“But can’t we just leave him?”, asked the Warley Shayman with more than a hint of desperation in his voice. “Every time he’s travelled with us down south for a midweek fixture this season we’ve lost”, he continued whilst looking through his pocket notebook of results. We’d only just left Halifax and were heading towards Enigmatic Denzil’s mansion on the outskirts of somewhere posh. Tesco Pete and I exchanged glances, it was tempting, but our luck had to change at some point. Soon after, pleasant greetings were exchanged on the back seat as if nothing had been said, the four of us continued on our 224-mile journey south to Woking.
You could spot him a mile off, his famous ‘In Milly We Trust’ flag was billowing out of the back window, the music was loud, even for us passing by in the next lane. When they spotted us, the front windows came down for a rendition of ‘I-O-Shaymen’. It was hard to tell whether his passengers were having a great time or pleading for help. Either way up, Whirlwind Jim was making his mark on the slow moving M25 tea-time traffic. The Shaymen were coming to town and everyone knew it, whether they liked it or not.
After a non-stop journey, we arrived in Woking with a few sharp turns, to make sure nobody we knew would be following us. We headed for one of our favourite restaurants, just in time to pick up the half-price tea-time offer. Eat as much as you like, then feel forced to buy a pudding the size of a bowling ball. The desert wasn’t compulsory, so that those who were able, politely declined.
With an admission price of £21 in advance, or £24 on the day, the travelling Shaymen were given access to a terrace that runs the full length of the pitch. In addition, Woking also provide a generous block of seating for visitors in their disproportionately large stand behind the goal. Captain Sam Johnson was stood with the away fans before the game sharing stories of Oldham and previous victories at the Kingfield Stadium.
The game started with the Shaymen looking good, putting Woking under pressure and dominating the early part of the game. In the distance, at the far end, we could see the ball come off the crossbar during one attack for Town. It was difficult to see the circumstances, but it was the closest anyone came to scoring early on. Woking then came back into the game chucking everything they had into the Town box. Our debutante keeper looked assured, dealing with everything that came his way.
At half time, Woking were taking applications from anyone who wanted a pay for a burger in instalments. At just under £15, without chips or a drink, the refreshments kiosk was premium by name and premium by price. It’s perhaps the way in that part of the south, no wonder the kiosk in the home end is called the Moaners Bar if they have to pay that price each game…
The Shaymen continued to battle in the second half. They gave it everything and created a few decent chances. The crossbar was again rattled from a corner, and a last-minute shot was well saved by the home keeper. Woking put their best opportunity wide, in all honesty it could have gone either way. At full time, the team earned their appreciation from the 84 travelling Shaymen, and fair play to the manager, he personally thanked everyone of us for the support. It was a good point on the road and one for the Warley Shayman’s notebook.
Next up we’re on the telly with a late kick-off at Eastleigh. C’mon Shaymen.
Miles on the road: 6530. Goals on the road: 29. Points on the road: 34.
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