Spoke to an SUFC legend last night...

[Guest]

After the Billericay game I went to Billericay station and who did I see on the other side of the platform all alone, but Mel Capleton. He got sent off that evening after 10minutes and I asked him if he deserved to get sent off, he said that the ball came up and hit his arms and he couldn’t get out the way of it. Fair play I said, but that doesn’t help anything as the winger, Ross had to go in Goal and they lost at home 3-2 to Maldon Town. Then I asked him if he was going to appeal and he said that there was no point as they didn’t video the game and therefore cant prove anything.

Then he went on to tell me about the broken leg he received at SUFC against Brentford reserves. He told me if they had videoed that it may have helped him. He is good friends with the player that broke his leg, Jullian Childs and they regually speak. He, Jullian Childs was incedently out for 6 months with a blood clot after that incident. Then I asked him if he looks out for the Southend results and he told me they were the first ones he looks for. He was very impressed with our team and said that this season should be one of consolidation which I agreed with. Then he told me that this season he reckons the Rickay will do well which I agreed with, because after seeing AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, Billercay should have any fears.

Basically I just wanted to say that Mel is a legend and wish him all the best with everything he does. I said sorry for bugging you and he laughed, he then got on his train and gave me a wave.

Mel, you’re a legend. Take it easy!!

 

[Benfleetshrimp]

Why exactly is he a legend? Because he spent a few minutes talking to you whilst waiting for his train or because of his performances in a Southend shirt?

 

[Guest]

Yeah, all that fuss about AFC Wimbledon is for nothing. Rickay for promotion!!!

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (Benfleetshrimp @ Sep. 07 2005,15:42)]Why exactly is he a legend? Because he spent a few minutes talking to you whilst waiting for his train or because of his performances in a Southend shirt?

Because he has lovely hair and he is musclely and he is cool and he played for Southend.

I love Mel Capelton. Isn't it a bit weird that he was getting a train though??

 

[Benfleetshrimp]

Quote[/b] (shrimp_on_the_wing2003 @ Sep. 07 2005,15:47)]

Quote[/b] (Benfleetshrimp @ Sep. 07 2005,15:42)]Why exactly is he a legend? Because he spent a few minutes talking to you whilst waiting for his train or because of his performances in a Southend shirt?

Because he has lovely hair and he is musclely and he is cool and he played for Southend.

I love Mel Capelton. Isn't it a bit weird that he was getting a train though??

The perfect response. Ok I agree Mel Capleton is indeed a legend.
It is weird he was getting a train. I would have expected him to swim

 

[matt_billericay]

well last time i heard, Mel was living up station avenue in wickford, which if you hadnt assumed by the name is where wickford station is, so playing for billericay it makes sense for him to use the train. Also ross (wareham) is an excellant goalkeeper aswell and used 2 play there before changing to striker, and recently on the wing.

 

[Guest]

The outfield player Billericay put in goal last night was a bit crap really. Perhaps they needed Bramble....!

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (matt_billericay @ Sep. 07 2005,15:53)]well last time  i heard, Mel was living up station avenue in wickford, which if you hadnt assumed by the name is where wickford station is, so playing for billericay it makes sense for him to use the train. Also ross (wareham) is an excellant goalkeeper aswell and used 2 play there before changing to striker, and recently on the wing.

He was going towards Stratford so maybe he was going to visit his mum or a lady or sumting

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (Whatever @ Sep. 07 2005,15:56)]The outfield player Billericay put in goal last night was a bit crap really. Perhaps they needed Bramble....!

Tes Bramble is an International (Goalkeeper) ...

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

Of course he is a legend.

He's a legend in the same way that Dom Iorfa, Gareth Risbridger, Roy McDonough are all legends.

Martyn Margetson (his successor?) may have been a better keeper, but Mel "f...ing hell Mel" Capelton was far more memorable than the utterly forgettable Margetson, if not necessarily for good reasons.

 

[Kris]

In Woody and Nord, the excellent joint autobiography of Gareth Southgate and Andy Woodman, Woody spoke very highly of Mel Capleton, saying he's one of the nicest team-mates he's ever had.

Mel was an erratic keeper, to say the least, but he was very unlucky with that injury.

 

[Guest]

Very true!

Any one know what happened to him after his injury?? Didnt he go to Grays or sumat?

 

[Mick]

Quote[/b] (matt_billericay @ Sep. 07 2005,15:53)]well last time  i heard, Mel was living up station avenue in wickford, which if you hadnt assumed by the name is where wickford station is, so playing for billericay it makes sense for him to use the train. Also ross (wareham) is an excellant goalkeeper aswell and used 2 play there before changing to striker, and recently on the wing.

No he isn't; he didn't have a clue.

Poor call by Justin not having a keeper sub on the bench or, if he did, not using him. With the calibre of officials in the Ryman trying to make a name for themselves, anything can happen.

 

[matt_billericay]

to be fair im saying he is an excellant based on how good he was when i was playing with him, id imagine not playing there for a few years and the pressure of having to play there in a professional match would have taken its toll on him.

 

[Desert Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Mick @ Sep. 07 2005,17:35)]With the calibre of officials in the Ryman trying to make a name for themselves, anything can happen.

Mick, be honest here - you ref a few Sunday league division 7 games but really fancy your chances at a higher level. Get your s%&t together and go for it!

 

[Mick]

Quote[/b] (The Bloke In The Pram Shop @ Sep. 07 2005,22:23)]

Quote[/b] (Mick @ Sep. 07 2005,17:35)]With the calibre of officials in the Ryman trying to make a name for themselves, anything can happen.

Mick, be honest here - you ref a few Sunday league division 7 games but really fancy your chances at a higher level. Get your s%&t together and go for it!

Many years ago when I started refereeing, I made a decision that I wouldn't referee Saturdays (hey, guess what I was doing instead!). That precluded any chance there might have been to progress through the ranks. Over those many years I've enjoyed the experience of refereeing the entire spectrum of the Sunday League including some very good teams and very good players including a few ex-Shrimpers legends (Bobby Kellard, Bill Garner, Ronnie amongst others). I've probably got a couple of years left making up the numbers away from the top division but that's it, I'm afraid.

That doesn't mean I'm happy with some of the things which go on with aspiring officials at contributary leagues where I think referees' self-advancement comes before proper application of the Laws - especially the one about dissent.

 

[southend4ever]

mel capleton has been given the blame by chris phillips -

'mel sent off and maldon subsequently won 3-2'

 

[Squirrel and G man]

Quote[/b] (shrimp_on_the_wing2003 @ Sep. 07 2005,15:47)]I love Mel Capelton. Isn't it a bit weird that he was getting a train though??

His Ferrari was probably being serviced.

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (Squirrel and G man @ Sep. 08 2005,08:41)]

Quote[/b] (shrimp_on_the_wing2003 @ Sep. 07 2005,15:47)]I love Mel Capelton. Isn't it a bit weird that he was getting a train though??

His Ferrari was probably being serviced.

Hmm, maybe ...