And I would drive five hundred miles, and I would drive five hundred more...

By Ian Townsend

Michael and family becomes Kings (and Queen) of the Road


Those who regularly traverse the lowlands of Scotland on a Saturday morning will undoubtedly be used to seeing the green clad hordes heading to football. Celtic supporters en route to Glasgow. Hibs fans, searching for that often-elusive sunshine over Leith. Hendon supporters on their way to North London.

Yes, you did read that correctly. The Fife branch of the Hendon FC supporters club take dedication to a whole new level, and they are entirely a family concern. Michael, head of clan Fox, takes up the story.

"I was actually born in Wembley, and my dad introduced me to Hendon at the age of four or five- much to the dismay of my mother! I supported the club through thick and thin, mainly thin, and then twenty years ago I moved to Scotland for love. I tried to come back every other week for a match, but then the children came along and that became unmanageable. I went for twelve years without getting to a game- apart from a trip to Blackpool in the FA Cup- but eventually the kids were old enough and interested enough to want to make the journey, so the January before last we decided to travel down for a match. Unfortunately it then got called off when we reached Birmingham!"

They had more success on their follow up trip, however.

Hendon supporters in their new Scottish uniform!

Hendon supporters in their new Scottish uniform!

"My boys are eighteen and twenty, and I drove them down for the Margate play-off game in 2015- I had to drive as they wanted a beer! They were Manchester United supporters and my Hendon worship had always been a bit of a joke- dad supports that rubbish team, that sort of thing- but they were made really welcome and had a fabulous time. We came back for the game against Harrow Borough last April, after only deciding that we needed to make the trip the night before. They got to meet the players, the manager, the chairman came and bought them a drink- they wouldn't have got that in Manchester, would they- and they became hooked, to my absolute delight. This season we've pencilled in eight matches, of which Saturday was the first."

Saturday began at 5AM, and Michael, Callum, Kieran and- for the first time- daughter Katie finally arrived back in Fife at quarter past three the following morning. They were still flushed with the thrill of victory as their side defeated Harlow Town 1-0, although as Michael admitted, "the game was mostly rubbish- but we had a great time nonetheless, and are very much looking forward to doing it all again."

The next trip, an away game- although when you're travelling that distance 'away' is obviously relative- is planned to be the match at title favourites Billericay Town in October, and on that occasion there will be a mini-bus full of tartan wearing, flag waving, fully paid up members of the Hendon Scottish Supporters Club. "We expect there will be about ten of us for that match- we've picked it deliberately because it's easy to get people excited about it. Love him or hate him, Glenn Tamplin has got people talking about the League- even at the other side of the border.”

So, the next time you consider complaining about the distance you have to travel for an away game, perhaps you can stop and give a thought to Clan (Mc)Fox, who will probably have set off a full seven hours before you and certainly won’t be home in time for Match of the Day- unless you count the Sunday morning repeat. And if you see a horde of green shirted, tartan wearing supporters at the match, remember to buy them a drink- with the exception of Michael, the designated driver!

Headline image courtesy of David Bauckham. Visit his magnificent website here: https://dbauckham.exposure.co/

Where next?

Mead create a second cup first! Thamesmead Town- and four goal striker Alex Teniola- reflect on Saturday's record cup victory
The Bostik League Show- with Saturday round up and Jake Robinson's Goal of the Season! Video highlights and interviews from Lowestoft Town v Worthing courtesy of Back Of The Net- and a wonder goal from Billericay Town's Jake Robinson- head up this weekend's round up

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