Dave Woodhall watches as Stourbridge FC make history.
To call Tuesday the greatest night in Stourbridge FC’s 125 year history is no exaggeration. Not only did they reach round two of the FA Cup for the first time, they also recorded their biggest attendance for almost forty years. And if you discount the 391 hardy Plymouth supporters, everyone who was there will surely want to return.
This was not the usual cup upset, when the underdogs snatch a goal against the run of play and defend frantically for the rest of the game. For the whole of the 90 minutes Stour were in complete control and only luck and some fine saves from Plymouth keeper Jake Cole prevented the score from reaching embarrassing proportions.
The bare facts are that Paul McCone scored from a corner eight minutes after the break while Sean Evans hit the second goal with 17 minutes remaining. But that was just a fraction of the whole story.
In truth, there wasn’t much drama – the home side were just too good. Despite being three levels below the visitors and having around 100 sides between them in the non-league pyramid, the part-timers comprehensively outplayed their professional opponents. Off the field, though was another story. With temporary stands, toilets and stewards, this was no ordinary game. Stourbridge regulars watched with a mixture of bemusement and pride as the War Memorial ground seemed to have been taken over for a fixture that didn’t quite belong to them.
The usual non-league traditions – a lack of segregation, being able to change ends at half-time and standing outside the bar with a beer while watching the match – had been shelved for the night. There was an attempt to keep the covered Shed end to its stated capacity, but this had to be abandoned as over a hundred Stourbridge supporters good-naturedly pushed past the stewards and added to the atmosphere as the crowd made their presence felt throughout.
It felt odd to be surrounded by strangers at a ground where almost every supporter is usually on at least nodding terms, but the gate receipts together with TV and prize money will be a lifeline to a club who, as with most at this level, have to watch every penny.
The game over, thoughts turned to the second round tie at home to Stevenage of League One. The visitors for this one are a well-financed, former non-league side themselves, on the up and a complete contrast to Plymouth, a club who have played at a much higher level yet are heading for the Conference after just coming out of administration. Another victory for the Glassboys would be on a par with Kidderminster winning at Old Trafford, but confidence is sky-high and after tonight anything’s possible.
I don’t know what was the most telling moment of the evening. It might have been Barry Pilkington, father of Stourbridge chairman Ian, informing his usual match-going companions about how he had to queue for a ticket because his son refused to pull any rank whatsoever. Or it might have been the sight of Plymouth president Peter Ridsdale walking through the crowd back to the boardroom at the end of the game. Eleven years ago to the day he was watching his Leeds side playing Real Madrid in the Champions League. Tonight he was picking his way through the mud at the back of the goal and trying not to get his expensive shoes, which would probably have cost a month’s wages for a Stourbridge player, too dirty. To his credit, he congratulated everyone who spoke to him and wished them well.
