The OAFC Her Game Too team speak to a visiting fan ahead of every home game to get more insight into their team. This week, we chatted to Nicola who is a Wealdstone FC fan.
Thank you for taking part Nicola and we hope you enjoy the game.
Name: Nicola Brown
Team: Wealdstone FC Can you tell us something special about the hometown of Wealdstone FC that we may not know? Wealdstone FC is in Ruislip and there's a few interesting facts about the town... In 1961, a house whose garden backs on to Grosvenor Vale was found to be hiding spies. Only a couple of miles from the ground is RAF Northolt. RAF Northolt is used by both military and civilian aircraft and is home to units from all three-Armed Services and the Ministry of Defence. It plays an important Royal role with both 32 (The Royal) Squadron and 63 Squadron RAF Regiment (Queen’s Colour Squadron) being based on the Station. Currently in the top corner of our ground, we have a gun turret. It was used to be a Searchlight Tower and an Anti-Aircraft Gun Tower. It was built to protect the approaches to RAF Northolt in World War Two, but it was also built as part of the defences for the underground Munitions Store, part of which remains under the Ruislip LuL Depot. We also have The Polish Air Force Memorial very close to the ground. This is in memory of airmen from Poland who served in the Royal Air Force as part of the Polish contribution to World War II. And a couple of fun facts about Ruislip ... it has the most London Underground stations than any other town in London and The Alvin Stardust 'Green Cross Code' advert was filmed in the high street!
Gun Turret - photo credit Steve Foster
How far have you travelled to watch your team?
Oldham is the furthest at just under 220 miles. Although I have visited a number of away games who were around the 200-mile mark! A home match for me is a 40-mile round trip.
What got you into football ?
Football is a massive part of my life and I absolutely love it!
My Dad was an exceptional footballer, playing semi-professional well into his 40’s, so football was always a big thing in our house. I grew up watching my two older brothers playing, at grassroots level from the age of 5, to school fixtures, through their teenage years and into non-league and Sunday league in adulthood. I spent many hours cheering them on from the side-lines, all over the country, come rain or shine, and that is where my love of the game started! When I was 19, I started following Arsenal. Along with my brother Paul, we travelled home, away and across Europe watching them, but things had to change when I welcomed my two sons Finlay & Archie a few years later, so without losing my love for the game, I swapped an Arsenal Season ticket for a Wealdstone FC one, where I now travel all over the UK watching them instead with my family. Both of my boys also play for local clubs, so I also get lots of enjoyment watching and supporting them every week too.
Nicola and her Boys
Why Wealdstone?
There is family history and connections to Wealdstone FC, which makes the club that little bit more special to us. My parents both grew up locally to the club, my Dad followed Wealdstone with my Grandad from the age of 8 and ended up playing for them back in 1972/73. My Mum also watched a few games growing up, but later in life she ended up working behind the social club bar at Lower Mead, whilst saving for their wedding. Her Dad was also the coach driver for the players when they went to Wembley in 1966 for the Amateur Cup final, where they beat Hendon 3-1. We regularly have 12 of us attending games - Myself, my husband Russell and our 2 boys, Finlay and Archie. My brother Paul and his three children - Amelia, Joe and Connie. My Mum & Dad and my 2 Nieces Isabelle and Ruby. We just need to get my other brother Kevin and 2 Sister in Laws, Tracy & Leanne to come along too and we will have a full house! My Mum and Dad’s story, really warms my heart. The club holds lots of great memories for them and we are lucky to now get to make many more memories together with them at the Club.
Barnet Away
Favourite memory as a fan ?
There's been quite a few!
Promotion to the National league was a big one and a couple of my favourite games were in the lead up to that. But last season there were some great memories....
Barnet away has to be mentioned; local derby, 900+ Wealdstone fans making a huge amount of noise and a fantastic 3-1 win. Notts County away on a Tuesday night, one of the first games of the season, I travelled up with my Mum and Dad. We lost 3-2, but the Stones put in a mighty amount of effort and the fans sang all night - it was definitely a game I will always remember. Two more! George Wickens saving a fantastic penalty at Southend away at the end of last season and both my boys being mascots at the home game versus Borehamwood.
Nicola and her mum
Predictions for this season for your team ? We did well last season and I think we surprised a few teams in the process. Our Management team has built a strong squad for this season and I am confident they will deliver the results we need to stay in a comfortable position. Obviously, there's always going to be surprises we will face too and there's no guarantees, but I am hoping to finish somewhere similar to last season, maybe even a place or two higher! Between 12th and 16th would be my prediction. Player for us to look out for? Max Kretzschmar. He dominates the midfield and makes things happen on the pitch. Technically he is a great player, he is creative, has great play awareness and plays with passion and the desire to win. Predictions for today's game? Obviously, I would love a win, but my gut feeling is it will be a draw What would you say to any women and girls who are thinking about getting into football playing/fan. I would absolutely say - go and get involved - It's her game too and you won't regret it! We all know football keeps you fit and it helps you be physically healthy, but it is more than that, it is more than a game. Football is about being part of a community and EVERYONE can be part of that. From playing in a team to standing on the terraces with the other fans, watching or playing, all cheering or playing with the same passion, for the same team, willing for goals to be scored and saved, and points to be won - It gives everyone a sense of belonging.
Football also teaches life skills such as social skills, respect, organisation and leadership. It provides lessons such as teamwork, discipline and the ability to handle success and failures - these are all key areas which will help develop you as an individual and are valuable lessons that can be carried on through life.
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