Come On Eileen

Aah, The Head. When I first started following Sutton, Leatherhead were real rivals in the old Rothmans Isthmian League and in that golden era for their football club without a shadow of a doubt one of the top non–league sides in the land, when there were certainly plenty of contenders kicking about. Of course, Sutton were no mugs in those days either with Ted Powell and Larry Pritchard running the show on and off the pitch and it is a measure of the attacking talent in the squad that we were able to release Chris Kelly, the putative Leatherhead Lip, and pack him off down the A24 where he would later assume national celebrity status.

A Boost of Confidence

Sorry folks, it's only me again at the reins of yet another Sutton United tale from the boys at Gandermonium. But to make things even worse (for you), it's that time of the year where a certain cup competition begins, one that has become the bane of the short-minded and the obsessive love of the lifers. Yeah you know what it is, it's time for the Surrey Senior Cup. Get in there!

Banstead Mental Hospital FC

Delving into the past on a subject that has had very little coverage on-line or in print really is a shot in the dark but starting off from a few core reference points and then plunging in and seeing where the journey takes you can be hugely satisfying. And this trip through the brief senior footballing life of Banstead Mental Hospital FC ticks that box big style.

A Dead Cert

Well that was probably to be expected then really wasn't it? I held onto my optimism for as long as I could. But the moment it evaporated was probably just as Mr X read out the team line-up as we walked from the car to the ground. Here was where I'd realise that my dreams were to once again be shattered. But someone needs to tell the story regardless, so here we go...

The Infernal Derby

For the third match in a row, Sutton are once again involved in a little wet spot of cup action. From the lows of seeing the boys being one penalty away from an Irn Bru Quarter-final match against East Fife, to the wonder that is football, with a crackin' topsy-turvy FA Cup victory against the former non-league ultimate double winners of Wealdstone. But this game waits for no man, and we're back down the Lane for the really really proper, real cup action.

15 Years and Counting...

OK people, standard fare for this blog. Sutton are once again in standard Surrey Senior cup action. At home against lower league opposition, in a competition that has us outright favourites considering we're to the top placed team in the whole of the county. The only problem? As has become a custom for this we were going to put out a under strength team. Now what could possibly go wrong right?

Marchin' Already

The greatest cup competition that this county can possibly offer is once again gracing the gloriously always green Gander Green Lane turf. And of course, it's Gandermonium's very own foreign correspondent and Surrey Senior Cup obsessive aficionado, The Duke, who is going to take you through all the highs and lows that could possibly happen on such a magical occasion.

The Other Price of Success

It's back once again! The bounty of the county, the premier cup competition has returned for another season. So while the wait is still on to catch up with Dulwich Hamlet's record tally of victories (16 to our 15), could this be the year? It's been a while since we've won, over fourteen years and counting, and now we're behind Woking's record final appearances.

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Well what a funny old week it's been for the U's. Not only have we had to bear witness to a Sutton team concede six goals at home in embarrassing fashion (I'm sure the last time that happened was probably against K's in the Charity Shield at the arse end of the 20th Century), but we also were fortunate to see the boys make it the third round of the little known FA Cup after a last gasp goal from Deacon against Cheltenham.

Tears of Disappointment

Why thank you for the hand over Keith "Brandy makes me violent to animals" Robinson. And welcome to another blog about the trophy no one they all want to win, the Surrey Senior Cup. So, who were to stand in our way for a record 29th showpiece? None other than that two time final bogey team, those bloody Southern League Division One Central lot, Godalming Town.

Knapping Time

So, it takes us to the back end of February to finally see a new ground this season. I mean, it may be a poky little place in the arse end of nowhere (aka Woking), but it's somewhere new for us to go to. Oh but wait, two days before we are due to descend on Knaphill the game is reversed on account of the home team apparently being unable to hold the game on this new fancy surface called 'grass' they use. Well that's just fuckin' typical!

Aden & Raiden

God you gotta love a cup tie. Well except when you lose of course. I mean, it's no good getting all excited for a game knowing that all it would take is a last minute kick in the old proverbials (Merstham away springs to mind) or to play with you strongest team available and still lose to a team several divisions below you (Merstham away still springs to mind).

The Eternal Pessimistic Optimist

The Surrey Senior Cup. Let's just take a moment out of our busy lives to think about that. There is actually no tournament bigger in the whole county you know. But then as you might also be aware, I possibly have a tiny, little soft spot for it. That is why, once again, it is down to me to regale you with the tales of our second round tie against the former FA Amateur Cup winners, Walton & Hersham.

Merstham Moatside Misery

Merry New Year reader people! Yes yes, I'm well aware it's the 14th of January. But I've been unwell you see, so this is the first opportunity that I have had to bring you the greetings of the now long departed festive season! I did think I was over the worst of my terrible illness, but then I had a huge relapse, became utterly delirious and found myself on the way to fucking Merstham for a Surrey Cup tie.

Even the Wind and Rain can't Stop the Dream

Finally we get to play in what can only be described as the pinnacle of county football. Not only that but only the best teams in the whole of the county dare to enter such a ferocious and demanding competition. A place where you are only up to six games from eternal glory and a place in Valhalla itself. (FFS, get on with it Duke - ed.) It must be the...

When Hopes & Dreams become Nightmares

Ah, the Surrey Senior Cup, the hostess with the mostest, the bounty of the county, the one true prestigious trophy to have in your cabinet at the end of the season.

It is in this competition that I hold dear to my heart that tonight's game was going to played. For years now I've loved and looked after this cup waiting with baited breath to finally join level with Dulwich Hamlets on sixteen wins apiece. Ever since Duke was taken down to the "theatre of dreams" by Father Duke at the back end of the 92/93 season to see us win against our so called "friendly" rivals Carshalton have I seen us get closer and closer to Dulwich.

A little bit of History repeated - Surrey Senior Cup Final #26

After reading the Editor in Chief's write up on the Bath away game and after having to refer to the Dictionary and Thesaurus to look up the meaning of some of the flashy words that he used throughout his epic in length update, I thought to myself "How on this Earth am I supposed to compete with that quality, piece, of  'off the cuff' work, all from his memmory?" Cor, well it tells me something clearly that at the crisp age of 29 I've got signs of mental fatigue, or early onset Alzheimer's! Most people would probably agree with mental fatigue, if there is such a thing...

The Wombles come to Gander Green Lane....

Well after a no show from yours truly on Tuesday night for the Maidenhead game, the reigns of Gandermonium were handed over to me to deal with tonight's write up for the Surrey Senior Cup Fixture against AFC Wimbledon.

So with a quick few text messages sent, Duke answered my SOS call and provided taxi service to the Lane for tonight's fixture. So he appeared at 19:15 hrs outside Juan Towers with Greek riding shotgun. The conversation then turned to Duke perhaps setting himself up a Twitter account, well actually it was more about Greek setting up a Twitter account in Dukey's name....

Molesey Shoals

Another game. Another night of excitement in the Surrey Senior Cup. And as I am the only one with the natural animal magnetism and sheer passion for the county's top knock out competition it was down to me to do tonight's blog.

Baby its Cold Outside

Where to start Munts....

Well after a piss poor weekend that ended with my television deciding to give up and die on me plus the ever looming finishing date for my coursework (still not completed!), I was safe in the knowledge that the trusty old Surrey Senior Cup 3rd Round was upon us. And as the eternal optimist I knew that the game would go ahead, because everyone knew I was waiting for this game to happen.