NUFC v Wolverhampton Wanderers (8th April 2022)

As many will know, we like to get as many supporters as possible involved in anything from submitting design requests for flags or displays, to waving madly on a match day.

In previous matches, we’ve had requests to add flags, or to show displays in particular stands, and we’ve managed to deliver that, for the most part. This particular match was a large challenge on two fronts. Firstly, we didn’t have enough flags or poles to cover the stadium, and secondly, it would be a huge effort to cover the whole stadium from a volunteer’s perspective. This would require thought and planning.

From a planning perspective, we had to source 2,000 new flags, and poles to go with them, we needed to get those assembled and also distributed around the ground. To get the poles, we used a degree of social media, but that wasn’t very successful, so we fell back on tested mechanisms for ordering, and had the equipment delivered to SJP on the week running up to the game.

Having had the equipment delivered, we needed to assemble the equipment so-called on our pool of matchday volunteers to see if any could assist in the preparation. They are a really keen and helpful bunch and this was no exception. On the Sunday before the game, around 20 volunteers were at SJP for the majority of the day. 2 tasks for the day were to assemble flags of two sizes with poles for the right size and distribute the flags around all four stands. As previous displays had flags out on 3 stands, we needed to stand these up to see what was set up, then populate the rest. By the end of the Sunday, most of the Gallowgate, East Stand and Leazes was filled with flags for display. Another challenge was that many of the flags, the larger ones especially, had been left on the floor, and the weather in the week had not been kind, so a lot of the flags needed airing, so much like at home, the fencing and seats were used as drying facilities, with a good wave of each flag so most were ready for use, although a couple had snapped so needed replacement.

On Thursday evening, another group of us, around 20 again, returned to the stadium to finish off, from around 4 pm until quite late (not much lighting). This time, we needed to complete the

Leazes and cover the Milburn. We did not have enough flags to cover the whole of the Milburn stand for this match, but we started at the front and worked out way further up. 

Given we were in the Milburn Stand, we decided to give Mehrdad, Amanda and Jamie the opportunity to wave a flag, so left one for each of them in their seats. Serena Taylor, Club Photographer, and Mehrdad were tagged on social media.

Once contented with the displays, we tidied all of the equipment in the store and left for the evening.

On the evening of the match, al (l of our volunteers were inside the stadium in good time and waved the flags with glee, as did the rest of the stadium. We were delighted to see Mehrdad waving the flag with some good social media coverage. The display one the evening was something to behold and took our breath away. Lots of positive comments about how much people enjoyed waving the flags and many of our volunteers encouraged other spectators to pick up and wave a flag, many of whom took up the offer.

Despite much of the positive work, however, we did lose some flags as some people took them home, and we are sure that most took them home as they didn’t realise the flags belonged to us. 

Written by Graham Moor (@monstercop)

Edited by Chris Johnson (@chrisj94_)

Photography by George Frizzell (@toonarmy59)