The South Stand Barmy Army completed is first mission on Saturday and its legions are already in full voice. Everyone in the Keepmoat witnessed the unveiling of our flag before the game and it's quickly assumed cult status.
The simple raising of our Standard seems to have stirred other parts of the ground into retaliatory action and I believe that Gareth James and his West Stand Barmy Army are gearing themselves for a serious challenge to the SSBA's pre-eminence. I understand that Gareth has raised a serious amount of cash from his followers, and a flag twice the size of the SSBA ensign will soon arrive in the Keepmoat !!
Its hard to comprehend that in only a few short weeks we've shaken off our BV departure blues and have taken the new stadium to our hearts, or more appropriately, given it our voices.
Some seriously good natured banter is unfolding, with all the stands trying to out do each other on volume; naturally, the South Stand leads the way.
The noise leading up to kick-off must surely give Sean and his team a real lift; I'd be interested to know if we can be heard from their dressing room.
Saturday was certainly a momentous day for us, and even though the SSBA was carrying a massive weight of expectation before kick off we still had time to engage with Mark Clemmit of BBC Radio 5 Live to explain how we've successfully embraced our new home. Stu Leyland had to speak live to the nation during the game and was called into action directly after we fell one goal behind; "a disastrous start" claimed Clem, with Stu quickly adding a soundbite that captured the unfortunate event "we just back off and backed off".
O how we wish Clem had been back with us during the second half !!
Anyone in the Keepmoat on Saturday must surely have witnessed one of the most exciting games involving the Rovers for some considerable time. Could anyone have imagined how the second half was to unfold after such a disappointing first period; SOD's team talk would have made interesting listening.
The SSBA would claim that it was the fans that got the team going; we all noticed a degree of momentum from the lads as the second half started and a cacophony of noise was the fans' response.
Spike's bullet header was the trigger for sound levels that are impossible to describe, and one of those occasions where you like to reflect that you were there.
The vociferous celebrations after that first goal hit the net have been compared on various fans forums to the Stoke Play Off Final and the Semi Final at Chester, yet this was something special and we were all there to join in.
The second after the Afro Goal Machine clipped in the equaliser the entire stadium was in unison, and to quote Jonathan from the YAURS forum "I don't think I've ever heard "you're not singing any more" so loud, it seemed everybody was putting everything they had into it! Magic! As football fans these are the moments you treasure against your local rivals." Enough said.
The SSBA has arrived and if you are in the South Stand you are in the Army; be proud and sing loud is our only request.
Thanks to everyone who contributed toward the purchase of the flag and especially Rob, Stu, Dunc, Steve, Andy and Carlos who were key members of the flag erection team.
SSBA
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