We came, we saw, we conga'd
By James Tourgout

Monday 7th November 2005

BRING on Nottingham Forest at the Wessex Stadium - that was the message from jubilant Weymouth fans.

They will always remember the fifth of November 2005 after the Terras came from behind to grab a dream draw against double European Cup winners Forest at the City Ground.

Massed ranks of ecstatic fans celebrated as if they had won the FA Cup when they hailed their heroes at the end of a nail-biting first round match.

Tim Lucas, 50, from Littlemoor, said: "It was superb.

"The whole day was fantastic. We deserved the result, and the whole team played brilliantly, especially the defence."

Son Adrian Lucas, 22, of Lodmoor, added: "It was fantastic. Now bring on the replay."

They were among the hundreds of fans who made the long trip to once mighty Forest for the exhilarating tie.

They journeyed up in a convoy of nine supporters' club coaches, private buses and minibuses, cars, specially chartered trains and network rail services.

The stadium announcer said there were 1,842 Terras fans banked behind the goal in the Bridgford Stand but there seemed to be twice, three times that many as they kept up an inspirational barrage of cheers and songs throughout the whole game.

And the delirious supporters blew the roof off the stand on fireworks night when midfielder Andy Harris headed home the equaliser at the Terras fans' end.

Dan Greening, Matt Greening, Ron Hansford and David Greening were among the supporters going mad after the game.

Dan said: "It was absolutely fantastic."

Ron added: "We didn't look out of place at all and deserved the result."

In the stand, Stuart Voss, 17, of Weymouth, said: "It was brilliant. We deserved the draw. Now we can look forward to the replay."

Spirited fans brought the carnival atmosphere of the seaside to Nottingham as they painted their faces, wore wigs, fancy dress, donned knotted hankerchiefs and waved all kinds of inflatables.

They blew horns, released balloons, waved silver foil FA Cups and even swung old-style football rattles in support of the underdogs.

Laura Davies, 19, who was with Annaliese Wykes, 26, said: "I think Weymouth was sold out of inflatables, I tried to get a beach ball but ended up with a hammer as they'd all gone."

Stewards had abandoned attempts to make the Terras fans stay seated by the time the equaliser went in.

Euphoric supporters the proverbial extra man sensed a giant-killing cup upset. Although that was not to be, the dream lived on.

Mick Parker, 43, from Weymouth, said: "It was the best game for 20 years. It was great to have 2,000 Weymouth fans together behind one goal."

His pal Michael Smith, 43, added: "The atmosphere was incredible. Weymouth have every chance in the replay."

Veteran Dicky Borthwick, who is 70 on Sunday, blasted out the rallying call on his bugle as fans fought to get served by just two bar staff at the Larwood and Voce pub before the game.

Alan Vowles, 56, and wife Kathleen, of Lanehouse, travelled up with Martin Gill , 37, and his wife Donna, of Chickerell.

Alan, who had his face painted along with Martin, said: "We waited so long for this game, it's great to see so many fans."

lain Stone was with his children Jack, 10, and Caitlin, seven, his sister Julie Near, her daughter Shannon Neal, nine, and Phil Dewer, Ken Ovens and Pete Moore.

He said: "I am a season ticket holder but this game was a bit different."

Julie said that she, Shannon and Caitlin were wearing pink Weymouth tops as she and their nan Dee Stone had battled breast cancer. Shannon added that Chukki Eribenne was her favourite player.

Other fans making the six-hour trip to Nottingham included staff from Cineworld Stuart Crane, 25, James Birch, 24, Jake Watling, 22, and Matt Logue, 26.

Kim Pereira, Wes Larner, Darren Styles and Pete Williamson were among a group to don wigs and make-up.

Chris Larner, who drove up with Michael and Lewis Barton, said: "The atmosphere has been brilliant."

Three generations of the Hawkins family; Ivor, 64, son Martin, 40, and grandson George, seven, made the trip.

Andy Brown, Richard Bartlett and Shaun Conning were among the fans leading the non-stop cheering at the heart of the Weymouth support behind the goal.

Fans outsang the muted home followers, who applauded the Terras supporters and the Weymouth players after the final whistle, and mobbed chairman Martyn Harrison as he celebrated with them and the players after the final whistle.

Supporters praised the organisation of coaches to the game, and hopes rose on the way home of cutting Forest down in the replay.

Mickey Kirlew, Owen Kirlew, 14, Dean Hetherington, 14, Carl Price and Alex Scott claimed that Weymouth could take the Nottingham scalp.

Carl said: "It was a great game and fair result. It was brilliant to see so many fans. It was unreal when we scored."

There may have been fireworks at the City Ground on bonfire night but the Terras fans predicted another magical night to remember next week.