Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Reflections thus far.

After the meeting yesterday with Neil I have discovered a deeper respect for Millwall fans. It was with regards to him speaking about the loyalty he has for the club even though he has now begun to view his loyalty almost as a chore.
Millwall's notorious reputation has been a huge burden to the fans over the past four decades so to me it seems incredible that a club which receives such bad press probably has the most loyal fans in London, maybe even England.
I know that this project held a personal connection to me due to the geographical location and my father's heritage but it was refreshing to hear Neil say yesterday that even if there was no match being played he would still go to "the den" to socialise and be a part of the atmosphere and scene. The attraction to a football match for me had no relation to the football aspect but wholly to the atmosphere and the unifying of different groups of people for 90 minutes every week.
This project thus far has shown me so many different and unexpected aspects of Millwall FC and the people who we have made contact with have been amazingly helpful and incredibly willing to help our project succeed.
I would say that even if an event was not to develop as a result of our research what we have discovered, the people we have met and in my case the connections I have made have been rich and fulfilling. This project is turning out to be completely rewarding and hugely enjoyable.

Monday, 30 January 2012

General History of Goldsmiths and New Cross area

Very basic historical dates - will look further into the 'playing field'

Goldsmiths:
1843 - Royal Navy College (main building)

1891 - the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths established its Technical and Recreative Institute for educational opportunities for people living in the New Cross area (mainly the working class)

1904 - Goldsmiths College is acknowledged as part of the University of London

1907 - Art School established at Goldsmiths College by Sir Reginald Blomfield

Dec' 1940 - main building is bombed and consequently burnt down by German RAF


New Cross:

July 1952 - the last London tram was driven from Woolwich to New Cross depot

1977 - "Battle of Lewisham" - British National Front clash with militant anti-fascist forces and are driven out of the area

18th January 1981 - 13 yong black people are killed in a fire at a party on New Cross road. Political motivated mobilisation of black people (biggest ever seen in England) as a result of how the investigation into the deaths was handled by the police