The Island Derby: Concord Rangers 1, Canvey 0

[Thorpe Groyney]

So, just a few short years after the then Gulls' manager Jeff King said they will be the number one team in Essex, it's confirmed - Canvey Island aren't even the number one team on Canvey Island.

Big crowd at Thames Road, 720. I thought the Gulls supporters let themselves down a bit with their continual chanting of what everything connected with Concord was s**t rather than supporting their team.

It seemed poetic justice that the game was decided by an injury time offside goal.

Here's one Gulls fan's take on it:

"How embarrassing though that the loudest noise from Concord was from their own players singing at the end!! They may be capable of 'buying' a good team, but one thing they will never be is a big 'club' - you can't buy fans."

I do love unintentional irony.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Was there any bother? I wasd speaking to someone a couple of weeks ago who was predicting some trouble at that game - hope none materialised. Fair play to Concord, just a point off the play-offs now, much like another Essex side that springs to mind.

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

There was afterwards, which necessitated a police car or 2 turning up to quell an incident that might have got out of hand, although I think it was more borne out of the intense annoyance of losing a derby game in such a manner. Plenty of less than flattering remarks from Canvey supporters about Concord but I wouldn't say I felt particularly worried about my own safety.

 

[tottenham541]

concord and billericay in great positions now for a play-off push, be great if one of them went up this season.

 

[Sherif H]

So...is there a defined split between where their support comes from Groyney? Do Concord fans all hail from the West of Canvey, and conversely, all CIFC fans hail from the East?!