Abbo and Hartopp on Bolehall and Barry Fry
We caught up with Carl Abbott and Jack Hartopp at last night’s ‘Evening with Barry Fry’ to reflect on the drama of Bolehall Swifts on Tuesday evening and last night’s event.
AFC scored twice in stoppage time at Bolehall to preserve their unbeaten run, and Abbo said that the way his side came back provided fans with a moment to savour for years to come.
‘The Battle of Bolehall! It was a hell of a night really. It was nearly bitter disappointment, and a bitter experience.
‘It wasn’t the most pleasant of games, we were given dogs’ abuse by their dugout, and their players had a certain way about them in their approach to the game.
‘It didn’t mesh with ours and it unsettled us. We started the game with difficulty but the second half was something that will be savoured by the club for many years to come, and it’ll be talked about when we’re long gone!’
Hartopp was an unused substitute on Tuesday, and he felt that the late comeback was all down to the encouragement from the supporters, who didn’t stop singing even at 3-1 down.
‘When they (Bolehall) were holding it up in the corner with five or ten minutes to go I turned to Oli Basham and said “there’s no chance now”, but all credit goes to the fans.
‘They kept us going and the last few moments were vital. They played a massive part, once we got the second, they kept that belief going to get the third.
‘The players all showed their appreciation at the end because they are a massive part of the club’
Initial calculations from the Barry Fry event indicated that the night had raised a significant amount for the club. Did Abbo feel the night was a success?
‘Yes, definitely. Numbers are growing and the interest is developing in these nights that we’re putting on. We, the football club, Steve and Joy (Jelfs) have put on a really high quality event tonight with plenty going on and plenty of value for money.
‘Barry was absolutely wonderful, wonderful in the words he spoke about the club, in his support on the club and his feelings as to what’s happened here.
‘It’s great to hear from someone of that standing in the game can look down on grass roots football and give a passionate opinion about it.
‘It really galvanises you and drives you on to what we’re doing and as I say, there were more bums on seats here, which isn’t surprising after Tuesday, and there’s a real togetherness and great cohesion between the football club, the players, the management and the supporters.’
