Fan In Focus
Chris
Thurston
15 May 2001
Name: Chris Thurston
Place of Birth: London
Date of Birth: 7.6.55
Occupation: I was terribly well educated and thus became a
Chartered Surveyor, something which did not inspire me, so I gave it up to
open a shop known as Ebeneezer Scrooges Party Emporium, and to be a
childrens disc jockey.
Non-League Team supported: Dagenham and Redbridge
League Team Supported: None
Favourite Book: My cheque book
Favourite Film: Casablanca
Favourite Band: Alcy ..... Russian singer, famed for her
performance in the Eurovision Song Contest .... since the fall of the
Communist System the Russians have decided that maybe the best way to
world domination is through the Eurovision Song Contest .... she is a good
singer, performs well, looks good .... and has nice t*ts!!!!
Favourite Radio Programme: Essex Radio Sports Programme on the day
we beat Lincoln. I had to work in Enfield but managed to pick up Essex and
hear the first thirty minutes commentary. But when I finished work at 4.15
there was interference from a pirate station. So I sped back as fast as I
could to my shop in Woodford, and just managed to get a very crackly
reception as I parked behind my shop at 4.45, to hear the commentator
saying that "daggers had done very well and thoroughly deserved a
0-0, but now Janney has a shot, and they have won it with almost the last
kick of the game" .... thank goodness no-one saw me jumping up and
down next to my van!!!!!!!
Favourite meal: Chicken Tikka Masala, with fresh mango for desert
Pet Hate/s:
a. That bloke that stands near to me on the halfway line and always slags
off Matt Jones .... OK I dont know much about football, but I thought
Matty was OK
b. People with umbrellas who walk under shop covers when it is raining,
thus poking my eyes out (yes I know I should get my own umbrella, but I
never was sensible)
c. People who walk their dogs in the park and allow them to rush up to me
and take a bite from my genitalia
d. Manchester United supporters who do not know where Manchester is!
e. Please press 1 to report a fault, 2 to pay a bill, 3 to be put on hold,
4 to make a complaint, 5 to order a pizza, 6 to speak to the samaritans, 7
to have a cup of tea, 8 to smack your head against a brick wall, 9 to
speak to an operator, although don't bother with that one because the
operator won't answer the phone anyway .... you get the idea.
I am a single guy who works too hard and travels as often as I can, and go to all games whether home or away when I am not working or away.
Desert Island Discs (New Feature)
You are alone on a desert island and can take with you the following:
8 Records
1 Book (not the Bible or Shakespeare as they are already on the island)
1 Luxury item that is of no practical value (I don't know what this means
exactly, I just got it from the Radio 4 website)
So what would you take?
Desert Island Discs
1. Alcy ...... Zima(winter)
2. Filip Kirkirov ....Viva Victoria(Russian ... long live Victoria)
3. Magazin ..... Sve bi seke ljubile mornare (Yugoslav .... never kiss a
sailor when your mother is watching)
4. Barbara .... Tu lupke (Slovak .... Dont tell me)
5. Rick James .... Give it to me baby (American)
6. Edison Lighthouse .... Love Grows
7. Abba ... Dancing Queen
8. Youre sixteen .... Chris Thurston Karaoke version Newquay 1989
Book ... Atlas
Luxury Item .... I want my Timberland Boots
All questions below relate to non-league football.
1. FAVOURITE PLAYER/S OF ALL TIME & WHY?
Paul Cavell .... real goalscorer. Paul Gothard ..... great keeper.
1a. FAVOURITE CURRENT PLAYER/S AND WHY?
My favourite current player is not a player, but the manager Gary Hill.
His record at dagenham has been unbelievable. I have no idea what he has
got, but he has got something. He has no football history, and when you
hear him speak he doesnt say anything that makes you think he is anything
special. But he was very successful at heybridge and St Albans, and he has
achieved more in the last eighteen months than anyone could have hoped
for. Most of the team, so far as I can see, are quite competent Conference
players, but Gary Hill has managed to get so much out of them. He is just
outstanding, and without him we would probably still be playing Dulwich
and Harrow.
As far as the players are concerned I admire Paul Cobbs attitude ... he
doesnt get many starts but he is always so enthusiastic, and when he comes
on he is always likely to score. Mark Janney has also got a great
attitude, and he has a lot to learn ..... but he will learn, as will
several other young players, and if we can keep them together the team can
only get better.
2. BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE/S OF ALL TIME?
I shall resist the temptation to mention the Charlton game. Best games
are ... v. Farnborough, first ever home game as D and R. Won 5-1 in front
of nearly 1800 v. Leyton Orient FACup, lost 4-5 v. Gloucester, Trophy semi
final replay at Slough, won 2-1 .... but I thought the final was an
anticlimax
2a. BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE 1999/00 SEASON?
Last season, v Hampton away, won 3-2, very entertaining and a great way to
win the league, but we had it all sewn up anyway v. St Albans away last
season, won 3-1. if there was any doubt we would be champions we settled
it that night with a terrific performance
3. WORST TEAM PERFORMANCE/S?
Purfleet away a couple of Christmas's ago lost 0-4
4. WORST TEAM PERFORMANCE FROM LAST SEASON
Heybridge away lost 4-5
5. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT?
a. When the second goal went in away at Stevenage. We won the first game
at Leigh easily, but I thought then that everyone would beat them. Then
lost at home to a very poor Kingston, and then lost again at home to a
very good Rushden. I thought we would really struggle at Stevenage. After
we scored the first goal the players seemed to be waiting for Stevenage to
score, but when the second went in, it all changed, suddenly there was
belief and the rest of the game, and the season was great.
b. St Albans away last year
c. Hampton away last year
6. MOST FORGETTABLE MOMENT?
Roy McDonaghs impression of Mike Tyson away at Bromsgrove about six years
ago.
7. BEST COMMENT HEARD FROM THE TERRACES?
Does your Sharon know you're here, from the St Albans supporters
8. WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO YOUR CLUB TO IMPROVE IT?
a. Force gary Hill to sign a lifetime contract.
b. Upgrade the ground .... it is quite pretty already but it could be
better.
9. WHAT OTHER QUESTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ON THIS QUESTIONAIRE &
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER IT?
What are your fantasies?
And my answer would be that I want to travel the world and take photos of
women who are totally naked ..... except for a Dagenham and Redbridge
football shirt .... I already have Elena from Ukraine, Rita from Brazil,
Ludmila from Russia and Santa from Lithuania ... but I want more!!!!
11. WHY DO YOU SUPPORT A NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB?
I am a filthy capitalist and I love to make money. But if I had the
concerns of Vodafone, Carlsberg, Hewlett Packard, Dr Martens or Redbus
(who are they!!!!!) at heart then I would buy shares, not go and see a
football team they give their money to. Football is a sport, and whilst I
have to accept that there is a lot of money in it, I prefer to be a part
of a club where I really feel as if I am important. Why on earth would
anyone support a team that (as the MD of Chelsea said) is a foreign team
playing in England, and subsidised by an international company. I do not
believe the joy of any Manchester United supporter when they scored the
second goal in the European Cup Final was as great as that of the real
Daggers fans when Junior scored against Charlton ..... and I bet I am not
the only one who still from time to time lays awake reliving that moment.
12. BEST MATCH BEEN TO NOT INVOLVING THE DAGGERS?
Orient 3 Chelsea 2 FACup about twenty years ago.
13. Best Non-League ground visited?
Rushden is architecturally lovely and new Gravesend is architecturally
lovely and very old.
14. Best League ground visited?
Much as I dislike MUFC, Old Trafford is a superb ground.
15. To be honest I don't know what question 15 was. Chris just sent
me the answers! So here it is (steve - ed)
Weren't those F A Cup third round replica shirts rubbish!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Chris, who is going to be next?