Name – Phil Brown
Age – 30
Favourite team – Harborough Town/ Leicester City
Occupation – Foreman
Thing I love about football – Goals
My football pet hate – Diving and getting away with it

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What first inspired you to start bringing a drum to Harborough Town matches?

The club brought the drum to try and get more of an atmosphere at the games. Which was needed. I said I’d do it for a game and see how it went. I suppose watching Leicester growing up with there drummer and going, yer that would be laugh to do it one day and the chance came.

How long have you been drumming at games, and how did it all begin?

Not very long, since February. We was in a bit of rut, struggling down the wrong end of the table. The manager rightly so called for the fans to help the lads with encouragement through games. A few of us got together after the match and discussed what we could do. The drum idea can along. Next game we had it,Telford away. Feeling chucked in the deep end a little but all went good 0-0 it finished which was a massive point.

What does being the matchday drummer mean to you personally?

I find it great. It’s my way of giving time to the club. If I can help boost the atmosphere and people’s experience at the games then I feel I have done all right

How do the players and coaching staff react to the noise and atmosphere you create?

The players and staff always show there appreciation after the games home and away The manager always saying in his interview on how he loves the fans getting behind the team. But i can’t take all the praise. If it I wasn’t for the fans getting behind the drum then there wouldn’t be no atmosphere.

Do you prepare specific rhythms or just go with the flow during the match?

We have a few chants but normally go with the flow.

What’s the best reaction you’ve ever had from fans because of the drumming?

I got very embarrassed at an away when the fans after the game started chanting my name. Most came up to me to say I did great so that was really nice.

How would you describe the atmosphere at Harborough Town on a good matchday?

We can get it rocking, but we still are growing. It’s still very new to some people having a drum at the games. I do feel that we have created a bit of fan base who’s committed to make an atmosphere home and away which is great.

What makes the club special to you as a supporter?

Just being a local lad, watching them progressing through the leagues is exciting. The people around the club are great too.

Have you seen the fanbase or matchday experience grow since you started drumming?

I would say the fanbase has been growing for the last few season with the success on the pitch. The match day experience I would say yes the match day experience has been better with the drum. But I do know and understand that the drum isn’t for everyone taste.

What’s your favourite memory following Harborough Town home or away?

Ive got a few, Reading away was just a dream that I didn’t think could ever happen. Scoring 3 goals and taking them into extra time. Also being very lucky to travel to Spain to watch them play in preseason. Not many clubs at our level can say that. Home game that stick out was when we had our Spainish fans travel over, they was amazing and drumming to there own chants.

What do you think makes non-league football so unique compared to the higher levels?

The sense of community everyone talking to each other. Having a pint whilst watching the game. Talking to the players and manager freely after the game in the clubhouse. You just don’t get that the higher up you go

How do you feel the club contributes to the local community?

The facility are great there. The amount of kids football teams that play from there is crazy It’s very community driven club

Have you ever travelled to away games with the drum, and how was it received?

I travel home and away with the drum. Yes you get fans that don’t mind it but some opponents fans hate it. Iv had a few comments and the odd chant pointed at me but generally most fans are pretty good about it.

What would you say to someone thinking about getting involved in supporting or volunteering at a non-league club?

I would tell them give a go I bet you they would come again. Volunteering is so important to non league clubs. If you can give up any time on a match day to help the running of a club, your help would mean more than you think. If harborough didn’t have volunteers we wouldn’t have a club.

What are your hopes for the future of Harborough Town, both on and off the pitch?

I would say just to keep going how we are, we are growing attendance wise and building a club that has such positivity around it. We are pushing for promotion into the national north which is crazy to think when I first started watching harborough 2018 we was playing United counties premier getting beat most weeks.

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Thank you to Phil for his time and for both entertaining and annoying fans in equal measure, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The dedication and support is something to be admired and I always love someone who gives up their time with their club at the forefront of their mind, the work Phil puts in on a match day really makes a difference and I hope he continues it in the future.

Until next time!

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