TerrasBlog 13/10/08- Interview with the club Historian.

We are getting towards Halloween and the trotting out of the regular TerrasBlog posting that has been used on three previous occasions. It still makes me laugh though, so no doubt it will get used for another 31st!

All has gone a little quiet in Terrasland at the moment. Our recent good run of results was brought to an end by Cambridge at the Abbey on Saturday and (through the six (or seven) stages of seperation thingy) it was a former Yaxley players brother who delivered the killer blow. 

Jon Challinor scored early doors for the U's and in doing so proved to be better than his brother Richard who worn a lace round his long hair and did step overs. 

I, like many Weymouth fans are still haunted by the 7-0 drubbing we took over there a couple of seasons ago and having to face people at work on the Monday (Peterborough United fans, who of course hate Cambridge, especially) was a very unpleasant experience. 

Now, most of my office chums have got used to Weymouth losing regularly so the amount of stick I take is minimised. Good times!

Before I stop waffling and get on to the latest TerrasBlog interview,  after Assistant Manager Alan Lewer (click here if you missed it) and Chairman Malcolm Curtis (part 1, part 2) , I would like to agai draw your attention to our internet radio show (or podcast) and let you know that the first full edition will be available to download this week. Maybe even as soon as tomorrow, so if you have any points you want to raise, please ensure you email them over to jimmythecuckoo@hotmail.com as soon as possible. 

Ok, right onto the latest in our occasional series of interviews with the personalities behind Weymouth FC and a man known to us all for his knowledge of the club. 

Today we chat with Nigel Biddlecombe 

For those of us who don't know, when did you start following
the Terras?

My first game was an FA Cup match at the Rec against Coventry City on 15
November 1958 to be honest I was only a kid on my dad's shoulders! The
first game I really remember was another FA Cup match at Welton Rovers
on 14 November 1964, been hooked ever since.

Obvious question, but who has been the best player that you
have seen at the club during that time? and why?

There are a few I think, a chap called Ray Gough back in the 60's who
seemed to be miles ahead of most people at our level, Tommy Henderson in
the 70's who was quick and skillful (he could also score a goal or two),
Anni Iannone who would have walked through a brick wall if he had too
and - of course - David Laws in more recent times, for obvious reasons.
If I had to pick one, however, it would probably be Bryan Lawrence - a
full back - who seemed to be "Mr Consistent" and was always prepared to
go that extra mile to do his job.

There are a few people I know who look back on the late 90's
through rose tinted spectacles. What I mean is although the standard we
played at was crap, the spirit amongst the team and camaraderie on the
terraces (if there were any!) made following the club a wholesome
experience. When would you say the golden era for following the club
was?

The 1964-65 and 1965-66 seasons were incredible, or seem to be looking
back, as WFC were damn near invincible in Southern League circles. But I
reckon the early Alliance years -1979-80, 1980-81, must have been my
"Golden Years" We had a team that worked hard for each other and the
team, we had a manager in Stuart Morgan who could get the best out of
players others saw nothing in. Off the field the club was buzzing with
the supporters not only turning up for matches, but social events to at
the old Terras Cotta Club.

Do you look back over the last decade or so and think about
what we have achieved? Or think about missed opportunities?

To be fair we have acheived a lot in different ways, the Terry Bennett
era when everone worked together to keep the club alive, Ian Ridley who
installed a new ethos into the club and Martyn Harrison who - although
in hindsight may have been too 'gungho' certainly brought us the success
we craved for. I only hope that the present board can stabalise the club
and keep it moving forward.

Enough of the history, on to the current Terras side. Where do you think
we will finish in the BSP this season?

I am not sure we can make the play offs, but I think we are certainly
too good to be dragged into the bottom zone. I said pre-season I thought
we would be a bit above mid table and I think results so far indicate
that this might be about right.

Who is the player in the current side who will make the
difference and get us results?

Stephen Reed is a great passer of the ball and I think he has made a lot
of difference to the side, but - if we can keep him fit Chris McPhee has
the alround capability to help those around him progress.
 

With that we thank Nigel for his time and bid you goodnight... David Laws eh?what a player!!!