The Oldest Football Club in Norfolk..

Formed in 1897 , Great Yarmouth Town Fc holds a special place in my heart, as you've seen from my previous blogs about my adventures through the world of football..Great yarmouth has been my home town for over 20 years now and as such i've always enjoyed getting along to the wellesley to see the Bloaters..Unlike many football fans who show loyalty to one club, i feel getting behind your local team no matter where you are in the world not only helps that club, but also helps broaden your knowledge of the game as a whole..
Many a cold rainy afternoon and evening i've spent down at the wellesley, even when i've been totally skint i've made a point of getting along at half time (no entrance charge) just to see how things are going..

In the early days of me supporting the club there was a good friendly vibe around the place, something i liked as i was struggling to find my feet in my new adopted town..As time moved along, i felt i was a part of the club and i'd often have a chat with the then chairman Colin Smith who in later years became a neighbour . Its always nice to feel accepted and a brief chat from a friendly face goes a long way to cementing loyalty further.
Crowds at the club were quite decent, and often topped 150, pretty good at that level and you'd always find a fair few visiting supporters attending games..Highlights of the season were visits from local rivals Gorleston Fc, just over the river on what my mate ian calls the posh side..Then of course the visit of Lowestoft Town Fc from over the border in suffolk with their very passionate support..

Jumping forward a few years i'd like to mention some of the players i've seen down at the wellesley..on the local front there is of course the ex norwich city and rangers player Disco Dale Gordon and Greg Downs from coventry city who have put in shifts in the black and amber shirt..Stuart Roach and Scotty Mcintosh were particular favourites of mine bagging goals for fun..The legend Mark Vincent who could have easily made it as a pro in the game, but chose to stay loyal to the club playing well over 600 games and nicely rewarded with 2 testimonial games against the upcoming rushden & diamonds and barry frys peterborough united..i could rattle off quite a few names that have impressed me over the years..

A recent initiative which i was involved in with the club was to establish a supporters association to help raise awareness of the club in the community and to bring more people through the gates..Sadly this initiative has fallen on its face now..there is established support for the club and a core support of approx 70 who turn out for most home games..Trying to build support is a HUGE task for the club..there are potential customers out there..its just getting them to walk through the gates and spend a couple of hours at the wellesley..

There was a few years ago a very vocal youth element supporting the club "The Yarmybarmyarmy" who gave vocal support at each home game, and travelled to away games too..Sadly this small group of fans blotted their copy book with the club, and were ejected from a game at norwich city fc for breaching club security regulations and failing to sit down in a stadium that was nearly empty...all very harsh on them realy, as anyone who visits carrow road will witness many in the barclay terrace standing for the full 90 minutes as well as visiting fans standing in the jarrold stand..

So here we are in 2011 and news reached me from the new chairman, that Paul Tong (1st team manager) has left the club..All a bit out of the blue and very sad..Life must go on at our local club, there is a big task ahead on tuesday night versus norfolk rivals Dereham Town..i do hope the game is attended by at least 100 supporters tomorrow night..This old norfolk club realy does deserve better from the locals..yes there are numerous factors stopping fans coming along..however i truly believe there would be a massive outcry if this club was allowed to die from locals both sides of the river yare..

My only hope is that this blog will find its way to football fans who realy do care about the game and if by chance you are a resident of the borough of great yarmouth..please get along to the wellesley and support the club..There is always a friendly welcome and i'm sure once you're bitten by the bug as i was many years ago..you'll love it and your veins will have a few pints of amber and black blood flowing through them.