A46 Road To Wembley (Stand Up For Forest Green)

round here in leafy Gloucestershire
it's usually quite calm
we're used to fans that claim we're only
singing when we farm  
The Wimbledons the Lutons
the Oxfords and the rest
they turn up with their fans in droves
we always give our best

but when the Cup comes rolling round
we're like a different club  
our fans crawl from the woodwork
from superstore and pub
there's something in the air tonight
I feel it in my dreams
Phil Collins eat your heart out
stand up for Forest Green


our players find that higher gear
and try with new intent
like Simon Cowell quotes they play
with two hundred  percent
we've tonked them up at Rotherham*
and taken Derby close*
and now we've toppled Mansfield*
the hope it grows and grows
the road to Wembley lies ahead
the A46 awaits
it's off to Bath the second round
the future's looking great
it marks this hamlet on the map
it puts us in the news
we dream again of 3rd Round ties
at home against the Blues*
you'll find us in the Blue Square
where sheep can watch for free
the little team upon the hill
who struggle just to be

but when the Cup comes rolling round
we're like a different team  
the locals leave the rugby
and farmer's market scene
the hills become alive again
we bite our nails and dream
Julie Andrews step aside
stand up for Forest Green

© Crispin Thomas

*FA Cup Round 1 Replay 17th Nov 2009
*Mansfield Town 1 Forest Green Rovers 2 .
A goal in injury time from Platt (not the David we all knew)
has put our local (and  usually struggling Blue Square Conference side) Forest Green Rovers away to Bath City - just down the A46* - in the 2nd Round.  Can't wait.       The Rovers always seem to somehow come out of themselves in the FA Cup,  so fingers crossed and good luck  for this year.     Match of The Day fans will recall how last season Forest Green Rovers not only beat Rotherham* away  but only went out 4-3 to Derby* after a late penalty, having led 2-0 at one point.  All this  in front of over 5000 fans here at the New Lawn  in Forest Green.

  FA Vase - Wembley success and promotion to the BSC aside,  it was for me  as a  lifelong Chelsea fan, an amazing day .Having lived opposite the old Lawn ground when I returned from  Africa in 79 , the Derby game was personally the biggest day in the club's 100 plus  year history.

It's great also to now see fellow local Stroud/Nailsworth 'big-screen  fans' of the Blues, Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool and all Premier League  sides - are suddenly interested in and going to the New Lawn. My Stroud mate Nick, (big Chelsea fan) has an FGR season ticket and has some serious weekend decisions to make at times!
.
I grew up three streets away from Stamford Bridge just off the Ifield Road and got hooked that way. The roar at night aged 7 or 8 was amazing.The floodlights lit up the sky in our street at night. It's all about supporting your local club too I guess,  whoever you have followed big-time for years. So more please!  We Are FGR!