DRAGONS KNOW HOW TO PARTY!
THE good times continue to roll for Basingstoke Town as they took another step towards a historic treble this week.
The newly-crowned Isthmian League South Central champions lifted the North Hants Senior Cup in midweek, beating Romsey Town 3-1.
Next up, on Wednesday, Dan Brownlie’s men will be aiming to add their final piece of silverware from a special season when they take on Wessex League side AFC Bournemouth in the Hampshire Senior Cup showdown at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park.
For the Dragons, nothing will top winning the title on the final day of the season when players and staff headed to their Winklebury HQ with a twinkle in their eye.
Despite cruising to a 3-1 home win over South Park, Town looked destined for the play-offs with title rivals Walton & Hersham winning 2-1 at Thatcham Town.
Gatecrashed
But a last-minute penalty for the Kingfishers ensured Walton had to settle for a draw, meaning Town took the title by two clear points.
The memory of that achievement will last a lifetime for bright young coach Brownlie, 35, who recalls leading the triumphant charge from the ground to the local pub.
And that’s where the fun really started as the group gatecrashed an 18th birthday party to continue their celebrations, much to the delight of the DJ who was pleased to entertain such a raucous crowd.
Feeling ale and hearty, Brownlie’s men headed into town only to be turned away from a few places due to a dress code.
They were about to call it a night before the owner of the Taboo bar spotted them looking forlorn and invited them in.
“We just set off from the ground in our tracksuits to celebrate,” said Brownlie, who joined Basingstoke from local rivals Hartley Wintney. “We were not dressed for a night out. It was completely spontaneous.
“What happened was really freaky, insane to be honest. If it had been written in a Hollywood script, nobody would have believed it.”
Humbling
Indeed, as the clock ticked down, Brownlie was convinced they were heading into the play-offs, adding: “I was about to make a couple of substitutions to freshen things up.
“Then I spotted our chairman Jack Miller in the stand with his hand up, screaming his head off, indicating Thatcham had scored. Jack is a fourth generation supporter so you can imagine what it meant to him. That got everyone going and the noise from 1,600 fans is a moment I will never forget. What a roar it was!
“People were coming up and saying thank you. It was very humbling and very special. We have a very talented group, some of whom have come through our Academy. I am very proud of all of them.
“It is a magical time and I am delighted for the supporters who have stuck by us through some dark times with the sale of the Camrose and relegation. “