Reminiscing Followed By A Change Of Plan

I can't wait for this season to get underway. Writing this blog almost gives me a purpose, and even more of a reason to go and watch Dale. What I am wary of is looking for the funnies though. I don't want to be halfway through a game worrying that nothing of note has happened. In fact, I feel a more relaxed outlook will suit me better. I'll blog when I want to, when it feels right.

It's hard to focus on football in the midst of Wimbledon, The Lions Tour and The Ashes approaching, but when I think back to my experiences of Dale and the season ahead, it becomes harder to bare, that my first game is a month away!!!

I think back to 3 of my most glorious times watching Dale, in order of preference.

3. Dagnall Comeback (Dale 4-1 Rotherham) - I remember when Dagnall fell against Macclesfield. Much like Owen did for England, it was innocuos, but terribly painful to watch. 6 months out and a place on the bench for the Rotherham game. 1-0 down after 6 minutes, we came to the 80th minute level thanks to Gary Jones. On comes Dagnall, the way he recovered from his cruciate injury deserved an ovation in itself. Scoring on his return was spectacular, we went 2-1 up, Dagnall milks the applause, only to do it again in the 89th, and AGAIN in the 93rd. A 10 minute hat trick off the bench after a 6 month layoff. Bloody magnificent, and I still get chills thinking about it. Ball in hand and the fist punch in front of the Thwaites Beer End.
What else is there to say. Same Old Dagnall....

2. Edwards' Cup Heroics (Dale 2-0 Coventry) - One of my first experiences of a Dale match let alone a high profile FA Cup tie. Me and a couple other of the academy lads went on the pitch before the game to wave banners and flags. The atmosphere was electric and I walked out again alongside Paul Connor, scorer of our first goal. Coventry came into the game on a 10 match unbeaten run, and were near the top of the Division 1 (Championship) At my age, I didn't quite understand what it meant to the fans, but what I did understand was that walking away from the ground, I had seen one of the finest Goalkeeping Performances I will perhaps ever see. Nursing a broken finger, a strained thigh and about 25 other niggling injuries, 5ft 8 Neil Edwards stood between the sticks. He collected EVERYTHING, pulled off about 8 incredible saves and kept Dale in the game. Gareth Griffiths, who had arguably his best game for Dale alongside Keith Hill netted the second and I stood up only to be mauled on and pushed 2 rows down. Who cares?
Shame it all ended down at Wolves...

1. Bragging Rights (Stockport 2-7 Dale) - My home turf. Living in Stockport all my life, I was surprisingly never tempted to support County. One of the main reasons? Well, I fell in love with Rochdale, and you don't cheat on your girlfriend, so why do it to your football club? I took the train with about 6 mates (All County regulars) to stand in the roofless away end by myself, and watch us face a team who had previously kept a record number of clean sheets, with now Wales International Wayne Hennesey in goal. Well you can imagine my, lets say surprisement at being 4-0 up inside 17 minutes. We would have kept that clean sheet had it not been for a terrible Rundle back pass and a rare Matty Gilks mistake. As is the nature of Rochdale fans, being 4-2 up at half time was not good. 99% of people I overheard in the toilets, in the stand were negative. I was thinking to myself.... (Now I know I'm with the Dale :D) But there was no need to be, 30 seconds into the second half we were 5-2 up, finishing with 7. The fans were so shocked, the only songs we could sing throughout the second half was "We want 6, we want 6" We got the 6th. "We want 7, we want 7" We got that. "We want 8, we want 8" Perhaps too ambitious?? Nevertheless, it was extraordinary and the smile didn't leave my face, partly because of the result and partly because it was so cold my mouth was frozen like that....

So there are my 3 greatest memories. Niku will argue the case for Macc 0-1 Dale. Well he can be shot, worst game I've been to in a long time. James will of course say "What about Barnet? 2-0 down, won 3-2!!! Alfie, Alfie" Yes, well it doesn't quite compare to the other 3. Myself? Well on another day I might have put the Playoff Semi against Darlington. David Perkins stole my heart that day.... I think perhaps I am bitter that County got revenge, so best not mention it in the top 3.

Finally, I must comment about the change of title. Upon speaking with Matt Boothman (The fabulous writer of There's Always Next Year) I felt that the blog needed something that stood out, something that gave it character. I shortlisted 10 possible options before settling on something that took me a good nights sleep to finally stick to. "The Big Headed, Iranian, Peter Crouch" relates to all 3 of us, who are battling to achieve our goals this year. James (Big Head), Niku (Half Iranian) and Myself (6ft 3 Crouch look-alike) are all one this season, and this unity is shown in the title. It's random, it's bizarre but most of all it's unique and likeable.

Keep reading, thanks for the support.

Up The Dale!