Fan In Focus
Colin
Scamell
20th January 2000
Name: Colin Scamell
Place of Birth: Ilford
Date of Birth: 24-8-1968
Occupation: Banker
Favourite Film: Pulp Fiction, Fargo, It's A Wonderful Life
Favourite Band: Depeche Mode, Howard Jones, George Michael,
Favourite TV Programme: Frasier, Casualty, Red Dwarf, The Sopranos
Favourite Radio Programme: Sport on Five
Favourite meal: Indian, Pizza (hence I'm on a diet now…)
Pet Hate/s: Rudeness
And any other info about yourself and family: Lived almost my entire life in East Ham, a five-minute walk from West Ham United FC. Needless to say, I was brought up a Hammers fan, but didn't start going to games regularly until I was sixteen, missing out on the Wembley visits of '75, '80 and '81. Aided by a stint on hospital radio, I was thrilled to get the job of Hammers DJ/Public Address Announcer in 1990, following Ian Crocker's departure to Capital Gold/Sky. I did the job for two years, but increased work commitments, plus pressure to over-promote the outrageous Bond scheme, prompted me to call it a day. Unwilling to return to the terraces, I decided to give my birthplace team a try. First game….Redbridge Forest 4 Northwich Victoria 3, won by a wonderful overhead kick from on-loan Marcus Ebdon. Next game…RF 3 Farnborough 2 in the FA Trophy. I was hooked, and despite the imminent realisation that every game would NOT be like those two, I can't now imagine ever watching anyone else.
1. FAVOURITE D&R PLAYER/S OF ALL TIME & WHY?
Striker - Paul Cavell - a class
goalscorer who has never been adequately replaced;
Midfield - Garry Butterworth - hardworking AND skilful, our loss is
Rushden's gain; D
efender - Tony Pamphlett - not at his best after the merger but a
wholehearted and fully committed centre-half and an inspirational captain.
Goalkeeper - close call between John McKenna and Paul Gothard - Goth was
better at saving penalties and slightly less prone to the odd silly
mistake.
1a. FAVOURITE CURRENT PLAYER/S AND WHY?
Mark Janney has great skill and, now he is playing for a manager who appreciates flair and has given him a decent run, is getting better with every game. Jason Broom has been a terrific servant and is having an Indian summer this year, always gives 100 per cent.
2. BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE/S OF ALL TIME?
Coming from behind to outplay and beat Morecambe in the 96/97 FA Trophy run; The 2-2 draw at Gloucester in the same competition - we weren't at the races early on but dug in, and a great team effort kept us in the competition; Despite the result, the 4-5 Leyton Orient FA Cup defeat was a tremendous game, and the performance merited so much more.
2a. BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE 1998/99 SEASON?
The only point of any note was the record-breaking run of clean sheets. This season - for once, beating Enfield at home, and doing it in such style too.
3. WORST TEAM PERFORMANCE/S?
In the last relegation season, every game seemed as bad each other - no style, no cohesion, and no team spirit; Last year was also a horrible season, no competition for places, players going through the motions - a season too far for Hardy, without question. Losing 0-4 to Jinx FC was probably the lowest point, even though I didn't see that game.
4. BEST GOAL OF ALL TIME?
Paul Watts' thunderous 25-30 yard shot in the 3-3 draw with Southport on, I think, a warm sunny, early season afternoon, possibly in the season we were relegated.
4a BEST GOAL FROM 1998/99?
Apart from question 2a above, I refuse to comment positively on last season.
5. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT?
In the middle of the Serengeti two years ago, managing to get World Service reception and hearing that Daggers had won at Farnborough in the FA Cup - my sister thought I'd lost it completely as I danced round our room!
6. MOST FORGETTABLE MOMENT?
Apart from relegation and last season, I have a vague recollection of a long trip to the Moss Rose to see a goalless draw with Macclesfield that felt like a complete waste of time. The only thing I remember was John Still offering the supporters a bunch of complimentary tickets in the clubhouse after we'd already paid to get in…
7. BEST COMMENT HEARD FROM THE TERRACES?
At the Billericay v D&R game this year. 1-0 after 4 minutes, 2-0 up after 12….at half time, changing ends, I overheard a Billericay fan tell his friend "I thought we started quite well"!!!
8. WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO THE CLUB TO IMPROVE IT?
For the club to thrive long-term it needs to forge strong links with the local community, and especially with the youngsters in the area. If the club does anything in this respect it rarely gets any publicity - a "Community" page in the (otherwise excellent) programme would be a good start.
9. DO YOU FOLLOW A FOOTBALL LEAGUE CLUB IF SO WHO?
West Ham United, but Premiership football is overpriced these days, and I lost a lot of respect for the club over the way they treated their supporters at the time of the Bond scheme.
10. WHAT OTHER QUESTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ON THIS QUESTIONAIRE?
Name your best-all time D&R XI:-
GK - Paul Gothard;
Fullbacks - Paul Watts/Paul Shirtliff;
Central Defenders - Tony Pamphlett/Steve Conner;
Central Midfielders - Garry Butterworth/Ian Richardson;
Left Midfield - Jason Broom;
Right Midfield - Gary Blackford;
Strikers - Paul Cavell/Micky Nuttall.
11. WHY DO YOU SUPPORT A NON-LEAGUE CLUB LIKE DAGENHAM?
The friendly atmosphere and the feeling that everyone, including the supporters, is part of a team working towards the same aims. It's not true of most professional clubs any more.
12. BEST MATCH BEEN TO NOT INVOLVING THE DAGGERS?
On the way home from visiting friends, I decided to stop off to watch Ipswich v Blackburn when both were in the old Second Division. With no great expectations, it turned out to be a thrilling and thoroughly absorbing match. Ipswich scored to lead 2-1 and when I looked at my watch I realised we were five minutes into stoppage time. I've never been so into a match that I've lost track of time like that. (When I watch the Daggers it feels like I'm checking my watch every 30 seconds…)
13. FAVOURITE NON-LEAGUE GROUND VISITED EXCLUDING WEMBLEY?
Anyone believe me if I said Canvey Island? Thought not….Yeovil is probably the best non-league ground I've been to, although they could do with a roof or two behind the goals…
14. FAVOURITE LEAGUE GROUND VISITED?
In terms of facilities, Old Trafford. For atmosphere, Upton Park evening games take some beating.
14. BETWEEN WHAT YEARS DID YOU SUPPORT THE DAGGERS?
After becoming disillusioned with West Ham around the time of the Bond scheme, I began supporting Redbridge Forest in the middle of the 91/92 season, and have followed the club ever since.
15. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE MANAGER OF ALL TIME?
John Still - did a great job for the club, was friendly and approachable, and left the club with dignity.