If you think following Charlton Athletic has become difficult in recent years, spare a thought for a fellow Addick who also follows his home country. It's eleven years since Scotland last participated in a World Cup finals. I was there in France as "the flag" will tell you. It's been a mighty struggle to qualify for anything since. The desire and support of the fans is unwavering and we go again on Saturday into a match that looks like mission impossible. The Dutch in the Amsterdam Arena is a massive task. Five years ago they exacted 6-0 revenge over us for having had the temerity to beat them 1-0 at Hampden in the home leg.
If the Dutch better us over the two games, and you have to take them to do that, we will need to finish above Norway just to get the chance of a play-off place for South Africa (assuming we can finish above Iceland and Macedonia). That is probably within the capability of the current squad but it's no foregone conclusion and the opposition we are likely to face in any play-offs will most likely be strong favourites to beat us. The wait may well go on.
In the meantime, it's down to the 8,500 ticket holders for the Amsterdam Arena to urge their countrymen on. I will be there and we will enjoy ourselves come what may.
Is there still a big Scottish contingent at Charlton Dave?
ReplyDeleteNot to worry Dave.
ReplyDeleteThe Scots supporters will be able to give their 'anyone but England' shirts another airing. I hope!
CA - Not that I am aware of. This flag always attracts a few surprised Charlton fans in far flung places, often when I have not been there with it! Dave.
ReplyDeleteI just remember in the 70's there were I think a Dundee Addick contingent. Certainly at away games there were a number of Scottish accents - perhaps one was you!
ReplyDeleteCA - I remember the Dundee boys from the 80's although I think we only get the odd visitor from there now as opposed to the occasional busload (there's one I bump into on some Scotland trips). Whilst I can slip into my mother tongue when the mood takes me, my south-east London accent is just as strong, I suspect, as yours! Dave.
ReplyDeleteHow bloody dare you. I have a marvously nice south-east london, Chicagoan, Bermudian accent. The best that Catford could offer.
ReplyDeleteI can hear a Cat-ford Bernudian lilt but I'm struggling to get the Chicagoan into in. A spell in the Far East should round it off nicely.
ReplyDelete