Dagenham & Redbridge - Stories & Memories

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 14 Dec 2013, 20:54

The usual accompaniment to a matchday thread for you to post on. I think I forgot about it for the Scunny game so apologies but any funny stories and experiences you have had here and you wish to share then I'm sure we'd all be very grateful.

I've never been so don't have any stories apart from I'm probably glad about it.

bengull · Post by **bengull** » 14 Dec 2013, 21:19

Terrible place to watch football, but they have given away fans the newest and nicest stand so that's very kind of them. Its a very sterile place, normally deserted, no atmosphere, most of them are West Ham fans.

Been there twice, a draw in each of the last two seasons. The first was pretty early into Lingy's reign. At Dagenham the players have to cross the away end walk-way to get from changing room to pitch so if you get there early enough you can have a chat with anyone you care to choose. I spoke to Lingy on that day and it came across to me that he would have spoken to absolutely everyone and anyone had they tapped him on the shoulder, he was approachable and likeable.

Last season I went on a Tuesday night, it was absolutely freezing and it was a poor game between two rubbish teams. Aaron Downes was sent off and a penalty awarded and then scored within the first 90 seconds and I basically just accepted relegation there and then. A half time walk for a cup of tea revealed Downes sat hunched in the stand, a picture of misery. I gave him a thumbs up as if to say 'don't worry about it' but he looked at me like I was a mentalist so he might have taken it the wrong way. We played wilfully for 89 minutes with 10 men and came back twice, first courtesy of a smart Joss Labadie finish, second via a last minute Howe penalty, some say that goal acted as a catalyst for our survival effort. I would agree.

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 14 Dec 2013, 21:23

bengull wrote:Terrible place to watch football, but they have given away fans the newest and nicest stand so that's very kind of them. Its a very sterile place, normally deserted, no atmosphere, most of them are West Ham fans.

Been there twice, a draw in each of the last two seasons. The first was pretty early into Lingy's reign. At Dagenham the players have to cross the away end walk-way to get from changing room to pitch so if you get there early enough you can have a chat with anyone you care to choose. I spoke to Lingy on that day and it came across to me that he would have spoken to absolutely everyone and anyone had they tapped him on the shoulder, he was approachable and likeable.

Last season I went on a Tuesday night, it was absolutely freezing and it was a poor game between two rubbish teams. Aaron Downes was sent off and a penalty awarded and then scored within the first 90 seconds and I basically just accepted relegation there and then. A half time walk for a cup of tea revealed Downes sat hunched in the stand, a picture of misery. We played wilfully for 89 minutes with 10 minutes and equalised in the last minute courtesy of a smart Joss Labadie finish, some say that goal acted as a catalyst for our survival effort. I would agree.

I'm not surprised!

Anyway, you go to EVERY away game so technically you ARE a mentalist and Downesy was spot on.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » 14 Dec 2013, 22:05

Carayols goal in the early season game in our first season back in the league. Ridiculously good hit from absolutely miles out

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 16 Dec 2013, 21:20

Yup, just about the only noteworthy thing that Carayol ever did for us. we lost 5-2. Every shot that both sides had that day went in, it was a very strange match, capped off by that incredible run and strike from Mustapha.

I don't think it's quite such a horrible place to go to watch football these days, what with their new away end. That said, they are all fairly nasty West Ham fans that turn up, so none of them are especially arsed either way about D&R, which makes for a dull atmosphere and a general sense of apathy around the ground.

Matt.

Go on, someone (Hector) say it...

Rjc70 · Post by **Rjc70** » 16 Dec 2013, 22:39

Carayol was generally shit, apart from the back end of the season before he left. Frustrating as he clearly had something about him as events since have proven.

Matt, I'm not sure anyone can be arsed to pick up on what you are expecting from hector, be it kebab house related or otherwise.

I think we'll stay with the same side on Saturday and get a point.

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 17 Dec 2013, 00:32

General sense of apathy around the ground...

Bit like watching Torquay [insert "it's all Knill's fault" rant here].

Matt.

tktufc91 · Post by **tktufc91** » 17 Dec 2013, 17:31

Only memory of Dagenham was last seasons trip. Actually quite liked the stadium but I thought £22? To get in was a rip off.

However despite the early red, that was the game I had hope we would stay up. The clubhouse was nice too if I remember and well priced.

Oil Beef Hooked · Post by **Oil Beef Hooked** » 17 Dec 2013, 22:41

Been to see us play the Daggers twice in the last 3 years. The first time was in our 1st season back in the FL - before their nice new away end was built. I remember sitting in front of the bloke who does The Sky at Night - Chris Lintott. As other posters have mentioned, this was the game we got turned over 5:3 (Wroe, Benyon & Carayol).

My 2nd time was last season when Downes was sent off in the 3rd minute. Downes ended up sitting in our end - but on his own and looked inconsolable. All I can remember was doom and gloom and thinking that we were goners, relegated. We then pulled a goal back through Labadie, que the euphoria, but they then scored from what I remember was a late dubious goal. Howe then scored a last minute penalty (que more euphoria) for a more than deserved point. This game definitely gave everyone belief that we could avoid relegation. The rest is history.

How we can do with another battling performance like that again on Saturday.

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