Nothing
much ever happens on September 7th. To prove this, go ahead and google it – see what you get. As a date,
it is a bit of a back water. Over the course of history, the best it can come up with is the fact that ESPN was launched on
this date in 1979 and that Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu became the first black leader of the Anglican Church in South Africa on
7th September 1986. On top of this, it is of possible local interest that Catherine Parr, Henry VIII’s widow,
died at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe on the 7th day of September, 1548 . On a less parochial note, it is, no doubt,
quite important to the people of Arsuf, wherever that might be, that in 1191 Richard the Lionheart defeated Saladin there
in the battle that bears the town’s name, especially as he then went on to massacre everyone in sight. That happened
on September 7th. Through out history, though, not much else of any importance ever has.
But it is a really
important date for Matt Harvey, General Secretary of this parish, life member of Star FC and a stalwart of the club since
about 1990, according to the most reliable estimations. In particular, the 7th of September that occurred
in 2002 is the one that really stands out for Matt, who has served the club with distinction for most of the 21st
Century. Having said that, though, 07/09/2002 wasn’t the date on which he first joined the committee, it wasn’t
the time when he took over the second team following the rapid demise of Jason Shepherd ( was that ever part of the dark ages
for the club!). He didn’t become Vice Chairman on that date, which was just under a week into the 2002-03 season, and
neither was it the day on which he took over as secretary – his elevation to the most important position
in the club was still 4 years away at that point. No, for Matt, the red letters can be applied to Saturday, 7th
September, 2002 – since when, at the time of writing, exactly 8 WHOLE YEARS have passed – for the very simple
reason that this was the last time that he actually managed to score a goal for the club!!!
The occasion was the second
Reserve team game of the season, which saw the side pitted against Bourton Rovers Reserves at home, following a 2-0 defeat
at Quat Goose Lane the previous Monday in the opening fixture of the campaign against Brockworth Albion. At the same time
as the Bourton match, the first team was losing 2-1 away to Northway, a game in which Kaz Tanaka scored the side's consolation
in his second match for the club. The Thirds, meanwhile, travelled to Cheltenham Civil Service and won 4-1, a result that
was part of a start to the season that saw them win 8 and draw 1 of their opening 9 League games of the campaign. Unfortunately,
having lost for the first time at the end of November, it all went pear shaped and the side missed out on promotion by a place
and a point. The 4-1 win on September 7th was also gained away from home, however, leaving centre stage exclusively
to the momentous events that were being played out at what was, then, still the Eagle Star Club.
Naturally, it is doubtful
that anyone who was present that day was actually aware that they were witnessing history in the making. The side for the
game included Alfers, who started the season with 8 straight appearances for the Second team, and James Mole, who also notched
his opening goal of the season in the Reserves' 3-1 win. These two are the only players, other than Matt, from the Reserve
team that day who still turn out for the club. Current Vice Chairman Dave Nottingham was one of the substitutes and the full
team listing was: Mark Didcote; Neil Skelton, Mark Elliot, Lee Harvey (Matt’s brother. They were rarely seen together
and this match went a long way to disproving the theory that they were, actually, the same person), Jon Carpenter; Paul Mills,
Yuto Ueda, Brett Harrington (the scorer of the third goal), Matt Harvey; Paul Cave, James Mole. Subs: Dave Nottingham, Matt
Howells, Matt Tickle.
Most remarkably, Matt has now played in 126 games for the club since he last scored. That’s
11340 minutes. Admittedly, he would not have been on the field for that length of time but it helps to rub salt into the wounds.
James Mole, who, as has been previously mentioned, also scored that day, has notched 78 times in the same period. Since 6th
September, 2002, Matt has a goals to games ratio of 0.0079, which doesn’t compare too favourably with Jamie Roberts,
whose ratio is 1.19.
Its no wonder Matt has promised to buy the whole club a drink next time he does find the net!!!!
