Two Bowers & Pitsea Supporters Talk To Vital Lincoln City

The Imps have never played tomorrow’s opponents, so we’ll take a look at how Bowers & Pitsea made it to the First Round of The FA Cup for the first time: Arlesey Town 0-5 Bowers & Pitsea (First Qualifying Round), Bishop’s Stortford 0-2 Bowers & Pitsea (Second Qualifying Round), Hornchurch FC 0-2 Bowers & Pitsea (Third Qualifying Round replay, after drawing 2-2 at home) and Bowers & Pitsea 2-1 Aldershot Town (Fourth Qualifying Round).

Ahead of tomorrow’s match, we have done a Q&A with two Bowers & Pitsea supporters, so thank you to Gareth and Stuart for answering our questions! The answers have been published on two pages. To get to the second set of answers, press “Click here for the second set of answers!” at the bottom right of the page.

First up, the answers provided by Gareth:

How long have you supported Bowers & Pitsea?

I visited the local Non-League club in 2015 as my son wanted to watch football. Being a Birmingham City fan far from home I couldn’t get him to them, and Bowers were on the doorstep. I quickly combined my photography with the football and since then have been the club photographer.

Where did you finish last season?

Our last full season saw us win the Isthmian North Division putting us into the Isthmian Premier for the first time ever. Unfortunately, the two seasons since then just didn’t happen as football at our level was suspended.

What do you think of your manager?

Smallsy has taken the club up two divisions, taken them to the semi-finals of the FA Vase, and broken nearly every club record with his sides. He’s been touted about by bigger sides when they’ve needed a manager but thankfully he’s still with us.

What are your hopes and expectations for the 2021/22 season?

As it’s our first full season at this level anything mid-table would be a success.

One(s) to watch?

Lew Manor – all-time club scorer.

Quentin Monville – pace and trickery.

Norton, Dicks and Jamie Thomas – absolute work engines.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

You’ve seen the reaction to the draw when we saw it. A proper football club with a good following. Your comments on our social media have honestly done you proud as a club. The welcomes before we even get there have been amazing.

What do you think the score will be?

I’m realistic. I know these lads will come to have a go. I’d like to see us snatch a draw and bring as many of you to our little Len Salmon Stadium as we can. But it’s the FA Cup so who knows what will happen?

Random fact about your Club?

1. When we moved to an artificial surface the ground had an opening ceremony. Julian Dicks came and did the honours before he took over as manager of Heybridge Swifts.

2. I have seen Billy Knott mentioned. Fair to say he left a big impression on his short stay with us but unfortunately moved on when covid broke our season. He did come to watch the lads play the other week and it was great to see him.

3. A few of our players have played in the first round previously with other clubs.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

Jamie Thomas. I’ve seen very few players find so much energy and never stop running for the cause. There is also a young lad called Tobias who will be with the squad. His scoring record in youth football is mind-blowing.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

No, we don’t. Our supporter numbers are unfortunately on the small side. Hopefully, the cup run will encourage a few local people to come and check us out or one of the other Non-League clubs locally.

Which was your favourite match involving Bowers & Pitsea?

The Aldershot game will take some beating unpredictably but the first season I went to the club they had a final league match in the Essex Senior League. That night either Bowers or Basildon (local rivals I guess you’d say) would win the league. Bowers did it with a late penalty. There is something special about those nights when you follow a non-league club.

Which was your least favourite match involving Bowers & Pitsea?

Chichester in the FA Cup a couple of seasons ago when we nearly made the 1st round. Chichester went on to get a bye and play Tranmere in round 2. Definitely better to make it this year though as fans can visit.

Have any past players or staff progressed to much higher levels in the game?

The most recent one I can think of is Charlie Sayers who came through our youth/community set up to play for Southend this season. One of our youth set up recently joined Man City so he will be one to watch the future.

What’s the best thing about supporting your team?

As the club’s photographer, I’ve got to know the players and gaffer better than I ever would if say I was going to watch Birmingham City. It’s great to see them do well and share the highs and lows with them as well. I feel it’s the same for the fans. Many of our players have stayed with us a long time which is unusual at our level but it has definitely helped build a rapport between everyone at the club.

Who would have been your preferred opponent in Round One?

I think we all hoped for a League One team but if that hadn’t been in store for us Southend or Colchester would have been interesting.

And Round Two if you progress?

Probably the same again. Another League One opponent would be great.

Do you have a long throw ‘specialist’?

Quentin Monville can do it but others have been known to as well.

How do you feel about the ground share you have with Hashtag United?

I think it’s been good for the club. There is some dislike directed in their way within the local footballing community but they’re unlikeable at all. Like everyone else they just love their football. It shows a lot that they went out their way to congratulate Bowers on making the first round and their gaffer even found Smallsy while we awaited the draw to say well done.

What is your favourite pizza topping?

Ham and Pineapple (wrong I know lol).

What is your average home crowd and how many away fans do you expect to travel?

200 I’d say but some teams in our division are followed much better and can often boost our own attendance when they visit.

If not Bowers & Pitsea, which team do most football fans in Basildon follow? London clubs or Southend?

We have a few people about the club who have Southend at heart but West Ham feature too. Other than that, some Spurs followers and the usual Man I and Arsenal ones too.

Are the team travelling up Friday and making a weekend of it?

The team are travelling up on Friday. An absolute privilege for me is I’ll be coming with them to try to capture the whole weekend with the camera.

How do you think your team will set up, will you be more defensive and hope for a replay with a potential TV date or just go for it?

Smallsy is a difficult one to predict but all I can be sure of is they’ll want to enjoy the occasion and have a go.

Who are your local rivals? Any teams your fans dislike/hate?

Basildon United would be rivals, I guess. I don’t mind them at all, but some people see it differently. For me, it’s people like us who love their football trying to make their club a success and to be honest I would prefer them in our division as those games are great fun.

According to Wikipedia, your nickname is Bowers, what do the Pitsea faction think of that?

It was the merger of two teams and the areas they were in were Bowers Gifford and Pitsea. I think nearly everyone shortens it to Bowers so it’s fine with all, I think.

Did not realise that Tilson played for Bowers prior to them merging with Pitsea wonder if anybody remembers him?

I’d imagine it’s possible but before my time.

Thank you to Gareth for providing the photograph used in this article!