An Interview with Ruby and Gladys…
Every Saturday home game you will see Ruby and Gladys, braving the elements, sitting outside the pavilion on The Lawn. Dedicated Whittlesford United supporters rain or shine.…..
How long have you been supporting Whittlesford United?
Gladys; Now you’re asking!
(Tea is poured whilst the two deliberate….)
I recon it was when Michael was about 9, yep, about 1969! My husband, (Horace Saunders) was manager, in those days he did the first team, the reserves, and the boys or youth team!
Ruby; That’s right, he did it for about 10 years didn’t he? I started going when Ernie (Ernest Metcalf) was playing. I remember it was around the time King George VI died. My uncle Len, (Leonard Saunders) he played, that’s going back… before WWII.
Gladys; We used to have an old wooden box and passed it round the spectators!
Ruby; Oh yes! It was painted red and white wasn’t it! What ever happened to that I wonder!
Gladys; I don’t know how they do it these days, mobile phones I suppose, but I had to fill out slips for both teams and post them each week to let them know who was playing, where, when, pick up and all sorts!
Ruby; Hmmm… (Nodding in agreement) we used to have a notice put up at the guildhall with the names of who was playing…
Gladys; Well eventually they realised it’d be easier if we could phone, so the club paid for the phone to be put in! “Was that a relief?” Not half!! But then they’d be ringing up all the while with messages, so and so cant play this week, or so and so hasn’t got boots! I used to wash all the kits too in them days!
Remember I used to cut up oranges into 1/4trs too Ruby?
Ruby; And the teas as well…
It was becoming clear these ladies had invested as much time an effort into the football club as their husbands! The two muse over old friends who used to help, a rota of tea ladies, and the chaps who helped run bingo cards during the week.
What do you enjoy about the football?
Apart from the obvious…. Both ladies giggle!
Ruby; It’s a nice place to come, makes an interesting afternoon. See old and new friends!
Gladys; Yes, even if the weather isn’t good we still make the effort to go out there. We still get a kick out of it you know!
Where in the league are they?
Both; The top league of course!!
(Whittlesford 1st team have been promoted 3 out of the last four seasons, last season being promoted to the Cambridge Kershaw Premier league, the top league, a great achievement!)
Gladys and Ruby reel of the last four fixtures, who they played, and the scores, putting the interviewer to shame!
Gladys; Yep, I recon they have 9 points or more!
Ruby; We need the Reserves up next!
Who are your favourites!
Gladys; We don’t know many of their names these days, don’t suppose it matters does it?
Ruby; Nah! We don’t…. oh yes! Peter Appleyard! He’s my boy!!!
Both ladies start grinning….
Gladys; Darren the milk man’s son!! I like him, he’s always so polite! (Weeman!)
They chuckle away….
Ruby; Lee! He’s back…
Gladys; And Toby!.......
Are there more females coming to watch these days? Don’t you mind the competition!!?
Ruby; No! There should be more!!
Gladys; Yes, it would be nicer if more people came.
Do you actually know the offside rule?!
Ruby; Naah!
Gladys; Nope!..... Well sort of, but not properly!!
Ruby; We just hope they win!
What do you think of Linda’s teas?!!
(Ruby and Gladys have been given honorary free teas at the pavilion since Keith Strange was the chairman. However, they keep donating tea bags, which, sort of, defeats the object!)
Ruby; Brilliant!!
Gladys; Yeah! She does a real good job!
They sip their now cold tea,
Ruby; Better than *******!!
(We can’t put that in print, but you can bet it’s more than 50p with no free cookie!)
Gladys; The girls know how to make a proper brew!
Are you coming to strut your stuff at the Northern soul and disco night on the 31st Oct!?
Ruby; Don’t be daft! You cheeky mare!! Although my grandson is in a band and I go to watch him!!
Gladys; Naah!!
But you will be coming to the coffee morning on November 7th?
Ruby; oh yes, definitely! We shall help with that!
Whittlesford United Football Club would like to offer many, many thanks to Ruby Metcalf and Gladys Saunders for their continued support, the tea bags, and their patience with the interviewer! |
