Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
It was business as usual at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex on Wednesday as Collie Smith Drive rivals Boys' Town and Arnett Gardens took to the field in an NPL clash. Boys' Town won 2-0. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THEY CAME out in their numbers to witness the final chapter this season of the always competitive Collie Smith Drive derby on Wednesday.
However, not long ago, a flare-up of violence in the community left the Anthony Spaulding Complex a virtual ghost stadium on Premier League match days.
Even the few hardy spectators who came out in support of their team cocked their ears like gazelles; ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble. Things came to a head back in late December when gun shots barked menacingly in the background during a tense encounter against Wadadah which ended in a 2-2 draw. On that occasion, the stadium which had been buzzing with activity was empty just five minutes after the final whistle was blown as patrons and players alike scurried to get away from the venue.
STRONG POLICE PRESENCE
However, a strong police presence in the area in recent weeks seems to have restored some normalcy and on Wednesday the home of the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 champions was once again filled with energetic football fans.
At the end of the day, the Boys' Town Red Brigade defeated home team Arnett 2-0, avenging a 3-2 loss in December and securing bragging rights for the season.
While elated with the victory, Boys' Town's technical director, Andrew Price, admitted that the real winner was the South East St Andrew community as Boys' Town fans who dared not venture up the road a few months earlier now cheered from the stands.
"Even though Boys' Town won today, the entire community won today. It's the first time that Arnett Gardens have hosted a game in a long time and they are so many people here," Price said.
"It's a sign that things are getting back to normal in the community," he said.
For Arnett Gardens, president Patrick Roberts, who was detained in December along with area leaders Andrew Phang and George Phang but never charged, said the return of the spectators was a welcome sight.
"We have always had the spectators and the fan base, but when there is uncertainty involved in the community they won't come out," he said.
"But as soon as things are back to normal, the crowd will be back and today was evidence of that," Roberts said.
Like many other clubs around the league, Arnett have struggled with the issue of financial viability and the absence of spectators from the stands had put an even more severe strain on their budget, which had a direct impact on the player's salaries, but Roberts believes things are looking up.
"If there are no spectators coming to the games it puts a huge dent in your budget, but things are coming on and in addition to that we have secured a couple of commitments and pledges," he said.
The president, at the same time, made a call for the community and fans of football to keep the peace.
"We cannot have a facility like this and not showcase it. I'm calling upon the fans and the people of the community to keep things the way that they are now.
"We need people to be able to come down here and start really enjoying football games at Arnett Gardens," Roberts said.
