the lead Charlie Smith saw his shot saved by the Fisher keepers legs and Connor Hood at the back post flashed his shot across the goal and wide.  For The Fish Luke Haidarovic tested the visiting keeper Dan Eason.

MATCH ACTION WITH THE FISHER DEFENCE WINNING THIS TIME

Just before Whitstable took the lead Fisher keeper Nic Taylor pulled off a good save from Craig Thomspon but he couldn't deny Smith who was put through and he confidently fire home into the bottom right hand corner after 25 minutes.

SPOT OF BOTHER

The game entered a feisty stage with a couple of bookings, mini confrontations one of which involved Fishers own players it was all keeping referee Wally James busy although he seemed more than happy to 'have a word' regularly.  Whitstable were looking for a second and Aaron Quain struck the cross bar and then in the 4th minute of stoppage time they did make it 2-0 a long ball found Thompson who powered onto the ball and superbly lobbed the ball over the out coming Taylor.
The second half developed into a little bit of a non event the neutrals were hoping for a Fisher goal to make it a potential comeback but they were trying hard but could not put any real flowing moves together which was a credit to the hardworking Whitstable team.

QUICK WORD GUVNOR

However special mention to Fisher keeper who again pulled off some excellent saves in the second half first from Thompson, it was then Smith who saw the number 1 push away his effort and minutes later he performed the same save again from Smith.
As we entered the first minute of time added on Taylor saved the best till last a fantastic full length save from a Harry Brown free kick 20 yards out.
The whistle finally blew just short of 5pm and Whitstable had secured the 3 points with a very well managed victory although Fisher struggled to put too much of note together it would be hoped that they have the ability in their squad to gain victories against those around them to pull away to safety.  At the end their was a good appreciation from the home players to the fans which is always good to see.

GO ON THEN JUST ONE MORE PICTURE OF CANARY WHARF

Departure back to Canada Water Bus Station was fairly comfortable and having boarded a 188 that was standing in its bay I was back in Russell Square in time to connect to a 'Boris Bus' service 10 which looped around Euston before departing me at St Pancras with time for a Big 'M'.  Homeward bound at 7pm and back at base station around 8.40pm.
A good day out and it was interesting to catch up with Fisher FC and I hope they can secure their status for next season while wishing them all the best for this supporter led club in their coming challenges, up The Fish.
[Hope to put on some unused pics on the Facebook page in the next few days]