Its not dull supporting a lower league team. Whilst dramas are reported daily from the dizzy heights of premier league they still seem remote. Down in the basement its personal and up close. Someone knows someone who's on the staff or makes the tea or drives the bus.
Last Saturday's home match was a turning point. There was collective despair. The place was falling apart. Feel free to wreck the joint. Martin Allen was. To say that all this was brought about by one out of control ego would be a bit dramatic. But then again Martin Allen does give the impression of being a little uncontained.
The local paper broke an Allen story at the end of last season of a trouser dropping incident in a Cheltenham bar. The only way out of this present mess was a repeat performance. The important thing would be to get it on film.
Bingo - today the news broke that Martin Allen was caught on camera outside of a Cheltenham night-spot shouting his mouth off. It took its time coming to the front page of the local rag but it got there. Why and how it got there is probably an interesting story. Nevermind, the result is that Martin Allen is on gardening leave. The relief is palpable. What next? Who knows? Will the team pull it around? Its a mystery but he's not allowed near the place. That's a good start.
Not the last on this little saga - but all the signs are that he's not coming back. Apparently the dressing room only found out when Allen came in and packed his bag. There was a joke about him leaving - and surprise when he replied that he was. The benefits of knowing someone, who knows someone......
1 comments:
Sad to see Mad Dog continue his errant ways. I remember attending a Millwall v Reading game a few years ago where he literally looked like he would combust on the touchline, in the manner of Krook in Bleak House. This may be the end for him in management now.
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