The Sunday Mail
Sports Editor
EVERYTIME he looks through the window Peter “Chops” Fanwell can see the home of his new love — Westham United Football Club.
On the few occasions he takes a look at the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table, the legendary former goalkeeper sees his old love in unfamiliar territory.
During his playing days, Dynamos seemed to have Permanent Residence status at the top of the log but oh my- times have changed.
DeMbare are singing the blues with their mythical seven million supporters a bemused lot that vents its anger on social media.
How can such a big brand be so ordinary? How can Dynamos not look like Dynamos?
“Well I am not surprised at all,” said Fanwell.
“With Dynamos, a lot of individuals like to be involved with the running of the club even those that don’t know much about football.”
To the latter day Dynamos fan the chances of watching a DeMbare outfit as dominant as the side that had the likes of Fanwell, Angirai Chapo, Stanley Chirambadare, Biggie Zuze, Memory Mucherahohwa and the late Gift “Ghetho” Mpariwa are diminishing with each day.a
To those that watched the swashbuckling Dynamos of old, this present day DeMbare looks like a poor caricature of their great club.
And with the Dynamos of today poor at their best, Fanwell chooses to hang on to the memories while wondering where teams like FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum Stars and Chicken Inn came from.
“I have lost touch with the football back home. I only check the league table once in a while to see which team is dominating. I also follow the national team when they are playing. Here in the UK I follow the English Premier League.
“I support West Ham. I can see the stadium from outside my window. I also like watching Tottenham Hotspurs playing,” said Fanwell.
As he watches the EPL at close range, the former Warriors goalkeeper holds on to his Zimbabwean memories like treasure.
“I still remember the good old days at Dynamos playing against teams like Highlanders and Caps United, winning the league and winning trophies… it was a great time,” he said.
“There were a number of memorable matches but the one I would pick is retaining the Natbrew Castle Cup at the National Sports Stadium in October 1991 against Highlanders.
“After 90 minutes it was 1- 1 so (it) had to go into penalty shootout and I remember saving Willard Khumalo’s spot kick and going on to win 3-1.”
