In advance of Saturday's home clash with AFC Hornchurch, Supporters Club committee member and Club Shop Manager, Adam Edwards gives his thoughts on footballing and Club Shop matters. His article will appear in Saturday's matchday programme.


Good afternoon one and all and welcome to The Vale for this afternoons League game against AFC Hornchurch. We trust you and your fellow Urchins have a pleasant stay here with us in the heart of Middlesex and also have time to share a drink with fellow supporters in the clubhouse after the game.

Well it seems an age since my last set of programme notes against Met Police in the league cup. Was that really this season? It seems an age in the life of a football fan. There seems to have been a lot of water under the bridge (or should that be rain on the pitch?). Well today offers something that’s unique given recent months; a Saturday home game. So here’s to three points staying in Middlesex.

It is always a struggle to think what to write in these notes. I could talk about team formations, player selection, recent games, but I feel that there are others better qualified than me, and no doubt I will only be repeating what players, management and fans have said elsewhere in this fine programme. My topic of choice this week is the media’s obsession with the loss of prestige to the FA Cup. There seems to be growing talk on the radio and in the papers of the need to divert one of the champion’s league places to the winner of the FA Cup. This they believe will mean the bigger teams, namely the only teams the media seem to think exists; Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea will take the competition seriously. What rattles my cage is that ask any Stones fan at the Aylesbury 4th Qualifying tie, or even earlier at the Arlesey tie whether the FA Cup matters to them; whether their team took the tournament seriously, whether wanting to get as far as possible was not as important as the league. If anything in these times and financial circumstances the club find themselves in it is probably more important than the league. Yes all non league fans dream of the 1st round tie, but the prize money helps. I don’t remember the management resting players in each round because we had a big game coming up against maybe Cray Wanderers. I could not care less who wins the FA Cup. I know I have missed more of the recent finals than those I have watched because it is the same old faces. The same predictable result, the same pandering to the same old clubs. But don’t insult my intelligence and those who follow teams outside the top three or four in the Premiership and say the FA Cup has lost some of its shine. It certainly has not at grass roots.

Megastore News – Despite the bad weather and the loss of opportunities to open the megastore, we have been cracking on with selling via the web. We have invested a huge amount of time ebaying many of the programmes many of you have donated. Whilst it would not be a viable career move as it takes up so much time listing items and packing items, we have racked up a tidy sum of cash that can all go into the pot. The Mrs is extra happy as the 6,000 listed programmes are slowly being emptied from the loft. Added to this we have sold a number of shirts to long lost and long distant stones fans. I have sent a couple to the US, Australia as well as the four corners of these isles. I hope some of the recent customers from these distant lands will send back pictures of them wearing their Royal Blue shirts with pride. We can but wait and see.

Well back to Megastore business. You may have noticed that we have added some more items to the vast array of merchandise we stock. We have a new selection of Umbro jackets (£25), polo shirts for kids (£10), training tops (£16), as well as some more Cotton Traders tops (£15). I know they have already started going well as as soon as I opened the door to the megastore to start setting up against Waltham Abbey people were trying to purchase said items. Much to Bappo’s annoyance who was simply trying to get the PA working.

Those who have missed the recent announcements we have the Rotherham DVD’s in. They are available on two DVD’s which show both the build up and interviews as well as match and post match hype. Having only recently watched my copy (and yes I parted with the £12.50 for my copy) I have to say it is very professional and well put together. A must have for anyone who was there. We only have 17 copies left and I expected these to be all but gone by the end of Saturday, so get in early as we won’t be getting anymore.

I noticed from recent discussions on the forum that people have been asking about the now famous Sticks and Stones album; featuring much loved songs like “Down at the Wealdstone”, “Mummy’s Gone to Tesco’s” & “The Ballad of Vicarage Road”. Well we have a few copies available for £4 so get them while they last. No Music collection would be complete without it... and remember they are not available in the shops.

WFCSC Race night – A quick reminder to those reading these notes prior to the game to think about sticking around for the WFCSC Race night. This has been put together by Hillsy. Last year despite the cancellation of the home game prior to the event it proved a great success, despite Ryan Ashe doing his best to clear out the bookies. Horses are still available. All you need is yourself and feel free to get on horses, buy horses or name a race. All proceeds go back to the supporters club and should help raise much needed revenues.

Programme Hunters – Since my last notes I have undertaken the task of updating the programme catalogue. At the last count we had some 6,000+ Wealdstone programmes. Well with recent donations we are approaching 9,000+. Many of the new additions are older and less common than previously listed. They stretch back to the 1950’s and go right to present day and include many of the away programmes which many of you may be missing from your collections. Once I finish this task (I am only up to ‘K’ in my cataloguing at present) we hope to start putting together some bundles which can be brought at a much reduced price. If you are interested in the new list come and see me and I will be happy to send you a full list. Likewise you can email me in the usual way (edwards_adam@sky.com). So do me a favour and get cracking and buy buy buy…

LBDTM & Elmslie Enders – For those of you out there who are still missing the odd one or two of both of these must haves for any stones fan, you will be pleased to know these will soon be available for purchase. Again if you are interested please come and find me. I have to say they are an excellent read as they contain wild stories of away days as well as the much loved surveys on anything from worst player to best away day beer.

Goodbye & goodnight - That brings to an end my 4th set of programme notes. Remember the shop will be open all Home games and some away games. Up the Mighty Stones and don’t forget to bring your wallets

Adam E (aka Stones Throw)
On behalf of the Megastore Team