Thank you Stourbridge!

I’ve sold products, strictly unofficial fanzines, at every big club in England. Places like Old Trafford, Anfield, Highbury, Stamford Bridge etc.  Admittedly, Millwall was “technical selling only” but I was there and raised some cash.  I had a very hairy time at Wigan after a sports presenter who should have known better, lied on air to make himself look good.   At Molineux too? Oh yeah, several times.

I mention this not to show off. Fanzine selling is far from glamourous. Far more so to explain my mindset when I was asked to sell 50/50 tickets to Stourbridge supporters on Saturday.  Old experiences die hard, especially over a full decade.  The mute hostility, the barbed questions, the mickey taking.   Seen it all. No great wish to see any more.

I’m a competent enough 50/50 vendor.  Flogged said goods 30-40 times for a step 2 club. It’s a slick operation where they expect to sell to 60% of their audience.  Personality matters, so does shouting and there was much “as its you” selling.  Few away supporters had any interest and even fewer bought tickets.  Step 2 is tribal, something I’ve only now fully appreciated in recent months after stepping away from it. Home and away don’t mix too often.

I did have legacy trepidation but quickly easily reassured by the mass ranks of bought-in stewards and Police. This resembled like a scaled down version of Molineux, other than they had nothing to do.  I was curious too as I didn’t know what to expect. They’d be no “as its you” sales today.

What a great bunch of people.  Needed very little prompting.  So many visitors reaching into their pockets automatically.   Even a guy in a Villa shirt.  I took his money, smiled and said ‘thank you’ with the rest of them.  All while a little something was turning cartwheels inside me. I sold 60 tickets and felt pleased with the backing.

No questions either.  I was expecting to be bombarded with “how’s big the prize?’ “Where and when I do I collect my winnings?”  “Where is it announced?”  “I only want to buy winners!”  “What’s a 50/50?”  I had all these queries and more every time I sold elsewhere.

I can only guess Stour Stalwart Jim McComish has supporters well trained.  Certainly his 33 per cent ratio at their last home friendly indicates just that.  I could never get past genial Irish Jim when I visit his ground.  (A line which I repeated ad infinitum yesterday) Not that I resisted too hard. I was determined that Jim would not get past me with a full wallet. Alas, no Jim. He was at a party.   Tut tut.

Thank you, Stourbridge.  Richly uplifting to slough away such old prejudices.   I think I’m going to like Step 3.