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Len Britton
10th January 2000

Name: Len Britton
Place of Birth: Romford
Date of Birth: 5 February 1957
Occupation: Civil Servant
Favourite Film: Jean De Florette/Manon De Source
Favourite Band: Smiths/Mary Chapin Carpenter/Del Amitri
Favourite TV Programme: Men Behaving Badly
Favourite Radio Programme: None really, Radio 5 is on constantly at home
Favourite meal: Curry, Chinese, Seafood
Pet Hate/s: Enfield- for very obvious reasons.
Active FM - what a waste of the airwaves. For the last couple of Saturdays I have been unable to get to games and what do I get from this sports and news station - 70's disco music adverts for local companies selling industrial hardware and finally , but at not a logical timings football reports from our local games this week being Purfleet, Ford Utd and Hornchurch. They obviously don't stretch to away game expenses. Finally at about 4.10 "and Dagenham are drawing 0-0 with Hitchin ". Don't they realise the importance of such a game - I mean I have to work alongside Dulwich supporters for godsake!

Soapbox moment/s: And any other info about yourself and family:

Got married seven years ago in December. My wife was a Wimbeldon supporter but thankfully I managed to convert her to football and the shining path of DFC. My father used to attend some games mostly in the 70's and eighties even my mother has attended some games.

I first saw Dagenham play in April 1968 versus Hornchurch - was a Hornchurch follower at that time. Dagenham won 1-0 Tony Bass scored. Despite the close scoreline Dagenham were metaphorically miles apart from Hornchurch, they were three men and a dog on good days on bad days just the dog. Dagenham were big and noisy, with what seemed a full ground and a big smokey factory. Shortly afterwards I changed allegiances helped by the fact that the whole of the Hornchurch first team walked out over money and the reserves played in the cup in their place losing 11-0. When Dagenham and Redbridge shared the ground I watched Redbridge as the standard of football was much better (if you saw Dagenham at this time you would know what I mean) as consequently I was probably one of the few people who supported a merger of the two clubs seeing many advantages for Dagenham.

1. FAVOURITE D&R PLAYER/S OF ALL TIME & WHY?

L.B. PETER WELLMAN - such an ungifted player who it seemed had to take a run up to kick the ball but a great battler and superb tackling fullback who played too many games to remember. Like DENIS MOORE he seemed to have time on the ball of course in my early days MEL HARKINS, NEVILLE FOX, JOE DUNWELL and the MITCHELL brothers.

But my favourite players are probably CHRIS MAYCOCK who always tried his best for the team despite being the substitute on so many occasions I thought that he had a rough deal from the club and who can forget that Wembley goal.

Secondly, RON FRANCIS probably the most skilful and gifted player that I ever saw wearing the red of Dagenham. he was the sort of player that could turn a game single handedly. Brilliant on the ball, a superb dribbler, strong and a good eye for goal. In particular I remember his performance against Gillingham in the cup away when we lost 1-0 :- I don't know how we lost 1-0 but we did, Gillingham chased his shadow all afternoon but never caught it. Unfortunately he got badly injured colliding with the perimeter wall at Dagenham (I think in a trophy semi final )and as far as I know never played again. This whole hearted attitude was typical of the man.

Thirdly and fourthly during the Redbridge era PAUL CAVELL and IAN BENNETT both were absolute class at either end of the field, Cavell was a striker in the Allan Clarke mould who scored a prodigious number of goals for the club - it seemed that he scored in every game but the whole side was something special at the time. Bennettt was and probably still is the best goalkeeper that we have ever had (yes, including Gothard et al) he took his game very seriously even though he was effectively on long term loan to us, It was a real pity to see Cavell return as a Purfleet player bereft of all his powers some years later.

Finally, and probably a strange choice LES COBB who was a midfielder who played for Dagenham in the 70/80s? He was a demon free kick taker, with dynamite in his boots and but unfortunately between his ears as well. He thundered into tackles taking no prisoners but occasionally showed touches of pure genius and skill. One performance I shall always remember was against Walthamstow Avenue away, he ran the game and I think scored two absolute stunners in a 0-5 victory. As I was leaving the ground there was a huge commotion coming from the Dagenham changing room and when the door open I could see him fighting with other team mates - a strange way to celebrate.

Recent players also worth a mention are DEAN PARRATT (on good and bad days) and GARY HOWARD. (on his good days)

1a. FAVOURITE CURRENT PLAYER/S AND WHY?

L.B. PAUL COBB is an undoubted favourite, he has so much vision and skill, although he has had a somewhat lean season so far the skill and audacity is still there. JASON BROOME has always been a tireless and honest player for the club and has played virtually every position. I am not a fan of him playing at the back. MATTHEWS, COLE all solid at the back. NABIL looks a good prospect. JANNEY can turn a game single-handedly (as is my wife's favourite player.) . McDOUGALD and MATT JONES have given their all and look to be well up to the class of Ryman League.

2. BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE/S OF ALL TIME?

L.B. The Cup Final V Mossley and versus Woking (even though we lost we never stopped battling.

3. WORST TEAM PERFORMANCE/S?

Without a shadow of a doubt. I'm not sure whether we were Redbridge Forest or Dagenham and Redbridge. But it was a 5-0 drubbing by Wycombe at home when Wycombe won the Championship that year. The crowd was swelled by thousands of Colchester fans who were also in the running. Despite our good form up until this match we just lay down and died - pitiful to watch.

4. BEST GOAL OF ALL TIME? Unbelievably Gary Howard scored (I think against Oxford City) anyway it was the fifth of eight. We put together seven or eight one touch passes the ball never touched the ground then Howard lashed it in from 20+yards into the top corner.

We were two nil up in about two minutes scoring one of quickest opening goal I have ever seen at Victoria Road. Of course I had the 0-0 in the golden goals that week!

I also remember the goal the Tony Rogers scored in the quarter or semi -final of the cup- not such as good a goal but he had missed from under the bar seconds before!

5. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Cup win V Mossley

6. BEST COMMENT HEARD FROM THE TERRACES? Recent game against Enfield (this season). One of their players was hurt in a clash of heads and kept complaining to the referee (minutes after the incident). He kept putting his hand in his head and looked to see if he was bleeding. This happened several times. Finally from the terraces...

"Hey! No.10 do you know you're bleeding- long pause "Bleeding useless". It was the timing really.

7. WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO THE CLUB TO IMPROVE IT? Open the club up to visiting supporters without charging a fee on matchdays.

Play reserve games after the main game on Saturday.

Open more turnstiles and snack bars on matchdays.

Have more than one door to the supporters' club.

8. DO YOU FOLLOW A FOOTBALL LEAGUE CLUB IF SO WHO? No! but I used to pick the best game in London and see that. No question of being able to do that or afford that now!

9. BEST MATCH BEEN TO NOT INVOLVING THE DAGGERS? Schruns Vs ? In an Austrian minor league game - score was 7-5, The West Germany V Italy game 4-3 sticks in the mind.

10. FAVOURITE LEAGUE GROUND VISITED? Old Trafford 14.