Saturday 29 December 2012

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

I was fascinated by my experiences on Boxing Day.  I was a bit lost in Kingston, trying to find the Wimbledon football ground on foot (Wimbledon play at the Kingstonian ground).  I didn't recognise the road, but, using my incredible inate sense of direction and natural navigation skills, I set off along the road.

After a while, I realised that I had no idea where I was.

I popped into the local shop to ask directions of the Indian shopkeeper.  'Football ground?  No, there are no football grounds round here, mate.'  Why do Indians always call me 'mate'?  'But this is Kingston, isn't it?  Kingstonian?  Wimblkedon FC?'  'No, mate, the only football ground I know is miles away - back the way you've come from until the main road, then turn right and keep on going until you see it.  But it's nowhere near here!

Hmmm.  That wasn't too encouraging.  So I went into the off licence and asked the Afro-Caribbean shopkeeper.  'Football ground?  No.  I don't kniow any football ground.'  I was beginning to wonder whether I was in the right town.  'There is one football ground over the other side of the town.  You are driving?  You're on foot!!!  Well, I don't think you can walk it.  It's way down there to the main road and then up to the right some distance.  But you can't walk there!'  'Kingstonian?  Wimbledon FC?'  'Well, which you want?  Kingston or Wimbledon?!'

So, same directions, but also same lack of convincing knowledge.  Outside the shop, I spotted a white man.  'Wimbledon football ground?  Yeah, down the main road and turn right and you'll see it.  It's only about a half a mile away.'  And it was.  10 minutes walk.

So why don't local shopkeepers know where their local football team plays?  Do minority communities not support football?  Is it only white persons that walk anywhere?

7 comments:

  1. Sorry "mate" she says as she searches for Kingston on the map. The problem is solved. This seems to be West London area, something almost unknown to me except for Heathrow and various part of South Kensington where the museums are and Harrods. Wimbledon have a football team? I must say our ethnic minorities in East London and Essex are sometimes better informed that the ingenious population. Loved the blog.

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  2. Did it occur to you they were deliberately misleading you as a reaction to England's series victory over India recently?

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  3. Maybe those that you questioned only think in terms of 'big' football teams.......Premiership or Championship, and assumed you meant one of those?

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  4. Having been to Kingsmeadow a few times to see AFCW, I can't imagine how you could have a shop in a neighbouring road and not know there was a football ground nearby. Our friends live in New Malden on the other side of the railway line, and you can hear the midweek evening matches from their house. However, my experience with non-League football, was people tend to be better acquainted with the DIY shops... so if that also applies to lower league teams these days, then maybe you'd better ask for Homebase next time!

    I hear on the grapevine that AFC might be moving back to Wimbledon soon. It'd be good news for the club I think. It's certainly given Maidstone United a boost, and think its worked for Brighton too.

    Ref ethnicity and walking habits... I think you're probably wide of the mark Neil. I just think he was thinking of the right ground unlike the Afro-Caribbean guy.

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  5. Having been to Kingsmeadow a few times to see AFCW, I can't imagine how you could have a shop in a neighbouring road and not know there was a football ground nearby. Our friends live in New Malden on the other side of the railway line, and you can hear the midweek evening matches from their house. However, my experience with non-League football, was people tend to be better acquainted with the DIY shops... so if that also applies to lower league teams these days, then maybe you'd better ask for Homebase next time!

    I hear on the grapevine that AFC might be moving back to Wimbledon soon. It'd be good news for the club I think. It's certainly given Maidstone United a boost, and think its worked for Brighton too.

    Ref ethnicity and walking habits... I think you're probably wide of the mark Neil. I just think he was thinking of the right ground unlike the Afro-Caribbean guy.

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    1. Hadn't heard that a move was on, Ian. They are always on the look out though for a ground. I've only been to Kingsmeadow once I confess a long time ago. A visit to the new Amex stadium is another on my resolutions list; I've driven past and it's a smart looking place.

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  6. I think there are many people who regard the thought of walking more than 20 or 30 yards as out of their comfort zone.

    Still you would have thought local shopkeepers would know where the football ground is.

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