Life under the Stairs

By Local Resident, Jane Stevenson

MISSED THE PENALTY – SAVED THE GAME

I don’t follow football and don’t understand the term The Beautiful Game. The sport has received much bad press over the years. I remember reading of poor behaviour, nightclub excesses and failure at most international tournaments. The players were treated as major celebrities, magazines wrote articles about WAGS at War and there was a general disconnection with grass roots football.

Years back, I remember a student telling me his ambition was ‘to be famous, like Beckham’. I found his lack of foresight sad. He saw the headlines and the stories but failed to appreciate that a player’s career doesn’t last long, injuries are commonplace and very, very few make it to the top of the money tree. the person responsible for this transformation is Mr Gareth Southgate. All I knew about this gentleman is that he is forever associated with missing a vital penalty in 1996.

Reading about this gentleman, he should be highly feted. By his strength of leadership, discipline, knowledge of the game and care for his players, this man has made football respectable again.

I have heard repeatedly about the character building he has instilled in a young team of players, some of whom weren’t even born when he missed that penalty. I googled his name and found testimonials, quotes, memories and so much more about this extraordinary man.

I’ll never be a follower of the game, but if we could apply Mr Southgate’s work ethic to other jobs, I’m sure life would improve all round. When the next honourfest occurs, perhaps we should bestow a title on him. Even if we haven’t won, he has done more for the reputation of players and the sport in general then many before him. Sir Gareth Southgate has quite a nice ring to it.

DARTFORD - You can check out any time you like But you can never leave (courtesy of The Eagles)

I came back from a short holiday last week, and immediately fell into the ‘what if’ school of thought. The ‘what if I left Dartford’, ‘what if I chose to live miles away from family and friends.’ It’s not new thinking for me; I do it each time I go away. If I followed my dreams, I’d have houses in the Channel Islands, Spain, Devon, and Norfolk and that’s just for starters.

I belong to a couple of the active and friendly social media sites specifically for Dartford. I enjoy the daily comments, banter, and occasional strong opinions. Some of the contributors have taken that step and moved not only out of the area, but often out of the country. So why do they stay in touch with Dartford? Would I ever have the motivation to up sticks, leave family and friends? Rather than overthinking the whole question, I asked two of them for their stories. Both were more than happy to spill the beans on moving away from Dartford, but not quite cutting all ties. The lovely Diane lives in the Isle of Wight. She has a huge talent for arts and crafts. Many know of the beautiful painted rocks she produces, often themed, and all delightful. Initially coming from Stone she bought a business on the island many years ago and moved across. She went to the Brent School and then later the

Downs. Despite living in one of the loveliest places in the UK, she still visits our town, staying connected with family and friends and says she has fond memories of Stone, Dartford and Bean. I must admit to being a trifle jealous of Di. I’d love to live where she does.

Andy keeps many of us amused with his stories of life in Northern Ireland. His life took a different route; he spent his early years in the army, moving around the UK and Europe, often only spending holidays and Christmas back in the UK. Eventually he was posted to NI in the 1970s. Despite what must have been difficult times for him, Andy stayed and made his long-term home there. He frequently updates us with news of his family, and his wife, the admirable Millie. He rarely visits Dartford, but an interest in where he grew up and what has happened to the town keeps him a member of the different sites.

Perhaps it is this need to know what is happening to our childhood home which motivates us to stay connected with the town. It has totally changed from my childhood, but then so has everything else, including me. I have spent some hours talking to my children about ‘my’ Dartford – the paddling pool in the park, the road system (able to drive into the High Street), the smaller shops, the sheer number of pubs! With hindsight I can see how grand Dartford was. Take the time to look at the houses around East Hill – many still boast the original façade from when they were built. So unfashionable nowadays but such a great reminder that Dartford was a bustling market town in its heyday. Like every town it has lurched from grandeur to squalor and all points in between. It is going to be great again!

Take care, people.

Steve Cook postcard final:Layout 1 27/1/14 12:15 Page 1

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