Go Mad or Stop Caring: October 2020

Sunday 4 October 2020

The Fifteen ~ Introduction & (1) Alfred Hovenden Neve

Mark Smith - referred to (affectionately), on this site, as Club Shop Guy; as much for his facial hair as for his encyclopaedic knowledge - is the Maidenhead United historian, the main man behind the Heritage website, and author of multiple books on the subject of the football club; most notably the holy writ that is One For Sorrow, Two For Joy (copies still available; please get in touch if you'd like to buy one). In addition to the book(s), he's also supplied me with various facts and figures, upon request, over the years, to help pad out the usual tomfoolery-filled articles on here.

Further to his highly-acclaimed - by me, for one - series on the Maidenhead footballers who died in WW1 and WW2, and our home kits through the years, which featured in our match-day programmes during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns respectively, he'd put something special together to mark the club's 150th anniversary season in 2020/21. These plans were thrown into chaos, however, owing to match-day programmes - or hard copies, at least - biting the dust.

I'm happy to announce, though, that his latest series - biographies of 'The Fifteen'; those who appeared for Maidenhead FC in the very first game back in 1870 - will be published on this blog; one per week, starting today. This will fill the void created by the lack of football in the flesh and will also help celebrate ten years (yes, TEN YEARS!) of Go Mad or Stop Caring. The first instalment is below; preceded by a copy of the match report, listing our team from the aforementioned game. Enjoy!