Glossop Supporters Reunion With Chopper
Thu 3rd February 2011 | Glossop North End | By Ian Templeman
Once again Glossop North End's travelling band of supporters hit the road last Saturday - and with the Hillmen's cup tie at Darwen falling foul of the weather, there was only one destination on their minds.
As reported on the league website last week, a section of the Glossop Supporters Club have taken a special interest in the performances of Padiham full back Tom "Chopper" Bradley, after initially being attracted to him by his old fashioned footballing nickname, and went to watch him and cheer him on at Congleton a couple of weeks ago.
With their mini bus from Glossop booked and paid for, and Padiham's game against Rossendale United surviving the freezing weekend weather, the travelling band of supporters needed little persuasion to head off from Derbyshire in the direction of the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground.
They spent the 90 minutes in good voice, with vocal chords having been well lubricated from patronising the ales on offer in the clubhouse. They also gave their solid support to Tom throughout the game, including several choruses of "Happy Birthday To You", a few hours before Tom and his team mates headed off to his 21st birthday bash.
As for the man at the centre of the attention, Tom is enjoying every minute of the adoration being heaped on him from the Glossop gang, and he explained that the nickname at the centre of story actually dates back several years.
"When I was a young lad I trained at Burnley and at my first session I was eager to impress and put a few challenges in that I shouldn't have and the coach there gave me the nickname. From then it just stuck and everybody calls me by that name now, I don't think a lot of the lads know my real name.
"I scored against Glossop in the first game of the season and they gave me a bit of stick then, and to be honest I'd forgotten about that game until we went down to Glossop just after the big freeze. I was focussed on the game and then I heard my name being chanted, and thought "oh it's these boys again". Then they came to Congleton the other week, and now here again, it's just brilliant.
"I wasn't expecting to see them here, I knew they were due to be playing at Darwen, so it was a nice surprise to run out on the pitch and see that they were here.
"I think it's brilliant, it really spurs me on when I see them come to games. They are spending their spare time to come and watch me so I'll do what I can to repay them and keep them happy. I don't want to let them down.
"My team mates all give me a little bit of stick but I love it, it's all good banter."
Padiham manager Craig Chadwick shares Tom's enthusiasm for the unexpected attention he is receiving.
"The lads were all sending texts to one another last week about the first article on the league website (after the Congleton game) and having a laugh about it, it got everyone talking.
"You've got to give credit to the Glossop fans, to travel all the way up here to see him play is brilliant, and they brought a good atmosphere to the match as well.
"Tom's a great lad, he gives us 100% on the pitch every week, and he has progressed well as the season's gone on. He loves it all, and we just need to make sure it doesn't go to his head and start affecting his performances!"
Just before the match the Glossop North End Supporters Club officially sponsored Tom for the rest of the season, in Padiham's match programme player sponsorship scheme. Glossop match day secretary Stewart Taylor said: "We are not sure if this is the first time that a player sponsorship has ever been taken up by opposition supporters, but it has to be extremely unusual to say the least."
Glossop Supporters Reunion With Chopper
Thu 3rd February 2011 | Glossop North End
By Ian Templeman
Once again Glossop North End's travelling band of supporters hit the road last Saturday - and with the Hillmen's cup tie at Darwen falling foul of the weather, there was only one destination on their minds.
As reported on the league website last week, a section of the Glossop Supporters Club have taken a special interest in the performances of Padiham full back Tom "Chopper" Bradley, after initially being attracted to him by his old fashioned footballing nickname, and went to watch him and cheer him on at Congleton a couple of weeks ago.
With their mini bus from Glossop booked and paid for, and Padiham's game against Rossendale United surviving the freezing weekend weather, the travelling band of supporters needed little persuasion to head off from Derbyshire in the direction of the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground.
They spent the 90 minutes in good voice, with vocal chords having been well lubricated from patronising the ales on offer in the clubhouse. They also gave their solid support to Tom throughout the game, including several choruses of "Happy Birthday To You", a few hours before Tom and his team mates headed off to his 21st birthday bash.
As for the man at the centre of the attention, Tom is enjoying every minute of the adoration being heaped on him from the Glossop gang, and he explained that the nickname at the centre of story actually dates back several years.
"When I was a young lad I trained at Burnley and at my first session I was eager to impress and put a few challenges in that I shouldn't have and the coach there gave me the nickname. From then it just stuck and everybody calls me by that name now, I don't think a lot of the lads know my real name.
"I scored against Glossop in the first game of the season and they gave me a bit of stick then, and to be honest I'd forgotten about that game until we went down to Glossop just after the big freeze. I was focussed on the game and then I heard my name being chanted, and thought "oh it's these boys again". Then they came to Congleton the other week, and now here again, it's just brilliant.
"I wasn't expecting to see them here, I knew they were due to be playing at Darwen, so it was a nice surprise to run out on the pitch and see that they were here.
"I think it's brilliant, it really spurs me on when I see them come to games. They are spending their spare time to come and watch me so I'll do what I can to repay them and keep them happy. I don't want to let them down.
"My team mates all give me a little bit of stick but I love it, it's all good banter."
Padiham manager Craig Chadwick shares Tom's enthusiasm for the unexpected attention he is receiving.
"The lads were all sending texts to one another last week about the first article on the league website (after the Congleton game) and having a laugh about it, it got everyone talking.
"You've got to give credit to the Glossop fans, to travel all the way up here to see him play is brilliant, and they brought a good atmosphere to the match as well.
"Tom's a great lad, he gives us 100% on the pitch every week, and he has progressed well as the season's gone on. He loves it all, and we just need to make sure it doesn't go to his head and start affecting his performances!"
Just before the match the Glossop North End Supporters Club officially sponsored Tom for the rest of the season, in Padiham's match programme player sponsorship scheme. Glossop match day secretary Stewart Taylor said: "We are not sure if this is the first time that a player sponsorship has ever been taken up by opposition supporters, but it has to be extremely unusual to say the least."