NUFC v Leicester City (17 April 2022)

At the Wolves game last week, we pushed the boat out by putting flags in each of the four stands, which is a first for us. In theory, that makes the Leicester game a little easier to set up. However, a fan (@NUFC_1980_1994) contacted us in the run-up to suggest a display recognising almost 30 years since David Kelly scored against Portsmouth.  It’s nearly 30 years to the day since he scored that goal against Portsmouth back in April 1992, the goal stopped us from going down into what is now League One. It started the fightback the season after that eventually leading to us getting promoted to the Premier League. He was a big part of that. It’s just honouring what was a pivotal moment in our history.

Kelly is a player who doesn’t get the same recognition as others, the likes of Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan, Sir Bobby Robson – all these heroes. For us, David Kelly is part of that list. I was too young to remember that goal but it’s a story I’ve been told many, many times by the people who were there.

We are striking the right tone in honouring that part in the club’s history. It was, as said, a pivotal moment, and then what went on to happen in the 1990s which we fondly remember, it all started with that moment, and it’s nice we get to honour David Kelly.

We love it when fans suggest displays or flags as it keeps us very much as a tool for the fans to support the club.

As with all great plans, however, this one was not without a hitch. In preparation for this display, we were unable to locate the original David Kelly flag that was part of our display flag collection. To enable this display to fully take place,  we needed to replace this. We took to social media and the fan base was able to help. A UK company, @footballflags, was able to assist and turned around our order in a matter of hours. Then the logistical challenge of getting the flag to SJP to get set up – so the willing WorFlags team were able to arrange to get the flag via road and rail to the final destination, in good time.

Then a small matter of creating words to go under the banner. The 11 words chosen were those uttered by the commentator on that day, so the 30m of black fabric was sourced and 13 big bamboo poles to go with it, and then stencil and painting started, on the floor of the Gallowgate in the evenings after everybody has finished work (remember that this is a pastime for us alongside work).

Once the matters are stencilled and painted, they are attached to poles. For this display, strategic placement of words and poles is important so the display is central to the goal. Now to let the paint dry and attach the poles evenly. Finally, we take the display flags and pull them together in place for the game. We also checked the positioning of all of the larger waver flags around the group to make sure that they are evenly distributed. And home!

So the display is created, now we need our team of 40+ experienced matchday volunteers to be enlisted for this particular display, so the call went out for those and that was resolved in a couple of minutes.

On to the match day. Lots of positive chatter on social media through various snippets released and great anticipation, not to mention all of the excitement around an Easter Sunday afternoon game in the sun. 

Many of our volunteers will wave the larger flags and encourage other fans to do the same. In this instance, around 20 of us gathered on the lower concourse from 13:45 to prepare for the display. Each of the poles is numbered so we know that the display is facing in the right direction. A short briefing for the volunteers takes place – somebody is allocated to each pole. The person in the middle, pole 7, needs to stay where they are, half of the display goes left and half right. As the display time draws near, we elevate the poles, being careful to keep the powder dry – we don’t want to do a premature display. Then the signal is received, we open and walk to our places. As we get towards the East Stand, some volunteers are standing with a static display in front of where this one is going, so we ask them to move, which they did.

Now that the display is out, we notice it’s a couple of metres off centre, so we shuffle towards the Milburn Stand. Now it’s good and taut. The David Kelly flag is standing proud in the middle of the Gallowgate, just beside where he was stored on that fateful day, and the commentator’s words are below him.

Aside from this display, the supporters around the rest of the ground look awesome and make us proud of what we have created.

To make sure that we stay together and the banner stays strong, one of us in the middle gives signals to stay or concertina in. Just before the kick-off, that signal goes, we all come together the display is gathered and laid on the floor where it started, and we all rush to our seats (some with plenty of vertical and horizontal distance to cover).

After each Toon goal, there is an organic display from the crowd, and at the end of the game another.   It was good to hear a tannoy announcement to tell supporters to leave all flags where they were found, they are and remain property of  WorFlags and paid for by supporters. One flag did make its way onto the pitch after the game as Miguel Almiron was handed one, but it made the team picture from the dressing room and was left there for Wednesday.

David Kelly was in a box at the match and he sent a direct message to WorFlags to say thanks.

Social media after the event has been wonderful and we thank all supporters for their continued support.

If you want to help fund future displays, visit our website to see how to donate as one-off, or regular donation.

See you next time!

Written by Graham Moor (@monstercop)

Edited by Chris Johnson (@chrisj94_)

Photography by George Frizzell (@toonarmy59)