Jerry and the noise-makers

Jerry Allcock

Peter Davies meets the fantastic bloke at the back of the Kop…who keeps banging his drum

Background: Jerry Allcock, 41, an event planner from Deeside. And, currently, probably the most talked-about Wrexham fan. Home and away, he's always beating his drum. He stands right at the back of the Kop - and he is winning friends and admirers everywhere he goes. "Bang the Drum, Beat the Drop". If the Reds do survive relegation this year, we may have Jerry to thank.

What's the story behind the drum?
"I had been thinking of getting a drum for some time, having heard drums at other clubs, particularly on the continent and in Africa. The disastrous Friday night at Tranmere also gave me another view. Here we had a great turnout of 1,500 fans behind the goal but those who were singing were in various pockets across the width of the stand. There was no cohesion: different groups were trying to get different songs going at the same time. I thought: wouldn't it be good if we could get everyone united as one group?"

How would you assess the situation on the Kop?
"The atmosphere was a bit dead; games came and went, with us still in the relegation zone. There's nothing worse than a football ground where there is no noise or atmosphere. The thought started to dawn that we might be playing at Exeter, Torquay or even Boston United next season. Well, imagine losing out on away trips to Stoke, Huddersfield, Wigan, Oldham, and Blackpool - didn't bear thinking about. That's when I thought: sod it, let's go out and get a big noisy drum!"

What do you think are the prospects for this season?
"A lot of hard work went into getting us into this division by a lot of good people and I don't think we should give it up without a fight."

How would you assess Wrexham's situation at the moment?
"Men of Harlech is a stirring and popular anthem to the Wrexham faithful but hidden behind the tune is the story of 100 soldiers defeating 4,000 Zulus at the defence of a mission station in January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Ntal. This epitomises our current-day situation, being a small club often up against teams assembled at the cost of millions, with far more supporters than we have. I would like to think that the modern day Zulus were Arsenal (January 1992) and Middlesborough (December 1999)."

What does being a Reds fan mean?
"We succeed against all the odds because we all stick together. To me Gary Bennett was the perfect example of the Wrexham spirit, given away on a free but not only a goalscorer but a showman and entertainer who sent people away from the ground at 4.45 on a Saturday afternoon with smiles on their faces feeling they couldn't wait to see the next match."

Tell us about your drum…
"The drum is 18 inches deep with a 15-inch diameter drum 'skin' which is held in place by six tuning screws. Tighten them too much and the drum sounds too high and tinny! The screws need to be adjusted after every match to give it that solid 'base' sound."

How has it been received this year?
"I started drumming at Huddersfield away, and so far, everyone has been most accommodating; we have not had any problems getting the drum into away grounds. The only problem was at Oldham where it was too big to fit through the narrow turnstiles, so three kind stewards opened the main gates for me - good lads!"

What's your drumming technique?
"As some of the lads on the Kop who have guested on the drum can testify, after a few minutes non-stop beating, it is hard work. My 12 years training at a school of music have certainly helped! Kop choirmaster Ian 'Jacko' Roberts had a little go one match at half time and dropped it on the girl in front of him! All I will say is that you need a glove to protect your hand and you do learn a bit more each time. But even with a glove, my hand resembles a raw piece of beefsteak after each match, but it will all be worth it when we stay up! I got some useful advice and tips from a drummer in a Salvation Army band at a Remembrance Parade. There were about 20 people in his band, so he looked a bit perplexed when I told him there were 3,700 in the one I played in!"

What about Reds fans in general?
"I firmly believe we have the best supporters in the world, and as Mr Jacko says, if every single supporter in the ground sang, the atmosphere would be worth a goal start. The WINS people are also doing a fantastic job."

And who are your big pals on the Kop?
"Mr Jacko, of course. Fans go into severe depression if he's not amongst us. Paul stands next to me and reckons he is now deaf in one ear. I must also mention Swindon Reds, Nikki and Wayne, who make a 300-mile round trip to most of the games. Nikki plays the 'soprano' drum on the Kop. If you see them pre-match in the Turf, take your hat off and salute these two and buy them a drink - they deserve it for their travelling!"

Many thanks, Jerry - and keep up the good work!