Sunday 26 September 2010

Fan Of The Week


Fan Of The Week

This weeks fan of the week is.............Jack Connor. Jack has been a Dagenham and Redbridge season ticket holder since he was 7 years of age. This was also the season that we won the Ryman Premier league and he has had a season ticket every year since.He is currently at college studying A levels which we wish him luck with. So Jack enjoy your moment in the spot light.

1. Best Dagenham game you’ve ever seen?
Has to be Wembley, no doubt about it, whole performance was full of spirit of belief, even after Rotherham pulled back level twice

2. Worst Dagenham game you’ve ever seen?
THAT Hereford game, I think everyone knows what I mean. Only time I’ve left a match significantly early

3. Best Dagenham goal you’ve ever seen?
In person, from what I can remember Benson at home to Chesterfield last season, but I’m forever replaying his goal away to Kidderminster on YouTube!

4. Worst Dagenham goal conceded you’ve ever seen
I know everyone says this but Robbo away to Oxford, was slow motion watching that goal go in

5. Best away game?
Oxford away, that was the game where we really won the Conference, although we had to wait 2 more games everyone knew it was ours!

6. Worst away game?
Rotherham away 08/09, coldest trip I can remember and they scored a 95th minute equalizer! B@$#@£S!

7. Best ever Dagenham player?
Tony Roberts. To be able to be one of a team’s best players for ten years is outstanding. One of the best players and characters we will ever see in a daggers shirt. OK it’s well known his kicking isn’t great but he’s one of the reasons we are where we are IMO. Let’s not forget he used to play in the premiership and for Wales!

8. Worst ever Dagenham player?
Paul Benson. Useless twat… ;)

9. If you could sign any player for Dagenham who would it be and why?
Asked me a few weeks ago I would have said Matt Ritchie but were in dire need of a goalscorer so I’d have to say Craig Mackell-Smith. Proven goal scorer and IMO could do half a job in the Championship!

10. Where do you think Dagenham will be in 10 years?
I think we’ll be back in League 2 as long as we get a good replacement for John Still. Can’t see him being around for another 10 years due to his age but I think we’re sensible enough to get a manager capable of working on a small budget and not run us into the ground. Also I can’t see us still being in league one but as we’ve shown were more than capable of handling League 2

Monday 20 September 2010

Fan Of The Week

So its the turn of the infamous Ben Palmer AKA FullMetalDagger. Ben is also know as Digger The Dogs number two and put in an appearance earlier this season at our home game with Tranmere. Unfortunately for Ben he wasn't able to be Digger when we played Leyton Orient and we had the cheerleaders, but some day mate hey?

Anyway lets get this started and its now over to Ben who is for this week only The Fan Of The Week.

Best Daggers Game You've Ever Been Too?

I think I would have to say the Play-Off Semi-Final. Although the day out at Wembley was amazing, a 6-0 nil win at home with a good atmosphere, live on Sky, Is very hard to beat, especially as I was so nervous before the game. Although saying that stuffing Orient 2-0 at home is right up there as well.

Worst Dagenham Game You Have Ever Seen?

Last season, Aldershot besting us 5-2 at home. Id been looking forward to this game and got to Viccy road early for drinks. I think the loss was magnified in my mind because of how drunk I got. One of the few times I left a home game in a bad mood. Another one that springs to mind is Morecambe at home a few seasons ago, we lost and I went by myself, at the time I didn't know anyone else around the ground to say hello to. A loss is bad, but a lonely loss is a little worse.

Best Dagenham Game You Have Ever Seen?

Once again two pop into mind. Ive said this in my blog (Oi no plugging here mate The Editor) but Romain's last season against Burton was spot on! made more so by the fact I thought he was going to waste a good run by shooting from a distance, for him to shut ME up mid moan with that awesome screamer!. The other one I cant remember who it was against, but it was Sammy Saunders with a lovely curling effort into the top corner from outside the box.

Worst Dagenham Goal Conceded You Have Ever Seen?

Hmmm this is a hard one because I think my brain blocks out the bad mistake or Ive been lucky enough not to have been present for too many of them. One pops into my head isn't the goal but what lead up to it. Once again its Sammy Saunders he had the ball right in front of where I was standing in the sieve and the opposition player fouled him but came away with the ball and no foul was given. Sammy lunged right through him. Sammy was booked, the free kick was taken, and they scored!. Cant remember the team though.

Best Away Game Ever?

Sadly I haven't been to many away games as I always saved my money for home games. But this season as I now have a season ticket. Before I went to the like of Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday one away day that I always look back on with a smile was in the Essex Senior Cup against Harlow Town. They had great fans, good banter and cheap tea!. Proper non-league ground!. Days like that make me always keep an eye out for the ESC draw.

Worst Away Game Ever?

This is a hard one, because even when we lose I find it hard to come home too unhappy from away days because I love them so much. Id rather be in the stands watching us lose than at home listening too it. I think being there means I somehow as a fan shoulder some of the loss, but if I have to pick one, away to Gillingham two season ago (I think). We lost and I remember feeling a bit down on the ride home but even so it was an away day, the singing was good and I still had a laugh. Hard to get me down on an away day.

Best Ever Dagenham and Redbridge Player?

Matt Ritchie comes to mind, one of those players you knew could turn it around. Scotty Griffiths was always a personal favourite of mine, I felt safe when he went for a running winger, but for me I have to say Robbo, the man is head and to toe pure legend!. Maybe I didn't pick the best, I just picked my favourites. Special mention to Marlon Pack who even though he had a tough start with us, really started to gel, maybe it was the guilt for doubting him, but when he left I was sad to see him go.

Worst Ever Dagenham and Redbridge Player?

To be honest I don't think I can answer this fairly, because its a thing of relativity. When I was a kid we had Danny Shipp and Paul Gothard in the Ryman. They looked like amazing footballers to me, but the people I most remember struggling were playing for us in the league so it might be a bit unfair to pin that badge on them.

If You Could Sign Any Player For Dagenham and Redbridge Who Would It Be And Why?

I would love CMS (Craig Mackell-Smith) back, people in this league fear him and I think he would get us goals.Matt Ritchie back would also be amazing him and Danny Green on either wing is a tasty prospect. As for non-former Daggers Sanchez Watt from Arsenal looks a good winger.

Where Do You Think Dagenham and Redbridge Will Be In 10 Years Time?

This is the hardest question of all. Football is a wicked mistress and she takes quicker than she gives. If we are an established League 1 club still hanging in there with higher attendances and a competitive squad I couldn't really complain. Our derby game being West Ham would be a nice treat also. But if in 10 years I wake up to find Dagenham a non-league club Ill still be there on a Saturday cheering on the boys!!!.

Thanks Ben some great answers there and also some happy memories as well. If you wish top take part let me know by sending me an email to anthonyhodgson1@hotmail.com. The questions wont change you just need to supply the answers.

Monday 13 September 2010

Fan Of The Week

Here we are then Fan Of The Week is.................Lee Wilson. So then Lee over to you. Your moment of glory as Dagenham Fan Of The Week is all yours.


Lee Wilson
Born 2nd December 1988

Originally trained to be a sports journalist. Have decided on a career change and am starting/started uni in September doing a Primary Education course with the view to becoming a teacher. Apart from that, I've been a football coach since the age of 15 and have managed my team for the last three years.
I've been a Daggers fan since Gary Hill's final season which was 2003/04 if I'm not mistaken. I remember watching the Play Off final against Doncaster and being disappointed when we lost. My uncle took me to the Boxing Day game when we lost 3-2 to Aldershot the following season (Danny Shipp scored a brace I think) and from then on I was hooked. Have been a regular ever since.

The Best Dagenham and Redbridge Game You Have Ever Been Too?
 My god this is a hard choice as I've experienced some memorable days supporting the Daggers. I suppose the obvious choice is the Play Off final against Rotherham as we won and it was an entertaining game. Apart from that, the 2-2 away draw at Oxford was exciting and was the moment for me when I knew we were going up, which was an amazing feeling.

The Worst Dagenham and Redbridge Game You Have Ever Been Too?
 I'm tempted to say the 9-0 defeat to Hereford but it actually became quite amusing in a perverse sort of way. For sheer misery, there was a game in the 2nd half of the 2004/05 season against York City. It was the season before we had that memorable Conference winning year. We were achieving nothing in mid table and it was a freezing cold and rainy February/March Tuesday night. We lost 2-0 I think and were absolutely dire. There were 900 odd supporters there, the atmosphere was dead and it seemed like no progression was being made. I remember going home dejected that evening wondering if I'd ever see us achieve anything. Thankfully I have!

The Best Dagenham And Redbridge Goal You Have Ever Seen?
 Quite a few stand out. Uddin's pile driver was unbelievable. Steven Clarke (I think) scored a fantastic volley from 35-40 yards. However, for sheer audacity, I have to go for Benson's chip from the throw in line away to Kiddiminster. Firstly because it was a phenomenal goal and secondly because I'd bunked college to get on the coach to be one of the 50 odd Daggers there. That's still my favourite away day of all time as we just all had a proper laugh.

The Worst Dagenham And Redbridge Goal You Have Ever Seen Conceded?
 There's nothing kamikaze that stands out in my mind from a team perspective. Therefore, I'll have to choose a Robbo error. The one against Oxford where he raced out to kick, produced an air shot and Yemi Odebeye chipped it in from 25 yards. The home end exploded and I remember everyone around me in complete shock that the title might be slipping away.

The Best Dagenham and Redbridge Away Game You've Ever Been Too?
 Got to be the Kiddiminster away night game where we won 4-1 in our promotion season. We got back at a stupid hour in the morning but it was so much fun on the coach and in the ground. I'd have probably said the Darlo game where we stayed up had I been able to go but unfortunately I couldn't make it.

The Worst Dagenham And Redbridge Away Game You've Ever Been Too?
There's quite a few to choose from here as my away record since we've been in the Football League has been absolutely shocking. Losing 6-1 to Huddersfield was disappointing although we kind of accepted that they'd just outclassed us. However, losing 5-0 away to Shrewsbury in the JPT takes the biscuit. A handful of Daggers were there and we were dreadful. Huke at right back, Nurse up front at his ultimate worse. *shudders*

The Best Ever Dagenham And Redbridge Player You've Ever Seen?
Craig Mackail Smith and Scott Griffiths are the best two players we've let go in terms of talent in my opinion. For me though, the best ever Daggers is Robbo. There aren't enough characters in football today and Robbo manages to be a top sport whilst maintaining his ability. Absolute legend.

The Worst Ever Dagenham And Redbridge Player You've Ever Seen?
He's probably not the worst player to put on a Daggers shirt in my time of supporting the club, but Nana Ofori Twumasi managed to infuriate me the most out of any player we've ever had. I mean, yes he could attack, but if that's the case he should have made a career as a winger. The guy just could not defend. I lost count of the amount of times I was screaming at him to get out of Scott Doe's arse at centre back. So many times he just let his man put in a dangerous cross. As he's young, I can let him off to an ext........actually no, Nana, my gran could play better then you (useless pun completely intended!)

If You Could Sign Any Player For Dagenham and Redbridge Who Would It Be And Why?
Matt Ritchie. Knows the club, worked well under Still and I'd relish him and Green on opposing flanks. None of this Ronaldo or Drogba rubbish as we don't do pre-madonna's at Victoria Road.

Where Do You Think Dagenham Will Be In 10 Years Time?
Eughhhhh, I've been thinking about this question all the way through this and I genuinely don't know. I can't see us still being in League One so we'll have either continued our amazing rise to the Championship or been brought back to reality a tier or two lower. John Still won't be at the helm in 10 years so the next appointment will either make us or break us. I hope it's the former.

So thanks very much to Lee for taking the time to answer these questions. If you'd like to take part then email me at anthonyhodgson1@hotmail.com and Ill add you to the list.

Thanks for reading up the Daggers!!!!

Saturday 11 September 2010

The first message

Hi and welcome to a new site purely for Dagenham and Redbridge fans.

Each week we will publish an interview with a Fan of the week. This will give you a chance to share your best and worst experiences of being a Dagger.

The questions wont change and at the end you will be able to leave comments about what your Daggers fan has said. Its your page not mine. If you want to change a few questions then let me know. If you want to add something then fell free to do so.

All I ask is we don't swear in the comments and that you respect the people that use the page.

Apart from the have fun and enjoy it and the first Fan Of The Week will be up very soon.

Cheers

Anthony