Fan of the week

By Stuart Croll (NonLeagueToday)

Bishops Stortford supporter Ben Dellow was recommended by the Blues Supporters club as "fan of the week" for all the fanatical support and work he does for the club.
Nothing unusual in that except Ben is just 16.

Ben is known amongst the fans as Polish Blue Horn.

This is due to the very loud blue horns that he managed to get hold of for the club shop - imported from of all places Poland, and wherever Bishops Stortford play Ben and his Blue horn go with them.

It is not just the Polish Blue Horn that Ben carries to every game he also takes a video camera. After receiving the camera for Christmas, Ben started filming every Bishops Stortford game home and away.

The quality was of such a high standard Ben and other fans edited a DVD of the 2007-2008 season. Apparently there was quite a bit of editing  - not of the video footage but the occasional swearing that had to be removed from the sound track.

Being a true football fan Ben films from behind the goal the Blues are attacking and is still able to shout support for the team, toot his horn and catch the action on film.
Ben said: "It is one of the great things about watching NonLeague football is moving behind the goals and its great to film the team but still support them at the same time."

In addition to the filming, Ben also does voluntary work for the club.

He assists in stewarding the club car park before home games and also puts up posters of forthcoming games and events around the town. Ben has been supporting the Blues for many years and, like many, was brought to games by his dad when he was younger. He said: "I was hooked immediately and although some friends take the mickey because they support League teams I just wait for the day we meet them in the FA Cup and beat them then.

"Also I genuinely believe Bishops Stortford could hold its own in the Blue Square Premier and I know it's a cliché but if Histon can do it then why cant we?"

Returning to the issue of his friends supporting big league teams Ben adds: "There is no way they get the enjoyment I get supporting my team." And support his team he does.

He was one of the hardcore Blues fans that made the 450 mile round trip to see his side play Tiverton in an FA Trophy replay on a Wednesday night and has travelled as far as Halifax for mid-week games as well. He said: "This may require me playing truant from school occasionally but I just have to see my team play." Deliberately missing his school classes and openly admitting that he does just goes to show how dedicated Ben is towards his club.